FROM STAFF REPORTS

Dr. Glenn Cherry, CEO of the Florida Courier, said he’s looking forward to a free seminar this Saturday designed to help owners of small businesses get the information to take their companies to the next level.

Along with Regions Bank, the Courier is sponsoring "Ride To Success," a seminar scheduled Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Eddie Newkirk Life Center, 3222 N. 34th St., Tampa.

Cherrys to focus on business plan

How to Write a Business Plan will be presented by Dr. Cherry along with his brother, Attorney Charles W. Cherry II, publisher of the Courier.

"As a longtime small business owner, I know how important a good plan and competent financial advice is necessary to become a successful company," Dr. Cherry stated.

The Florida Courier is committed to bringing valuable information to the community and is proud to partner with Regions Bank in the success of Black-owned businesses, he added.

Topics to include accounting, trusts

Along with the Cherrys, the morning seminar will feature several Tampa-based professionals with expertise in various areas of business and finance designed to help small businesses get on the right track.

Many aspects of small business success will be covered, including "Improving Financial Accounting’’ and "Making Your Business Credit Worthy."

This event also will cover how businesses can leave a legacy and how to protect your assets through many of the financial vehicles available through Regions Bank.

Living trusts, annuities, savings, 401ks and other affordable asset protection and investment options that can create multi-generational wealth will be discussed. A representative from Regions Bank will lead the presentation.

Insight from Tampa CPA

The Improving Financial Accounting portion will be led by Priscilla Williams, a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a partner of Lovett & Co. financial services of Tampa.

Williams is a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. A licensed CPA in Florida and Georgia, she has more than 15 years of audit experience in Fortune 500 public utility, over three years experience as a Federal Savings Bank auditor and audit supervisor, and 20 years of work experience as a financial accountant, in banking, other corporate industries, and with not-for-profit organizations.

Her career includes a term as a commercial bank officer responsible for the financial accounting and the daily investments of federal funds.

Banking, business expert to speak

Making Your Business Creditworthy will be presented by Albert Lee, a managing partner with Heights Capital Group LLC.

Lee started his banking career over 20 years ago having been recruited by First Florida Bank as a management associate after graduating from Florida A&M University.

He has trained and worked in all aspects of banking, including, commercial credit analysis and underwriting, commercial lending, retail banking and consumer lending.

Along with a successful career in banking, he started a local dry cleaning chain started from ground up. The business ultimately grew to include four store locations, a processing plant, multiple wholesale accounts and over 15 employees before being sold to local competitors.

"Business owners who are seeking credit should familiarize themselves with the five Cs of credit that bankers use in evaluating funding request. Heights Capital Group LLC specializes in helping small business owners secure primarily bank loans," Lee said. "Banks look at things such as credit, cash flow, collateral, character and capacity during the underwriting process to help determine creditworthiness.’’

Jetie B. Wilds, a longtime local community leader and board member of the Saturday Morning Breakfast Club, will moderate the seminar.

To attend the free seminar, RSVP via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 813-319-0961.