Legacy 2017 South Florida: 25 Most Powerful Women Issue | Page 11

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD
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TEAM UP Broward is a Win-Win for county Entrepreneurs
By Zach Rinkins
Broward’s Board of County Commis-
sioners recently approved, scoring
an 8-0 commission vote, the creation
of the “TeamUP Broward” Men-
tor-Protégé Pilot Program designed
to forge relationships between
established businesses, local certified
small businesses, and community
partners. The program is scheduled
to begin in March 2018 and continue
for one calendar year. The Office of
Economic and Small Business Devel-
opment (OESBD) will spearhead the
program’s implementation. Potential
Protégés and Mentors are now need-
ed and application is due by January
5, 2018.
“This program represents the culmi-
nation of many years of effort by a
variety of partners,” shared Jasmine
Jones, OESBD‘s Public Information Of-
ficer. “It will only be successful with
a wide-ranging partnership between
our office, mentoring businesses,
willing protégés, supportive financial
institutions, and other key stakehold-
ers.”
TeamUP is a part of Broward Coun-
ty’s commitment to promoting and
maximizing access to contracting
opportunities for its County Business
Enterprises (CBEs), Small Business
Enterprises (SBEs), Disadvantaged
Business Enterprises (DBEs), and
Airport Concession Disadvantaged
Business Enterprises (ACDBEs). This
pilot program will only target the
participation and growth of Protégés
in the Construction and Professional
Services sectors.
“Securing appropriate and dedicated
community partners is crucial to ful-
filling the program’s goal and making
a positive impact within our local busi-
ness community,” Jones informed.
The program will provide an oppor-
tunity for eligible protégés to receive
developmental assistance in busi-
ness operations and technical areas
from experienced mentors and local
service providers. Mentors and
other partners will coach participat-
ing protégés in the area of its core
capabilities to compete and perform
as contractors or subcontractors on
procurement programs with Broward
County and beyond.
“Community partners need to be
willing to devote time, staff and re-
sources to sustain the program. The
requested commitment, in contrast
to the anticipated benefits, will be
minimal; with their support, we fore-
see realizing maximum outcomes for
all involved,” Jones added.
During the 12-month pilot program,
mentor candidates will be limited to
seven experienced firms that are pro-
ductive in their respective areas of
work or service. OESBD may approve
up to two protégés to each mentor.
The Pilot Program Protégé candidates
should be certified by OESBD in its
small business programs; however,
the program may expand to include
other non-certified small businesses.
Ultimately, the program supports
the County Commissioners’ values
of ensuring economic opportunities
for Broward’s diverse population and
businesses through retention of exist-
ing Broward County businesses and
the potential to grow business capac-
ity through mentoring relationships,
resulting in retained and increased
employment across industries.
Fo