In this episode of Small Biz Florida, host Tom Kindred sits down with Andrew Zapf, CPA, Senior Tax Manager at Withum. Andrew shares critical insights into the recently passed legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" or OBBBA. The conversation explains how this bill reinstates the full expensing of research and experimental (R&E) costs, reintroduces 100% bonus depreciation for machinery, and introduces a powerful new incentive: 100% bonus depreciation for new manufacturing facilities under the Qualified Production Property (QPP) rule. Whether you're a small manufacturer or a large-scale producer, this episode unpacks how the latest tax reforms can fuel expansion, increase cash flow, and support growth across Florida’s booming manufacturing sector. Andrew also emphasizes the complexity of these provisions and why strategic, professional tax planning is crucial to avoid costly mistakes.

Connect with Our Guest: https://www.withum.com

In this forward-looking episode, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred sits down with Noa Lipton, Territory Manager, and Ralph Aiello, Work-Based Learning Partnership Manager for Xello, live from the 2025 Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum. The conversation explores how Xello, a state-funded career and academic planning platform, is transforming K-12 education by helping students, starting in kindergarten, discover future careers, build academic pathways, and connect with real-world opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships. Available at no cost to all Florida public and charter schools, Xello is a powerful workforce development tool helping solve the state's talent shortage. Small businesses are encouraged to get involved by creating a free business profile, giving them access to over 2.5 million students eager to explore careers and gain experience. This episode highlights how early exposure, equity, and public-private collaboration are key to preparing Florida’s next-generation workforce.

This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.

Connect with Our Guests: https://xello.world/en/

In this moving episode recorded live at the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum, Small Biz Florida host Tom Kindred speaks with Heather Cogar, Statewide Director of Community Engagement for the Florida Prosperity Initiative. Cogar shares her deeply personal journey from foster care and homelessness to becoming a sheriff’s deputy, successful entrepreneur, and now a statewide leader working to cut childhood poverty in half by 2030. She explains how the initiative uses zip-code-level data to target the areas most in need and mobilizes business leaders as "zip code leaders" to connect existing nonprofits and community resources with families. Rather than creating new programs, the Florida Prosperity Initiative focuses on eliminating silos, driving collaboration, and building self-sufficiency over government dependency, all to secure Florida’s economic future by investing in its children today. This podcast episode was recorded live at the Florida Chamber Future of Florida Forum hosted at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital.

Connect with Our Guest: Florida Prosperity Initiative: https://www.flchamber.com/florida-prosperity-initiative