Behind nearly every successful business is a moment of clarity, when vision meets guidance, and passion meets practicality. In Georgia, thousands of these moments trace back to one place: the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center.
Located at the intersection of campus innovation and community impact, the UGA SBDC is a statewide leader in providing no-cost business consulting, data-backed strategies, and no-to-low-cost educational programs for entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of growth. The SBDC is one of the eight units of UGA Public Service and Outreach, which has earned numerous national awards in recent years for its work to enrich communities, spark economic growth, and improve quality of life across Georgia, as well as a core member of UGA’s Innovation District.
Empowering Entrepreneurs Across Georgia
Founded in the 1970s as part of a national initiative to connect universities and business communities, the SBDC now operates 18 offices across the state. At its core, the SBDC is a bridge between research, education, and real-world entrepreneurship.
“Our goal is to meet people where they are,” says Allan Adams, State Director of the SBDC. “Whether someone is launching a startup, growing a company, or navigating challenges, we help them build a solid foundation and a realistic plan for success.”
From cash flow analysis and marketing strategies to export planning and hiring support, the SBDC delivers individualized, need-specific consulting, providing tailored assistance for any stage of business, often through long-term relationships. Business owners return again and again as their companies evolve, tapping into a statewide network of over 50 experienced consultants.
Most entrepreneurs aren’t looking for something flashy; they want something real, something lasting. We’re here to help them turn passions into careers and ideas into impact.
Doug Huemme, Athens Area Director
From the Community, For the Community
At the Athens office, Area Director Doug Huemme brings a deeply personal understanding of entrepreneurship. A business owner for nearly two decades, Huemme is passionate about helping others avoid common pitfalls.
“Our clients are incredibly good at what they do—but they don’t always have the business side of things,” he explains. “We don’t tell them what to do—we give them the tools, data, and support to make smarter decisions.”
Clients may arrive through referrals from banks, chambers, or economic development agencies, or simply by walking in with an idea. Services include one-on-one coaching, in-person and virtual training, and access to cutting-edge business intelligence tools.
Success stories range from well-known brands like Elf on the Shelf and Savannah Bee Company to hundreds of local companies working quietly and steadily toward long-term growth. While outcomes vary, the approach is consistent: honest, practical advice rooted in the real-world economy.
A Vital Part of UGA’s Innovation District
While the SBDC’s mission is statewide, its Athens location plays a unique role in UGA’s Innovation District—a collaborative hub designed to support entrepreneurship, research commercialization, and university-industry partnerships.
With its office on Broad Street facing the central business district of downtown Athens, the SBDC collaborates with both university personnel and community members who have business ideas or research-based innovations. The SBDC offers guest lectures, helps judge business plan competitions, and hosts graduate assistants and interns throughout the year. This integration with UGA’s academic ecosystem and the local business community strengthens both the university’s impact and the state’s economy.
“We’re proud to be part of the Innovation District,” says Adams. “It gives us proximity to talent, resources, and ideas—and in return, we help bring those ideas to life.”
Building for the Long Haul
More than anything, the SBDC is in the business of sustainability. Whether helping a founder map an exit strategy, navigate a pandemic, or prepare for long-term growth, the team emphasizes planning, preparation, and persistence.
“Most entrepreneurs aren’t looking for something flashy—they want something real, something lasting,” says Huemme. “We’re here to help them turn passions into careers, and ideas into impact.”
In that way, the SBDC embodies the very mission of the University of Georgia: to serve, to lead, and to shape a better future for Georgia’s businesses and the communities they sustain.
