Laurie Simpson, co-owner of Delectables Fine Catering, knew when coronavirus made it to the United States, that it wasnt going to be an easy obstacle to overcome. really depended on large groups of...
Success Stories

Disaster Loan Allows Brewery to Retain and Support Employees
Grayton Beer Company was founded in 2011 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. They are a locally-owned distributor and brewery with quality sourced ingredients. They operate out of a 30,000 square foot...

Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis: A Small Business Success Story
Pilar Guzman Zavala was still beaming with energy and excitement having just returned from an airport conference in Denver in early March. Her small business,HalfMoon Empanadas, was preparing to...

Veteran-Owned Business Grows with Help from Florida SBDC, Florida PTAC at UCF
John Burns is an accomplished leader. He is a retired United States Army Colonel with a distinguished military career, including as a commander in combat. He built a successful IT consulting business...

Air Force Veteran Journeys to Business Ownership with Florida SBDC at UNF
As an Air Force Veteran working for big corporate business for over 30 years, Ralph Sevearance knew one day he wanted to be a business owner. Both he and his son Josh knew the owners of a local...

Air Force Veteran’s Small Business Flying High with Help from Florida SBDC at UWF
Flying is a family affair for Morris Jarmon, owner and operator of Island Air Express (IAE), and his son Ron. Morris aviation career began just two years out of high school. He recalls, I joined the...

Veteran-Owned Business Awarded First Contract with Help from Florida PTAC at USF
David Hahn decided to take a leap of faith and leave the hospitality industry to follow in his fathers footsteps, as an entrepreneur. He decided to take what hed learned in the hospitality industry...

Army Veteran Achieves First Contract with Help from Florida PTAC at UCF
Resolve. If theres one trait that distinguishes successful entrepreneurs and their small businesses from the rest, it is their determination to accomplish their goals, undeterred by the obstacles...

Ice Cream Maker Tastes Sweet Success with Help from Florida SBDC at FIU
Success tastes sweet for Fruitique, a Hialeah-based ice cream manufacturer that is expanding beyond the South Florida market. Launched in 2011, this family business has scooped up a niche in the...

Florida SBDC at UNF Helps Veteran-Owned Marine Construction Company
During the summer of 2018, Mark Johnson made an appointment at the Florida SBDC at UNF to discuss his plans to start Johnsons Coastal Marine Construction along with his father and his brother. They...

Pest Control Company Finds Government Contracting Success with Florida PTAC
McCall Service, Inc. is a family-owned and operated pest control, lawn care, and petroleum distribution company, that has been serving Florida and Georgia since 1928. They take pride in offering the...

Entrepreneur Follows Bliss with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
Relocating ones family from upstate New York is the perfect time to start a new career, a new profession, and a whole new experience. Thats exactly what Jodi Hague did when she and her husband moved...

Sign Company Grows with Help from the Florida SBDC at UNF
As an immigrant and an Army veteran duo, Franziska and Joseph Scone are no strangers to hard work and dedication. While proud of the family and law practice they raised, the couple knew they wanted...

Toni B. Springer CPA PA Accounting Firm Positioned for Expansion in 2019
People. Its always about people. Finding good ones; then finding more. Helping them be as productive as possible. Creating a constructive company culture. Human resource management is one of the...

SBA Names Alluvionic State of Florida Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
In 2013, Wendy Romeu founded Alluvionic, a company that specializes in project management, process improvement, and engineering solutions for clients including Google and the Orange County Clerk of...

AceApplications Founder Named Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
Headquartered in Orlando, AceApplications is a premier technology solutions provider. Founder Courtney Powell comes from humble beginnings, having immigrated to the U.S. from Jamaica. After a...

U.S. SBA Recognizes A Good Hart
Dallas Hart is the founder and chief executive officer of Hart 2 Hart Academy, an early learning childcare center and private school in Lake City. Hart founded Hart 2 Hart Academy almost ten years...

Jacquin P. Gilchrist, Esq. of The Gilchrist Law Firm Named 2019 Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
Following a dedicated career in the U.S. Judge Advocate Generals (JAG) Corps, the legal arm of the U.S. Army, Jacquin Quin Gilchrist and his wife founded The Gilchrist Law Firm, P.A., (GLF) in Coral...

House of Joy For This Successful Entrepreneur
Success tastes sweet for Mari Angeles Rubio, who was selected as the U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) Young Entrepreneur Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Florida. Rubio,...

Sunshine Peanut Company Owner Recognized as 2019 State of Florida Small Business Person of the Year
In 2003, Jeff Turbeville opened the Sunshine Peanut Company, a family-owned company that produces more than 10 million pounds of wholesale peanut butter nationwide annually. He founded the business...

Florida SBDC at FIU Client Receives National Recognition for Her Recovery from Hurricane Irma
As one of the oldest burger joints on Miami Beach, Cheeseburger Baby has a fitting motto: Keeping it Classic. However, its an ideal that the company struggled to keep after Hurricane Irma struck in...

