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Hospitality ready to bounce back in 2021

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Jacob Ogles, Editor

ed by Jack Wert, executive director for the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, in a virtual update with hospitality partners in the region. “We’re continuing to watch what people are saying about supporting people coming to their community,” Wert said.

He pointed to a travel sentiment study that showed nationwide, 38% of individuals agree or strongly agree with opening up their communities to visitors again; another 31% feel neutral about the matter. Even more promising, 48% agree or strongly agree they feel safe traveling again, with 26% neutral,

Whilereal many estate potential visitors to A look at commercial trends & topics in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida continue to delay

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Entrepreneurs and business leaders reflect on 2020 and consider what 2021 has in store.

plans because of the coronavirus pandemic, there appears to be pent-up demand as tourists plan to travel again. That’s according to research present-

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Brady Photos by Christine trade to the Southof international offices. about the importance Buqueras talks Lee County Economic Development Director Carlos the first-ever stop at Port Manatee Executive during the Port’s west Florida market

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IN THE NEWS

to Dave Gammon elevated Charlotte EDO director

in the wake of Charlotte County, joinLucienne Pears former director Partners at Babcock ing Kitson and former Business Ranch, elevated and interim Recruitment Supervisor to executive director Dave Gammon Economic Developdirector of the ment Office. face in reGammon is a familiar he development as gional economic three years with his has proven in EDO. County Charlotte continue leading He is excited to like developments several existing page 19

Florida to communities in second one of four host as part of the Lee County was from seven countries welcome companiesTrade Summit. Manatee, annual International International Trade Hub at Port Fort Lauseries visited Organized by The one day Business opportunity ota and Tampa for the 2019 Global Bradenton/Saras derdale, Fort Myers,to 29. 26 Office, Southwest each from Aug. ReEconomic Development and the Southwest The Lee County Chamber of Commerce the event, which Florida Hispanic Association co-hosted gional Manufacturers Gulf Railway. Chile, Colombia, was sponsored Seminole from Argentina, other locales International companies Spain, Peru and Mexico, goods, artisanal apparel, El Salvador, Guatemala, food, coffee, fruits, cooking systems featured wine, snack and state-of-the-art to merchandise companies Lee County industryof founded as part summit showcases during the summit. Trade Hub at Port Manatee, and An expo-style from seven nations markets in Florida and business leaders visiting Summit. The International International Trade advice as a vital link between provides expert See page 6 the second annual in 2014, serves world. The hub TRADE throughout the

ENEURS h SALUTE TO ENTREPR poised for growt and Business Intermediary Proess Advisors experi- a CertifiedMergers & Acquisitions transaction Edison Busin the IBBA ap- Certified designations from ence totaling partner and

GAMMON See

Privacy & Cyber Security d Forum announce

& Cyber SeA special Privacy held on Friwill be at curity Forum 9 a.m. to noon day, Nov. 8, fromNews Community the Naples Daily room. Companies will William C. Huff and insponsor the informational for the community. teractive forum forum is for atThe goal of the clearer undera tendees to gain keep their famito standing of how businesses private. lies, wealth and FORUM See page

in fi$170 fessional a Eric Gall, managing with a concentration proximately for Edison Avenue, won and an MBAthe University of Michigan. broker of record brokerage and lower million. Gall transactions and nance from leading business Gall in business the 2018, 2016 and acquisitions Niehaus, Bro- Assisting middle market mergers Pfeffer, Steven 2014 Business significant changes No. 1 are Michael and Phillip Reda. firm, is announcing kers of Florida Edward Valaitis Business Adto operations. Top Dollar Producer to rebrand itself Pfeffer joins Edison of business The firm has decided over 20 years Award for Southwest Advisors” to better out visors with experience, including 12 as “Edison Business service offerings, Florida, beating busi- transactionbusiness brokerage franchise communicate addedbusiness appraisals, Gall a over 90 other He is years as Southwest Florida. Pfeffer is a including certified appraisals and certiness brokers. owner in Certified certified equipment Business Brokers Board Certified Intermediary, International an and also page 6 strategies. See fied exit EDISON Chairman’s Circle mergers and acquisiBrokerage and led by Association Award winner. Eric holds continue to be tions efforts will 20 years of business Deal Maker Gall. He has over OPENING

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Hoffmann Family buys Hertz Arena, Everblades

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The Hoffmann Family of Companies has entered into an agreement to purchase the Florida Everblades and the Hertz Arena. Plans are underway for a complete renovation of the 8,284-seat, multipurpose arena. The improvements will include enhanced skyboxes, food services and installation of a state-ofthe-art scoreboard. Hertz Arena, which opened in 1998 as Everblades Arena, hosts a variety of events including concerts, Cirque du Soleil, Disney on Ice, boxing and trade shows. The venue offers

Focus on Manufacturing

Area companies are building a better future — one made right here in Southwest Florida.

25 suites, two additional ice rinks, a private club and a pub, Breakaway Sports Pub. The arena is also home to the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles club hockey team of the American Collegiate Hockey Association. “We are optimistic that all of the 330 employees will remain with the Hoffmann Family of Companies,” said Craig Brush, Florida Everblades President and General Manager, who signed a five-year contract and has a commitment from all his senior staff to remain in place. “We are thrilled to be acquired by

A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace.

IN THE NEWS

Fort Myers sixth Business Summit slated for Sept. 20

Holly Bell addresses citrus growers about the 25,000-plus uses for industrial hemp, which can now be grown legally in Florida

Cannabis chief promises rich stash for hemp growers Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Jacob Ogles, Editor

SUMMIT See page 7

When other states started authorizing farmers to grow hemp, it didn’t take long to realize there was no place to sell it. Because no structures had been put in place for processing and manufacturing plants, state officials found themselves rushing a regulatory structure through so farmers could offload their first harvests. Holly Bell, Florida’s first Director of Cannabis, plans to learn from that mistake. She said the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will make sure all parts of the burgeoning hemp industry can move forward as soon as new rules unroll later this fall. “When our farmers are ready for a cash flow, we want to encourage them to get going,” she said.

Applications being accepted for the 25th Blue Chip Award The 25th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award application deadline is fast approaching. The Blue Chip Community Business Award recognizes successful, small businesses in Lee, Collier or Charlotte County that have overcome adversity to achieve success. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, Sept. 4. The independent judges select the honoree after all the applications AWARD See page 19

Bell spoke in August at the Citrus Expo and Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo, where growers from around the region gathered to hear her discuss this new and just recently legal product to diversify their inventory. Just a few years ago, there were no legal reasons to grow cannabis in Florida. Now, medical marijuana dispensaries pop up in more shopping centers each week. Soon, farmers will grow non-narcotic hemp crops. With the 2018 federal farm bill allowing hemp to grow, a budding industry will soon emerge in Florida. The Legislature this year authorized a pilot program for growing hemp in the Sunshine State, and state officials are nearly done weeding through a stack of public suggestions.

GrowFL announced this year’s 50 Florida Companies to Watch honorees, including three from Southwest Florida. Companies to Watch is a statewide competition that identifies companies expected to see significant growth over the next several years. The GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch awards program—now in its ninth year—honors 50 select second-stage companies from throughout Florida for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries throughout Florida. Chosen from 500 growing second-stage nominations from throughout, Florida, the 50 companies named as the 2019 Florida Companies to Watch honorees generated nearly $1 billion in revenue and added over 900 jobs between 2015 and 2018. Together, the honorees project a 35 percent increase in revenue and 37 percent increase in job growth in 2019 compared to 2018. “These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, GrowFL executive director. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets,” he said. Local honorees include: Cottrell Title & Escrow, Collier County; Mettauer Environmental, Lee County; and VeraData, Lee County . “This list recognizes second-stage Florida companies with passionate leaders who are making a difference in growing and diversifying our economy,” said Jennifer Barrows, GrowFL Chairman of the GrowFL Advisory Board and Business Development Executive with WithumSmith+Brown, PC. Second-stage companies are those

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HOT CROP Commercial Real Estate

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce has announced an exciting line-up for its 2019 Business Summit, set for Sept. 20. The summit, now in its sixth year, will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. This year’s keynote address is “Communicate Your Way to Success,” by entrepreneur, business coach and international speaker Jason Evers. Evers has traveled to more than 20 countries on five continents

such a prestigious company. Our partnership with the Hertz Corporation and now this new ownership ensures that Hertz Arena will maintain our strong community presence and continue to be the number one choice for entertainment in Southwest Florida.” The team and the arena were previously owned by Peter Karmanos, founder of Compuware Corporation and prior majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League. “Simply put, without the support of

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IN THE NEWS Collier names Pelican as ‘Business of the Wire Month’

During the July ty Commission 9 Collier CounWire was named meeting, Pelican ty ‘Business of the Collier Counthe Month’ and recognized by was the a manufacturing Board for being County for over leader in Collier 40 years. Pelican Wire President Ted Bill, who received the are truly honored award, said “We Collier County to be named the Month’ for July.‘Business of the Since moving AWARD See page

Gov. DeSantis announces job growth grants

Gov. Ron DeSantis the Florida Departmentannounced of Economic Opportunity Florida are acceptingand Enterprise economic development project proposals for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. $40 million is available to fund training and public job projects that support infrastructure growth and employment in Florida. “We know

the frastructure projects importance inand workforce training has on economic development,” said DeSantis. “The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will help Florida communities ensure they GRANTS See page

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Dr. Sandra Kauanui (left) and Noemi Ailynee Ramirez, Y. Perez (right) Jessica Sales, with - TIF Shark Daisy Montanez, Tank winners

Alondra Estrada Swap & Shop teamNeika Exulus, Young entrep reneurs share ideas, earn award s

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi Y. Perez Southwest Florida tion’s business-theme students in The Immokalee Foundad summer camp entrepreneurial recently shared ideas their Tank event modeled and garnered awards during a Shark The four-week after the popular TV show. was a partnership Business Management Pathway Coast University’sbetween the foundation and Floridacamp Gulf developed businessInstitute for Entrepreneursh ip. among them: finding plans that solved problems Students common clothes on a budget; centric finances; handling ñera; and findinggetting better sleep; planning studenta quincearestaurants suitable stricted diets. for people with reStudent teams gave presentations about ences, startup costs, their target audiprojected profits, marketing other aspects of entrepreneurial plans and Dr. Sandra Kauanui, enterprises at iTECH mokalee. Judges FGCU Director spoke during the for of Entrepreneurs Smart Companies the presentations were: Brian in Imevent. hip, Rist, The Smart Companies executive chairman; Sofia Blanno, gram allows shoppers to arrange tor of corporate intern; and Matthew Turner, Hertz The through social an app, then physically to buy, sell or swap items direcFirst place awards responsibility. central location exchange those in Immokalee. items at a Shop team of Neika of $500 each went to the MentorUs, Daisy Montanez Exulus, Jessica Sales, Alondra Swap & smart financial an app that encourages students and Ailynee Ramirez. Estrada, decisions, earned interested in dressing Aimed at students for team members second place of to make fashionably on $250 each Alex Soriano, a budget, the pro- ie Etienne, Azael Simon-Quirino Je’an Espinoza, Myrlandand Simson Devesaint.

Fort Myers Mayor

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore,

launches Divers ity Committee

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more inclusive city. Publisher Student Hailey Countryman asked her employer, Sanibel Captiva “It is never too the Mayor if he munity Bank, Comlate to give up had to FGCU’s College on diversity whom a team of advisors Education. your prejudices.” of Henry David Thoreau for guidance. Since he could rely on said, “We In a recent interview she can’t really say question was no, the answer to that ing to be representative we are tryat that moment Fort Myers Mayor derson felt Henof our city’s derson has known Randy Hen- a team. inspired to create just such residents and community if we don’t have diversity Ndiang’ui wanted Florida Gulf Coast University on the to make She sure the Mayor explained the council itself.” was prepared ter Ndiang’ui for professor Dr. Pe- road ahead committee drew about 10 years and asked him, for the its 18 members was a guest speaker and from the commu“Are in his class, “In- really able to handle the truth?” you nity, representing troduction to Diversity,” diversity project moved The ethnicity, forward. in Novemgender and sexualin race, ber. Henderson Beth Countryman, asked students Hailey’s moth- tity. “We can’t be a committee idenhe could do to what er, became make Fort Myers up of old white made involved with men and think the project, going a which led to we are a $25,000 donation to be in charge of diversity.” from DIVERSITY See page 11 Payment Plans Available • Discounted Merchandise Parking Options Discount • Presale • Private Parties & Exclusive Gifts on Hertz Arena Concerts & Family Shows Buy Any 19/20 & Get A $20 Membership Pack FORD’S GIFT & ‘BLADES TOTE CARD BAG Valid on any NEW

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Lee County Commission reduces permit fees

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to reduce building permit fees by 25% for one year beginning in December. The reduction will apply to fees as-

“Home sales are booming!” That is how Dave Gammon, director of the Charlotte County Economic Development Office, recently opened his presentation to an audience of Southwest Florida real estate investment and business professionals. He added, “We’re experiencing record sales: permits are up 25% year-over-year and we have no inventory to keep up with demand at the moment.” Gammon noted: “We had 225 permits in August 2020--and that ties the record set in February 2020!” “The Westport project is booming. The developer is telling me he needs more land!” With city flight, riots and jobs disappearing up north, Gammon said people are continuing to move here so said residential housing run in Southwest Florida will keep going. “Business travel is dead right now,” he stated, “but leisure flights continue to increase. The Punta Gorda Airport is the fourth least-impacted airport, regarding passenger travel, in the country, when comparing summer 2020 to summer 2019, resulting in a record year for tourism tax collections.” Regarding government assistance with economic recovery from COVID19, he shared, “Charlotte County, as other Florida counties, received its allocation of the CARES Act proceeds from the federal government, which was based on population. The Charlotte County Commissioners reserved $1.5 million of these funds for the Charlotte CAREs for Business Recovery Grant Program to aid local businesses in our community and support the economy.” Of the $1.5 million in CARES Act money Charlotte

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MAR

A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest

A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace. SOUTHWE

Charlotte development keeps on coming

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher

CareerSource

/ OCTOBER 2019 Vol. 12 No. 12 om usinesstoday.c www.swfloridab

WERT See page 17

Janice Smith, right, received the Breakthrough Volunteer of the Year Award. She is pictured with Carolyn Johnson, Vice President of Communications & Development for Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida.

