Archive for category: Success Stories

Elegant Mobile Bar Pours Passion into a Winning Business

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Posh Pours of Hillsborough County

When Elysse Curry envisioned her business, Posh Pours, she knew she wanted to create something unique and unforgettable. Combining her love for events with a passion for craftsmanship, she launched a mobile bartending service that transforms every celebration into a standout experience. At the heart of her business is a retrofitted Italian Piaggio Ape vehicle, now a chic tap bar serving everything from custom brews to Prosecco and non-alcoholic beverages.

Bringing this vision to life required careful planning and financial groundwork. That’s where the Florida SBDC at USF came in. Working with business consultant Brad Owens, Curry developed a comprehensive business plan and financial projections, which proved instrumental in accessing funding.

“I’ve been working with Florida SBDC at USF, and they have been instrumental in helping me build out a business plan and marketing plan for Posh Pours. They have also given me some incredible ideas as to how to access funding. That was where I was really lacking knowledge and my mentor at the SBDC at USF has been incredibly helpful in helping me access different avenues for finance,” Elysse Curry shared.

Once the foundation was set, marketing became the next focus. Florida SBDC at USF business consultant Scott Carpenter stepped in to help Curry fine-tune her promotional strategies and build a strong brand presence. “I’ve been working with Brad and Scott to develop a marketing and financial plan, and they have been instrumental in the direction that I’ve been able to take Posh Pours,” she noted.

Since partnering with the Florida SBDC at USF, Posh Pours has grown significantly, earning rave reviews and expanding its clientele. “I actually did my first event last week, which was a grand opening for a dental office in south Tampa, and Posh Pours was a hit. I am so excited now to really dive into the meat of my marketing, to really get the word out there about Posh Pours so we can roll in and park, pour, and party at your next event,” Curry said with a smile.

Looking ahead, she plans to continue leveraging the expertise of the Florida SBDC at USF to explore new opportunities and ensure sustainable growth. “As I continue to grow my business, I’m going to continue to use the SBDC to continue to assist with my marketing efforts. I’d say, as an individual, that’s where I have the least business knowledge and that’s the most difficult aspect of running a business for me so I’d like to do regular check-ins with my mentor, Scott, to ensure that I am getting the best bang for my buck when it comes to marketing and operational budgets and I’ll also be checking in regularly on my financial projections,” she said.

Her advice to fellow entrepreneurs? “The SBDC has been so helpful in creating confidence and it’s been such an easy process, and I think sometimes when you think about getting a mentor and getting help, you think that it’s going to be this big lengthy difficult process and its actually been so simple which is so refreshing,” Elysse Curry said.

“I would highly recommend the SBDC to any small business owner at any phase in their entrepreneurial journey,” Elysse Curry added.

Small Business Collaborative Builds Generational Wealth in Tampa Bay

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Tampa Bay Business Consortium of Pinellas County

In Tampa Bay, a unique consortium of 12 service-based small businesses, the Tampa Bay Business Consortium (TBBC), is reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurship and generational wealth. This collaborative effort, aimed at securing government contracts and shared growth opportunities, represents diverse industries and a shared vision of success.

“We decided to launch because we were going through the matchmaker. We were going through this matchmaker event and the SBDC team were bringing in different purchasers and buyers from different organizations. As we were looking at it, we were thinking how can we go for some of this big work, how can we work together collaboratively because we all had our individual businesses that had varying degrees of success,” Missy Pitcher, co-owner of Tampa Bay Business Consortium said.

“And so, we decided that it would be a good idea to kind of come together, take our collective experience and past performance and our certifications and leverage that so that we could go for big work,” she added.

With the guidance of Jenee Skipper, a Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) business consultant, the group has made significant strides. Skipper worked closely with the consortium on business planning, team structuring, and crafting strategic agreements that position them to seize emerging opportunities.

“So the team at the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development organization has been instrumental in just how we structure our agreements, how we build the team so that we could make sure we had the appropriate resources for the opportunities,” Missy Pitcher said.

Since partnering with the Florida SBDC, the consortium has joined a short-list fundamental to gaining government contracts, streamlined its operations, allowing members to focus on scaling their businesses, and added more members to the group.