Bridge Loan Helps Local Sausage Company Survive, Thrive Following Hurricane Michael
In 1941, Sparks Pappy Register founded the Register Meat Company in Cottondale, Florida. He worked for a meat processing plant in Marianna previously and told the owner about his great smoked pork...

Bridge Loan Helps Pet Resort Avoid Going to the Dogs Following Michael
Located in Marianna, Great Oak Pet Resort is a luxury dog and cat boarding, grooming, obedience training, and doggie daycamp business. Owner Vicki Fuqua opened the business after realizing the...

Bridge Loan Helps Oyster Farm Navigate Uncharted Waters Following Hurricane Michael
Dotted along the waterways of Oyster Bay float hundreds of oyster cages, home to millions of world-class Panacea oysters. The bay is home to marsh islands, bald eagles and other unique wildlife, and...

Bridge Loan Helps Bait, Tackle Shop Stay Afloat Following Michael
Located in Crawfordville, Jerrys Bait & Tackle offers on-site fishing licenses, live and frozen bait, freshwater and saltwater tackle, apparel, snacks, and more. Owner Theresa Miller bought the...

Bridge Loan Helps Coffee Shop Provide Common Ground for Mexico Beach Residents Following Michael
Nestled among a colorful row of small businesses in Mexico Beach is Caribbean Coffee, a café that serves coffee, tea, smoothies, sandwiches, and freshly baked pastries daily in a laid-back,...

Bridge Loan Helps Dairy Farm Rebuild, Recover from Hurricane Michael
Established in 1994, Cindale Farms is a small dairy farm located in Marianna. The farm is home to 500 cows, 300 of which are milked twice daily. Brad and Meghan Austin, who operate the business, are...

Bridge Loan Helps Caverns Learning Center Rebuild, Reopen Following Michael
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Michael. Within a few minutes of meeting Kristie Mulder, you can...

Symphonic Distribution Experiences Revenue Growth with Help from Florida SBDC at USF
Symphonic Distribution, founded by president Jorge Brea in 2006, is a digital music distribution company that works with independent artists to help get their music on Spotify, Amazon, Pandora and...

Inside Sales Solutions Experiences Rapid Growth with Help from Florida SBDC
While large organizations typically outsource to meet needs in areas such as recruitment or marketing services, the team at Inside Sales Solutions saw a huge opportunity in outsourcing one of the...

Recycled Organics and Land Management Company Grows with Help from Florida SBDC
Kimberly Martin, a high school agriculture teacher, created her business, Poo-fessional Recycled Organics and Land Management, due to a complaint from a neighbor regarding her and her husband...

Bridge Loan Helps Paff Landscape, Tree Service Stay in Business
John Paff, owner of Paff Landscape, Inc., and Paff Tree Service, LLC, provides tree trimming and removal services, as well as sod installation and roadway mowing for commercial enterprises, in the...

Revology Cars Revs Up Success with Help from Florida SBDC at UCF
Tom Scarpello is the founder and president of Revology Cars, LLC, a manufacturer and builder of totally cool, brand-new (and updated with modern technology and features), Ford-licensed reproduction...

Fitness Company Kicks Business in Gear with Help from Florida SBDC at UCF
Johnny Bonilla had a dream to start and run his own business five years ago. Today, he is the founder and owner of JBoFitness in Kissimmee, a group training facility that takes personal training and...

Home Staging & Design Company Experiences Rapid Growth with Help from Florida SBDC at EFSC
Lisa Pelc is the owner and chief executive of Bella Casa Staging & Redesign in Melbourne, a home staging and interior design company with experts in preparing homes both occupied and vacant for...

Organic Pet Food & Product Manufacturer Grows with Help from Florida SBDC at UCF
Every entrepreneur has a story, one that tells you where their new business idea came from and what ignited their passion to turn that idea into a going concern and then into a success. Most will...

Across Borders Grows Revenues with Help from Florida SBDC at UCF
Vijay Krishnan and Arathi Rajagopalan, husband and wife, are co-founders of Across Borders Management Consulting Group dba Integrass, an IT services and solutions company with a goal of delivering...

Temple Gym & Fitness Opens with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
Mitchell Smith is a veteran with a long-time dream of providing mentorship and assistance to youth in Jacksonville. After looking into various ways that he could help the community, Smith arrived at...

Eastside Pizza Serves Success By the Slice with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
Anthony (Tony) Burch has spent the last 30 years working at local pizza and burger restaurants. He and wife, Beverly, dreamed of having their own restaurant. When the local Subway franchise in east...

Blue Angels Music Sings Sweet Success with Help from Florida SBDC at UWF
Blues Angel Music was founded in Pensacola in 1997 by retired Navy Captain and fighter pilot Jim DeStafney. He and his wife Nan, a retired Navy forensics officer, have grown the store from its...

JIRACOR Becomes Established Defense Contractor
Florida PTAC at UCF Assists Company GainGovernment Contracting Success Doing business with the government can be challenging for a small business. But it can also be extremely rewarding. Once the...