Goodwill honors workers

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher

In his opening remarks for the 2019 Goodwill Breakthrough Awards presentation, John Nadeau, Goodwill Services of Southwest Florida president and CEO, shared, “This is my favorite day of the year because we get to talk about our mission services, which is really what we’re all about and what we provide to the community. People tend to think of us simply as thrift stores and forget about all the things that gets done behind the scenes.” Fred Richards, vice president of Community Support Services, shared, “Last year Goodwill Southwest Florida provided services to

more than 25,000 individuals through three disability programs and four community-based programs. One out of every 12 individuals that went through our employment or education programs secured a job.” Fifty individuals also started or strengthened their businesses through Goodwill’s MicroEnterprise educational program for entrepreneurs in 2019. More than 450 businesses have benefited from the program since its inception in 2010. Through the Military Resource Encounter program, the number of veterans and/or family members served was increased by 20% last year, assisting 713 and securing jobs for 75 veterans and/or family members. GOODWILL See page 19

IN THE NEWS sessed by the Lee County Department Naples Technology Ventures of Community Development to cover closes its NTV Frontier Fund costs for processing and reviewing applications and inspecting work for most building permits in unincorporated Lee County. The discount applies to permit

PERMIT See page 19

Naples Technology Ventures announced the final close of its $50 million NTV Frontier Fund. The NTV Frontier Fund will be dedicated to investment in promising early stage

CHARLOTTE See page 18

technology companies with Post-Seed, Pre-Series A or Series A funding requirements. The fund will seek investment opportunities within the AI and machine learning, blockchain, IoT, robotics and other advanced technology sectors, FUND See page 18

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

DECEMBER 2020

Local rural business and SCORE SWFL garner state SBA honors

Choose Cape Coral

for Supply Chain, Technology and Mixed-Use Development

Earlier this year, the Small Business Administration South Florida District and the SBA for the state of Florida named Ed Brakus and his company, Burma Spice, the SBA Rural Small Business of the Year. The Small Business Advocate of the Year Award was also given to the SCORE Southwest Florida Chapter’s team of mentors Len Hendrickson, Dave Hamblett and Ray O’Brien for its work with Brakus and Burma Spice. In October, SCORE Southwest Florida gave virtual accolades to four area businesses for achieving success after working closely with volunteer SCORE mentors. The event also recognized three outstanding SCORE volunteers. The winners and honorees are:

Business of the Year – Burma Spice Owner Edward Brakus, Jr. started operations for his gourmet exotic spice e-commerce company in his spare bedroom. His unique business model is based on working with Florida farms to produce and deliver high quality spices in days compared to the months it can take to receive spices from overseas. This farm-totable approach allowed Burma Spice to create its successful brand. After four years, Brakus approached SCORE for help with financing and marketing to further expand the business. Together, his three SCORE mentors — Hendrickson, Hamblett, and O’Brien —used their talents to help Brakus secure a $250,000 SBA guaranteed loan within seven days for manufacturing equipment. Within two weeks, the mentors arranged a meeting with the Culinary Manager at the Florida Culinary Accelerator in Immokalee, resulting in the development of networking and raw material sourcing relationships that are key to the company’s future growth and success.

City of Cape Coral Economic Development Office 239-573-3081 CapeCoral.net/EDO EcoDev@CapeCoral.net

Entrepreneur of the Year – Fieldr Owners Connor Firmender and Natalie Finazzo are Florida Gulf Coast University’s School of Entrepreneurship alumni who sought to better connect students with employers. They also wanted to provide students with meaningful experiential opportunities to help them find career paths. Fieldr is a web-based application streamlining the studentemployer connection by allowing students – at high school and college levels – to safely create profiles, register and apply for posted positions on an exclusive job board. Employers also register, create profiles and post a variety of positions ranging from volunteer work to internships to full-time jobs. Within six months of launching the platform, Fieldr had about 500 users. When these young entrepreneurs launched Fieldr in 2019, they knew they wanted to bring in a strong business mentor, so they reached out to SCORE to help with business planning and marketing. “Our SCORE mentor Rob Grabel is a phenomenal listener and advisor,” said Firmender. “He really helped in the early stages of shaping the business model, especially helping shape our pitch.” Startup of the Year– Omeza Omeza was launched in 2016

with the goal of using leading-edge biotechnology to help people better deal with chronic wounds. Founder and CEO Thomas Gardner, a seasoned healthcare executive, developed critical partnerships to carry this mission forward. He joined Griscom (Chip) Bettle, a renowned chemical engineer, and Dr. Desmond Bell, DPM, CWS, a leader in limb salvage and lower extremity wound care, to develop the core biotech formulations for the Omeza product line. In 2017, Gardner began working with SCORE and collaborated with a graduate student group to develop an initial financial forecast. That group of students included Sarah Kitlowski, who now serves as President & COO of Omeza. The students chose Omeza for their capstone project, developing a comprehensive business and go-to-market plan. SCORE Mentor Pat Loftus was a judge at the capstone presentation where the Omeza project took top honors. Loftus has remained connected with Omeza, including a seven-month mentoring relationship assisting with strategic planning, key relationship building and preparations for a second capital raise. Family-owned Small Business of the Year – Exceptional Aluminum Sales & Service Dennis Britton opened an aluminum screen enclosure business with his wife Scarlett after working in the same type of business with his father for more than 30 years. Exceptional Aluminum Sales and Service opened its doors just a few weeks before Hurricane Irma struck Fort Myers in 2017. Dennis brought in an experienced team and Scarlett worked the back office. Since the Brittons were new to the business side, they approached mentor Eileen Buchanan at SCORE in 2018 for help in managing the financial side and running a stronger operation. By 2019, profitability increased, and established processes were in place to help the company run smoothly. Individual honorees Mentors are the heart of the SCORE operation, volunteering their time and years of experience to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow stronger and achieve their goals. This year’s winners are: Ben Simmons, Mentor of the Year; Sharon Schulman, Volunteer of the Year, and Pat Loftus, Distinguished Service Award Winner. For more on these businesses, go to: https://southwestflorida.score. org/success-stories SCORE Southwest Florida is a local chapter of SCORE with more than 35 volunteer business experts. In 2019, the Southwest Florida Chapter supported 24 new business starts and the creation of 257 non-owner jobs and continued to be rated highly rated for client satisfaction. In FY2020, SCORE Southwest Florida delivered 2,134 services to the community, mentoring 443 clients in 1,123 mentoring sessions with 56% in-business and 693 attendees at local and online SCORE workshops. Learn more at www.southwestﬂorida.score.org.

DECEMBER 2020

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 3

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD Mother and daughter relaunch virtual solutions business to ﬁll need

Where there is a need, there is a solution and a business opportunity, says Rose Young, founder of TOP Virtual Solutions & Services. Young, who is contracted employee of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, established her business in 2018 as a result of watching women leaving jail but having no means of employment or a plan to get back on their feet. Her idea was to create and provide a virtual telephone answering service that offered these women flexibility to work from her business office or their home. According to Young, all was going well with but the phone system and platform for the services still needed some tweaking when Covid hit. Young took a step back to reevaluate her business and for the past eight months the business has been in limbo until now. “After my daughter lost her job as a Human Resources Specialist due to the pandemic, and a dear friend who was working as a customer service professional lost her job after a decade of employment, I knew I needed to relaunch the business to help them gain employment,” said Young. “My desire is to create workplace opportunities as a familyowned and operated business with my daughter.” TOP Virtual Solutions & Services is now having a rebirth and relaunch out of

women experiencing life transitioning barriers, I would like to provide employment to help them gain business experience and confidence in themselves.” TOP Virtual Solutions & Services, LLC is being presented with the tagline of “Your Answering Service Solutions Marketplace” and the Youngs’ vision for the company in their relaunch is to be the leading model of telephone answering services and virtual solutions where passion and purpose come together. Rose Young has been a life coach since 2016 and has been advocating for youth empowerment in the community for many years. Her passion and dedication are known in the community as she is an author, a women’s recovery coach TOP Virtual Solutions & Services is now having a rebirth and relaunch out of ne- and a youth advocate. Young wants to cessity with Qua Young, daughter of Rose Young, at the helm with her mother’s inspire people to discover their personal help. power and live their best life. TOP Virtual Solutions & Services can necessity with Qua Young, daughter of who reach voicemail hang up,” added accommodate any kind or size of busiRose Young, at the helm with her moth- Rose Young. Young, both mother and daughter, ness from real estate and attorneys to ers’ help. The minority/female owned business is gearing up to make a differ- want to offer a professional telephone home repairs, medical, and more. Servicence, not only for women, but for the answering service than can potentially es and plans begin as low as $39.95 per increase a company’s success and gain month as the Young team want to make businesses they serve. their plans affordable and manageable The business model and goal of TOP positive results in customer retention. “Our mission is to provide our clients for their clients and local businesses. Virtual Solutions & Services is to offer services and solutions for business own- with superior custom answering service ers to ensure they never miss calls from that exceeds their expectations while be- To connect with TOP Virtual Solutions & their clients or potential clients. “Wheth- lieving that every call matters,” added Services, call (239) 241-6900 or email er a sales or service call, according to re- Rose Young. “And, as an advocate for Contact@TopVSS.com. For more inforsearch and news sources, 80% of callers women’s empowerment, and for those mation, visit www.TopVSS.com.

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

In face of community hardship, bank stays committed to clients To say 2020 was a difficult year is a colossal understatement. A worldwide pandemic disrupted our lives and created both a public health and economic crisis all while we witnessed one of the nation’s most contentious presidential races. Throw in a recordbreaking number of hurricanes and Southwest Floridians have been a little stressed out. The hardships COVID caused so many in our community led Sanibel Captiva Community Bank to be even more committed to supporting and empowering our customers, team members and community. In response to COVID-19, we quickly improvised, adapted and overcame challenges to help those who needed us. Here are a few ways we’ve made a positive impact in 2020: • Facilitated 750+ SBA Payroll Protection Program loans totaling nearly $70 million for Southwest Florida businesses, non-profits and independent contractors, saving over 9,000 jobs. • Donated over $100,000 to 12 Southwest Florida non-profits serving the ongoing needs of children and hunger relief efforts. • Paid our branch staff full-time for part-time hours while lobbies were closed for three months and paid higher risk employees in full to not work for four months. • Donated rent-free office space to two Southwest Florida not-for-profit

organizations at one of our branch locations. • Partnered with the United Way to pack nearly 1,500 PPE packets for local businesses. Like everyone else, we look forward to hitting BY AMY the reset button in MCQUAGGE 2021. However, we Guest Columnist will not forget the lessons this crisis taught us. Going forward we pledge to continue to do even more to ensure our community knows we’re here to help in both good times and in bad. We are being proactive in future planning because the way we do business may have been forever changed, and we want to make certain we continue to offer products and services to our customers that reflect these changes. Eventually this crisis will pass but our steadfast dedication and commitment to helping others and serving the Southwest Florida community will always remain. Bring on 2021! Amy McQuagge is Vice President and Director of Marketing for Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. Contact her at (239) 274-6273 or amcquagge@sancapbank.com. Learn more at sancapbank.com

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Brad Berzins a 20-year industrial and investment sales broker who was formerly a principal with NAI KLNB in the Baltimore-Washington D C -Northern Virginia markets together with Andy Georgelakos a former President of NAI KLNB have launched the newest NAI Global Office NAI THOR Commercial Group a full-service brokerage firm servicing the Gulf Coast sections of Florida including Fort Myers Tampa Naples and Sarasota NAI THOR Commercial Group becomes the 12th NAI affiliate in Florida joining other major market offices in Miami Orlando Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale and increasing the number of total Florida offices for NAI Global to 15 NAI THOR Commercial Group has formed a strategic alliance with major market affiliate NAI Miami led by Jeremy Larkin allowing the firms to connect and serve Florida’s two largest markets in Tampa and Miami consisting of approximately 10 million people along with the secondary markets that connect the two Berzins and Georgelakos will inject their business philosophy and major market expertise from their time in the Washington DC market The combined companies will provide investment sales landlord and tenant representation services in the industrial flex office health & wellness and retail sectors The firm will also provide property management real estate appraisal and debt placement services Berzins who has worked as an industrial and investment sales broker in the Mid-Atlantic for the past 20 years has completed transactions valued at more than $1 billion throughout his career He served on the KLNB Executive Committee and was instrumental in the firm becoming the largest and most profitable independently-owned brokerage company in the Mid-

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DECEMBER 2020

NAI Global announces Florida expansion

Berzins explains the partners are “meeting with the right talent in each market that will bring local knowledge and market expertise along with an entrepreneurial and collaborative attitude and approach ” “We are looking for proven producers who wish to be engaged with a brokerage company offering opportunities to earn and become an owner in the brokerage company which is among the clear differentiating points that made NAI KLNB successful We intend to structure a similar model that financially rewards our team for their contributions ” he added This includes the recruitment of Kevin Fitzgerald the former head of NAI Southwest Florida and a veteran of the NAI network and a professional with more than 35 years of diverse commercial real estate experience who will assist with the growth of the Fort Myers and Naples offices “Andy has been among my key mentors throughout my career and it is very valuable to have his leadership and presence as we roll this out ” Berzins added “The opportunity for the two of us to partner with Jeremy Larkin and NAI Miami will create an even greater impact to the market and the clients that we serve We intend to employ the same business philosophies that have proven successful for us in our careers with a focus on personalized service and presenting timely real estate solutions for our clients ” NAI THOR Commercial Group is operating offices in Tampa and Fort Myers presently and anticipates announcing the location of the Sarasota and Naples sites in the very near future “A major emphasis in our selection criteria is to establish offices within close proximity to major airports and access to the appropriate arteries for the economic advantages and to facilitate visitations from our out-of-town business representatives and clients ” Berzins explained

