Rolling Toward Growth: How a Business Nailed It with the Florida SBDC at USF
Evolv3 Painting and Home Repair of Polk County
Based in Lakeland and serving surrounding areas such as Kissimmee, Auburndale, Winter Haven, and occasionally Tampa, Roger Woodstock is the proud owner of Evolv3 Painting and Home Repair, a small business focused on painting services and handyman work for both residential and commercial clients. Whether it’s refreshing a living room with vibrant color or handling light repairs for local businesses, the company’s goal is simple: help people take care of their spaces with professionalism and care.
“I chose to launch this type of business out of necessity. It started as a part-time gig to get out of debt and my corporate job; I got laid off. I decided to just continue doing this business since I’d started it. I could make my own hours, and I could grow it,” Woodstock shared.
When Woodstock realized the business needed guidance to grow, he turned to the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida after attending an in-person seminar. Paired with senior business consultant Greg Manning, the focus quickly became finding capital and refining marketing strategies to expand their reach and increase visibility.
“With Greg, I reached out to him initially for the funding and then we had video chats. We had a couple calls on the phone, and then he would explain to me the different processes or the different opportunities the SBDC have with finding capital, you know, ’cause on the website there are a few lenders there, and I did reach out to a few of them, and I did get the funding through the lenders. So that was a process,” Woodstock said.
Since working with the Florida SBDC at USF, Evolv3 Painting and Home Repair has seen measurable progress. From securing funding to better positioning their brand in the market, the business is thriving. “I would say my business has grown since working with Florida SBDC at USF, say, around 10% in revenue,” Woodstock said. “I’ve built relationships. Some of my clients have become friends. So, I think for me, that’s one of my successes with the business. I think that will help me to grow as I continue with it,” he added.
Looking ahead, Woodstock plans to continue using the Florida SBDC at USF as a resource for business development and strategic support. “I’ll be contacting them for more insight and mentorship. I would say just getting mentorship and how to handle the business, employing people, brainstorming ways to market myself better and just educating myself on how to be a better businessperson and networking,” he mentioned.
As for advice for his fellow small business owners, Woodstock said, “I would say to others about using the Florida SBDC at USF to go ahead, contact them, explain your situation because it’s great to have mentors and this company there to help you with your business, especially if you’re doing it on your own.”
With a strong foundation and a trusted partner, Evolv3 Painting and Home Repair is well on its way to painting a bright future—one wall at a time.