“We have had successes in that over the course since April to today, we’ve had 10 or 12 submissions together for projects. We’ve had a couple of wins. We won with a company called Hypatia, which is a nonprofit that provides services to nonprofits. So, we’re gonna be providing business process services to the nonprofits that are in St. Pete,” Missy Pitcher said.

“We’re on the shortlist for Pinellas County for their management consulting contract, and it’s like a three-year contract. So, all of these are contracts that will allow us to grow, that will allow us to contribute should the opportunity happen,” she added.

Looking ahead, the group plans to continue leveraging the Florida SBDC at PCED’s resources and networking opportunities. “We’re growing. I think we had like 4 or 5 members and now we have 12 members. And those members came from networking. They came from events that were recommended by the Pinellas County SBDC,” Missy Pitcher said. “We get input and we get support from the members as well as the team at the SBDC,” she added.

Three of the consortium members then proceeded to give their advice to other small business owners looking for business guidance.

“All of those things that you don’t know that you don’t know, they can fill in those gaps. My advice to new businesses, my advice to existing businesses, take advantage of the SBDC because it’s there for you. You’re already paying for it, it’s included in your tax dollars, so take advantage of it because it will help you to go that much further that much faster and that much more effectively than if you had done it without them,” Missy Pitcher said.

“What I would say about the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development

Center is great people. I mean I’ve actually referred a couple of people or mentioned them to a few business owners to say hey, reach out to them. They will help you get started. They will give you resources that you need. They will be there for you,” Catricia Walker, member of TBBC said.

“And I would speak to the fact that one of the more important things to build on that is that you just don’t have to do it alone and for years we tried to do it alone. And I won’t say we wasted years, cause all challenges you learn from them, but it didn’t have to be as hard as it was. There’s no need to do it on your own,” Burnell Pitcher, member of TBBC said.

This thriving collaborative not only exemplifies the power of unity but also underscores the impact of strategic planning in building legacies of wealth and opportunity.

Automotive Business is Revving Up Success in St. Pete

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Rainbow Muffler of Pinellas County

After being in the automotive space for about two decades Robert Fann thought it was time to own his own auto business. That’s when he decided to acquire a new business, Rainbow Muffler, a St. Petersburg-based automotive business, specializing in muffler repairs, general automotive services, and custom exhaust work.

“I’ve been in the diesel or automotive space for the better part of two decades. I went to school for automotive and had my degree. It seemed like the next logical step for me. I was previously a diesel technician and had been in my current role for about 10 years,” Fann expressed while speaking about why he chose to acquire this type of business.

The journey to ownership and growth has been fueled by guidance and determination. With the help of the Florida SBDC at USF and business consultant Bill Burnham, the new business owner successfully acquired the business and set it on the path to continued success.

To bring his vision to life, Fann turned to the Florida SBDC at USF for assistance with crafting a detailed business plan, financial projections, and securing a 7a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan for the acquisition.

“Bill has been really helpful and instrumental. He has helped us through the Florida SBDC at USF to do business plans, help us with acquiring our business, he’s also helped us to pick an industry that suits our experience and our backgrounds as well,” Robert Fann said.

Since acquiring the business, the results have been impressive. Customer demand has grown. “I’d say our biggest success so far is just acquiring the business because this is our first acquisition. Since taking over we’ve just been incredibly blessed with the type of success that the previous owners had. So we’re very blessed and happy to be here and we again, thank the SBDC at USF for helping us out with that,” Fann said.

The Florida SBDC at USF continues to be a trusted partner as the business looks toward the future. “Moving forward, our business will utilize the Florida SBDC at USF to help us with projections, marketing, as well as future acquisitions we might find worth while pursuing,” the business owner mentioned.

To other entrepreneurs considering assistance, Fann offers this advice: “One thing I could say about using the Florida SBDC at USF for other small business owners is they’re a great asset. They don’t charge you anything, they are very helpful and responsive, and they can help you grow your business,” Fann said

With expert support and a drive to succeed, this St. Petersburg automotive business is not just repairing vehicles—it’s building a legacy.

Veteran-Owned Business Successfully Distributes Supplies Across the United States

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Results Sales and Service of Pinellas County

Started in 1985, Results Sales and Service, a veteran-owned industrial supply distribution company, continues to make waves in the world of government contracting and industrial equipment distribution. Since leaving corporate America, David Hahn, who acquired the business from his father in 2017, has led the company, “to pursue federal government contracting as a prime source of revenue and opportunities,” he said. By specializing in direct sales, manufacturing representation, and government contracting opportunities, the business has maintained itself as a trusted provider of industrial equipment, supplies, materials, and tools in the state of Florida.

