Safety and Medical Training Business Makes Lifesaving Impact
FACTS-FL, LLC of Polk County
For Glen Karnes, owner of FACTS (First Aid and CPR Training Services), entrepreneurship is more than running a business. It is a mission rooted in personal experience and a commitment to helping others be prepared when seconds matter.
Based in Florida, FACTS provides CPR and first aid training, active shooter preparedness instruction, bloodborne pathogen education, fire extinguisher training, and other workplace safety programs designed to equip individuals and organizations with lifesaving skills.
The inspiration behind the business traces back more than two decades. “The reason I chose to start this type of business is I lost my dad to sudden cardiac arrest 21 years ago,” Karnes said. “CPR is something that I already knew was very important as I was an EMT at the time.”
Although emergency responders provided care, his father did not survive.
“I lost my dad on his birthday, and so that affected me very deeply,” Karnes said. “After I left the fire service, I identified this as something that was important to me, and I felt like it helped me continue to provide some of those services that I used to do in the community, just in a different capacity.”
His passion for education, combined with his background in emergency medical services and training future EMTs and paramedics, helped lay the groundwork for what would become FACTS. As the company grew, however, Karnes recognized he needed guidance to build a stronger business foundation. That led him to the Florida SBDC at USF and business consultant Greg Manning.
“The Florida SBDC at USF and Greg have helped me with my business by being available for me as a resource to help me become more knowledgeable as a business owner,” Karnes said. “They helped me understand where I need to be putting focus from myself into the business.”
Before seeking assistance, Karnes managed every aspect of the company on his own. While attending expos, conferences, and business events, he repeatedly crossed paths with Manning, who encouraged him to schedule a consulting session. Eventually, Karnes decided to take that next step.
After attending a presentation at Catapult Lakeland with his wife, he finally reached out. “My wife said, ‘I really think you need to reach out to Greg to see what kind of resources he has for you,'” Karnes recalled.
That conversation proved to be a turning point. During an in-depth meeting, Karnes discussed several challenges facing the business, including the need for a dedicated workspace. Manning suggested he connect with the team at Catapult Lakeland, a recommendation that quickly opened new opportunities.
“After that meeting, I spoke with someone here at Catapult, and I actually began working out of this location very soon after that,” Karnes said. “We’ve continued to work on the business together, and I’ve been building a strong foundation so that when we become more successful, I’ll be ready to scale.”
Today, Karnes credits the Florida SBDC at USF with helping him gain a clearer understanding of how his business operates and what it will take to achieve long-term growth. “My biggest success so far is having a much better understanding of my business and how the operations of my business work,” he said.
Another success was when the business grew with a $3,000 sales increase in 2025.
As FACTS continues expanding its reach and impact, Karnes plans to maintain a close relationship with the Florida SBDC at USF. “As I grow my business, I’ll use the Florida SBDC at USF and Greg Manning to continue to be my mentor and help me as I navigate challenges of growth and scaling,” he said.
For fellow entrepreneurs, Karnes offers a simple piece of advice: take advantage of the no-cost resources available through the Florida SBDC at USF.
“It’s a resource that they need to be utilizing,” he said. “There’s zero risk associated with that, and you have a resource that you can have a personal interaction with that feels invested in your business to help you navigate challenges.”
