Archive for category: Featured Success Stories

Style-City Music Inc. of Pinellas County

Steve Berry, who goes by Q’, is the owner of Style-City Music, Inc., a relatively new company that has been delivering high-quality audio-visual setups for small to medium-sized corporate events in the Tampa Bay region. A few years ago, he decided to launch his business when after realizing that he and his crew could go a step further in their service. “These are some of the best guys in the industry and you start realizing when we’re working for other people, we can do this better. We can provide a better client experience, we can provide a better-quality product, and we can do it at a reasonable price,” Berry said.

Specializing in everything from sound systems to captivating visual displays, Berry then identified government contracts as a key avenue for expanding his business but knew he needed guidance to navigate the process.

That’s when he connected with the Florida APEX Accelerator at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED) and government contracting consultant, Yolanda Goodloe. “I first met Yolanda when I was in a business competition. She was one of the judges actually, and she gave me her card and then followed up with me. Then I got to sit down and meet and talk with her a couple of times,” Berry said. “After that initial meeting, I got to find out who she was and what they did and then the first opportunity came up when we were applying for the Florida Health Department bid, so that’s when I got to work with her more directly; was putting that particular bid together,” he added.

Goodloe’s expertise was instrumental in helping Style-City Music secure government contracts that would allow the business to showcase their talents to the United States Coast Guard as well as the United States Navy. “We were working with the Florida APEX Accelerator, it was mostly because I was submitting a government bid, so what they did is they helped me with putting that bid together, making it look presentable, so that we had a better shot at getting that government contract,” the business owner explained.

The team worked closely with Goodloe to fine-tune the company’s capability statement, ensuring it highlighted their strengths and experience, making them a competitive contender in the government contracting space. “Yolanda did help us with re-doing the capability statement which we submitted to military events mostly because we did do an event this past year for U.S. Coast Guard; we did Changing of the Guard event for the U.S. Navy down in Miami,” Berry said.

Since working with the Florida APEX Accelerator at PCED, the business has grown tremendously, in number of employees as well as number of events. “I would say our biggest success so far is consistency. We’re a fairly new company relative to people that do this. This is the fourth year, getting ready to go into year number five. What’s amazing about that is, for a start-out company, you could not have the type of talent that we have on this team; so that’s mostly been because people believe in the vision, they believe in what we’re doing, and they want to be part of it. We’ve been doing things on a much bigger level, much bigger scale,” Berry said.

“Some of the things you’ve seen us do locally; we just did the Tampa Black Heritage Festival this year, we did the Collard Green Festival right after that. We did a huge corporate event at the Tampa Hyatt for Smart Source, so it’s growing. We keep getting these things and we’re subcontracting for one of the biggest companies in the nation, the Navy. So, that in itself is amazing for a company that is just going into year five,” he added.

Looking ahead, Berry plans to continue leveraging the support of the Florida APEX Accelerator. “We’ll still use it [Florida APEX Accelerator at PCED] mostly on the government contracting side because what I found out with that is, everything is a lot more specific, how they want stuff submitted, or the information they need. So, it’s just nice having that extra set of eyes to look at what they’re asking for. Look at what you’re submitting and make sure you didn’t miss anything,” Berry mentioned.

When asked what advice he would give to other small businesses, Berry responded, “I would really say, go check out the website because there are things that they do that you may not even be aware of and it goes a lot more in-depth than just one or two things. So, you never know what you may need that they can actually do for you.”

C.A.R.E Agency, LLC of Hillsborough County

Nestled in Hillsborough County, a dedicated medical care business, C.A.R.E Agency, has made significant strides in home care while advocating for disability patients and expanding its services to provide essential care to homeless individuals, with a special focus on homeless veterans. Thalia Shurns, critical care nurse of 10 plus years and owner of C.A.R.E Agency, has made it her mission to create a business that helps the community by offering in-home and hospital advocacy while also providing shelter and care for those in need.

“I’m a critical care nurse. I’m the owner of C.A.R.E Agency, LLC. It was started in 2017, it originally started in Vero Beach with the focus on home care. I worked in the hospital setting and I just saw that patients were not getting the home care that they needed when they left the hospital which was causing them to be re-entered back in the hospital for simple issues that could’ve been taken care of at home,” Thalia Shurns said.