Atlantic region While President of KLNB from 2000 through 2017 Georgelakos guided the company to record transactional volume and oversaw the expansion of the firm from two to four offices throughout the Baltimore-Washington D C -Northern Virginia region The firm also grew to more than 80 full-time brokerage professionals “Over the past several years it has become increasingly apparent where the business and real estate growth in the United States is headed including where clients and people want to be ” Berzins said “Andy moved to Fort Myers several years ago and has been a huge proponent of the market for quite some time and we have mutual clients in Florida that we have consulted with for years We have complete confidence that there remains room to build a bestin-class privately-held brokerage company where we can attract top-tier talent serving local mid-market and institutional clients With Tampa Sarasota Fort Myers and Naples we are going to build something special with scale ” “The NAI Florida group which consists of 12 firms and was originally spearheaded by Jeremy Larkin of NAI Miami is a remarkable group of firms that share a lot of cohesiveness and clients ” Georgelakos stated “and we intend to join together and collaborate with them Our research and instincts have pointed us to this section of the country and we firmly believe economic infrastructure and societal forces have aligned to bring unprecedented growth to this region We intend to be extremely aggressive in attracting the top brokerage talent to our team and quickly mobilizing to capitalize upon emerging real estate opportunities ”

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A font of useful information was given by Southwest Florida business professionals who recently participated in a lively and informative local discussion panel moderated by Above Board Chamber Executive Director Jeanne Sweeney. Panelists included Nirupa Netram, founder, Lotus Solutions LLC; Shanthy Bala, Esq, a Harvard-educated tax and business attorney; Theresa Ayers, owner, The

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Path of Being; Precious Gunter, Esq., Director of Equity, Ethics, & Compliance & Title IX Coordinator, FGCU’s Lutgert College of Business. When asked “What is diversity in the workplace?,” Nirupa, whose firm helps with diversification efforts in the workplace, shared, “Having a workforce comprised of all races, generations, genders, ethnicities, disabilities, LBGTQ, as well as immigrants and refugees.” Expanding upon the question of how employers can create diversity, Bala responded, “It’s impor-

tant that employers know that diversity and inclusion are two separate things.” She added, “The employer must create an environment where employees feel safe with their differences from other employees.” She notes two important questions employers must ask--is management giving opportunities for inclusion, creating a comfort level for those who feel they have differences from other employees, as well as offering professional growth opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds?” DIVERSITY See page 22

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in the wake of Charlotte County, joinLucienne Pears former director Partners at Babcock ing Kitson and former Business Ranch, elevated and interim Recruitment Supervisor to executive director Dave Gammon DevelopEconomic director of the ment Office. face in reGammon is a familiar he development as gional economic three years with his has proven in EDO. Charlotte County continue leading He is excited to like developments several existing 19

Florida to communities in second one of four host as part of the Lee County was from seven countries welcome companiesTrade Summit. Manatee, annual International International Trade Hub at Port Fort Lauseries visited Organized by The for one day Business opportunity the 2019 Global Bradenton/Sarasota and Tampa derdale, Fort Myers,to 29. 26 Office, Southwest each from Aug. ReEconomic Development and the Southwest The Lee County Chamber of Commerce the event, which Florida Hispanic Association co-hosted gional Manufacturers Gulf Railway. Colombia, was sponsored Seminole from Argentina, Chile, Peru and other locales International companies Mexico, Spain, goods, apparel, artisanal El Salvador, Guatemala, food, coffee, fruits, cooking systems featured wine, snack and state-of-the-art to merchandise companies Lee County industryof founded as part summit showcases during the summit. Trade Hub at Port Manatee, and An expo-style from seven nations markets in Florida and business leaders visiting The International Trade Summit. advice as a vital link between annual International provides expert in 2014, serves 6 the second world. The hub TRADE See page throughout the

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Intermediary and Proa Certified Business & Acquisitions transaction experithe IBBA ap- Certified Mergers designations from ence totaling in fi$170 fessional a Eric Gall, managing with a concentration proximately for Edison Avenue, won and an MBAthe University of Michigan. broker of record brokerage and lower million. Gall and nance from in business transactions leading business Gall the 2018, 2016 and acquisitions Niehaus, Bro- Assisting middle market mergers Pfeffer, Steven 2014 Business significant changes No. 1 are Michael and Phillip Reda. firm, is announcing kers of Florida Edward Valaitis Business Adto operations. Top Dollar Producer to rebrand itself Pfeffer joins Edison of business The firm has decided over 20 years Award for Southwest Advisors” to better out visors with experience, including 12 as “Edison Business service offerings, Florida, beating busi- transactionbusiness brokerage franchise communicate addedbusiness appraisals, Gall a over 90 other Pfeffer is a He is years as including certified appraisals and certiness brokers. in Southwest Florida. Certified Brokers owner Intermediary, certified equipment International Business 6 and Board Certified fied exit strategies. mergers and acquisi- also an EDISON See page Chairman’s Circle Brokerage and led by Association Award winner. Eric holds continue to be tions efforts will 20 years of business Deal Maker Gall. He has over OPENING

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Hoffmann Family buys Hertz Arena, Everblades

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25 suites, two additional ice rinks, a such a prestigious company. Our partprivate club and a pub, Breakaway nership with the Hertz Corporation Sports Pub. The arena is also home to and now this new ownership ensures the Florida Gulf Coast University Ea- that Hertz Arena will maintain our gles club hockey team of the Ameri- strong community presence and continue to be the number one choice for can Collegiate Hockey Association. “We are optimistic that all of the entertainment in Southwest Florida.” The team and the arena were pre330 employees will remain with the Hoffmann Family of Companies,” viously owned by Peter Karmanos, said Craig Brush, Florida Everblades founder of Compuware Corporation President and General Manager, who and prior majority owner of the Carosigned a five-year contract and has a lina Hurricanes in the National Hockcommitment from all his senior staff ey League. “Simply put, without the support of to remain in place. “We are thrilled to be acquired by EVERBLADES See page 6

GrowFL announces statewide honorees

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Fort Myers sixth Business Summit slated for Sept. 20 The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce has announced an exciting line-up for its 2019 Business Summit, set for Sept. 20. The summit, now in its sixth year, will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers. This year’s keynote address is “Communicate Your Way to Success,” by entrepreneur, business coach and international speaker Jason Evers. Evers has traveled to more than 20 countries on five continents

Holly Bell addresses citrus growers about the 25,000-plus uses for industrial hemp, which can now be grown legally in Florida

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Estate A specially section exploringfocused monthly mercial real estate the SWFL commarketplace. IN THE NEWS Collier names Pelican as ‘Business of the Wire Month’

Gov. DeSantis announces job growth grants

Gov. Ron DeSantis the Florida Departmentannounced of Economic Opportunity Florida are acceptingand Enterprise velopment project economic deproposals for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. $40 million is available training and public to fund job projects that support infrastructure growth and employment in Florida. “We know the frastructure projects importance inand workforce training has on economic development,” said DeSantis. Job Growth Grant “The Florida Fund will help Florida communities ensure they GRANTS See page

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Dr. Sandra Kauanui Ailynee Ramirez, (left) and Noemi Y. Perez (right) Jessica Sales, Daisy Montanez, with - TIF Shark Tank winners

Alondra Estrada Swap & Shop teamNeika Exulus, Young entrepreneurs share ideas, earn awards

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi Y. Perez Southwest Florida tion’s business-themedstudents in The Immokalee Foundasummer camp entrepreneurial recently shared ideas their Tank event modeled and garnered awards during a Shark The four-week after the popular TV show. was a partnership Business Management Pathway Coast University’sbetween the foundation and Floridacamp Gulf developed businessInstitute for Entrepreneurship. among them: finding plans that solved problems Students common clothes on a budget; centric finances; handling ñera; and findinggetting better sleep; planning studenta quincearestaurants suitable stricted diets. for people with reStudent teams gave presentations about ences, startup costs, their target audiprojected profits, other aspects of marketing plans entrepreneurial and Dr. Sandra Kauanui, FGCU enterprises at iTECH mokalee. Judges Director of Entrepreneurship, spoke during the for event. Smart Companies the presentations were: Brian in ImRist, The Smart Companies executive chairman; Sofia Blanno, gram allows shoppers to arrange tor of corporate intern; and Matthew Turner, Hertz The through social an app, then physically to buy, sell or swap items direcFirst place awards responsibility. central location exchange those in Immokalee. items at a Shop team of Neika of $500 each went to the MentorUs, Daisy Montanez Exulus, Jessica Sales, Alondra Swap & smart financial an app that encourages students and Ailynee Ramirez. Estrada, decisions, earned interested in dressing Aimed at students for team members second place of to make fashionably on $250 each Alex Soriano, a budget, the pro- ie Etienne, Azael Simon-Quirino Je’an Espinoza, Myrlandand Simson Devesaint.

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Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher more inclusive city. Student Hailey her employer, Sanibel Captiva “It is never too the Mayor if he Countryman asked munity Comlate to give had Bank, to FGCU’s on diversity whom a team of advisors Education. your prejudices.” up College of Henry David Thoreau for guidance. Since he could rely on said, “We In a recent interview she can’t really say question was no, the answer to that ing to be representative we are tryat that moment Fort Myers Mayor derson felt Henof our derson has known Randy Hen- a team. inspired to create just such residents and community if we city’s have diversity Ndiang’ui wanted don’t Florida Gulf Coast University on the to make She sure the Mayor explained the council itself.” was prepared ter Ndiang’ui for professor Dr. Pe- road ahead about 10 years and asked him, for the its 18 members committee drew was a guest speaker and from the commu“Are in his class, “In- really able to handle the truth?” you nity, representing troduction to Diversity,” diversity project moved The ethnicity, forward. in Novemgender and sexualin race, ber. Henderson Beth Countryman, asked students Hailey’s moth- tity. “We can’t be a committee idenhe could do to what er, became make Fort Myers up of old white made involved with men and think the project, going a which led to we are a $25,000 donation to be in charge of diversity.” from

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The Immokalee Foundation received a $25,000 technol- transition was swift and effective for our students. ogy grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation. “The COVID-19 relief was tremendously helpful in setOriginally awarded as a challenge grant, the modified funds ting up our staff in virtual offices and putting laptops into supported the foundation’s technology needs during the the hands of students who otherwise would not have been able to stay connected to school and the foundation,” said COVID-19 pandemic. “The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation grant Perez. “All the additional challenges that our community helped us transition our Career Pathways programming to is facing make our work more important than ever, so we succeed. virtual platforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” need to do everything it takes to help our ® students LEAVE THE CLEANING TO US! said Noemi Y. Perez, president and CEO of The Immokalee We are so appreciative of the Richard M. Schulze Family Celebrating 12 Years Foundation’s generous support of our efforts.” Foundation. “In doing so, we continued current program• Provides quality janitorial services ming and were able to add new programming options. The • Committed GRANT See page 6 to honesty, integrity, hard work

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(239) that are unfolding across ev- B2B and Charlotte Counties, and a 368-1219 new SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S MARKETPLACE • 239-573-9732 Goodwill offers training on mations Expanded Bonita Chamber ery sector and industry. name to reflect its regional reach –cepride.com billstaggs@ofﬁ digital literacy, work skills Vol. 13 No. rebrands asCape SWFL Inc. Labor believe that evenDistributed enSWFL Inc. 12 /experts OCTOBER 2020 in Fort Myers, Coral, TAKE ONE

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As Florida continues to manage The Bonita Area Chamtry level workers will now be expectedEstero, Bonita “We are ecstatic to share our new,FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com SpringsSprings and Naples BUSINESS TODAY® ON: the impact of COVID-19, Goodwill to use a variety of digital devices and ber of Commerce, a premier business more inclusive model with businesses Industries of Southwest Florida is fa- equipment. Here are a few examples services organization since 1953, has across Southwest Florida,” said Tifcilitating new digital skills training to of technology use by industry: launched a new membership model to fany Esposito, President and CEO ofSWFL companies help learners prepare for job transfor- INSIDE THIS ISSUE better serve businesses in Lee, Collier GOODWILL See page 8 CHAMBER See page 7

A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

named to top state list

Do you want a clean office ... or a clean and HEALTHY office?

