Small Business Success Stories

Results Sales and Service of Pinellas County

David Hahn decided to take a leap of faith and leave the hospitality industry to follow in his father’s footsteps, as an entrepreneur. He decided to take what he’d learned in the hospitality industry about service and apply it to the construction business his dad had owned since 1985.

A Fresh Connection Catering, LLC of Pinellas County

Chef Lisa Prather has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2008, after working in corporate America for more than 20 years, she saw the writing on the wall with the downturn in the economy and decided she wanted something different for herself.

Grand Hacienda of Pinellas County

The Grand Hacienda, on St. Pete Beach, took a hit when Hurricane Irma swept through the area in September 2017. The owners reached out to the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development for assistance in applying for a bridge loan, and found much more.

Cleanpak Products, LLC of Hillsborough County

George Brydon left corporate America to return to the Tampa Bay area with his family, 20 years ago. He saw that move as an opportunity to become an entrepreneur himself. Looking for a manufacturing business of some kind, he came across a business that sold its products to janitorial and wholesale paper distribution customers, which Brydon had experience with.

Prestige Fitness of Highlands County

“We chose to launch this type of business because my business partner and my board of directors are really passionate about fitness and we wanted to provide a different alternative to the fitness industry here in the Highlands County area, by doing something that’s locally owned and operated, that’s non-corporate and that was also going to serve the millennial market,” Derek Pierce, owner of Prestige Fitness in Sebring, said.

Capalbo’s Pizza of Manatee County

Even though Capalbo’s Pizza, located in Bradenton, focuses on its all you can eat pizza, soup and salad bar, it has still felt the effects of red tide in Manatee County.