P.74
P.76
P.80
RIGHT OPPORTUNITY
FASTER RECOVERY
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Business buyers, sellers find ideal time to make a deal
Arthrex offers innovative option for knee injury repair
Travel industry making plans for a comeback
SOUTHWEST F LO R I DA’S BEST VIEW OF BUSINESS
MANAGING THE MACHINE How to ethically control artificial intelligence at work _____ __P. 34
POWER P L AY E R S Uihleins bringing financial, political clout to Naples _____ __P. 42
C O N TAC T L E S S SHOPPING HANDS-OFF CONVENIENCE WO R K S W E L L D U R I N G PA N D E M I C P_24
$15,605 back from your health plan? *
Now, that’s refreshing. Money back is possible with All Savers® Alternate Funding, a health plan built to help your Florida small business get back to business faster. All Savers is based on your employees’ medical claims — so if they’re lower than expected, your business may get a surplus refund at year-end.*
Get the details and ask for a quote at uhc.com/allsaversfl
More savings
More flexibility
More stability
Exemption from most Affordable Care Act regulations and state premium taxes
A variety of plan designs, including wellness programs and telemedicine at no additional cost to employees
Fixed monthly plan costs and safeguards to help protect your plan from unexpected high claims
*Yep, that’s a real number. Among the 49% of UnitedHealthcare’s All Savers Florida business customers who received a refund in 2020, the average refund was $15,605. UnitedHealthcare internal reconciliation analysis, Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020. Please consult a tax and/or legal advisor to determine if, by receiving this refund, there are any restrictions or obligations, or whether the surplus refund is taxable. Surplus refund available only where allowed by state law. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates, and UnitedHealthcare Service LLC in NY. Stop-loss insurance is underwritten by All Savers Insurance Company (except MA, MN, NJ and NY), UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company in MA and MN, UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company in NJ, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York in NY. B2B EI21573326.0 3/21 © 2021 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 21-569750-B
Looking to provide health care coverage designed for affordability? There’s a solution available for small business owners in Florida. By UnitedHealthcare With the health care industry and economy experiencing continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, small business owners may be dealing with the financial challenges of offering adequate, affordable coverage to their employees. Alternate funding plans offer a potential way to help control costs Also called level-funded plans, alternate funding plans may help small businesses reduce their overall health care costs and help employees get more out of their benefits. These plans include 3 components: 1. The employer’s self-funded medical plan. This pays medical expenses for covered employees and their dependents. 2. A third-party claims administration agreement. The employer enters into an agreement with the administrator, who provides claims processing, billing, customer support and other services. 3. A stop loss insurance policy. This provides coverage for large, catastrophic claims by a single covered individual and provides overall coverage in the event all medical claims go beyond a certain dollar limit. Traditional insurance vs. alternate funding plans
Claims Fixed Premium
Variable
Claims
Stop loss insurance Fixed Administrative, commissions, taxes, etc.
Administrative, commissions, taxes, etc.
Traditional Plans
Alternate Funding Plans
Traditional: With traditional insurance plans, the employer pays a fixed premium to the insurance company. The insurance company assumes all of the risk, paying the health care claims, administrative costs, sales commissions and taxes. At the end of the plan year, if the actual health care claims are higher than expected, the insurance company covers them. But if they’re lower, the insurance company keeps the difference. Alternate funding: With an alternate funding plan such as All Savers® Alternate Funding from UnitedHealthcare, the employer sets up a medical plan that pays for employees’ medical benefits directly. Part of the risk is taken on by the medical plan, with the rest covered by stop loss insurance. The plan’s level-funding structure means the administration fees, stop loss premium and monthly maximum claim liability are included in one fixed monthly invoice throughout the plan year. At the end of the plan year, if the total health care claims are lower than expected, the employer may receive money back (where allowed by state law).1 And if they’re higher? The stop loss insurance policy covers them.
A great way to experience financial flexibility and freedom All Savers is easy to understand and was specifically designed for small businesses. It may help the employer: • Pay lower premium taxes throughout the year (stop loss coverage is still subject to premium tax) • Be exempt from most Affordable Care Act regulations and state insurance mandates • Get protection from unexpected high claims with stop loss insurance • Receive money back at the end of the plan year if medical claims are lower than expected (where allowed by state law)1 Meet the challenge of health care costs head-on Consider an alternate funding plan such as All Savers from UnitedHealthcare. All Savers offers a variety of plan designs, innovative wellness programs, robust member tools and access to the vast UnitedHealthcare provider and OptumRx® pharmacy networks. It’s a great way for small businesses to provide coverage designed for affordability and help their employees get the most out of their benefits. For more information, contact your broker or visit uhc.com/allsaversfl Please consult a tax and/or legal advisor to determine if, by receiving this surplus refund, there are any restrictions or obligations, or whether the surplus refund is taxable. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates, and UnitedHealthcare Service LLC in NY. Stop-loss insurance is underwritten by All Savers Insurance Company (except MA, MN, NJ and NY), UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company in MA and MA, UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company in NJ, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York in NY. B2B EI21573327.0 3/21 © 2021 United HealthCare Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 21-569750-C
1
Contents. F E AT U R E S
P.24 CONTACTLESS SHOPPING In Search of HandsOff Convenience
P.34 TECHNOLOGY Studying AI ethics at a Fort Myers digital ad firm
P.42 POWER PLAYERS The Uihleins bring financial growth, political clout to Naples
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Contents. D E PA R T M E N T S
TakeNote Spaces P.12 Makers P.14 Creatives P. 16 Bookmark P. 18 Trendline P. 20 Economic Commentary P. 22
B2B
P.14 P 74
BUSINESS SENSE For business sellers and buyers, now may be time to deal P 76
MEDICAL Arthrex offers an innovative option for ACL P 78
INTERIOR DESIGN Southwest Florida’s art consulting scene P 80
TRAVEL The road ahead for the recovering business travel industry P 82
P.76
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Tiffany Lehman brings drive, integrity to Insurance Source of Naples
P.22
4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
p_92 AFTER HOURS
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HORSEPOWER Volvo’s stylish new wagon P 88
FITNESS Compact bicycles expand their market P 91
NEW & NOTEWORTHY WoodWatch’s natural appeal P 92
WEEKEND AWAY Florida’s Space Coast offers an interstellar experience. P 96
UNWIND Superior sleep for stress relief
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O T E
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from the editor. M AY 2 0 2 1
university so that her business students can learn how to ethically manage AI in
Smart Devices and Human Intelligence
the workplace. So, who’s managing the machine? Find out on page 34. Of course, technology and smart devices have been prevalent in assisting safety measures during the pandemic. Contactless payment systems, including smartphone apps that allow customers to scan items as they put them in a shop-
I don’t consider myself a tech-savvy person. I
ping cart, apps that schedule curbside
don’t participate on social media channels, with
pickup and mobile payment systems
the exception of dabbling on Instagram to keep
such as mobile wallets, started gaining
up with my kids. It seems that all of my “smart”
ground pre-pandemic but have become
devices outsmart me—which I’ve come to accept, and chalk up to knowing just enough to be mildly dangerous when it comes to technology. That
HEIDI RAMBO CENTRELLA EDITOR IN CHIEF
a go-to for many since. Our research finds that such contactless payment systems are here for the long haul. Many
might not be the wisest way to live in the 21st cen-
consumers use Amazon’s Alexa pay plat-
tury, but I find it ideal. And I’m sounding more
form at gas stations, avail themselves
and more like my mother every day.
of wearable payment systems such as
The issue is that technology is expanding at
wristbands and smart clothing and
a startling pace, from smartphones and TVs to
opt for cashier-less stores. The wear-
smart homes and cars. Everything’s smart, and
able payments industry alone raked in
if you don’t keep up, you can get left behind. My
$285.47 billion in 2019, and is projected
Gen Y and Gen Z kids appreciate this rapid pace
to reach an astounding $1.37 trillion by
of technology. I, as a Gen Xer, fall in line with
2027 (page 24).
my siblings of the Boomer generation and avoid
Interestingly, technology-related em-
learning too much of it, partly for fear my mind
ployment in Florida is poised to accel-
can’t handle that much information.
erate in 2021, according to CompTIA.
What we’re seeing now, though, is that the difference between human smarts and tech smarts is a serious matter, especially when it comes to ethics. If not utilized carefully and correctly, Artificial Intelligence software can negatively affect customers, and could potentially harm the workplace. Chrissann Ruehle, an instructor at Florida
p. 24
The nonprofit association for the information technology industry and work-
CONTACTLESS SHOPPING
force projects that 245,000 net new tech
In Search of Hands-Off Convenience
including 16,000 in Florida ... the third
Gulf Coast University, developed a course at the
8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
jobs will be added nationwide this year, most in the country. Working hard and working smart sometimes may be the same thing.
gulfshorebusiness.com
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BECAUSE ACCURACY
MATT ERS.
p_14 Sweet life of making fudge
TakeNote SPACES | MAKERS | CREATIVES | BOOKMARK TRENDLINE ECONOMIC COMMENTARY
Becoming One With the Water OXBOW BAR & GRILL LAUNCHES p_12
Kevin Bires, Vanessa Rogers
By Melanie Pagan
TakeNote S PA C E S
M AY 2 0 2 1 By Melanie Pagan
One With the Water THE NEW RIVERFRONT OXBOW BAR & GRILL SHOWS OFF DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS’ STAR ATTRIBUTE Perched on the corner of Hendry Street facing the Caloosahatchee, Oxbow Bar & Grill reflects the downtown Fort Myers ambiance of past and present, with exclusive riverfront views to boot. “It’s really the only restaurant in downtown Fort Myers that is on the water,” says Bob Megazzini, general manager of Luminary Hotel & Co. Opened in March, the multilevel restaurant and entertainment venue is the latest downtown Fort Myers project by Mainsail Lodging & Development, creators of the new Luminary Hotel & Co. and developers of the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, formerly Sound Amphitheater.
That combination includes reclaimed wood, whitewashed brick, antique finishes, sleek matte black and
Naples-based BSSW Architects and Wegman De-
polished copper accents and pops of green and blue.
sign Group teamed up to transform the Mediterra-
“There’s a really cool mixture of textures and color,”
nean-style building, which formerly housed Art of
Wegman says. “There’s a bit of a nod to nostalgia.”
the Olympians. A new, contemporary facade provides
A kayak revamped with lighting hangs from the ceil-
a preview of the fresh and modern-meets-maritime
ing in the first-floor watersports outfitter, which fea-
features inside.
tures rental services and merchandise supplied by St.
“We really think it’s reflective of what’s going on
Petersburg-based Boaters Republic. Nautical knick-
downtown with modernizing some of the older build-
knacks hang on reclaimed wood shelving, boat cleats
ings and things like that,” says Loren Wegman, design
and other creative displays.
director at Wegman Design Group. “We’re taking a nod
Just beyond the retail space is the restaurant. Guests
from the adjacent buildings and creating a mixture of
can unwind at the U-shaped bar and catch a game on
new and old.”
one of three big-screen TVs, enjoy a seafood or steak
1 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Vanessa Rogers
known as Harborside Event Center and the Caloosa
RIVER WITH A VIEW Oxbow Bar & Grill is the only restaurant in downtown Fort Myers on the water. The new venue also features cocktails handcrafted at a U-shaped bar.
dinner in the main dining area or settle in on the waterfront patio for a craft sandwich and cocktail. Guests needn’t sit outside to catch the cool Caloosahatchee breeze. “The whole first floor can be opened to the water,” Megazzini says, thanks to fully contracting windows. “It’s a pretty cool location to be sitting at the bar and see boats coming in and the waterway beyond,” Wegman says. “Not only do you get the experience of being on the water, but people can dock their boats right outside.” Business executives can treat staff or clients to a more
Boaters Republic Want to enhance your water-friendly wardrobe? Don’t skip the retail store on the first floor of Oxbow. Curated by
exclusive experience in the second-floor, 2,400-square-
Boaters Republic, a
foot event center, which fits approximately 150 people
family-owned com-
and boasts its own patio and private access, along with
pany based in St.
a catering kitchen. “The views from the second floor
Petersburg, the shop
are very spectacular,” Wegman says.
features outdoor
Each floor has its own appeal, but the overall upscale-casual contemporary style is deliberately subdued to not detract from the star view: the river. “We have glass all along the back of the building, and all that does is overlook this insane water view,” Wegman says. “That’s really the artwork, that’s really the expression of what you want to see—how cool it is to be right there in downtown Fort Myers on the water.” Oxbow Bar & Grill Address: 1300 Hendry Street, Fort Myers Opened: March 2021 Architect: BSSW Architects Designer: Wegman Design Group Developer: Mainsail Lodging & Development
apparel for all ages, from sunglasses and sun shirts to tanks and tees. There’s also a selection of gift ideas and goods, whether you’re hunting for a hip beach tote or koozie to keep your oceanside drinks cool.
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 1 3
TakeNote
M AY 2 0 2 1
MAKERS
B y J u s t i n P a p ro c k i
The Sweet Life CHOCOLATE LOVE REIGNS AT GULF COAST FUDGE CO.