Two Southwest Florida companies announced they were among the first CONTACT US TODAY round of the 2020 Florida Companies Nikko Conn Nikko@imageoneusa.com to Watch finalists announced by GrowAnthony Conn FL. The awards event, now in its 10th Anthony@imageoneusa.com year, honors impressive second-stage companies from throughout the state (239) 789-2267 for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities and broadening new industries throughout Florida. Founded in Naples in 1980, Presstige Printing is experiencing record growth fueled by its commitment to customer satisfaction and investment in industry leading technology. The recent round of investments is part of the company’s “Presstige 2020” initiative, which includes nearly $3 million in state-of-the-art equipment and technology. The results are industry Dane Eagle, right, shakes hands with Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-76th District, leading quality, consistency, and efon the floor of the Florida House of Representatives. ficiency to match with the company’s superior customer service. “We were blown away when we Special to SWFBT cision to resign, months after DeSansaw the list of phenomenal companies Submitted By: Jacob Ogles, Editor tis, unhappy with leadership, largely that we are alongside,” Presstige Printsidelined the director. ing Owner Wes Weidenmiller said. Dane Eagle came a couple hun“Look, we certainly have got our “This recognition confirms my belief dred votes short of the Republican challenges ahead of us,” Eagle told that investing in technology here at nomination for Congress. But he still Southwest Florida Business Today. our SWFL headquarters positions us ended up in a position of responsibil- “But there’s a great staff in place. among the best printers in the state.” ity and influence. Gov. Ron DeSantis They’ve been overworked. I look forPriority Marketing is also among in September announced the Cape ward to giving them more resources the Southwest Florida businesses to be Coral lawmaker as his choice for ex- and fixing the problems of the past named finalists. ecutive director of the Department of with the CONNECT system and “GrowFL received more than 400 Economic Opportunity. moving forward to a brighter day.” nominations this year, and it’s gratifyThat’s a position under extraordiEagle brings with him an intimate ing to know that we’re not just regarded nary scrutiny at the moment. When knowledge of Southwest Florida as as a successful business in Southwest the coronavirus pandemic spurred he takes over the agency after repreFlorida, but across all of Florida,” said statewide layoffs this year, the state senting House District 77 for the last Teri Hansen, president and creative unemployment system, CONNECT, eight years in the Legislature. That director at Priority Marketing. “Our crumbled under intense demand. will guide decisions for the new dicompany has grown to over 40 emThat ultimately led into former ® DEO rector.THE CLEANING TO US!ployees that are working tirelessly to DEO See page 13 LIST See page 14 executive director Ken Lawson’sLEAVE de-

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Dave Gammon elevated Charlotte EDO director

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in the wake of Charlotte County, joinLucienne Pears former director Partners at Babcock ing Kitson and former Business Ranch, elevated and interim Recruitment Supervisor to executive director Dave Gammon DevelopEconomic director of the ment Office. face in reGammon is a familiar he development as gional economic three years with his has proven in EDO. Charlotte County continue leading He is excited to like developments several existing 19

Florida to communities in second one of four host as part of the Lee County was from seven countries welcome companiesTrade Summit. Manatee, annual International International Trade Hub at Port Fort Lauseries visited Organized by The for one day Business opportunity the 2019 Global Bradenton/Sarasota and Tampa derdale, Fort Myers,to 29. 26 Office, Southwest each from Aug. ReEconomic Development and the Southwest The Lee County Chamber of Commerce the event, which Florida Hispanic Association co-hosted gional Manufacturers Gulf Railway. Colombia, was sponsored Seminole from Argentina, Chile, and other locales International companies Mexico, Spain, Peru artisanal goods, apparel, El Salvador, Guatemala, food, coffee, fruits, cooking systems featured wine, snack and state-of-the-art to merchandise companies Lee County industryof founded as part summit showcases during the summit. Trade Hub at Port Manatee, and An expo-style from seven nations markets in Florida and business leaders visiting The International Trade Summit. advice as a vital link between annual International provides expert in 2014, serves 6 the second world. The hub TRADE See page throughout the

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Intermediary and Proa Certified Business Mergers & Acquisitions transaction experithe IBBA ap- Certified designations from ence totaling in fi$170 fessional a Eric Gall, managing with a concentration proximately for Edison Avenue, won and an MBAthe University of Michigan. broker of record brokerage and lower million. Gall and nance from in business transactions leading business Gall the 2018, 2016 and acquisitions Niehaus, Bro- Assisting middle market mergers Pfeffer, Steven 2014 Business significant changes 1 are Michael and Phillip Reda. firm, is announcing kers of Florida No. Edward Valaitis Business Adto operations. Top Dollar Producer to rebrand itself Pfeffer joins Edison of business The firm has decided over 20 years Award for Southwest Advisors” to better out visors with experience, including 12 as “Edison Business service offerings, Florida, beating busi- transactionbusiness brokerage franchise communicate addedbusiness appraisals, Gall a over 90 other Pfeffer is a He is years as including certified appraisals and certiness brokers. in Southwest Florida. Certified Brokers owner Intermediary, certified equipment International Business 6 and Board Certified fied exit strategies. mergers and acquisi- also an EDISON See page Chairman’s Circle Brokerage and led by Association Award winner. Eric holds continue to be tions efforts will 20 years of business Deal Maker Gall. He has over OPENING

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25 suites, two additional ice rinks, a such a prestigious company. Our partprivate club and a pub, Breakaway nership with the Hertz Corporation Sports Pub. The arena is also home to and now this new ownership ensures the Florida Gulf Coast University Ea- that Hertz Arena will maintain our gles club hockey team of the Ameri- strong community presence and concan Collegiate Hockey Association. tinue to be the number one choice for “We are optimistic that all of the entertainment in Southwest Florida.” The team and the arena were pre330 employees will remain with the Hoffmann Family of Companies,” viously owned by Peter Karmanos, said Craig Brush, Florida Everblades founder of Compuware Corporation President and General Manager, who and prior majority owner of the Carosigned a five-year contract and has a lina Hurricanes in the National Hockcommitment from all his senior staff ey League. to remain in place. “Simply put, without the support of “We are thrilled to be acquired by EVERBLADES See page 6

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The 25th Annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award application deadline is fast approaching. The Blue Chip Community Business Award recognizes successful, small businesses in Lee, Collier or Charlotte County that have overcome adversity to achieve success. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, Sept. 4. The independent judges select the honoree after all the applications

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Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi Y. Perez Southwest Florida tion’s business-themedstudents in The Immokalee Foundasummer camp entrepreneurial recently shared ideas their Tank event modeled and garnered awards during a Shark The four-week after the popular TV show. was a partnership Business Management Pathway Coast University’sbetween the foundation and Floridacamp Gulf developed businessInstitute for Entrepreneurship. among them: finding plans that solved problems Students common clothes on a budget; centric finances; handling ñera; and findinggetting better sleep; planning studenta quincearestaurants suitable stricted diets. for people with reStudent teams gave presentations about ences, startup costs, their target audiprojected profits, other aspects of marketing plans entrepreneurial and Dr. Sandra Kauanui, FGCU enterprises at iTECH mokalee. Judges Director of Entrepreneurship, spoke during the for Smart Companies the presentations were: Brian in Imevent. Rist, The Smart Companies executive chairman; Sofia Blanno, gram allows shoppers to arrange tor of corporate intern; and Matthew Turner, Hertz The through social an app, then physically to buy, sell or swap items direcFirst place awards responsibility. central location exchange those in Immokalee. items at a Shop team of Neika of $500 each went to the MentorUs, Daisy Montanez Exulus, Jessica Sales, Alondra Swap & smart financial an app that encourages students and Ailynee Ramirez. Estrada, decisions, earned interested in dressing Aimed at students for team members second place of to make fashionably on $250 each Alex Soriano, a budget, the pro- ie Etienne, Azael Simon-Quirino Je’an Espinoza, Myrlandand Simson Devesaint.

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Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher more inclusive city. Student Hailey her employer, Sanibel Captiva “It is never too the Mayor if he Countryman asked munity Comlate to give had Bank, to FGCU’s on diversity whom a team of advisors Education. your prejudices.” up College of Henry David Thoreau for guidance. Since he could rely on said, “We In a recent interview she can’t really say question was no, the answer to that ing to be representative we are tryat that moment Fort Myers Mayor derson felt Henof our city’s derson has known Randy Hen- a team. inspired to create just such residents and community if we don’t have diversity Ndiang’ui wanted Florida Gulf Coast University on the to make She sure the Mayor explained the council itself.” was prepared ter Ndiang’ui for professor Dr. Pe- road ahead about 10 years and asked him, for the its 18 members committee drew was a guest speaker and from the commu“Are in his class, “In- really able to handle the truth?” you nity, representing troduction to Diversity,” diversity project moved The ethnicity, forward. in Novemgender and sexualin race, ber. Henderson Beth Countryman, asked students Hailey’s moth- tity. “We can’t be a committee idenhe could do to what er, became make Fort Myers up of old white made involved with men and think the project, going a which led to we are a $25,000 donation to be in charge of diversity.” from

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Allegiant.com. sunny beaches and outdoor paradise.” FOLLOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDAwill “Southwest Floridians be Allegiant offers a special option to BUSINESS TODAY® ON: thrilled to fly with ease from Punta Gor- Punta Gorda-area travelers with low da into these major metropolitan areas,” base airfare and savings on rental cars said Punta Gorda Airport CEO James and hotels.

IN THE NEWS vide behind-the-scenes updates from the Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bayshore Gateway Triangles CRAs. The event, scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m., will provide a chance for participants to hear from all the local CRAs and the work being done to WEBINAR See page 13

Professional, construction jobs on the rise in SWFL

The Department of Economic Opportunity announced that in August, construction and professional jobs in Southwest Florida went up even as the total number of jobs went down.

Three major industries gained jobs over the year in the Fort Myers area: construction (+900 jobs); professional and business services (+700 jobs); and government (+600 jobs). Four major industries gained jobs over the year in the Naples area: construction

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Billy the Bee Foundation looks forward to 2021

In the midst of the troubling 2020 year Billy the Bee Foundation was born William Douglas aka Billy the Bee founded the Billy the Bee Foundation because he was motivated by the fact that bees are incredible creatures and are critical to our survival While to some the foundation might just look like a not-for-profit that sells bee-centric bath and body products there is much more to it Billy the Bee’s mission is to increase awareness of the strain being placed on the bee population to raise funds by selling sustainablysourced honey products and donating 100% of the profits to bee organizations around the world in order to save the bees All of its products are sourced ethically and environmentally friendly Bees have the ultimate selfless job they constantly contribute to our world and share their honey yet our habits and environmental changes are making them rapidly disappear Parasites pesticides poor nutrition and disease are killing honeybee colonies across the world Honeybees are an integral part of our environment as they are the key pollinator If the bees go extinct it would create a chain reaction destroying ecosystems and making species of plants and animals disappear Billy the Bee Foundation is dedicated to educating people on how to ensure the survival of bees all over our planet In 2021 Billy wants to continue working with environmental experts to stay educated and spread awareness on the challenges bees face Starting early next year all of the Billy the Bee Foundation products will be found in the Everglades Wonder Gardens Wonder Shoppe in Bonita Springs For information on bees or the products visit billythebeefoundation com

DECEMBER 2020

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

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ANNIVERSARY

Promotional Incentives celebrates 30 years in business President Lucy Costa of Promotional Incentives, Inc. announced the company’s 30th business anniversary. Founded in August 1990, this organization is a proven success in providing promotional products to companies and organizations throughout Florida and the United States. Located in Cape Coral, Lucy along with partner and husband Jack Costa, have been part of this region’s most recognizable branding efforts and promotional campaigns, providing custom apparel, recognition awards, business gifts and branded products. Promotional Incentives has earned a stellar reputation by staying up to date on new trends and products, along with working with high quality suppliers. Claude Emler, advertising and production manager for Shell Point Retirement Community says, “Lucy’s knowledge of the industry and insights into ‘hot trends’ not only provides us with a plethora of options when we’re looking for a specific item, but she is also diligent in suggesting other great ideas.” They have received numerous advertising and public relations honors through the years. Their copyright protected “Shop On Lion” campaign, implemented as a giveaway to promote shopping online, was recognized for its creativity and innovation as it was introduced on the cusp of the internet revolution. A unique campaign in 2011 introduced “Promo-

Gumby” as the company spokesman designed to re-engage customers and reinforce brand identity. The universally recognized character travels the world with clients and friends appearing in photos with his logo branded t-shirt touting a fitting message, “Creative, Flexible and Going Green.” Most recently, the company has been successfully navigating the waters of PPE and safety products. BY LUCY As PromoLucy notes, “We want COSTA to be known as a trusted resource Guest Columnist with our brand top of mind in this new environment.” Over its 30 years, Lucy and Jack have contributed to dozens of Southwest Florida charities, serving on boards and committees, offering significant discounts and implementing cost-effective, strategic promotions to help each reach its goals. Their tag line, Getting Results, defines their mission. Whether celebrating milestones, strengthening morale, simplifying technology, or boosting health and safety, Lucy and Jack continue to fulfill their purpose. “When we help a client implement the perfect promotion or find the ideal recognition gift, we are fulfilling our pas-

“PromoGumby” serves as company spokesman, for Promotional Incentives. sion of helping people feel valued and part of a team.” PromoLucy concludes, “We are grateful to our clients who have partnered with us through the years. With their support we have weathered many challenges, and throughout continue to promote and recognize brands. We look forward to Getting Results® for another decade.” For more information, contact Lucy Costa, lucy@promotionalincentives.com, (239) 549-2555, or visit www. PromotionalIncentives.com.

Estero Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its 22nd annual awards Special to SWFBT

More than 200 people attended the Estero Chamber of Commerce awards luncheon held at The Club at Grandezza. The keynote address was delivered by David Diamond, locally headquartered international construction management firm DeAngelis Diamond co-owner and co-founder. He shared with audience members his thoughts on how to successfully create and build a business. Award recipients included: Non-Proﬁt of the Year: Junior Achievement of

Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/calendar Southwest Florida Small Business of the Year: Willett Business Management, owner Cheryl Willett Large Business of the Year: The Club at Grandezza Person of the Year: Dr. Larry Antonucci, CEO of Lee Health The Estero Chamber of Commerce represents

over 200 businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals throughout the Southwest Florida area, providing many avenues where members can network and build relationships, learn how to grow their businesses and market themselves to a wide range of other business professionals and residents. In his closing remarks, Estero Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nolen Rollins shared his vision for the future of Estero and its place in Southwest Florida. “Estero is positioned for growth and success like no other place in Southwest Florida. It’s the greatest place to do business, work, live and play.”

