TAMPA (February 7, 2017)– Tuesday, during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott recognized Javi’s Salsa with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award. President and founder, Javier Nava, started the family owned business with his wife and children in the Tampa Bay area. Javi’s Salsa is now distributed to stores throughout Florida.

Javier Nava with Governor Rick Scott, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Florida CFO Jeff Atwater. | Photo by: Office of Florida State Governor

Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to recognize Javi’s Salsa with the Business Ambassador Award. We work hard to cut taxes so we can make Florida a great place for small businesses like Javi’s Salsa to succeed.”

In the short amount of time Nava’s been pushing his brand full-time, he’s found a surprising amount of success.  Nava first reached out to the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County in 2010 and attended several low-cost seminars including Getting Your Business Online and Introduction to QuickBooks. The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County also informed him on minority business certification options.

“Last summer [my Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County business consultant] emailed me about the Winn-Dixie Winn-Local program,” Nava said.  “We were one of the winners chosen by Winn-Dixie and currently we are in over 130 stores.  We hope to soon be in the whole southeast for Winn-Dixie.”

Nava’s hard work was rewarded again last year when he earned shelf space at four Whole Foods grocery stores in the Tampa Bay area.  He cites the process as being one of the most difficult processes he’s ever been a part of. Recently, Nava started working with Corey McCaster, business consultant at the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County.

“Javier spent 25 years with the local Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, serving our community,” Marketing and Communications Officer, Stacey Dadd said. “So, upon retirement when he decided to take his part-time company and turn it into a full-time business venture, our staff at Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County was more than happy to be there to help him along the way. That’s why we exist. We are here to serve businesses in our 10-county region, no matter the stage they are in.”

Javi’s Salsa is also a member of the Fresh From Florida Program hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

In regards to the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award, Nava said, “It’s an honor to receive the Business Ambassador Award from Governor Scott. My family and I started Javi’s Salsa based on my mother’s recipe, and it’s great to carry on a family tradition and share with others throughout the state. I’m grateful for our success so far, and I look forward to continuing our growth in Florida.”