Small Business Lab by the UGA Small Business Development Center

In Episode 5 of the Small Business Lab podcast, host Bennett West sits down with Sarah Lamar, an employment law partner at Hunter MacLean in Savannah, Georgia, to explore the legal fundamentals small business owners need to know when hiring and managing employees. They discuss employee-count thresholds, overtime and worker classification, hiring and background checks, employee handbooks, performance issues, harassment claims, non-competes, social media policies and emerging workplace concerns around AI. Sarah also explains the risks of employee misclassification and why Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) matters. Whether you're hiring your first employee or managing a growing team, this episode offers practical legal insights to help you stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes.

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Employment laws and their application vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Business owners should consult a qualified attorney regarding their specific situation.

About our Guest:

Sarah Lamar is a partner at Hunter MacLean’s Savannah Office and practices employment law. She has been named a Georgia Super Lawyer and one of the Best Lawyers in America in Labor and Employment Law. She received her B.A. in History from Yale University and her J.D. from Emory University. 

Episode Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & Guest Welcome

2:22 – Employee County Thresholds & Key Employment Laws

5:40 – Overtime Rules & Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Employees

7:19 – Hiring: Job Descriptions, Applications & Interviews

11:03 – Background Checks & Reference Checks

15:33 – W-2 Employees vs. 1099 Independent Contractors

22:39 – Managing Employees: Communication & Documentation

27:40 – Harassment & Hostile Work Environment Claims

33:18 – Performance Evaluations

35:16 – Employee Handbooks & Workplace Policies

38:24 – Non-Competes, NDAs & Confidentiality Agreements

41:17 – Social Media Policies & the National Labor Relations Act

44:03 – AI in the Workplace

46:37 – EPLI Insurance, Trusted Advisors & Closing Thoughts

Links:

https://www.huntermaclean.com

Connect With Us:

Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Learn More About the UGA SBDC:

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/. 

About the Host:

Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs. 

This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

In this episode:

In this episode of the Small Business Lab podcast, host Bennett West talks with Peter Labib, a Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers franchisee, about the complete franchising journey — from an unexpected layoff after 25 years at UPS to researching franchise concepts, navigating the FDD and discovery day process, negotiating territory rights, securing SBA financing for a $1.5–2.5 million build-out, and managing the chaotic final weeks before opening day. Peter shares practical advice and hard-won lessons for any entrepreneur considering the franchise path.

About our Guest:

Peter Labib is a multi-unit franchisee of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, based in New Jersey.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

01:25 – About our guest, Peter Labib

03:47 – The Discovery Process: Why Franchising?

08:27 – Choosing Freddy’s: Vetting & First Contact

10:33 – Territories, FDD & Discovery Day

17:07 – Franchise Commitments & Development Plans

20:28 – Real Estate & Financing the Build

25:00 – Build-Out to Opening Day

27:07 – Pre-Opening: Hiring & Operations

30:23 – Lessons Learned & Keys to Success

Links: 

Upcoming UGA SBDC class on franchising: https://ugasbdc.training/uwg/0874-001

This is an in-person class held in Carrollton, GA.

Connect With Us:

Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Learn More About the UGA SBDC:

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more at https://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/. 

About the Host:

Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs. 

This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

Episode Title: Beyond the Bank: Financing for the Small Business with Victoria Saxton, President and CEO of the Small Business Assistance Corporation

In this episode:

In this episode, Bennett West sits down with Victoria Saxton, President and CEO of the Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC), a Savannah-based nonprofit CDFI serving 53 counties in southeast Georgia and six in South Carolina. Victoria shares her journey from accounting student to nonprofit leader, then walks through how the SBAC differs from traditional banks as a mission-focused lender — collaborating with banks rather than competing with them. The conversation covers the organization's wide range of loan programs, its specialization in startup financing and what borrowers need to qualify. 

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

01:08 – About our guest, Victoria Saxton

03:38 – What is the Small Business Assistance Corporation (SBAC)?