Contracting Business Earns Government Contracts
Dan Fernandez has been in construction for 39 years and has had the opportunity to start and grow his own business in McKenzie Contracting LLC. McKenzie Contracting is a heavy civil contractor with...

Revology Cars Expanding Production Thanks to New Capital Investment
Florida SBDC at UCF Supports Reproduction Classic Car Manufacturer With Business Training and Capital Access Consulting Smart entrepreneurs are the ones who know they dont know everything. And who...

Bridge Loan Helps Accounting Firm Recover, Reopen Following Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Helps Sun Turf Weather Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Helps Medical, Chiropractic Company Pay Invoices, Make Payroll
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Loan Helps Bridge the Gap for Tampa-based Business
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Florida SBDC at UCF Client SeaDek Named SBA 2018 Small Business Exporter of the Year
Hyperform Inc. (d/b/a SeaDek Marine Products) is an All-American success story. What started out as a maker of products for the surfing industry like surfboard fins and traction pads has transformed...

Florida SBDC at FIU Helps Expressed Juice Extract a Winning Business Formula
When you walk into the Expressed Juice warehouse in Miamis Allapattah neighborhood, the produce district where trucks bring food from farms for distribution, the smacking smell of citrus instantly...

Globenet International Utilizes Florida PTAC at FIU to Expand into the Government Contracting Market
Ever the lifelong learner, Ahmed Cruz was at a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) training class when experts from the Florida SBDC at Florida International University (FIU) gave a...

Tween Waters Resort Reaches New Growth with Assistance from Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University
Nestled between Sanibel and Captiva with beach views for miles is Tween Waters Resort, a property holding of Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts, offering 137 historic seaside cottages, suites, studios,...

Tampa Music School Exceeds 100% Growth in Three Years with Help from Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
Tampa Music School was opened in 2015 by owner Matthew Maines. Maines was a public education music teacher prior to launching his own business. The reason I decided to launch Tampa Music School was...

Florida SBDC at UNF Client Named 2018 State of Florida Small Business Person of the Year
Mike Zaffaroni traded in his suit and tie for boots and blue jeans when he left his pharmaceutical sales job and purchased a landscape supply business. The business was started in 2005 as Fernandina...

Taking the Plunge into Entrepreneurship Pays off for Mozielle with the Help of Florida SBDC at USF
Local entrepreneurs and business owners all have had unique experiences that have inspired them to do incredible things within their communities. For Krisha Mota, owner of Mozielle, her story began...

Createch Machine and Design Utilizes Florida SBDC at USF for Growth and Branding Strategies
After spending his time as an executive within multiple companies, Larry Bull decided to leave his job as the president and chief operating officer at a commercial vehicle air conditioning company...

Guidance from Florida SBDC at UCF Helps Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. Achieve Impressive Business Growth
Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. (AITC) is a Central Florida-based Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and SBA 8(a) Minority-Owned Business that has, on the strength of its founders...

Dream Becomes A Reality for Owner of Day Spa and Organic Skin Care Line, NAIWBE, with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
In 2000, with over 20 years of combined healthcare experience as a Registered Nurse and corporate healthcare professional, Sylvia Walker started her business, Natural As I Wanna Be (NAIWBE), in...

Estuary Oysters Navigates Uncharted Waters with Help from the Florida SBDC at FAMU
Rob Olin has held a number of corporate positions including radio announcer, marketing director for Georgia Techs athletic department, and his own public relations and marketing company. However,...

Court Reporting Business Grows with Help from Florida SBDC at USF, Florida PTAC
In 1981, after a week of having no work assigned through the court reporting agency she worked for, Diane Emery decided to make a change. A few hours after quitting her job, she embarked on her own...

Page One Consulting Capitalizes on Growth Challenges with Assistance from Florida SBDC at UCF
The great recession had a devastating impact on the construction industry and businesses like Page One Consulting, Inc. (POC) that serve the industry. An engineering consulting firm, Page One...

Kids Village Arts Preschools Tunes In to Financing Expansion with Help from Florida SBDC at FIU
Emboldened by her passion for cultural and early childhood development, Tailleen Arias opened the Doral Conservatory and School for the Arts because she wanted her kids to enjoy music and arts...

Metro PCS Franchise Owner Overcomes Challenges, Expands Operations with Help from Florida SBDC at FGCU
In 2004, the Grisales family moved from Colombia to Bonita Springs in search of opportunities that would empower and improve their lives. At the young age of 13, Valentina Grisales, one of two...

Florida PTAC, Florida SBDC Help Tools Man Industrial Supply Face Challenges
Founded in 2000 by owners Rafael and Trina Gonzalez, the Tools Man, Inc. dba The Tools Man Industrial Supply is a wholesale/retail tool company that offers over 25,000 maintenance, repair and...

Florida SBDC at UCF Helps Gourmet Popcorn Company Turn Dream to Reality
It happens often. An entrepreneur has an idea but is uncertain about how to turn their vision into a real business. And then how to make that business a success. Minetta and Neal Crosier were just...