Knowing that there were people in need of care and support within her community led Shurns to spring into action and create a business were her passion for helping others would be fulfilled and individuals would have somewhere to turn to when in need of medical care, advocacy, or housing. As the business owner decided to move her business to the Tampa Bay area, she realized that she would need assistance in order to get the word out and grow her business. That’s when she turned to the Florida APEX Accelerator at Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED).

Once there, Shurns was met with the guidance and support of Florida APEX Accelerator at PCED government contracting business consultant, Yolanda Goodloe. With the expertise of her business consultant, Shurns successfully navigated the complex landscape of government contracting. This partnership played a pivotal role in developing growth strategies, expanding networking opportunities, and ultimately securing a government contract that enabled the home care business to expand and enhance its services.

“With the information provided by Florida APEX Accelerator, I’ve used it by using it with the business plan, networking. I was provided just resources in the community that I could connect with to build my homeless shelter, so they’ve been really resourceful for C.A.R.E Agency,” Thalia Shurns said.

Since working with the Florida APEX Accelerator at PCED, the business has flourished through expansion in services as well as care facilities. “My business has grown tremendously since working with the Florida APEX Accelerator. We have secured a large government contract, we’ve also secured and acquired a home for our vets that is fully occupied, and our services have expanded. So, now we’re actually in the process of opening another home and acquiring an ALF [Assisted Living Facility] to service veterans and more homeless medical needy people in the community,” Thalia Shurns said. This government contract marks a significant milestone for the business, allowing them to increase their capacity to serve more individuals in need. The funding will be instrumental in expanding the number of shelters they operate, providing a safe and supportive environment for homeless veterans and other vulnerable populations.

Looking ahead, the passionate business owner plans to continue leveraging the resources and expertise offered by the Florida APEX Accelerator program to further their mission. “The relationship with my APEX consultant, Ms. Yolanda, has been extremely beneficial. We started out working on projects and business goals. As our relationship evolved, she started coaching and mentoring me, I could just go to her for everything and anything. She’s been a great asset to bounce ideas off of. We’re currently discussing expansion opportunities for C.A.R.E Agency and I will continue to use Ms. Yolanda for future endeavors and the Florida APEX program,” added Shurns.

As for other small business owners looking to follow in her footsteps, Thalia Shurns shared the following advice, “If you have the hunger, the passion, and the drive to succeed without a ceiling then you need the right team to complement your business. Florida APEX Accelerator is a great program to have on your team for success.”

Trypower Electrical Services Inc. of Hillsborough County

When Jose Sanchez and his family decided to start an electrical business, they knew that they wanted to create a business where great electrical work was met with social responsibility and integrity. That’s when they created Trypower Electrical Services Inc., which specializes in essential services for water, wastewater treatment facilities, and provides comprehensive electrical solutions for crucial public and private infrastructures, ensuring the seamless operation of vital systems in the Tampa Bay region.

“The reason that I chose to launch this type of business is the necessity of having a good electrical, a good vendor that can really perform the work they were supposed to be, following the rules and regulations, following the national electrical code, the standard that’s already established that needs to be followed,” Sanchez said.

As the president of Trypower Electrical Services Inc., Sanchez set out to find a support system that would benefit the business and create a great foundation for what was to come. That was when Sanchez found the Florida APEX Accelerator at the University of South Florida.

With the expert guidance of Karen Krymski, a seasoned government contracting business consultant, the company embarked on a path toward growth and success. Krymski’s deep understanding of the intricacies of government contracts and her strategic advice proved invaluable.

“Since working with Florida APEX Accelerator at USF, things have changed dramatically. They have given me all the tools necessary for me to understand how the system works and how the federal government, local, and state government work in terms of contracts, in terms of organizational skills, so they’ve been phenomenal,” Jose Sanchez mentioned.

Through targeted training sessions, personalized consultations, and invaluable networking opportunities, the company secured several significant contracts that have fueled its expansion. These contracts not only enhanced the company’s reputation but also opened doors to new opportunities within the public and private sectors.