06:35 – SBAC vs. Banks

08:34 – Loan programs overview 

11:44 – Loan sizes, uses and startups

19:02 – Collateral, credit and qualifying

27:28 – Current programs and partnerships

30:24 – Closing and resources

Links: 

https://www.savannahdba.com

Connect With Us:

Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Learn More About the UGA SBDC:

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/. 

About the Host:

Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs. 

This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

In this episode:

In this episode, Bennett West sits down with Mia Mance, Executive Director of the Savannah Downtown Business Association, to discuss the ways the Downtown Business Association has impacted the small business community in Savannah. As you listen, consider the ways you can get involved in your local business community!

About our Guest:

With a background in marketing and media, Mia Mance shifted to her role as the Executive Director of the Savannah Downtown Business Association in 2025, helping weave together the businesses, organizations and people that shape Savannah. With her own small business expertise as the owner of Mia Talks Media and Marketing, Mance has 20+ years of experience in marketing and media, and over a decade of community advocacy and collaboration work across Savannah. The Savannah Downtown Business Association serves as a vital support network for downtown businesses, working to ensure that downtown Savannah is a thriving space for businesses and community. 

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:05 – About our guest, Mia Mance

02:11 – Mia’s journey to the Savannah Downtown Business Association (SDBA)

04:15 – How Savannah has changed

06:20 – Scope of the SDBA 

08:30 – Geographic scope of the SDBA

10:57 – What Savannahians are doing in the city

13:50 – How the SDBA does business

15:04 – What are some challenges for small businesses in the downtown area?

20:10  – So, what about parking?

22:36 – Balancing local and tourist populations in downtown businesses

30:29 – Development in Savannah

31:30 – These are local stories and local people

32:03 – How the SDBA engages with other organizations and businesses

38:00 – New things happening for the SDBA

Links: 

https://www.savannahdba.com

Connect With Us:

Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Learn More About the UGA SBDC:

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/. 

About the Host:

Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs. 

This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.

In this episode:

In our debut episode, Bennett West sits down with Marjorie Young of Carriage Trade Public Relations to discuss practical PR strategies, building credibility and earning the kind of media attention that helps small businesses stand out.

About our Guest:

Marjorie Young founded Carriage Trade Public Relations Inc. in 1995 as the first PR firm in the Savannah area to embrace online PR. Marjorie is certified in crisis communications by the Public Relations Society of America. She is the past chair of SCORE, Small Business Chamber and the Small Business Council. As author of the Reputation Matrix, Marjorie holds frequent PR bootcamps and monthly online coaching webinars that empower business owners and nonprofit organizations to take control of their PR, brand and message. 

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

02:02 – About our guest, Marjorie Young

03:05 – Kicking off our conversation about public relations

03:44 – Marjorie’s background and the power of PR

05:50 – What exactly is PR?

07:33 – The difference between marketing and PR

08:37 – The Reputation Matrix

11:35 – Getting engaged with resources in your community 

16:59 – Social media pet peeve

19:50 – The impact of word of mouth

22:14 – Crisis Communication

26:20 – The first steps to follow with your press release according to AI

29:29 – PR is like a Thoroughbred Horse

30:51 – Final Thoughts

32:16 – Postscript 

Links: 

·      Carriage Trade PR : https://carriagetradepr.com/ 

Connect With Us:

Follow the UGA SBDC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Learn More About the UGA SBDC:

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides tools, training and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. Designated as one of Georgia’s top providers of small business assistance, the UGA SBDC has 17 offices ranging from Rome to Valdosta to serve the needs of Georgia’s business community. Learn more athttps://georgiasbdc.org, or request assistance at https://georgiasbdc.org/request-for-assistance/. 

About the Host:

Bennett West brings decades of experience in sales, operations and supply chain leadership across consulting, private equity and manufacturing. He has held leadership roles at Deloitte and EY, where he specialized in manufacturing, operational improvement and supply chain strategy, ultimately leading EY's Midwest Supply Chain practice with responsibility for business development and client delivery. In private equity, Bennett served as an operating partner, helping portfolio companies improve performance and drive growth. Now, Bennett is a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Savannah, consulting with small business owners and teaching continuing education programs. 

This podcast is presented for educational purposes only. The UGA SBDC does not endorse specific products or services mentioned in the episode.