Gulfshore Business October 2021 by Gulfshore Life

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BRANCHING OUT

FEAST OF OPTIONS

UPHILL HAUL

Banking on change in SW Florida

Grocery boom resonates in region

Driver shortages challenge trucking

SOUTHWEST F LO R I DA’ S BEST VIEW OF BUSINESS

ALICO ROAD VISION

Companies stake claim on local corridor _____ __P. 42

PIECE OF THE ACTION

Pluses, pitfalls in launching franchises _____ __P. 52

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BETTING ON TURBULENCE THE COLORFUL HISTORY OF GAMBLING IN FLORIDA

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to our Naples office Ft. Myers Office

Naples Office

8000 Summerlin Lakes Dr. Suite 100 // Ft. Myers, FL 33907 O 239.415.8000 // TF 800.237.4472 raymondjames.com/riverviewwp

1421 Pine Ridge Rd. Suite 300 // Naples, FL 34110 O 941.366.8600 // TF 800.323.2097 englishwealthmanagement.com

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As of August 2021

(239) 489-4066

W W W. L S I C O M PA N I E S . C O M 2 3 9. 4 89. 4 0 6 6

Contents. F E AT U R E S

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BETTING ON

ALICO VISION

A PIECE OF THE

TURBULENCE The complicated, colorful history of organized gambling in Florida

Local and international companies stake claims along Alico Road corridor

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ACTION Pluses and pitfalls in launching a franchise

gulfshorebusiness.com

The Faces of Land Use and Zoning Law Our experience is your advantage. Pavese Law has been influential in shaping the landscape of Southwest and Central Florida for decades, playing a vital role in numerous developments. Let our Land Use team help you through the planning, zoning, developing and building process to bring your plans to fruition. Our attorneys also have significant expertise to help you with litigating any unavoidable disputes when your property rights are being ignored. We are here for you.

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Contents. D E PA R T M E N T S

TakeNote Mood Board P. 10 Spaces P. 12 Makers P. 16 Creatives P. 20 Bookmark P. 24 Trendline P. 26 Economic Commentary P. 28 P.20

B2B P 84

MARKETING How companies pushed through the pandemic P 86

BANKING Southwest Florida banks emerge, surge, merge P 90

RETAIL Despite higher food costs, grocery boom resonates in Southwest Florida P 94

TRANSPORTATION Delays, driver shortages cause rough patch for trucking industry P 98

P.12

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Peter Wasmer draws on determination to build his ambitions

P.10

4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

AFTER HOURS

P 104

HORSEPOWER Getting to know the innovative Genesis GV80 P 106

FITNESS Increasing options for decreasing carbon footprint P 108

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The inflatable, storagefriendly Intex Explorer K2 kayak P 109

WEEKEND GETAWAY Exploring vibrant neighborhoods in Florida’s biggest city P 112

UNWIND Local options for memorable massages

p_104 HORSEPOWER Innovation generates GV80’s smooth ride

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GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 5

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6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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TIBURÓN GOLF CLUB AT THE RITZ-CARLTON GOLF RESORT, NAPLES

NOVEMBER 15-21, 2021 CMEGroupTourChampionship.com

Jin Young Ko

(Defending Champion)

from the editor. OCTOBER 2021

Developments Worthy of Celebrating

ries, Rice Insulation & Glass, Scotlynn USA Division and White Cap Supply all have built—or are building—new facilities, if not new headquarters. Seagate Development Group, which is behind the growth and development of the Alico Trade Center, completed construction on its own two-story

We’ve got quite a lot to celebrate in Southwest Florida. The unemployment rate has declined, airport passenger activity has increased and tour-

HEIDI RAMBO CENTRELLA EDITOR IN CHIEF

corporate headquarters last year. And new developments don’t stop with

ist tax revenues continue to rise. All this points

construction. We take a deep look inside

to an increasingly robust economy—albeit one in

Florida’s gaming history—from its start

need of workers.

in 1970 with small-stakes bingo being le-

The hospitality industry, upon which the re-

galized to offshore gambling cruises, or

gion depends so heavily, remains short on em-

“cruises to nowhere,” starting to operate

ployees. And with season right around the cor-

in 1984 to voters approving a ban on dog

ner, the need has some small business owners

racing in 2018 to the most recent and

concerned. One can look just about anywhere

somewhat controversial measure. A new compact approved in early Au-

to find job listings, from smaller mom-and-pop

gust gives the Seminole Tribe the right

shops to major corporations. The vigor of the economy, too, is evident in the

to build three new casinos and exclu-

amount of construction and development we’re

sive rights to operate craps and roulette.

seeing across the region. We’ve reported the new

Where it gets sticky is that the measure

developments coming to East Naples—luxury con-

also includes the arrangement that the

do-hotel projects, restaurants and retail—as well

tribe gets rights to online sports betting.

as the nearly 1-million-square-foot Uline distribu-

The tribe can start its sports betting oper-

tion center, which will be hiring for more than 200

ations on Oct. 15, although it likely will be

management and warehouse jobs. The area near Interstate 75 and Collier Boulevard also will boast a Great Wolf Lodge with its signature waterpark near the new amateur sports park … and all will require staffing. Farther north in Lee County, local and international companies are staking claims along the Alico Road

p.30 CRAPSHOOT Online sports betting new chapter for Florida’s legalized gambling

corridor (page 42), where NeoGenomics Laborato-

8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

highly litigious. Read the full, rich history beginning on page 30. Legalized gambling is a distinctive and colorful industry, but it continues to evolve along with the rest of the region and state—and as Southwest Florida grows, we remain thrilled to be in a position to share ongoing developments with you.

gulfshorebusiness.com

p_26 Increased options for RSW travelers

TakeNote MOOD BOARD | SPACES | MAKERS | CREATIVES | BOOKMARK

Getty, Courtesy Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

TRENDLINE | ECONOMIC COMMENTARY

An Eye for Interior Design BERGMANN ENTERS NEW ERA p_20 By Melanie Pagan

TakeNote

OCTOBER 2021

MOOD BOARD

By James Raia

Pen Prowess Lamy

WRITING IMPLEMENTS WITH UNDENIABLE STYLE

The Safari is a starter fountain pen with a steel nib, offered by a German company founded by Josef Lamy in 1930. He was a pioneer in the use of molded synthetic plastics. “They are great workhorses, and a lot of people start with it and work their way up,” says Sashin. “It’s going to write the day it’s born to the day it dies exactly the same way.” $49

Philip Syng was a renowned silversmith, the eldest of three sons trained by his namesake father. The Irish family emigrated to the United States in the early 1700s, where the junior Syng established a successful business creating fine works in silver and sometimes gold for wealthy Pennsylvania families. Syng made the inkstand that held the quill the Founding Fathers used to sign the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. The quill is gone; the inkstand remains among the few items of memorabilia left from the historic occasions. It’s a reminder of the importance of signatures, notably the large script of John Hancock, then the president of Congress and the document’s first signee. His writing style was so prominent, Hancock’s name is synonymous with an autograph.

collective passion for writing

Presidential legal document signing is now a symbolic White House rit-

instruments among vintage

ual, footage for network television cameras. Presidents sign documents

pen collectors may outdo new

using their favorite pens, often made by Montblanc and A.T. Cross. For-

pen buyers’ enthusiasm.

mer President Trump dispatched the fountain pen tradition and used a Sharpie marker.

“It sounds crazy, but there’s at least one fountain pen con-

The importance of using a proper pen—fountain, ballpoint, roller and

vention somewhere in the

gel—is in a resurgence. A.T. Cross, Montblanc, LAMY and Parker remain

country every month of the

fountain favorites in a $2.8 billion industry, according to Technavio, the

year,” says Greg Schiek, CEO of Antique Dig-

international market research firm.

ger in Fort Myers and Naples. “When I go,

“There’s a very large group of young men very active on the internet chatting about fountain pens,” says Sheryl Sashin, owner of Arabesque, the stationery and gift shop in Naples. “They’re very knowledgeable when they come into the store. There’s just a whole lot of interest.” The

there’s anywhere from 70 to 400 vendors. You can find a pen from $5 to $55,000.” Here’s to perfecting your John Hancock with several fountain pen selections.

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gulfshorebusiness.com

“IT SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT THERE’S AT LEAST ONE FOUNTAIN PEN CONVENTION SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.” — Greg Schiek, Antique Digger

Sheaffer

Montblanc

Parker

With its cigar-shaped profile, the Sheaffer Legacy has a 23-karat gold-plated finish and trim. It also has a deep-etched engraved chevron pattern favored by Art Deco enthusiasts. The fine or medium width nib is 18-karat gold, and the Legacy includes one blue and one black cartridge. Sheaffer, which began in 1913 in Iowa, is among the most popular American-made pens among collectors. “Shaeffer has the Masterpiece, and it’s an all-gold pen, whether it’s a 9-karat gold pen, 14-karat, 18-karat or 24-karat,” says Schiek. “The Masterpiece Balance, for example, started in 1929 and kept on going to about 1941. They’re extremely rare, about $6,500$7,500, and if you can find a collector who will let them go.” $475

Everyone knows the enduring status symbol of fountain pens. The Starwalker Precious Resin features a 14-karat gold nib with a rhodium finish, a platinum-coated clip and a black barrel and cap. It’s straightforward, handsome and basks in the traditions of the enduring brand founded 115 years ago in Hamburg, Germany. “People who come into the store for a Montblanc generally want a Montblanc,” Sashin says. “They’re not interested in looking at anything else. They have decided that’s the status symbol they want to purchase.” $500

The current Parker 51 retains the same name as arguably the most well-known fountain pen in history. It launched in 1941 with a signature hooded gold nib. Available in Core and Deluxe styles, the Deluxe features an 18-karat gold nib; the Core’s nib is steel. The Deluxe cap is solid brass with a chiseled gold finish versus a stainless-steel cap. The original Parker 51, first made more than 50 years after the Wisconsin-based company started, is one of the most collectible pens in history. “If I showed you a double-jeweled Parker 51 in gray, it might be a $250 pen,” says Schiek. “But if I showed you the same type of pen and it’s Nassau green, that is a $700 pen.” $248

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 11

TakeNote S PA C E S

OCTOBER 2021 By Melanie Pagan

In With the New $300 MILLION CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OPENS IN NORTH NAPLES We don’t need to list all the reasons why Naples is a top place for seniors to reside, but it’s time to add

“I T NOT O NLY H AS AN I TALI AN F EEL , BUT A R ES O RT F EEL , AS WELL .”

one more: a new, $300 million continuing care retirement community set on 35 scenic acres. Erickson Senior Living opened its second Flor-

— Margaret Suit, Erickson Senior Living

ida community, Siena Lakes, at 2781 Siena Lakes Circle, North Naples, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in June. Residents already are enjoying the Phase 1 amenities.

says. “I think that’s one of the great things about

“We’re already seeing people gathering and con-

the design at Siena Lakes—there are so many ame-

necting,” Executive Director Michael McCormick

nities, services and activities that lend to a vibrant lifestyle, but it’s also designed in a really smart way that facilitates socialization.” Offerings include a swimming pool, fitness center, theater, salon and day spa, medical center, dining destinations, a library, walking paths and more with Southwest Florida flair. “It’s important that the architectural design reflects the character of the area. That makes our residents feel comfort-

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gulfshorebusiness.com

Kristina Tenenbaum

wrapped up inside a modern Tuscan-style campus

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FORMAL AMENITIES Each of the four restaurants, including Chianti’s upscale dining experience, is uniquely inspired at the new Siena Lakes senior living community in North Naples.

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 13

TakeNote S PA C E S

“I T ’S I M P O RTAN T T H AT T H E ARC H I T EC TU R AL D ESI G N R EF LEC T S T H E C H AR AC T ER O F T H E AR EA.” — Margaret Suit, Erickson Senior Living

able,” says Margaret Suit, Erickson Senior Liv-

flooring and paint colors. Apartments come

ing vice president of development.

with high ceilings and screened-in lanais, and many overlook the lake. The first phase of the community is com-

ors, open space and large windows that over-

plete with a clubhouse and two independent

look the lake. “It not only has an Italian feel, but

living buildings with 175 one- and two-bed-

a resort feel, as well,” Suit says.

room apartment homes. Phase 2 will add

Each of the four on-site restaurants is unique-

two more independent living buildings with

ly inspired. For instance, the poolside restau-

180 residences. Soon-to-be residents al-

rant, Stoney’s Bar and Grill, got its name from a

ready have reserved 75% of the 355 planned

fruit stand that was previously on the property.

apartment homes, and future phases will

Café Eighty Eight’s name was inspired by the

include assisted-living, skilled nursing and

year 1888, when Naples Pier was being built.

memory care facilities. Siena Lakes is ex-

Residents can customize homes to match their personal preferences, including different

pected to create 250 career opportunities, according to Erickson Senior Living.

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gulfshorebusiness.com

Kristina Tenenbaum

The modern Tuscan theme is carried out through wood, stone and stucco with light col-

PROJECT PARTNERS Siena Lakes, developed and managed by Erickson Senior Living 2781 Siena Lakes Circle, Naples Architect: Bessolo Design Group, Tampa Bay General Contractor: Kaufman Lynn Construction, Estero



LUXURY LIFESTYLE The first phase of Siena Lakes includes a central clubhouse and two independent living buildings in North Naples.

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 15

TakeNote

OCTOBER 2021

MAKERS

By Justin Paprocki

In the Florida Spirit THE FLAVORS OF JOSE CALDERON’S EVERGLADES DISTILLERS Jose Calderon had travelled the world, but when he decided to start his own business, he did it right in his hometown of Immokalee. Everglades Distillers opened in June near Immokalee Airport, producing a line of vodkas called 25*80 (roughly the longitude and latitude of the town). The venture is new, but the idea to make his own liquors had been brewing for quite some time. “I was always looking to start something for myself,” Calderon says. After high school, he joined the Army and went abroad. He spent time with indigenous tribes in Latin America, watching how they fermented spirits. That’s when the idea first was planted. A 20year career in the military resulted in a stint in the business world, serving as a consultant for companies in Latin America. As he was preparing to open his own business, he got training far and wide, attending a distilling school in Washington state, taking bartending classes in Miami and learning about liquor flavoring in Mexico City. Calderon’s extended family remained in Immokalee, so starting the business there made perSouthwest Florida with locally grown oranges, cucumber, watermelon and jalapeño. 1 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Eric Keller

fect sense to him. His vodkas now have a flavor of

“I WA S A LWAYS LO OK I NG T O START S O M ET H I NG F O R M YSEL F.” —Jose Calderon, Everglades Distillers

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TASTE OF SUCCESS Jose Calderon is hoping liquors made by his Everglades Distillers can catch on among tourists and locals looking to capture the Sunshine State vibe.

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 17

TakeNote MAKERS

“ W E’R E NOT J UST RE PR E S EN T I NG S OUT H WEST F L OR I DA . . . BUT TH E GR EAT E R F L OR I DA A DV E N T UR E.” —Jose Calderon, Everglades Distillers

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LOCAL COLOR Jose Calderon’s vodkas now have flavors of Southwest Florida with oranges, cucumber, watermelon and jalapeños grown in the region.

Right now, it’s just his wife and son who help with the business, and the vodkas are only available in his tasting room. But he has plans for expansion in the upcoming months, placing his product in retail stores locally and then throughout the state. He also plans to release a whisky this winter. He’s hoping his liquors can catch on among tourists and locals looking to capture the Eric Keller

Sunshine State vibe. “We’re not just representing Southwest Florida,” Calderon says, “but the greater Florida adventure.” G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2021 1 9

TakeNote C R E AT I V E S

OCTOBER 2021 By Melanie Pagan

An Eye for Design DWAYNE BERGMANN INTERIORS ENTERS NEW ERA

REWARDING RESPONSE Although it takes a lot of energy to deliver his inspirational designs, Dwayne Bergmann says

With a new showroom at Third Street South in Naples, an out-of-state client base and expansion into furniture design, you’d think Dwayne Bergmann Interiors has de-

the reaction he and his team gets makes it all worth it.

cades of business behind it. But the company is just eight years in, with plenty in store for the future. “We’re very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and we have so much more to do,” says Dwayne Bergmann, the namesake of the Fort Myers-based business that launched in 2013. Those plans include a formal vanity line with 15 options and a 20-piece furniture line, both due out in 2022, and none of which would have existed had Bergmann not given into his artistic talents. Bergmann’s family was involved in the construction

Bergmann worked on high-end residential and commer-

industry, but he focused on equestrian sports and ac-

cial projects as a senior executive at Home Depot and HD

ademics growing up, receiving a bachelor’s degree and

Supply before starting his firm. His design approach—while

MBA before joining the corporate world. However, he

very different from his own moody, minimalist tastes—set

kept busy with creative side projects, such as designing

him apart from the start.

handbags or remodeling and flipping houses. “There was

“My whole drive from a style perspective is to get into the

always something creative going on, and ultimately that

psyches of my clients,” Bergmann says. “The style for me

side of my brain took over, which is fantastic,” he says.

doesn’t matter. What matters to me is that there’s an emo-

“It wasn’t initial. It was something that took a little bit

tional response from my clients to the environment they’re

of an evolution.”

living in.”

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“M Y WH O L E D R I V E F RO M A ST YLE P ER SP EC TIV E I S T O G ET INTO THE P SYC H ES O F M Y C LI EN TS.”