Bridge Loan Helps Winter Park Law Firm Resume Operations Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Helps Marketing Agency Cover Expenses Following Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Helps Di-Versified Recover Following Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Helps American Sign Language Retain Employees
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Helps Brooklyn Coffee Shop Recover from Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Helps Three Volcanoes Farm Retain Employees Following Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Networks partnership to help Floridas...

Bridge Loan Provides Light at End of Tunnel for Holly Bluff Marina
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation, and the Florida SBDC Network’s partnership to help...

Woman-Owned Modeling & Simulation Company Recognized Statewide for Outstanding Growth and Leadership
With nearly 15 years in the Orlando modeling and simulation industry, Dignitas Technologies LLC has established itself as a leader in the development of military training systems. Dignitas efforts...

Bridge Loan Helps International Jewelry Supply Company Relocate, Reopen Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Miami, International Jewelers Supply provides...

Bridge Loan Helps Leadership Training Company Rebuild Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Pompano Beach, Gratitude Training LLC provides...

Bridge Loan Helps Market Research Firm Recover, Make Payroll Following Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Data Clique, LLC provides...

Bridge Loan Helps West Palm Beach Engineering, Construction Company Make Payroll
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in West Palm Beach, Bell Engineering and Construction...

Bridge Loan Helps Sebring-based Learning Center Make Payroll
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Sebring, Busy Kids Creative Learning Center, Inc.,...

Bridge Loan Helps New Port Richey Dentist Stay in Business
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in New Port Richey, Dr. Cristen Mendoza wasnt sure...

Bridge Loan Helps Tampa-based Manufacturer Weather the Storm
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. While Carbon Marines headquarters are based in Tampa, the...

Bridge Loan Helps St. Augustine-Based Restaurant Recover From Hurricane Damage Once Again
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Violas Pizza Pasta & Seafood is a family-owned restaurant...

Bridge Loan Helps Orlando-based Tamarha’s Secret Get Cash Flow Going Again
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Tamarha’s Secret manufactures natural skin care...

Bridge Loan Helps Pediatric Behavioral Services in Orange Park Make Repairs After Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Pediatric Behavioral Services (PBS) is an applied behavior...

Bridge Loan Helps Apopka-based Peckett’s Plant Nursery Buy Materials and Pay Labor to Rebuild
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Peckett’s, Inc. is a plant nursery that specializes in...

Bridge Loan Helps I-Tech Personnel Services in Jacksonville Maintain Payroll for Employees
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. I-Tech Personnel Service, Inc. is a full-service staffing...

Bridge Loan Helps Automotive Shop Rev Up Again Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Casselberry, Circuit Motorsports provides high...

Bridge Loan Helps Apopka-based General Contractor Bridge the Gap Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Apopka, Barracuda Building Corp. is a certified...

Bridge Loan Helps Orlando-based Delivery Signs Get Back Into Business
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Delivery Signs LLC, a family-owned business located in...

Bridge Loan Helps Marco’s Pizza Franchise Get Back on Track Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Ketan Desai is the owner of a counter-serve Marco’s...

Bridge Loan Helps Leesburg-based Pet Lodge & Spa Survive Until Busier Times
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Leesburg, Pet Lodge & Spa is a professional...

Emergency Bridge Loan Helps Commercial, Residential Sod Company Recover Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Orlando, Sod Depot provides commercial and...

Bridge Loan Helps Christie Island Shack in Altamonte Springs Get Revenue Flowing Again
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Altamonte Springs,Christie Island Shack LLC d/b/a...

Bridge Loan Helps Fresh From Florida, Farm to School Company Stay in Business Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Jacksonville, Fiesta Catering, Inc/ A+ Lunch...

Bridge Loan Helps Jacksonville-based Chiropractic Care Center Recover
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Jacksonville, Castelli Chiropractic Center offers...

Bridge Loan Helps Tampa-based Car Dealer Continue Operations
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. As Hurricane Irma approached Florida, she took a toll...

Bridge Loan Helps Sarasota-based Practice Save Jobs, Serve Patients
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Sarasota, Gulf Coast Psychotherapy is a small,...

Bridge Loan Helps Lehigh Acres Veterinary Practice Recover Following Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Lehigh Acres, Lighthouse Pet Clinic is a small...

Bridge Loan Helps Tampa-based Bankruptcy Firm Retain Clients Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Tampa, Debt Relief Legal Group is a bankruptcy...

Bridge Loan Helps Naples Moving & Storage Company Repair Damage, Retain Employees Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Naples, Best Moving & Storage is a...

Bridge Loan Helps Eco-Experience Company Rebuild, Retain Employees Following Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Chokoloskee, a small town near Everglades City,...

Bridge Loan Helps Oviedo-Based Child Care Center Rebuild Following Hurricane Irma
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Floridas small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Oviedo, Little Explorer Academy is a child care...

Bridge Loan Provides Cash Flow For Allen Sportswear to Get Back on Track
Disaster is a team effort. Read this story about partners working together to help Florida’s small businesses recover from Hurricane Irma. Located in Oviedo, Allen Sportswear is an...

Paper Supply Company Succeeds with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
Hanan Hamed-Furqan has had many successes as a small business operator, including being named the 2017 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) North Florida District and State of Florida...

