June 2017 Southwest Florida Business Today

Celebrating 10 Years

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S B2B MARKETPLACE • 239-573-9732 Vol. 10 No. 8 / JUNE 2017 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com

IN THE NEWS

Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples

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FLORIDA SBDC ANNOUNCES DISTINGUISHED ENTREPRENEUR AWARD

2017 Industry awards accepting nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Excellence in Industry Awards, which recognize corporate and individual excellence in Collier County. Awards will be given in five categories: Business Expansion, Company to Watch, Young Professional of the Year, Heart of the Community and Pillar Award. All nominations must be received by June 16, 2017.

The Awards program is presented by Opportunity Naples, in coordination with the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

INDUSTRY See page 3

RSW airport reports record traffic in April

During April, 1,032,783 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport, an increase of 14.7 percent compared to April 2016. This number also represents the best April in the 34-year history of the airport. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 1.1 percent from the same period last year.

The traffic leader in April was Southwest with 265,761 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Delta Air Lines (179,415), American (128,641), JetBlue (124,841) and Spirit (104,093).

AIRPORT See page 3

Englewood Bank & Trust names Hagan president

J. W. “Bill” Crews, Jr., chairman of the Board of Englewood Bank & Trust, announced Kevin Hagan has been named president of the bank. He succeeds Brad Wilson, who will continue his work with the Crews Banking Corporation, the family-owned bank holding company of which Englewood Bank & Trust is a part.

“Kevin has strong roots in the community and extensive knowledge in banking and commercial lending that will provide a seamless transition,” said Crews.

Hagan has been serving Charlotte and Sarasota counties as a commercial lender since 1989.

He is a graduate of the University of South Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

HAGAN See page 3

Nominees gather at the 2017 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida awards.

Photos by Jim Jett

SWFL’s small businesses are honored at ceremony The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) announced the 2017 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida awards at its annual dinner on May 10.

The FSBDC awards are held annually to recognize three Southwest Florida small businesses for their innovation, advocacy and business growth.

This year’s Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida is Dr. Anais Aurora Badia, owner of Florida Skin Centers. Guido A. Minaya, owner of Minaya Learning Global Solutions, was named Innovator of the Year. Advocate of the Year is Brian Rist, owner

of Storm Smart. An additional honor, the William O. Webb award, was presented to A & E Auto Repair.

“We celebrate the business owners that took an idea, grew that idea into a business and created a positive impact on the economy in the Southwest Florida community,” said FSBDC Regional Director Lois Knox.

Badia, a board certified dermatologist and the only pediatric dermatologist in Lee County, opened Florida Skin Center in Fort Myers in 2001. She has since expanded her operations into Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres, with the community’s public opinion polls

By Jacob Ogles SWFBT Print Editor

“Thanks to leadership by the Florida House, the budget ends state-funded corporate welfare,” said Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral and House majority whip, in a message to constituents. “In conforming legislation, comprehensive transparency and accountability provisions were instituted for both Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, which have both been breeding grounds for unscrupulous spending practices.”

Scott’s proposed budget called for $85 million in economic incentives funding for Enterprise Florida and $100 million for Visit Florida to market the state to tourists. Since the close of session, he has continued to criti-

AWARDS See page 14

Ron Toll, FGCU provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, speaks at the 2017 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida awards.

Lawmakers hold firm on program cuts The budget approved by the Florida Legislature at the close of regular session this year calls for drastic budget reductions for Visit Florida and the elimination of business incentives available to Enterprise Florida. Gov. Rick Scott, who heavily criticized lawmakers for not fully funding these agencies, suggested he may veto the entire state budget, as lawmakers who supported the cuts brace for heavy cuts to local spending efforts in retribution.

House members defended the cuts, saying abuse and excessive spending by the agencies constituted cutbacks.

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cize lawmakers’ decision to underfund those efforts. “Florida’s economy is on a roll,” he said in an online statement.

“Now is not the time to slow down our efforts to bring more jobs and opportunities to our state. Businesses and site selectors have taken notice of the Florida Legislature’s decision to not fully fund Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida. We cannot allow Florida to fall being after years of successful growth. We will continue to work each day to fight for jobs.”

State Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton and chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, urged business leaders at a recent event in Sarasota

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

JUNE 2017

Photos by Michael Shapiro Wendi Fowler won the Woman in Technology Award.

Partnership announces Technology Award winners

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The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership has announced the winners of the 9th annual Technology Awards. CenturyLink is the Pinnacle sponsor of the RTP and the Premier sponsors are Hertz, eMaint and 21st Century Oncology.

The winner of the CenturyLink Innovention Award, given to a company that has invented or demonstrated an innovative and creative technology solution, is Flight Docs for its industry-leading aircraft maintenance software platform. Onward Technology Solutions was also a finalist for this award.

The winner of the Transformation Award for a business that has achieved success through implementation of information technology to overcome a challenge is Lee County Geographic Information Systems for development of life saving technology techniques for local search and rescue emergency responders. Smart Industries and Lee County Port Authority were also finalists in this category.

The winner of the Woman in Technology Award to recognize contributions made by women in technology through professional expertise and leadership is Wendi Fowler, president of The Client Server. The other finalists were Jennifer Pellechio, chief operations officer for Economic Incubators’ Naples Accelerator, and Rita Davis, director of Adult and Career Education for the Lee County School District.

The winner of the Partnership Award, which recognizes a member who has contributed to the success and growth of the mission of the

The keynote speaker was R. David Mahon, Chief Security Officer at CenturyLink.

Partnership, is John LaFreniere, vice president of Global IT Architecture at Hertz. The other finalists were James Sampel, chief information officer for Alico Inc., and Charles Starnes, of Chico’s FAS. The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership was chartered in 2008 and is the only group dedicated solely to the growth of the technology cluster in Southwest Florida. The nonprofit organization is a member of Lee County’s Horizon Council and is comprised of technology companies and technology users, economic development groups and higher education institutions.

Through its strategies of catalyze, cultivate and connect, the Partnership produces educational seminars, career forums, professional networking events and the only regional awards program dedicated to technology development and implementation.

Chamber hosts ‘Get Connected’ luncheon Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates.

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The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is bringing back the popular “Get Connected” Program during the June General Membership Luncheon.

The objective of the event is for professionals to increase their business acumen or personal knowledge on one of eleven different topics related to small business.

Attendees will have the chance to sit with the key industry expert of their choice to help establish a better understanding of the topic as it relates to their business.

The Luncheon will take place on June 15 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. at Pelican Preserve Country Club.

Guests will choose from the following topics: Killer Sales Questions, Sales Management, Overcoming Objections, Follow Up for Success, How to Make

Connections, How To Generate Leads through Social Media, Video Marketing & Facebook Live, Reputation Management, How to Write Headlines that Drive Traffic, Internet Security and How to Balance Wellness & Exercise.

Here are some of the following companies participating as table hosts: Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, iPartnerMedia, Media Relations and Team Logic IT. Registration is $25 for members, $35 for non-members and $35 pay at the door. Space is limited and seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. To make a seating reservation please visit www. fortmyers.org or contact Cheryl Nelson 239-332-2930 ext. 212 or via e-mail at Cheryl@fortmyers.org.

JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

What’s happening at Babcock Ranch?

Karen P. Moore Publisher of SWFBT

Construction is underway at Babcock Ranch, a new town on the border of the Lee and Charlotte County line that will have as many as 19,500 homes and 50,000 residents at buildout. The 17,800acre community is surrounded by 73,000 acres that the state acquired for conservation 10 years ago. Babcock Ranch includes a 75-megawatt solar field that will power the entire town, giving the community a national eco-friendly reputation. The town is also designed to meet Florida Green Building Certified Homes and Community standards.

Recently, the Southwest Florida chapter of Certified Commercial Investment Members (CCIM), a national commercial real estate organization with chapters worldwide, held its monthly meeting at Woodlea Hall in the Town Center of Babcock Ranch. Members gathered to hear the latest construction updates on this “town of the future” now well on its way.

Chapter members viewed some of the projects currently in-process. With a soft Southwest Florida breeze gently blowing, they also enjoyed the peaceful water view and the eats at the recently opened onsite restaurant and bar.

According to Discovery Center Man-

Photos by Jim Jett Construction is underway at Babcock Ranch, a new town located on the border of Lee and Charlotte counties. ager Axel Kallenborn, Fox Homes, Stock Development and Lennar Homes are just a few of the many developers participating in this momentous undertaking. Kallenborn shared updates on several projects in-process, including The Hatchery, which is a business incubator planned to include office space, retail shops and opportunities for all industries to be represented, and The Learning Center, where Florida Gulf Coast University already houses both environmental studies and astronomy labs. Planned to open in the first quarter of 2018 is a health and wellness center boasting: a complete gym (offering customized medical workout programs); an indoor basketball court; an Olympic-sized swimming pool; a fitness academy; and a walk-in clinic. In the

coming years, it is foreseen that medical specialists will open offices here, then an outpatient center, and eventually, the town will have its own hospital.

