Cordova Transport grows with SBDC, certification

Cordova Transport, Inc. of Hillsborough County

Miguel Cordova knows a lot about running a trucking company. Owner of Cordova Transport, Inc., Cordova started his business in 2010, and while he was successful from the start, he found one consistent hurdle in his way.

His dump truck business, which focuses on hauling asphalt, was successful from the start, but he found that a lack of business certification was preventing him from being considered for coveted contracts. So, he reached out to the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County in March 2013 for assistance.

Cordova earned certification as a minority-owned business and small business enterprise, and immediately began to see results.

“I got the certification and I got contracts within a week,” Cordova said. “It was very quick.”

Cordova said Janette Blanco, certified business consultant with the FSBDC at Hillsborough County, took him through the steps of certification and also assisted him in branding his business and learning how to approach customers.

“He’s learned how to run his business and he delegated the work to 60 independent contractors,” Blanco said. “He’s grown his sales by more than $1.5 million in sales. He has contracts for at least the next seven years.”

Now, the pair, in conjunction with Cordova’s brother, Teodoro, will work on expanding the business further through diversification.

“We’re looking to expand into building cleaning,” Cordova said. “That requires us to buy some equipment. It has the potential to double our business.”

The company is loan ready, in part, due to the FSBDC at Hillsborough County assistance they have received, but it waiting for the right deal.

“The jobs and contracts are there and waiting,” Teodoro said. “We’re more reliable for the lenders when we come with a reference from the SBDC.”

Blanco will continue to assist the company in accessing the right capital to diversify.

Since starting the company with just one full-time employee – himself – Miguel has grown the business to include 8 full-time employees, 1 part-time employee, 60 independent contractors and more than $3 million in sales. He credits others for helping to grow his business.

“Fortunately, I found the right people to help me,” he said. “Janette and Rita [Sauri] guided me and put me on the right track. I’ve been suggesting the SBDC to other people that I know in business because they really helped me to grow my business.”