Software Company Finds Success with Florida SBDC at FIU
When Joel Browns father passed away, his grieving family went through an ordeal to find the paperwork necessary to close accounts, notify clients and perform other business tasks. When his...

Chiropractic Care Provider Secures Loan with Florida SBDC at Fort Lauderdale
Elaine Cruz-Abril graduated from chiropractic school in 2015. After graduation, she and her fiancé set out to own a practice they could grow. They located an existing practice located in Flagler...

Florida SBDC at IRSC Helps All Star Improve Profit Margin, Streamline Operations
All Star Carpet and Tiles (All Star), owned and operated by Juan Perez, is a premier tile and flooring company that specializes in the sale and installation of tile, carpet, laminate, wood and marble...

Veteran-owned Company Wins VA Contract with Florida PTAC in Pinellas County
Book Zurman Inc. is a company that develops interoperability standards for electronic health records, specifically for veterans and their families. The company moved to the healthcare space in 2010....

Advanced Furniture Solutions Succeeds in Government Contracting with Florida PTAC at UNF
Advanced Furniture Solutions provides new, used, and remanufactured office furniture and commercial flooring. They fulfill the needs of government agencies, educational institutions, large...

Capital City Music Therapy Grows with Help from Florida SBDC at FAMU
Michelle Pellito is the owner and operator of Capital Music Therapy. Pellito was interested in growing her business by increasing her sales and also wanted to move into a facility, but wanted to make...

Local Gun Shop Learns How to Market, Grow with Florida SBDC at USF
When the real estate market went down, Jeri Canale decided to retire as a realtor and jump into something new. Canale made the unusual switch to start up and operate her very own gun and ammo shop....

Florida SBDC at Daytona State College Helps Daytona Diner Relocate
Founded on Beach Street in 1996, the Daytona Diner has grown to be a Daytona Beach institution over the years. Owner Linda Toffolon has worked ceaselessly 7:00am 3:00pm six days a week, year after...

Maestro Learns Business Side of Music with Help from Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
Music finds people in many different ways. For some people, it was the guitar their parents bought for them as a child. For others, it was the tunes their parents played on the radio. For Maestro...

Medical Manufacturer Utilizes Export Marketing Plan for Expansion Plans
Adrian LaTrace has more than 25 years of varied experience in entrepreneurship. With varied work in start-ups and corporations, LaTrace has spent his career in growing sectors such as healthcare,...

Franchise Business Grows with Help from the Florida SBDC at USF
People pursue the life of an entrepreneur for many different reasons. Some people are born entrepreneurs, others learn the skills to become an entrepreneur. For Beatriz Cardona, it was fulfilling a...

Jones Brothers & Co. Air and Seaplane Adventures Flies High with Florida SBDC at UCF
Tavares is known as Americas Seaplane City for good reason. The city has made a significant commitment to the seaplane businesses that call the waters of Lake Dora home, including opening the Tavares...

Applied Contracting Services Grows with Help from Florida SBDC at UCF
Access to capital is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, challenge faced by small businesses today. Even successful, established businesses can have trouble finding the money they need to grow,...

Eagle Equipment Service 1 Expands with Assistance from Florida SBDC at UCF
Success costs money. Business owners learn quickly that they often need additional funds to finance their growth. Sometimes it can come from their cash flow, an investor, or from a bank. One thing is...

Manufacturing Company Finds International Success through Export Marketing Plan
J.T.D. Enterprises is a second generation, family-owned business of 35 years specializing in manufacturing tubing ensembles for sporting goods, tailgating, and defense industries. Originally from...

Dr. Paint Succeeds in Palm Coast with Help from Florida SBDC at UCF
Omar Rivera and his wife Katherine are a Palm Coast success story. Together, and with assistance from the Florida SBDC at UCF-Palm Coast, they have built Dr. Paint, a residential and commercial...

Silver Shores Living Grows with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
Silver Shores Living was born out of a dream that Ann-Marie Knight held for over 25 years. At that time, Knight, a high school student, served as a candy striper at a local nursing home in New York...

A1A Solar Powers Up with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
Pete Wilking is the owner and founder of A1A Solar Contracting, Inc. With a MBA and BS in Environmental Science, along with a strong background in engineering and finance, he saw an opportunity in...

Home Health Care Firm Manages Growth With Help from Florida SBDC at UNF, Florida PTAC at UNF
“After working as a RN in the home health field for several years and taking care of quadriplegic clients in and around Marion County, I realized there was no agency adequately equipped to deal...

Sea Shutters Weathers Storms, Expands with Help from Florida SBDC at UWF
In 1996, Mike Harris founded Sea Shutters after realizing that existing shutters being sold on the market cracked, pealed, and did not stand up to flying debris from gale-force winds. After...

Bridge Loan Provides Cash Flow For Carriage Way B&B to Get Back on Their Feet Following Hurricane Matthew
A story about partners working together to help small businesses overcome challenges to grow and succeed. Carriage Way B&B is a bed and breakfast located in the very center of historical downtown...