Courtesy Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

— Dwayne Bergmann, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 21

TakeNote C R E AT I V E S

“ WE’R E V ERY PROUD O F WHAT WE’V E BEE N AB LE T O ACC O M P LI SH, A N D WE H AV E SO MUCH MORE T O D O.” —Dwayne Bergmann, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

Bergmann said it takes a lot of energy to deliver such designs, but the reactions he and his team of 12 get make it all worth it. “I always say it feels like I’ve given them a little piece of my soul with each of the projects we work on,” he says. “The reward is the responses from our clients.” Bergmann likes to travel, listen to music and follow fashion to stay in a creative space, he said. But he doesn’t always need to go far to feel inspired. “Being in business in Southwest Florida is certainly amazing. I love being involved in this community. Everybody thinks you have to be in New York or L.A. to be a creative, and I don’t think that’s true,” he says. “This is a fantastic place to be and see different creations in various stylistic environments. So many unique people live here from all over the world, and it’s so cool to interact

Gutter

with them.”

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gulfshorebusiness.com

NESTING IN NAPLES Dwayne Bergmann

in the market-

Interiors opened

place today, and

its second show-

that’s cool to have

room in April at

been able to put

1391 Third St. S.

together over the

in Naples—after

last year.”

taking over the

heaviest demand

the pandemic,

comes from the

which delayed the

Lee County luxury

launch. However,

market and out

the postponed

of state, Berg-

plans turned out

mann opened the

to be a blessing in

Naples showroom

disguise.

to deepen connec-

Brian Tietz, Courtesy Dwayne Bergmann Interiors

“The extra time

STYLE PERSPECTIVE The design approach of Dwayne Bergmann Interiors sets the Naples firm apart from the start.

While his

space just before

tions in the Collier

allowed me to

County communi-

redesign a few

ty. “We are looking

components and

to establish and

pieces, and now

form some very

the entire show-

strong relation-

room is filled with

ships with build-

Dwayne Berg-

ers and develop-

mann-designed

ers in the Naples

and manufactured

market and the

cabinetry and

residential home-

furniture pieces.

owners,” he says.

I’m very proud of

“We think it’s the

that,” Bergmann

perfect market for

says. “We’ve got

the very unique

really unique

and personalized

designs, shapes

custom pieces I’ve

and forms that

designed.”

are not available

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2021 2 3

TakeNote

OCTOBER 2021

BOOKMARK

RALPH READS

Economic Mindset RECOMMENDED READING FOR REAL-WORLD UNDERSTANDING RALPH STAYER, an avid reader and former CEO of Johnsonville Sausage, leads a book club in Naples with about a dozen

This month features two books on economics, the theory of how humans make decisions to deploy the limited resources available to them to achieve their goals. It assumes that every person makes every resource decision rationally and is sufficiently knowledgeable to do so. This thinking has guided economic policy for many

in a discipline. Despite overwhelming

decades—and has led to less than acceptable re-

evidence to the contrary, there are

only reads non-fic-

sults. About 50 years ago, some economists start-

still many economists today who hold

tion as a way to

ed questioning that assumption. They could see

to the rational person assumption and

keep learning and

many instances when it appeared that people did

refuse to incorporate behavioral eco-

sharpening the

not behave rationally, so they turned to the field

nomics into their models.

mind. Every month,

of psychology to reconcile the anomalies they

There is a chapter in this book re-

Stayer shares the

observed between projected rational behavior

garding sunk costs—investments that

latest page-turners

and actual behavior. Thus began the field of be-

have been made and are unrecover-

havioral economics.

able, such as copper telephone wires

other high-power friends. The group

earning a permanent spot on his ever-expanding bookshelves.

Richard Thaler is one of the pioneers for this

in the cell phone age. Economic theory

marriage of psychology to economics. He won

states that sunk costs must be ignored

the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2017

when making decisions for the future.

for his work in this field. His book, Misbehav-

There is a valuable lesson here for all

ing, chronicles the development of behavioral

of us. Have you ever decided not to do

economics over the last 50 years and gives tes-

something you would prefer to do be-

tament to the intransigent nature of people who

cause you had bought tickets for some-

have invested a significant portion of their lives

thing else? You fell victim to the sunk

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cost trap. Economists who have invested their lives in the

best for people and it is their job to enact laws that force

rational person theory have not been able to take their own

people to comply with their judgments. This thinking

advice. They can’t ignore the sunk cost they have invested in

ignores the opportunity cost of these laws. What else

their years of work in their discipline. This is the reason that

might that money have been used for? Do you want to be

almost all breakthroughs in any discipline come from young

governed by people who are arrogant enough to believe

people. Misbehaving is a very insightful book that will help

that they know better than you what is best for you?

any person understand why they do things that are less than

These examples are mentioned to whet your appetite

optimal. Reading it will help you know yourself better, and

for the wisdom contained in this short, easy-to-read

that is well worth the investment of your time.

book. This is essential reading that will fill in what they didn’t teach you in school. Read it and then give a copy

James R. Otteson is one of my favorite authors. He has the

to your children and grandchildren.

distinction of being the only author featured twice in this column; you may recall his book Honorable Business featured in the January 2021 column. His new book, Seven

Deadly Economic Sins, does a masterful job of discrediting counterproductive beliefs people harbor regarding economics. There is an old saying: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you in trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” Otteson states in his preface that economists agree on some basic principles that “can not only be readily expressed and understood but would benefit humanity if more widely appreciated.” He devotes one chapter each to seven misconceptions, and then ends the book with an implementation guide for individuals. The first fallacy is that we live in a zero-sum world, that if someone gains wealth, it comes at the expense of someone else. Otteson gives convincing proof that wealth is positive-sum since the advent of specialization and capitalism. Almost every person in the world has been lifted out of extreme poverty due to the creation of wealth. He warns us, too, against the “great mind” theory, another fallacy. There is a persistent, pernicious belief for many in government that they are capable of deciding what is GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 25

TakeNote TRENDLINE

Eyes on the Skies

OCTOBER 2021 B y J u s t i n P a p ro c k i

SEATTLE

INCREASED OPTIONS FOR RSW TRAVELERS As travelers once again pass through RSW in droves, airlines are adding more direct routes into Southwest Florida. Plans are in place for passengers to fly direct to 48 cities from Fort Myers by early next year.

SAN FRANCISCO

An expansion out west—United will fly direct to Los Angeles and San Francisco starting this winter, and Alaska Airlines will resume its flights to L.A. and Seattle this fall. A new international flight—Lufthansa announced thriceweekly direct flights to Frankfurt starting March 2022.

LOS ANGELES

Spirit is expanding its presence with flights to Milwaukee, St. Louis, Louisville and Manchester, New Hampshire, this fall. Sun Country offering more options for Northerners with direct routes from Duluth, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Rochester, New York, this fall and winter. Avelo Airlines begins service Nov. 11 at RSW with a direct flight to New Haven, Connecticut. This comes as traffic through RSW starts to pick up following the pandemic. In July, 814,471 passengers flew out of the airport, a

FRANKFURT

record for that month. 2 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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RSW FLIGHTS ROU TE S TO/FROM RSW N E W ROU TE S TO/FROM RSW RSW

MONTREAL

DULUTH MINNEAPOLIS

DENVER

KANSAS CITY

MANCHESTER SYRACUSE ROCHESTER BOSTON MILWAUKEE MADISON TORONTO HARTFORD WHITE PROVIDENCE GRAND RAPIDS BUFFALO PLAINS NEW HAVEN DETROIT NEW YORK CITY ISLIP NEWARK ATLANTIC CITY CLEVELAND CHICAGO PITTSBURGH TRENTON AKRON/CANTON PHILADELPHIA COLUMBUS BALTIMORE LATROBE INDIANAPOLIS WASHINGTON, D.C. CINCINNATI GREEN BAY

ST. LOUIS

LOUISVILLE NASHVILLE CHARLOTTE ATLANTA

DALLAS

HOUSTON

PORTLAND

ORLANDO

RSW

TakeNote E C O N O M I C C O M M E N TA R Y

OCTOBER 2021 By Christopher Westley

Because We Want to Fly FOR COMPLEX PROCESSES, COORDINATION IS KEY It’s not always easy to catch a morning flight. You pack the night before, with an eye to preparing for the security and logistics hurdles you must go through to make it on the plane. Liquids and gels go in a one-quart Ziploc bag. But which liquids? Will someone nab my contact lens cleaner for being in too big a container? Then there are the bags you can no longer carry on the plane. Which to take? If you fly only intermittently, such details are easy to forget. Once at the airport, there is the sensitive matter of navigating security. Shoes, laptops, belts, loose change, jewelry,

DESTINATION DETERMINATION Consider the marvelous coordination necessary for airport travel, says

pocket lint—all of it gets dumped into germy, gray storage

Christopher Westley

bins and shoved through the X-ray machine, and we comply

of FGCU.

because we desperately want to get to Point B. It is a marvel that the system works despite these and countless other interventions in the natural right to travel. Think of the numerous coordination problems that get crews and airplane mechanics. The pilot, co-pilot and flight

My flight is a mere microcosm. It left at 9:44 a.m. and

attendants were exchanged for new ones. When determin-

landed at my destination at 11:33 a.m. My plane began the

ing its schedule, the airline must consider the time neces-

day in Milwaukee, a Midwestern city practically on the oth-

sary for taxiing the plane, which differs from airport to air-

er side of the country. It would end the day in Washington

port. My plane taxied for what seemed like 25 minutes, but

after making stops in Atlanta and Fort Myers. And this was

when it was finally airborne, complex calculations helped it

just one of hundreds of planes operating that single day at a

to arrive at the advertised time.

single airport.

Multiply this by hundreds of flights an hour going in all

Before my boarding, the plane was variously loaded and

directions and, for that matter, the 176,000 daily flights orig-

unloaded with food and drink, fuel and garbage, cleaning

inating in the U.S. (pre-pandemic) recorded by the Federal

2 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

James Greco, Getty

solved, daily, at the major airports of the world.

different forms: wages for pilots, baggage handlers, airplane mechanics and airport bartenders; loans that help fund training facilities, airports and airplanes themselves; ticket scanning machines and automatic-flush toilets; even the shortbread cookies you are served once in the air. There is a reason why the Eastern Bloc countries were better known for the prowess of their Olympic gymnasts than for the desirability of their airports. No czar could pull off such marvelous coordination, yet it happens day in and day out. As Nobel laureate F.A. Hayek argued, the relevant information is abundant and decentralized, and there is no way a central planner could utilize it as efficiently as independent and self-interested market actors. Sure, there are glitches, but they are so unusual that they make the lead story in the evening news when they occur. Sure, the airline industry is a cartel because only a few large firms can afford to comply with the myriad regulations applied to air travel since 9/11, making air travel Aviation Administration, as reported in flightradar24.com.

more hassle and less fun.

Consider the coordination of hordes of decentralized work-

Despite all this, I made it to my destination with no

ers connected in some way to the airport, to say nothing of the

problem and with much help from thousands of people

paying customers whose desire to fly justifies all the activity.

I didn’t know. What’s remarkable is that this is still con-

How does it all get done?

sidered, by so many, unremarkable.

It works because of the interplay between property rights and prices. Property rights, when well-defined and protected,

Christopher Westley is dean of Florida Gulf Coast

create incentives for self-interested owners to utilize resources

University’s Lutgert College of Business.

in numerous ways that promote the social good.

Email: cwestley@fgcu.edu.

Market prices lead property owners to arrange resources in GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 29

Sinelab

BETTING ON

3 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

– THE CO M PLI CATED, CO LO R F U L HI STO RY O F O R GA N I Z ED GA M B LI NG IN F LO R I DA BY JUSTIN PA P R O CKI –

Gutter Credit

TURBULENCE G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 31

The glistening, glass guitar extends

The Seminole Tribe earlier this

450 feet into the air, soft neon light-

year entered into an agreement with

ing shimmering into the night. It’s

the state that expanded its gaming

the new hotel for the Seminole Hard

operations, including paving the way

Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood,

for sports betting in Florida. It also

an ever-present reminder for anyone

could provide billions in revenue for

nearby that just a short drive away

the state over the next several de-

are casino games, entertainment,

cades. It’s been met with much con-

food and drink. But more than that,

troversy, but then again, that’s pretty

it’s a symbol of how gambling has al-

much expected when it comes to the

tered the landscape of the state.

evolution of gambling in Florida.

Florida isn’t synonymous with gambling like Las Vegas or Atlan-

T H E E A R LY DAYS

tic City, but gaming in the Sunshine

Of course, gambling has existed for

State is a billion-dollar industry with

as long as there’s been a Florida. It

power players (such as the Seminole

just hasn’t always been on the up

Tribe of Florida, which owns that

and up. As far back as the late 1800s,

glistening hotel) engaged in an ev-

residents and tourists were flocking

er-evolving turf war over what can be

to play craps and roulette at under-

offered, where it can be offered and

ground casinos such as the Bacchus

for how much.

Club next door to Henry Flagler’s

Gambling is tightly regulated, so it’s

posh Ponce de Leon hotel in St. Au-

not as easy as someone simply open-

gustine. By the roaring ’20s, gambling

ing a casino wherever they’d like.

had become a hot industry, propped

Florida’s complex gaming laws have

up by mobsters. Bootlegger Big Bill

come about after decades of push and

Dwyer’s Palm Island nightclub show-

ELECTRIC BLUE

pull involving state lawmakers, own-

cased top-end entertainment, plen-

The October 2019 star-studded

ers of pari-mutuel establishments

ty of booze and casino games; local

grand opening, left, of The Guitar

including jai alai frontons and poker

law enforcement turned a blind eye

Hotel, which transformed the sky-

rooms, vocal anti-gambling contin-

to the operation largely because of

gents and the Seminole Tribe. And

thousands of dollars’ worth of kick-

don’t forget the mobsters, too.

backs. Al Capone, who had an island

3 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2 0 2 1

line, above, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

PAGE

hideaway off Miami, invested in the city’s speakeasies and

as a way to replenish a budget suffering from the Great

underground casinos. Meyer Lansky had a stake in a num-

Depression. Slots became numerous along city streets in

ber of so-called “carpet joints,” or swanky casino rooms

Florida and available to everyone—even children. Accord-

in Broward County. Over in Tampa, the Cuban numbers

ing to the Miami Herald, stories of school kids losing their

game bolita had become so popular and lucrative that a

lunch money to the “one-armed bandits” helped fuel a

bloody turf war sprang up between rival mob gangs.

backlash, and by 1937 the state had banned the machines.

The state legalized horse and dog racing in 1931, and

Underground casinos and gambling continued to thrive

four years later gave approval for jai alai and slot machines

in post-war Florida, but an investigative piece on orgaG U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 33

PAGE

nized crime by the Herald caught

their bingo cards. They had paid $15 for a chance to

the eye of anti-crime U.S. Sen.

win a pot as large as $1,000. It was 1979 and just the

Estes

who—despite

humble beginning of an empire that would change the

Tennessee—made

fortunes of not only the Seminoles, but tribes across

Kefauver,

representing

an example of Florida’s thriving

the country.

gambling culture on a nationwide

The bingo hall in Hollywood was the first serious

scale and forced the resignations

venture into gambling for the Seminole Tribe of Flori-

of the law enforcement officials

da. The tribe consists of the descendants of the rough-

who gave it safe haven.

ly 200 Seminoles who fled deep into the Everglades af-

The following decades saw the state crack down on illegal

ter surviving violence brought by the U.S. government when they refused forced removal in the 1830s.

gambling while interest groups

As a federally recognized tribe, the Seminoles had

pushed legalized betting. A 1978

tried a variety of ways to generate revenue for their

amendment to allow casinos

people, ranging from cattle ranching to selling tax-

in Broward and Dade counties

free cigarettes. Bingo was legal at the time in Florida,

failed, with opposition coming

but the law was intended to allow for church groups

from Gov. Reubin Askew’s No Ca-

and such to raise modest amounts for charity. Pots

sinos group that brought together

were limited to $100, for example. The tribe decided it

everyone from church leaders to

wanted nothing to do with limits.

Walt Disney World.

Broward County Sheriff Bob Butterworth had tried

But just a year later, Flori-

to shut down the bingo hall before it even opened, but

da’s gambling industry would

a lawsuit brought by the tribe claimed state bingo law

change forever.

couldn’t be enforced on tribal land. A judge allowed

B I N G O!

the bingo hall to keep operating—and it kept attracting crowds. Jackpots were raised to more than $100,000.

