SBE Program Highlights
Our Goal is to Help Your Small Business Programs Succeed
Created by Mayor Keith A. James, the Office of Small Business Programs (SBP) is here to assist local businesses succeed.
Annually, millions of dollars in government contracts are awarded to provide the City of West Beach with Construction Services, Professional Services and goods and services. Historically, many small businesses have missed out on these projects because they lack the skills or knowledge to compete for City projects, and other government and industry projects.
The Office of Small Business Programs is here to help your business get certified and learn the skills required to compete for government and industry contracts.
Upcoming Events
Join us and learn!
- Business Health Checkup--
Get a diagnosis on the health of your business at the Business Health Checkup series hosted by the Equity Entrepreneur Center (E2C). Sessions on October 14th and 16th from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mandel Public Library 3rd Floor Auditorium, 411 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Click here to register
Small Business Programs Event Recap: AI Marketing and SBA Workshops
September 3, 2025
The West Palm Beach Office of Small Business Programs had an eventful evening of programming on Wednesday September 3rd, 2025. At Cityside Suites, the small business community gathered to hear and learn from Dieulanie Claude, Small Business Administration Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for the South Florida region. Ms. Claude gave an overview of the Small Business Administration and helped local entrepreneurs understand the variety of resources available to them from the Small Business Administration. Business owners left with an understanding of how they can utilize these resources to create an edge for their enterprises or even help them get through emergencies. The night’s activities also included a business networking session where attendees were able to connect with fellow entrepreneurs across local industries. The event was a great success, and the City of West Palm Beach is grateful to the Small Business Administration for their partnership and community support.
At the Mandel Public Library, the first night of a two-part AI workshop led by Krissy Robbs of Fix My Flyer, LLC was also underway on Wednesday September 3rd, 2025. This new series offered by the West Palm Beach Small Business Office gives attendees an in-depth lesson on AI prompting best practices to help them maximize their use of AI tools across different aspects of entrepreneurship. The hands-on first session encouraged attendees to connect directly with AI tools on their personal devices and start troubleshooting their prompting skills in real time. Entrepreneurs were able to learn what prompting strategy gets you the best results—and what will result in gibberish or misinformation—on different large language models and AI tools. The second part of the series will focus on creating a unique, ready-to-use design with the lessons learned in part one.
Small Business Resource Fair
May 7, 2025
Our 2025 Small Business Fair was a resounding success. Held in the Mandel Public Library on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, about 50 small business owners met with 17 area businesses and government agencies to discuss collaboration opportunities. The face-to-face meetings were to open doors and assist small businesses in qualifying and understand how to secure jobs with these companies and government agencies. Held annually during National Small Business Week, the event is designed specifically to help small businesses navigate the complexities of bidding and securing contracts for goods and services.
The Power of Public Speaking
Stepping in front of a crowd, or presenting to a committee evaluating components of a contract can be intimidating. Our four-part series with master communicator Corey Saban, the Power of Public Speaking, is designed to prepare businesses to make the best presentation.
Small Business Resources Fair
The Office of Small Business Programs works to open doors and remove barriers to assist companies not only survive but thrive. Among the ways we open doors is through events such as the Small Business Resource Fair where you get to meet one-on-one with people who can help your business.
Community Outreach
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Mayor Keith A. James, left, and Small Business Director Frank Hayden, right, with a family at the STEM in the City Forum
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Sandra Hammerstein, left, Small Business Compliance Officer, with Mayor Keith A. James, and Alejandro Quintero, Small Business compliance specialist at the Greenacres Hispanic Fiesta.
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