Polish Distillery Opens in St. Petersburg with Help from Florida SBDC at Pinellas County
Originally starting as their fathers idea in 2005, Kozuba & Sons Distillery of Pinellas County has jumped many hurdles since then. The distillery began in Poland offering two flavored cordials:...

Bridge Loan Helps GreenTechnologies Recover From Impact of Hurricane Matthew
A story about partners working together to help small businesses overcome challenges to grow and succeed. Founded by Dr. Amir Varshovi in 1999, GreenTechnologies is a manufacturer of environmentally...

Family Opens Popular Chicago Pizza Franchise in Fort Myers with Help from Florida SBDC at FGCU
Joe and Rhonda Wendling, originally from Chicago, have called Southwest Florida home since 2013. Joe and his brother Pete, who is also part-owner of Rosati’s Pizza Pub in Fort Myers, are...

Bridge Loan Allows Chowder Teds to Begin Immediate Clean-Up, Repairs Caused By Hurricane Matthew
A story about partners working together to help small businesses overcome challenges to grow and succeed. Chowder Teds is a restaurant located in Jacksonville that is known for serving fresh seafood,...

Bridge Loan Enables Viola’s Restaurant to Re-Open After Hurricane Matthew
A story about partners working together to help small businesses overcome challenges to grow and succeed. Viola’s Pasta & Seafood Restaurant is located in St. Augustine. In early October of...

Bridge Loan Assists Ocean Movers With Overcoming Challenges Faced by the Impact of Hurricane Matthew
A story about partners working together to help small businesses overcome challenges to grow and succeed. Ocean Movers is a professional moving company owned by Amber Sahbudak and based in Orange...

Javi’s Salsa Grows with Help from Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
After working for the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office for 25 years, Javier Nava decided it was time to trade in his badge for salsa. Originally from Mexico, Nava and his family moved to the...

Florida SBDC at UWF Client Receives Governor’s Business Ambassador Award
Chained Concepts Bicycle Shop provides a full range of bicycle sales and technical services to families and bicycle enthusiasts in areas surrounding its retail store in Crestview. Owner Miguel...

Golf Resort Stays Afloat with Bridge Loan; Continues to Grow
A story about partners working together to help small businesses overcome challenges to grow and succeed. Cheval Golf and Athletic Club is a country club that offers a vast amount of fitness clubs...

NanoSpective, Inc. Meets Challenges of Growth with Assistance from the Florida SBDC at UCF
One of the greatest challenges a small business faces is transitioning from its startup phase to being an established, high-performing second stage company. It is not for the faint of heart. The...

Gym Owner Uses Ninja Skills and Florida SBDC at USF to Succeed
Jubilee Gym of Hillsborough County Being a contestant on American Ninja Warrior three times, as well as a lifelong gymnast, has taught MaryBeth Wang that you must fight for what you want. Wang left...

Ishkabibbles Grows with Florida SBDC at IRSC
Established by Kristin Meek in 2008, Ishkabibbles Designs is a high-end clothing boutique that specializes in the creation of original wedding and bridesmaid dresses, as well as a complete line of...

CPR Tools, Inc. Finds Success with Florida SBDC at FGCU
CPR Tools, Inc. is a woman-owned small business, owned and operated by John and Sue Benkert. The Benkert’s began working for CPR Tools in 2004, John as a Senior Computer Scientist and Sue as...

Moonlighter Makerspace Finds Help with Florida SBDC at FIU
A quest for affordable and collaborative workspaces lit the spark of what is today Moonlighter Makerspace. Its founders had explored similar maker ventures across the U.S. and in Europe, and they...

Orlando Company Quadruples Sales with Florida SBDC at UCF Advisory Board Council
For a small to medium-sized business, growth can be as much of a challenge as a revenue decline. For Screenworks USA, a multi-million-dollar screen printing, embroidery and dye sublimation business...

Endoscopy Replacement Parts Finds Success Internationally with Help from Florida SBDC at UNF
Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc. (ERPI) is a Newberry-based full-service precision manufacturer of high-quality aftermarket products for repairing rigid and flexible endoscopes. Founded in 1997,...

Anything Electrical Company Finds Success with Florida PTAC at IRSC
Founded in 2011 in Martin County, Anything Electrical Company (AEC) is a state certified, licensed, and insured electrical services provider. The companys project capabilities include, but are not...

Boca Raton Company Makes Dream a Reality with Help from Florida SBDC at PBSC
The Real Haiti website began with husband and wife team Endy and Diana Pierre-Louis wanting to share their personal experience with the country, which has often been portrayed as impoverished and...

Urban E. Recycling Flourishes with Help from Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
With an origin story that parallels the beginnings of the very computers they destroy every day, Urban E Recycling has gone from a small, garage-based start-up to a growing business that shows no...

Wings Pensacola Soars to Success with Assistance from Florida SBDC, Florida PTAC at UWF
Mikal Butch Kissick served his country in the U.S. Navy for 28 years. He was a naval flight officer who flew the F-14 Tomcat. In Pensacola, he went through flight school then later retired there. At...