It wasn’t anything fancy; just a

New Cadillacs were advertised as big prizes on some

metal building with letters spell-

nights. In 1981, a U.S. Court of Appeals sided with the

ing Seminole Bingo on the front.

tribe in Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Butterworth. They

Inside were more than 1,000 peo-

could operate high-stakes bingo despite what Florida

ple at long tables, staring down at

law dictated. It would prove to be a pivotal decision

1931

1935

Horse and dog

Jai alai and slot

racing legalized

machines legalized

3 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2 0 2 1

Courtesy Seminole Tribe of Florida, Florida Memory, Getty

HISTORY OF GAMBLING IN FLORIDA TIMELINE

35 that would lead to gaming on Indian reservations nationwide and generate billions in revenue for the tribe. But in those early days, the tribe saw it as just another attempt to raise a little money. Chairman James Billie once told the Seminole Tribune: “(I) didn’t know if we would survive. If we didn’t, we planned to make the building a skating rink.” The building is now the Seminole Classic Casino, triple the size of the original and offering slots and table games and other entertainment in addition to bingo. It’s one of six tribe-owned casinos statewide (including the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee). That glimmering guiHUMBLE BEGINNING

tar hotel is just a short trip north

When it opened in 1979, the bingo hall in Hollywood was the first

on U.S. 441. The tribe doesn’t dis-

venture into gambling for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

close specifics on revenue figures,

1937

1942

State Legislature

Slot machines

overwhelmingly

confiscated in

repeals slot

Daytona Beach

legalization and bans slot machines

1950 Congressional committee investigates illegal gambling in Miami, leading to crackdown on underground casinos G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 35

PAGE

but Politico obtained a deposition from a court case in which the casino operations claimed to bring in $2.2 billion in 2015 alone. Nationwide, gaming on tribal lands generated $34.6 billion in fiscal year 2019, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission. After the success of the bingo hall, other tribes nationwide set up similar venues, testing state and federal law in the process. In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was established to provide some sort of framework for gaming on tribal lands. Types of games were divided into classes: Class I games were low-stakes, traditional gaming that were readily allowed; Class II were games like bingo and a lottery which, if they were legal in the surrounding state, could occur without regulation on tribal land; Class III were the most lucrative games typically found at Vegas casinos such as slot machines and blackjack, and could be allowed if the tribe and its surrounding state agreed upon them in a compact. As part of a compact, tribes would often agree to a revenue-sharing provision with the state worth millions or billions of dollars. By the way, casinos on tribal land are exempt from state taxes. The following years tested the relationship between the tribe and the state, which stalled on entering into a compact. This complicated the tribe’s efforts to expand its gaming offerings, but also saved it from entering into a revenue-sharing deal. It’s important to note that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act requires that net revenue from casinos is required to go back into the tribal community. For instance, the money from

FAST TRACK

the Seminole casinos goes toward education and health ser-

Legalized in 1931, dog racing in Florida

vices, tribal government operations, business development

ended its nearly 90-year run in 2020.

1970

1978

Small-stakes bingo

Amendment for

legalized

casinos in Dade and Broward counties fails; opposition led by Gov. Reubin Askew’s No Casinos organization

3 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2 0 2 1

Getty, Courtesy Florida Memory

HISTORY OF GAMBLING IN FLORIDA TIMELINE

37 and direct payments to the tribe’s 4,000-plus members. The success of the gambling operations over the last 40 years has helped pull the tribe out of abject poverty, said Jessica Cattelino, author of High Stakes: Florida Seminole

Gaming and Sovereignty. “It’s allowed people to live more comfortably and pursue the lives they wanted to lead,” she says. “It’s about the money, but it’s really about control of your destiny.” In a move that surprised many in the business world, the tribe purchased Hard Rock International and its restaurants, hotels, casinos and extensive memorabilia collection for $965 million in 2006. It meant the tribe had a presence in 44 countries around the world at the time. At a press conference in Times Square, then Vice Chairman Max Osceola Jr. said a now-famous line: "Our ancestors sold Manhattan for trinkets. Today, with the acquisition of the Hard Rock Cafe, we're going to buy Manhattan back one hamburger at a time."

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GREYHOUND While tribal gaming was flourishing, the pari-mutuels were suffering. The heyday of dog racing and jai alai was long gone. Other gambling options, including a state lottery introduced in 1986, had whittled business away. The fast-paced sport of jai alai had found a big following in the Miami area, in particular—but

1979

1984

Seminole Tribe

Offshore gambling

opens a high-

cruises, or so-called

stakes bingo hall

cruises to nowhere,

in Hollywood,

start to operate

defying the state’s $100 jackpot; U.S. Supreme Court eventually rules in favor of the tribe

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 37

PAGE

frontons (the facilities where the game is played) started closing in the ’90s and were not coming back. Only four professional frontons now exist in the United States. At its peak, settling in at the greyhound track was akin to a day at Disney. The industry cultivated a classy image, as celebrities including Frank Sinatra and Joe DiMaggio were commonplace at the tracks during their trips to Florida. By the late ’70s, 20 tracks operated in the state. The Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track opened in 1957, and the Hecht family, who owned the Flagler Dog Track in Miami, purchased the venue in 1972 and expanded it to accommodate 10,000 visitors. Attendance reached its peak in the late ’80s, then started to slow. Industrywide, popularity of dog racing started to dwindle in the ’90s, in part through uncovered instanc-

started to add poker rooms,” says Isadore Have-

es of abused and drugged dogs and a strong backlash

nick, whose family owns the Naples-Fort Myers

from animal rights activists. A report from the Associa-

facility in Bonita Springs. “We had to plan for

tion of Racing Commissioners International shows that

the future.”

bets on dog racing fell from $3.5 billion in 1991 to $500 million in 2014.

By the time Florida voters overwhelmingly banned dog racing in 2018, it wasn’t a surprise.

Track owners scrambled to find alternative forms of

"It was coming to a point where you could tell

revenue, and successfully lobbied the state to legalize

that it was close to the end or close to a cross-

low-stakes poker at pari-mutuel facilities in 1996. “We all

roads of some sort,” he says.

1986

1988

Voters reject

Congress approves

amendment for

Indian Gaming

casinos in hotels,

Regulatory Act,

but approve a state

setting standards

lottery

for tribal casinos nationwide

3 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2 0 2 1

Getty, Courtesy Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

HISTORY OF GAMBLING IN FLORIDA TIMELINE

39 The last race was May 3, 2020, an unceremonious end in the midst of a pandemic. Later that year, the family opened the Bonita Springs Poker Room fronting Bonita Springs Road. The new building features 37 poker tables, a room simulcasting horse racing and a Brass Tap restaurant. The family plans to keep the rest of the land, looking at opportunities for other development. So far, the poker room has been a success, starting to gain traction toward the end of tourist season and the waning days of the pandemic, Havenick said. Many of those coming are the longtime visitors to the track. “Thankfully, our customers have been loyal,” he says.

AGREEMENTS AND DISAGREEMENTS By the 2000s, the Seminole Tribe was still MAJOR BET

leading the way when it came to gambling

The Seminole Tribe of Florida had a press event Dec. 7,

in the state. After years of tense exchanges,

2006, top left, in New York City when it acquired Hard

the tribe and Gov. Charlie Crist came to an

Rock International. The $965 million purchase included

agreement on a compact that, among other

124 Hard Rock Cafes in 45 countries.

things, would allow for slot machines in casinos in 2007. But a delegation led by then state Sen. Marco Rubio took offense because it wasn’t run through the Legislature first.

1989

2005

Penny-ante poker

Voters narrowly

in private homes

approve slots at

allowed

Broward and MiamiDade pari-mutuel facilities

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 39

PAGE

The state Supreme Court sided with the legislators; the governor had to start from scratch. In 2010, a new deal was ratified that allowed for use of slots and banked card games such as blackjack in exchange for revenue sharing. The deal gave the tribe an opt-out on revenue sharing if pari-mutuel facilities also offered card games, something the tribe claimed did happen. In 2019, the tribe opted out. The state was out at least $350 million per year. The new compact approved earlier this year gives the tribe the right to build three new casinos and exclusive rights to operate craps and roulette. In exchange, the state receives $2.5 billion in revenue sharing over the first five years, and possibly $6 billion through 2030. The most controversial measure, however, is the arrangement that the tribe gets rights to online sports betting. After a Supreme Court decision in 2018, 31 states have legalized sports betting, many allowing for mobile apps to place bets. “[The tribe] recognized legal sports betting with a mobile component as an opportunity for the tribe to reinstate its revenue sharing with the State of Florida in exchange for additional gaming exclusivity,” spokesman Gary Bitner said via email. In Florida, players of age would be able to place bets anywhere in the state through the Hard Rock app. It also allows pari-mutuels

Online sports betting, above, may spark

the ability to partner with the tribe for their own branded app as

the next phase of gambling in Florida.

long as they share 40% of the profits. This could position the tribe

Top right, the Bonita Springs Poker Room

to command the emerging online gambling dollar in the state.

opened last year.

HISTORY OF GAMBLING IN FLORIDA TIMELINE

4 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2 0 2 1

2010

2012

Gov. Charlie Crist

Lee County joins

approves compact

other counties that

with Seminole Tribe

approve slots; state

after previous deal

Supreme Court later

struck down by

strikes down the

state Supreme Court

measure

Getty, Courtesy PBS Contractors, Courtesy Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound track

FUTURE WAGERING

The No Casinos organization says the sports betting measure violates a 2018 amendment passed by voters that required expansions of casino gambling to be approved by voters, and the Havenick family’s businesses filed a lawsuit in federal court asking a judge to block the implementation of sports betting. The tribe and Gov. DeSantis countered that the amendment doesn’t apply in this case because the servers that would track the bets are located on tribal lands. In another complication, online sports betting operators DraftKings and FanDuel announced they were behind a proposed amendment for 2022 that would put to voters whether to allow mobile sports betting in the state. Bitner called it a “political Hail Mary from out-of-state corporations” to undermine the compact and its revenue-sharing structure. If anything, the recent developments means the The Bureau of Indian Affairs declined to approve or deny the

turf war over Florida’s gambling dollar is entering a

compact during the mandatory 45-day federal review period, es-

new phase: The debate won’t just be about what can

sentially allowing it to go into effect. The tribe can start its sports

be done in physical locations in the state, but who

betting operations on Oct. 15. However, litigation is likely.

can establish a gambling empire online, as well.

2018 Voters approve ban on dog racing and an amendment that requires all expansions of casino gambling be

2021 Bureau of Indian Affairs allows new compact between the Seminole Tribe and Florida to go into effect

put to voters

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 41

Getty

JOHN GUERRA

4 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

PAGE

0 4

AND

COMPANIES

ALICO

INTERNATIONAL

STAKE

ROAD

CLAIMS

ALONG

CORRIDOR

I C O

Gutter Credit

I S I

N LOCAL

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 43

PAGE

NeoGenomics Laboratories. Rice Insulation & Glass. Scotlynn USA Division. White Cap Supply. What do these companies have in common? Each of them is building shiny new facilities near Alico Road, including at the new Alico Trade Center. The businesses are drawn to the Alico Road corridor because it quickly puts their goods on I-75 and en route to the rest of America’s interstate system. Alico Road also provides easy access to Southwest Florida International Airport and its passenger and cargo terminals. That also puts China and other Asian markets within reach. The companies have something else in common: Seagate Development Group is building their facilities using its design-build process that seeks to match the buildings’ designs to the companies’ missions. Seagate is the latest developer to market the Alico name. In March, it announced the creation of its Alico Trade Center, a 40-acre business park off Three Oaks Parkway and Oriole Road, which connects with Alico Road. The first corporate facility to be built at

PRIME LOCATION

Alico Trade Center will belong to Rice Insu-

Seagate Development Group completed construction last

lation & Glass. Seagate Development Group,

year on its two-story corporate headquarters at 9921

which is building the 35,000-square-foot facility, held a groundbreaking at the Trade

Interstate Commerce Drive. The building also serves as the corporate offices for Theory Design.

Center in June. Seagate bought the land in January with 4 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

0 4 5 "THE ALICO CORRIDOR IS A BOOMING INDUSTRIAL AREA, IN TERMS OF EASY ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT, I-75, OTHER PARTS OF LEE COUNTY AND ALL AREAS IN COLLIER COUNTY." — MATT PRICE,

Diana Todorova Photography, Courtesy Seagate Development

SEAGATE DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Seagate also just finished building the North American headquarters for Scotlynn USA. The 60,000-square-foot building, just off Three Oaks Parkway near Alico Road, is an 8-acre multinational transportation and logistics facility with a gym, cafeteria, walking track, indoor-outdoor recreational space and eating area, as well as private offices and collaboration centers. The building is created to keep workers happy and

an eye for design-build projects, which means it provides

productive, said Ryan Carter, vice president

both the design and construction services. Local business

of Scotlynn Group.

leaders and elected officials were on hand for the signature

“We all have to earn a living; why not do

moment. Matt Price—CEO and Partner at Seagate Devel-

it in an incredible facility while working

opment Group—says Rice’s facility will be completed in the

alongside incredible people?” he says. “That

fourth quarter of 2021.

is why we built a building with 93 large winGULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 45

PAGE MEDICAL MILESTONE NeoGenomics' new global headquarters off Alico Road at Interstate 75 is a 150,000-square-foot facility for administrative offices and laboratories.

dows so that there is tons of natural light

oratory. The first building will be a three-story space for

in the space; we have recreation areas with

corporate offices, while the second building will contain a

ping pong, billiards and comfortable loung-

75,000-square-foot wet and dry lab and a molecular lab for

ing areas. We have a full-court, outdoor bas-

physicians and technicians.

ketball court, as well as a large turf area for field sports.” White Cap’s 9.71-acre, 45,000-square-foot

“The Alico corridor is a booming industrial area, in terms of easy access to the airport, I-75, other parts of Lee County and all areas in Collier County,” Price says.

headquarters at 16542 Oriole Road—again,

Seagate is not the only company building along the Al-

just off Alico Road—broke ground in June

ico Road corridor, said John Talmage, director of the Lee

and is scheduled to be finished in the fourth

County Economic Development Office. “There are about 40 projects

quarter of 2021.

under construction, which represents about 8,500 jobs,” he says. “Fu-

White Cap’s unique mission to not only provide tools of every kind, but also cut

ture growth is expected to focus on warehousing and distribution, life sciences, as well as retail and office spaces.”

and bend rebar for concrete structures,

Other developers along the corridor include FL Star Development,

went into the building’s design, said Mikel

D-Squared Construction, GCM Contracting Solutions, CFS Roofing

J. Valett, district manager of White Cap’s

and others. “Southwest Florida International Airport has been a draw

Southwest Florida operations. The compa-

for business along the corridor,” says Robert Brown, CEO and founder

ny has 200 U.S. locations.

of GCM Contracting.

“We are developing a separate 18,000-

Alico Trade Center joins a list of other commercial sites already in

square-foot crane building, which will be

development along the corridor. Alico Road Business Park, minutes

open on all four sides,” Valett says. “We pur-

away from Gulf Coast Town Center and Florida Gulf Coast University,

chased the cranes, and Seagate is construct-

is home to Alico Commercial Group, which was in the Alico Road area

ing the building. We will provide all of the

before Seagate.

machines for the crane building for cutting

The 40-acre Alico Innovation, Technology, Enterprise, Commerce

and bending fabricated rebar for new con-

(ITEC) Park, under construction, will be home to Advanced Hurricane

struction, which we sell to commercial and

Technology, as well as another company that provides luxury vehicle

residential contractors.”

storage condos. Alico ITEC will also lease flex office/warehouse space.

Seagate is also the developer, construc-

Carter said Scotlynn also chose the Alico Road area for its proximity

tion manager and site contractor for

to workers. “We liked the location because of its central location to our

NeoGenomics’ new global headquarters—a

team members, who live in all areas of Lee County, as well as North Na-

150,000-square-foot, $60 million facility

ples,” he says. “From the design of the building to the location, we made

for administration and an expanded lab-

the decisions with a focus on what is best for our employees.”

4 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

More projects underway in the Alico corridor and adjacent areas

CLEVERTECH NORTH AMERICA LOCATED AT 16311 DOMESTIC AVE.,THIS SUBSIDIARY PROVIDES SOFTWARE AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR ITS AUTOMATED PROCESSING AND 0 4 7

PACKAGING SYSTEMS. PRAVADA LLC THE LOCAL MANUFACTURER OF SKINCARE PRODUCTS IS TRIPLING THE SIZE OF ITS BUSINESS BY EXPANDING TO FORT MYERS WITH A MANUFACTURING PLANT AND SHOWROOM AT 8820 BUSINESS PARK DRIVE. ALTA RESOURCES

GLOBAL REACH, LOCAL NEEDS Alico Trade Center is just one of many new com-

VIDER HAS BEGUN DEVELOPMENT ON ITS 97,000-SQUARE-FOOT BUILD-

mercial construction projects breaking ground

ING IN SKYPLEX. THE 1,150-

in what Lee County government officials and

ACRE PROPERTY AT 13200 PAUL J

regional planners call the Alico Road Corridor.

DOHERTY PARKWAY IS ZONED FOR

The area contains more than 8,500 acres of un-

MULTI-USE COMMERCIAL, LIGHT

improved land—room for construction.

INDUSTRIAL AND AVIATION DEVEL-

According to John Talmage, director of Lee

OPMENT. ALTA’S FACILITY WILL

County Economic Development Office, the

ACCOMMODATE 1,100 EMPLOYEES.

