The Leesburg Business Incubator has been vital in providing office space, technical training and start-up assistance for some of Lake County’s emerging businesses.
Since 2007, more than 14 companies have occupied space in the downtown Leesburg building. Prospective entrepreneurs have been educated on business fundamentals while numerous others have taken advantage of the free small business development classes and seminars. The incubator is operated as a partnership of the city of Leesburg, Lake County Government and Lake-Sumter State College.
“I had no doubt that our business would be successful, and I think the incubator sped up that process,” said Marc Robertz-Schwartz, founder of Hometown Health TV and Red Apples Media. “We had really tight group of four businesses during the time that I was there, where we were able to share our successes, share our frustrations, and be able to brainstorm and tap into best practices.”
Robertz-Schwartz won the 2012 National Business Incubator Association Business of the Year Award as a graduate of the Leesburg Business Incubator program.
He follows the success of his incubator peers, Dennis McGee, who started Mr. Handyman, and Mark Starcher, founder of Evergreen Construction.
“We continue to stay in touch, support each other and check in on each other,” he said.
Ken Thomas, Leesburg’s director of housing and economic development, said the business incubator was started by Leesburg to offer start-up services to individuals and businesses.
“They learn how to take it from a dream vision into actual reality,” Thomas said. “Fortunately, Lake County recognized that there was a greater need to provide the incubator services throughout Lake County, and they joined in partnership, as well as the college. Any person who wants to start a business in Lake County has access to this training and counseling services.”
The business incubator was considered a necessity when Lake County’s unemployment rate rose, he said, and Leesburg officials realized the need to help grow and establish local businesses to help reduce the unemployment rate.
The incubator currently has four resident clients, three off-site clients and three on-site available offices for new companies.
“The services are here for the people who have a vision about starting a business,” Thomas said. “And it’s here where they can get help on how to get started, how to hire employees, what it costs to run a business.”
Thomas said costs vary, but he has found many start-up companies don’t spend enough time planning for capital reserves.
“So when business is slow, there is money that you can pull from — the reserves — so that you can keep the doors open,” Thomas said. “Having capital reserves is highly important in starting a business. You don’t want to start a business on a shoestring budget.”
Along with the programs hosted at the Leesburg Business Incubator, additional courses are offered for free at the Leesburg and Clermont campuses of Lake-Sumter State College. Those interested can register at www.lakeboc.com/training.