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DECEMBER 2020

Engineering leaders hold virtual meetup with students A diverse group of 70 high school students from The School District of Lee County Public Schools met virtually with 15 professionals from 12 different local engineering companies last Wednesday for the 2020 Engineering Experience Event, held virtually via Zoom. Also in attendance were 15 post-secondary students from Florida Gulf Coast University’s U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and Florida SouthWestern State College to share their experiences after high school in preparation for the workforce. The high school students, post-secondary students and professionals interacted with each other and engaged in panels and roundtable discussions, allowing students to gain insight into the many engineering opportunities in the Southwest Florida area. This event reflects an extraordinary collaborative effort between multiple organizations of different areas of expertise. The event was presented by the School District of Lee County’s Career & Technical Education Department, in partnership

Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/calendar with the engineering program teachers at multiple high schools. The event was sponsored by Atkins Global and Cardno, two engineering firms with local offices. Dr. Amanda Sterk, College UnMazed, presented tips and tricks for post-secondary and scholarship applications. “It was a fun experience and wonderful to see so many students with an interest in the Engineering field,” said Lee Flynn, Principal at AIM Engineering & Surveying. “I am happy to have been part of this event and to pass along some of my personal experiences.” Aiden Emery, a student at Dunbar High School said, “The experience was very thought-provoking. The various views of the engineers we met helped me consider whether pursuing engineering is a viable option for me, and further, what field is most appealing to me. It also offered insight into potential internships and colleges that

Catalyst for new aﬀordable housing development in Cape Catalyst Community Capital, in partnership with the Lee County Housing Authority and Revital Development Group, announced the recent acquisition of 4.6 acres in Cape Coral, that will be developed as a 96-unit affordable and workforce housing community. The community, known as Civitas of Cape Coral, will offer 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, all of which will be reserved for families that earn 80% or less of the area median income. Rents will range from $388-$1,434, including utilities, filling a large void in the market for rental units that are affordable to the working-class residents of Lee County. “While one project alone will not solve the affordable housing issue in Lee County, this project is a step in the right direction and will help attract more affordable housing developers and investors to the Southwest Florida market, which should result in more units coming to market,” stated Joseph Bonora, president and CEO of Catalyst Community Capital. The $22-million development will utilize local, state and federal funding, including 4% housing tax cred-

would guide me into a career of engineering.” Kady Jackson, at North Fort Myers High School, replied, “As a senior about to go to college, I was pretty sure that I wanted to be an engineer, but I felt like I didn’t know anything about what the schooling or career entailed. After going to the Engineering Event, and listening to local engineers and engineering students, I learned so much. I now feel 100% confident and I’m so excited for my future as an engineer!” Rita Davis, Director of Career & Technical Education for the district said, “Our first annual ‘Engineering Experience Event’ was a tremendous undertaking and an equally tremendous success. Business members, school district staff, teachers, high school and post-secondary students, all joined together virtually to learn and engage while sparking young minds to consider the vast opportunities in the field of Engineering. We are grateful for the support from our sponsors as well as members of the development team. We are already brainstorming ideas for next year’s event.”

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD 2020: What a year it has been!

its, mortgage revenue bonds, and $5.6 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief funding from Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The project also received $300,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds from the city of Cape Coral. “We’re excited and eager to get this project built and provide much needed, high quality housing to Cape Coral’s hard-working families,” said Revital Development Group’s President Michael Allan. In addition to affordable rents, Civitas will offer programs to residents, including employment assistance and financial management education. The development team also partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County to build a 2,500-square-foot club. The development team worked with PDS Architecture, Boral Engineering, and NPS Consulting to design the project, which will be ‘green building’ certified under the National Green Building Standard rating system. Construction is expected to commence in early 2021, and will be the first city’s first affordable family housing development in over 20 years.

I’m not sure which of the “P” words has been more difficult to deal with lately. The “P” words I’m referring to are pandemic and politics! 2020 has been a unique year to say the least, and the with the end of the year in site, we still don’t see an end to the pandemic or the political infighting going on within and between the two parties. Being in the cleaning industry, Image One has seen an uptick in business related to the disinfection services that we provide, but we have also seen a downside due to so many businesses that were shut down for weeks or even months depending on where they were located across the country. As a company, we have always experienced growth through every economic downturn. 2020 was a little different experience for us as it is a year in which we will remain flat. Our 2020 numbers are very much in line with 2019, which considering how bad it has been for others, it really should be considered a win. Bring on 2021… With the promise of a vaccine in the not-too-distant future, we can all feel a little better, and hopefully our day-to-day lives will

return to normal. More importantly, we have hope that our businesses will return to normal as well. They won’t all return, unfortunately this situation has caused many businesses to close their doors for good, but for BY TIM those of us left CONN standing, it’s time Guest Columnist to look ahead with positive thoughts, and work to grow our businesses like never before. Let’s say goodbye to 2020 and all of the problems that came with it, and welcome 2021 with a new and invigorated plan for economic growth for our businesses and the country as a whole! Tim Conn is the founder and President of Image One USA, a commercial cleaning service franchise. For information visit ImageOneUSA.com or call (800) 223-1985 Call the Fort Myers location at (239) 789-2267.

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DECEMBER 2020

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD Economic development news around the Cape As a turbulent year comes to an end, there are several reasons to be excited about what’s in store for 2021 in the City of Cape Coral. Here’s a brief recap of 2020 successes: • Pine Island Road Continues to Witness Unprecedented Growth. More than $300 million under construction or in permitting including, the Fairfield Inn By Marriott which should open before year’s end, BY RICARDO Springs at Cape Coral with 292 NOGUERA units scheduled for comple- Guest Columnist tion by June 2021, Cape Coral Commons retail center under construction, Enterprise Car Rental Sales & Rental scheduled for completion Spring 2021 and Tractor Supply Hardware scheduled for completion Spring 2021. • City Council and CRA Board approved $25 million to support Public Infrastructure Improvements which will lead the way for vertical mixed-use development projects in the South Cape. Meanwhile, two smaller developments are underway and nearly completed: Chase Bank and the new headquarters for Cabinet Genie. Restaurants continue to flock to the South Cape, including Two Meatballs in the Kitchen, with huge success. What’s in store for 2021? Several grand openings and ground breakings are expected such as: • The South Cape Public Infrastructure Engineering Study. • Two exciting mixed-use developments in the South Cape are expected to submit plans. • Several multi-family development projects will be completed including Springs at Cape Coral and Surfside Multi-Family Development on Veterans Parkway. • Other Pine Island Road developments will break

Businesses like Joe V’s Farm Market continue to thrive in Cape Coral as economic development plows forward. ground in 2021 including, Island Pearl Mixed-Use Development in the Northwest near Burnt Store Road, and the highly anticipated Joe V’s Farmers Market. While lots of construction is forecast for 2021, the EDO team will continue marketing the City to attract new industry including supply chain, industrial/warehouse and medical office. The team is also conducting research on the growing fields of research and development, pharmaceutical and manufacturing. There’s a lot of excitement in the air and 2021 should be a banner year for Economic Development in the Cape! Residents with ties to industry in the Northeast, Midwest or elsewhere across the U.S. with opportunities for expansion or relocation, please contact our EDO Team with referrals at ECODEV@ CapeCoral.net. Thank you again for your support and be safe! Ricardo Noguera, manager of the Cape Coral Economic Development Oﬃce, has three decades of experience in economic and community development. Noguera has devoted his career to revitalizing distressed communities and drawing foreign and domestic investment into communities in California, the Paciﬁc Northwest and South Florida. Contact him at rnoguera@capecoral.net

D.R. Horton launches express homes in Hendry County D.R. Horton Southwest Florida is marking its entry into Hendry County with affordably priced Express Homes in up-and-coming LaBelle. Three quality-built residences are already underway on select homesites throughout the suburban rural area and are set to be move-in ready in early 2021. The nation’s largest homebuilder has chosen two single-family floor plans to kick off this milestone — Boardwalk and Freeport, both starting in the high $100s. The desirable 1,389-square-foot Boardwalk includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a twocar garage. Freeport consists of 1,499 square feet that seamlessly connect four bedrooms, two bath-

rooms and a two-car garage — a sought-after layout for any individual or growing family. These one-story properties don tailor-made features to fit every lifestyle and capitalize on LaBelle’s nature-inspired surroundings. They range from lowmaintenance decorative shutters, paver driveways and walkways, to professionally designed landscaping. Inside, potential homeowners will enjoy designer-selected light fixtures, classic quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, picture-frame cabinetry, timeless ceramic tile flooring, cozy wall-to-wall carpeting in select spaces and the industry-leading D.R. Horton Home is Connectedsm smart home package.

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LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

Hendry business models evolved in pandemic As we wrap up 2020, I think most will take the opportunity to reflect on the year: the good, the bad, but mostly the unexpected. Most will conclude that it was a year of uncertainties, a year of change, and most of all a year of reinvention. The pandemic created a disruption in our way of life, the way we do business, even the way we interact with our neighbors. It forced our businesses to re-evaluate their current practices and introduced some consumers into a new world of buying opportunities. Unlike our neighbors to the east and west with large BY KEITHA DANIELS tourism and retail sectors, Hendry County is better Guest Columnist known for its agriculture and small mom-and-pop establishments. As the tourism industry began to struggle and cruise lines and hotels no longer had a need for produce, our agricultural communities began shifting their product directly to the end user. Instead of wasting food, some farmers began packaging boxes for individual sale, a practice that was so successful that several have decided to continue offering direct, locally sourced food deliveries. Our small businesses also made a shift from in-person interactions and sales to online. Many boutique owners began showcasing their products on social media sites or websites and even offered delivery to the customer’s house. The restaurants really focused on the people they were feeding and began offering family meals to go. In a time where restaurant lobbies were closed and venturing out was “worrisome” for some, ordering family style meals that could be picked up through a drive through or delivered was very appealing. In the days following the re-opening, many of these businesses continue to practice these new methods of doing business. Looking forward to 2021, I anticipate our businesses will continue to develop and use strategies that will allow them to be successful.

Keitha Daniels is the director of the Hendry County Economic Development Council. Contact her at (863) 612-4912 or keitha@hendryedc.com.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

DECEMBER 2020

BUSINESS GIANTS OF A DIFFERENT KIND, PAST AND PRESENT — A TRIBUTE “I have an idea that the only thing which makes it possible to regard this world we live in without disgust is the beauty which now and then men create out of the chaos. The pictures they paint, the music they compose, the books they write, and the lives they lead. Of all these, the richest in beauty is the beautiful life. That is the perfect work of art.” - W. Somerset Maugham

Tim Cartwright: Man on a mission

I’m not sure exactly when I met Martin in the early days of the newspaper, but a colleague had connected me with him. I probably simply called Martin for an appointment and he graciously accepted, since that is just how Martin is. By the time he shared his entrepreneurial story with me, he and his local business had garnered many awards for everything from innovation to giving back to the community. A self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur,” he opened a coffee house at 16 in Miami. It was packed almost all the time—he sold it after a year. At 23, he traveled to Spain and purchased an old shoe factory. It was quite the challenge because the Spanish market was far different than the American market. When he arrived, he spoke very little Spanish, so he hired a fulltime translator. At the end of three years, he had 11 factories manufacturing 2 million pairs a year--all for the U.S. By

the time he left, he was fluent in Spanish and knew a lot about shoe manufacturing. That success allowed him to “retire and play for many years.” In 1998, he started Computer Tutor working only with residential customers. This grew from a one-man operation to a multi-million-dollar company called Entech. Martin retired a few years back and Entech Haas continues to grow and prosper. Not one to sit still or stop giving, Martin continues giving back to the community by serving on a nonprofit board or two. At least once a year, I am delighted to receive an email from him in which he always showers me with kind words about how much he appreciates and enjoys Southwest Florida Business Today, and how far it has come over the years.

Gulf Coast Venture Forum, Tim’s initial foray into the world of angel investing, had been around for a couple of years when Southwest Florida Business Today began publishing in 2007, and that’s when I attended an earlier version of what is now VenturePitch and met Tim for the first time. With his offices in Naples, Tim has since become chair of Tamiami Angel Funds I and II, which have invested more than $10 million in primarily Florida-based companies; they are all up-and-running highquality growth companies. Tim believes in helping entrepreneurs at all stages of their business lives, however—from startups to more mature companies. He has tirelessly worked to create connections between Florida investors and entrepreneurs, mentors and startups, experience with enthusiasm, Cartwright innovators with income. Over the years, I have attended some of these “matchmaking events,” although most meetings are done on a one-to-one basis, confidentially. As mentioned above, among these events is VenturePitch SWFL, which he founded four years ago to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Southwest Florida and is a local version of “Shark Tank.” He is currently a Director for the Florida Venture Forum, created in 1984 by a group of business leaders and academicians who met to discuss ways to accelerate the successful development of the entrepreneurial community in the State of Florida. The Forum presents numerous events in Florida each year, often aimed at a specific industry (like aerospace), all geared toward getting investment dollars into the hands of well-positioned entrepreneurs. Tim has served in leadership roles for a variety of local and state organizations, both related and non-related to his primary business. Among these are Chapter Director for BioFlorida, Inc.; Regional Director for the Florida Economic Development Council; Chair of Strategic Planning for Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples; Co-Founder of the Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership and more recently, Chair of Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation. If you don’t know Tim and you are a Southwest Florida business owner, you should: whether he can help you or not, he always has words of encouragement and can point you in the right direction.