Alico Road corridor encompasses 26.3 square miles, including the Tradeport areas of Southwest Florida International Airport. County officials and business leaders support a 9-mile spur connecting Alico Road with State Road 82 at the intersection of Sunshine Bou-

Courtesy GL Homes Valencia Trails

THE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING PRO-

PREMIER AIRPORT PARK THE DISTRIBUTION PARK IS MOVING FORWARD WITH ITS BUILDING 3 AND 4, HAVING TENANTED BUILDING 2 WITH PHASE V.

levard. Not only would the new route greatly

KNOTT REALTY GROUP’S MERIDIAN

reduce congestion along Daniels Parkway and

CENTER, 10400 MERIDIAN CENTER

other roads, it would provide a path for com-

PARKWAY, IS MOVING FORWARD WITH

merce to reach shipping facilities and services

ITS SECOND BUILDING NOW THAT

at the RSW airport, Tradeport and Skyplex

PGT CUSTOM WINDOWS AND DOORS

commerce centers.

HAS TAKEN THE BALANCE OF THE SPACE IN BUILDING 1. GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 47

PAGE

0 4 "THERE ARE ABOUT

40 PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 8,500 JOBS."

out of Southwest Florida International Airport to Seattle and Los Angeles. It’s a 13-hour flight to markets in

— JOHN TALMAGE,

China and other Pacific Rim nations from those West Coast airports.

LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC

NeoGeonomics Labs has already made the leap to Chi-

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

na. “December 30 was an exciting day for NeoGenomics, as we got the keys to our new facility in Suzhou, China,”

The connector would also ease traffic flow to

George A. Cardoza, president of the company’s pharma

I-75, U.S. 41 and other arteries that connect to

services, told employees in January. “Suzhou is about 60

Southwest Florida International Airport and

miles from Shanghai and is the new home for NeoGenom-

the businesses of south Fort Myers. Residents of

ics’ newest laboratory facility.”

Lehigh Acres and other communities also would

Clevertech, too, has offices in China; its Asia-Pacific

have an easier commute to jobs once the connec-

subsidiary has two locations: one dedicated to finan-

tor is finished.

cial and sales functions in Shanghai, and a production site in Changshu.

aging partner at CRE Consultants, put it this way:

After a year in which COVID-19 slowed air travel, “We

“Geographically, Alico Road serves as a natural,

can’t overstate the fact that the international airport is

mid-Lee County, east-west corridor. Its location

the most successfully recovered airport in the country,”

with proximity to I-75 and RSW airport makes it

Talmage said, pointing to the planned $80 million air traf-

a very attractive centralized location in which to

fic control tower and $250 million terminal renovation at

do business and to connect with our existing and

the airport.

growing residential communities.” Quick access to I-75 also gives companies entry to the nation’s interstate system as well as flights

Companies that are expanding along the Alico Road corridor face another challenge: Finding employees to fill the jobs they are creating.

4 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Lee County Government, Seagate Development

Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli, a man-

CENTER OF CONSTRUCTION

CORPORATE CONNECTION

Seagate Development began work in June on the 35,000-square-foot headquarters for Rice Insulation & Glass, the first corporate facility built at Alico Trade Center.

Business leaders see the answer in the area’s quality high schools and Florida Gulf Coast University. While high schools prepare local students for college, FGCU is creating next-generation degrees to educate and train future employees of the Alico corridor—as well as other parts of Lee County. The goal is to create a qualified workforce, with as many graduate and post-graduate degree holders as are needed. In fact, half the employees in the Lee County Economic Development Office hold degrees from FGCU, Talmage said. FGCU business students polled Lee County businesses for its 2020-21 Lee County Executive Business Climate Survey. Respondents were asked about finding trained and skilled employees. Some 67% of the large firms said they had trouble finding qualified, professional employees in Lee County. Scotlynn also leverages the university’s skills. “The other main reason we chose that area is the proximity to FGCU and where the students live,” Carter says. “We are a major employer of both full-time employees and interns from the university, so making that commute as convenient as possible was critical in our selection of the Alico Road corridor.”

SCOTLYNN USA DIVISION INC. is a Canadian company specializing in hightech packaging and hauling of produce in refrigerated trucks. It transports time-sensitive vegetables from North American growers—including Belle Glade and other Florida locations—to markets throughout North America. GPS technology not only lets the company pinpoint the location of loads, but managers remotely monitor the temperature inside refrigerated holds to ensure loads aren’t spoiling. Scotlynn USA also leverages its shipping technology and route management to assist other companies with their products. “We are an asset-based, third-party logistics provider, meaning we manage freight for others through the use of our company-owned tractor trailers and the utilization of outside independent trucking companies,” says Ryan Carter, vice president of Scotlynn Group. NEOGENOMICS LABORATORIES is certainly a cancer research center, but that’s like saying Home Depot sells hammers. It does much more. The lab creates processes and tools for cancer diagnostics, as well as developing pharmaceuticals and processes for oncologists, pathologists, pharmaceutical companies, academic centers and others with innovative diagnostic, prognostic and predic-

tive testing. Lawrence M. Weiss, NeoGenomics chief medical officer, is credited with discovering the first molecular evidence linking the Epstein-Barr virus with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. RICE INSULATION & GLASS, in addition to insulation, specializes in all kinds of products for homeowners, home builders and commercial builders. You name it, they provide it for finish construction: shower doors and mirrors, shelving and storage, gutter installation, bathroom hardware, garage doors, fire-proofing and weather-proofing, and more. WHITE CAP SUPPLY is a North American distributor of specialty construction and safety products, with more than $4 billion in annual revenues. It merged with Construction Supply Group last year, which greatly increased its market share. The company sells tens of thousands of construction products, from diamond saw blades to cable lifelines, tool chests, gloves, adhesives, ladders, scaffolding, cleaning supplies—you name it, they have it, relying on 4,500 suppliers and representing such brands as 3M, Bosch, DeWalt, Husqvarna and Knaack.

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 49

PAGE

“Who would have thought that area would have turned into such a hot market for industrial?” says Randy ThiA DEVELOPING STORY

baut, CEO and founder of brokerage firm LSI Companies.

For more than a generation, the lands

Three Oaks Parkway, which runs north-south, allowed the

have stood vacant aside from some herds

Freemans to develop a residential community in San Carlos

of grazing cattle. When Jules Freeman

Park, south of Alico Road. All their lands north of Alico Road,

and his family moved from Miami to Fort

however, were a no-man's land for decades. That’s because

Myers in 1978, construction of South-

they were flyover territory, directly below the takeoff and

west Florida International Airport had

landing patterns for the airport.

yet to begin. Dirt roads spanned what’s

So for decades, the lands just sat there, zoned for agri-

now Daniels Parkway. Colonial Boule-

culture for the tax breaks, with cows grazing upon them.

vard pretty much represented the “edge

Until the cows were moved to make way for the litany of

of town” for Fort Myers.

corporate headquarters, medical offices and industrial

“It was in the middle of nowhere,” says

warehouses that have been built or are under construction.

Alan Freeman, one of Jules Freeman’s

“It has to be used for industrial, because if you have roof-

three sons. The three inspired the name

tops, people are going to complain,” Thibaut says of the noise

of “Three Oaks Parkway.” Now, the “mid-

of incoming and outgoing airplanes. “The unique thing about

dle of nowhere” is more than just the

this is the Freemans stayed there, and they executed on a re-

middle of somewhere; it’s the epicen-

gional plan all the way to now. The market came to them, and

ter of business and industrial growth in

they did things right. They set the stage for roads and the big

Southwest Florida.

picture. It’s a true success story of doing the right things. He

"WE LIKED THE LOCATION BECAUSE 0

OF ITS CENTRAL LOCATION TO OUR

5 1

TEAM MEMBERS, WHO LIVE IN ALL AREAS OF LEE COUNTY, AS WELL AS NORTH NAPLES.”

CORPORATE CONVERGENCE Seagate recently completed the North American headquarters

— RYAN CARTER,

for Scotlynn USA, left, and is scheduled to complete White Cap's new headquarters, above, off Alico Road this quarter.

SCOTLYNN GROUP

They include: Ț A Wawa gas station and convenience store had a vision, and his sons executed it. That’s a trademark of

that will be a 5,943-square-foot building.

the Freemans.”

There will be 16 fuel pumps on the 2.16-

Alan Freeman says he’s “just a guy participating in a

Courtesy Seagate Development, Courtesy Scotlynn Division USA

grand plan.”

acre site with direct access to Alico Road and two unnamed access roads.

“This is a high-growth area,” he says. “As people continue

Ț An Avid hotel, part of the British-based In-

to see that it’s a good business climate, it’s near a state univer-

tercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), that

sity, it’s near the water—it’s a great area to live in.”

will have 119 rooms on a 2.56-acre site.

The 2020 U.S. Census showed the combined population of

The building will be four stories and 52,231

Lee and Collier counties eclipsing the 1,000,000 mark. That

square feet. It will have direct access to the

boost in people provided a boost in that value to Freeman’s

two new roads, tentatively named Brian

lands. Freeman has had a hand as either an owner or a facili-

Song Lane and Hilsman Lane.

tator in 650 acres near I-75 and Alico Road.

Ț Best Home Services, a 62,688-square-foot

“This is not your grandmother’s Southwest Florida, let’s

light industrial/office building on a 19.95-

put it that way,” Freeman says. “We’re still trying to make the

acre site, that will be on the northern end

dream happen.”

of Three Oaks Parkway.

It definitely has been happening. In addition to the con-

“What was the middle of nowhere is no lon-

struction of corporate headquarters for various companies,

ger the middle of nowhere,” Alan Freeman says.

other projects are in the permitting phases of development.

— David Dorsey GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 51

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021

P A G E 52

52 GULFSHORE BUSINESS O J AC N TO UB A ER R Y 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

A PIECE OF THE ACTION P L U S ES A N D P I T FA L L S I N L AU N C H I N G A FRANCHISE By John Guerra

The first known franchises were kings and nobles who granted local peasants protection of the castle and the right to farm outside castle walls. The serfs gave a portion of their crops to the landowner in exchange for permission to farm. “The kings and parishioners said this was a pretty good deal, protection of the castle in exchange for royal tithes, which became the word ‘royalties,’” says Robert L. Purvin Jr., CEO of the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers. The AAFD represents the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers in the United States.

Gulfshore Business asked successful—and sometimes not so successful—Southwest Florida franchise owners to describe their experiences. The primary takeaway, they said, is that stone parapets and royal accountants have been replaced with gleaming corporate headquarters and lawyers who design franchise agreements that aren’t always in the best interest of franchisees. For instance, franchise companies come with economies of scale, which means franchisees can buy everything from cleaning supplies to employee uniforms to food products and menu ingredients at a volume discount. Likewise, the cost of the company’s national advertising and marketing campaigns But store owners bound by franchise agreements Getty

Gutter Credit

can be shared among hundreds of store owners. often can’t negotiate better prices for goods and GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 53

A PIECE OF THE ACTION

GULFSHORE BUSINESS

services. “When you buy a franchise, you become a captive buyer

P A G E 54

sources dictated by the franchisor. They wield their authority to

for what they sell you,” Purvin says. “Franchisees have to buy from dictate and profit from that source of supply.”

E V E RYO N E ’ S C AU T I O N A RY TA L E Nearly every expert we spoke to pointed to Quiznos and its rapid decline between 2007 and 2017. The collapse of the company allegedly led one

EIGHT THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY

California franchise owner to take his life. He blamed the company in his

1. Is the franchising company

suicide note, which fellow Quiznos franchisees posted online.

primarily interested in distributing

The company’s franchise agreement required franchisees to buy high-priced food, ingredients and paper goods from American Food Distributor, a subsidiary of Quiznos’ corporate office. During the same period, Quiznos set the price for sandwiches and other menu items too high for customers, which franchisees said also cut into profitability. A

products and services to ultimate consumers, or is it more interested in selling franchises? 2. Is the franchising company dedicated to franchising as its primary mechanism of product and

group of 28 Wisconsin Quiznos franchisees sued the company for hin-

service distribution?

dering profitability.

3. Is the franchising company

And the numbers bear that out: American Food Distributor (Quiznos Inc.) took in $500 million in 2006 while over time, the 4,700 Quiznos locations had shrunk to fewer than 400 stores, a loss of 90%. “Those 4,700 locations averaged just $400,000 in revenue a year. “The high food costs

producing and marketing quality goods and services for which there is an established market demand? 4. Does the franchisor have a wellaccepted trademark?

made it tough for them to make a profit,” Restaurant Business Online re-

5.Does the franchisor have a well-

ported. Scores of Quiznos sub shops closed in Southwest Florida.

established, well-designed business

“Quiznos is a perfect example,” Purvin says. “They destroyed their franchise by abuse of the supply chain.” FINDING FRANCHISE FITS There’s a lot of investment money floating around Naples, Fort Myers

plan and marketing system that includes and promises substantial and complete training and overall franchisee support? 6.Does the franchisor have and prize good relationships with its

and other SWFL communities. Naples alone is home to at least six bil-

franchisees?

lionaires and, according to Cityinfo.com, 12,000 households made up

7.Does the franchisor provide sales

of millionaires. If one is considering a franchise, “The first thing I would suggest is to talk to other franchisees in that concept,” says Michael Koroghlian, Dunkin' franchisee. “They will tell you the truth.”

and earnings projections, and other financial performance data which demonstrates an attractive return on investment? 8.Does the franchisor support the

Koroghlian is just one of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of

protections set forth in the AAFD’s

SWFL investors who devote their wealth, time and honor to their

Franchisee Bill of Rights and agree

franchises—only a sliver of which are restaurants, by the way. Fran-

to respect these rights as they apply

chise.com lists plenty of non-food franchise opportunities in SWFL, and the cost associated with getting into each: Dickey’s Barbecue Pit ($100,000), Minuteman Press ($50,000), The UPS Store ($75,000),

to your franchise? (Source: American Federation of Franchises and Dealers)

MaidPro ($75,000), as well as numerous tax services, medicinal 5 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

MICHAEL KOROGHLIAN, Dunkin’ franchisee “Dunkin’ does a great job watching out for the franchisee; their priority is to ensure we are profitable, which helps them build their brand.”

HOLE IN ONE Naples resident Michael Koroghlian has built three Dunkin' locations in the Naples

Courtesy Dunk'n

area and four in Fort Myers, and plans to launch another six in the area.

marijuana outlets, auto repair shops, home

the United States. McDonald’s, for instance, might require a $45,000

health care services … name it, it’s franchised.

fee to get in, but franchisees must find between $1.1 million to $2.2

That list also includes a distinctive fran-

million to lease or construct the “Mcbuilding,” buy signage and cover

chise for regions such as SWFL that abut large

other costs, such as paper goods, uniforms, beef, buns and more in-

swaths of the natural world, i.e., the Everglades.

gredients. There are additional required costs, too, when McDonald’s

It’s called Critter Control ($50,000), the only

Corp. adjusts its product line, including upgrades to IT systems and

wildlife management firm with offices coast-to-

that state-of-the art digital menu board. Bloomberg News lists a few

coast. “When it comes to nuisance wildlife,” its

of the items McDonald’s franchisees have purchased on directions

blurb goes, “homeowners, businesses and mu-

from the home office. (See sidebar, p. 57)

nicipalities choose the professionals at Critter

Koroghlian and other SWFL franchise operators recommend

Control nuisance wildlife control to help protect

studying the latest version of the company’s Franchise Disclosure

their property.”

Document (FDD), which details the franchisee’s rights and obliga-

An initial franchise fee, of course, does not represent the true cost of running a franchise in

tions, as well as expected costs and other requirements. The International Franchise Association said the FDD should deGULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 55

A PIECE OF THE ACTION DUNKIN’ AND DEVELOPIN’ WORLD’S TOP 10

Michael Koroghl-

He then sold

The Quiznos

GLOBAL FRANCHISES

ian of Naples re-

those units to the

debacle illustrates

( BY REVENUE ) BASED

searched Dunkin’

largest Dunkin’

the need for fran-

IN THE UNITED STATES

Donuts, now

franchisee in the

chise agreements

referred to simply

world, but real-

that are benefi-

1. McDonald’s

as Dunkin’, before

ized he was too

cial to both sides,

2. Kentucky Fried Chicken

he bought his first

young to retire,

Koroghlian said.

3. Burger King

one in Fort Lau-

he said. He moved

4. 7-Eleven

derdale in 2007.

to Naples, and

great job watching

5. Domino’s

now owns more

out for the fran-

a decade as an

than two dozen

chisee; their pri-

investment banker

Dunkin’s, includ-

ority is to ensure

in Manhattan, he

ing 16 in South-

we are profitable,

wanted his own

west Florida and

which helps them

business. “I just

the ones in the

build their brand,”

loved Dunkin’ Do-

Keys. Incidentally,

he says. “The

nuts while I was at

he didn’t know it

corporate peo-

Boston College,”

at the time, but

ple and I have a

the businessman

his first employ-

relationship as

says. “I found one

ee in Fort Lau-

good as I’ve seen

store for sale in

derdale, Kassie,

in any franchise

Fort Lauderdale

would become his

relationship.”

1. Subway: 21,975*

and decided to

wife. She works

2. McDonald’s: 13,837

take a chance. It

local causes,

ian has built three

3. 7-Eleven: 9,358

was an old loca-

spreading the

Dunkin’s in Na-

4. Burger King: 7,237

tion right on Fort

word about water

ples, four in Fort

5. Pizza Hut: 6,676

Lauderdale Beach,

safety and kids,

Myers and plans

and it was about

for instance.

to build another

6. Ace Hardware Corp. 7. Century 21 8. Papa John’s 9. Taco Bell 10. Pizza Hut (Source: Franchisedirect.com)

BUT WHEN RANKED BY NUMBER OF U.S. STORES, THE ORDER CHANGES

6. Domino’s: 6,355 7. Papa John’s: 4,456 8. KFC: 3,980 9. Ace Hardware: 3,500 10. Century 21: 3,500 (Source: Businessinsider.com) *In the United States, Subway’s 21,975 restaurants make it No. 1 in number of units, but it is privately owned, while McDonald’s is publicly traded. That, and the fact that Subway is losing ground every year, takes Subway out of the top U.S. franchise list. Subway is the most franchised business in the world, however, with 42,000 locations.