Continuing to grow a business in such a competitive market requires strategic guidance and the right connections. That’s where the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF and government contracting consultant Karen Krymski came into play.

With expertise in government contracting and networking, Krymski provided the company with the tools and insights necessary to secure essential partnerships. These connections have proven invaluable, opening doors to new opportunities and establishing the company as a leader in the field.

“My Florida APEX consultant is Karen Krymski and she is absolutely amazing. She has linked me up with networking events where I’ve met some very well-versed influential people, particularly in the government sector where I’ve learned the tools that I needed to implement myselfnto take our business to the next level in government contracting,” David Hahn said.

By leveraging the knowledge gained through Florida APEX Accelerator consulting, the company has seen significant growth. They credit their consultant with helping them navigate the complexities of government contracts and building a robust network of contacts. “We’re continuing to grow. We’ve continued to take advantage and leverage new opportunities through the relationships garnered through the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF to get additional contracts as they come down the pipeline,” David Hahn mentioned.

“We started off with just a handful – one, two micro contracts a month. We’ve grown that up to right now probably having 25 to 35 that we’re servicing with an additional 20 that are in the pipeline,” he added.

The business’s success is a testament to their hard work, dedication to their core values, and the invaluable support they’ve received. “Larger contracts, we’ve got maybe one or two a year and at this point we’ve got much larger contracts that have been able to scale us probably by about 50 percent gross revenue over the last three years,” David Hahn mentioned.

When it comes to internal success, the business owner expressed how their mission was to help their clients, especially veterans, as well as their employees whenever and however possible.

“If we can leave the VA [Veterans Affairs] and other government entities that we work with better than when we left this place, while we’re here working, and we can make a little bit of money to provide for our own families, that is my biggest success. And right now, we’re able to do it, and we’re doing it well, and we’re continuing to grow with the help of the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF,” David Hahn said with pride.

To other small businesses considering working with the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF, the passionate business owner offers this advice: “Participate. Get involved. Reach out to the consultants that are there. They are willing to help you. They are there to help you. And they’ll give you the tools you need but remember you need to implement those tools and put in the work to drive it forward and incorporate it into your business. But first, and paramount, get involved. Get plugged in. Grow your network by using the Florida APEX Accelerator,” David Hahn concluded.

Cheese Business Handcrafts a Recipe for Success

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Solena Cheese of Pinellas County

Solena Cheese of Pinellas County

Marc and Keila Maurer, the husband-and-wife team behind Solena Cheese, have turned a shared passion for fresh mozzarella into a thriving business serving customers across Florida. The business was born from a passion for cheese-making discovered while living in Sydney, Australia. After leaving a career in business development with Hilton Hotels, Marc Maurer learned the craft of mozzarella-making from his close friends, the Vannella Cheese family, who have over 50 years of expertise.

Inspired by their mentorship, Marc Maurer decided to start a cheese business with his wife Keila Maurer, combining their shared experiences and naming the business Solena Cheese, after their two daughters. “Solena. So we have two daughters, Sofia and Elena. So, it’s quite cheesy, but it works well,” Keila Maurer said.

Specializing in a wide array of handcrafted mozzarella varieties, including Burrata, Stracciatella, Fior di latte, Bocconcini, Oaxaca, and Pizzarella, Solena Cheese has quickly become a staple for high-quality, artisanal cheese.

When the Maurers realized the demand for locally made, fresh mozzarella, they knew the next step was critical to scaling the business. That’s when they turned to the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) and business consultant Debra Schweikowsky for professional guidance.

With the help of the Florida SBDC at PCED, Keila and Marc Maurer received support in business planning and financial strategy. This included assistance in securing a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan that enabled the purchase of new equipment and a move to a larger facility. “Through working with the SBDC, we secured an SBA loan. We were able to buy some new equipment. We moved into a new facility. We got cool rooms. I mean so much stuff that was possible because we worked with the SBDC and they helped us secure this money which is a very long process,” Marc Maurer said.