I have often said that Bev is the Kevin Bacon of Southwest Florida… you know, the idea that all people on average are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. In other words, I think every businessperson currently doing business in Southwest Florida has a “Bev Larson” connection. This theory is proven to me again and again. Try it the next time you’re out networking—which will hopefully be sooner rather than later! Bring up that you know Bev (only if you do because otherwise this will not work) or that you would like to meet Bev, and you will be favorably impressed with the responses you get. In the early days of Southwest Florida Business Today, I was lucky enough to come across many

people who (unknown to me at the time,) would be important to the company’s future. Bev was one of those people who took me “under her wing” as she has done so graciously with so many people over the years in our region. A very successful commercial realtor in Southwest Florida for many years, she also serves on many nonprofit Larson boards to which she donates many hours and much effort, all reflecting her dedication and passion for Southwest Florida; her ability to deeply appreciate our region as it is today,

with a clear vision of how it can be even better tomorrow. Here are just a few organizations to which she gives her time and talent: 2016-2020 Citizens Advisory Committee - Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization; 2016–2020 NFM Commercial Corridor Revitalization Task Force; 2020-2021 President National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Chapter 297; 2019-2020 Fort Myers Mayor’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee; European American Network, 2021 President. I’m lucky enough to call her my friend and Southwest Florida is lucky to have Bev as such a passionate and giving member of our community.

William J. Barrett: Committed to Goodwill in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida lost one of its own this past summer. William J. Barrett, age 58, of Fort Myers, passed away on June 21. A Fort Myers native, Bill was a leader, philanthropist and devoted family man. He lived life to the fullest while giving back to his community. Bill had a deep commitment to service. The charities he supported included The Edison Pageant of Light, Rotary Club of Fort Myers, SWFL Boys Scouts of America, Catholic Charities and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida. Bill was First Vice President with Morgan Stanley and an accomplished financial advisor. Because of his finance expertise, he was an invaluable resource as a board member. No organization knew this better than Goodwill. Bill joined the Board of Goodwill in 1996. He brought a fresh outlook to the organization. Bill was known for being thorough and for leaving no stone unturned. His commitment to Goodwill helped the organization grow into a strong social-service entity which now serves more than 25,000 people in our community each year.

Bill served as Secretary from 2003-2008, Vice Chair from 20082019 and Chairman of the SWFL Goodwill Foundation also from 2008-2019. Bill sat on Goodwill’s finance, real estate and strategic planning committees. Bill’s legacy at Goodwill will live on in two special ways. To reBarrett flect his belief in a strong culture of philanthropy, a Development Director has been hired to help secure funds in perpetuity for its programs and services. And in a touching nod to Bill’s belief in everyone having an opportunity to reach their full potential, the Graduate of the Year award bestowed on individuals that have overcome barriers to independence, has now been renamed the William J. Barrett Graduate of the Year Award. Bill had a tremendous positive impact in Southwest Florida. He will be missed by many. Provided by Carolyn Johnson, Goodwill SWFL

Martin Haas: Entrepreneurs are very special breed

Bev Larson: A connector dedicated to betterment of our region

This annual feature is submitted by Karen P. Moore, Publisher, SWFBT

Yesterday.

Today.

ALWAYS.

For 50 years public media has been an essential part of our community through news, entertainment and education. Be a part of a long-standing tradition, and become a supporter of public media through your company today. Contact Rachel Peacock at rpeacock@wgcu.org or 239-590-2338.

DECEMBER 2020

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY Â®

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

How the oﬃce environment changed in 2020

We spend about one-third of our waking hours at • Remote work: Certain types work. That’s why our offices seem like second homes and of industries lend themselves to rewhy our co-workers feel like extended families. mote work. During Florida’s “safer However, COVID-19 changed our work environment at home” order, however, many in 2020. Many of us worked from home for a period and professionals discovered their home predominantly communicated with our colleagues via office setups were sorely lacking. As Zoom, email and text. an extension of the work office, a As a B2B company, OFDC Commercial Interiors home office needs a functional desk, works closely with national corporations, local companies comfortable chair, good lighting and and mom-and-pop businesses. Clients represent medical, a strong wifi connection. Without Naples 701 is an 188-unit complex of one-bedlegal, retail, manufacturing, call centers and other industhose, productivity can suffer. room apartments and an array of luxury amenities. tries. Each has been impacted in some way by COVID-19, • Cleaning: Many businesses and that’s evident when walking into any office today. have their offi ces cleaned two or BY JOE Below are seven ways the workplace environment GAMMONS three times weekly. Now, that rouA look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida changed in 2020: tine includes sanitizing touchpoints, Guest Columnist • Interior design: Open floorplans have been trendy which includes door handles and since the early 2000s, a deliberate design meant to foster light switches and shared equipment. Fischler Property Company has sold Naples collaboration, creativity and teamwork. Unfortunately, • Awareness: We now understand how our health im701 on Plantation Way for $24 million in an offmedical experts say those shared spaces also foster the pacts those around us. There is no longer an unspoken market transaction. spread of germs, viruses and bacteria. Going forward, ex- peer pressure to “suck it up” and power through sickness. Brokers Alex Henderson and Max Molloy, who pect architects and interior designers to limit open spaces If you’re sneezing, coughing or running a fever, just stay specialize in the sales of multifamily communities in the workplace. home and rest or work from home. Handwashing isn’t just and land for development throughout Southwest • Office furniture: Cubicles are making a comeback. suggested; it’s expected. Many employers are providing Florida, negotiated and closed on the established Partitions or dividers offer a physical barrier between em- Back-to-Work Bags that contain protective face masks, apartment community on Oct. 28 — just 75 days ployees without being totally closed off like an individual hand sanitizer, gloves and other safety essentials. after contract execution. They were the only two office. Even though cubicles do not have doors or walls The office – the place where we spend 40 (or more) brokers involved in the process, which took place that reach the ceiling, they provide a much-needed sense hours each week – looks different now, and may look difentirely during the COVID-19 pandemic. of privacy and comfort. ferent for the foreseeable future. However, no business This ideally located 188-unit complex consists • Reconfigured spaces: When feasible, employees’ has ever been successful by looking the same, thinking the of one-bedroom apartments and a wide array of desks can be positioned such that individuals are back- same or doing the same. COVID-19 might be our opporluxury amenities, such as two resort-style pools, to-back rather than facing each other. Desks also can face tunity to take one step backward and two steps forward. sizable clubhouse, professionally inspired tennis toward walls rather than open, central spaces. courts and in-demand dog park. • Conference rooms: The invite list might get smaller. Joe Gammons is president of OFDC Commercial InteThe buyer plans to immediately invest in propAlso, natural wood tables and leather chairs may be re- riors, Southwest Florida’s premier source for quality oferty upgrades like new windows, HVAC systems, placed with acrylic or glass tables and non-upholstered ﬁce furniture and design concepts. For more information, FL Tombstone countertops, appliances, flooring, fixtures and finai160035965150_11006 Oct.2020.pdf 1 9/17/20 12:20 PM chairs that can be easily cleaned with sanitizing solutions. please visit OFDC-inc.com or call (239) 347-4876. ishes.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

DECEMBER 2020

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

Then and now ... a look at minimum wage in our country Government policy has a direct effect on the economy. Depending on the policy, these effects can be positive or sometimes negative. Overall, few assets are impacted by these actions as much as real estate. For example, policies governing banking regulations, taxation, underwriting standards, zoning, land use, etc. have an effect. It is my thesis that laws that raise the minimum wage have a strong positive impact on real estate. Minimum wage was a progressive idea, its roots starting in labor unions in the 19th century. It was not until 1938 that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was able to get the hourly wage law, at that time 25 cents per hour, passed amid a controversial Supreme Court ruling. A conservative justice who had previously voted against minimum wage measures three times prior switched his vote and sided with four liberal justices to allow the enactment of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Median Price means the midpoint of prices surveyed. If the prices are 100, 200 and 300, the midpoint is 200. In 1940, the median price of a home in the United States was $2,938. At that time, the minimum wage was 25 cents per hour. By 1950, the median home price was $18,080.20 and the minimum wage was 75 cent per hour. It goes up from there. 1960 homes $19,256.21 wages $1.15 1970 homes $25,303.96 wages $1.50 1980 homes $55,865 wages $3.10 1990 homes $97,505.93 wages $3.80 2000 homes $132,049.31 wages $5.25 2010 homes $182,075 wages $7.25 2020 homes $276,708 wages $8.56. When minimum wage increases, those em-

ployees immediately lose buying power. How? In Florida, minimum wage will increase 12% September 2021, going from $8.56 to $9.56 an hour, per the adoption of a constitutional amendment voted in on Nov. 3. In addition to the onedollar hourly increase, the employer must pay approximately 20% more for Social Security match, FICA, Medicare, WorkBY RANDY man’s Comp and possibly addiKRISE tional internal costs associated Guest Columnist with company benefits, bringing their total to $1.20 or more per hour for each employee. To break even, in lieu of cutting staff, the company must increase prices. Consequently, suppliers will follow suit. History tells us that prices will increase by some percentage greater than the percentage of wage increase. My homes/wages example here is a model, which could be interpolated to any product. In 1960, a Coca Cola was 5 cents; now 60 years later, the same product is $2.29 in a store and $2.50 in a restaurant. Pick anything! It is all relevant. As wages go up, prices of everything else goes up, including houses, food and real estate. It always has and always will. When we were making 75 cents an hour, we were paying 12 cents for a loaf of bread. Interestingly, the greatest beneficiary of the minimum wage increase is the government. Taxes paid by employers on wages paid to workers account for about 66% of the U.S. government’s

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For more business news, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com yearly income. Therefore, an increase in minimum wage is a windfall to the government, with an immediate 12%-15% increase in FICA and SS that continue to fill the government coffers. So, how does this increase in minimum wage affect you, and more importantly, how can it benefit your portfolio? BUY REAL ESTATE! Next year prices should rise a minimum of 12% if the last 80 years of history in America has taught us anything. Incidentally, this amendment raises the minimum wage every year through 2025, when wages will be at $15 an hour. That equates to a minimum of a 65% increase in value of the property I now own. My advice -- Buy real estate NOW and hold. Sit tight. You should be automatically hedged against the inflation that is certain to take place. Rents will increase as prices increase. Minimum wage earners can never get ahead. It is economics 101! I understand that 2008 happened, but it rebounded quickly and life goes on. Our population continues to increase rapidly. We have favorable taxation and room to grow in Southwest Florida. Prices THEN were good THEN. Now is good because Now will soon be Then. BUY! BUY! BUY! Randy Krise, CCIM is the Broker /Owner of Krise Commercial Group in Fort Myers and can be reached at (239) 633-8672 or randy@krisecg.com.

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DECEMBER 2020

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

CBIA holds annual Sand Dollar Awards The 2020 Sand Dollar Awards Gala “Come Together – Virtually – Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence in Construction,” presented by the Collier Building Industry Association Sales and Marketing Council, was held Oct. 24. Sand Dollar Committee Chairperson Erin Otterbeck, chairperson of Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild, spearheaded this year’s event with Lynne Stambouly, vice chairperson from Illuminated Design and Jackie Nelson of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, immediate past chair. More than 200 prestigious Sand Dollar Awards were presented by Master of Ceremony Amy Oshier, anchor of Behind A lookwasat the Headlines Show. This year’s celebration presented via live broadcast on the CBIA website. Partial proceeds from the virtual auction will benefit the annual CBIA-SMC toy drive and Educational Series. Seventy-two companies earned 2020 Sand Dollar Awards, including ARDesign, Avila Interior Design, Barron Collier Companies, Bonness, Boutique Interiors, B-Squared Advertising, BUILD, C.R. Smith, Calusa Bay Design, Cardamon Design, Carrie Brigham Design, Clive Daniel Home, Coastal Home Design Studio, Collins DuPont Design Group, D.R. Horton, DEC Contracting Group, Del Webb, Dia-

mond Custom Homes, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors, Encore Garage of SWFL, Flooring Design Group, ForeverLawn Southwest Florida, GATES Construction, Grey Oaks Country Club, Harwick Homes, Imperial Homes of Naples, J Lynn Design Group, Jinx McDonald Interior Design, Kellam Group Interiors, KGT Remodeling, Knauf-Koenig Group, Kukk Architecture & Design, LMG Design Consulting, London Bay Homes, London Bay Renovation, Lovetto Design, Manhattan Construction, McGarvey Custom Homes, Metis Design, Miromar Development, Molly Hoover Design Group, Montanna Design Associates, Norris Furniture & Interiors, PBS Concommercial & tractors, Peacock andreal Lewisestate Architects,trends PulteGroup, R.K. Reiman Construction, Randall Mitchell Custom Homes, Renée Gaddis Interiors, Rhett Alexander., Robb & Stucky, Romanza Interior Design, Seagate Development Group, Signature Surfaces, Stevens Construction, Stock Custom Homes, Stock Development, Stock Signature Homes, Stofft Cooney Architects, Stonebreaker Builders, Surety Construction Company, T. Jerulle Construction, Taylor Morrison, The Lykos Group, The Ronto Group, Theory Design, Toll Brothers, W Design, Waltbillig & Hood GC, Wilfredo Emanuel Designs, WM J. Varian Const., and Wilson Creative Group.