Fudge is a family tradition for the
at the Shell Factory location. The in-
Heuglin family. Joey grew up making
gredients are heated and mixed in a
sweets with his mother in their shop in
large copper kettle. The gooey concoc-
the Shell Factory; he’s now co-owner
tion is then poured on a marble slab,
after taking over the business with his
where it’s whipped until near solid and
wife Micaela, who had started working
then cut into thick slices.
in the shop in high school. Now, Gulf
They can make about eight 25-pound
Coast Fudge Co. has two additional
boxes of fudge a day, ranging in flavors
locations in Tarpon Point Marina and
from chocolate caramel sea salt (the
downtown Fort Myers, as well as a
most popular) to Key lime (Micaela’s
burgeoning wholesale business.
favorite) to maple bacon (a more ad-
As has been the custom for decades,
venturous treat that’s caught on). Over
anyone can see how the fudge is made
the years, they’ve ventured out into
CUSTOM MADE Joey Heuglin (right) makes fudge using a copper kettle and a marble slab at his family’s Gulf Coast Fudge Co., which also handcrafts other special treats such as decadent milkshakes known as
1 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
Kevin Bires
Freak Shakes (left).
gulfshorebusiness.com
other goodies, too, including from-scratch soft pretzels that are made daily. At their three locations they have 16 staff— but only a handful are the expert fudge makers. Micaela herself gets a special role: “I get the final taste test,” she says with a laugh. Gulf Coast sells its fudge online, and has found that helps build relationships with their snowbird customers, Micaela said. The next big step is expanding the wholesale operation. Its fudge can be found in places such as Seed to Table in Naples, and the Hueglins partnered with Wicked Dolphin distillery on Cape Coral for a chocolate rum. As the brand grows, they’d like to get their products on shelves outside of Southwest Florida, as well. “It’s a great way to expand without opening more brick-and-mortar locations,” Micaela says. G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 1 5
NORMAL NUPTIALS? Event planner Kristin Sullivan has had to redefine what weddings look like to her clients today.
Bride-to-Be or Not to Be?
They tell couples to expect the unexpected when planning a wedding. However, “they” likely made that saying up to prepare couples for a caved-in wedding cake, not a global pandemic that could turn their celebrations into super-spreaders and bring the wedding-planning industry to its knees. Alas, the latter has been a new reality, thanks to event planner in Southwest Florida, attests to it. “It’s been quite a challenge,” Sullivan says. “We only did one wedding last year out of the probably 22 that were supposed to happen. That was because it was a very intimate family experience, and they did everything they were supposed to do,” in terms of social distancing and safety, she added.
1 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Getty, Vanessa Rogers
KRISTIN SULLIVAN MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR COUPLES TO PLAN WEDDINGS DURING COVID
COVID-19. Kristin Sullivan, a longtime wedding and
TakeNote
M AY 2 0 2 1
C R E AT I V E S
Sullivan has had to redefine what weddings can look like to her clients today.
By Melanie Pagan
The retreat was set to take place in several upscale venues across the country in 2020, guiding 20 women
“I’ve highly encouraged micro-weddings and Zoom
at each destination through yoga, meditation, mindset
weddings,” she says. “We’ve all learned that virtual can
and awareness while wedding planning in a calm envi-
definitely take us different places now.”
ronment. Frenzied brides-to-be clung to the concept
She suggests several ways to make the occasion spe-
like moths to a light.
cial: Having a virtual receiving line, hiring a musician to
“The solution was to give them everything in one
join the Zoom room for a first dance, giving each guest a
place at one time and make their lives easier,” Sullivan
champagne split and mini cupcakes and more. She also
says. It had completely sold out. “The clients that we
says to send wedding invitations still, ask attendees to
had were so excited about it.”
dress up and not forget the “thank you” notes.
She’s set up the model for licensing or franchising
“People still want to feel included,” she says. “It’s
and plans to roll out other versions for different gen-
obviously not what you’re expecting and not what you
ders and lifestyles when it’s safe. She’s hoping to host
wanted, but you can still make [the experience] fun
the next event this fall in Nashville.
and unique.”
“Our content is ready, the coaches are ready, we just
Sullivan, a 25-year industry veteran with multiple
need the world to move again,” Sullivan says. In the
ventures, including two wedding companies—Swivel
meantime, “It’s been an absolutely crazy year for ev-
Group Events and The Bridal Retreat—a book and vlog,
eryone, and we’re just doing the best that we can to help
continues to innovate in this uncertainty.
our clients and keep ourselves going.”
Shortly after the pandemic hit last year, she started a retail line and now offers intimate wedding planning excursions called PlanningMoons in Southwest Florida, for clients near and far. Couples stay at her waterfront guest property in Fort Myers and enjoy five hours of one-on-one wedding planning, meals, roundtrip airport accommodations and optional add-ons. Alternately, they can choose a virtual consultation. And she hosts micro-weddings and vow renewals onsite. The PlanningMoons wrap into The Bridal Retreat’s holistic and healthy approach to wedding planning. However, Sullivan has had to put a hold on the company’s star offering: a three-day, four-night, stress-free wedding-planning experience. G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 1 7
TakeNote
M AY 2 0 2 1
BOOKMARK
RALPH READS
War Zone TURBULENT TRUE TALES FROM MIDDLE EAST HOSTILITIES
an avid reader
The war in Iraq and subsequent civil war in Syr-
sniping and fighting tactics textbook.
ia created a vacuum of power that was filled by
Cudi’s description of the war re-
ISIS fighters, who expanded their territory at an
veals much about the Kurds’ culture.
Sausage, leads a
alarming rate. It seemed like nothing could stop
They exist as an independent people
book club in Naples
them—until they encountered the Kurdish peo-
without a country, inside three coun-
with about a dozen
ple, who have lived for centuries in the northern
tries who don’t want them. Their will
other high-power
parts of Syria and Iraq and the southern border-
to resist ISIS at any cost was forged by
friends. The group
land of Turkey. Written under the pseudonym
the continual harassment they have
only reads non-fic-
Azad Cudi, Long Shot is the story of how Kurd-
endured for centuries from those
ish snipers stopped the advance of ISIS in Koba-
countries. The continual threat they
ni, the last city and last defensible position for
live under is apparent in the fact that
the Kurds in Syria. ISIS sent 12,000 trained sol-
the only faces pictured in the book
diers, equipped with the latest weapons, against
are of people who have been killed in
2,000 Kurds whose guns were older than they
action. All of their names are noms de
were. The Kurds were expected to collapse in
guerres. Cudi’s real name and face do
a matter of days ... but that didn’t happen. This
not appear, even though he now lives
book, written by a sniper, describes how snip-
in England. The fear of reprisal for
ers reversed the course of the war: five Kurdish
themselves and their families from
snipers killed 2,000 ISIS soldiers—20% of their
ISIS, and the countries they live in, is
entire force—in less than a year. It’s basically a
always with them.
and former CEO of Johnsonville
tion as a way to keep learning and sharpening the mind. Every month, Stayer shares the latest page-turners earning a permanent spot on his ever-expanding bookshelves.
1 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Courtesy Brian Tietz, Atlantic Monthly Press, Casemate Gutter
RALPH STAYER,
This has led to a fascinating culture. There is no distinc-
when leaders know what they want
tion between men and women; they are absolute equals,
to hear and refuse to listen to anyone
and the general in charge of the war was female. Individ-
who disagrees with their assump-
ualism is shunned. Self-sacrifice for the group is prized.
tions. Flawed information, flawed
Nothing makes this clearer than the reaction of a mother
assumptions, flawed strategies often
whose son was killed in action. A young man informed her
lead to horrific results. It is always
that her son had been martyred. “After a while, the wom-
easy to make judgments with 20/20
an gathered herself, looked me in the eyes, took my hands
hindsight, but clearly, this war was
and said, ‘I wish the years my son never had to you. You live
flawed from the start. Read about it
your life for him.’”
and weep.
The CIA War in Kurdistan by Sam Faddis gives further insight into the Kurdish people and the performance of the Bush administration in the second Gulf War against Saddam Hussein. Faddis was sent into Iraq in early 2002 to head a CIA team deployed to prepare for an American invasion of Iraq from the north. This invasion assumed Turkey’s consent to use their territory to stage the invading force, despite Turkey’s prior unwillingness to co-operate with the United States. Faddis and his team were refused passage through Turkey for weeks, until the Turks finally relented and allowed them to cross their border into Kurdistan. Turkey never consented to allow the U.S. to stage an army and attack Iraq from the north. This is another story about how determined people can accomplish great things in spite of colossal misjudgments made by others far removed from the point of attack. They achieved victory in the north and hastened Hussein’s fall without any substantial help, and with very little loss of life on either side. This book is a litany of the errors and mistakes the Bush administration made prior to and during the second Gulf War. They were continuously given information that would have led to an entirely different outcome, but they refused to listen. Selective hearing is a common malady that occurs G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 1 9
TakeNote TRENDLINE
M AY 2 0 2 1 B y J u s t i n P a p ro c k i
Businesses Blooming FLORIDA’S INCREASE IN ENTREPRENEURS If there’s a silver lining to the COVID recession, it’s this: A lot more people are starting businesses. During the third quarter of 2020, about 1.6 million applications were filed to form businesses in the U.S., according to Census data. That’s double the amount filed during the third quarter of 2019. In Florida, 176,255 applications were filed in the third quarter, about 85% higher than the same time period in 2019. Some of the third quarter surge may be explained by backlogs due to office closures earlier in the year. Still, the fourth quarter saw 1.1 million applications nationwide, a decrease from the previous quarter but still
Getty
25% more year over year.
2 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
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To tal Busine s s A p p lic ations Filed
United States
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2020
837,85 4
8 93 , 03 6
1, 559, 950
1, 115, 98 4
2019
867,4 97
8 65, 909
59, 3 45
8 8 1, 147
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2020
99,0 5 6
101, 046
179, 255
129, 160
2019
95 ,0 5 0
98 , 622
97, 127
100, 550
Florid a
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 2 1
The Right Tools APPRECIATING SPECIALIZATION IN SOCIETY
I’m an economist, not a tool guy. Sure, I own tools—
hammers (those go with the nails) and screwdrivers
screwdriver, hammer and pliers—but using them has
(not the drinks), the tool arena was shut off from us.
always been problematic, as my gifts lie in other areas.
Although we knew it existed, it was not for us, and as a
I can write, publish, teach and sing. My interpersonal
result, we often had the experience of walking through
skills have always served me well as I enjoy meeting
a Lowe’s or Home Depot witnessing other men—often
and interacting with others, especially in debate when
wearing Wrangler jeans and sporting tobacco tins—
the mutual interest among participants is the develop-
carting large, mysterious tools to the registers while we
ment of right reason. I am thankful to have been able to
picked up, say, an extra flashlight or rake. Once last fall, when buying some $2.99 nails—they
Nevertheless, I am not a tool guy. This used to be
may be used for hanging pictures and skewering vege-
a point of consternation for my brother and me; we
tables—a largish man with close-cropped hair, a thick
felt shortchanged by our father who, whatever his
brown beard that broke at his lower eyelashes and
strengths, never bothered to share the basics of auto
forearms the size of my biceps appeared in the check-
mechanics, home repair or construction. For a very
out line behind me, free-lifting something that, if I had
long time, although we eventually mastered the use of
to guess, was the engine to a Mack truck. But I wasn’t
2 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
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Courtsey FGCU
work almost all of these talents into a career.
TakeNote
M AY 2 0 2 1
E C O N O M I C C O M M E N TA R Y
B y C h r i s t o p h e r We s t l e y
sure, so drawing on my interpersonal, small-talk skills,
Second, when labor is divided, opportunities for
I asked him (in an involuntarily squeaky voice), “So,
self-sufficiency become mass-produced as individuals
what’s that?”
hone narrow skills into jobs that allow them to pro-
He grunted a response that wasn’t a grunt but was
vide for themselves and their families. These benefits
nonetheless incomprehensible given my shortcomings
are much more than material. When we specialize in
in speaking RealMan-lish. So, I nodded understand-
production and sell the surplus of what we produce, we
ingly like someone who forgot he had multiple Mack
indirectly trade our surplus for the surplus of others
truck engines crammed under his workbench, wiped
specializing in other forms of labor.
my hand on my corduroys as if it had dirt on it, and checked out.
The resulting interdependencies between business owners and employees, computer techs and tomato
But not with shame. While not being conversant in
farmers, tool guys, stockbrokers and countless others
Toolology used to bother me, I now see it as a strength
form the basis for civilization itself. This is why poli-
both for myself and society in general. The fact that
cies that hinder the expansion of the specialization and
I don’t exactly get the glories of the O2 sensor socket
division of labor—think of minimum wage laws that
simply means I have spent my time developing other
reward capital over labor or regulatory burdens that fa-
skills more natural to me. The resulting division of la-
vor large corporations over small businesses—have the
bor into specialized units has not just reaped personal
effect of disconnecting people and de-civilizing society
benefits. It is also a central characteristic of the Indus-
in general.
trial Revolution and the astounding rates of economic output we still witness today.