Kallenborn indicated: “The original Babcock house was the inspiration for the architectural design here and will continue to be preserved.”

He added: “Eventually we plan to see 10-20 builders represented here, with new ones announced shortly. The first move-ins are happening now and school starts this fall!”

So keep your eyes and ears open for more developments because this is clearly just the beginning of the exciting growth planned for Babcock Ranch, Southwest Florida’s newest town.

Page 3

INDUSTRY PAGE 1 Any company doing business in Collier County is eligible to apply.

Nominations may be submitted by the companies themselves, their clients, vendors and/or other individuals.

The winners of this year’s Excellence in Industry Awards are selected by a panel of judges representing past winners and Opportunity Naples board members and presented at a ceremony at the Hilton Naples on September 20.

AIRPORT PAGE 1 Southwest Florida International Airport had 9,335 aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings), an increase of 13.6 percent compared to April 2016. Page Field saw 9,814 movements, a 1.6 percent decrease from April 2016. In addition, slightly more than 2.5 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in April 2017, an increase of 1.2 percent compared to April 2016.

Southwest Florida International Airport served 8.6 million passengers in 2016 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

When disaster threatens, business preparedness is key

As professionals, many of us can resonate with Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” And while most companies spend time putting together business plans and strategic marketing or development plans to support success, a staggering number of businesses fail to create a Disaster Recovery Plan for efficient action and recovery in the event of a disaster.

While the Atlantic hurricane season effectively runs from June 1 through November 30 this year, if you have not already put together a DRP to help with the “what if’s,” now would be a great time to do so.

To reduce downtime in the event of floods, major storms, and fires, the preparation, communication and practice of a DRP, outlining inventory of hardware and software, essential data,

HAGAN PAGE 1 Hagan has been an active leader in the community for the past 30 years. Currently he is a member of the board of directors of Bay Village of Sarasota County and serves on the finance committee of Children First, an early childhood and family-strengthening program within economically vulnerable Hagan communities. He was a board member for the Sertoma Club of Venice as well as actively volunteering for the YMCA, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and the United Way. “I am honored to join a true community bank that has been serving this market going on 29 years,” said Hagan.

“I look forward to assisting area residents and businesses in this capacity.”

key staff roles and responsibilities, can help maximize recovery after a disaster.

Take into consideration your inventory of laptops, cell phones, personal computers, servers, and cloud-based services, along with technical support phone numbers for each. Additionally, as part of planning, it’s important to prioritize which programs need to be up and running for mission-critical needs, such as phone systems, accounting systems, or online databases. Furthermore, for multi-unit facilities, having the right resource on hand for cleanup and rebuilding can mean the difference between thousands of dollars in lost productivity and revenue, or an expeditious comeback.

Having engaged in disaster response services in Florida since 1992, the team at Erickson’s Drying Systems, for example, has amassed over $3 million in

catastrophe solutions equipment, from weather-resistant standby generators to truck-mounted and portable water extraction units and state-of-the-art drying equipment. Mold from water intrusion after a flood or storm can grow as quickly as 24 to 48 hours after a storm, so it’s critical to incorporate a “go to” list of companies with the right tools, equipment, and expertise to handle disaster response needs.

Whatever the seasons bring, disaster-related emergency management is something all professionals can play a hand in preparing for.

Erickson’s Drying Systems is family owned and operated in Fort Myers with over 24 years of experience serving Southwest Florida. For more information, call 239-277-7744 or visit www.ericksonsdrying.com.

Anticipating what’s next... ...is what keeps you and your business ahead of the game.

Due to expansion, SWFBT seeks sales professionals in the SWFL area.

Please call for details (239) 770-7527

Here’s what is ahead for 2017 for Southwest Florida Business Today.

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www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com PUBLISHER Karen P. Moore PRINT EDITOR & ASSOCIATE WEB EDITOR Jacob Ogles PRODUCTION MANAGER Jennifer Ogles DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGNER & EDITOR Michelle L. Hudson

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News: 239-573-9731 All other: 239-573-9732 News email: editor@swfloridabusinesstoday.com All other information requests: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com The contents of Southwest Florida Business Today are copyright 2013 by Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced without the express written consent of Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. The publication of any advertisement or article does not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher of Southwest Florida Business Today. For more information about any article or column appearing in Southwest Florida Business Today, for advertising rates or subscription information please call 239-573-9732 or email: publisher@swfloridabusinesstoday.com

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Southwest Florida Business Today is to provide the best business-to-business marketplace where business executives operating in Southwest Florida buy and sell goods and services via the exchange of news, advertising and information.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

JUNE 2017

Florida Public Relations Association announces Local Image winners

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association announced the winners of its Local Image Awards in April at the Alliance for the Arts. The competition is conducted annually to recognize outstanding public relations programs in Southwest Florida during the last year, and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism. Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design.

The 2017 Grand All Image Award, FPRA’s highest honor, together with an Image Award was presented to Jennifer J. Edwards, Trish Robertson and Heather Wysocki for Election Ready Campaign.

A Grand Image Award in Division B, along with an Image Award and a Judges’ Award, was presented to Samantha Scott and Vanessa Fernandez for the Naples Harley-Davidson Service Mailer.

Other awards presented, were as follows: Image Award: Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold, Jennifer Hamilton

2017 Grand All Image Award winners Trish Robertson and Heather Wysocki along with FPRA Southwest Florida Chapter President-Elect Tiffany Whitaker. and Kara Johnston for FutureMakers Coalition’s FAFSA first! Campaign; Molly Schweers and Lee County Solid Waste Division for Recycle Smart; Teri Hansen for Conservancy of Southwest Florida Ripple Effect Campaign; Samantha Scott, APR and Van-

essa Fernandez for Food Truck Wars; and Randy Mitchelson, APR and Mike Jackson, APR for the FPRA SWFL 2016 Media Breakfast.

Award of Distinction: Jennifer J. Edwards, Trish Robertson and Heather Wysocki for Countdown to Enterprise;

HR council announces partnership with NAMI Florida HR Florida State Council, the premier resource for best practices serving the public and HR professionals in the state of Florida, announced its newest partnership with NAMI Florida (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to bring awareness of mental health issues in the workplace through its latest pledge—Stigma Free Florida. Companies and individuals throughout the state are encouraged to sign the pledge as part of May’s National Mental Health Awareness Month.

Part of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for those affected, NAMI Florida will host the initiative through its website to serve as a platform for business and organization leaders to show their support and make a commitment to promote mental health awareness.

By signing the pledge, businesses are committing to reviewing wellness and employee assistance programs to ensure mental health coverage is granted, communicate the importance of recognizing these challenges in the workplace to all employees, and provide education to employees on mental health issues.

“HR Florida was looking for a way to expand the concept of diversity into a broader arena,” said HR

Florida State Council Diversity Director Eve Sweeting. “Both physical and mental disabilities impact a large portion of the population. As HR professionals, it is imperative that we understand how best to accommodate individuals dealing with these often overlooked issues at work.”

State leaders will work with NAMI Florida and its affiliates to increase knowledge and expertise around employee mental health—the mission being to change perceptions and attitudes within workplaces regarding these illnesses. Reducing the stigma around mental health can benefit both employees and employers, helping them improve productivity and receive needed assistance.

“HR Florida State Council is committed to facilitating a welcoming work environment that is accepting of all employees throughout the state,” said HR Florida State Council President Lynnette Holsinger.

“We believe our partnership with NAMI and the Stigma Free pledge will help do just that.”

The pledge launched in May in conjunction with National Mental Health Awareness Month. For more information on how to participate, visit the National Alliance on Mental Health website.

$15,000 grant awarded to Dress for Success Southwest Florida

Dress for Success SW Florida received a $15,000 grant from The Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida, a fund of the Community Foundation of Collier County. The funds will be used to sustain the nonprofit’s career center and its programs which help enrich and empower women in Collier and Lee counties.

Barbara Dell, CEO of Dress for Success SW Florida, said, “We are grateful having received a grant from the Women’s Giving Circle of Southwest Florida. This will allow Dress for Success SW Florida to improve the quality of life of more disadvantaged women and their families in the community.”

