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...
District 2: Representative Robert Alexander "Alex" Andrade
Data Sources: *2020 Impact reported by respondent clients | **2019 Economic Impact Analysis of the FSBDCN by FSU CEFA | District Profile: U.S. SBA Office of Advocacy (Congress only)
Business & Economic Outcomes
| District | Statewide | |
|---|---|---|
| **Sales Generated | $247.1M | $4.4B |
| *Gov't Contracts Acquired | $1.8M | $488.1M |
| *Capital Accessed | $41.3M | $553.5M |
| **Jobs Impacted: Direct, Indirect, Induced | 2,109 | 37,966 |
| *New Businesses Started | 19 | 381 |
| Service Snapshot | ||
| Existing & Aspiring Small Business Owners Consulted | 836 | 24,191 |
| Minorities | 211 (25%) | 8,988 (37%) |
| Veterans & Service Disabled Veterans | 107 (13%) | 2,316 (10%) |
| Women | 319 (38%) | 10,123 (42%) |
| Professional Consulting Hours Delivered | 5,627 | 162,519 |
Success Stories
Client Testimonials
Still Waters Medical Spa, Pensacola
Applying for the [COVID-19 Florida Small Business Emergency] Bridge Loan through the Florida SBDC kept us from going under. They helped us through the beginning of the process.
Jeff Aanestad, OwnerJCG Companies, LLC dba Snap Soccer, Pensacola
Dorian [Florida SBDC consultant] was recommended to us by a friend who works at the CoLab in Pensacola. Dorian was very quick to respond to our request for the [COVID-19 Florida Small Business Emergency] Bridge Loan and answered our questions promptly. The influx of requests he must have received during this time certainly was high, but we never felt like the process was taking longer than expected. Getting the bridge loan was the easiest one to apply for, and Dorian helped streamline the process and direct us.
Jessica M (Jessy) MejiasDolphin Pools, Gulf Breeze, Inc., Gulf Breeze
When the government starting shutting down businesses, we did not know what to expect and we were scared. Christa Wilson [Florida SBDC consultant] was the calm in the storm for us. She guided us through the first [SBA] PPP paperwork. She was always available to us... She answered all of our questions and helped us keep our business floating. She also told us about grants we could apply for and sent us websites to study. When our office manager suddenly quit, she guided me with Quickbooks (something I had never worked with before). She walked me through creating a P&L statement that I needed for the paperwork. I can honestly say that she was a complete lifesaver during this storm called Covid-19. She is a very valuable asset to the Florida SBDC. I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about her. Thank you, Christa Wilson!
Kim Foster