MD NOW expands to Southwest Florida

MD NOW Urgent Care, the largest provider of urgent care medicine in Florida, has opened two new state-of-the-art facilities in Fort Myers, its first clinics in Lee County. Based in West Palm Beach, the growing urgent care provider plans on opening two more clinics in Southwest Florida in October bringing its total number of locations to 55. The new Fort Myers locations are now serving patients on McGregor Road and South Cleveland Avenue. Over the next thirty days, MD Now open a third clinic in Lee County topics in will Southwest Florida on Santa Barbara Boulevard in Cape Coral, and its first clinic in the Bradenton area on Cortez Road. “MD Now is a convenient, less costly alternative to a typical emergency room or when you can’t get in to see your primary care physician,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collins, MD Now’s chief medical officer. “We think residents in Fort Myers and Bradenton will appreciate saving both time and money should they ever need treatment for common injuries and illnesses.” MD Now accepts most major insurances, but for those who don’t have insurance or have a very high deductible, it is now offering a membership-based DirectCare plan to create easier access to affordable health care services. MD Now DirectCare gives individuals and families access to an array of services for a set monthly fee starting at $99.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

State’s ban on evicting delinquent tenants has lapsed Upon the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-52 on March 9 and declared a state of emergency for the entire State of Florida. In addition, DeSantis entered Executive Order 20-94 on April 2. Per the Order, the Governor barred evictions and halted the capacity of Florida landlords to initiate eviction proceedings against their tenants for failing to pay rent. That Executive Order was originally set to lapse on May 17, but was extended five times by the Governor. While Executive Order 20-94 barred a landlord’s ability to evict delinquent tenants, it did not relieve the tenant of their financial obligation to the landlord under their respective lease agreements. As such, even though the landlord could not take any legal action against a non-paying tenant, the tenant still owed the rents accruing every month. After being in effect for nearly six months, the eviction moratorium lapsed on Oct. 1. Although the “Florida eviction ban” has come to an end, landlords must also ensure compliance with a newly mandated Federal Order recently enacted by the Central for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC Order, which applies nationally, halted residential evictions in order “to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.” The Order, which is in effect until December 31, states that landlords may not evict their tenants for failing to pay rent if the tenant quali-

fies for relief under the CDC’s order. One major difference, between Florida’s Executive Order 20-94 and the Federal restriction is that, in order for the CDC protection to apply, the tenant must submit an executed declaration form, stating that they have experienced a “substantial loss of household income” and have made their best efforts to “seek government assistance for housing.” This declaration must be made under penalty BY ADAM of perjury. CERVERA Subject to the CDC Order, Guest Columnist landlords throughout the state may now pursue eviction proceedings against those tenants who have failed to pay all required rents. In addition to seeking eviction relief, landlords can also sue their tenants to recover all delinquent rents which may have accrued over the course of the tenancy. Since a surplus of eviction filings is likely to hit Florida’s courts system soon, landlords are encouraged to act immediately to protect their rights. Adam Cervera is a member of Becker’s Business Litigation and Community Association Practice Groups. Contact him at (305) 262-4433 or ACervera@ beckerlawyers.com.

Estero River Development gives update on its progress

During the Oct. 9 “virtual” ECCL’s Monthly Meeting, Steve Sarkozy, Estero Village Manager, spoke about the Village’s purchase of 67.5 acres at the northeast corner of Corkscrew and US 41. Sarkozy summarized the steps that are underway and how the public can help. You may view his comments here at approximately the 9-minute mark. The Estero Village Council adopted resolution 201806 at the Council meeting on Sept. 20, 2018, approving the land purchase along the Estero River. The land was purchased in response to resident re-

quests. Residents wanted to embrace Estero’s historical heritage and protect the environment. The Estero Village Council approved the $24.5 million purchase of the land along the Estero River in early 2019. In June this year, CANIN & Associates of Orlando, an architectural, landscape, planning group, was selected to prepare a set of suggestions and concepts for the purchased section of land. While it seems unlikely that the implementation of any agreed plans will be in place until 2022-’23, progress is being made. Residents will have additional recreational and cultural facilities.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

DECEMBER 2020

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest Florida

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead past 2020’s business paradigm shift Architecture has long been driven by collaboration within a studio environment, however the year 2020 has put this practice to the test. Since its inception in 2011, Studio+ has utilized a collaborative studio design process—a process where all levels of architects, designers, contractors and engineers work in tandem with clients and end-users, in-person, to iron out a collective bought-in concept. Like almost all businesses, this process was forced to change and adapt overnight. It became the norm to live and work around isolations, quarantines, cold-like-symptoms, anxieties and much more. Studio+, like many organizations, had to balance business needs and personal needs on a daily basis. Tried and true design and business

Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com/calendar

processes flexed in unexpected ways, yet the positive “bring it on” attitude at Studio+ prevailed. While the technological infrastructure was already set-up to work from home, the team had to discover new methods of delivering design solutions to clients without meeting in person and/or on-site. As a result, Studio+ is now better suited to respond to uncontrollable changes in its environment. The inherent leadership ingrained in our architectural team has put us in a unique position to lead our clients through these challenges. Whether

Alico ITEC Park reserves 12 acres; readies auto storage Alico ITEC Park — Innovation, Technology, Enterprise, Commerce — by ITEC has achieved several construction milestones ahead of the New Year. It is all underway on a 1.2-million-square-foot industrial space in the northeast quadrant of the Alico Road/Ben Hill Griffin Parkway Corridor. Recently, Advanced Hurricane Technologies closed on what will be a 48,000-square-foot, threeacre manufacturing facility. It will be located on Tract H and part of a two-location consolidation. In addition, over 13 total acres have been reserved for a construction business, flexible commercial space and special purposes building. This leaves 19 available lots, ranging from 0.5 to 1.18 acres, for retail and commercial users. All but six of those lots face ever-developing Alico Road. ITEC LLC is also offering eight tracts, ranging from 2.15 to 25.66 acres, most of which offer Airport Haul Road frontage for light and heavy industrial use. One of the biggest projects at Alico ITEC Park is My ITEC Place — a 22,000-square-foot luxury auto and storage facility that is set to be complete by May 2021. With Phoenix Associates as the builder, 22 units

starting in the mid-$100s will range from 513 to 1,330 square feet — large enough for cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles and warehouse options. Standard unit features include: 14’-wide, impactglass doors; LED lighting; fire sprinklers; pre-plumbing for private bath, plus common bathrooms; highspeed fiber internet service; climate-controlled units; 16- to 18-foot ceilings; deeded parking space; and optional mezzanines. “We debuted the out-of-this-world site last year, and the pandemic has yet to hold us back,” said developer Paul Hardy, principal of Naples-based ITEC. “When all is said and done, Alico ITEC Park will make for an easy commute for thousands of workers who can meet the demands of thousands of customers in the most efficient way. Now, My ITEC Place will allow these same customers to store their most valuable toys just minutes from their house, making for the ultimate level of convenience. There’s never been a better time to claim your part of this investment.” For more information, contact Jessica Russo at (239) 849-0012 or Chris Pisano at (239) 770-5422, or visit AlicoITEC.com.

it be economic, pandemic or professional challenges, Studio+ has built an infrastructure flexible enough to adapt and evolve while still delivering design solutions that transform lives. 2020 may be a year most people will want to forget, but for Studio+, 2020 is a year that demonstrated what our team of architects and designers are capable of under the most unexpectable conditions. Looking ahead in the future years to come, Studio+ will build from these lessons learned in 2020 and continue to provide impactful design solutions. Contact Studio+ at (239) 476-8888. Learn more at wearestudioplus.com.

Area agency on aging opens headquarters in Fort Myers

Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida recently celebrated the grand opening of its headquarters in Fort Myers located on Winkler Avenue. Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization that has served Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties for more than 40 years. The organization is committed to connecting older adults (ages 60 and over) and people with disabilities to resources and assistance for living safely with independence and dignity. Seagate Development Group completed the building. The 15,876-square-foot, open-concept floor plan mixes traditional private offices with new-world coworking space and classroom-style meeting areas to bring the nonprofit’s enhanced workflow and productivity vision to life. “Seagate builds new corporate offices for flexible organizations that are making room for changing technology and operational efficiency,” said Matt Price, Seagate CEO and partner.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 17

I’m the smartest person in the room! Don’t bet on it Whenever I took on a new role, I started out by sharing “ground rules” with my new team. This was a set of guidelines on how we were going to operate. One such rule was that each staff member’s opinions and recommendations were not limited to their specific role or functional area. Rather, I proposed, we will all act in the best interests of the business as a whole, and we will all have a voice. All thoughts would be welcomed, and everyone would be encouraged to join in the discussion on all issues. (Something like U.S. Senators are supposed to do, but that’s a different conversation, and subject to a lot of political debate!) You’ll be surprised how often an engineer can make a useful suggestion about a marketing issue, and vice versa. Or how often a business manager can offer beneficial advice to the manager of a completely different, unrelated business. This open discussion will not happen without encouragement, and it will not always seem productive, but it is well worth doing. Studies have consistently shown that collaborative discussion will result in a better outcome than an individual decision almost every time. Some of you may recall participating in team training exercises that involve survival situations – i.e. your airplane crash lands in the arctic and you have a list of items that have been salvaged from the aircraft. You must prioritize these items based on their ability to keep you and your team alive and help you get rescued. First, each of you ranks the items individually, without discussion. Then the team gets together, discusses the situation and comes up with a ranking. All

of the results are then compared to the ranking done by survival experts. The developers of these exercises claim that 97% of the time, the team ranking is better than any individual. I have used these exercises for many years, with many different kinds of participants, and found this to be very accurate. The group does better. But there’s a downside. It takes a lot longer to get a group answer BY GREG than an individual one. You need STEINER a lot of patience. The process reGuest Columnist quires discussion and debate from everyone. In short, it is effective, but not particularly efficient. But it will pay off. Sometimes the boss assumes he or she is the smartest person in the room. They are thinking, “I was the one chosen to be boss, so I must be the smartest!” and therefore most qualified for all decisions. That’s a badly flawed assumption. Everyone on your team should be smart and effective, albeit in different ways and in different subject areas. If they aren’t, why are they on the team? The key is to tap into these different perspectives and experiences to get fresh ideas. Why limit yourself to your own ideas? Embrace diversity and have the patience to draw it out - you’ll get better results. This won’t happen by itself. You must encourage and reward it. For example, you may need to tactfully quiet a “Type A” team member who is dominating the

For more business news, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com conversation with his or her ideas so you can request input from one of your quieter members. Try something like, “Thank you Mary – really good input, but let me turn to Bob for a second. We haven’t heard your thoughts on this yet, Bob, what do you think?” You might get some really great ideas that you would have otherwise gone unsaid. This is called “gate keeping.” It’s a critical role you should learn to do, so you hear from everyone. Remember, the loudest ideas aren’t always the best. Continually listen carefully to each input, but monitor the room while the debate is going on. Make sure everyone gets some input. In the end, hopefully you’ll reach consensus with a great solution. If not, you’ll have to make the decision, but that’s the subject of another column. Surround yourself with smart, effective people with different backgrounds and experiences. Let them speak. Listen carefully. You’ll come up with better solutions, almost every time. Greg Steiner of Sanibel is the founder of Sea Breeze Associates and co-founder of Atlantic Partners International. He previously worked as president of Kaman Aerospace Group and for other aviation and aerospace businesses Contact him at (203) 505-2605 or glsteiner57@gmail.com.

Personalize your marketing content in 2021

WERT PAGE 1

One of the biggest challenges of marketing in a world of fast-paced omnipresent promotion is to break through the noise and connect with consumers. In a report from Marketo, 63% of survey respondents said that they are highly annoyed by the way brands blast generic advertising messages repeatedly. The solution? Deliver fewer ads that are more personalized and content that matters. According to an Epsilon survey of consumers aged 18-64: • 80% say they are more likely to do business with a company if it offers personalized experiences. • 90% claim they find personalization appealing. So, how do you make your content more personalized? Start with the audience. There are numerous tools available to understand your audience’s behavior within your channels. Google Analytics can show you what people are or are not doing on your website. Consider a retargeting campaign for people that left your site before completing a purchase or filling out a form. An automated email campaign that is triggered by an action is a great way to provide custom content directly related to user engagement. If a visitor clicks on a recipe for tacos, consider following up with an email filled with top-rated recipes for Mexican dishes. This also helps to build loyalty with the consumer because they see that your brand understands what they want and delivers it directly to them. Remember that delivering great relevant content to your audience requires you to develop great content. Content marketing is so important that 88% of B2B

all positive signs a travel industry hindered for most of 2020 is ready to rebound. “If you look at one half-full, half-empty glass of water, 48% are not planning to take a trip this holiday season,” Wert said, “but that means that 52% are, so there are some bright spots there.” The meeting included updates from Anne-Kathrine Graf, a senior manager DiaMonde focused on European travel, who said travel overseas has seen some setbacks as a new wave of cases strikes nations there. Graf showed a YouGov/Trendtours study that found half of individuals worldwide feel anxious to travel again in 2021, with 12% planning a second trip next year to make up for a canceled 2020 trip. Maura Zhang, managing partner for Synergy-Connect, studied the meetings market. While most conventions and meetings have gone full virtual, some meetings are already coming back. Most meeting planners surveyed through Northstar Meetings Group expect to start holding in-person meetings again in the second or third quarter next year. Wert said the industry must adjust to trends. “Hybrid meetings are definitely here to stay,” Wert said. “That’s a combination of actual meeting sites and then those have some virtual attendance as well. We are going to continue to see that kind of attendance at meetings, and that will be part of what meeting planners are going to be asking for. “We will continue to look for special deals that we can put on our website that we can offer to meeting planners as an incentive to come to our areas.”

content marketers agree that creating content makes their audience view their organization as a credible and trusted resource. Consider expanding your marketing with regular blog posts on very specific topics your audience is searching for, longer form posts that take a deep dive into topics and even white papers and case studies that show solutions to your audience’s problems. Google will also give your site more credit with regular BY CONNIE RAMOS-WILLIAMS original content. Consider this: Guest Columnist • Small businesses with blogs generate 126% more leads than those without blogs. • Content marketing rakes in conversion rates 6x higher than other methods. • Content marketing costs 62% less than outbound marketing and generates 3x as many leads. If your organization needs help developing a content marketing strategy and delivering it to your target audiences, give us a call at 239-690-9840 ext. 1001, or email us at info@conricpr.com. Consultations are complimentary, so there’s nothing to lose but time spent in front of your consumers! CONRIC pr + marketing was founded by Connie Ramos-Williams in 2007. For more information, call 239-690-9840 or visit conricpr.com.