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Lee County Port Authority Communications & Marketing Team for Lee County Port Authority Hosts 47th Annual FAC Conference “Florida Airports – Defining the Future”; CONRIC PR & Marketing and Connie Ramos-Williams for Voice of Fort Myers Beach; Mary Briggs, APR, CPRC and Cheryl Garn, APR for Because We Care; EJ Andrews, Cherline Louissaint and Samantha Scott, APR for Gulf GHOST Town Center; Kailee Witt, McKenzie Cassidy and Eric Barreto for FSW Buc Bash; Priority Marketing and SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc. for the 2017 Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest Event; CONRIC PR & Marketing for FlipTowel; and CONRIC PR & Marketing for City of Palms Classic.

Judges’ Award: Kailee Witt, McKenzie Cassidy and Eric Barreto for FSW Buc Bash; Randy Mitchelson, APR and Mike Jackson, APR for the FPRA SWFL 2016 Media Breakfast; CONRIC PR & Marketing for FlipTowel; and Vanessa Fernandez, Diana Leadley and Samantha Scott, APR for the CAN IT! Campaign “Mannequin Challenge” Video.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Why should I care about cybersecurity?

In 2016, we saw a big increase of major data breaches (FACC, University of Central Florida, US Department of Justice, IRS, Snapchat, Premier Healthcare, Wendy’s, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Yahoo, Cisco—to name just a few), which impacts most of the users and companies in the US. Leading agencies predict that cyber attacks in the nation’s private and government sector are expected to grow exponentially in the coming future. This means cybercrime continues to pose a serious threat not only to your personal privacy and security but also the U.S. economy.

So, why should I care about this, you may ask? You may use a computer to store sensitive data like pictures of your family, passwords for ecommerce sites, passwords for financial institutes or your

BY ANDREAS DOLLESCHAL social security number. This data can also reside on other Guest Columnist devices like your smartphone, tablet computer or any other device connected to the internet (like your TV, DVD or gaming console, the list goes on). If you don’t protect yourself and your property, the cyber criminals will take advantage of that, and cleaning up after a data breach can be cost and time consuming and being an identity theft victim would be a nightmare.

To protect your family, yourself and your company, consider the following: use a state of the art antivirus and antispam solution (on your computer and smartphone). Use a modern firewall/router to connect to the internet (not just the provider modem). Be sure that you always use the latest version of your software products and operating system. Surf the internet on a public wi-fi only with an encrypted VPN connection and password protect your wi-fi at your location.

Never use a weak password or the same password for multiply accounts (Password Manager will help you with that). Never send confidential data (SSN, credit card information, passwords) using a standard e-mail.

It’s basically the same as a postcard; everyone could read it.

Andreas Dolleschal is CEO and president of Smargasy Inc., a Cape Coral-based Technology Company. He “speaks” 10 Languages (8 of them are programming languages) and is a certified IT security manager and project manager.

JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 5

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Be prepared, before disaster strikes

Trustees of the SWFLCF with the construction and design team.

Community event celebrates new Collaboratory in Ft. Myers

More than 300 city leaders, business professionals and Southwest Florida residents recently attended the construction kickoff celebration of the Southwest Florida Community Foundation’s new Collaboratory in downtown Fort Myers.

Celebrating the public-private partnership of the Foundation and the City of Fort Myers, the event marked the beginning of the transformation of the Atlantic Coast Railway station and construction of a 13,000-square-foot addition to create a campus that includes the Foundation’s regional headquarters and state-of-the-art shared space for the community and tenants.

A brief program featured comments John Sheppard from the leadership of the Foundation, closed the station in 1971. After sitthe City of Fort Myers and a represen- ting empty for a decade, the Southwest tative of the Florida Community Loan Florida Museum of History opened on Fund. the site in 1982. In 2015, the museum The Foundation is funding the proj- merged with the Imaginarium Science ect with a $10 million New Market Tax Center and recently moved physically Credit deal, or NMTC, a program that to the Imaginarium’s site at Cranford encourages economic development Avenue. in distressed neighborhoods. Florida The Southwest Florida Community Community Loan Fund provided the Foundation, founded in 1976, cultiNMTC allocation and U.S. Bancorp vates regional change for the common Community Development Corporation good through collective leadership, is an investor on the project. Whitney social innovation and philanthropy Hancock Bank provided additional fi- to address the evolving community nancing. needs in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, HenFort Myers-based Parker Mudgett dry and Glades counties. It partners Smith Architects and OAK Construc- with individuals, families and corporation Co. are leading the project’s reno- tions who have created more than 400 vation and construction. The project is philanthropic funds. Thanks to them, focused on preserving historical fea- the Foundation invested $5 million in tures of the property and railway sta- grants and programs to the community tion. last year. With assets of $93 million, When complete in summer 2018, it has provided more than $67 million the Collaboratory will feature vibrant in grants and scholarships to the comspaces for work, gatherings and spe- munities it serves since inception. The cial events. In addition, plans include Community Foundation is the backstate-of-the-art technology that en- bone organization for the regional Fucourages regional collaboration. tureMakers Coalition and Lee CounThe Atlantic Coast Line railway ty’s Sustainability Plan. station was presented to the city on Currently, the Southwest Florida Feb. 4, 1924, the same year Fort My- Community Foundation’s regional ers was poised to join the Florida real headquarters are located off College estate boom of the 1920s. In the face Parkway in South Fort Myers, with of shrinking revenues, the Seaboard satellite offices located on Sanibel IsCoast Line (which had merged with land, in LaBelle (Hendry County) and ACL) sold its track, discontinued all downtown Fort Myers. passenger service into Fort Myers and

Gaile Anthony, Mike Flanders, Israel Suarez and James Ink.

Attention business owners. What do ity of Operations, you do when a disaster strikes? Do you Plan Testing/ have plans to handle a hurricane, active Training/Exercises, Independent shooter, IT downtime and other natural Vendor Evaluaor man-made disasters? Without a plan, tion, Emergency businesses are exposed to substantial Management and loss of operations, negative publicity, fiPreparedness, nancial losses, legal recourse, loss of reData Center Resources and people. Whether man-made covery, Business or natural, you should have effective, Cases, Testing, tested plan(s). Companies and organizaTraining, Tabletions need to understand the impacts of top Exercises, their business in the event of an extend- BY LINDA Cyber Events, ed emergency or disaster. Examples of HANWACKER Compliance and man-made threats include fire, flooding Guest Columnist Benchmarking. due to plumbing problems, explosions, Businesses, organizations and govtoxic or hazardous materials, operational failures, equipment failures, trans- ernment agencies are depending on portation problems, facility problems, their critical processes and information communication failures, terrorism, systems more than ever before to opercivil unrest, sabotage and heating and ate efficiently. As industry experts, rely cooling failures. Examples of natural on The LSH Group to assist you with threats include flood, water-based inci- their proven successful methodologies. dents, earthquake, hurricane, tornadoes With the right people, processes and and other wind storms, thunderstorms technologies in place, companies can and hail storms, lightning and electri- withstand and recover from even the cal storms, snow and ice storms, natural greatest of threats. Almost every business and organization must deal with fires, epidemics and pandemics.

In today’s environment, planning for IT Disaster Recovery and Business disruptions, disasters and emergencies Continuity at some level. The planning is critical. Businesses and organizations process starts with understanding what need to have a plan. The LSH Group is impacts your business with a Business an independent provider of both IT and Impact Assessment—the process of anBusiness Continuity/Disaster Recovery alyzing business functions and the effect professional planning and consulting that a business disruption might have services. The LSH Group established upon them, that may include an IT asits base in Fort Myers a decade ago and sessment, network assessment and facilprovides the best economic value and ity assessment. The key here is to conhighest quality professional consulting sider the most realistic impacts. There services that utilizes industry best prac- is no point in identifying all potential tices for IT and all aspects of disaster impacts that would cost more to protect your business than the actual event. The recovery and continuity planning.

The LSH Group is here to assist your next step is to document the information business in being resilient and prepared. necessary for recovery that includes a The LSH Group focuses on the plan- documented collection of procedures ning process to be prepared for when di- and information that is developed, comsasters or major disruptions strike your piled and maintained in readiness for business. We help you answer these ba- recovering and restoring an organizasic questions and more: Who executes tions technological infra-structure and recovery actions? What is needed to re- capabilities after a disruption or disaster. cover, resume, continue or restore busi- An IT Disaster Recovery Plan is for IT ness functions? When must business critical functions, a Business Continufunctions and operations resume and in ity Plan is for critical business functions what order? Where will people go to re- and a Continuity of Operations Plan is sume critical functions? How, in detail, for government procedures and inforwill recovery, resumption, continuity mation based on FEMA information.

These plans must be tested to be effecand restoration be accomplished?

