Business Owner Turns a Setback into a Thriving Enterprise

RDI Power of Hernando County

After being laid off from his field work job over a decade ago, Ryan Bethell turned adversity into opportunity by creating his own business, RDI Power. Drawing on his experience from an apprenticeship with Caterpillar and mobile work for a construction company, he began offering truck repair services straight out of his personal pickup truck. “Times got slow, so it gave me an opportunity on the side and the weekends to work on other people’s vehicles,” Bethell said.

What began as a humble operation with just a truck and trailer has grown into a full-service truck repair and maintenance business located on a 10-acre property. Together with his wife, Kelsey Bethell, they now run a successful operation that serves residential and commercial clients across the region.

Looking to expand into government contracting, the business connected with the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF. Government contracting consultant, Karen Krymski, worked closely with their Business Development Manager, Tony Kellis, offering strategic guidance on how to network with local government partners and navigate the contracting process.

“Karen helped me go through and get set up with the Sam.gov. Some of that information could be very intimidating but Karen made it very simple and easy to walk through and get us signed up,” Kellis said. “We’ve started getting more state work. We do some work for FWC. We do some work for Southwest Water Management District. We’ve done a little bit of work for FDOT here in Brooksville. So with the certifications and the, the paperwork that Karen’s had me fill out, it’s helped with those guys getting the preliminary approval since we’ve been through the processes,” he added.

Since then, the company has secured key government contracts, grown in size, and broadened its client base. “When I started, we were in a two-bay shop with one field guy and there was just four or five guys working at the whole facility. Now I believe we’re up to 12 people. Every year has been progress forward, so getting some of the more state work, government work, has been a help to growth,” Kellis said.

“I think the biggest accomplishment for RDI has just been really building the trust with our customers. Just providing them with value, doing what we say we’re gonna do. Being transparent,” Bethell added.

As they continue to grow, Kellis says the business will rely on the Florida APEX Accelerator for continued support and advice. “Karen’s always gonna be a good resource. I ask a question, she usually, within a few hours, has an answer for me.”

Kellis ends with advice to other small business owners seeking government contracting guidance: “If you’re a small business and you haven’t had an APEX Accelerator yet, I suggest you really get it. Get on the game and find an APEX accelerator. Karen has been a wealth of knowledge for us.”