Yes, I actually think of these ideas every time I visit a hardware store, and instead of feeling shame when
For most of us, being a jack of all trades means we
interacting with men who recognized long ago there is
are not terribly productive in any of them, but when
no such thing as a flux capacitor (who knew?!), I am in-
we are a jack of one or few trades, two important bene-
stead grateful for how their efforts improve my quality
fits emerge. First, we become more productive as skills
of life. One hopes they comprehend how my efforts—
and technologies improve over time. This means that
and those of countless other people—enrich theirs.
as more people specialize in the production of different goods and services, society itself becomes richer as
Christopher Westley is Dean of Florida Gulf Coast Uni-
more output is produced in the aggregate than would
versity’s Lutgert College of Business. E-mail: cwestley@
have resulted if each worker attempted to produce ev-
fgcu.edu.
erything he or she needed. G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 2 3
IN SEARCH OF HANDS-OFF
By John Guerra
GULFSHORE BUSINESS MAY 2021
P A G E 25
Local retailers explore contactless payment
CONVENIENCE
Sinelab
systems
In 2017, long before the advent of COVID-19, Target stores launched a smartphone app that lets customers scan items as they put them in a shopping cart. Rather than stand in a checkout line, shoppers could simply tap a Target debit or credit card icon on their smartphone to pay for their groceries. Originally created in the name of customer convenience, mobile payment systems and other contactless transaction processes have become an important tool for customers afraid of catching the virus—and for Southwest Florida grocery stores, hotels, restaurants and other businesses hoping to reopen safely. In fact, the Electronic Transactions Association predicts that the present $40 billion contactless payment market will see more than $100 billion in annual sales by 2026. Contactless technology platforms vary in architecture, complexity and,
checkout, contactless shopping or scan and go—for customers trying
of course, price. Even the largest re-
to avoid contact.
tailers with limitless IT budgets have
In-store systems that let customers scan product bar codes and
tried, and rejected, in-store systems
pay without going through checkout lines are too expensive for
that link ceiling cameras to cloud
smaller businesses to install and maintain. They require constant
servers and proprietary smartphone
reprogramming as inventory sells out or is replaced by other brands.
payment apps.
Many shoppers also find the phone scanning apps confusing and
Southwest Florida big box stores
cumbersome.
such as Walmart, Sam’s Club and Su-
Walmart Neighborhood Market at 505 SW Pine Island Road an-
per Target have had mixed results
nounced in March 2018 that it would allow customers to use its app
developing apps and procedures—
to scan product barcodes and pay the bill with their phone while in
known variously as autonomous
the store. The store halted the program four months later.
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GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 27
“It was too complicated for some people to navigate,” says store manager Susan Williams. “After a few months they came in and removed the equipment. It wasn’t catching on enough; customers weren’t using it.” In-store improvement SHOPPING TECH
Sam’s Club members in Fort Myers
Mobile payment
can still use the company’s smart-
systems and other
phone app to scan barcodes and pay
contactless transac-
for items without going through
tion processes have become an important tool for retail customers afraid of catching COVID-19.
checkout. A store associate, however, scans the receipt on the shopper’s phone screen to ensure payment as the shopper exits the store. A local Sam’s Club executive said his store has had mixed success with autonomous checkout. Not all the products in the store can be read by the app, he said. “They rushed through to get everything up this last year because of COVID-19,” says the manager, who asked that his name not be used. “They really weren’t ready with everything.” Nevertheless, at least 37% of the store’s customers use it. “This year, they’re spending a lot more time putting all this back together. It is still improving.” Customers like curbside The good news for local grocery
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stores: Customers have migrated to ordering their groceries online and G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 2 7
GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 28
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to them. It’s more personal, more hands-on friendly,” Landberg says. Blended arrangements Smaller retailers and restaurants rely on mobile payment systems on consumers’ smartphones and inexpensive equipment at the counter that accepts mobile payment apps including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal and other Android and iOS dashboards, said Hilary Blackburn, Achieva CredTAKEOUT TECH Diners can safely order and pay for meals at home via smartphones with the food conveniently available for delivery or curbside pickup.
it Union’s vice president of Deposit Products and Services. The arrangement shares the costs of the digital transaction between the retailer and the customer. PayPal, for instance, uses the QR code on the product to tie the item to the customer’s smartphone’s payment device,
picking them up and paying outside the store. To verify the order, the
such as Apple Pay, and deducts it from
customer holds the phone up so the employee can scan the bar code on
the customer’s checking account.
the screen. The customer then pays for the items by tapping the app on the phone. Wynn’s Market in Naples uses an online shopping platform developed
ed to your smartphone and purchases
by Freshop, said store manager Larry Landberg. Customers can create
are deducted from your checking ac-
baskets and order online, either at home or with their mobile devices,
count,” Blackburn says.
and choose a pickup time. Wynn’s Market President Tim Wynn launched curbside pickup and home delivery in January 2016.
Getty
“In the case of mobile wallets, such as Apple Pay, a debit card can be add-
Achieva, with seven locations in Southwest Florida, helps retailers
“At the height of COVID-19, we were having a hard time keeping up
and customers manage their mobile
with the curbside pickup,” Landberg says. “Sometimes we had three or
transactions through its partnership
four employees going around and putting together orders.”
with Heartland Payment Systems.
When they arrive for pickup, customers call the store from their cars
Heartland leases and installs the pay-
and let them know they’ve arrived; nothing fancy. “We announce over
ment processing equipment in client
the public address, ‘Mr. Smith is here’ and we take the groceries out
stores and also links customer mobile G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 2 9
THE FUTURE OF CONTACTLESS SHOPPING Contactless payment systems were in development long before COVID-19 hit. Here’s a look at what companies are working on for the future. Developers of contactless payment systems must write software that captures the purchase, as well as supporting transactions between retailers, banks and automated payment clearinghouses. JUST ASK ALEXA TO PAY FOR IT
payment systems to the customer’s debit account,
Sam’s Club members, using the
Blackburn said. Business owners, of course, can
Scan & Go icon on their Sam’s
choose among countless banks and payment pro-
Club phone app, can scan the QR
cessors in Southwest Florida when choosing a con-
code on Sam’s Club gas pumps. A
tactless payment system.
receipt is emailed after fueling, eliminating the need to scan their
Payment card companies such as Visa and Mas-
membership card.
tercard always take a percentage from the retailer,
Amazon’s Alexa pay platform at
usually between 1% and 2% of the sales total. Com-
more than 11,500 Exxon and Mo-
panies that develop mobile payment terminals
bil gas stations, however, makes
(Square, Clover Flex, GoTab, SumUp Plus, etc.), can
even Sam’s Club contactless pay-
charge a flat fee based on sales volume or a small
ments look cumbersome. Amazon
per-transaction fee.
customers can pay for gas just by
Sharda Spahr, owner of Old Naples Surf Shop at
saying, “Alexa, pay for gas.” The
Naples Beach, augments her in-store sales of surf
system then uses GPS location
and water gear, clothing, footwear and accessories
software to pinpoint the station.
for men and women with a shopping app on her
Alexa then asks for the pump
website. It features the same items and more, with
SCAN AND GO
number, which the customer also
delivery to the buyer’s home. Online shoppers pay
Smartphone apps
speaks into the phone.
as they order, while in-store customers can use Ap-
allow easy, con-
ple Pay and other mobile payment apps. “We’ve got
tactless payment at
guage processors with neural
many restaurants
architecture (artificial intelli-
and retail stores.
gence on steroids) to complete
the tap your credit card feature,” she says. Her assistant, Katy Finnegan, said about half the in-store customers use mobile payment systems at checkout, a number which “has gone up absolutely since COVID.”
3 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
The service pairs natural-lan-
the command, searching the cloud to verify that the purchaser is an Amazon customer. After the
gulfshorebusiness.com
gas is pumped, Alexa then bills
vision and artificial intelligence
picking a different corner each
the customer’s Amazon account.
to watch shoppers as they move
morning to sell coffee and other
Alexa can’t yet buy chips and a
through a store, detecting what
items? Wheelys, a company that
soda inside the gas station, and
customers take off a shelf. The
develops pedal-powered cof-
it won’t work in retail stores for
system requires pre-registering;
fee stations, is experimenting
some time, according to Retail
it won’t work with shoppers for
with mobile stores that enable
Leader magazine.
whom it doesn’t already have
self-checkout.
account information. WEARABLE PAYMENT SYSTEMS
When shoppers arrive at the
They created an RV-sized store called Moby, which can travel a
Allied Market Research is report-
store, they launch the mobile app
pre-programmed route or use
ing that consumers have adopted
to check in and initiate a “fric-
curb sensors to make its way
all kinds of wearable payment de-
tionless shopping session.” On
down uncrowded streets without
vices, “from wristbands, fitness
entering, a customer is verified
a driver. A customer can enter
trackers and watches to jewel-
by a system of cameras and
through a sliding glass door
ry and smart clothing.” These
facial recognition software. Once
with an app that contains their
wristbands are how guests at Oak
the AWM platform verifies the
pre-registered credit card infor-
& Stone in North Naples pay for
shopper’s identity, he or she can
mation. The small store has no
craft beers they pour themselves
begin shopping.
employee, no cashier, no queue,
from taps on the wall of the local restaurant and bar.
“Super-wide-angle, low-light,
no waiting—a shopper scans
high-definition cameras” track
fruits, potato chips, coffee, mag-
shoppers as they move through
azines, sneakers and other items
frequency identification (RFID),
the store, the company states. By
with their phone app, then leaves.
QR code and bar codes with
monitoring changes to weight on
The store’s app automatically
Bluetooth and point-of-sale
a shelf, AWM’s Automated Inven-
charges the customer’s account.
equipment tied to the cloud.
tory Intelligence solution tracks
The wearable payments industry
which products the shopper se-
been testing the 24-hour mobile
garnered $285.47 billion in 2019,
lects and tallies the sales.
grocery store in Shanghai. The
The devices integrate radio
and is projected to reach $1.37 trillion by 2027.
Once the customer is finished shopping, he simply walks out
The Swedish company has
self-driving technology is still being worked out.
the door as the cameras record AUTOMATED STORE SHELVES
the end of his visit. He is auto-
The future of contactless pay-
matically charged through the
ments involves cameras in
preferred payment method in his
the ceiling, facial recognition
digital wallet, which the store
software and automated store
already has on file.
shelves. Amazon Go is not the only
Another benefit, developers
startup for cashier-less stores;
say: The system can suggest
plenty of other companies are
buying lighter fluid when you
working on fully automated retail.
purchase a steak and make other
Here’s how one system, created
“did you forget” suggestions.
Getty
by Adroit Worldwide Media (AWM), works. Known as the Smart Shelf
STORES THAT DRIVE THEMSELVES
Frictionless platform, it uses
How about a store that drives
cameras, advanced computer
itself in a limited downtown area,
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 3 1
SAFER DINING Hand-to-hand interaction between restaurant patrons and servers is minimized when mobile device apps or scannable QR codes replace physical menus.
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GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 33
Uptown menus In Naples, where dining is an indoor
“The minute we turned the app on,
and outdoor sport, restaurants had to
a lot of people started using it,” Turn-
reopen gradually while keeping din-
er says. “We’ve had millions of users
ers safe. Many establishments turned
since then.”
to disposable paper menus. On the
“The biggest hurdle is the device
other end of the technological spec-
cost, providing an iPad for every
trum, Naples technology company
guest,” he says. “But customers al-
Uptown Network has come up with a
ready have phones on them, so now
QR code menu app called Bring Your
we can provide contactless service
Own Menu (BYOM). Originally de-
while also saving on devices.”
signed as an app on tableside iPads
Shula’s Steak House in Naples
before the pandemic, it now streams
uses Uptown’s technology, with the
images of chateaubriand, seafood
QR menu code on display in the lob-
dishes and other menu items to cus-
by of the Naples Hilton. Customers
tomer smartphones.
can also activate the menu on their
There’s no need to download anything; guests simply point their
phones at the front of the restaurant before seating.
iPhone or Android camera at a cus-
“We introduced it in January and a
tom QR code to access the BYOM sys-
lot of people use it,” says Daniel Oscar
tem. Hand-to-hand interaction be-
at the front desk. “Most people use
tween patrons and employees is thus
the QR code for payment, too; they
eliminated, significantly reducing the
can e-pay on their phone, or it can be
risk of virus transmission for guests
billed to their room.”
and staff alike. Getty
since the pandemic hit.
Other developers, including Up ‘N
Phil Turner, vice president of de-
Go, develop checkout printers that
velopment with Uptown Network,
automatically print a unique QR code
said the QR code links to a restau-
on dinner checks so guests can scan
rant’s menu content stored to the
them with their smartphone and pay
cloud, which makes a menu available
using their mobile payment app. No
anywhere in the world. The fully dig-
swiping a credit card, no signing a re-
ital, interactive menus have taken off
ceipt, no problem. G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 3 3
Getty
MANAGING THE MACHINE
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– STU DYI NG AI ETHI CS AT A FO RT M YERS DI GI TA L A D FIRM BY JO HN GUER R A –
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1 35
GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT When algorithms for artificial intelligence use biased historical data, profiling will reflect that bias.