The LSH group has a large portfolio tive. of services that is uniquely positioned to address these planning needs. Their ser- Linda Hanwacker is an industry subject vices include Business Impact Analysis, matter expert, guest speaker, author, and Risk Assessment, Network Security, CEO and founder of The LSH Group, in IT Assessments, Business Continuity Fort Myers. Contact her at (239) 466Plans, IT Disaster Recovery Plans, 1170 or hanwacker@thelshgroup.com, Backup/Recovery Strategies, Continu- or visit TheLSHGroup.com

Page 6

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida schools win $40,000+ from CenturyLink Foundation CenturyLink announced the winners of the CenturyLink Clarke M. Williams Foundation’s Teachers and Technology grant program. The program, which began in 2008, awards grants of up to $5,000 to schools in CenturyLink’s local service areas on behalf of teachers who have developed specific plans to innovatively implement technology in their classrooms.

“The winning teachers’ grant applications outlined a clear plan for how they would use the requested technology to help grow their students and enrich their classroom experience,” said Danny Pate, CenturyLink vice president of operations. “We are pleased to be able to help these passionate educators expose their students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts in their daily school lives.”

Across the United States, more than 2,300 grant applications were submitted and 309 were awarded. Florida schools were awarded more than $103,000 for 26 grant projects. Grants were awarded based on the impact they will have on students in the classroom and the overall innovation of the project. CenturyLink service is neither required nor considered in the review of applications.

Local grantees included: • Avalon Elementary School was awarded $5,000 for a project titled “iLearn through iPads.” Dr. Miriam Ortiz submitted the project.

• Caloosa Elementary was awarded $5,000 for a project titled “We need more T in STEM.” Teacher Kimberly Jordan submitted the project.

• Corkscrew Elementary School was awarded $2,500 for a project titled “Engagement is Empowering.” Teacher Cindy Burnett submitted the project.

• Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary was awarded $2,080 for a project titled “Can You Hear Me Now?” Teacher Laura Reed submitted the project. Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary was awarded $2,000 for a project titled “Go with the Flow.” Teacher Susan Hassett submitted the project.

• Lake Park Elementary was awarded $4,534 for a project titled “Tech it Out!” Teacher Laura Serrano submitted the project.

• Lake Park Elementary was awarded $2, 378.86 for a project titled “Century “Links” Technology

Apartment investments good for yield

Investments in apartments have always been atOne sale resold during this time tractive for investors that prefer ownership of a frame with an average apprephysical asset versus a stock or a bond and those ciation in price of 20 per year. who understand the use of leverage to increase their It is important to note that only yield. A review of market data indicates that the local one apartment project sold durmarket area still has high average occupancy levels, ing the first quarter of 2017. exceeding 95 percent and increasing average rents.

The market has experienced However, occupancy level and average rents are an increase in interest rates, below their peaks. Furthermore, as discussed in the with further increases expected.

March 28, 2017 NREI article “How Is the Price of Additionally, the local market Owning vs. Renting Affecting the Multifamily Marhas seen a significant increase ket,” the ratio of the average rent to the housing cost in development of new apartindex remains stable. On average, the local housing BY MIKE DOYLE ment properties. The combiprice index has increased at a greater rate than the Guest Columnist nation of rising rates and inincrease in average rents. This is a positive indicator creased supply could have a for apartment owners. negative impact on values of The local apartment market has been very active existing apartment properties. with 16 sales last year, 18 sales in 2015 and 24 sales in 2014. The number of units per sale has ranged Mike Doyle, Landqwest Commercial Real Esfrom a low of 10 units to a high of 936 units, with tate Services senior associate, has been in comprices ranging from $399,000 to $95,250,000. The mercial real estate in Southwest Florida more sales price per apartment unit ranged from a low than 25 years. Call 239-333-4361 or email of $25,000 per unit to a high of $170,000 per unit. mdoyle@lqwest.com.

& Kinesthetic Academics Team Project.” Teacher Joann Vukobratovich submitted the project.

• Manatee Middle School was awarded $2,569.70 for a project titled “Technology for STEM in the Science Classroom.” Teacher Stephen Jensen submitted the project.

• North Fort Myers High School was awarded $4,000 for a project titled “Digital Knight: A Design + Technology Student Competition.” Teacher Jennifer Curls submitted the project.

• Pelican Elementary School was awarded $1099.90 for a project titled “Going Global with GPS.” Teacher Colleen Taylor submitted the project.

• Pelican Marsh Elementary was awarded $4,725 for a project titled “Hands-On Engineering 101.”

Teacher Granville Thompson submitted the project.

• Pine Ridge Middle School was awarded $5,000 for a project titled “Uploading Science Projects from Card “Bored” to the Digital Age.” Teacher Greg Anthony submitted the project.

Edison Mall announces renovation project

Edison Mall in May announced that construction had begun on a $4-million renovation project.

The renovation will include changes to the concourse and will add a new cut-through in the center of the mall near the Macy’s Women’s store.

As part of the renovation, Edison Mall will add new retailers, as well as relocate some existing retailers into newly renovated inline space.

“We are continuously looking for ways to enhance the shopping experience for our guests and this investment demonstrates our commitment to the community,” said Ruben Irizarry, general manager of Edison Mall.

Edison Mall will share more details on new retailers once leases are signed.

The mall is home to over 160 retail options, including Macy’s, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, The Disney Store and Books-A-Million.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Holding your position when business doesn’t go as planned You struggle, you train, you network, and you do the best work you can in your current position. You make your boss look good while courting the next level in order to move to the top. Lots of articles, blogs and books are written on the common theme of how to climb the ladder of success.

You’ve made it and now you are in that dreamed of top-level job that has glimmered before your ambitious eyes for years.

“Awww,” you say. “I have made it. I AM the big kahuna. I can relax now and let the good times roll.”

UH-OH—people problems… You scramble to modify your actions, you research the methods for motivation and control of employees, implement and calm ensues. “Awww… now my people love me, respect me and are pulling for my success…I can relax now.”

“Oh My, now THEY have cut the budget…what do I do now? Reduce the workforce…there goes the calm and productive workdays…people are scared! How can I reassure them and at the same time trim the staff to a

funded size?”

“Until it becomes immediate I will try to find other areas to reduce…needed to do that any way…let’s see…less training…

OH No! Disappointment and resentment are surfacing in my upward mobile folks. Rumors are flying. Everyone thinks I am protecting my position by stagnating those of promise.”

“What else can I do?…I know I’ll restrict travel.” “Now

BY PAULINE my sales are dropping. My top CASON sales people declare they must Guest Columnist meet the customers on their own turf to understand their needs and hold the accounts.”

“Each solution I seek creates new problems. This job is certainly not how it appeared from the outside.”

“I know, I’ll cut the quality of our parts. The prod-

uct won’t be as great but a good coat of paint will hide that…in the mean time I’ll find ways to suck up to the competition just in case I have to move quickly to an untainted position.”

Our hero has begun the slide to disgrace and oblivion. Innocent as his motives are; he has made some wrong choices. Faulty products will lose customers and public trust that others have sacrificed to build. Fraternizing with the enemy (competition) will soon reach the ears of his bosses or board members or whoever holds authority over him. The competition may even view his overtures as underhanded and he loses there as well. In today’s digital world there is no hiding place secure for the unscrupulous.

John Maxwell tells us: “Virtually every fallen leader of recent times has been undone by the dramatically expanded availability and light-speed portability of digital data—as mundane as electronic financial records (Lee) or as advanced as remote surveillance ¬(Flynn’s CASON See page 12

JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 7

Deifik to be a presenter at ‘Boundaries and Easements’ seminar Celia Deifik, partner with the law firm of Ross, Lanier & Deifik, will be a presenting speaker at Boundaries and Easements seminar on June 8 at the Courtyard Marriott on Metro Parkway in Fort Myers. This seminar is eligible for continuing education credits for engineers, surveyors, attorneys, architects and title insurance professionals.

Deifik, along with other presenting speakers, will discuss topics on real estate law and litigation. The two topics that Deifik will present are: “Identifying, classifying and locating easements” and “Defining trespass and adverse possession.”

Deifik has been board certified in real estate law by the Florida Bar since 1990. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation, with emphasis on real estate-related litigation, including foreclosure defense, purchase and sale contract litigation (including deposit recovery/forfeiture and specific Deifik performance), quiet title, partition, adverse possession and/or prescriptive easement, reformation of deed or plat

and declaratory judgment actions. Deifik earned her J.D. degree from the University of Florida College of Law. The seminar is being made possible by HalfMoon, a nonprofit continuing education provider located in Altoona, Wisconsin. HalfMoon has been providing continuing education seminars to professionals since 1996.

Registration fee for this event is $279 for one individual and $259 for three or more individuals when booked together. Each registration includes one copy of a manual prepared by the seminar speakers.

