From Industry Experience to Entrepreneurship Adalberto ‘Albert’ Morejon, President of Absolute Construction Services, spent more than three decades working in the construction industry before deciding to build something of his own. With a civil engineering […]
Archives: Success Stories
Flutter Fitness Studio Finds Its Wings with FSBDC at UCF
Ownership Change and Rebrand Come Easy and Drive Major Membership Growth. Small business ownership is rarely a straight path. It comes with twists and turns—some energizing, others daunting. For Jocelyn Fillalan, the biggest challenges arrived […]
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EZ Automation System Expands Global Reach with Support from the Florida SBDC
For Ahmed Tawfik, owner and CEO of EZ Automation System, innovation has always been at the heart of the business. As a leading provider of automation solutions for manufacturers, EZ Automation System helps companies improve […]
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ApolloRise Tech Builds Government‑Ready Foundation with Support from APEX Accelerator at UCF
AI Engineering Firm Leverages Expert Guidance to Secure WOSB Certification, SAM Registration, and Enter the Federal Market. Entering the government contracting market is an uphill climb for any small business, but two critical factors make […]
Engineering Design and Manufacturing Company Gains Global Opportunities
SMARTSAT, Inc. of Pinellas County Nearly 30 years ago, SMARTSAT was founded to solve a critical military communications challenge. Today, the Largo-based company is leveraging support from the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida […]
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Tap the Coast: Raising the Bar for Entrepreneurial Success
As an SBDC consultant, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching entrepreneurs turn an idea into something truly exceptional. Dannon Byrd is one of those entrepreneurs. When Dannon first came to […]
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How these sisters built an award-winning chocolate brand with Venezuelan roots
When Isabel Garcia Nevett talks about chocolate, it isn’t just about flavor: It’s about history, family, and the immigrant journey. Together with her sister Susanna, she has spent more than a decade transforming this passion […]
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Gary Tasman & NAI Burns Scalo: The Long View of Southwest Florida
Gary Tasman arrived in Southwest Florida in January 1995, when much of the region’s present-day commercial landscape existed as open land, early infrastructure, or vague civic ambition. Treeline Avenue was not yet there. The Alico […]
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AI Platform Turns Decision Intelligence into Impact in Pinellas County
MADTECH.AI of Pinellas County When Bill Lederer launched MADTECH.AI in downtown St. Petersburg, he had a vision to bring advanced decision intelligence tools to organizations working to make a difference in the world. What started as an idea backed by experience, passion, and a commitment to mission-driven organizations has grown into an emerging technology company serving nonprofits and other purpose-focused institutions. Along the way, the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) has played a critical role in helping the company move from concept to […]
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Building a Legacy Under Pressure
When JC Crawford, the founder of JC’s Pressure Washing, decided to step into the world of entrepreneurship, he wasn’t just looking for a job; he was seeking a way to rewrite his family’s story. Raised […]










