Construction Company Builds Momentum Across Tampa Bay

MVH Construction, LLC of Hillsborough County

When Patricia Vergara and Howard Marcalle launched MVH Construction, LLC in the United States, they brought with them years of experience in the construction industry and a vision for delivering a different kind of commercial contracting service.

The Hillsborough County-based company specializes in commercial construction and has distinguished itself through an engineering-focused approach and a commitment to serving clients’ needs throughout every stage of a project. As entrepreneurs building a business in a new market, however, they recognized the value of having trusted guidance to help navigate growth opportunities.

That guidance came through the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida.

“We chose to launch this type of business because we used to have this business abroad,” said Marcalle. “When we came to the U.S., we found a need of running a business like this the way we are used to running it. We saw a need in the commercial space of more engineer-oriented business and a more owner-oriented business.”

As the company began establishing itself in Florida, Vergara and Marcalle connected with Florida SBDC at USF business consultant Janette Blanco. The relationship quickly became an important part of the company’s development strategy.

According to Vergara, Blanco helped the company strengthen its internal operations through assistance with accounting, tax planning, business organization, and understanding how to do business with local government agencies.

“The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County has helped us organizing our business,” Vergara said. “Janette Blanco is our consultant and she’s always seeking for jobs, seeking for certifications, and a lot of opportunities with the county and with other projects.”

Beyond day-to-day business guidance, Blanco encouraged the company to pursue certifications, registrations, and government contracting opportunities that could position MVH Construction for long-term growth.

“Janette always pushes us and continues monitoring our development,” Vergara said.

That support proved especially valuable when the company pursued one of its most significant projects to date.

Marcalle credits Florida SBDC at USF with helping MVH Construction successfully navigate the complex bidding process for a Hillsborough County project at the Pat Frank Courthouse. The resulting contract, valued at approximately $1.8 million, marked a major milestone for the growing firm.

“Our business has grown ever since we started working with the SBDC,” Marcalle said. “One of the county jobs was Pat Frank Courthouse for $1.8 million. They helped us navigate through all the paperwork and the red tape to put the bid together as far as all the documentation that was required. They basically held our hand and allowed us to achieve getting that job last year.”

While securing large projects has been important to the company’s success, Vergara measures growth in other ways as well.

More than any single contract, she points to the trust MVH Construction has earned from clients and subcontractors as the company’s greatest achievement.

“I think our biggest success has been how we have been growing since the beginning,” Vergara said. “The confidence that we have built with our subcontractors and also with our clients.”

She added that customer referrals have become one of the company’s most rewarding indicators of success.

“One of the biggest is the referral,” Vergara said. “That is amazing, and that is very satisfying that we work with referrals instead of just searching, looking for jobs.”

Looking ahead, the owners expect their partnership with the Florida SBDC at USF to remain an integral part of their business strategy. Whether evaluating government contracting opportunities, pursuing certifications, enhancing marketing efforts, or exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, they continue to rely on the expertise and resources available through the organization.

“I think we will always use SBDC because we have a great [consultant] as Janette,” Vergara said. “If it’s something for the government, I immediately think about Janette and ask her, ‘Do you think I can do it? Is this worth it?’ We’re going to use SBDC for marketing, for AI, and for everything.”

For other entrepreneurs considering whether to engage with the Florida SBDC at USF, Marcalle’s advice is straightforward.

“The SBDC is a very good resource for new business owners and for existing business owners,” he said. “You can get a lot of assistance for everything from marketing, administration, accounting, and how to do business with the county. You’re not going to waste your time by going to the SBDC.”

For MVH Construction, that partnership has translated into more than guidance. It has helped the company build the foundation for sustainable growth, pursue larger opportunities, and strengthen its position in the commercial construction marketplace.