A fictional mortgage company adopts artificial intelligence software that can review loan applications without knowing the race, nationality or religion of the applicant. The goal: eliminate discrimination in mortgage lending. A new employee, however, discovers the AI software is rejecting all qualified applicants of a specific race or heritage. He knows he should alert his bosses, but he’s unsure of his standing. Chrissann Ruehle, Florida Gulf Coast University management instructor, said her business students must learn how to ethically manage AI in the workethical issues of AI, to begin thinking how this technology can negatively harm customers, how it could potentially harm the workforce,” she says. She recently partnered with Harrison Ambs, chief strategy officer at Vectra Digital in Fort Myers, to learn how workers confront AI gone awry. Not to be confused with robotics or machines that
Getty, Courtesy Florida Gulf Coast University
MANAGING THE MACHINE
place. “I wanted them to develop an awareness of the
perform repetitive work without human intervention, AI is software, and is most often used in automating budgeting, financial forecasting and other business processes. Ambs and his digital marketing team built the AI to assist in writing ads and serve those ads on Facebook and Google advertising platforms. The platforms then target prospective buyers based on a customer’s purchase history and other unique data. Vectra’s AI also 3 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
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PAGE
37
“I wanted [business students] to develop an awareness of the ethical issues of AI ... how it could potentially harm the workforce.” — Chrissann Ruehle, FGCU
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 3 7
WILL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COST JOBS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA? Employees who worry that
will integrate AI into the
artificial intelligence will
workplace, not to cut jobs
pervasive in health care,
replace them should prob-
to save money on salaries
financial service, airlines,
ably relax—for now. First,
and benefits, but to “assist
the manufacturing indus-
adoption is not yet wide-
their employees’ produc-
try, especially in supply
spread in Naples, Fort My-
tivity.” The company also
chain management, distri-
ers or elsewhere in South-
says one in five workers
bution and logistics,” says
west Florida. Second, AI
engaged in nonroutine
Florida Gulf Coast Univer-
so far primarily helps with,
tasks will rely on AI to do a
sity Professor Chrissann
rather than takes over,
job by next year. Tasks in-
Ruehle, who studies AI and
work done by humans.
clude communicating with
its potential impact on
customers online and other
workers.
In Southwest Florida and
“I have seen it to be quite
elsewhere, large high-
virtual assistance func-
tech enterprises, telecom
tions, such as that “Ready
it, and the benefits it can
companies and financial
to chat?” dialog box that
have,” says Harrison Ambs,
services houses are leading
pops up on a company’s
chief strategy officer at
adopters of AI, and have
website.
Vectra Digital in Fort My-
the “most aggressive in-
National corporations—
“Companies are aware of
ers. “Some are looking for
vestment intentions,” says
such as airlines and health
AI vendors, maybe larger
McKinsey Global Institute’s
care providers—with field
AI developers, outside of
2017 study.
offices in Naples and Fort
the state to help them. But
Myers rely on AI housed on
for the most part, there’s
servers elsewhere.
nothing proprietary; no one
Gartner Inc. found that 70% of organizations
is developing their own AI.” If they have adopted AI, Southwest Florida firms have purchased smaller, off-the-shelf systems, such as AI that automatically transcribes a voicemail into text and emails it to the recipient. “That frees that excite their creativity,” Ambs says. “Jobs that make use of their insight and intelligence. Things humans do better than AI.”
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Getty, Courtesy Vectra Digital Harrison Ambs
employees to perform tasks
PAGE
analyzes customer sentiment based on publicly available feedback (online reviews, surveys) so businesses know what their customers are thinking about them. At Vectra, humans make the ethical choices, not the software. “The AI never has access to the data,” Ambs says. “It can’t do anything unethical with it.” While researching her doctoral dissertation, "Understanding the Complex Ethical Landscape of Artificial Intelligence Adoptions,” Ruehle found that Vectra staff must exercise ethical—and legal—oversight as they collect, store and protect customer data attached to the AI system’s mission. “I don’t like the creepiness of tracking social media ARTIFICIAL INTELLLIGENCE
posts,” Ambs says. “We built our tool so it can only use
Humans make the ethical choic-
opinions that people give freely away on our clients’
es, not AI software, said Harrison
websites. We didn’t want to build a system that would
Ambs, chief strategy officer at
take your name, for example, in a Google review, then
Vectra Digital.
39
dive into your social media to find out everything else you talked about. “Another ethical question we run into is ensuring there is no sharing of customer data between companies. If we build an email list that we’re marketing to for G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 3 9
Client A, and Client B would very much benefit from having that data set, we don’t cross-pollinate; it’s ethically unfair to any of our clients.” An ethical landscape is developing around the treatment of customer data, Ruehle said. “Companies are going to be much more transparent about how data is used and how ethical they are,” she says. “It’s now part of our consumer consciousness.” “Honesty” and “Communication” top a list of Vectra’s core values etched in the frosted glass of a conference room door. “During staff meetings, they have
MANAGING THE MACHINE
discussions around this issue to ensure they are appropriately and carefully managing the data,” Ruehle says. “They have a moral compass they can turn to.” “If you are in a culture where you feel that you can’t bring something to your supervisor,” Ambs says, “that is a bad environment to be in.” As for the mortgage company, its AI software learned the previous addresses of loan applicants. According to the Machine Intelligence Learning Institute, the software rejected anyone who was born in, or lived in, a poor neighborhood at one point. In other words, when AI algorithms use biased historical data, profiling will reflect that bias. “It is possible, when you’re developing AI, to unknowingly put your own biases into it, either negative or positive,” Getty
Ambs says.
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"Companies are going to be much more
41
transparent about how data is used and how ethical they are." — Chrissann Ruehle G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 4 1
POWER The Uihleins bring
4 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
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GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 43
PLAYERS financial growth,
political clout to Naples By
Getty
Brett Blackledge
By B r e t t B l aGcU LkFlSeH OdRgE eB U S I N E S S
M AY 2 0 2 1 43
GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 44
When Elizabeth and Richard E. Uihlein closed the deal last year to build a new distribution center in Collier County for their Wisconsin-based Uline packaging supply company, they started another chapter in their family’s legacy in Southwest Florida. Nearly a century ago, William B. Uihlein picked Naples as his family’s tropical getaway from the harsher winter climate of Milwaukee, headquarters for the Uihlein family’s Schlitz Brewing Co. Only a small, undeveloped fishing town along the Gulf of
1902 Schlitz Brewing Co. became the largest beer producer in the nation, promoting Schlitz as "the beer that made Milwaukee famous."
Mexico at the time, Naples lacked the basics of many communities. So, William Uihlein helped build the first town hall and oversaw construction of the first Naples water plant, using his engineering expertise in water quality honed from his days at the brewery. Once again, descendants of the Schlitz Brewing dynasty are helping to build Collier County, as Liz and Dick Uihlein expand their multibillion-dollar Uline empire. The
UIHLEIN TIMELINE 1875 Brothers Alfred, August and Henry Uihlein, take over management and eventually ownership of the Milwaukee-based Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co.
4 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
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POWER PLAYERS nearly 1-million-square-foot distri-
tive couples. Just as they have helped transform national politics as
bution center just north of Inter-
top GOP donors, the Uihleins also are leaving their mark on South-
state 75 promises more than 200
west Florida’s political landscape.
management and warehouse jobs. Collier County officials, who have
WHO ARE THE UIHLEINS?
made diversifying the area’s tourism
The Uihleins contributed more than $50 million to national Repub-
and construction economy a priority,
lican efforts during the last election, with much of that money going
sweetened the deal with $2.2 million
to Super PACs working to re-elect President Donald Trump. One or-
in incentives and more favorable im-
ganization they’ve supported for several years helped organize the
pact fees.
Washington, D.C., rally that morphed into the Jan. 6 insurrection at
“This is more than exciting,” Collier County Commissioner Penny
Some of the Super PAC money spilled into Southwest Florida.
Taylor told Uline representatives
For the first time, the region’s congressional race drew millions
last year after officials approved the
from Super PACs as Republican candidates lined up to succeed
deal. “We look forward to you coming
Francis Rooney in Congress. Most of that money came from Club
here.”
for Growth, a conservative organization that counts Dick Uihlein
But Uline’s Florida addition to its
as its single largest contributor. Club for Growth spent $2.5 million
growing U.S. operation is only one
to catapult former state Rep. Byron Donalds from the middle of the
way the family is shaping the region:
packed GOP primary field of nine candidates to a narrow victory.
Liz and Dick Uihlein also bring their wealth and influence as one of the country’s most powerful conserva-
Courtesy Collier County Museum, Getty
the U.S. Capitol.
“There’s never been that kind of investment in that seat, ever,” says Cindy Bunyai, the Democrat Donalds easily defeated in November. The Uihleins also have quietly supported conservative activist
1933
1937
1947
Post-Prohibition,
William B. Uihlein,
Schlitz expands to
beer production
son of Alfred
become the world's
soared at Schlitz,
Uihlein, retires from
top producer of
now headed by
Schlitz and builds
beer.
Erwin C. Uihlein,
one of the first
youngest son of
homes on Gordon
August.
Drive in Naples.
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 4 5
POWER PLAYERS groups and local charities in their recently adopted Southwest Florida community. The family’s foundation has given more than $11 million since 2017 to the Naples-based Foundation for Government Accountability, which lobbies across the country against Medicaid expansion and other social service programs. They began supporting the Naples Winter Wine Festival in 2019 with a $25,000 contribution to its Naples Children and Education Foundation, donation
“They’ve got
records show. In Everglades City, where they built a two-story, four-bedroom
some pretty deep
“fishing camp” in 2012 valued at more than $1.5 million, the Ui-
roots here in
hleins’ family foundation contributed $5,000 to improvements at a local park, and the couple also helped a nearby church after Hurri-
Collier.”
cane Irma. National publications for years have described Liz and Dick Uihlein as the most powerful Republican donors you’ve never heard
— William McDaniel, Commissioner, Collier County
of, ultimately making them one of the better-known GOP couples in U.S. political circles. But their family’s legacy and growing influence in Southwest Florida have largely gone unnoticed as their Uline distribution center begins to take shape in Collier County. That is, until now. As a national Republican mega-donor, Dick Uihlein has put more than $100 million in recent years behind candidates committed to
UIHLEIN TIMELINE 1940
1945
William Uihlein
William Uihlein leads
helps build the first
Naples Water Committee,
town hall in Naples.
using his purification skills from Schlitz to design and build the town’s first water plant.
4 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 47
small government and fiscal restraint. As a businessman, he has welcomed government support in the form of taxpayer-funded incentives for his family’s company. While the Uihleins see their Collier County distribution center as a natural fit for the company’s continued North American expansion, county leaders see the $70 million facility as a positive step toward making the area’s economy less reliant on tourism and construction. “Strategically, for us, it makes a lot of sense,” says Nick Casalanguida, the former deputy county manager. When discussions began about a year ago, Liz Uihlein made it clear she wanted to deal directly with senior county staff to ensure a quick process. That’s when Casalanguida
Courtesy Collier County Museum
1946
1947 William Uihlein, one of the architects of “Naples Plan,” to raise $300,000
Naples town council
in private donations for
names William
public improvements such
Uihlein honorary
as Cambier Park and the
mayor for life.
town’s first road paving program. G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 4 7
GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 48
said he stepped in to lead the talks. “Liz is very, very engaged in every little detail of the company,” he says. Neither Liz Uihlein, the company’s president, nor Dick Uihlein, the chief executive officer, returned phone messages seeking comment for this story. The couple, together for more than half a century and both in their 70s, started the family business out of the basement of their suburban Chicago home in 1980. As their
“I’m a conservative Republican, and I’m trying to help people who believe as I do in limited government and free
shipping, packaging and industrial supply company grew, they hired relatives to help run it. Their daughter and two sons serve as vice presidents, along with Dick’s brother. While they still live in suburban Chicago,
markets. I’m not one to hide from that.”
in 2010 the Uihleins moved their company’s headquarters about 20 miles north to
— Richard E. Uihlein
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, after that state offered more than $18 million in incentives.
UIHLEIN TIMELINE 1949
1951
Naples incorporated
The year before
as city.
he died, William Uihlein loans actor Gary Cooper his boat to travel to the Everglades set of his film Distant Drums.