After spending

“Dunkin’ does a

to shut down. “I gutted it, did

Though Koroghl-

Koroghlian

six, the corporate

would not have

Dunkin’ office has

a complete reno-

committed to

final call on where

vation on it, and

Dunkin’ if he

they can open.

made it look brand

didn’t trust the

“You don’t want

new,” Koroghlian

corporate offic-

stores opening

says. “It turned

es as a business

up on top of each

out to be a great

partner. And a

other,” he says.

store. I contin-

commitment it is.

“Dunkin’ looks at

ued to grow from

“It doesn’t stop,”

every deal to min-

there and wound

he says. “The

imize or ensure it

up buying or

minute my stores

has zero impact

building another

close, we start

on another fran-

25 stores in Bro-

making donuts,

chisee.”

ward County.”

close to 20,000 every day.”

5 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

GULFSHORE BUSINESS

scribe, among other things, the

P A G E 57

biographies of the corporate officers, including any criminal or civil legal action against them. The booklet (Dunkin’s is 680 pages) also must clearly delineate fees

get with it, that translates into extremely

and other costs as well as territory,

positive customer response.”

trademarks, patents, advertising,

Lyons, new to dry cleaning (he was

the obligations of the franchisee

a resort development consultant) re-

and when the home office can step

searched Tide Dry Cleaners’ operations,

in. It creates guardrails for both

to see what it takes to run one of the

home office and franchisee, so

units. “I was not on the operating side of

study it carefully.

dry cleaning, but that’s why franchises

Experts also recommend prospective operators talk to an attorney who specializes in franchise contracts. After all, Purvin says, “The franchisor has a cadre of lawyers.”

have platforms and processes in place to succeed,” he says. The company is not your parents’ dry cleaners. In addition to being environmentally friendly (no petrochemicals), it allows a customer to place an order using a smartphone app and be notified

MCBUILDING COSTS Create Your Taste kiosks ($125,000) McCafe espresso machines ($13,000) Muffin equipment ($4,500) All-day breakfast equipment ($500 to $5,000) Interior makeovers including upgrades to digital menu boards ($600,000)

BUILDING ON BRAND

when clothes are ready for pickup at a

AWA R E N E S S

store or have been delivered to a locker

Robert Lyons is president and

in the building where they live or work.

CEO of Consolidated Cleaners

According to Lyons, Consolidated’s 13

Inc., which operates more than a

Tide Dry Cleaning stores—in such areas

dozen Tide Dry Cleaners stores—a

as Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Sarasota,

new franchise concept created by

Delray Beach and elsewhere—not only serve individual customers, but also

Proctor & Gamble Co., which, of

dry clean and deliver linen, uniforms and other items for restaurants, coun-

course, develops Tide detergent

try clubs, health clubs, office buildings and other business clients.

Complete restaurant remodels ($1 million to $2 million)

and other familiar home products. He and his two business partners wanted to franchise a

Franchise agreements often require the investor be heavily involved in run-

brand that everyone could in-

ning the operation; when several invest, as in Consolidated’s case, one inves-

stantly recognize.

tor becomes the operations guy. He or she, in turn, must hire and train man-

“Most franchises start as a burg-

Courtesy Quiznos, McDonald's

THE RIGHT PEOPLE ARE KEY

agers for new stores.

er place; no one knows anything

“I’m the operating partner; you’re not going to put in money and the fran-

about the product,” Lyons says.

chise will operate itself,” Lyons says. “I spent the first two years working the

“With Tide, you have extreme

front counter and making it my own. It helped us develop our customer ser-

brand recognition. It’s been a pop-

vice philosophy.”

ular product almost 70 years. The smell and the quality of clean you

That gave him the framework to train managers to open, and run, additional units. GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 57

A PIECE OF THE ACTION

GULFSHORE BUSINESS P A G E 58

“We have five general managers who started in our first store in Naples,” he says. “It allows us to grow quicker, develop our management talent and open other locations, with confidence. Nineteen of our managers come from within our organization.” “The No. 1 thing, without great people you’re not going any-

where,” Koroghlian agrees. “I have employees from Fort Lauderdale who have moved their whole families and been with me for many, many years. It’s an unbelievable team that has allowed us to grow.” A FRANCHISE MISFIRE Ralph Desiano, the well-known and respected owner of Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar in Estero, has played in the franchise equivalent of the Major Leagues. His Corkscrew Road location is now his only restaurant, and he says he couldn’t be happier. “I started a family and like being closer to home with some time on my hands,” Desiano says. “I’m also blessed to have the best general manager in this market. He performs at a high level, and he manages some solid folks, too.” After opening his first Flatbread in 2009 and then growing the company operations to five units (including two in Tulsa, Oklahoma), he sought to open a franchise in Sarasota. Again, he is no rookie when it comes to managing franchises. He was vice president of operations for Pizzeria Uno overseeing company and franchise locations, and then chief operations

ROBERT LYONS,

officer of Briad Group, the largest TGI Fridays franchise organization in

Tide Dry Cleaners franchisee

the country. In spite of all that experience, his one attempt at franchising his own brand didn’t work. The problem: an inexperienced investor who insisted on running operations. “It was an absolute disaster,” he says. “The only way I would sign the deal was that the franchisee would hire a team of experienced restaurant

“I was not on the operating side of dry cleaning, but that’s why franchises have platforms and processes in place to succeed.”

managers and then have them go through the complete training program. Then days before opening, he fired the entire management team, brought his brother down and he and his brother started to run it. You can guess the rest of the story, absolute disaster.” Desiano now has time to focus on his flagship Estero location, with its greaseless kitchen and cutting-edge cooking equipment. His enhancements—including Clicquot and other quality wines, bottomless mimosas and a menu filled with shaved top sirloin, “drunken shrimp” and other artistic culinary items, has earned him a No. 1 rating on TripAdvisor. He plans to install a self-service tap wall, where customers can wave a smartphone app or key fob over a sensor that activates tap handles that dispense specialty beer, wine and cocktails. The wall will dispense non-alcoholic beverages, too, including nitro coffee and kombucha drinks. Customers also can order the same items from their waiter. 5 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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PIECE OF THE PIE No rookie when it comes to managing franchises, Ralph Desiano faced issues when he attempted to franchise his Naples Flatbread concept.

POINTS IN THE

“We’re about to do some interest-

as, unallied franchise organizations like

ing things in the next month,” Desiano

AAFD can provide advice on the pathway

says, “because I have time now to intro-

to franchising.

duce them.”

OF RIGHTS The right to equity in the franchised business, including the

But don’t count Desiano out of grow-

you seek legal counsel experienced in ad-

ing again. “I am hopeful we can get back

vising franchisees to help you to review

out there and show the merits of a Na-

and negotiate any franchise opportunity,”

ples Flatbread franchise.”

Purvin says. “Our members can receive

The right to engage in

free initial legal consultations.”

a trade or business,

R E AC H O U T F O R S U P P O R T

Courtesy The Water School

“The AAFD strongly recommends that

FRANCHISEE BILL

Purvin, author of the book The Fran-

right to meaningful market protection

including a posttermination right to

“Our proudest achievement is the devel-

chise Fraud, recommends prospective

opment of our franchising standards,”

franchisees research the ins and outs of

says Purvin of the American Association

franchises, information and data that is

of Franchisees and Dealers, which was

easily found on the Internet. The AAFD’s

founded during a business conference in

“Franchisee Bill of Rights” is a good place

Naples three decades ago. “Franchisors

to start, he says. Some of the 14 points in

The right to

want you to pay a royalty burden, they

the Bill of Rights are listed at the right.

competitive sourcing

compete The right to trademark protection

of inventory, product,

tell you they have a brand people love,

The franchise business model has been

they tell you, ‘We have buying power, we

around for centuries, but multiple supply

save you money,’ but is the home office

channels, expensive marketing programs

really doing what it can to see that you

and complex legal agreements make for

succeed?”

tricky ground. Study the Franchise Dis-

franchise agreement

The AAFD and other independent fran-

closure Document carefully, ask franchi-

for reasonable and

chise support groups maintain a list of

sees what they think and connect with

lawyers and experts to answer questions

experts before taking the leap.

from prospective investors. Though fran-

“Owning and operating a franchise is

chisees create their own regional support

not for everyone,” Desiano says. “The re-

organizations, such as the Sam Houston

wards are great, but the hours are long.

McDonald’s Franchise Group in Tex-

You become part of a company family.”

service and supplies The reciprocal right to terminate the

just cause, and the right not to face termination, unless for cause

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ADVERTISING & PR FIRMS p. 73

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SPONSORED CONTENT

2021

BI D I S T H E DR I V I NG FORC E F O R F I F T H AV E N U E When it comes to leadership and love of

Joseph McCabe, BID Treasurer and Vice

community, the Fifth Avenue South Business

President of Project Development at Gulf Coast

Improvement District (BID), and especially the

Commercial Corporation, a family-owned business

BID’s board of directors, serves as a role model for

with extensive real estate holdings throughout

Naples.

Representing the interests of Fifth Avenue’s 220

Jerrilyn Hoffmann, co-owner of Hoffman

businesses and property owners, the BID develops

Commercial Real Estate, a significant investor in

and executes creative marketing campaigns to

Fifth Avenue South and owner of key properties up

attract local residents and tourists to dine, shop,

and down the Avenue.

work and live on iconic Fifth. The BID also attracts

Jarred Kaplan, Managing Partner of Provident

top flight businesses to locate on Fifth, builds

Jewelry, long-time Fifth Avenue South business

partnerships with other organizations to further

and recognized leader in the jewelry industry.

economic growth and community involvement

Nancy MacDonald, Associate Broker at Fifth

and works closely with public officials to assure

Avenue’s Coldwell Banker office, specializing in

that Fifth Avenue is the best it can be.

investment properties and the sale and leasing of

The driving force for promoting and enhancing

office and retail space.

Fifth Avenue, the BID also helps businesses

Eric Tancredi, a Managing Partner and General

weather crises, like hurricanes, economic declines

Manager of Vergina Restaurant & Bar, one of

and more recently Covid by staying united, positive

Naples’ premier restaurants and nightclubs.

and solution-oriented.

Overseeing the day-to-day operations is Executive

Established in 2010, the BID is funded through

Director Bruce Barone, Jr. An architect by

a self-imposed tax by businesses and property

training, Barone is an experienced real estate and

owners in partnership with local government to

marketing executive as well. He recently attended

cover the cost of the BID’s efforts. The BID is led

Harvard’s School of Design Executive Education

by a dynamic Board of Directors, including:

Program where he studied urban retail policy and

Christopher Shucart, BID President and

design.

President of JCS Realty Group, a firm with

Fo r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w.

more than 50 years of experience in real estate

FifthAvenueSouth.com.

development and property investment. Jeff Wynn, BID Vice President and President of Wynn Properties, with significant commercial real estate, development and management experience.

B I D F I F T H AV E N U E S O U T H 649 Fifth Avenue South Naples, FL 34102 239-692-8436 www.ififthavenuesouth.com

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Chris Shucart

Joseph McCabe

Jared Kaplan

Nancy MacDonald

Jeff Wynn

Eric Tancredi

Bruce Barone

Jerrilyn and David Hoffman

SPONSORED CONTENT

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2021

MILLENNIUM PH YSIC I A N GROU P The Team at Millennium Physician Group’s Center for Breas t Health

Supporting a woman at possibly one of the

familiar, and comforting, to patients calling and

hardest moments in her life is challenging, but

visiting the Center. Helping to educate patients,

also exceptionally gratifying.

as well as put their minds at ease in the office

“Everyone who works here has an extreme

and in the OR, Medical Assistant Bridgette

compassion and understanding,” says Breast

Rieck, CST/MA, is also Dr. Partain’s first assist

Surgeon Natalia Spinelli Partain, M.D., Director

in the operating room.

of Millennium Physician Group’s Center for

“We are fortunate to have a team who not

Breast Health. “We know that this is a very

only meets you in that first visit but is part of

difficult time, so we want to make this part as

it through each step of the journey, including

easy as possible.”

when surgery’s finished, the post-operative

Creating a practice from the perspective of

period as well,” explains Dr. Partain. “It helps

the patient was how Dr. Partain envisioned the

with the continuity of care afterward that they

Center for Breast Health, and how she formed

see a familiar face every time, who actually

the team that helps patients build trust, form

knows the reason why they are here, their

connections, and find confidence. “I want our

treatment, what they have been going through,

patients to come and feel that they can leave

and what needs to happen to get them to the

everything up to us to help them navigate

next step.”

through their journey.” From that first connection, the moment a patient calls the Center, possibly after receiving a diagnosis of cancer, they are going to hear the friendly voice of front desk and receptionist Marina Zupan. Her face and voice become

C E N T E R F O R B R E A S T H E A LT H 13813 Metro Parkway, Suite C Fort Myers, FL 33912 239-215-4101 www.MillleniumPhysician.com

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SU NSH I N E AC E H A R D WA R E The Faces of Su ns hine Ace Hardware B2B Sales Team For more than 60 years, Sunshine Ace Hardware has been family owned in Southwest Florida. Over the last 5 years, Sunshine doubled its store footprint to now include a total of 12 locations from Marco Island to Tampa. The continued growth has resulted in a continuous expansion of leadership opportunities, the latest of which are two new District Manager roles. In addition to Sunshine’s unique hardware stores with fishing tackle and gift shops, Sunshine has been growing it’s B2B business. The B2B sales team utilizes Sunshine’s legendary service and expert knowledge to help businesses find products to make them more. Sunshine’s growing commercial segment also includes a full assortment of paint products for virtually any project or budget. With the best advice and products from Benjamin Moore and PPG, they have what you need. Soon Sunshine Ace Handyman Services will be launching in Lee and Collier counties. This new venture will bring Sunshine’s trusted knowledge of home repair into customers’ homes. Sunshine has recently hired the top leadership position of this division and we are looking for technicians with carpentry and small home repair experience. By putting customers first, and living our values, we have been blessed with continued opportunities to serve the growing Southwest Florida community.

Clockwise from top to bottom left: Celia Rodriguez, Jason Falcone, Serina Gomez, Michael Wynn, Dan Miles, Juan Jiminez

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SUNSHINE ACE HARDWARE

Naples, Marco Island, East Naples, Golden Gate Bonita Springs, San Carlos, Port Charlotte, Kingsway & Largo SunshineAce.com

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 67

SPONSORED CONTENT

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2021

G U S T AV O BOTU R A The Face of Elite Jets Gustavo’s journey to Elite Jets started with a college internship for a company that manufactures landing gear, followed by a series of promotions at Embraer, a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer. As part of Elite Jets’ launch team in 2016, Gustavo’s first order of business as executive charter consultant was arranging the purchase and delivery of five luxury Embraer jets valued at more than $50 million. The ecofriendly jets boast a best-in-class carbon footprint and feature amenities like highspeed Wi-Fi, personalized temperature controls, recliner-like leather massaging seats and a digital entertainment system to watch movies, TV shows and news. Today, as Elite Jets’ director of client services, Gustavo leads a high-performing department that fosters B2B partnerships with successful companies and jet-setting corporate executives. He creates custom, VIP experiences for affluent business and leisure travelers. If you ever need a private jet for a business trip or weekend getaway, or a helicopter for a sightseeing tour, Gustavo should be your first call!

ELITE JETS CHARTERS

120

125 Aviation Drive South Naples, FL 34104 (239) 900-9000 EliteJets.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

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2021

JOHN SLAVIK, WENDY POMELLA, ZINNY SCHLIPSTEIN, MARIA MICHALUP, JIM WEISS, DENISA SINANI, JESSICA TRESSLER The Faces of Fifth Third Bank Celebrating 30 Years of Ser vice to South Florida Customers and Communities

Thirty years ago, Fifth Third Bank began its journey

“Our employees are the heart of the Bank– they are the

to service its Midwest clients with only one location in

heroes who continue to keep the customer at the center of

Naples.

everything we do while taking care of the communities we

Today, under the leadership of Jim Weiss, regional

serve”, said Regional President, Jim Weiss.

president , the bank has over 75 locations throughout

“We are humbled to have served South Florida for 30

the South Florida region with a plan to add several more

years and look forward to serving our customers and the

locations over the next few years.

community for many more.” FIFTH THIRD BANK (239) 207-3856 www.53.com Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

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SUSAN L. SUAREZ

2021

The Face of The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center The Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey

half a million SWFL students, teachers and visitors.