Clermont Business Wins Contract with Assistance from Florida PTAC at UCF
No matter what anyone says, its unusual to receive an almost instantaneous response when a business calls for assistance. Everyone promises the best service but only a few deliver. So you can imagine...

Ponte Vedra Manufacturing Company Springs International Sales with Guidance from Florida SBDC at UNF
When Optimum Spring was established in 2007, owners Andrea de Palma and Marco Fortini had years of experience in the business because of their involvement with de Palmas family who had been...

Pensacola Honey Company BEE-Comes More Successful with Help from Florida SBDC at UWF
In November 2012, Tommy Van Horn stepped down from his position as National Director of Fraternus to become a full-time beekeeper. Hehad spent many years after his 2007 graduation from Florida State...

Lulu’s Ice Cream Tastes Sweet Success with Assistance from Florida SBDC at FIU
Ice cream has long been one of Luisa Santos favorite things. As the nitrogen-frozen ice cream trend intensified, she made her first batch during her last semester at Georgetown University.In November...

Export Marketing Plan Propels Pompano Beach Company to International Success
David Rosen, who immigrated to the United States from Melbourne, Australia, started Kira Labs in 2001 in Pompano Beach, Florida. Offering over 200 premium formulations, they specialize in natural,...

Pinellas Park Company Utilizes SBDC Services Over 18 Year Span
Nancy Crews, Ph.D., started working with the Florida SBDC Network 18 years ago, with just an idea and licensing in hand for her new business, Custom Manufacturing & Engineering (CME). CME,...

Export Marketing Plan Positions Fort Myers Company for Success
Polygon Solutions, Inc. is a south Fort Myers-based company that specializes in making cutting-edge manufacturing technology, specifically a revolutionary rotary broach tool holder, and also...

Florida PTAC at UCF Helps Brevard Company Win Contracts Worth More Than $4 Million
Doing business with the government isnt easy. In fact, its challenging on multiple levels, especially for small businesses. Jerry Bennet, CEO of Privateer IT, learned that when his bids for...

Commitment to Excellence Results in Stuart Firm’s GSA Schedule Contract Award
Founded in 1999, The Argus Companies was established to support the U.S. Government and Department of Defense agencies in protecting the countrys national security interest. The company, spearheaded...

Freebees Buzz Around Miami in New Way Thanks to FSBDC at FIU
A new form of advertising and a new method of transportation FREE transportation has been wowing the Miami and Miami Beach areas since 2012. A fleet of fully customized open-air electric cars,...

Florida Autism Center Opens Doors for Children
Founded in 2005, the Florida Autism Center serves the Florida Panhandle, Central Florida, and Floridas Central East Coast. Owned and operated by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, the center provides...

Navy Veteran, Synergy Construction Owner Named Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
Synergy Fabrications LLC., DBA Synergy Construction, was founded in 2001 by Jeff Rawls, a service-disabled veteran of the United States Navy, and his partners. By 2006, Rawls bought out his partners...

Certified Slings CEO Doug Worswick Named State, Regional Small Business Exporter of the Year
Doug Worswick, CEO of Certified Slings, Inc., had a balancing act to do: survive the great recession of 2009 while continuing the tradition and legacy of his father of abiding by his simple...

Craig Technologies CEO Carol Craig Named Florida Small Business Person of the Year
Carol Craig has done it allyet in some ways, her story has just begun. Craig is CEO of Craig Technologies, an engineering, technology and manufacturing business that she founded in 1999 and has built...

Window Interiors Founder, FSBDC at UCF Client Named Small Business Person of the Year
When buildings are constructed today, there is heavy emphasis on energy efficiency, both to lower costs and to be as green as possible. Beyond architectural design and glass treatments, one of the...

Alternate Energy Technologies Finds International Success Thanks to FSBDC at UNF
Alternate Energy Technologies LLC (AET), established by company founder, President, and managing partner Billy Byrom in 1987, is the U.S. solar thermal industrys leading manufacturer and integrator...

SUP Dogs Rides Waves of Entrepreneurship Thanks to FSBDC at UWF
Robert Chism is no stranger to entrepreneurship. A long-time client of the SBDC, he first sought assistance in 2008 for his advertising firm, Mad Media. He met with a professional business consultant...

Emerald Coast Tours Showcases Pensacola’s Past
Jason Schuck was not unfamiliar with the Florida SBDC at UWF when he went to them for assistance for his participation in the first-ever Pensacola Business Challenge. After all, his wife had utilized...

J’s Pastry Shop Finds Sweet Success Thanks to FSBDC at UWF
J’s Pastry Shop is a family-run, full-service bakery/pastry shop located in Pensacola, Florida. First opened in 1946, Js offers a large variety of cakes, pastries, donuts, etc. In October of...

SunFarm Energy Benefits Environment and Consumers with Help from FSBDC at UWF
For Doug Herrick, his experience in the United States Navy was excellent preparation for business ownership. “The military provides fantastic professional training,” he said. “It...