Mixed-use building coming to South Fort Myers Owners want to protect employees during sale

“

We have called upon local companies to provide a unique sense of what it means to serve quality food, domestic and local craft beer and international wines in a nauticalinspired setting.

“

Marlins Property Holdings held a groundbreaking ceremony for Marlins Plaza, a mixed-use commercial building coming to south Fort Myers, on May 3, at Six Mile Commercial Court, intersecting Six Mile Cypress Parkway and U.S. 41. The 14,665-squarefoot site will include Marlins Brewhouse, a local craft beer hub and Southwest Florida’s first-ever “Florida Beer Garden,” and Chronic Tacos, a restaurant franchise introducing third-generation recipes to Southwest Florida.

Nearly 100 managing and development partners, business leaders, media representatives, family and friends spent the afternoon viewing renderings and sampling local brews. After business partners Timothy Frederic and Jeffrey Burns shared their story of how growing up on Sanibel turned into a lifelong friendship and ultimate business venture built around the authenticity of Southwest Florida, their children reeled in cooking ladles for a ceremonial “groundlanding.”

Construction of Marlins Plaza is expected to be complete this fall. Suites will range from 1,563 square feet to approximately 1,690 square feet, accommodating up to nine tenants in industries such as food, retail, medical and professional. One of the suites will be built with drive-up capability, and parking for 104 vehicles will be available.

The plaza is within three miles of CenturyLink Sports Complex, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Lakes Regional Park, residential communities, and dining and shopping venues. Some 111,000 people live within a five-mile radius of the 2.6-acre Marlins Plaza.

– Timothy Frederic, Managing Partner of Marlins Property Holdings

Development partners include: • Southview Studios LLC, architecture and design • Banks Engineering, civil engineering, land planning, surveying • Stevens Construction, construction management • Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida, tenant leasing • Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, financing • Spiro & Associates Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations & Brand Architecture “We have called upon local companies to provide a unique sense of what it means to serve quality food, domestic and local craft beer, and international wines in a nautical-inspired setting,” said Frederic, managing partner of Marlins Property Holdings. “This idea drove the groundbreaking, and an ideal location will continue to generate further interest.”

New purchasing vendor registration site launches The Charlotte County Purchasing Division has released a new vendor registration site for organizations that wish to be notified of pending bid, quote or proposal notices via email. This site greatly improves the registration experience and allows for vendors to manage contact information as well as the NIGP codes for the products and services they provide. All vendors that would like to be notified

will need to register in the new site, regardless of any previous registration with the County. Fax Notification from the old system ended on May 26.

The look of the County’s Purchasing bids online has also been updated to provide more information to potential vendors and to the public. To register go to https://purchasingbids.charlottecountyfl.gov/ and click Vendor Registration.

Seventy percent of business owners who are selling their companies say that taking care of their employees is a top consideration when evaluating potential buyers. After financial compensation, making sure employees are protected is the No. 1 concern. Business owners also value exiting their business quickly and leaving a legacy when selling their company according to the Q1 2017 Market Pulse Report published by the International Business Brokers Association, M&A Source, and the Pepperdine Private Capital Market Project. Results indicate that few sellers are interested in employment contracts and other deal structures that keep them active in the business after the sale.

“When it comes to selling a business, owners care about more than just money,” Eric J. Gall, managing partner/broker at Edison Avenue in Bonita Springs. “I’ve seen situations where a business owner agrees to less money in order to sell to a buyer whom they believe will protect employees’ jobs and maintain a positive workplace culture.”

Seventy-seven percent of respondents said that deal structure is an important negotiation factor in most transactions. That is followed by negotiations over closing date, and an employment contract or non-compete contract for the seller.

“Both buyers and sellers are increasingly recognizing the high value of human capital,” said Craig Everett, PhD, director of the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project. “Negotiating the deal structure often includes protections for employees, such as keeping the company in its current location or agreeing not to reduce the workforce.”

The Market Pulse Report compares conditions for businesses being sold on Main Street (values of $0-$2 million) to those being sold in the Lower Middle Market (values of $2 -$50 million). The Q1 2017 survey was completed April 1-17, by 315 business brokers and M&A advisors representing 37 states.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

JUNE 2017

COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

Co-working hub Endeavor launches expansion near Alico Endeavor Innovative Workspaces is expanding its facility near Alico Road, a sign of the growing popularity of coworking and collaborative workspaces and the rebounding regional economy.

There is so much demand from startups and fast-growing companies for the membership-based office facility that Endeavor now has a waiting list just one year since it opened. The facility off Lee Road near Alico Road and Interstate-75 opened in May 2016, and will now expand by 4,000 square feet to accommodate the booming demand from entrepreneurs, fast-growing small businesses and professionals.

Instead of locking in tenants with expensive long-term leases, Endeavor sells monthly memberships for the right to use its offices and shared space where entrepreneurs and professionals can plug their laptops and collaborate with each other. Memberships start at $169 a month, which includes internet, utilities, conference rooms and a full kitchen. Endeavor promotes collabora-

EastGroup is building SunCoast Commerce Center IV. tion with networking events for members and industry trade groups that can use the facility for gatherings.

“I recognized the need from my real estate brokerage clients who were asking me for that kind of space,” said Bjorn Rosinus, CEO of Endeavor, whose family has been involved in numerous commercial real estate projects throughout the region. “The monthly

Daniels Marketplace holds groundbreaking S.J. Collins Enterprises, a commercial real estate development firm and developer on the project, held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction on Fort Myers’ newest retail destination,Daniels Marketplace, a 140,000-square-foot upscale neighborhood development.

Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass and other community leaders attended. The crowd heard briefly from Commissioner Pendergrass and Jeff Garrison, partner at S.J. Collins Enterprises.

In addition to a long-awaited 45,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market, Daniels Marketplace will welcome a number of new concept retailers to Southwest Florida. The retail hub will offer a refined merchandising mix, including fast casual and outdoor dining options, boutique retail and other high-end shops.

A representative from S.J. Collins Enterprises and its leasing agent, LandQwest Commercial, will be on site to provide details and answer questions on the project and its remaining opportunities.

membership gives entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses flexibility without constraints of long-term real estate commitments.”

Every office at Endeavor is now filled with members and Rosinus plans to add 11 additional offices in existing space next month. The second phase of the project scheduled to be completed in September includes building an addi-

Creighton completes restaurants at The Forum

Creighton Commercial Development and Construction has completed the construction of a Moe’s Southwest Grill, Starbucks and McAlister’s Deli at The Forum in Fort Myers, all on Forum Boulevard. The newly built 2,400-square-foot Moe’s Southwest Grill. The Starbucks features 2,000 square feet and includes a drive-thru.

The McAlister’s Deli is 4,400 square feet. The Creighton team included project manager Tom Misotti.

With more than 650 franchised locations throughout the U.S., Moe’s is a fastcasual restaurant that serves Southwestern food. Starbucks Coffee Company is one of the premier roaster and retailers of specialty coffee with more than 25,000 stores around the globe. With more than 350 restaurants in 26 states, McAlister’s Deli is a franchised fast-casual restaurant known for its sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads and desserts.

Creighton Construction’s team of professionals have an extensive background and experience in all aspects of project development to provide complete turnkey service from Acquisition, Engineering, Design, Permitting through Construction for commercial

tional 16 offices, expanding the shared co-work space and creating an auditorium that can seat more than 50 people in 4,000 square feet on the east side of the building.

Currently Endeavor has more than 50 member companies and another four companies are on a waiting list that continues to grow. Rosinus says he anticipates filling the additional space by the end of the year. “I do have my sights set on additional locations,” Rosinus hinted.

In addition to the popularity of the space, the area near Alico Road and I-75 is booming with new and expanding businesses. Furniture giant Robb & Stucky, trucking firm Freightliner and others are building new facilities off Lee Road, for example. “Endeavor is now at the epicenter of growth in Southwest Florida, providing easy access to I-75, Southwest Florida International Airport, Gulf Coast Town Center super-regional mall and Florida Gulf Coast University,” Rosinus noted.

as well as residential development. The team partners with the most qualified engineering, architectural and design teams and are equipped with the latest tools and technology to perform projects with the highest quality and accuracy, while providing efficiency in overall project cost and schedule.

Robb & Stucky breaks ground on Fort Myers HQ

Fort Myers-based furniture retailer Robb & Stucky has begun construction on Phase I of a 125,000-square-foot office and warehouse facility on Lee Road. The new facility will become the new R&S headquarters as well as a furniture storage, assembly, repair and distribution center.