The business owners even mentioned how they received help from the Florida SBDC at PCED and their consultant throughout the recent hurricanes that affected the area. “Still, even with all the hurricanes that have just come through Florida over the last couple of months, they’ve been there every step of the way for that as well to help us with disaster relief and checking on us. It’s been such a great relationship, and we’re thrilled to be able to have them by our side,” March Maurer said.

The results speak for themselves. Since working with the Florida SBDC at PCED, Solena Cheese has experienced significant growth, allowing them to expand production and distribution throughout the Tampa Bay area.

“From the farmer’s markets, now we’re in restaurants all across Hillsborough and Pinellas County. We’ve just branched out into Sarasota. We’re bringing on hopefully some new distributions soon, so it’s been huge working with them, and they’ve helped us a great deal and now we’re just looking to take that next step with our business and start distributing through the state of Florida,” Marc Maurer explained.

As they look to the future, Keila and Marc Maurer plan to continue leveraging the Florida SBDC at PCED’s resources to navigate opportunities, challenges, and growth. “We’ll probably need to move out of this facility at some point in time as we outgrow it and then we’re gonna be looking to rely on Debra to help us secure additional funding for a new facility, some new equipment, and just have her help us grow,” Marc Maurer said.

When speaking to their fellow small business owners and entrepreneurs, the duo makes sure to recommend the Florida SBDC at PCED for business guidance and support.

“As you know we work the local farmer’s markets which are all small businesses like us. Some of them just kind of do it as a side gig but there are many people at the markets who are looking to grow their business. A lot of them are looking to try to secure funding or grow their business or this or that, and I always say 100 percent you need to contact the SBDC because they will help you get to the next level. They did it for us and I can’t recommend them enough to a lot of these small business owners who were kinda like us,” Marc Maurer expressed.

Tampa Bay Signs Company Thrives While Honoring a Legacy

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Southlake Signs Tampa of Hillsborough County

When Ron Martin launched Southlake Signs Tampa, he wasn’t just starting a business—he was honoring his father’s legacy. Named after his late father’s business in Indiana, Southlake Signs Tampa combines craftsmanship and family values to deliver high-quality signage solutions to commercial clients across Tampa Bay.

Martin decided it was time to open up his own business after working in corporate America for 27 years, stating, “I researched a lot of different businesses, and the sign industry gives me so much energy and joy because I’m able to help my customers create their business’ strategy and how they want to market their business and how they want to brand their business. But I also have an organization to run and people to lead and strategies to be able to accomplish building signs and I love both parts of that. So, this business checks off a lot of boxes of filling up my cup and giving me energy,” he shared.

From design to installation, Southlake Signs Tampa offers a comprehensive suite of services, but scaling operations required more than talent and dedication. That’s where the Florida SBDC at USF stepped in.

With guidance from business consultant Brad Owens, Ron Martin developed robust financial projections, a critical step in securing funding to expand. Owens also facilitated connections with local banks and provided actionable advice to strengthen the business’s operations.

“I’ve really enjoyed engaging with the Florida SBDC at USF. Brad Owens there has been a great financial mentor to me to help me understand the details of how my capital and how my overhead engage with each other and what I need to put into strategy to make sure that my business runs successfully,” Ron Martin expressed.

“I love having the vision. I love developing the ideas but there’s capital and financials and numbers that need to work for my strategies to come together and Brad’s been phenomenal helping me understand that and engage me with resources to help my capital investment,” he added.

Additionally, Gina Smith, another Florida SBDC at USF consultant, conducted a thorough review of the company’s website, offering insights that enhanced its online presence.

“Besides Brad’s walkthrough of financials and besides Brad helping engage with a bank to help me with capital, the Florida SBDC at USF also helped me with reviewing my website. Now, I have a marketing team that built my website that helps me with my lead generation and social media, and they do a fantastic job but it was great to have an outside resource do a full review of it and give me feedback and I’ve given that to my marketing team and we’ve made good improvements just from that advice. So, I’m forever grateful for the organization of what they’ve given to me so far,” Ron Martin said.

Since working with the Florida SBDC at USF, Southlake Signs Tampa has grown significantly, adding new clients and expanding its service offerings. “My biggest success so far is building relationships with customers,” Ron Martin said proudly.