Largo-Based Company’s Rapid Growth Leads to New Opportunities in International Markets
When BioDerm first opened its doors in 1991, it was strictly a research and development facility. Over the years, founder, Dr. Dennis Kay and his team developed a proprietary hydrocolloid that the...

Broward Manufacturer Projects Doubling Production with Export Marketing Plan
Founded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November of 1950, Surface Logix manufactures and distributes products for the construction industry, including cleaners, clear coatings, and sealers to assist...

H20 International Grows Export Sales 22% with FSBDC Assistance
International expansion of H2O International, Inc. has always been part of the business plan for President Guillermo Guzman. Guzman is a Civil Engineer who, prior to starting H2O in 1993, worked as a...

Radical Cosmetics, Export Plan Opens Doors to Local and International Markets
Fenton Baijnath, CEO of Radical Cosmetics, is a well-known contributor within the cosmetics industry in domestic and international markets, having worked as a packaging engineer at companies such as...

Jacksonville Business Journal Names Miranda Contracting Fastest Growing Company
Since 1998, Miranda Contracting, Inc. has provided site and utility contractor services in support of government public works projects, retail and commercial developers, and residential communities....

Florida PTAC Moves Strategic Business Solutions from Small Startup to Multi-Million Dollar Technology Services Company
In 2009, Strategic Business Solutions (SBS) was just a small startup consisting of four partners and no revenue. It has now turned into a multi-million dollar technology services company that...

Next Stop National for Bishop’s Coffee and Tea
Tionna Bishop opened her first Bishop’s Coffee and Tea shop in Mary Esther in 2007 and has since opened a new Bishop’s Coffee and Tea on Alcaniz Street in Pensacola. Her success has been...

An American Dream, Mesic Law Firm
Attorney Kate Mesics parents immigrated to the United States from Russia when she was just 15 years old so Kate and her sister could have the chance at a better life in America. Kates first and most...

GB Painting, Growing a Business one Paint Stroke at a Time
The definition of “one who undertakes an enterprise” places emphasis on the risk and the personal efforts of the individual who owns and manages the business. By definition John Rampino,...

Hernon, Manufacturing Growth Through Exports
Exporting has been part of the business plan at Hernon Manufacturing, a custom formulator of adhesives, sealants, and precision dispensing and curing systems, since 1999. The company’s...

Goodwin Puts The Heart in all They Do
George Goodwin, a master carpenter and home builder, was handpicking the finest materials to build his own dream home. He acquired some long-leaf pine logs a fisherman friend recovered from the...

Florida PTAC at UWF Helps Rockhill Group Succeed in Government Contracting
The Rockhill Group, Inc. (TRG) is a Small Business Administration 8(a) company specializing in aviation services. These services include flight training, courseware development, aircraft leasing,...

Florida PTAC Helps Veteran-Owned Small Business Succeed
When Hurricane Wilma ripped through South Florida in October 2005, husband and wife duo Michael and Kristen Nevils saw a great need to safely store and dispense safe potable water. Thus, Michael...

Florida PTAC Helps Invictus Succeed in Government Contracting
Founded in 2007 by former U.S. Reconnaissance Marines, Invictus is a Boynton Beach-based provider of security and training services. Invictus, which translates to “undefeated” in Latin,...

Florida PTAC, Florida SBDC Help Kegman Inc. Navigate Operations in Federal Services Market
Kegman Inc. CEO Susan Glasgow had long wanted to grow the small security business that she and her husband had operated part-time since 1999. Glasgow, a 25-year Air Force veteran, worked for one of...

Strong College Students with Business Smarts
University of South Florida graduate Shaun Robinson has been a client of the Florida SBDC at USF since 2005. During that time, he attended eight Florida SBDC business seminars and consulted...

The Easiest Supplier to Do Business With is Making an Impact in FL
More than a business, it is a family affair — Impact Industrial Supplies, Inc., an industrial supplier, merchant wholesaler, and supply chain management company, celebrated its 22nd anniversary...

Successfully Exporting Green Technologies to New Markets
It’s no wonder that Dr. Amir Varshovi was recognized as the 2014 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Florida. Along with his business...

A Success Story Worthy of Kings
In late 2009, Arnaldo and Yanet Herrero of Kings Service Solutions first approached the Florida SBDC at UCF (FSBDC at UCF) Advisory Board Council Manager Jill Kaufman about their interest in becoming...

Growth Acceleration Requires Time to Plan
In November 2012, Brenda Wise, President of GLT Total Office in Lakeland, was looking for a way to spur the growth of her company. Like most companies, GLT experienced a slowdown in sales during the...

Handyman Matters, Nails Business Growth
Julie Daniels, owner of Handyman Matters in Palm Harbor, has found great success as a small business owner. Despite the challenges of running a small business in a tough economy, the retired U.S. Air...

Printing Lasting Impressions in the Community
Beatriz Cardona comes from an entrepreneurial family. Following her dreams, she and her husband, Roberto, opened a Sign-a-Rama franchise in 2010. Growing in size and recognition Three years later, on...