Gabi Carrasco Stewart is a certified survival swim instructor dedicated to keeping babies and young children safe around water. She created Shrimply the Best Infant Aquatics to teach swim-float-swim technique and aquatic self-rescue skills to children 6 months and older.

In the United States, accidents are a leading cause of death in children, and drowning is the leading cause for children under 5 years of age. Kids in Northwest Arkansas are constantly around pools, lakes and rivers, making water safety skills critically important. 

When Stewart originally reached out for help in building her business, the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A provided guidance with startup issues, accounting and cash flow, budgeting, and suggestions on scheduling software.

Beginning with the Smartphone Photography webinar to learn enhanced social media skills to promote her safety message and business, Stewart subsequently participated in the ASBTDC Marketing Boot Camp, Google Business seminar and other marketing training.

Stewart recently noted that the greatest need affecting her growing business is keeping up with financials and staying organized. Working again with business consultant Stephanie Parsons, they reviewed her books and examined options to streamline registration for classes.

"Stephanie is guiding me through all of these. Her knowledge and expertise have been a blessing," Stewart said. "I'm grateful and feel so lucky to be her client. ASBTDC has been a great support in so many ways for my small business!"

For additional information call (479) 388-0711.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the U of A helps small business In Northwest Arkansas thrive. With offices in Fayetteville and Bentonville, ASBTDC consultants provide one-on-one confidential consulting at no cost to the client and in-person and virtual trainings and workshops to help entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and skill to be successful.

The ASBTDC at the U of A is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a unit of the Division of Economic Development, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.