Three island business reopenings cause for celebration

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated three post-hurricane business re-openings with ribbon-cutting celebrations. On Jan. 10, Sea Oats Day Spa held its ribbon cutting on Periwinkle Way and Royal Shell on Periwinkle Way. Captiva Cruises celebrated on Jan. 12 at McCarthy’s Marina.

“We could all use a massage and a relaxing day on the water right now,” said John Lai, chamber president and CEO. “We welcome these opportunities back to the island business landscape. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.”

Owner Logan Tennant had newly opened Sea Oats Day Spa on Aug. 25 with seven other staffers, about a month before Hurricane Ian slammed the islands. Fortunately, the spa’s elevated venue left it mostly high and dry. By Nov. 22, Tennant, who has worked as a massage therapist and nail technician/esthetician on Sanibel for nearly 14 years, was offering massage and nail services to island clientele.

“I want Sea Oats to be a big part of the community,” Tennant said. “I thought hopefully it would bring some normalcy back to the people who were here, that it would help heal the island.”

She credits the positivity of the community and help from the chamber for giving her the motivation and confidence to reopen her first business endeavor, where she keeps treatments eco-friendly, such as her soak-less pedicures that save 7,000 gallons of water a month and are more sanitary than conventional pedicures.

“Aaron at the chamber was so helpful, answering all my questions and getting back to me so quickly, helping me to set up the ribbon-cutting, explaining how to sign up to be a member of the chamber. He was very patient with all the questions I had, I can only imagine how swamped he’s been,” Tennant said. She plans to organize shopping, lunch and spa days to support other island businesses.

Royal Shell, which celebrated its month with limited tours to serve local residents, passholders and paid guests at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort. With the causeway fully open on Jan. 2, operations have expanded using two of the boats Captiva Cruises had moved inland before the storm. The 49-passenger power catamarans Santiva and Playtime will be doing dolphin sightseeing cruises and luncheon excursions to Cabbage Key.

Top: Captiva Cruises holds a reopening ceremony at McCarthy’s Marina on Jan. 12.

Left: Royal Shell celebrates its reopening on Jan. 10.

Below: Sea Oats Day Spa on Jan. 10 holds a ribbon-cutting at its Periwinkle Way location.

The team also moved the Lady Chadwick offsite for the storm, to a Fort Myers Beach boatyard for its annual inspection and maintenance. Storm surge delivered some damage to the boat, but it is expected to be repaired and back in service in coming months. The tour company also suffered significant damage to its docks and property.

Captiva Island office reopening on Dec. 13, was waiting for power to be restored to the Sanibel office for its ribbon cutting.

“We wish Logan all the luck in the world and thank her for the positivity she brings to recovery efforts; Her enthusiasm is infectious,” Lai said. “Royal Shell has been helping out islanders on both Sanibel and Captiva since the causeway opened, and we’re happy to make their Sanibel reopening official.”

Captiva Cruises opened late last

“Our awesome crew has been helping with all the recovery efforts,” said co-owner Brad Junghans, who offered attendees at the ribbon cutting a free cruise following it. “Before we opened for business, we brought disaster crews from Cape Coral to South Seas Island. While we are happy to back up and running, there is still lots of work to be done.”

“I think everyone appreciates seeing the return of what the islands are known for – opportunities to get out on the water,” Lai said. “I applaud Captiva Cruises for steering the islands’ comeback in a positive direction.”

“The Chamber has done an excellent job of communicating to the members of the various programs and resources available to aid the recovery process,” Junghans said.

Family Page 1

This year’s conference, titled “Driving Success Through Succession,” is geared toward owners of multigenerational businesses and offers insight and best practices from dynamic leaders who are running family businesses. Alan Hassenfeld of the famous Hasbro Toy Company Family (Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly and other iconic games,) will deliver the keynote address.

In addition to Hassenfeld, speakers include Blake Gable, CEO of the Barron Collier Companies; Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware and John Resnick, principal of The Resnick Group.

“Family businesses are the economic engine of our economy. John and I, along with Michael Wynn, are proud to have partnered with family business owners like David and Jerri Hoffmann, Blake Gable and Shelly Stayer to support and increase the odds of survival of family businesses in Southwest Florida,” said Billie Resnick.

Bill Daubmann, founder of MY Shower Door and D3 Glass in Southwest Florida, is leading his company to the second-generation of ownership by his two sons, Keith and Doug. He attended the inaugural event last year with his son, Doug, and shared, “This is really a great event and my son and I are learning a lot of good and truly helpful information here today.” He continued, “That’s because the speakers have all been, and are still, involved in their family-owned business ventures. So the speakers know exactly what challenges we are facing as we build our own family-owned business. It’s fantastic!”

The Family Business Conference runs from 1 to 6 p.m. on March 3 at FGCU, the Cohen Student Union on FGCU Boulevard North in Fort Myers. For more about The Resnick Wynn Family Business Conference, visit FGCU.edu/FamilyBusinessConference, call (239) 745-4700 or email ResnickWynnFBC@FGCU.edu.