The company acquired the 16-acre site just north of Alico Road in October for $2,789,308. John Mounce, founding principal at LandQwest Commercial, represented the buyer, RSII Properties, and Trinity Commercial Group represented the Seller, Formosa Commerce Center.

Robb & Stucky is a luxury home furnishings retailer that also offers professional interior design services. The retailer carries a variety of top names in the home furnishings industry.

JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 9

COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

U.S. industrial market maintains record-breaking pace

U.S. industrial markets absorbed 53.8 million square feet [MSF] of space in the first quarter of 2017, well above the quarterly absorption average of 49.3 MSF witnessed during the current economic expansion and significantly higher than the average quarterly absorption of 40.6 MSF registered during the last two economic growth cycles, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s first quarter industrial market report.

The national industrial vacancy rate continued to decline in the first quarter, falling 20 basis points (bps) from Q4 2016 and 80 bps from a year ago to 5.3%. Industrial vacancy is now a full 300 bps below the 10-year historical average of 8.3%. Vacancy rates declined or held firm during the quarter in 51 of the 79 markets tracked by Cushman & Wakefield. Strong leasing fundamentals have driven vacancies for each industrial product lower than at any point in the last economic cycle. John Morris, Executive Managing Director of Logistics & Industrial Services for the Americas, says the outlook for the industrial sector remains promising, and he expects 2017 to be another year of solid growth.

“Going forward, the demand drivers for industrial remain firmly intact,” Mor-

ris said. “Much of what drives demand for industrial space links to the U.S. consumer. With consumer confidence at its highest level in 16 years, growing optimism suggests consumer spending will accelerate.

“It isn’t just that consumers are spending, either. It is how they are purchasing, which is increasingly online.

Online sales continue to drive significant requirements for new industrial space across the country. An uptick in eCommerce-related leasing by 3PLs and healthy demand from other logistics and distribution occupiers are fueling rent growth.”

U.S. industrial rents increased 4.2 percent in the first quarter compared to a year-ago. Industrial rents increased in 71 of 79 markets tracked by Cushman & Wakefield from the first quarter of 2016 to the first quarter of 2017, with over one third of the country reporting doubledigit gains. In many markets, industrial rents are now either at their historic high or quickly approaching it, and on a national level, the country is witnessing rental rate appreciation for every industrial product type.

On the development front, 54.9 MSF of industrial product was delivered in the

first quarter with the majority of deliveries coming online in major industrial markets and primary inland distribution hubs. Developers continued to break ground on more speculative projects in many markets. In the first-quarter, speculative projects under construction totaled 145.5 MSF, comprising 66.3% of the total 219.3 MSF currently under construction.

“Construction continues to ramp up nationally, with U.S. groundbreakings up 24 percent since the fourth quarter of 2016, but the majority of speculative development remains concentrated in primary industrial markets, as does the most significant notable leasing volume,” said Jason Tolliver, Head of Industrial Research, Americas. “The Inland Empire, Dallas and Atlanta are where one-third of the nation’s speculative projects are underway, but these markets also turned in the strongest first-quarter leasing performance, comprising nearly 30% of all U.S. net absorption. The script has been the larger the market, the stronger the leasing, and the greater the development.

“Both eCommerce and international trade are driving logistics-related development, and the growth of both is accelerating,” Tolliver continued. “Given

Industrial surges, retail still strong in SWFL This month we will take a look at the first quarter of 2017 Lee County commercial sales as compared to the same time period in previous years. Our focus is solely on the “big three” (office, industrial, and retail).

OFFICE The office market continues to be the most challenged market type in Southwest Florida and nationally. Technology and the “Uber” mentality for office users is changing the way we do business in an office environment. The office market in Southwest Florida had a vacancy of 7.6 percent at in the first quarter of 2017, which is a slight improvement from the fourth quarter of 2016 at 8.2 percent. However, with the exception of Charlotte County, which experienced a year-over-year increase in average sale price ($86.11 to $118.23 psf), the Southwest Florida market was rather tepid and is expected to remain stable. Prominent Office Sale: Jack Parker properties to company lead by Johan Santana $17,500,000 or $139.89 psf.

INDUSTRIAL The industrial markets in Southwest Florida contin-

ue to surge forward with little to no vacancy in Collier County (0.5 percent) and Charlotte County (1.1 percent) and very low vacancy in Lee County (2.6 percent). As illustrated, sale price increases were the outcome in the first quarter of 2017 and are expected to continue until more supply is introduced in this market. Prominent Office Sale: 19701 Old US 41, Fort Myers $5,058,400 or $256.77 psf. Fully leased with extra land.

RETAIL The retail market remains strong in Southwest Florida with the influx of national retailers continuing to enter the market. An example of this trend is the sale of a new Starbucks/Moe’s property in The Forum, which traded above $1,000 psf. The first quarter figures all illustrated year-over-year increases in the three counties. Collier County experienced the highest change.

However, these figures are somewhat skewed by some significant net lease sales and Downtown Naples sales.

In general, the national retail industry is in a downsizing mode. Retailers such as Sears, JCPenney, HHGregg and others are closing stores at a record pace.

improved fundamentals, the current speculative pipeline and our expectation that 2017 will be another year where net absorption surpasses 225 MSF, there is some room left before supply catches demand. That gap will close first in the primary markets where a number of speculative projects are poised to come online in the next two quarters, but even then the market shift should be subtle. There is no market where vacancy is poised to skyrocket due to pending deliveries.”

In the first quarter of 2017, the top 10 strongest markets in terms of demand for industrial space were Atlanta, with 6.4 MSF of absorption; Dallas/Ft. Worth, with 5.4 MSF; the Inland Empire, with 4.2 MSF; Cincinnati, with 4.0 MSF; Chicago, with 2.7 MSF; the Pennsylvania I–81/I–78 Distribution Corridor, with 2.6 MSF; Kansas City, with 2.6 MSF; Memphis, with 2.2 MSF; Phoenix, with 2.1 MSF; and Stockton, CA, with 2.0 MSF. The tightest markets in terms of overall vacancy included Los Angeles, at 1.3%; Orange County, at 2.0%; Oakland/East Bay, at 2.3%; Cincinnati and Savannah, GA, at 3.0%; San Jose, at 3.1%; Nashville, at 3.2%; Charlotte and Seattle, at 3.4%; and Detroit, at 3.5%.

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Page 10

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

JUNE 2017

Mainsail planning waterfront restaurant, adventure outpost

During a May 15 meeting, the Fort Myers City Council officially accepted the recommendation from the City Selection Committee to move forward with Mainsail Lodging & Development, paving the way for the creation of Oxbow Bar & Grill, a new waterfront restaurant in downtown Fort Myers. Located in the city-owned pier building on Hendry Street, the new restaurant development on the Caloosahatchee will also feature retail space and rental services including kayaks,

paddleboards, motorized watercraft and bicycles for exploring downtown streets and waterways. The timeline has not been set, but Mainsail hopes to coordinate the construction and opening of the Oxbow project to coincide with the opening of the recently announced Luminary Hotel.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to take an integral role in making the city’s vision for a fully activated riverfront in downtown Fort Myers a reality,” said Joe Collier, president of Main-

sail Lodging & Development. “As an independent restaurant, Oxbow will deliver an exceptional dining experience, but will also draw more people downtown to the water’s edge by offering an experiential component ideal for group activities, eco-tourism and adventure travel for visitors and locals alike.”

Inspired by its location on the Caloosahatchee, the casual 150-seat Oxbow Bar & Grill will offer both indoor and outdoor seating and menu selections such as fresh shrimp, oysters and other

signature favorites, spanning seafood, craft sandwiches and steaks.

Oxbow is the latest in a flurry of recent Mainsail development projects in Fort Myers, including the recently unveiled 243-room Luminary Hotel & Co. and the rebranding of the Harborside Event Center. “There’s a lot going on in Fort Myers right now and we’re thrilled to be making a significant investment in the Pier Building as part of the transformation that’s taking place downtown,” added Collier.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Five ways to deal with unexpected changes in your business Despite the best made plans, unexpected changes can happen to any of us. When shifts happen faster than we can process, it can make a person feel: out of control, helpless, and anxious.

Today’s message is brought to you because last November, I was dealing with something completely out of my control. My brain was completely coherent but I could not speak the words I was thinking.

One minute, I was chatting with my husband Ed before he left for his work day. It appeared I had lost my train of thought. But then, I literally couldn’t speak.

After a few failed attempts to speak my own name, Ed insisted we go to the hospital. This was definitely not how I wanted to start my day.

As I patiently awaited my fate, I also had this sense of panic come over me. I thought, “What if I could no longer speak?” Not speaking is a super cruel joke for a coach and podcast host.