“We’re doing vehicle wraps for customers so that when they go down the road they’re advertising. We’re doing monument signs for customers that are major structures out in front of their business that helps their business be seen, and you know, that’s what gives me energy is helping other customers be seen and be successful,” he added.

Looking ahead, Martin plans to continue leveraging the Florida SBDC at USF’s expertise, especially when it comes to using his capital strategically for business growth. “As a business owner, you get to a point of, I’m limited by whatever external factors, and capital is one of those. And working with Florida SBDC at USF is helping me get to that next level of my business and growth in the industry,” he said.

When asked what he would say to other small business owners about the Florida SBDC at USF, the passionate business owner responded, “I talk about Florida SBDC at USF all the time to my peers.” Offering a word of advice to others, he concluded, “It is a free service that you cannot believe is free because of all the guidance, both from a business perspective, a community perspective, a growth perspective. Use them. There’s no reason you shouldn’t use them.”

Luxury Salon Secures Future in St. Petersburg with SBA Loan

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Salty Roots Salon of Pinellas County

Located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Leah LeSure’s salon, Salty Roots Salon, provides a luxurious yet laid-back atmosphere where clients can enjoy expert haircuts, vibrant color transformations, seamless extensions, and more. The salon’s reputation for personalized service and cutting-edge techniques has made it a go-to destination for those seeking both style and comfort.

“I’ve been a hair stylist for 16 years and decided to open up Salty Roots Salon about eight years ago. I just wanted to create a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere for likeminded stylists to work in, and that we can be a team and create a nice atmosphere,” she said.

When LeSure decided to take her business to the next level by acquiring a building, she turned to the Florida Business Development Corporation, where Anthony DiMauro, suggested that she meet with the Florida SBDC at USF for business guidance. She was then paired with business consultant Brad Mix, who helped her navigate the complexities of business planning and financial projections—crucial steps in securing a 504 Small Business Administration (SBA) loan.

“It started with Anthony DiMauro who was in the process of helping me get a loan to buy a

building. He worked with the Florida Business Development Corporation. He led me to Brad with the Florida SBDC at USF, [who] went through all the financials to get me qualified for the loan and everything that we needed to do for the business side of things,” Leah LeSure said.

The meticulous planning paid off. With a clear roadmap and detailed projections in hand, LeSure successfully obtained the SBA loan needed to purchase the dream property. This milestone not only provided a permanent home for Salty Roots Salon but also set the stage for future growth.

“We were able to obtain the loan and open the doors two months ago after being under

construction for about eight months. We completely redid everything inside the space, inside and out. We hired three new hairstylists, so we only have one chair open now and all the girls are happy, and their clients are loving it and we’ve been just thriving,” Leah LeSure expressed.

LeSure also mentioned how her dream has come true with the help of Mix and their business planning. “When we were writing the business plan, it’s almost like a dream board because I hadn’t even found a location yet and things that I wrote in there, like being in a good location, being on a corner with a sign, potentially at a streetlight, I feel like we manifested it in creating this location. That all worked out so perfectly so that was so great. And it all came true,” she said.

Today, Salty Roots Salon continues to thrive, offering an elevated experience to its clients and contributing to the vibrant St. Petersburg business community. Looking ahead, LeSure plans to continue working with the Florida SBDC at USF for strategic advice and support.

“I just want to keep Brad in my back pocket forever. He’s helped me with so much being

able to look at the financials and marketing ideas, so I would love to continue to have that

relationship. Possibly a new location in the future and just keep growing,” Leah LeSure said.

To other small business owners seeking business guidance, LeSure offers this advice: “My advice to any small business owners working with the Florida SBDC at USF would be let

them help you look into your business. No matter how long you’ve been in busy for, there’s

always something that they can find to help you grow and to help you do better. There’s always more information that can help you grow as a business.”

Public Relations Agency Blossoms with Support from the Florida SBDC at USF

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Blooming Communications of Hillsborough County

Caitlin Gardner turned an unexpected career shift into an opportunity to build her dream business. After being laid off due to corporate restructuring, Gardner relocated to Florida with her family. Determined to use her expertise to help others, she launched Blooming Communications, a full-service public relations (PR) agency and consultancy specializing in strategic communications, media relations, digital marketing, executive coaching, keynote speaking, and more.

True to its name, Blooming Communications is dedicated to fostering growth for clients, much like cultivating a flourishing garden. 