4 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
POWER PLAYERS Since then, Uline has nearly tripled its
F A M I LY ( A N D L O C A L ) T I E S
workforce to about 7,000 employees
When William Benedict Uihlein retired from Schlitz Brewing
working at 12 locations across the U.S.,
Company in 1936, he searched for the perfect place for him and
Canada and Mexico.
his wife, Melitta, to escape Milwaukee’s bone-chilling cold. He
Collier County officials wanted the
settled on more than 4 acres in Naples along the beach.
company’s 13th location, so they offered
His father, Alfred Uihlein, was one of several brothers who
Uline incentives to build in a special dis-
took over Schlitz in the late 1800s, along with August, Dick Ui-
trict created to attract new business, in-
hlein’s great-grandfather. The brothers turned the local Milwau-
cluding $1.4 million in tax increment re-
kee brewery into a family business and made Schlitz one of the
bates. The county commission this year
world’s most famous beers.
also approved a special impact fee catego-
William Uihlein was 57 when he bought the Naples waterfront
ry for Uline that saved the company about
parcel in 1937. He and his wife were among the first to build on
$800,000 in local development taxes.
what later became Gordon Drive in the Port Royal neighbor-
But Collier County offered the Uihleins more than just an attractive deal. With two homes and decades of memories, the family has personal ties to the area.
hood. Their winter retreat featured nine bedrooms, 12 baths, a five-car garage, a guest house and servants’ quarters. In those early days, the town of Naples had few public utilities or services. Uihlein, who was serving on the planning board at
“They’ve got some pretty deep roots
the time, loaned municipal leaders $1,500 in 1940 to help build
here in Collier,” says Commissioner Wil-
the first Town Hall at 735 Eighth St. S., wrote Lila Zuck in her
liam McDaniel.
2013 history of the city, Naples: A Second Paradise. As Naples continued to attract more residents, the town needed help providing basics, such as paved roads and clean water. “Naples water had a grassy taste, a slight sulfurous odor and was highly colored with traces of iron, which produced red staining on everything with which it came in contact,” Zuck wrote in her
Courtesy Collier County Museum, Getty
history of Naples.
1957
1980
Robert A. Uihlein Jr.,
Richard Uihlein, great-
grandson of August
grandson of August Uihlein,
Uihlein, breaks
and his wife, Elizabeth, start
ground for Schlitz
their family business, the
plant in Tampa.
Uline packing supply company, out of the basement of their suburban Chicago home.
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 4 9
POWER PLAYERS Uihlein led the Naples Water Committee in 1945, using his pu-
That’s also where he learned he had anoth-
rification skills from Schlitz to design and build the town’s first
er relative who shared his name: Richard E.
water plant. He also loaned the town $8,500 to help pay for plant
Uihlein, a distant cousin who goes by Dick and
improvements, according to council minutes at the time.
was co-founder of the Uline packaging supply
In 1947, Uihlein was one of the architects of the Naples Plan to raise $300,000 in private donations for public improvements, including Cambier Park and the town’s first road paving program. Named honorary mayor for life in 1946 by the Naples town council, Uihlein died in 1952, a year after he loaned actor Gary Cooper his boat to travel to the Everglades set of his film Distant Drums, Zuck wrote.
company best known for its 800-page catalog delivered to businesses across the country. “I didn’t even hear about him until several years ago,” says Richard A. Uihlein, who family members call Ricky. Their family businesses even shared similar names—the Uline name is nearly the same
Decades after the Uihlein family sold the Gordon Drive beach
as the U-line refrigeration business created
home, the property would make history in 2018 with a $48.8 mil-
by Ricky Uihlein’s family in 1962. His father,
lion sale, recorded at the time as Collier County’s largest resi-
who helped popularize under-counter ice
dential home transaction.
makers and refrigerators, wanted the family
Richard A. Uihlein hadn’t heard the story about his distant un-
name for the company. But people often had
cle’s role in helping to build Naples before he and his wife, Laura-
trouble spelling it, so he called the business
lee, bought their TwinEagles home in 2008. He learned the his-
U-line to make it clear the German name
tory at Naples cocktail parties and fundraisers from others who
pronounced by many as “E-line” begins with
recognized the family name.
the letter U.
1982
1995
Schlitz is sold to
Diane Uihlein
the former Stroh
Koestner,
Brewing Co., which
William Uihlein’s
was purchased by
granddaughter,
Pabst and Miller
moves from
brewing companies
Milwaukee to
in 2000.
Naples.
5 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
Getty, istock, Getty
UIHLEIN TIMELINE
gulfshorebusiness.com
GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 51
The two families don’t really know each other, Ricky Uihlein said, despite their ancestors’ roles in
2010
building the Schlitz business. OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT He’s not alone. Few people in Collier County, in-
Dick and Liz Uihlein
cluding other Uihleins and county commissioners,
move Uline’s
are actually familiar with the couple behind Uline.
headquarters from
“I don’t know them,” says Diane Uihlein Koest-
Illinois to Pleasant
ner, William Uihlein’s granddaughter who moved
Prairie, Wisconsin.
from Milwaukee to Naples in 1995. Dick and Liz Uihlein have kept a low profile when visiting Collier County through the years. An avid sport fisherman, Dick Uihlein has traveled to Everglades City for decades—trips he started with his father, Ed Uihlein, in the 1980s, said local real estate agent Bob Wells. Uihlein has hired local guides to fish the Gulf waters for tarpon, said Hazel Michell. Her husband, Danny Mitchell, worked as his fishing guide for six
2011 After making fishing trips to southern Collier County for decades, Uihleins build twostory, four-bedroom “fishing camp” in Everglades City.
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 5 1
POWER PLAYERS years before his death in 2017. Uihlein took a private flight to attend Mitchell’s funeral.
“This is a small town with a different approach,” he says. “She got a little attitude for
In 2011, Uihlein bought a single-story cottage on half an acre in Everglades City for $400,000. He and his father had admired
it, and she’s not patient with these kinds of things. So, she pulled back a bit.”
the spot for years because of its location overlooking the Barron
In 2014, Liz Uihlein found a place in para-
River as it enters Chokoloskee Bay, said Wells, who helped with
dise more suited to her, using her newly cre-
the purchase.
ated “Return to Civilization” limited liability
Uihlein tore the small house down and built the family’s two-sto-
corporation to buy a Naples beachfront con-
ry retreat. In 2014, he bought the 1,300-square-foot cottage next
do at The Laurentians in the tony Coquina
door on a third of an acre for $260,000 and demolished it, giving
Sands neighborhood. She paid $2.5 million
his fishing camp a bigger yard. The house and lots are valued at
for the 3,000-square-foot condo near Low-
more than $1.5 million, according to Collier County land records.
dermilk Park, county land records show.
Locals know the family is in town when they see the red cushions returned to the patio furniture that lines the house’s wrap-
GOP GROWTH
around porch. Some of the town’s more than 400 residents rec-
Liz Uihlein has always said her husband is
ognize Dick Uihlein from his many years of visiting, but not Liz
the more passionate one when it comes to
Uihlein, Wells said.
politics. That passion has grown in recent
While not the sportfishing fan her husband is, Liz Uihlein wanted to get more involved in Everglades City. She offered sug-
years, and no one in Florida has suffered more from it than Casey Askar.
gestions for area improvements, particularly after Irma’s devas-
Askar, a Naples Republican businessman,
tation. They were good ideas, Wells said, but others in Everglades
loaned his campaign $3 million last year af-
City didn’t agree.
ter announcing his candidacy for Southwest
2014
2014
Dick Uihlein buys cottage
Liz Uihlein buys
next door for $260,000
$2.5 million Naples
and demolishes it, giving
beachfront condo at
his Everglades City fishing
The Laurentians in
camp a bigger yard and a
Coquina Sands near
total value of more than
Lowdermilk Park. Getty
UIHLEIN TIMELINE
$1.5 million.
5 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 53
Florida’s congressional seat. He was considered a favorite in a district that rewards political outsiders and businessmen such as Francis Rooney and Curt Clawson, who both stepped away from the seat in recent years. But months after launching his campaign, Askar began battling more than just a crowded field of GOP primary competitors; one of the nation’s best funded conservative Super PACs jumped into the race. The Washington, D.C.-based Club for Growth describes itself as a “pro-growth, limited government” advocacy group promoting the concept that “prosperity and opportunity come from economic freedom.” Its political action group spent more than $66 million in the last election, and the $27 million from Dick Uihlein made him the group’s single biggest donor, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. While several PACs spent money in the Southwest Florida congressional race, Club
2016-2020 Uihleins contribute
2017 TO 2020
2018
more than $50
Uihlein family
Decades after William
million to national
foundation gives
Uihlein family sells Gordon
Republican election
more than $11
Drive beach home, the
efforts.
million to Naples-
property sells for $48.8
based Foundation
million, Collier County’s
for Government
largest residential home
Accountability.
transaction until that time.
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 5 3
POWER PLAYERS for Growth accounted for nearly two-thirds of the $4 million
The Uihleins’ politics didn’t go unnoticed last
spent in that race. And all of its money went to help former state
year during discussions about their company’s
Rep. Byron Donalds, a Naples Republican previously trounced in
distribution center in Collier County, one of
an earlier bid for the congressional seat.
Florida’s most conservative counties. Nick Cas-
While Uihlein personally contributed $5,400 to Donalds’ con-
alanguida, the former deputy county manager
gressional campaign, the Club for Growth PAC that he funded
who led the talks, said the Uihleins’ investment
spent more than $2.5 million supporting Donalds and criticiz-
here wasn’t just about good economic sense. “It
ing his opponents. Nearly $1 million of that money paid for ads
was also culturally a really good fit for us,” he says.
against Askar, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Uihlein rarely responds to media requests
In a lawsuit claiming Donalds defamed him during the cam-
to discuss his political contributions. But he
paign, Askar argued Donalds’ candidacy was “struggling to catch
summed up his rationale in a 2013 interview
up” with only $335,000 in his campaign before the PAC stepped
with Crain’s Chicago Business.
in last summer to support him with “millions of dollars to secure his victory.” The civil lawsuit is pending in state court. Donalds, who is fighting Askar’s defamation claims, did not respond to a request for comment about Club for Growth’s support.
“I’m a conservative Republican, and I’m trying to help people who believe as I do in limited government and free markets. I’m not one to hide from that.”
Donalds is among dozens of Republican candidates across the country whose campaigns have been boosted by Super PACs funded by Uihlein, often endorsed by the PACS in GOP primaries as the more conservative choice. Others include U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of Alabama, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Uihlein also has given Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his PACs more than $1.1 million, campaign finance records show.
2019 Dick and Liz Uihlein support the Naples Winter
2020
Wine Festival with a
Uihleins close deal to build Uline’s
$25,000 contribution to
13th location, a nearly 1 million-
its Naples Children and
square-foot distribution center, in
Education Foundation.
Collier County.
5 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Courtesy Winter Wine Festival, Courtesy LSI Companies
UIHLEIN TIMELINE
___ M A Y
2 0 2 1
A GULFSHORE BUSINESS SPECIAL REPORT & GUIDE
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Every day. 6 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
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changes everything. Not just a business with products or services— A brand of meaningful connections and ideas. We know it’s no easy feat. But with bold action and steady teamwork, your brand not only reaches its peak—it reaches the customers you’ve always desired.
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G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S MAY 2021 67
ADVERTISING AND PR FIRM GUIDE
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Clay W. Cone President & Owner
Cone Communications Company is a stra-
public relations and media campaigns. Prior
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an award-winning reporter for the Naples
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STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING Clay W. Cone, President & Owner | Office: (239) 262-8229 | Cell: (239) 398-9268 | Clay@ConeCommunicationsCo.com www.ConeCommunicationsCo.com
Successfully serving clients from Naples to Sarasota since 2006 6 8 GG 4 UU LL FF SS HH OO RR EEBB UU SS I NI N EE SS SJ U MNAY E 2020 1
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E.SUE HUFF & ASSOCIATES, INC. MARKETING & MANAGEMENT CONSULTING 25 YEARS AND COUNTING It seems like yesterday, but it has been
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G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 6 9
ADVERTISING AND PR FIRM GUIDE
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ADVERTISING AND PR FIRM
YOUR ESSENTIAL IDEA PARTNER As one of Collier County’s key influencers, Preddy PR principal Beth Preddy is considered among its most creative, connected and trusted resources by both businesses and journalists. Preddy PR, which she founded in Naples in 1997, is known for elevating the brands of its clients through a dynamic range of expertise spanning publicity, ad campaigns, promotions, events, community relations, and website development.
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7 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
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CREATIVE BRANDING STUDIO
ADVERTISING AND PR FIRM GUIDE
BRANDING FIT FOR A KING
ED CHAPPELL
“
“Collaborating with clients is a privilege,” says Concept is Kling principal Tim Kling. “They share their thoughts and dreams with me and I compose a personality with typography, color, layout, and shape – on the screen and on the page.” Kling enhances his 25 years of experience and expertise with the rare GREAT BRANDING REQUIRES arts of listening, empathy and intuition. A CHAMELEON-LIKE ABILITY “Active listening is key to successful TO UNDERSTAND THE collaboration,” comments the branding MARKET OF ANY PRODUCT. professional. “My job is to listen to clients and elevate their conversations with innovative and unique solutions.” Clients who have entrusted Kling with creative branding projects include the Naples Winter Wine Festival, Children’s Museum of Naples, Bistro 821, Tallis Park, Babcock Ranch, Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Theatre Zone, and Amy Art. He was recruited to Naples in 1995 to serve as art director for Gulfshore Life magazine.