“My business consultant, Karen, she’s been great throughout her assistance. I’ve been able to obtain several contracts with the government here in Tampa, Florida. With City of Tampa. We already got several contracts there that we’ll be working on with Hillsborough County too, construction services in Public Works, and other jurisdictions around Tampa Bay area,” Jose Sanchez said. “We are very happy for all the progress and the work that we’ve been doing together, as a team. Karen helping me out all the way,” he added.

Moving forward, Sanchez states that he will continue to reach out to his consultant to grow with guidance as they come up with new ideas on how to better serve their community. “We’re planning to keep the good rapport, a good relationship with the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF because we really think that they have so much to offer and we always have questions, we always have ideas. I like to hear their opinion because to me it’s very important,” he said.

With a solid foundation in place and ongoing support from Karen Krymski and the Florida APEX Accelerator at USF, the company continues to thrive, ensuring the reliability of essential electrical services for the Tampa Bay area’s critical infrastructures.

Sanchez ends with a message to those within the business community that are searching for support and resources. “What I would say to other companies trying to pursue their own dreams and aspirations and having their own company or running their business is to align with APEX. This group of people they’re here for you, they love to help, they’re very excited to bring ideas, and very excited to give you those tools that you need to move forward in your business,” Jose Sanchez said.

Hidden Fairway Golf Club in Hillsborough County

Nestled in the heart of North Hyde Park, business owner and University of South Florida alum, Damian Garcia, brings an innovative indoor driving range to downtown Tampa. As an avid golfer, Garcia was quick to notice the need for an indoor driving range where golfers could effectively practice their swing while other guests could enjoy the ample space to gather. That’s when Garcia created Hidden Fairway Golf Club, a unique business that combines state-of-the-art technology with his love of golf.

“I’ve always been an avid golfer, but I noticed that people in downtown Tampa were having to drive 30 minutes to go play any time after 6pm, so I tried to bring the best of everything in an environment where they can be here from 5am to 2am,” Damian Garcia said with a smile.

When the business owner first conceived the idea of an indoor driving range, he knew he needed expert guidance to turn his dream into a reality. That’s when he remembered about the Florida SBDC at USF.  “I originally learned about the Florida SBDC at USF when I was actually a student at USF. I remember seeing it I believe back in 2014, 2015, when I was a bicycle delivery driver for Jimmy Johns, and I kept it in the back of my head. Right around Covid, when the wheels for business started that’s where I reached out,” Damian Garcia recalls.

Once he reached out to his local Florida SBDC, the entrepreneur was paired with Florida SBDC at USF business consultant, Pablo Arroyo, who assisted him with business planning, market research, and overall business guidance. The comprehensive support he received laid the foundation for his success.

Market research conducted by the Florida SBDC at USF revealed a significant demand for an indoor driving range in downtown Tampa. “SBDC has been great from the beginning, from market research on where we were going to build the place, down to just how to talk about my business,” Damian Garcia said.

With the help of his business consultant, Garcia was guided through a variety of recommendations that would benefit his business. “Like I said, starting with market research where we really grew. We got some help when it came to being found on Google. And then once we started getting members, down to things like how to do our taxes, how to manage the finances. One of the biggest suggestions we got early on was the QuickBooks set up,” he said.

The Florida SBDC at USF also helped Garcia with creating a detailed business plan that included market analysis, financial projections, and strategic planning. “The Florida SBDC at USF was really instrumental in us getting our start-up funds going. We had a little bit of money in advance but setting up an LLC [Limited Liability Company] and setting it up correctly really legitimized us to lenders,” Damian Garcia said. This business plan was not just a roadmap but also a powerful tool to attract investors and secure funding. Armed with this plan, Garcia was able to present a compelling case to potential backers, ensuring he had the capital needed to launch his venture. “We spoke to a couple of lenders and a few off the top of my head that really helped us out was Upgrade for over $25,000, and then we had another 25 to $35,000 from American Express as well. We would not have been able to do it if we didn’t have such a thorough plan in advance and having set up that LLC from day one,” he added.

Since working with the Florida SBDC at USF, the indoor driving range has been a resounding success. “Our biggest success so far has just been selling out. The numbers, when we ran the business plan, were a little bit more conservative. We wanted to make sure we were honest, but within seven months we sold out,” Damian Garcia said. Golf enthusiasts from all over Tampa have flocked to the facility, eager to experience the cutting-edge technology and exceptional service.