When looking for a way to get the business started, the only thing getting in Gardner’s way was actually laying down the business foundation in Florida.

With her skillset and 20 years of experience in PR and marketing, Gardner knew she could create something spectacular in the Tampa Bay area. That’s when she turned to the Florida SBDC at USF for business guidance. With the help of business consultant Christine Jaros, she navigated the complexities of launching her company.

“When I first got laid off, I was overwhelmed, and I wasn’t sure where to look, so I found a lot of resources online about starting my own business. It was actually when I went to the SBDC website and filled out the form, asking for help, that I felt confident because I was able to see a very clear plan and was able to get very quickly a call with my consultant,” Gardner shared. 

Jaros provided invaluable support, helping the motivated entrepreneur go through all the necessary steps needed in order to get the business up and running towards success.

“My business has taken off since I’ve been working with the Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida. I have made such an impact, starting from a business plan development to registering with the state, getting an EIN number with the IRS, and also starting my bank account. These were small steps, but they were important for me launching my business successfully,” Gardner said. 

With the proper support and guidance, the business owner goes on to mention some of their successes so far. “I want to celebrate every milestone with my business and while we’re still in the start-up phase, I am excited that we have launched, and we have a website, and that we have business plans and pricing structures. We have a good message to get out to the community and to recruit new clients into our sales funnel,” Caitlin Gardner said.

“One thing that I know that I’m proud of personally is, I am miles ahead of where I was just a few months ago because of the impact of the Florida SBDC and my coach, Christine, helped me with confidence to be able to say, here’s what you can bring to the table, here’s the value,” she added.

Looking ahead, Gardner plans to continue working with the Florida SBDC at USF for resources and guidance as her business expands.

“I’m excited to continue engaging with the SBDC because I have big dreams and goals, and I need their support and their resources. To be able to see the databases and to network and to understand where the financial opportunity is for me. They’re well-connected here in the Tampa market because they’re connected to the University of South Florida. I’m a transplant to this area so I really need those deep connections because I know that hometown feel is important for a lot of business transactions,” Caitlin Gardner said.

When giving advice to other small business owners about the Florida SBDC at USF, Gardner said the following, “I would say, get started, make that initial phone call or outreach to the SBDC because they are ready and willing to help you.”

Local Craft Brewery Pours Up a Glass to Business Resiliency and Success

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Mastry’s Brewing Co. of Pinellas County

Nestled in the vibrant coastal community of St. Pete Beach, Matthew Dahm has crafted a remarkable journey as the owner of Mastry’s Brewing Co., the first and only craft brewery in the area. As of this year, Mastry’s has also made history by becoming the first craft distillery in St. Pete Beach, offering locals and visitors alike a unique blend of handcrafted beers and spirits.

“I’ve always said I’ve been a bit of a jack of all trades and this right here -the craft beer industry – is what allowed me to really represent that and to feel ultimately fulfilled in my professional career,” Matthew Dahm said.

Seeking guidance, they turned to the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) and business consultant Debra Schweikowsky for support. Together, they tackled business planning, and development, while also connecting with lenders to secure crucial funding.

“They [Florida SBDC at PCED] helped me Identify the questions that I didn’t know to ask and line me up with the resources to really set us up for success on those next steps that we’re taking with our business development,”

Since partnering with the Florida SBDC at PCED, Mastry’s has seen remarkable growth, cementing its reputation as a cornerstone of the St. Pete Beach community.

This entrepreneurial milestone wasn’t achieved without its challenges. From starting the business back in 2015 to navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic and weathering the impacts of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, Dahm’s business has demonstrated resiliency at every turn. “The biggest thing I can really speak to when I share that is resiliency as well as professional stamina – the amount of proacting and reacting that we have had as a small business and from that, starting with beer, here we are today, just launched Mastry’s Craft Spirits,” Matthew Dahm said.

“Because of the networking capabilities that the SBDC has, to put you in contact with not only people within their own team but resources outside of their team, it’s really helped to complete the full circle,” Matthew Dahm added.

Looking ahead, Matthew Dahm plans to continue leveraging the Florida SBDC’s resources to navigate future growth and challenges. “As far as I can see for the future of Mastry’s, the SBDC is on Team Mastry’s, Mastry’s is on Team SBDC, and anything new coming along the line, we know that they are gonna be right there with us and we are definitely gonna be calling upon them any and every new opportunity that comes our way,” he said.