D. Cohen Education Center is celebrating its 20th

The Museum offers a wide range of age-appropriate

Anniversary. The Museum’s mission is to teach the

Education courses in person and online, Teacher

lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against

Workshops, and PopUp Museums. Sponsorships of

bigotry, hatred and violence. Inspired by a local

these programs are available. For more information,

middle school’s classroom project on the Holocaust, its

please contact Susan Suarez at Susan@HMCEC.org or

Education Outreach Programs have impacted nearly

239-263-9200

T H E H O LO C A U S T M U S E U M & C O H E N E D U C AT I O N C E N T E R 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Suite108 Naples, FL 34110 (239) 263-920 www.HMCEC.org

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2021

Front:

DR. NAGESH RAVIPATI, DR. VALERIE DYKE, DR. FIA YI Back: DR. JEFFREY NEALE, DR. JANETTE GAW The Faces of The Colorectal Institute For more than 20 years the surgeons of The Colorectal

technology and a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate

Institute have been caring for patients in Southwest

and treat diseases such as colon cancer, rectal cancer and

Florida. A colorectal surgeon is an expert in the surgical

diverticulitis.

treatment of colon and rectal diseases. Each of our

In June of 2020, Dr. Valerie Dyke, Dr. Janette Gaw,

surgeons has completed a general surgery residency and

Dr. Nagesh Ravipati and Dr. Jeff Neale welcomed Dr.

then a colorectal surgery fellowship. This is an additional

Fia Yi to the group. Dr. Yi has over 10 years of surgical

year of advanced training specializing in colonoscopy and

experience, specializing in robotic colon surgery and the

the treatment of all conditions of the colon and rectum.

treatment of fecal incontinence utilizing the Medtronic

All the surgeons of The Colorectal Institute are Board

InterStim Therapy System. We are happy to continue

Certified in Colon and Rectal Surgery. In addition to

our commitment to the Southwest Florida community

treating minor conditions such as hemorrhoids and

by expanding the care we provide with Dr. Yi’s special

rectal bleeding, they also utilize the latest surgical

expertise.

T H E C O LO R E C TA L I N S T I T U T E Fort Myers Office: 13770 Plantation Road, Suite 2 Cape Coral Office: 2721 Del Prado Blvd. S., Suite 210 Bonita Springs Office: 24600 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 500 (239) 275-0728 | Fax: (239) 275-6947 www.the colorectalinstitute.com

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Advertising & PR Firm Guide

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ADVERTISING & PR FIRMS GUIDE

SPONSORED CONTENT

n 10th-century China, the mythological Dragon Horse appeared as a powerful omen of future success. The Dragon Horse is said to have emerged from the mist of the Yellow River carrying a map on his back, ascended to the altar, laid down the map, and returned to the river. Welcome to Dragon Horse. Dragon Horse Agency is an original industry disruptor as one of the first global ad agencies to identify the value and the necessity of an integrated business and marketing strategy delivering customized solutions to clients via its proprietary solution, DragonONE. Dragon Horse Agency specializes in all forms of Marketing, Public Relations, and Business Consulting, providing customized end-to-end solutions to our partners. Dragon Horse Agency is a next-generation, avant-garde, agency integrating the synergies of business, marketing analytics, and strategy. This powerful solution called DragonONE leverages our industry-leading A.I. called DragonIQ and provides digital and social media analytics with DragonVISION. Dragon Horse Agency offers a highly experienced team of creative architects and business strategist with over 60 plus cumulative years of multi-award-winning, results-driven successes founded on professional business experience, investing, and advertising. 120

Leverage Dragon Horse Agency’s business strategists and creative writers, creators, designers, technicians, digital/social media experts, camera and film professionals, tv/radio/print producers, media buyers, brand managers, analysts, and more, all within one company, dedicated to supporting your growth and success. Contact Dragon Horse Agency today for a complimentary consultation.

DRAGON HORSE AGENCY 848 1ST AVE NORTH, SUITE 200, NAPLES, FL 34102 999 VANDERBILT BEACH RD, SUITE 200, NAPLES, FL 34109 239.325.5088//305-306-3992 INFO@DRAGONHORSEAGENCY.COM WWW.DRAGONHORSEAGENCY.COM INTEGRITY | EXCELLENCE | EXPERIENCE | EXECUTION

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TURN ON YOUR BRAND Innovative, creative and solution-driven marketing strategies light the way to brand success. For nearly 30 years, Priority Marketing has been providing just that, achieving bright results for clients across Southwest Florida.

MARKETING • ADVERTISING • PUBLIC RELATIONS • WEB DEVELOPMENT DIGITAL MARKETING • VIDEO PRODUCTION • EVENT MANAGEMENT 239.267.2638 | PRIORITYMARKETING.COM With 40+ in-house solution-driven professionals, we are the only marketing PARTNER you will ever need… now and for the life of your brand! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

THE TALENT & EXPERTISE BEHIND BRAND SUCCESS Marketing is behind-the-scenes work. You see ads, websites, and other examples of marketing everywhere you look, but what does it take to create those communications? Who are the people behindthe-scenes? It takes many different types of professionals working together to achieve outstanding marketing results. Most people think of the creative professionals such as graphic designers, copywriters and video editors, but there are also many brilliant minds who develop the strategy, negotiate media buys, manage budgets, pitch news stories, coordinate vendors and analyze the performance of each brand’s marketing efforts. Right here in Southwest Florida, there is ONE agency that stands above the rest for its size and depth of expertise. Priority Marketing, founded nearly 30 years ago by President and Senior Creative Director Teri Hansen, now employs a tribe of more than 40 marketing professionals. While individuals on this team have many unique talents individually, it’s their combined expertise that creates extreme value for Priority Marketing’s clients. From small businesses and large corporations to nonprofits and government organizations, Priority Marketing serves brands across a vast array of industries each with custom projects developed

to achieve specific outcomes. This is possible because the agency focuses on research and strategy before diving into precise tactical execution. From new brand development and public relations to creative collateral design and video production to digital marketing and website development, Priority Marketing combines creativity and logic to build targeted marketing programs that drive results. It’s the reason this agency is honored with regional, state, national and international awards every year. So, while you might not see the team members’ names on the advertisements, news articles and brochures they create, Priority Marketing’s work is everywhere, and the clients’ brands are in the spotlight – which is what it’s all about! Learn more about the Priority Marketing team and see samples of their work at www.PriorityMarketing.com.

Normalcy has its place. But when your business needs breakthrough, high-level thinking and ideas to propel it to the next level, normal is the LAST thing you need. It’s when you need US. That’s our sweet spot. It’s what we do everyday, where we thrive, and when we’re of maximum value and impact to our clients.

A rare collection of misfits and maverick marketers. We’re an assembly of quirky wordsmiths, strategic sticklers, high-tech hedonists, and artistic, design divas. Media maestros, PR perfectionists, and OCD-stricken account managers. We’re passionate, off-bubble idea people who pool their skills, driven by the belief that a creative solution to a client’s challenge is all that matters.

We’re idea alchemists.

Great ideas can originate anywhere…the secret is recognizing, refining, and focusing them in the right direction. Wendy’s iconic ‘Where’s The Beef?’ campaign line was first uttered by a receptionist, overheard by a creative director, recognized for its potential, and turned into marketing gold. Ideas are our ultimate raw material, and we’re always digging for them.

We’ve evolved. Over the past 35 years, we’ve become much more than simply an ‘Ad Agency’ or a ‘Marketing Firm’. More accurately, we’re a creatively driven, strategic ‘boutique’ that helps businesses and brands ascend, and distance themselves from the pack. The architecture of how we accomplish this is vast and varied, depending greatly on the nuances of each client’s specific challenge. No two clients are ever the same, and no two solutions can be, either.

Why the evolution? It’s our response to the world around us. Our clients must continually adapt to changing market conditions—especially when it comes to how their potential customers perceive, select, and interact with them. We help them navigate this. Defining ourselves as ‘A Brand Architecture Boutique’ sends a clear message to brands looking for something beyond the ordinary that THIS is where to find it. This is where your brand getting lost in a sea of competition STOPS, and standing out BEGINS.

We stand with brands that want to stand out. So, are YOU ready to begin?

A BRAND ARCHITECTURE BOUTIQUE

WereNotNormalAtSpiro.com | 239.481.5511 Our new offices are located at: 2200 Broadway, Fort Myers, Florida 33901

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BODY COPY publi, noste tesit L. Ac forsuli caedende tam condam, C. Ductem etemeridit. Simac tum adduconera que prehemus clus publis? Nihilin aterficibus diensulla consunum diis condicae mo inticit? Nos ductamperris Catro eo hac trus, con ad rei pere consulu turbess entifecre ceps, co inatquideps, vent ponveria re nium hentil virtiu confecenam abem, furo, Catquius, pra L. Id re etilii pra tabemque conlocchus sic videm P. Pior publius consupio ex mo Caturid entemnim publintem tem comniquam por la igiteat urnihil verorte rfectam quitus, non abuncer-

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We think DIFFERENTLY www.tlcmarketing-events.com 239.405.8115

TLC Marketing and Creative Services is an awardwinning, marketing, public relations, and event planning agency that is Florida-Certified Woman-Owned and founded by Trish Leonard. For over 12 years, TLC has continued to grow and advocate for the success of our clients throughout Southwest Florida and the areas they serve. With each project we take on, we value the importance of crafting a strong and compelling message that resonates with the consumer, which is why TLC specializes in helping clients bridge the gap between their business and the customers they strive to reach. We are strong believers that marketing should never have a “one size fits all” approach, which is why we take our time studying market insights, consumer research, and evaluating our projects through the eyes of the consumer. Our team takes a logical and creative approach to develop a well-rounded strategy utilizing traditional and digital tactics that are specifically formed for your business. Our team’s creative thinking and strategic planning have not gone unrecognized. We earned the 2020 and 2021 Best of Bonita Springs Marketing and Event Planning award along with being a two-time winner of the Small Business of the Year award by both the Bonita and Estero Chamber of Commerce. When you choose TLC, you add an extension to your team whose expertise and attention to detail will get your company noticed. If you are looking for a strategic partner, give TLC Marketing and Creative Services a call at 239-405-8115, or feel free to send an email to trish@ trishleonard.com to schedule your no-cost consultation. For more information, visit Tlcmarketing-events.com or our social media platforms @tlcmarketingswfl. 120

Creative solutions. Creative results. TLC Marketing and Creative services Inc. is dedicated to helping businesses grow and enhance their companies through smartly placed messages, branding & logo design, social media and public relations strategies and event planning. TLC firmly believes that strong businesses grow strong communities. Let TLC help you to define your role in the community and ensure you have the visibility you need to make it flourish! MARKETING I BRANDING & LOGO DESIGN SOCIAL MEDIA I PUBLIC RELATIONS EVENT PLANNING I GRAND OPENINGS GROUND BREAKINGS

WINNER BONITA SPRINGS AWARD ASSOCIATION BUSINESS HALL OF FAME BEST OF 2021 - 2 CONSECTIVE YEARS FINALIST BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY GULFSHORE BUSINESS

Voted Small Business of the Year 2018 I Best of 2020 Florida Certified Woman Owned Business

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Licensed and Insured #CCP 773555

p_90 Grocer boom resonates in SWFL

B. BUSINESS 2 BUSINESS

MARKETING T RA N S P O RTAT I O N R E TA I L ENTREPRENEURSHIP

 BANKING

Banking on Change

OCTOBER 2021

Courtesy Kroger, Fifth Third Bank

BANKS EMERGE, SURGE, MERGE p_86 By Tim Aten

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Business 2 Business

OCTOBER 2021

MARKETING

By Bill Wasinger

Marketing Moving Forward DIGITAL APPROACHES TAKING ON BROADER ROLE

THE E-WAY Connie Ramos-Williams of CONRIC PR + Marketing says companies should remain flexible.

The pandemic forced most businesses to change how

required business owners to reconsider where,

they operate. For many, those changes were most ap-

and how, they promote. For most, that meant a

parent in their marketing. And now, as companies find

broader shift toward digital marketing.

their new normal, they’re also finding other, new approaches to their marketing.

“A lot of those (businesses) that were resistant to traditional marketing tools and marketing

“I look at this as going through filters,” says Lonny

platforms, were forced 100% into reaching au-

Kocina, the Cape Coral-based CEO of Media Relations

diences through digital platforms,” says Connie

Agency and author of The CEO’s Guide to Marketing.

Ramos-Williams, president and CMO of CON-

“The market environment change in the pandemic was

RIC PR + Marketing in Naples and Fort Myers.

a filter we all had to go through and … come out on the

“Retail stores that we represented really had

other side. A lot of people have found out already that

to develop an e-commerce way of selling their

it’s changed your business model. You have the four P’s

merchandise, because people were not able to

of marketing: price, product, place, promotion. I look

come into their stores. Now, coming back is go-

at marketing as primarily promotion. [During the pan-

ing to get the retail, in-store back up there. But

demic] people had to spend a little bit more time on

they also have this increased revenue stream be-

price, on place and on product.”

cause of the e-commerce side of their business

Beyond a greater focus on their products, prices

that they implemented and developed during

and the places where they were sold, the changes in

this past year of the pandemic. Those that didn’t

consumer behavior brought on by the pandemic also

go the e-commerce path … are in full develop-

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“EV ERYONE T H AT W E K NOW I S LO OK I NG TO H I R E AND … T O R EAC H NEW H I R ES AND NE W TALEN T.” — Connie Ramos-Williams, CONRIC PR + Marketing

on social media, content marketing and influencer marketing. And while those trends have continued as business slowly began returning to normal, the worker shortage in Southwest Florida is driving many companies to once again change their digital marketing approaches. “Especially now, after the pandemic, people are trying to ramp up their HR. Every business platform is different, but we’re doing a lot more LinkedIn advertising,” Ramos-Williams says. “Everyone that we know is looking to hire and … to reach new hires and new talent. We’re doing a lot more marketing and branding for our clients to really brand their culture and their company, and attract talent acquisition for them on the LinkedIn platform.” Ultimately, both Ramos-Williams and Kocina agree that the pandemic forced business owners to reconsider how, and where, they market their goods and services going forward. While no one knows what the future may hold, both also agree that companies should remain flexible, try not to get rattled if the marketing environment changes and keep telling their brands’ stories. “I don’t think you have to look for some startling new

Courtesy CONRIC pr + marketing, Getty

thing that you need to do right now. If you’ve got somement mode of their new e-commerce online stores. So if,

thing that’s already going, you’ve got a good chance of

God forbid, another pandemic or another situation such as

making a lot of money right now,” Kocina says. “From a

we all endured happens, they are primed and ready to con-

marketing perspective, [the pandemic] is not holding us

tinue their business as usual, but online.”

back anymore. Consumers have the money, they have the

Given the sudden online consumer shift brought on by

energy, they’ve been cooped up. It’s a brand new day. The

the pandemic, even businesses that were already engaged

sun’s shining and business is good. That’s the time to really

in digital marketing had to modify their approach and

put your nose to the grindstone, ramp up your marketing

their messaging. For some, that led to a renewed emphasis

and go for it.” GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 85

Business 2 Business

OCTOBER 2021

BANKING

By Tim Aten



NEW WAYS TO BANK Fifth Third Bank rolled out next-generation offices, left, while Cogent Bank recently launched in Naples at 999 Vanderbilt Beach Road, right.

Banking on Change Because their real names could be superhero aliases, it’s

“We’re new and unique, but we’re not new bankers. We

appropriate that they opened their first local bank branch

probably have the most experienced banking team, start-

on the corner of Metropolis and Krypton. Brandon Box

ing with our top executives in Orlando.”

and Marty Mahan are the market president and regional

Cogent’s founders wanted a nontraditional name for

banking executive, respectively, of Cogent Bank’s South-

a new bank that is scalable and not tied to a specific geo-

west Florida division, which launched its first office a year

graphic area, Box said. Cogent, of course, means compel-

ago off Metro Parkway in south Fort Myers. This fall, the

ling, valid, clear, credible and well founded. “What better

Florida-based, state-chartered commercial bank opened

name for a bank when you actually start thinking about

an office in North Naples.

the definition?” he says. “But, also, it sort of implies it’s a

Though many banks today are selling and consolidating,

modern company, one that really takes into account the

Cogent is emerging while others are merging, Mahan said.

name and the way they do business. I think it’s really about

8 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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Courtesy fith third bank, getty, Cogent Bank

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BANKS EMERGE, SURGE, MERGE

something that stands out and is looked at as dif-

Fort Myers. Gulf Coast Busi-

ferent because that’s what we are trying to build—

ness Bank, promoted with

something that’s different than the vast majority.”

the tagline “focused on your

As Cogent’s fully functioning, temporary branch

dreams and goals,” will be

office operates on the fifth floor of the eight-story

the

Fifth Third Center at 999 Vanderbilt Beach Road,

community bank to start

a new bank is taking shape on the first floor that

in Southwest Florida in the

will take at least six months to build, Box said. But

last 12 years. The new bank

because most clients don’t have a need to regular-

intends to fill a void in the

ly come into the bank, Cogent plans only a couple

fast-growing region it says

of strategically planned locations in each market,

is underserved for relation-

in order to save about a half a million dollars a year

ship-based community bank-

to operate each branch. The cost savings will allow

ing because consolidation has

Cogent to hire twice as many good people, Box said.

shifted funds to larger banks.