Garcia attributes much of his rapid success to the invaluable support and market research data provided by the Florida SBDC at USF. “Our goal was to have 30 members, we have 30 unlimited members but also, we have a punch pass membership that brings our total membership to around 70. We expected around 15 to 20 our first year and I think a lot of it came down to the market research on the location, that there’s a huge need for this here,” Damian Garcia mentioned.

Moving forward, the passionate business owner states that he will continue using the Florida SBDC at USF as he plans to grow his business into new locations. “The SBDC at USF was very monumental in us getting loans and us getting approved and seen by banks. So, as we improve and as we grow, probably go back to the Florida SBDC at USF to secure more loans for our future locations. Moving forward we would definitely work with them again to make sure we can secure those loans,” Damian Garcia said.

“I can only say good things about the Florida SBDC at USF, Damian Garcia said. “I would recommend that anybody talk to the Florida SBDC at USF before they even get started. Even if it’s just a second opinion, to take advantage, because at the end of the day their services are free,” he added.

Intra-State Terrazzo & Concrete of Sarasota County

When Andrea Couture acquired a terrazzo and concrete business in the vibrant community of Sarasota County, she made it her mission to make waves in the flooring industry. Specializing in terrazzo, concrete, and shellcrete applications, Intra-State Terrazzo & Concrete has distinguished itself through exceptional craftsmanship in both commercial and residential projects. Knowing she had a unique product that could transform spaces with beauty and durability, Couture also knew she would need the right guidance to keep her new business thriving.

Since acquiring the business, the new business owner faced challenges of gaining visibility, creating a solid business plan, and managing finances effectively. It was at this critical point that Couture turned to the Florida SBDC at USF for assistance. Once there, Couture was paired with Florida SBDC at USF business consultant and marketing specialist, Scott Carpenter for business guidance.

The Florida SBDC at USF provided a range of services designed to support the business in their growth and development. For this Sarasota-based company, the journey began with business planning. Crafting a detailed business plan allowed the business owner to set clear goals, identify potential obstacles, and strategize on overcoming these challenges.

“I started to work with the SBDC at USF because I needed to have some insight to do the acquisition of the business. I needed to have some support in building the business plan to have the financing as well as understanding the market in Sarasota and the area,” Andrea Couture said.

In addition to business planning, the business owner received an in-depth consultation on marketing strategies and financial guidance. “So Intra-State Terrazzo has grown since [working with] the SBDC at USF by giving us some good insight and financial management. On implementing marketing strategies and as well as opening up other doors to us and to the market and giving us great data to know where to go from where we are at currently,” Andrea Couture said. Carpenter’s help in developing a comprehensive marketing plan and providing useful market research increased their visibility within the community and led to beneficial results.

“So, we have doubled the revenue in the past three years,” Andrea Couture mentioned. As a result of the guidance, Couture was able to expand the company’s services and visibility which has brought in great revenue results. Their portfolio also now includes a wide range of impressive projects, from intricate residential flooring designs to expansive commercial installations.

Moving forward, Couture plans on using the Florida SBDC at USF whenever changes are made within the business. “We’re going to be using SBDC at USF going forward by participating in their workshop. Business is always evolving so we’re going to grow with them. There’s going to be some changes to be made as we add more products with our marketing as well as our financial forecast,” Andrea Couture said.

The support from the Florida SBDC at USF has not only helped the company grow but also empowered the owner with the knowledge and skills to continue thriving in a competitive industry. “Scott Carpenter has been very friendly, very competent in guiding me through the success where we are going, and we are at today,” Andrea Couture expressed.

Today, this terrazzo and concrete business stands as a shining example of what can be achieved with determination, hard work, and the right support. The business owner goes on to tell other small business owners why they should seek the Florida SBDC at USF as their support. “I would suggest any small businesses to work with the SBDC at USF because they are dedicated to small business, growing the entrepreneurial community all around,” Andrea Couture said.

With their foundation firmly set, the future looks bright for this Sarasota County business, as they continue to build beautiful and durable spaces for their clients.