F.A.Q.s

The Disney Entrepreneur Center (E-Center) was founded in 2003 through the collaboration of the University of Central Florida, The U.S. Small Business Administration, Orange County Government and The Walt Disney World Company to stimulate economic development in Central Florida. By creating a single location that houses a variety of business assistance organizations, the E-Center provides easy access to industry connections, business counseling and relevant business training. This has accelerated the development and growth of small businesses in Central Florida and beyond.

Whether you're working on a business plan or an exit strategy, the E-Center has something to offer you! Each service provider brings a unique specialty to serve those who visit the E-Center. Some clients request one-on-one counseling while others prefer to attend an educational seminar or just network with other business owners. Since many of the services are free, we invite you to visit the center to see what programs and or resources would be most beneficial to you.

Many of the services that you receive at the E-Center are free of charge including use of the Innovation Center and most counseling sessions. Some training classes are offered at a nominal fee and there are some organizations located at the center that do require membership.

Anyone can use the resources found at the Disney Entrepreneur Center. The E-Center not only provides services at our Orlando facility, but we have partnering organizations located throughout the state of Florida and our web-based resources are available to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

Not at all! Our service providers have a variety of programs directed at middle market and high growth companies. From CEO round tables to free advisory boards, you can find support and resources that you need to take your business to the next level!

Women entrepreneurs play a critical role in our nation's economy, and the E-Center is committed to expanding this role. While all of our service providers are well-equipped to support women business owners, the Minority/Womens Business Enterprise Alliance (see Service Providers page) is home to an SBA funded Women's Business Center.

Most service providers at the E-Center can support a veteran of the armed services who is planning to open a new business. A good place to start is the SBA Veterans Program (www.sba.gov/VETS). Then make an appointment with one of our service providers, who will not only share their expertise, but connect you with other resources devoted to veterans.

A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals and serves as a road map for your success. The basic components include a summary of your idea, your marketing plans and your financial projections a balance sheet, an income statement and a cash flow analysis. Because it provides specific and organized information about your company and how you will repay borrowed money, a good business plan is a crucial part of any loan package.

Good planning is CRITICAL to your Success!

Yes, but you may need to register your business with your city and county. Experts estimate that as many as 20 percent of new small business enterprises are operated out of the owner's home. Service providers at the Disney Entrepreneur Center can provide pertinent information on how to manage and grow a home-based business.

SBA offers several loan programs which are described at their website (www.sba.gov). The SBA does not make loans directly, but they will guarantee loans made by SBA approved lenders. You can locate a business counselor who can assist you in preparing your SBA application loan application by visiting the “services” section of the website.

Committing your own funds is often the first financing step and it is certainly the best indicator of how serious you are about your business. Risking your own money gives confidence for others to invest in your business. You may also want to consider a partner for additional financing, as well as family resources, and of course banks are always a source of funds. Other loan sources include commercial finance companies, venture capital firms, local development companies and life insurance companies. Trade credit, selling stock and equipment leasing do offer some alternatives to borrowing. For example, leasing can be an advantage because it does not tie up your cash. Service providers at the Disney Entrepreneur Center can provide pertinent information about these various financial alternatives.

Applications have been provided to all lenders that actively participate with the SBA. Many forms are also available online at www.sba.gov/library/forms. However, since there are several variations of SBA’s loan programs, it is helpful to check with your lender or visit one of our service providers before filling out an application. See also: www.sba.gov/financin/basics/applyloan

Click on the service provider tab on our home page to get a list of all the organizations housed at the Disney Entrepreneur Center.

First of all, we recommend coming to the E-Center and engaging the resources provided at the center. You can also view a summary of the start-up by clicking on the start a business button on the home page.

Occasionally grants may be available for starting a business, however, finding a grant that applies to your business and qualifying for a grant can be a time consuming process, especially for a for profit entity. The first step in the process is to locate a grant provider and obtain the qualifications. Then, follow those application guidelines carefully! The E-Center serves for profit entities primarily and as a result has limited capabilities in assistance with grant applications.