“For us, it’s about what’s more impactful to the

The bank’s founding board

bottom line and to customer service: great bankers.

and organizers are invest-

So, let’s put our money in great bankers, and not as

ing more than $3 million of

much money in just brick and mortar,” he says. “It’s

the $20 million needed to be

a double-edged sword, because people still do ask,

raised in capital. The bank

‘Where’s your location?’ But it’s a heck of a lot bet-

anticipates opening in early

ter to say we hired a lot more people than to say we

2022 in a former bank branch

have some more brick and mortar. That’s kind of

with a drive-thru purchased

our strategy; it’s great bankers.”

at 12205 Metro Parkway in

“Our focus is not on the project, not on the building, not on the real estate. It’s on the person. It’s still a people business,” Mahan says.

first

business-focused

“OUR F O C US I S NOT O N T H E P ROJ EC T, NOT O N T H E BUI LD I NG, NOT O N T H E R EAL ESTATE. I T ’S O N T H E P ER S O N. I T ’S ST I LL A P EO PL E BUSI NESS.” — Marty Mahan, Cogent Bank

Fort Myers. Blevins, who is president and CEO of the new bank, has been a banking executive in Southwest Florida for nearly 35 years. Formerly a regional vice presi-

Down to business

dent of Wells Fargo and Bank of America, he was an executive vice

Since May, William Blevins has been leading efforts

president of Encore Bank and then Lake Michigan Credit Union

to charter a new business bank headquartered in

in Southwest Florida during the last decade. GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 87

Business 2 Business BANKING

“ WE AR E ST I LL A R E L AT I ONSHIP BANK EVEN T HOUGH DI GI TAL T R ANSACTIONS H AVE I NCR EASED.” — Jennifer Auray, Fifth Third Bank

tionship bank,” says Jennifer Auray, marketing director for Fifth Third Bank, South Florida. New branch sizes are being downsized from an average of 4,300 square feet to closer to 3,000 square feet—or less. When Fifth Third opened a next-generation Cape Coral branch in August, it still had six more locations set to launch before the end of the year between Sarasota and Naples. Those include redevelopment projects opening at the end of September on the site of a former Burger King drive-thru on College Parkway in Fort Myers, and another in December on the vacant lot of a former gas station on the corner of U.S. 41 and Bayshore Drive in East Naples. In addition, three offices are in planning stages in Collier County.

While many banks are scaling back on branches because

A look inside the new branch on Cape Coral Parkway

of omnipresent online banking, Fifth Third Bank is do-

reveals the atmosphere of a coffee shop as much as a

ing the opposite, adding more branches to its more than

bank, with a “transactional bar” used for deposits and of-

30 offices in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. In its ef-

fices for more in-depth services such as financial consult-

fort to bridge the gap between technology and customer

ing. “Seventy-five percent of transactions occur online,

relations, Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp recent-

but we also know customers choose to bank with us based

ly rolled out its “next-gen” office design, to replace tell-

on who they can trust. We strongly feel we need to be ac-

er lines with options such as open meeting spaces and a

cessible for the complex needs that our customers have,”

more comfortable experience for customers. Although

says Jim Weiss, regional president, noting that Florida is

these next-generation branches are smaller than many

a focal point for Fifth Third, one of the largest consumer

of its existing offices, the nationally chartered Fifth

banks in the Midwest.

Third sees the need for a community presence.

“Our goal is to get to an 8% building share in South

“We are still a relationship bank even though digital

Florida,” said John Slavik, South Florida retail executive

transactions have increased. There’s still need for that

for Fifth Third. “Our business has gone from transaction-

customer service in person, and we’ll always be a rela-

al to consulting.”

8 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Getty, Courtesy fith third bank

Branching out

MERGE RIGHT

T h e l a rg e s t i n d e p e n -

N a p l e s re s i d e n t s

I n a n u n re l a t e d

C h a r l o t t e , N o r t h C a r-

d e n t b a n k h e a d q u a r-

G a r y Ti c e a n d G a r re t t

b a n k m e rg e r, s o m e

o l i n a . “A s w e c o n t i n -

t e re d i n N a p l e s i s

R i c h t e r h a ve c a p i t a l -

B B &T a n d S u nTr u s t

u e t o t ra n s i t i o n t o

s e t t o b e a c q u i re d

ized on community

b ra n c h o f f i c e s

t h e f u l l Tr u i s t c l i e n t

t h i s q u a r t e r, e n -

banking in South-

c l o s e d t h i s ye a r i n

ex p e r i e n c e i n 2 0 2 2 ,

abling Dallas-based

w e s t F l o r i d a ove r t h e

Southwest Florida

w e’re c o n t i n u a l l y

F i rs t Fo u n d a t i o n

l a s t t h re e d e c a d e s

b e c a u s e o f o bv i o u s

w o r k i n g t o c re a t e

B a n k t o ex p a n d i n t o

b e fo re s e l l i n g t h e i r

p rox i m i t y i s s u e s

a better banking

Southwest Florida.

b a n k f ra n c h i s e s

fo l l o w i n g t h e i r

ex p e r i e n c e fo r o u r

F i rs t Fo u n d a t i o n

t o l a rg e r b a n ks i n

m e rg e r i n t o Tr u i s t ,

c l i e n t s ,” Tr u i s t re -

I n c . w i l l a c q u i re

m a j o r t ra n s a c -

w h i c h c re a t e d t h e

p o r t s . “O u r b l e n d e d

TG R F i n a n c i a l I n c .

tions. After start-

s i x t h - l a rg e s t b a n k

b ra n c h c o n c e p t i s a

and its communi-

i n g F i rs t N a t i o n a l

in the nation and

n a t u ra l n ex t s t e p fo r

t y b a n k s u b s i d i a r y,

Bank of Florida in

t h e l a rg e s t b a n k

t h e m a ny S u nTr u s t

F i rs t F l o r i d a I n t e g -

1989, Chairman/CEO

d e a l i n m o re t h a n a

a n d B B &T b ra n c h e s

rity Bank, which has

Ti c e a n d P re s i d e n t

d e c a d e . B o t h B B &T

t h a t a re ve r y c l o s e

$2.3 billion in total

Richter sold their

a n d S u nTr u s t n a m e s

i n p rox i m i t y, m a n y

a s s e t s a n d s eve n

Naples-based bank

appear together on

a c ro s s t h e s t re e t

b ra n c h l o c a t i o n s i n

t o F i f t h T h i rd B a n k

ex t e r i o r s i g n a g e o n

o r eve n i n t h e s a m e

t h e N a p l e s a re a . TG R

fo r a re c o rd p r i c e o f

m a ny o f f i c e s ex p e c t -

p a r k i n g l o t .”

w i l l m e rg e i n t o F i rs t

$1.5 billion in 2005.

e d t o b e re b ra n d e d

Fo u n d a t i o n i n a n

The local business-

s o o n a s Tr u i s t i n a

sys t e m s fo r B B &T

a l l - s t o c k t ra n s a c t i o n

men then started

f u l l t ra n s i t i o n t h a t

a n d S u nTr u s t a re

va l u e d a t a b o u t $ 2 9 5

F i rs t N a t i o n a l B a n k

w a s d e l aye d b e c a u s e

b e i n g c o nve r t e d t o

million, or $15.23 per

of the Gulf Coast in

of the pandemic. All

a n e w j o i n t sys t e m ,

TG R F i n a n c i a l s h a re ,

2 0 0 9 . I n 2 0 14 , F i rs t

o f t h e c l o s u re s h a ve

a m ove ex p e c t e d t o

a c c o rd i n g t o a d e f i n -

National Bank of the

b e e n re l a t e d t o Tr u -

e l i m i n a t e m o re t h a n

i t i ve m e rg e r a g re e -

G u l f C o a s t c o nve r t -

i s t’s b l e n d e d b ra n c h

$ 1 . 5 b i l l i o n o f Tr u -

ment announced this

e d f ro m a n a t i o n a l l y

p ro g ra m b e t w e e n t h e

i s t’s t o t a l c o m b i n e d

s u m m e r.

c h a r t e re d b a n k t o a

m e rg e d b a n ks , s a i d

ex p e n s e s b y t h e e n d

s t a t e - c h a r t e re d b a n k

Amber Odom, corpo-

o f n ex t ye a r.

a n d w a s re n a m e d

ra t e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s

F i rs t F l o r i d a I n t e g r i -

m a n a g e r fo r Tr u i s t ,

ty Bank.

which is based in

S e p a ra t e o p e ra t i n g

GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 89

Business 2 Business R E TA I L

OCTOBER 2021 By Tim Aten

A Feast of Options DESPITE HIGHER FOOD COSTS, GROCERY BOOM RESONATES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Delivering on a promise, the Kroger Co. is stealing the spotlight in what was already destined to be a big growth year for grocers in Florida. The Cincinnati-based supermarket chain—the nation’s largest—finally arrived in Florida … virtually, at least. Outside of its lone Harris Teeter-branded store near Jacksonville, Kroger does not have a physical store presence in the Sunshine State, and doesn’t intend to for now. In a surprisingly bold move, the supermarket giant skipped bricks and mortar to take the state by storm with a delivery playbook seemingly appropriated from tech giant Amazon. Kroger built a 375,000-square-foot, high-tech, multimillion-dollar delivery warehouse—what it calls a customer fulfillment center—in Central Florida to feed “spokes,” basically last-mile delivery stations, in Jacksonville and Tampa for delivering orders via temperature-controlled vehicles to customers within a 90-minute radius. Plans call for quickly expanding the operation to South and Southwest Florida with spokes in Miami and Fort Myers. Groceries from Kroger Co. could be available for delivery to Southwest Florida by the end of 2022. “I’m not going to make any promises, but it definitely is on the radar,” says Andrea Colby, Kroger’s e-commerce corporate affairs and communications manager. “I don’t have a specific timeline, but I do expect it will happen within the next year.” The boom in grocery store growth in Southwest Florida continues despite the pandemic, not because of it. Although food prices are noticeably higher, with climbing consumer costs in general—up 5% from 2020 with the worst inflation since the Great Recession—and essential food and sanitizing products remain popular, most supermarket chains are expanding to meet the 9 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION Aldi discount supermarket entered the local market just five years ago and already has 15 locations in Southwest

Getty, Courtesy Aldi

Florida.

Business 2 Business R E TA I L

needs of the region’s growing population even as effects from the pandemic continue to leave bare spots on some shelves. This expansion began years before the pandemic, as grocers rapidly filled niches in the market. Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market, for instance, entered the Florida market just four years ago and planned to add 10 new stores in the Sunshine State this year. Aldi, a discount supermarket chain based in Germany, entered the local market

—Sammy Kayara, Farmer Joe’s Fresh Market

just five years ago and already has 15 locations in Southwest Florida as part of an aggressive nationwide expansion plan. It launched a location in Bonita Springs in August, is building its fourth in Cape Coral and plans to open its fourth store in Collier County before the end of the year. Publix is keeping pace, expanding on its already strong foothold here and throughout the state. The Lakeland-based company launched a new store at the end of August in South Naples, relaunched a completely rebuilt and enlarged store on Marco Island in mid-September, finished a recently built store in east Fort Myers and plans another new Lee County store soon on Corkscrew Road, six miles east of Interstate 75. East Naples residents are anticipating something different: a Publix prototype being built in the space Lucky’s Market vacated last year on Tamiami Trail East. Plans for the new store include Pours, a craft beer bar with cafe seating. “That is a unique location,” says Brian West, community relations manager at Publix Super

9 2 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

Courtesy Farmer Joe’s, Kroger

“ T H E F O CUS I S O N T HE F O O D, T HE V E GE TABLES AN D T HE F RUI T S, AND T H E CEN T ER AI S LE I S L E S S I MP ORTAN T.”

Markets Inc. “It is slated for the first quarter of 2022.” A different kind of grocery store, more of a throwback really, is taking shape in Cape Coral. Farmer Joe’s Fresh Market, a multimillion-dollar farmers market, is targeted to launch the first week in December, if construction is completed on time. The focus of the store will be a little different, said Naples resident Sammy Kayara, who co-owns the 50,000-square-foot store on Pine Island Road with Lee Snyder of Cape Coral. They already plan to site a second store next year somewhere in Collier County. FRESH CHOICES New grocery options coming to Southwest Florida include Farmer Joe’s Fresh

“The focus is on the food, the vegetables and the fruits, and the center aisle is less important,” Kayara says, dismissing comparisons to Oakes Farms’ Seed to Table store

Market in Cape Coral, far left, and home

in North Naples. “Our focus will be for the working-class

delivery availability from the Kroger Co.,

people. Fresh fruits and vegetables. We buy from farmers

above.

directly and bring it into the store as quickly as possible.” Of course, timing is everything. When asked what took Kroger so long to make its move into Florida, the company’s spokeswoman has a simple reply: “I think it was looking for the right opportunity.” GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 93

Business 2 Business T R A N S P O R TAT I O N

OCTOBER 2021 By James Raia

Uphill Hauling DELAYS, DRIVER SHORTAGES CAUSE ROUGH PATCH FOR TRUCKING INDUSTRY With a national shortage in truck drivers causing delays and cost increases in supplies, Southwest Florida is experiencing the ripple effect—and searching for a solution. By 2026, it’s estimated that the global tanker truck market will need 174,000 new truckers. Even today, there are nearly 63,000 vacant truck-driver jobs, and as more baby boomers retire, the industry is looking for ways to shrink the shortage by investing in education, apprenticeship programs and optimization of shipping routes so drivers spend less time on the road. Alix Miller, the new president and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association, said that trucking became more difficult during the pandemic because of the demand and rush for specific materials such as antibacterial products and toilet paper, as well as the increase in at-home deliveries. The pandemic also helped push the aging driver base into early retirement or kept them off the road due to fear of the virus—or lack of facilities, since some states shut down rest areas, making it more challenging to drive and find a place to sleep the required 10 hours before getting back on the road. “Drivers are working harder than ever and more than ever, and we are seeing the impact on consumers when not enough trucks are on the road to replenish supplies,” Miller says. “The shortage in drivers has been an issue for the industry for years, but we are 9 4 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

gulfshorebusiness.com

“D R I V ER S ARE WOR K I NG H AR D ER T H A N EV ER AND M O R E T H AN EV ER , A N D WE AR E SEEING T H E I M PAC T O N C O NSU M ER S WH EN NOT ENOU G H T RU C K S AR E O N T H E ROA D T O R EP LENI S H SU P P LI ES.”

Getty

— Alix Miller, President and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association

TOUGH COMPETITION Companies are competing for drivers as baby boomers retire, trying to entice a younger demographic to see the profession as a valuable and lucrative career option.

G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S OCTOBER 2021 9 5

Kevin Bires, Florida Trucking Association

RIPPLE EFFECT Ryan Carter of Scotlynn Group says the industry has never before seen anything like this, with a lack of drivers causing goods to pile up in ports.

9 6 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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now really starting to see it, since there aren’t enough new drivers to take the place of those retiring.” Miller said that companies are competing against one another to hire drivers, and she heard one company recently say that if they could hire 200 drivers today, they would and could. The pandemic caused panic-buying and an increase—in number and frequency—of at-home deliveries versus those that would normally be to an urban center or office, and the lack of drivers creates higher costs for hauling freight. It becomes a simple issue of supply and demand.