I had many tests done to rule out a stroke or something else. My ability to speak came back over the course of the day. The verdict: a complicated migraine.

Thank goodness it was nothing more serious. Needless to say, it was a good wake up call

It is not a matter of “if” unexpected changes will occur, either. Although it is not wise to anticipate the worst, it is a great idea to have a game plan for how you are going to handle new changes.

Here are a few things to consider, as you are crafting your “game plan”: 1. Write down the five or six things that constantly wreck your day. Then, write out the

BY ERICA ideal solution to handle these CASTNER situations.

Guest Columnist 2. Identify who can support you. Look to your co-workers and circle of influences but, also consider aligning with a coach or mentor for higher-level support.

3. Document and have the right systems in place.

Systems only count if you can hand someone the written details of said system and have them execute the system without you. Start with the most important

“core” system of your business and write out every detail, as if you were going to train someone on how to do it for you.

4. The next time you are experiencing a change or shift, ask yourself: “What is this moment teaching me and what is it telling me to avoid?”

5. Be open to new and improved ways of achieving success. Jot down “If this, than that” scenarios.

For example: if I could not speak, I would have found another way to communicate my message. Perhaps I could have learned sign language or written more blogs, guest columns, or books. Now, write down your own “If this, than that” scenario.

These are just a few examples of how to deal with unexpected change. Remember, we are not meant to live on an island by ourselves. Take a few moments to access where you could use some more support in your life. If you need more help, just ask me.

Erica Castner owns Queen of Results Professional Development & Training, which is dedicated to helping business owners, sales professionals and teams communicate. For information, visit thequeenofresults.com.

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JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 11

Horizon Council, FGCU releases business climate survey

Following two consecutive quarters of increases, the Executive Business Climate Index for Lee County fell one point to 67, according to a report released by the Horizon Council and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Regional Economic Research Institute. The two quarters of consecutive increases followed three quarters of decline.

“The business climate seems to have leveled off somewhat compared to the post-election optimism we observed in the fall and winter,” said FGCU economist Christopher Westley. “The index is four points higher

than this time a year ago. I am detecting optimism but also caution regarding where we stand now eight years into the recovery and how much longer it can last.”

The index results from calculations made to survey responses of Lee County business executives and is measured on a scale of 0 to 100.

The remainder of the survey queried executives about concerns regarding identity theft. In answering the question, “How concerned are you with identity theft,” 39 percent of executives said they were very concerned and 56 percent said they were some-

what concerned. Eighty-seven percent of respondents indicated support for the creation of an identity theft hotline for our region to aid victims in the restoration of their identities.

Twenty-seven percent of respondents indicated they have themselves been victims of identity theft, and of these, 58 percent found the restoration process to be moderate or difficult.

Forty-three percent of respondents believe Lee County has the same level of risk of identity theft as the rest of the country. However, the 2016 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book ranks Cape Coral-Fort Myers as the 19th

Toothbrush designed to change the world

“

If millions of people start and end their day wanting to do good for the planet, we’ve changed the world.

– Steve Hyde, Co-founder and COO of WooBamboo

“

Earth Day 2017 marked the fourth anniversary of award winning WooBamboo!, an ecofriendly company based in Southwest Florida.

WooBamboo! is changing the world and has been doing so for the past four years. Local inspiratory partners Tom Burt, Steve Hyde and Christopher Fous launched their oral care company on April 22, 2013 and have since then sold over a million eco-friendly toothbrushes made from organic bamboo.

Starting with just a simple idea: “innovation by elimination”, the company has grown to become an international sensation, impacting the world through small changes, starting with your toothbrush. “We aren’t a toothbrush company,” explains Co-founder and Creative Director Christopher Fous. “At WooBamboo!, we’re in the inspiration business. It’s our mission to inspire the world to make more eco-friendly choices. Oral care is simply our vehicle, chosen because it’s so culturally universal and fiercely ritualistic. We know that many small steps lead to big change. We simply provide an easy step.”

Over a billion plastic toothbrushes end up cluttering landfills and oceans every year just from America alone. Pair that with the fact most household toothpastes literally have the warning “if swallowed contact poison control” written on them, and you’ve got a pretty severe need for a more natural oral care solution. After intense skepticism and being told numerous times “good luck with that”, these partners never waivered. Now, a mere four years later, the WooBamboo! line consists of toothbrushes for adults, kids and pets in soft, medium and super soft, as well as biodegradable dental floss.

With their first order in 2013 for 10,000 brushes, the company now has sold over 1 million bamboo toothbrushes, effectively changing the impact people are having on the planet. The goal of changing the world is continuing as the company grows its product line boasting an entire oral care line with natural mouthwash and toothpaste, all packaged in Earth-friendly materials, including recycled plastic, post-consumer waste, and soy-based ink. The toothpaste will come in Vanilla Mint and Sweet Cinnamon for adults, and Bubble Berry and Toasted Marshmallow for kids, naturally flavored with no fluoride, utilizing safe, natural ingredients.

The company has received accolades, dentist approval and awards including EcoExcellence Awards in 2015 for pet brushes and in

2016 for eco dental floss. The floss is made from a natural, biodegradable silk in which the plant-based packaging becomes the dispenser, reducing waste.

WooBamboo! Is working with businesses, hotels and dental practices across the globe, able to customize the toothbrushes with laser etching on the handle. Currently in 28 countries and climbing, this small company has made some huge impacts across not only our area, but across the world. “Everyone brushes their teeth,” explained Steve Hyde, co-founder and COO. “It’s universal, transcending age, gender, culture and religion. When you use a bamboo toothbrush, every morning and every night you remind yourself you’ve made an eco choice. You’ll feel good about yourself, and want to make even more eco choices. If millions of people start and end their day wanting to do good for the planet, we’ve changed the world.”

WooBamboo! is currently available in independent local shops, as well as, national chains including CVS, Target, and Kroger, now totaling approximately 8,000 locations world-wide.

Summer 2017, WooBamboo! will be adding additional online venues, as well as retail goliath Costco to the expanding roster.

“Our products serve as an inspirational reminder that a small step has been made towards a cleaner planet”, explains Tom Burt, CFO. “Our products can be sold in big box stores, grocery, pharmacy, dental, vet, spa, hotels and resorts. They’re attractive, work just as well and last just as long as our non-eco competition, without the huge spike in cost usually associated with an eco product.”

WooBamboo is right on track for changing the world - healthy smile after healthy smile. So the question is: “Do You Woo?”

largest metropolitan area for reported identity theft complaints nationwide.

“These results confirm many of our findings about a false sense of security people develop regarding identity theft,” Carrie Kerskie, director of the Identity Theft Institute at Hodges University, said. For instance, victims of credit card fraud often find it only takes a phone call to fix the problem.

Just wait until someone uses their Social Security Number; that’s when they will become very concerned about the threat. Ignoring the threat significantly increases your risk of becoming the next victim.”

Lee school district noted for work-life balance National labor and employment law firm Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP has recognized the School District of Lee County with its 2017 Excellence in Work-Life Balance Award. The Constangy program recognizes organizations that actively initiate and create work environments conducive to work-life balance.

Work-life balance programs, through offerings such as flexible work arrangements, wellness programs, telecommuting and job-sharing, can help employees feel truly connected to their companies, fostering loyalty, mutual respect and a positive work environment. A recent study by consulting firm Accenture showed that more than half of the workers studied—male and female—considered work-life balance to be more important to job satisfaction than even compensation or recognition, and said they had turned down a job offer because of the potential impact of the job on work-life balance.

An independent judge, Sara Sutton Fell, selected the school district as this year’s winner of the Constangy award. Sutton Fell is the founder and CEO of FlexJobs, which helps connect employers and employees with flexible job opportunities. “Successful work-life balance efforts can have a positive impact on a company’s bottom line as well as employee morale, making it a smart investment,” said Fell. She noted the school district’s particular emphasis on wellness through its work-life balance efforts, which have helped the district maintain a negative trend in healthcare costs for the third year in a row, with no plan design changes. Wellness programs offered by the school district include stress resilience, programs to address risk factors for chronic health conditions such as heart disease, and on-site exercise classes at different locations.

The school district will receive a commemorative crystal trophy and $1,000 donation to help fund districtsponsored scholarships.

“The School District of Lee County understands the importance of work-life balance. Our commitment to wellness initiatives is one of our most successful strategies in is helping employees maintain a healthy work-life balance,” said Angela Pruitt, the district’s chief human resources officer.

The award was presented to the school district in April

by Damon Kitchen, a partner in Constangy’s Jacksonville office. “Work-life balance has been proven over and over again to be an important factor in maintaining morale and productivity, which in turn helps prevent problems and improves overall performance,” Kitchen said. “We’re always proud to recognize great organizations like the School District of Lee County that are going above and beyond to create and maintain great workplaces.”