The business owner is also looking forward to reaching a new goal for his business and tells us that that Florida SBDC at PCED will be brought on the journey. “We have a brand-new site that we’re developing in the city of Pinellas Park. It is an acre and a half site. We’re focused on building 40,000 square feet of space that’s going to occupy a hundred plus employees and really help bring so much to the community and the city of Pinellas Park,” Dahm said.

“Then again, with the backbone support of the SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development, I really just can’t speak enough on how much support that has been through this. The SBDC and the City of Pinellas Park have just been a huge component adding to that level of success,” he added.

For other small businesses considering working with the Florida SBDC at PCED, Dahm offered this advice: “Really as entrepreneurs, we love coaching other entrepreneurs. For me, when I get asked where should I start, how do I get this information, I need help, who do I call? I always tell them, ‘Here’s my friend Debra at the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development. She’s a fantastic resource. If she doesn’t know the answer, she’s gonna find you the answer or find somebody who can find you the answer. At the bare minimum you’re gonna be in good hands and put in a great direction,’” Matthew Dahm said.

Therapeutic Company Goes the Extra Mile, Empowering Families Near and Far

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Collaborative Therapies of Orange County

After her son was diagnosed with autism, Tiye Huertas, founder of Collaborative Therapies, felt a calling to create a business that could help families access life-changing therapeutic services. Inspired by her own journey, Huertas launched a multi-disciplinary therapeutic company that operates statewide and in Georgia, providing families—especially those with children who have special needs—with the tools and resources they need to thrive.

“There’s a lot of services that many people are unaware of, and being presented with the information that those resources, the majority are free, is my mission,” Tiye Huertas shared.

Starting a business with such a meaningful purpose came with challenges, but Huertas credits the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County and her business consultant, Retta Parsons, with helping her achieve her vision.

“I chose to launch this type of business because when working in the school system, it felt very linear, like you couldn’t progress, so I felt like my impact wasn’t as widespread and it was very small. Now when you launch a business, we’re helping more people, more families get accessible therapeutic services state-wide,” Tiye Huertas said.

Together, they worked on key foundational elements, including business structure, organization, and identifying platforms to streamline operations. The guidance she received helped her refine her onboarding processes for therapists and employees, enabling her to grow and scale more efficiently.

“When I reached out to the SBDC, my back office, I can say, wasn’t as organized, so Retta has helped us become more organized, figure out our business structure, figure out platforms that we can utilize to increase our profitability and our structure and processes to help us onboard therapists and employees much faster and help us grow in scale,” Tiye Huertas expressed.

Since working with the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County, the business has grown significantly, reaching more families and improving access to critical services. “Since working with the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County, our company has secured 12 contracts this year. We have also established contracts outside of Florida so we’re now providing services in Georgia. Now we’re impacting more families, and more families are getting access to accessible therapeutic services,” Tiye Huertas mentioned.

“Our biggest success so far has been the lives we’ve impacted and changed due to our therapeutic services that we’re providing in-house, in schools, and in clinics,” Tiye Huertas said. She also included, “and the therapists who now have jobs.”

Looking ahead, she plans to continue leveraging the Florida SBDC’s expertise as her company scales. “Moving forward I would like to work with Retta at the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County, to attend their workshops. Their workshops have been very instrumental in our scalability and our ability to grow rapidly,” Tiye Huertas said.

Her advice to other entrepreneurs? “To other small businesses, I would say that the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County has been so helpful. Very helpful with business structure, really helpful with bookkeeping, very helpful with information and profitability. Checking your profitability, making sure you’re profiting and not losing money,” Tiye Huertas expressed.

Through her work, Huertas is not only paying it forward but also creating a lasting impact on families across the state.

She ended with the following, “I want to send a special thank you to the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County. They have provided so many opportunities, like this interview right here,” she said. “I’ve gone to many of their events, and I’ve met so many people that I continue to work with throughout the community and you never know what will flourish from taking a chance and betting on yourself,” she added with a smile.

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Florida SBDC Network

The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida, and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s lead host institution. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for limited English proficient individuals.

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State Designated as Florida’s Principal Provider of Business Assistance [§ 288.01, Fla. Stat.]