“I N T H E U.S., 68% O F ALL F R EI G H T I S M OV ED BY T RU C K S, S O I T D OES I M PAC T T H E EC ONO M Y WH EN WE AR E SH ORT ON D R I V ER S.” — Rendy Taylor, Shelton Trucking

Ryan Carter, executive vice president of Fort Myers-based Scotlynn Group, which transports perishable freights on refrigerated trailers, said that due to

the toughest driving jobs out there for a driver securing

the shortage in drivers, they are seeing 30%-100% in-

loads in 100-degree-plus weather,” says Taylor, who has

creased costs for shipping lanes in the U.S. So, for ex-

been in the industry for 44 years. “We’ve experienced a

ample, if freight costs $4 per case to ship corn from the

lot of issues and have had to increase budgets or do more

Scotlynn Sweet Pac Growers facility in Belle Glade,

advertising and training of drivers to get them into the

Florida, to Stop & Shop in Assonet, Massachusetts,

industry.”

the new cost will likely be $6 or $7 per case. “That

The Florida Trucking Association has found that the

does not sound like a lot, but it adds up big time when

average age of drivers is 55, and as more people retire,

you examine the cost of all your groceries combined,

they’re trying to attract a younger—and broader—demo-

and these increased transportation costs are almost

graphic by showing that professional truck driving can

always passed onto the consumer,” he explains.

be a valuable and lucrative career. “In the U.S., 68% of all

Carter said that the lack of drivers is causing a stock

freight is moved by trucks, so it does impact the economy

of goods—especially building supplies coming from

when we are short on drivers,” Taylor says. “We have to

China—to pile up in the ports along the California

entice [the younger generation] in some way and show

coast. “We have never seen anything like this; there

that trucking is a good career path—there’s a lot of inde-

simply are not enough drivers to haul these containers

pendence out there.”

out of the port, and it creates a massive ripple effect,” he says. “We are really seeing this firsthand when trying to fulfill the building demand here in Southwest Florida, since many of the construction projects are delayed due to a lack of imported supplies. This costs not just the owners of the project, but it is also a cost to the subcontractors when they are not able to work.” Rendy Taylor, president of privately owned flatbed carrier Shelton Trucking and part of the Florida Trucking Association’s board of directors, says that recruiting and retaining drivers is especially hard in the summertime. “Flatbed trucking is probably one of

Business 2 Business

OCTOBER 2021

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

By Artis Henderson

‘You’re Driven by Your Own Dreams’ PETER WASMER DRAWS ON DETERMINATION TO BUILD HIS AMBITIONS When Peter Wasmer says, “It’s been a whale of a day so far,” you believe him. The Naples entrepreneur has brought his unique talents to a number of companies, and the latest—ProValet—is taking off. Wasmer, 55, calls himself a serial entrepreneur. “That’s where my talents lie,” he says. Never happy working for someone else, Wasmer has used his skills

SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR

in a number of endeavors, from a clothing line to equip-

An app created by Pe-

ment leasing to app-building. Being a serial entrepre-

ter Wasmer of Naples

neur doesn’t always mean being successful; he admits

streamlines invoicing,

that his clothing line “failed miserably.” But the entrepreneurs who make it are the ones who dust themselves off and get back to work. “You’re driven by your own dreams,” he says. “You’re not driven by somebody else

scheduling and other processes so companies can focus energies elsewhere.

telling you what to do.” Wasmer has seen this spirit firsthand in his father. United States with few resources and limited English. He studied hard, skipped a couple of grades and attended the University of Maryland, where he was president 9 8 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

Eric Keller, Getty,

An immigrant from Cuba, Wasmer’s father came to the

OCTOBER 2021 99

Business 2 Business ENTREPRENEURSHIP

“ T H E BASI S BEH I ND M AN Y BUSI NESSES— WH AT M AK ES T H EM SU C C ESSF UL— I S SYST EM S.” — Peter Wasmer, ProValet founder

of his class two years in a row. He went on to launch

was transformational for dealers,” he says. Now, he’s

a successful equipment leasing company that sold in

turned his attention to his latest endeavor: ProValet, a

2007, allowing him to retire early. Watching his father

system that helps regular service interval companies

succeed, Wasmer said, was the beginning of his own

such as pool businesses and lawn services automate

entrepreneurial journey.

their day-to-day processes. Wasmer’s app streamlines

began by launching an app that automated the motor-

invoicing, scheduling and other processes so companies can focus their energies elsewhere.

cycle-leasing process. His company was able to take

“The basis behind many businesses—what makes

the transaction time from hours down to minutes. “It

them successful—is systems,” Wasmer explains. With

1 0 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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Eric Keller, Getty

Today, Wasmer is focused on building systems. He

EARLY SPARK Watching his father succeed was the beginning of his own entrepreneurial journey, said Naples entrepreneur Peter Wasmer.

ProValet and his previous ventures, he set out with the same task in mind: Could he create a system that was simple to use? Ultimately, Wasmer was able to sit down and draw up what he envisioned on a napkin. “We built some complex systems that way,” he says.

James Morey

Pamela Lundborg

William Owens

Neil Gregory

Kevin Recchia

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HIGHER GUIDANCE When it comes to advice for other entrepreneurs, Wasmer isn’t afraid to get a little mystical. “I can’t tell you one successful

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Get to know Genesis GV80

Inflatable kayak stores well

AfterHours

U N W I N D | H O R S E P OW E R | F I T N E S S | N E W & N OT E WO RT H Y | W E E K E N D G E TAWAY

JAX Block By Block

Courtesy Genesis, Index, Cummer Museum

ENJOY FLORIDA’S BIGGEST CITY

By Artis Henderson

p_109

AfterHours

OCTOBER 2021

HORSEPOWER

By James Raia

Under the Radar GETT IN G TO K N OW T HE I N NOVATIV E GENES IS G V 80



A KEEN CRUISER The GV80 is best on the open road, with innovation generating its smooth ride.

Five model years into its tenure as a stand-alone man-

awards—all warranted. Last year, in its first year of eligibil-

ufacturer, Genesis remains off many people’s radar. It

ity, Genesis ranked highest in overall brand dependability

should be better known, since many accolades—and

by J.D. Power.

line Hyundai model into the limelight. Genesis now offers five vehicles: three sedans and

Genesis vehicles are still sold at Hyundai dealerships, the South Korean manufacturer that previously sold the former Hyundai Genesis, its top-line sedan.

two sport utility vehicles. The GV80 is new for 2021. It

Like its siblings, the GV80 is best on the open road. It’s

gathered unwanted international attention as the SUV

a keen cruiser, smooth and quick. But it’s not as sport-ori-

Tiger Woods was driving in Southern California earlier

ented as its German-made counterparts.

this year when he crashed while driving nearly twice

Innovation generates the smooth ride. An electronically

the speed limit. A month later, Kentucky freshman bas-

controlled suspension system uses a forward-facing cam-

ketball player Terrence Clarke, also driving a Genesis

era. It reads the road surface ahead and makes quick sus-

SUV, died in an intersection accident in Los Angeles.

pension adjustments. An intuitive trip-zone climate con-

The product, however, deserves to be known for better

trol on the Prestige trim further adds to the GV80’s appeal.

reasons than celebrity misfortune.

It’s also all necessary if the SUV wants to compete success-

Launched in November 2020 as a 2021 model, the Genesis GV80 is available in several trims, all powered

fully against stalwart rivals such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Lexus RX and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

by the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine. Seating for five is

The GV80 drew attention from observers wondering

standard; the AWD Advanced+ has a third row, expand-

if the new beauty was a Bentley or an Aston Martin. The

ing seating to seven. But the third row is adequate only

three vehicles share handsome exterior designs. The GV80

for agile, petite people.

is not a supercar, but it joins its stablemates with much to

The GV80 and smaller GV70 join the former

offer as a newbie entering a tough market. Consider: A nav-

three-sedan-only lineup as the auto industry’s new

igation-based smart cruise control (ASCC), remote smart

success story. Genesis models are flush with industry

parking assist, an NFC digital key, an around-view moni-

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Courtesy Hyundai

two athletes’ misfortunes—have put the former top-

Facts & Figures: Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 5.7 seconds

Horsepower: 375

Price as tested: $66,550

Airbags: 10

Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: $65,050

Fuel economy: 18 mpg city, 23 mpg hwy

Manufacturer’s website: genesis.com

Warranty: Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 6 years/70,000 miles; Corrosion, 6 years/unlimited mileage; Roadside Assistance, 6 years/70,000 miles

tor (AVM), 22-inch wheels and Nappa leather seating. Also

ance assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision

included are a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display,

avoidance assist, automatic high-beam assist and lane-

a 21-speaker Lexicon audio system, electric side curtains

keep assist (LKAS).

and driver-controlled second and third-row seating. The safety system features include 10 airbags, forward collision avoidance assist, reverse parking collision avoid-

The 2021 Genesis GV80 is worthy, particularly if something classy and unheralded is your preference. And if you’re good with its resale value still undetermined. GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 105

AfterHours FITNESS

OCTOBER 2021 By James Raia

Shoe Sustainability INCREASING OPTIONS FOR LOW ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT FOOTWEAR Slightly more than a decade ago, Dutch designer Christiaan Maats decided to bury a pair of shoes. It wasn’t a gimmick, but the result of three years of research to introduce biodegradable footwear. It didn’t quite work out for Maats and the four styles in his OAT—an acronym meaning Of All Time—brand, billed as “the world’s first biodegradable shoes that bloom.” The shoes were made with organic hemp canvas, cork and bio-cotton, and were certified as biodegradable. A sheet embedded with wildflower seeds was placed in a pocket in each shoe’s tongue, and consumers could “plant” the whole

RIGHT ON! On’s Cyclon is a high-performing running shoe made with more than 50% bio-based material, weighing in at around 7 ounces.

shoe or just the seed sheet. As the shoes decomposed, flowers bloomed. Financial issues derailed the company after five years, but the innovator’s vision continues with many

Fleet Feet in Fort Myers. “And a lot of the brands now

other companies that understand a major industry issue.

with their boxes are taking away ink and going with just

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Amer-

brown boxes and a small logo. It’s double-edged; they

icans throw away at least 300 million pairs of shoes each

are all starting to come up with recycled shoes, and

year. They end up in landfills and can take 40 years to de-

they’re also reducing their carbon footprint with their

compose. Ethylene vinyl acetate, which often comprises

packaging.”

1,000 years in a landfill.

Shoes sold online are still often mailed with a shipping box containing the shoe manufacturer’s box. “To

Over the last several years, many companies, partic-

me, it’s redundant,” says Kozar. “You’re creating dou-

ularly those offering running and fitness shoes, have in-

ble. Just like the packing slip. Can we cut that down to

troduced styles with various levels of biodegradability. “I

a quarter-page versus a full page? It just goes into the

know that New Balance and Mizuno are coming out with

trash; we all know that. Not too many people are good

totally 100% recyclable shoes,” says Russ Kozar, owner of

recyclers, unfortunately.”

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Courtesy On, New Balance

the midsole of most running shoes, can last for as long as

OT H E R O P T I O N S Rackle Shoes

Allbirds

Rackle Shoes, based

Headquartered in San

in Boston, debuted

Francisco, it touts

last July and carries

the slogan “Mother

the tagline “Reduce

Nature Is Our Muse.”

Your Footprint.” The

Its shoes are made of

Alex style for men

sustainable materials

and women defines

such as wool, tree

feather-light. They’re

fiber and sugarcane

comfortable, look like

in hopes of reducing

Vans and are largely

carbon emissions,

made from hemp.

and its shoelaces are

Rackle, which means

100% post-consumer

disruption, makes

recycled polyester.

shoes designed to “break down

Native

at an accelerated

The down-to-earth

rate compared to

company released its

traditional footwear

100% biodegradable

under biologically

line The Plant Shoe

active landfill

two years ago. The

conditions.”

unisex shoe is made

The Alex is machine-washable

of pineapple husk, corn and eucalyptus.

and promoted for

Fit2Run in Naples offers the Swiss brand On. Last year, it debuted Cyclon, the industry’s first subscription-based shoe service. Subscribers pay about $30 per month. When needed, an old pair is exchanged via mail for a new pair. The used shoes are recycled to make new items. The company’s high-performance running shoe weighs about 7 ounces and is made with more than 50% bio-based material. “Technically, the exchange is through On via our customer service line,” says Junior Siffort, the store’s assistant manager. “You can ask an associate to help with a return, and if they’re able to do it, they’ll do it at that moment, or they will direct you to On.”

“year-round use at

Nat-2

the office or the

And then there’s

park.” Rackle footwear

German sneaker

is shipped directly

brand Nat-2, which

to customers with

collaborated with

a shoebox as the

Zvder to make

mailing container. It

nutritious footwear.

may seem empty upon

Its shoes feel and

arrival; the shoes

look like leather

weigh 6 ounces.

but are made from mushrooms.

AfterHours James Raia

Big Splash, Small Size

NEW

O R T

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

OCTOBER 2021

O T E

$239.99 intexcorp.com

Space is often at a premium for outdoor adventures. There’s so much to pack and only so much room. The Intex Explorer K2 is a compact, versatile and streamlined kayak that helps ease the space restrictions in wagons, SUVs and campers. Bright yellow and emblazoned with sport-oriented graphics, the Explorer K2 is made from vinyl and has an inflatable I-beam floor. The flexible, sturdy stern is removable; two adjustable seats with backrests are also inflatable. A grab line and grab handle are located at each end. Two 86-inch aluminum oars, an Intex high-output easy-to-use pump, U.S. Coast Guard I.D. and a repair patch kit are included. The convenience factor? The kayak’s deflated dimensions are 13 1/2-by-23-by-16 1/4 inches, all nice and tidy in a 35-pound carry bag. When inflated, the watercraft expands to 10 feet, 3 inches-by-36 inches-by-20 inches. The maximum weight capacity is 400 pounds.

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Courtesy IntexCorp

THE INFLATABLE, STORAGE-FRIENDLY INTEX EXPLORER K2 KAYAK

AfterHours

OCTOBER 2021

W E E K E N D G E TA W AY

By Artis Henderson

JAX Block by Block SPEND A WEEKEND EXPLORING THESE VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS IN FLORIDA’S BIGGEST CITY In the far northeast corner of Florida sits Jacksonville, the state’s most populous city, home to three U.S. naval installations and a variety of unique neighborhoods. The city was named for Andrew Jackson, who was the area’s first provisional governor before he went on to become president. Jacksonville can be overwhelming— it’s the largest city by area in the contiguous United States—so we’ve broken this modern destination down by neighborhood. FIVE POINTS Called “the coolest block in Jacksonville,” Five Points is the perfect place to start the weekend. The neighborhood is situated along the St. Johns River at the intersection of five streets. It features the Cummer Museum (829 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville; 904.356.6857; cummermuseum.com), which is home to more than 5,000 works of art—both ancient and modern—plus 2 1/2 acres of gardens. Need to get off your feet?

Courtesy Thompson Surf School

Grab a seat at the Sun-Ray Cinema (1028 Park St., Jacksonville; 904.359.0049; sunraycinema.

OCEAN OF FUN

com), an art-house theater screening indepen-

The wave activity off Jacksonville’s Mayport beach

dent films. For lunch and dinner—and espe-

area makes it a perfect spot for a surf lesson.

cially brunch—there’s no finer eating in Five Points than River & Post (1000 Riverside Ave., GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 109

AfterHours

OCTOBER 2021

W E E K E N D G E TA W AY

By Artis Henderson

Jacksonville; 904.575.2366; riverandpostjax.com). With a rooftop setting that overlooks downtown, the restaurant emphasizes exceptional food and handcrafted cocktails. Not to miss: the Assertive Lady, made with gin, crème de mûre, muddled raspberries and lemon juice. SAN MARCO Centered around a tree-lined square with a bubbling fountain, the San Marco district has made a name for itself as the go-to spot for hip restaurants, boutiques and live music. Visit Jack Rabbits Live (1528 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville; 904.398.7496; jaxlive. com), an intimate music venue that promotes local artists. Many regional bands have made a name for themselves here. Looking for a cold one? Try Aardwolf Brewing Company (1461 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville; 904.301.0755; aardwolfbrewing.com). This brewhouse has just the right vibe for a neighborhood taproom—brick walls, industrial furniture, concrete countertops—plus fun beers including a hazelnut bourbon stout and a sweet, light clove-flavored hefeweizen. Wrap up your visit to San Marco with a trip to MOSH, Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History (1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville; 904.396.6674; themosh.org). With interactive exhibits on everything from the Calusa Indians to aquatic invertebrates, the museum is a lively place to while away an afternoon. M AY P O R T The Mayport neighborhood lies between Naval Station Mayport and the St. Johns River. It’s home to

TIME AND SPACE Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History boasts interactive exhibitions on everything from the Calusa Indians to aquatic invertebrates.

some of the best—and least crowded—beaches in the area. The wave activity makes it a perfect spot for a 1 1 0 G U L F S H O R E B U S I N E S S O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1

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surf lesson. Try the Thompson Surf School (429 First St., Jacksonville Beach; 904.316.8573; thompsonsurfschool.com) for private and group sessions. Ready to wind down? Book a table at Azurea, the area’s

Courtesy MOSH, Cummer Museum

most upscale seafood eatery, located inside the luxury resort One Ocean (1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach; 904.249.7402; oneoceanresort.com). The restaurant is famous for its local line-caught fish. Stay in one of the hotel’s lavish suites to take advantage of Jacksonville’s most beautiful views of the Atlantic. GULFSHORE BUSINESS OCTOBER 2021 111

AfterHours

OCTOBER 2021

UNWIND

By Justin Paprocki

Here’s the Rub LOCAL OPTIONS FOR MEMORABLE MASSAGES Anyone can get a Swedish massage. But why not try

the oil in unison with sage and lavender

something more … adventurous? Southwest Florida has

to relax the body and mind.

an abundance of luxury spas, some of which offer some

hyatt.com

fairly unique ways to relax.

Not one, not two, not three When two hands aren’t enough, try four. A wine and chocolate pairing

The Woodhouse in Naples offers a sig-

Incorporate the essence of your favorite indulgences into your mas-

nature four-handed massage: Two mas-

sage. DiVine Spa in Naples offers vine-therapy spa treatments: mas-

sage therapists perform a choreographed

sages that use creams made with pinot noir grapes.

massage together, hitting all the right

Green Leaf Day Spa in Fort Myers, meanwhile, offers a massage that

spots at once. woodhousespas.com

incorporates a chocolate-scented body scrub and facial. mybodytlc. com, thegreenleafdayspa.com

Right foot forward And here you thought a massage could

Relax with CBD

only be done with hands. The Om Spa in

CBD (a chemical derived from hemp) has become a trendy product.

Naples offers an Ashiatsu or foot-pres-

You’ll find it in everything from coffee to skin lotions. Now, spas are

sure massage. The massage therapist

even incorporating it into their massages. The Stillwater Spa at Hy-

balances on bars overhead and applies

att Regency Coconut Point offers a CBD pain relief massage that uses

pressure to your body with their feet. In this case, having someone walk all over you isn’t such a bad thing. theomspa.com Experience BETAR Actually, forget touching at all. The Spa at Sanibel Harbour features the BETAR onance) experience. Just relax while the BETAR system sends soundwaves across your body. Your chakras will be pleased. marriott.com

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Courtesy Woodhouse Spa

(Bio Energetic Transduction Aided Res-

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Medical Education • M.D. University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 2010-2014

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