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Page 18

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD TLC reflects on unusual year 2020! A year that all businesses will look back on for the obstacles and challenges that were faced. All businesses in one way or another felt some effect of this unusual year, including TLC. When the events of the pandemic began to unfold, TLC worked remotely for three months and conducted all business via phone and Zoom, different from our usual in-person meetings with clients. We also lost the ability to attend networking events with our peers. Throughout this year, TLC’s main goal was to put 100% focus on ensuring our current clients successfully made it through the bumps in the road. We wanted to make sure that each and every one of them had a plan to weather the storm, and to keep their business operating and flourishing. 2020 was proof for every business that you must have a plan in place. Things can go from great to downhill quickly, and having a team that helps you forecast and make it through these times is imperative. While 2020 had its challenges for TLC, there were also some great moments as well. Our team expanded and current staff were promoted. Taylor Eaton joined the team as the events and public relations coordinator, Robert Wetzel was promoted to director of marketing and communications and Adele Amico started as our receptionist. (Both Eaton and Wetzel are graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University.) TLC took part in the Florida Small Business Development Center at FGCU internship program and are delighted to have Silvia Morales, a Finance and Supply Chain Logistics major, with us for six weeks. In September, we held our annual staff retreat, led by Suzanne Specht with the Florida SBDC, where we strategized on the growth of the company, new vision and mission statement, community service projects and advancements for the coming year. TLC is optimistic for a successful and prosperous new year for us, our clients and other businesses in the community. In 2021, TLC would like to grow our team, reach and help new businesses, and continue to make a difference in our community! Contact TLC Marketing & Creative Services at (239) 405-8115 or visit tlcmarketing-events.com.

CHARLOTTE PAGE 1 County received, Gammon said he and his team are working right now on getting the last $400,000 of that amount out and utilized. He added, “The 1% local option sales tax is a community investment that was recently reapproved by the citizens of Charlotte County to help keep the region moving forward.” As for projects currently underway, Murdock Village is moving forward. Gammon noted, “The entertainment district piece closed a month ago and will be breaking ground soon.” He added, “We just need to fill in the last piece with commercial activity and the Commissioners are considering a mixed-use

DECEMBER 2020

Our approach to building a labor pool in demand The job market is in a constant state of change. At times, unemployment rates can be very low and job postings might net few, if any, applicants. Other times, employers can be inundated with resumes and have the luxury of choosing from a pool of highly qualified applicants. More than a dozen colleges and universities in Southwest Florida are churning out graduates with degrees in business, education, nursing, engineering and more. However, they aren’t training individuals for careers in the trades, like plumbers, electricians, roofers and HVAC technicians. So how can businesses fill those vacancies if applicants lack training and experience? Provide it for them and do it for free. Since its founding in 2008, Pro-Tec Plumbing & Drains has continued to grow its service area and add customers. That’s meant hiring additional plumbers, warehouse supervisors, project coordinators and managers. When Southwest Florida’s economy is strong, there are not many experienced, skilled trades workers and journeymen actively seeking jobs. However, there are talented men and women who possess all of the “soft” skills all employers want – creative thinkers, problem solvers, motivated, dependable, hardworking, a positive attitude and willingness to learn. Those individuals are out there. If job postings state “experience required,” and applicants have none, their resume will never make it to the human resources department. Pro-Tec Plumbing is not waiting for the job market to correct itself and start churning out plumbers. Instead, the company is creating a new Technician Apprenticeship Program to train and develop plumbers. No experience is required, just a good attitude, basic technical skills and a desire to grow with the company. The U.S. Department of Labor calls this a learn-while-you-earn model that combines on-the-job training with job-related instruction. The labor department forecasts demand for plumbers and pipefitters to grow 4% annually during the next decade, so plumbing companies, as well as other contractors, must be proactive to ensure they have the labor to com-

zoning overlay that, if passed, will aid in the redevelopment of large tracts like the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall.” While the Sunseeker Resort development is stalled for now, the Allegiant airport hub is being developed. He said, “There will be a great synergy between the two as the Sunseeker project gets back on track.” Also underway is the $100 million expansion of Promenade Mall, with a plan to transform it into a walkable community. “We’re working on getting mixed-use approval now.” As for the future, Gammon shared that the main project coming online now is the Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park (ECAP). “With 4,300 acres available for development and two I-75 interchanges, there are some great commercial opportunities here.”

BY RICHARD HUME Guest Columnist

plete every project. For employers, an Apprenticeship Program allows companies to: • Train employees according to specific procedures, policies and expectations • Pair apprentices with top employees to create a highly skilled workforce • Address deficiencies before they become habits For employees, an Apprenticeship Program allows

them to: • Be paid during training instead of paying for classes at a technical school • Secure a guaranteed position with a local company • Ask for assistance or instruction without being judged Additionally, Pro-Tec Plumbing developed a new Career Progression Plan that clearly defines the steps and skills needed to progress from entry-level jobs into positions where they work alone and maintain their own work truck. The plan also puts into writing how employees can be considered for management roles. Too often, trades workers don’t recognize the potential to advance within a company and instead seek “greener” pastures, both from situational and financial standpoints. Companies with a strong Apprenticeship Program are not focused on what employees can do from day one. Instead, day 10 and day 100 are important milestones as new hires learn and develop their skills, ultimately growing with the company into exactly the type of employee you envisioned. Richard Hume is a Master Plumber and President of Pro-Tec Plumbing & Drains, which he co-founded in 2008 with his brother, Brandon. For more information, visit PTPnaples.com/ careers or call (239) 261-1000.

FUND PAGE 1 with ideal companies operating under a software-as-a-service model. “The ongoing global pandemic has dealt a blow to the global economy, but it’s also opened a tremendous amount of opportunity for disruptive companies and applications in industries like healthcare, finance, insurance, compliance and regulatory,” said NTV co-founder Mike Abbaei. “NTV’s philosophy of working closely with entrepreneurs to help them grow—with a focus on strong governance models and financial discipline—is well-suited to capitalizing on the strongest of these opportunities. The long-standing practice of indiscriminate-

ly diversifying investment across many companies in hopes that a single hit will offset many failures is unacceptably wasteful. NTV approaches every investment thoughtfully and strategically, putting greater effort into fewer companies.” NTV emphasizes an active investment approach, whereby the firm builds relationships with company leaders to help them achieve sustainability through a balance of aggressive growth, cost controls and judicious spending. NTV’s resources bring additional dimension and depth by evaluating market and consumer trends, domestic and global economic developments, sales and revenue management, expense and margin analysis, new opportunity identification and business news and regulatory changes.

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DECEMBER 2020

Bridge Branch

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 19

Welcome to our

SanCap Bank Bridge Branch

Jonathan Herr was awarded the Breakthrough Chet Perry Achiever Award, shown here with his PTW Employment Consultant, Enas Bendeck.

GOODWILL PAGE 1 Last year, Pathways to Opportunity, Goodwill’s adult day training program, that began in 2014 with just 14 individuals, expanded to serving 81 enrolled individuals with disabilities on a daily basis, through personcentered education and training. Redesigning and rebranding Goodwill’s Job Link Centers to become Community Resource Centers also began in 2019. These sites will be co-located within Goodwill stores, with increased office space, and offering digital skills training, upskilling and certifications. Richards noted, “To help those without access to computers and digital training, our centers offer free use of computers and free digital skills training, with the opportunity to earn a certificate. In 2019, we awarded 700 North Star Digital Literacy certificates, which enhance a person’s resume while giving them the tools they need to not only secure a job but to secure a higher wage.” Since the inception of the digital training program, there have been nearly 15,000 individuals who have accessed one or more of our training programs; more than 2000 of these either secured a job, attained career advancement or earned a higher wage post training. With the onset of the pandemic, Richards stated, while other providers closed their doors, Goodwill continued to safely provide critical services, thereby giving local community members a lifeline during their time of greatest need. Looking ahead, he concluded, “In the coming year we will introduce a new program, Career Campus, which is a self-paced employment training platform that prepares individuals to secure industry-recognized certifications, such as a CNA, Microsoft Office, QuickBooks as well as eight others.” Breakthrough William J. Barrett Graduate: Leighton Willis As Leighton Willis was finishing high school, a school counselor told him he was not “college material.” This really bothered him. Despite his disability, Willis aspired to continue

PERMIT PAGE 1 applications received on or after Dec. 1. It would include the typical building permits associated with residential and commercial construction. People building new homes, installing fences or replacing mechanical or plumbing systems will benefit from the reduced fees. Busi-

learning and find a job that would give him a sense of purpose. Through Vocational Rehab, he was introduced to Goodwill’s Pathways to Work program. Pathways to Work (PTW) assists youth and adults with disabilities obtain work readiness skills and competitive employment. After successfully completing training, Willis’ Goodwill PTW job coach helped him with his job search and coached him on interview skills. Then he was invited by Amavida Senior Living in Fort Myers to come in for an interview and he was offered a position. Leighton finally got the opportunity he was looking for. “I love it,” Willis said with a big smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “My job coach made me feel comfortable and helped me with the computer training.” Willis has been at Amavida nearly two years now and has advanced from dishwasher to prep cook, a position he really enjoys. Thanks to a little help from Goodwill, he now has a paycheck, a purpose and a sense of pride in work well done. Breakthrough Chet Perry Achiever: Jonathan Herr Jonathan Herr started working at the Heritage Bay Goodwill in February 2019 after his family relocated to Naples from Illinois, where he began exploring careers with Goodwill. “The only thing I don’t do is the register,” said Jonathan, who can be seen accepting donations, scanning books, helping customers, stocking, sorting, clearing fitting rooms and returning and sanitizing shopping carts. Mark Carpenter is Herr’s current manager. He shared, “I wish I had 20 Jonathans.” Other individual winners Other 2019 honorees include: Breakthrough Volunteer of the Year, Janice Smith; Shari Clark, Front Line Professional of the Year; Philanthropist of the Year, Enterprise Holdings; Business of the Year, Piedmont Companies and Employer of the Year, Literacy Council Gulf Coast. Winner mini-feature stories reprinted with permission from Goodwill Industries. nesses remodeling their facilities will also save money on permit expenses. The Community Development Department issued more than 25,000 such permits in the most recent fiscal year. The discount does not affect impact fee collection rates or fees charged by other departments or agencies, such as water and sewer connection fees, rightof-way permit fees or fire district related review fees.

GIVES BACK NOW OPEN GIVES NOW OPEN BACK SanCap Bank Our NEW Bridge Branch is Our NEW Bridge Branch is

Located on the corner of College Parkway and McGregor Boulevard

We’re here for you.

Our commitment to supporting this community is

We’re thrilled to ever. announce of our Bridge stronger than This the year,opening our team has new donated Located on the corner of College Parkway Branch, largest location in Lee County. This more our thaneighth 1,000and volunteer hours and we’ve given and two McGregor Boulevard nearly features $300,000 to local causes that make a positive location drive-thru lanes, a drive-up ATM, impact. Over 17 years, we have contributed more than night drop, safe deposit boxes, plenty of parking, on-site $1.4 million to our community. We’re thrilled announce the opening of of ourcourse, new Bridge commercial andto residential lenders, and, all the Branch, our eighth and largest location in Lee County. This Our commitment toservices supporting this community istostronger than ever. This same products, and benefits we’re known for – But it’s about more than numbers us.drive-up There is no location features two drive-thru lanes, a ATM, year, our team has donated more than 1,000 volunteer hours and we’ve including oursafe fee-free and personal checking greater reward for us business than giving back and making a nightnearly drop, deposit boxes, plenty parking, on-site given $300,000 to local causes that make aofpositive impact. Over difference in the lives of more our neighbors andtofriends. accounts. 17 years, we have contributed than $1.4 million our community. commercial and residential lenders, and, of course, all the

We’re here for you.

But it’s about more than numbers to us. There is no greater reward for for us same products, services and benefits we’re known – Most importantly, you’ll be greeted with the unmatched, than giving back and making a difference in the lives of our neighbors and including our fee-free business and personal checking exceptional customer service you’ve come to expect from friends. accounts. us. Like our other locations, our team members are your Most importantly, you’ll be greeted with thecommunity unmatched,we neighbors and friends, serving you and the exceptional customer service you’ve come to expect from all love.

us. Like our other locations, our team members are your neighbors and friends, serving you and the community we all love.

Ken Segura Vice President, Office Manager ksegura@sancapbank.com Ken Segura 239-274-6250 Vice President, Office Manager ksegura@sancapbank.com 239-274-6250

Visit or contact us and find out how wecontact can help youfind today. Visit or us and out how we can help you today.

239-472-6100 www.SanCapBank.com

239-472-6100 239-274-6250 | 9311 College Parkway, Fort Myers 239-274-6250 | 9311 College NMLS #411904Parkway, Fort Myers www.SanCapBank.com www.SanCapBank.com www.SanCapBank.com NMLS #411904 NMLS #411904

Page 20

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

DECEMBER 2020

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Lending Team – From left back row: Geoffrey Roepstorff, CEO CEO;; John Ammons, Vice President, Cleveland Avenue Office Manager; Liz Aurensan, Vice President, President, Lending; Robbie Roepstorff, President. From left middle row: Kim Nyberg, Vice President, Professional & Executive Banking; Greg Blurton, Vice President, Sr. Commercial Loan Officer. From left front row: Leah Kirby, Kirby, Vice President, River District Office Manager; Willy Ocasio, Vice President, Sanibel-Captiva Office Manager; Pam Edwards, To Vice President, Lending.

learn more about our customer services and convenient locations, please visit EdisonNationalBank.com or call 239.466.1800.

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