”
BRANDING FIT FOR A KING. Or a real estate developer... or a restaurant... or a new business... or a... 239-250-6711 tim@conceptiskling.com conceptiskling.com TIM KLING, PRINCIPAL
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S MAY 2021 71
THINK DIFFERENTLY DIFFERENTLY THINK THINK DIFFERENTLY We can be GAME CHANGER for your business We We Wecan can canbe be beaaa aGAME GAME GAMECHANGER CHANGER CHANGERfor foryour your yourbusiness business business
TLC MARKETING AND CREATIVE SERVICES IS A FLORIDA-CERTIFIED WOMAN-OWNED MARKETING, PUBLIC TLC TLC MARKETING MARKETING MARKETING AND AND AND CREATIVE CREATIVE CREATIVE SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES ISIS IS AAFLORIDA-CERTIFIED AFLORIDA-CERTIFIED FLORIDA-CERTIFIED WOMAN-OWNED WOMAN-OWNED WOMAN-OWNED MARKETING, MARKETING, MARKETING, PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND EVENT PLANNING AGENCY FOUNDED BY TRISH LEONARD DURING THE REAL-ESTATE RELATIONS, RELATIONS, RELATIONS, AND AND AND EVENT EVENT EVENT PLANNING PLANNING PLANNING AGENCY AGENCY AGENCY FOUNDED FOUNDED FOUNDED BYBY TRISH TRISH LEONARD LEONARD LEONARD DURING DURING DURING THE THE THE REAL-ESTATE REAL-ESTATE REAL-ESTATE CRISIS IN 2009. CRISIS CRISIS CRISIS IN ININ 2009. 2009. 2009. Since opening, TLC has had the opportunity to work Our work and dedication speak for themselves as Since Since Since opening, opening, opening, TLC TLC TLC has has has had had had the the the opportunity opportunity opportunity toto to work work work Our Our work work and and and dedication dedication dedication speak speak speak forfor for themselves themselves themselves asasas on hundreds of projects with for-profit businesses, we are honored to have received many awards onon hundreds hundreds hundreds of ofof projects projects projects with with with for-profit for-profit for-profit businesses, businesses, businesses, we we are are honored honored honored toto to have have have received received received many many many awards awards awards non-profit organizations, political campaigns, and accolades. Some of these awards include the non-profit non-profit non-profit organizations, organizations, organizations, political political political campaigns, campaigns, campaigns, and and accolades. accolades. accolades. Some Some Some ofof of these these these awards awards awards include include include the the the and cities. In each project, there is the common 2020 Best of Marketing and Event Planning by the and and cities. cities. cities. In InIn each each each project, project, project, there there there isisis the the the common common common 2020 2020 Best Best ofof of Marketing Marketing Marketing and and and Event Event Event Planning Planning Planning byby the bythe the theme of the importance of crafting a strong and Bonita Springs Award program, 2018 and 2016 Small theme theme theme of ofof the the the importance importance importance of ofof crafting crafting crafting aastrong astrong strong and and and Bonita Bonita Springs Springs Springs Award Award Award program, program, program, 2018 2018 2018 and and and 2016 2016 2016 Small Small Small compelling message that resonates with people on Business of the Year, by both Bonita Springs and compelling compelling compelling message message message that that that resonates resonates resonates with with with people people people onon on Business Business ofof the the the Year, Year, Year, byby by both both both Bonita Bonita Bonita Springs Springs Springs and and and the receiving end, which is why we are experts at Estero Chamber of Commerce, and Trish Leonard the the receiving receiving receiving end, end, end, which which which isisis why why why we we we are are are experts experts experts atat at Estero Estero Chamber Chamber Chamber ofof of Commerce, Commerce, Commerce, and and and Trish Trish Trish Leonard Leonard Leonard assisting clients in bridging the gap between their winning 2016 Naples Daily News/News-Press assisting assisting assisting clients clients clients in inin bridging bridging bridging the the the gap gap gap between between between their their their winning winning 2016 2016 2016 Naples Naples Naples Daily Daily Daily News/News-Press News/News-Press News/News-Press business and the customers they want to reach. Citizen of the Year. business business business and and and the the the customers customers customers they they they want want want toto to reach. reach. reach. Citizen Citizen ofof the the the Year. Year. Year. We have exercised this throughout every project If you are looking for a strategic partner and We We have have have exercised exercised exercised this this this throughout throughout throughout every every every project project project we have been involved with from conception If you If you are are looking looking looking forfor for a strategic aa strategic strategic partner partner partner and and and extension to your team, give TLC Marketing and wewe have have have been been been involved involved involved with with with from from from conception conception conception to delivery. extension extension toto your your your team, team, team, give give give TLC TLC TLC Marketing Marketing Marketing and and and Creative Services a call at 239.405.8115, or feel toto delivery. delivery. delivery. Creative Creative Services Services Services a call aa call call atat at 239.405.8115, 239.405.8115, 239.405.8115, oror feel orfeel feel No matter what product or service your business free to send an email to robert@trishleonard.com NoNo matter matter matter what what what product product product or oror service service service your your your business business business free free toto send send anan an email email email toto to robert@trishleonard.com robert@trishleonard.com robert@trishleonard.com offers, TLC can craft a marketing, public relations, to schedule your no-cost consultation. Like us on offers, offers, offers, TLC TLC TLC can can can craft craft craft aamarketing, amarketing, marketing, public public public relations, relations, relations, toto schedule schedule your your your no-cost no-cost no-cost consultation. consultation. consultation. Like Like Like usus on uson on and event plan to fit your company’s needs and FB and Instagram at tlcmarketingswfl and visit and and event event event plan plan plan to toto fit fitfit your your your company’s company’s company’s needs needs needs and and and FBFB and and Instagram Instagram Instagram atat at tlcmarketingswfl tlcmarketingswfl tlcmarketingswfl and and and visit visit visit budget. tlcmarketing-events.com for more information. budget. budget. budget. tlcmarketing-events.com tlcmarketing-events.com tlcmarketing-events.com forfor for more more more information. information. information.
From groundbreakings to social media management, TLC Marketing & Creative From Fromgroundbreakings groundbreakings groundbreakingsto to tosocial social social media media mediamanagement, management, management, TLC TLC TLC Marketing Marketing Marketing &&Creative &Creative Creative Services Inc. proudly handles all aspects of your marketing and public relations needs. Services Services ServicesInc. Inc. Inc.proudly proudly proudly handles handles handlesall all all aspects aspects aspectsofof of your yourmarketing marketing marketingand and and public public public relations relations relations needs. needs. needs. TLC firmly believes that strong businesses grow strong communities. Let TLC help you define your TLC TLC firmly firmly firmly believes believes believes that that that strong strong strong businesses businesses businesses grow grow grow strong strong communities. communities. communities. Let Let TLC TLC TLC help help you you you define define define your your your role in the community and ensure you have thestrong visibility you need toLet make ithelp flourish! role role in inin the the the community community community and and and ensure ensure ensure you you you have have have the the the visibility visibility visibility you you need need toto to make make make it flourish! itit flourish! flourish!
MARKETING I BRANDING & LOGO DESIGN MARKETING MARKETING MARKETINGII IBRANDING BRANDING BRANDING&&&LOGO LOGO LOGODESIGN DESIGN DESIGN SOCIAL MEDIA I PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIAL SOCIAL SOCIAL MEDIA MEDIA MEDIAII IPUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLICRELATIONS RELATIONS RELATIONS EVENT PLANNING I GRAND OPENINGS EVENT EVENT EVENT PLANNING PLANNING PLANNINGII IGRAND GRAND GRANDOPENINGS OPENINGS OPENINGS GROUND BREAKINGS GROUND GROUND GROUNDBREAKINGS BREAKINGS BREAKINGS 239.405.8115 I www.tlcmarketing-events.com 239.405.8115 239.405.8115 239.405.8115II www.tlcmarketing-events.com Iwww.tlcmarketing-events.com www.tlcmarketing-events.com
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p_76 Arthrex expands ACL treatment options
2
B. BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS
Grit to Weather the Storm LEHMAN BRINGS INTEGRITY TO INSURANCE SOURCE
BUSINESS SENSE
MEDICAL
INTERIOR DESIGN
TRAVEL
p_82 By Artis Henderson
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Header goes Here and here Courtesy Forbes Books, Insurance Source
DEK GOES HERE AND HERE.
MAY 2021
p_00 By First Last
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S MAY 2021 73
Business 2 Business
M AY 2 0 2 1
BUSINESS SENSE
By Susan B. Barnes
Opportunity Time Navigating COVID-19 has unearthed a lot of questions,
author of Hidden Wealth: The Secret to Getting Top
especially in the world of business. One that may cur-
Dollar for Your Business. Based in Fort Myers Beach,
rently be top of mind: Is now a good time to sell and/or
Monroe has owned and operated more than 40 dif-
buy a business?
ferent businesses and sold more than 800 business-
For insights into selling and buying businesses in the midst of a pandemic, we spoke with Terry Monroe,
es, and is founder and president of American Business Brokers & Advisors.
7 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Getty, Courtesy Forbes Books
FOR BOTH BUSINESS SELLERS AND BUYERS, NOW MAY BE THE IDEAL POINT TO DEAL
The Buyer Conversely, for those who are in the market to buy a business, Monroe said that now is a great time to IRON IS HOT
invest. Just as low interest rates are advantageous
Low interest rates provide a good time now to buy
for selling businesses, the advantage applies for
or sell a business, says Terry Monroe, author of
buyers, too.
Hidden Wealth: The Secret to Getting Top Dollar for Your Business.
“If you are buying a house and the interest rate is 5%, you may find a $300,000 house,” he explains. “But if the rate is 2.5%, you can look at $350,000 and $400,000 houses and get more house for your money.” He said that it is the same when buying a busi-
The Seller
ness; with low interest rates, you can get more busi-
“Some think, due to the current difficult times many
ness for your money.
businesses are having, that they wouldn’t be able
Additionally, Monroe said that there are 77 million
to get a reasonable sale price,” says Monroe. “And
baby boomers in the U.S., and they are retiring at a
they worry that they’ll have to delay retirement
rate of 10,000 a day. Not only that, but nearly half of
for several years because of COVID-19. But the
small business owners in the U.S. are 65 years old and
reality is, there are lots of people, including the
older, and they are looking to sell, resulting in more
unemployed, looking to reinvent themselves and
businesses for sale in the market.
looking for a chance to run their own businesses.
“A lot of people lost their jobs in the pandemic,”
Investors with plenty of money are always looking
says Monroe. “An alternative to finding a new job is
around for good opportunities.”
to buy a business and to replace income with a busi-
Monroe indicated now is a good time to sell be-
ness. There are so many different opportunities.”
cause interest rates are low, which results in increased business valuations. “There couldn’t be a better time in our lives to sell a business because of these valuations,” says Monroe. “You’ll get more money for your business.” Monroe cautions his clients who are considering selling their businesses that they need to understand when they are selling, it is not the prices they get for their businesses, but the money that they put into their pockets. One factor to consider is federal capital gains tax laws, which can fluctuate with each administration. G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 7 5
Business 2 Business
M AY 2 0 2 1
MEDICAL
B y B i l l Wa s i n g e r
Less Disruption, Faster Recovery ARTHREX OFFERS AN INNOVATIVE OPTION FOR ACL REPAIR Although it’s most often associated with athletes, a knee injury involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can happen to just about anyone who leads an active lifestyle. The most common treatment for an ACL injury is reconstructive surgery followed by months of rehabilitation—but a new innovation from Naples-based medical device developer Arthrex can promote surgical repair of an injured ACL, instead of reconstruction. Justin Boyle, Arthrex senior product manager, knee arthroscopy, said that innovation, the SwiveLock ACL Repair Kit, could be a game-changer for both patients and surgeons. “The SwiveLock ACL Repair Kit is the first and only FDAcleared surgical kit for the primary repair of certain types of anterior cruciate ligament tears,” Boyle says. “For a surgeon, the benefits include having a comprehensive, conveniently packaged dure. This helps standardize the procedure and reduces the need
“[Surgical ACL reconstruction] is a more invasive
for a surgeon to individually assemble the different products
procedure and typically has a longer period of re-
needed to perform an ACL primary repair.”
covery when compared to repairing the native an-
One of four ligaments that helps keep the knee stable, ACL
terior cruciate ligament. The ACL primary repair
tears have traditionally been treated via reconstructive surgery,
procedure offers a fully arthroscopic, more mini-
recreating the damaged ligament with a tissue graft. Howev-
mally invasive and patient-friendly surgical option
er, depending on what area of the ACL is torn, the quality of the
for certain types of tears when compared to tradi-
remaining ACL tissue or other criteria, a surgeon may opt for a
tional reconstruction techniques,” Boyle says. “In a
primary repair. And that, Boyle says, is when the SwiveLock ACL
repair, the native ACL is preserved and reattached
Repair Kit can provide a less invasive, arthroscopic treatment op-
to the femur using high-strength sutures and an im-
tion to some patients.
plantable device that secures the sutures, typically
7 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Courtesy Arthrex
solution with all of the surgical products needed for the proce-
MEDICAL GAME-CHANGER The Arthrex SwiveLock ACL Repair Kit expands treatment options for knee injury patients, depending on individual needs, recovery goals.
Address goes here | 123.456.7890 | website.com Info in SemiBold: info goes here Info in SemiBold: info goes here Info in SemiBold: info goes here Info in SemiBold: info goes here
“THE SWI V ELO C K AC L R EPAI R K I T BENEF I T S T H E R EPAI R P RO C EDUR E BECAU SE I T P ROV I D ES AN ALL-I N- O NE PAC K AG E.” —Justin Boyle, Arthrex senior product manager
an anchor or button. The SwiveLock ACL Repair
“The kit is indicated for use in proximal ACL
Kit benefits the repair procedure because it pro-
tears (tears off the femur), which results in rough-
vides an all-in-one package.”
ly 16% of all ACL tears. In biomechanical testing,
Though Boyle cautioned that the Arthrex kit is
this repair technique has been shown to provide
primarily for repairing injuries when the ACL is
comparable knee stability to ACL reconstruction
torn from the femur, the upside is that it expands
techniques with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB)
treatment options for patients, depending on their
autografts,” Boyle says. “Clinically, preserving the
individual needs and recovery goals. And by open-
native ligament with an ACL repair technique has
ing more opportunities for repair instead of recon-
shown encouraging outcomes with a higher po-
struction, the SwiveLock can help more patients
tential for early healing, and better functional out-
recover faster and with less pain.
comes compared to reconstruction surgery.” G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 7 7
Business 2 Business
M AY 2 0 2 1
INTERIOR DESIGN
By Justin Paprocki
Fresh Visual Perspective SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S ART CONSULTING SCENE
Art consulting is the business of finding the
west Florida grows, so does an interest in this
right painting, sculpture, photograph or other
specialty.
illustrious piece of art to fit your office. Many
Marlissa Gardner started Emillions Art in
gallery owners also serve as consultants to some
Massachusetts in 2014 before moving to Naples
degree—not simply opening the doors and let-
about four years ago. The Naples gallery began
ting people pick out pieces, but often going to a
offering fine art asset management out of a small
home or business to lend their experience for an
office on U.S. 41, then she opened a gallery on
additional fee. While art consulting for corpora-
Fifth Avenue South in 2019, with a recent claim
tions is more popular in larger cities, as South-
to fame being the sale of an original Picasso etching last year. She’s now looking to grow the art consulting side of her business locally. Earlier this year, Gardner launched a hospitality division focused on providing consulting services to a major industry in Southwest Florida. She relies on a network of hundreds of artists worldwide to find the right look, whether it’s a breezy coastal scene or a collection that features some of the Old Masters. Often, clients come with a general idea but aren’t quite sure how to take it from there. “They have a vision but sometimes they don’t know it,” Gardner says. “Sometimes you have to fish it out.” Remember that art sends a message. What do you want that message to be? Gardner’s advice:
7 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Nancy Winch, Gardner Colby Art Gallery
“Buy art that will create conversation. You don’t have to buy something that fades into the background.” Art consulting is more than just making a few suggestions, too. A few years ago, a business owner from California reached out to Nancy Winch at Gardner Colby Art Gallery in Naples. He had come across her gallery and the work of artist John Schuyler, who specializes in mixed-media abstract paintings, and wanted to use Schuyler’s pieces to decorate his new corporate office in Fort Myers. Gardner Colby selected about a dozen paintings and trucked them up to the office. The owner bought almost all of them on the spot. The gallery then helped with installation, framing and lighting; it was all done in about three hours. “He was a dream client,” Winch says. Much of art consulting locally tends to be with homeowners, but when she started her hospitality division, Gardner saw the potential in an area that’s one of the fastest growing in the country. Anyplace from hotels to headquarters could
CREATING CONVERSATION
use a good art consultant, she said. It’s her job to dress up those tan walls with something that
The goal of art consulting is finding the right
doesn’t just look nice but can set the tone for the
paintings, sculptures, photographs or other
workplace. “We can certainly bring a fresh look
pieces to create the best look in an office or
here in Naples,” she says.
business. G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 7 9
Business 2 Business
M AY 2 0 2 1
TRAVEL
By Susan B. Barnes
Travel Plans THE ROAD AHEAD FOR THE RECOVERING BUSINESS TRAVEL INDUSTRY
When airlines cancelled flights at the beginning of the pandemic, it is likely no one had any idea how long planes would be grounded, nor the lasting impact that pause in travel—both business and leisure—would have. Now, more than a year later, travel is slowly beginning to make a comeback; it will likely be some time before the industry recovers. Earlier this year, the Global Business Travel Association published data from a coronavirus poll intended
CONVENTION CONTENTION Brian Holly, Holly/Field Hospitality president, agrees that corporate group and conference business will not return until vaccines are readily available and proven effective.
to measure the impact on business travel following the onset of the pandemic in 2020. GBTA’s key findings include that 9 out of 10 respondents expect their compawith average spending 52% lower than pre-pandemic.
“We’re getting some [business travel],” Wert says,
Looking ahead, four in 10 respondents do not expect to
“and it’s probably close-in business from Miami or Fort
attend in-person meetings or events until Q3 2021. To
Lauderdale for the day or overnight. We don’t see that
that end, one in three expects business travel to resume
particular segment recovering much at all this year. A
over the summer and into the fall.
good deal of that is the concern about traveling, and
Jack Wert, executive director of Naples, Marco Is-
if they’re [business travelers] working for a company,
land, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, said
that company may still have travel restrictions and may
that business travel essentially disappeared for the
not be allowing people to travel. A lot of it has to do with
destination over the past year.
vaccines.”
8 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2 0 2 1
gulfshorebusiness.com
Courtesy Florida’s Paradise Coast, Getty, Holly/Field Hospitality LLC
ny’s 2021 travel budget to be lower than 2019’s budget,
“ WE SEE GROUP M EET I NG BUSI NESS BEG I NNI NG TO R EC OV ER IN Q3 G O I NG I N TO 2022 .” —Jack Wert
Findings from the GBTA poll support Wert’s insights: Two-thirds of respondents say that “vaccinating certain travel industry frontline workers such as flight
to return, and construction-related businesses are
attendants, pilots and hotel employees would make
meeting—socially distanced, of course.
them ‘somewhat’ or ‘a great deal’ more comfortable getting back on the road.”
There is a glimmer of hope as we look ahead in 2021 and into 2022. Wert says that group business travel
Brian Holly, president of Holly/Field Hospitality and
(e.g. conventions, conferences, company-wide meet-
managing director at Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport
ings) fell dramatically beginning in March 2020, and
at Town Center, agrees with Wert and the GBTA find-
that meetings scheduled for March through June 2020
ings, saying that corporate group and conference busi-
were rescheduled into Fall 2020, then to Q1 2021, and
ness will not return until vaccines are readily available
then to Q2 2021.
and proven effective.
“What we are seeing now in group meeting hotels, it
Regarding hotels popular with business travelers,
looks like Q3 2021 [events] haven’t moved, and we are
Holly said that inland Southwest Florida Internation-
getting input they’re going to stay as scheduled,” says
al Airport (RSW)-area hotels are down 35-50% in 2021
Wert. “We see group meeting business beginning to
from the same timeframe in 2020. He did say, however,
recover in Q3 going into 2022, knowing that things are
that individual corporate travelers have slowly begun
still changing on a daily basis.” G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 8 1
Business 2 Business
M AY 2 0 2 1
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
By Artis Henderson
Grit to Weather the Storm TIFFANY LEHMAN BRINGS DRIVE, INTEGRITY TO INSURANCE SOURCE OF NAPLES When Tiffany Lehman founded Insurance Source of Naples in 2009, she was just 29 years old. Today, at 41, she’s grown her company to more than 4,500 clients. As she’s steered her business on its path to success, she’s held tight to her most important guiding principle: her integrity. “The second you start to flounder on that, you’ve lost everything,” Lehman says. She brings a finely calibrated moral compass to everything she does—her business, her family, her friends. “It’s very simple to do the right thing,” she says. “It’s how I’m comfortable sleeping at night.” In 2017, Lehman’s professional mettle was put to the test after Hurricane Irma struck Southwest Florida. She spent weeks working around the clock to file her clients’ claims. In the early days after the storm, when people had lost power and access to email, Lehman and her team filled out claims reports by hand. They found themselves stepping outside their role as an insurance company and served as social workers, therapists and friends. For older clients who didn’t have anyone to lean on, Lehman and her staff walked them through the process: Here’s what you need to and tenacity, essential qualities for weathering life’s
Lehman’s role during that time was to keep her own emotions
storms (both metaphorical and real). Similarly, the
in check. She had to be available when her clients needed her,
best entrepreneurs hold tight to their goals. “In the
which meant sacrificing sleep and putting her own home repairs
business world, it’s easy to get swayed and pulled in
on hold. “My professional grit kicked into overdrive,” she says.
a lot of directions,” Lehman says. “Make sure you
That grit is key to being a successful entrepreneur. The men and women who thrive with their own businesses have both drive
stay focused.” These goals may change over time, but the important thing is to keep setting them.
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Getty, Courtesy Insurance Source
do to get a tarp on your roof.
“ YOU WA N T T O SU R ROUND YOUR SELF WI T H I NSP I R AT I ONAL P EO P LE.” —Tiffany Lehman, Insurance Source
LEHMAN’S ENTREPRENEUR ADVICE For entrepreneurs
if they have it, she
looking to grow their
said, but it’s not
business, Lehman
critical. “Anyone
has this piece of
can be trained on
advice: Your team is
the business side of
your company. It’s
things. The challenge
important to hire
is to hire good
people who share
people.” And she
your values. For
means “good” in all
Lehman, that means
senses of the word—
team members who
good workers, good
are community-
for the company and
based, hard-working
good to be around.
and compassionate,
“You have to work
and who place a
with them all day,”
high value on ethics.
she says. “You want
What she doesn’t
to surround myself
necessarily look
with inspirational
The men and women who thrive with their own
for is a background
people.”
businesses have both drive and tenacity, essential
in the insurance
qualities for weathering life’s storms.
industry. It’s nice
ENTREPRENEURIAL GOALS
Brandy Wong and Anthony Quattrochi
After opening hundreds of concept restaurants for the Ritz Carlton and consulting on some of Chicago’s hottest eateries, Anthony Quattrochi decided it was time to open a small plate concept of his own. With a Chicago location thriving, T42 is 2021’s most talked-about, new Southwest Florida sensation. A blend of Italian, seafood, and American bistro…from charcuterie boards to flatbreads, crostini’s, Italian dishes, 3 oz filets, sliders, and unique fries (think Avocado, Portobello, and Polenta), T42 customizes taste profiles. Ingredients arrive daily, so nothing is frozen but the exclusive sorbets that cleanse the palate between dishes. Offering casual grace and impeccable service, this respite is all about Giving Back—supporting the community and the hospitality industry that has given Anthony so much. Catering to locals, T42 treats their family of loyals to VIP accommodations, where reservations are guaranteed. An upscale wine club and wine lockers are available so that Silver Oak, Alexander Valley, Caymus Napa, Far Niente and other notables can be offered UNDER $100, in addition to their 12 private label varietals to wine club members. T42 lets you “Drink what makes you happy with friends who make you laugh.” Everything is designed to SHARE, especially the invitation to bask in casual elegance, where each visit promises a unique culinary experience & anticipates your every need. Raise a glass with Anthony and Brandy…“You are welcome to our home, anytime.”
7991 Plaza del Lago Drive Estero, FL 33928 (239) 323-4222 T42bonitasprings.com
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Folding bikes provide cycling option
Space Coast offers interstellar getaway
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H O R S E P O W E R | F I T N E S S | N E W & N O T E W O R T H Y | W E E K E N D G E TAWAY | U N W I N D
A classic car style revisited VOLVO’S NEW WAGON HAS LEFT THE STATION
Courtsey Bompton, Kennedy Space Center, Volvo
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HORSEPOWER
By James Raia
A Classic Refreshed VOLVO’S STYLISH NEW WAGON
Someday soon, as an homage to not-too-long-ago au-
buyers. It’s the one area in which the new Volvo trails
tomotive history, a manufacturer will introduce a vehi-
competitors, but it doesn’t feel cramped. The seating
cle called a station wagon. A good choice would be this
arrangement provides plenty of room for suitcases of
year’s Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design. The 2021 editions,
all kinds, grocery bags and golf clubs. It also has a hands-
like other carmakers’ choices in recent years, are called
free power liftgate.
wagons. It’s as if the “station” designation is an insult.
New standard equipment this year also includes au-
The original classification derived from families car-
tomatic on/off adaptive LED headlights with automatic
rying their heavy trundle suitcases to train stations. The
high beams and high-pressure washers, slippery road/
long wagons, precursors to sport utility vehicles, became
hazard-light alert, a power-operated cargo cover and
“station wagons.” Beauties they were, with three rows of
two USB-C ports for the rear passengers and wireless
seating, lots of interior and exterior wood and comfort to
charging.
spare. Road trips were joyful.
Volvo doesn’t scrimp with its luxury wagon. A pan-
The Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design is the modern-day
oramic moonroof, wiper blades with integrated washers,
equivalent to yesteryear’s classics. It’s a holdover gen-
leather upholstery and heated/10-way power-adjustable
eration, but the already-sleek exterior styling has a few
front seats add to the Swedish nature of making vehicles.
upgrades. The grille has been revised, as have fascias
They always feel solid and safe.
front and rear, taillights and alloy wheels. The exhaust
Automatic cruise control is a superior feature, avail-
pipe is now hidden, and several new exterior colors are
able in most new vehicles. The Volvo V90’s system is
available.
located via a push button on the steering wheel. Unlike
The new wagon features a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with
other vehicles’ less-than-intuitive approaches, the V90’s
316 horsepower and a turbocharged and supercharged
is a light, one-touch process, with automatic decreases
engine. The wagon accelerates with a slight lag, but its
in speed if the vehicle in front is too close. Re-accelera-
performance is impressive. It powers down the road
tion is equally smooth.
with authority, with the only downside being a strong
The top-line Bowers & Wilkins sound system is
possibility that freeway speed limits will be exceeded
a $3,200 upgrade and the head-up display option is
without a driver’s knowledge. An eight-speed automat-
$1,500. A station wagon approaching $70,000 was likely
ic transmission is standard for both the AWD R-Design
never imagined by early adopters to family travel, but by
and the smaller 250 horsepower option.
today’s standards, the new Volvo V90 T6 AWD R-Design
Cargo space presumably is still a priority for wagon
is as good as it gets.
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STATION BREAK Volvo doesn’t scrimp with its new luxury wagon, the V90 T6 AWD R-Design, which is as good as it gets.
Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 5.6 seconds
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $58,800
Airbags: 7 Fuel economy: 21 mpg city, 32 mpg hwy
Manufacturer’s website: volvocars.com Price as tested: $68,435
Warranty: Bu m p er to b u m p er, 4 yea rs / 50, 0 0 0 m i l es; Po w ertra i n, 4 yea rs/ 50, 0 0 0 m i l es ; C o rro si on, 12 yea rs /u n l i m i ted m i l ea g e; Ro a d si d e A s s i s ta n c e, 4 yea rs / u n l i m i ted m i l ea g e; M a i n ten a n c e, 3 yea rs / 3 6 , 0 0 0 m i l es
Horsepower: 316
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FITNESS
By James Raia
To Have and to Fold COMPACT BICYCLES EXPAND THEIR MARKET Like tandems and recumbents, folding bicycles provide
ABOVE THE FOLD
an alternative for cyclists concerned about space, por-
Folding bikes, popular with private pilots
tability and convenience. The concept is simple: With a
and RV and boat owners, can be packed
few adjustments, a smaller-wheeled full-sized bike becomes compact and more easily transportable—often in less than 30 seconds.
into tight spaces for use in emergencies or for short excursions.
As such, folding bikes, with or without electric motors, are popular among boat owners, private pilots and recreational vehicle enthusiasts, who pack them in tight spaces for use in emergencies or on short excursions to complement their main recreations. Until recent years, however, the folding bicycle industry suffered from a hard-to-overcome dilemma. Folding bikes had a persistent reputation for being likely to fold at less-than-ideal moments. Mainstream cyclists remained largely unimpressed and were among the non-buying majority. That’s a reputation folding bike manufacturers such dego, among others, believe has changed.
Gutter
as Bike Friday, Brompton, Dahon, Montague and Pe-
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“We just had a couple buy one of our Black Latch-
of waiting in gas station lines during the oil and gas
es ($2,795-$3,095); they travel in their RV and their
crisis. He decided again, as he had in college, to rely
boat a lot,” says Kendall Rocco, a manager at Pedego
on cycling as transportation. Seven years later, the
Electric Bikes in Naples. “The Latch was a perfect
first “Dahon Folder” was introduced. It folded and
bike for them because it’s easy to transport and it’s
unfolded with a series of easy-access, adjustable
lightweight.”
brackets.
With improved technology and ease of use, as
Dahon, with bikes ranging from $399-$1,999, re-
well as increased restrictions for full-sized bikes on
mains an industry leader. It offers dozens of mod-
some metropolitan public transportation systems,
els, styles and varying wheel sizes.
Courtesy Bompton
folding bikes are increasingly appealing.
“People buy folding bikes because they can lift
While Englishman William Grout in 1878 and
them up stairs and store them in homes or apart-
Frenchman A.J. Marcelin in 1939 were among the
ments or in small storage places to keep them safe
folding bike’s pioneers, David Hon, a physicist and
at night,” says Diane Holm, co-owner of Fort Myers
laser technology expert for Hughes Aircraft Cor-
Cyclery.
poration, brought it back into vogue in the modern
Besides RVers, boaters and cyclists who have
era. Like many commuters in 1975, Hon grew tired
smaller living spaces, Holm had a private pilot purG U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 8 9
After Hours FITNESS
chase a folding bike. “Some people are looking for a smaller bike that they can step over easily and put their feet flat on the ground,” says Holm. “Putting your feet flat on the ground in most bike designs, including folding bikes, is not necessarily giving you proper leg extension, but it makes a rider feel secure.”
MANY OTHER FOLDING BIKE MANUFACTURERS OFFER OPTIONS; SMALLER-TIRED MODELS
British-made Bromp-
single, tandem and
ton ($1,410-$2,490)
triple, custom-made
touts its offerings as
folding bikes. Its
“the only bike in the
motto is “Performance
world to combine such
That Packs.” Its bikes,
ready portability with
like other manufactur-
a first-class ride.”
ers’ styles, fold into
One of its original
suitcases not subject
brochures featured a
to additional airline
commuting business-
luggage charges.
man, dressed in suit
Montague, promoted
and tie, carrying his
as the largest man-
folding bike in one
ufacturer of full-size
hand while reading a
folding bikes, has
newspaper as he walks
gained particular
along a train platform
notoriety with its
in London. Bromp-
“Paratrooper” model.
EXPANDING FOLDERS
ton’s handmade steel
The 24-speed offering,
British-made Brompton promotes its folding
three- and six-speed
priced at $995, has
bicycles, which weigh in at around 25 pounds,
models weigh 24 to 27
been used interna-
as ‘the only bike in the world to combine such
pounds.
tionally as a military
ready portability with a first-class ride.’
Bike Friday offers
bicycle.
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Courtesy Bompton
TO FULL-SIZED RACING BICYCLES.
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NEW & NOTEWORTHY
By James Raia
$189 woodwatch.com
Y
&
W
N
O R T
H
NEW O T E
Time and Timber Courtsey Woodwatch
WOODWATCH’S NATURAL APPEAL Made from stunning designs in wood, glass and stainless steel, every example of timepieces and eyewear from WoodWatch stands out. It’s why the company—founded in 2013 by a trio of watch enthusiasts from the Netherlands with three available styles—has grown to offer more than 150 men’s and women’s products, all created with a sustainable mission. For every item sold, the company plants three trees, with the tally now more than 90,000. The new Forester Yellowstone is a simple, slim selection, made from green sandalwood with a 40mm diameter case. With a black dial and yellow details complementing its clean look, it’s marketed as a “perfect companion to everyday adventure.” Like all WoodWatch watches, eyewear and accessories, the Forester Yellowstone exemplifies the company’s natural appeal. Custom engraving is available. Free worldwide shipping, a 45-day return policy and a two-year warranty are included.
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 9 1
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W E E K E N D G E TA W AY
By Artis Henderson
Greatest Space on Earth FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST OFFERS AN INTERSTELLAR WEEKEND AWAY Cape Canaveral sits 50 miles east of Orlando on a barrier island that separates mainland Florida from the Atlantic Ocean. Beginning in 1950, it was a test site for missiles. It became the permanent home of NASA after the agency was formed in 1958. The Cape has been the launching place for some of NASA’s most famous missions, including the 1969 lunar landing flight crewed by Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins. More recently, it’s the launch site for SpaceX and other companies as the interstellar experience moves toward privatization. With miles of white sand beaches, plenty of oceanfront places to stay and endless opportunities for exploration at the Kennedy Space Center, the Space Coast makes for a cos-
WHERE TO ORBIT The Kennedy Space Center began welcoming visitors in the 1960s, first with a drive-through tour then with a visitor center. Today, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Space
Courtesy Kennedy Space Center
mic weekend trip.
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INTERPLANETARY PLAYGROUND The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex houses the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and an outdoor Rocket Garden that features rockets from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.
G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S M AY 2021 9 3
After Hours W E E K E N D G E TA W AY
Commerce Way, Merritt Island; 855.433.4210; kennedys
the launch site, visitors can hear the roar of the
pacecenter.com) is a vast interplanetary playground. It
engines and feel the vibrations as the rockets
includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and an outdoor
take off. Viewing locations are different for ev-
Rocket Garden that features rockets from NASA’s Mercu-
ery launch, so it’s important to check the sched-
ry, Gemini and Apollo programs. For a more immersive ex-
ule ahead of time. The Kennedy Space Center
perience, consider adding the Astronaut Training Experi-
website maintains a calendar of upcoming rock-
ence. This hands-on program allows visitors to participate
et launches. Check often for the latest dates.
in a simulated Mars training protocol—docking practice, navigating the rocky planetary terrain and performing a
WHERE TO REST
spacewalk in a microgravity environment. For space en-
The Space Coast doesn’t offer many luxury
thusiasts, it’s a must.
hotel accommodations, but Airbnb is full of good options. Look for rentals in nearby Cocoa
WHERE TO LAUNCH
Beach, many with pools, hot tubs and direct
The Kennedy Space Center offers the closest public view-
ocean access.
ing spot for rocket launches. Only a few miles away from W H E R E T O TA K E A B R E A K F R O M T H E S PA C E R A C E When you’ve had your fill of astronauts and rocket ships, stop by Ellie Mae’s Tiki Bar (116 Jackson Ave., Cape Canaveral; 321.613.5870). This fun and funky joint offers live music, outdoor seating and scratch-made eats. Don’t miss the Bahama Drama and The Peddler, which Ellie Mae’s calls a “frothy good time.” Preacher Bar (8699 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral; 321.613.4629; preacherbar.com) offers a unique vibe with its low-lit interior and gothic artwork. The menu features upscale pub food like homemade Scotch eggs and bacon mac n’ cheese plus more than 40 beers on tap and in bottles. Its signature cocktail is the Preacher Mule, made with ginger-infused vodka, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and ginger ale. More than one, and you’ll be seeing stars.
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Courtesy Ellie Mae’s Tiki Bar, Preacher Bar, Kennedy Space Center
the fruity cocktails like the Tropical Russian,
OUT OF THIS WORLD Suggestions for a visit to Florida’s Space Coast include an Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) ‘spacewalk’ in a microgravity simulator (above) at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; fruity cocktails from Ellie Mae’s Tiki Bar (top left) and an American burger from Preacher Bar (bottom left) in Cape Canaveral.
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UNWIND
By Justin Paprocki
Snooze Control SUPERIOR SLEEP FOR STRESS RELIEF One of the most surefire ways to be less stressed is to get more sleep. Really, it’s that simple. The trick is just to get your mind to stop running in a thousand different directions. So ... maybe not that simple. Try these activities to get yourself in a sleep state of mind.
Lower your body temperature.
your sleep schedule. If you ban all devices
It’s much easier to sleep in a cool room, so turn the thermostat down
from your room and get an old-fashioned
a touch. And consider taking a warm bath. Yes, a warm one—the heat
alarm clock, your circadian rhythm will
will bring blood flow to the surface of the skin, so when you get out,
thank you.
your core will be cooler. A review of research at the University of Texas found that people who took warm baths before bed fell asleep
Turn off those lights.
about 36% quicker.
Even a small amount of light can affect your sleep, so eliminate as much light
Write down your worries.
as possible. If electronic devices are in
Sleep journals have been popular for a while. The idea is that if you
another room, that’s a good start. Black-
jot down your problems, they are freed from your mind, causing you
out curtains and a sleep mask help. An
to fall into peaceful slumber. It’s a perfectly fine way to clear your
hour before bed, try dimming the lights
head. However, as a study at Baylor University found, it may actually
around the house, as well; it will get your
be better to write a to-do list instead. Those who focused on the
brain in the mood to snooze.
next day’s activities in their writing fell asleep faster than those who wrote about the previous day’s problems.
Get a professional involved. help. NCH has a unit called the Sleep
Put the phone down. Actually, put it down in another room. TVs,
Center that can help with insomnia,
iPhones and other devices can just distract you from sleep, plus the
snoring, sleep apnea and more. Visit
blue light that comes from smartphones can actually interfere with
nchmd.org for more information.
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Getty
If your sleep is still troublesome, ask for Create a technology-free room.
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