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JUNE 2017

Bayfront Health Punta Gorda introduces new joint surgery concept Bayfront Health Punta Gorda is changing the way patients and their families think about and experience joint replacement surgery with the introduction of a comprehensive program based on a national best practice model for hip, knee and shoulder replacements and structured around the fundamental principles of wellness.

“This is not your typical hospital program or hospital stay,” according to Dr. Mark Davis. Davis, along with the administrative and clinical team at Bayfront Health Punta Gorda, developed this innovative program to improve outcomes and provide a superior experience for individuals having hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery.

“First and foremost, we do not see our patients as being sick,” Davis explained. “Instead, we see our patients as healthy individuals who are coming to the hospital because they have pain, and want to live a better quality of life by having joint replacement surgery.“ This fundamental concept of wellness is executed throughout the entire program, which incorporates advanced, minimally invasive, analgesic, and rapidrecovery surgical techniques —with an environment that maximizes patient recovery through education, a culture of early mobility, family involvement, and group interaction.

An important aspect of the program is that individuals having elective surgery are considered students, not patients. Each student chooses a coach—

usually a family member or loved one—who is an active participant in their care before, during and after discharge from the hospital. Both student and coach are required to attend a pre-operative class one to two weeks prior to surgery, where they meet their Joint Center team, in addition to learning in detail about the procedure, what to expect in the hospital, and how to care for oneself after discharge.

One person—a Care Coordinator—oversees the student’s entire stay, and is their resource before, during and after discharge. All staff at Bayfront Health Punta Gorda’s Joint & Spine Center receives special training, and are chosen to work on the unit because of their expertise; positive, upbeat nature; and high motivational skills. Coaches learn the program right along with their loved one, and provide encouragement and support every step of the way.

The fundamental concept of wellness is also demonstrated throughout the individual’s stay in the hospital. Students do not wear hospital gowns, but rather are expected to bring comfortable clothes—Tshirts, shorts, etc.—to wear during the day. Students also follow an aggressive daily schedule that begins at 5 a.m. the morning after surgery on a unit devoted only to individuals having joint replacement surgery.

Each day, students receive a daily newsletter—Knee Keys, Hip Hints, or Shoulder Scoops depending on their surgery—with their breakfast, letting them know the agenda for the day, along with tips on how to care for themselves later. Two group therapy

sessions are held daily—one in the morning, and a second in the afternoon—in a group lounging area located on the unit. Group therapy is supplemented by individual in-room sessions. Motivational posters are located throughout the halls, and provide a guide for students to measure their success. Students compete with one another on distance walked each day with progress tracked on a large exercise board posted in a common area. This exercise board provides visual reinforcement of goals. Students find the camaraderie both challenging and rewarding.

Students also get to enjoy healing in an all-private room that overlooks the Peace River and is adorned with beautiful art donated by local Punta Gorda resident and photographer Dave Sussman.

Care doesn’t end after discharge or graduation.

Graduates receive calls from the Joint & Spine Center staff within 72 hours of discharge, and again one to two weeks later. Reunions for Joint & Spine Center graduates and their coaches are held quarterly with surgeons and their entire team.

“We evaluate each patient on multiple clinical, functional, and patient satisfaction criteria,” explained Drew Emery, CEO of Bayfront Health Punta Gorda. “These outcomes are then analyzed during monthly performance improvement team meetings, and enable Bayfront Health Punta Gorda to become an efficient and cohesive team. So, when we say we offer better outcomes, we have the data to prove it,” Emery said.

CASON PAGE 6

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

SWFL offseason: disaster or deliverance?

Here are some tips to make the best out of the offseason.

Every industry faces a period each year when sales slow. Therefore, we always find the already overused seasonal marketing promotions and liquidations that often do not achieve expected sales results—while they also sacrifice profit margins. Slow season should be better leveraged: companies should instead plan on how to best utilize those challenging months each year.

Today, companies can`t give up a single day of sales, let alone an entire season. Here are some tips that allow your company to take advantage of this “offseason” business and to use the offseason in your favor.

1. Learn from your in-season experiences This is a good time to evaluate the gains and losses, as well as to analyze

the positive and negative consequences of the operations carried out. Implement new internal procedures to optimize workloads, reduce costs and evaluate the return on all investments made.

BY ILAN Remember that RUBINSZTAIN repeating the Guest Columnist same processes leads to the same results—both successful and unsuccessful.

2. Increase sales with use of data The slower period is conducive to “digging in” to the analytics. Armed with information gathered during sea-

son and by conducting in-depth research on your customer behavior patterns, you can: 1) create personalized offers; 2) suggest products that might be interesting to your customer’s routines; 3) improve the shopping experience; and 4) make your customers’ lives easier by creating opportunities even during slow season. In addition to reducing prospecting errors and unwanted offers, effective data analysis makes it easier to plan actions that increase results even during slower sales periods by identifying the broken or weak links in your company’s sales chain.

3. Create a company safety net Instead of getting dependent on any one season, why not create your own?

Be creative and Innovate. Celebrate commemorative dates and traditions.

Initiate innovative themes and actions TIPS See page 14

conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak). It all reveals what’s hidden, and the things people try to hide tend to be bad.”

When one succeeds to that target top job it is necessary to understand that it embodies hard choices, uncomfortable situations and the ability to make and implement decisions. Then one must be able to deal with the ripple effects of hard decisions. That’s why the position carries the big bucks and has the corner office.

Now, my disillusioned and confused hero, pick up all those leadership books, seminars and articles. Your learning and preparation never ends. Find a way through the morass without stepping over the lines…

Or you will live to regret it… as others have found before you!

Pauline Cason has over 30 years management experience in the public and the private sector. Her areas of expertise are consulting for Organizational Design and Management.

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JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 13

Date decided for Blue Chip Community Business Award

The 23rd annual Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award, coordinated and sponsored by BB&T- Oswald Trippe and Company and BB&T Bank, will take place Nov. 2 at a new location, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs. The annual Blue Chip Award program recognizes successful, small business owners who have overcome adversity to achieve success.

Qualified for-profit companies with their principal office located in Charlotte, Collier or Lee counties and have been in continuous operation for at least three years under the same ownership, have five to 400 payroll employees are eligible for the Blue Chip

Award. Applications must be submitted no later than Sept. 6 and independent judges will select the winning entry.

The 2017 Southwest Florida Blue Chip Community Business Award is endorsed by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, Business Observer, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Economic Development Office, Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, City of Cape Coral Economic Development Office, Englewood-Cape Haze Area Chamber of Commerce, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida South-

Questions to ask when hiring a broker

Part 1 of 2 You have one chance to sell your business. Per BizBuySell, only 20 percent of businesses listed for sale sell. Therefore, it is vital you interview your business broker before hiring them. Below are some crucial questions to ask based on articles published in Entrepreneur and Inc. magazines. This is part one of a twopart series. Part two will be published in the July issue.

What are your qualifications, experience and certifications?

It is critical your broker is an expert at analyzing and recasting financial statements; valuing and pricing businesses; and marketing and advertising. Each of these items are so critical, we will discuss them in more depth later.

It is important your broker has been selling businesses for at least several years. Selling a business is incredibly difficult. You need a broker who has the experience and creative skills needed to keep your deal together. Former business owners make the best brokers. A broker who has operated, bought and/or sold their own business is better prepared to understand your emotional needs and financial goals while guiding you through the selling process.

If your business is below $1 million in EBITDA, make sure your broker is an active Certified Business Intermediary registered with the International Business Brokers Association. A broker who has obtained the CBI designation has met the stringent education requirements and high ethical standards of the IBBA for main street business sales. It is important your broker is an active CBI. To maintain active status, the IBBA requires continual membership and education.

If your business is above $1 million in EBITDA, make sure your broker is a Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Intermediary or Professional. A broker who has obtained the CM&AI or CM&AP designation has met the stringent education requirements and high ethical standards for lower-middle-market M&A. A certified broker has extensive training in analyzing and recasting financial statements; valuing and pricing businesses; and marketing and advertising. They are knowledgeable on the ethical and legal aspects of business brokerage, which can help keep you out of litigation after the sale. If your broker is not certified, it is a clear indication they have not made the investment in time and dollars to ensure proper care in preparing and selling your business.

To what associations do you belong?

Associations such as IBBA and Business Brokers of Florida provide not only excellent marketing and networking benefits, but also training to stay on top of the latest processes, methods and tools for selling businesses. Members of both associations are better trained and equipped to sell businesses.

How do you value and price a business?

Having a thorough understanding of analyzing and recasting financial statements is critical when valuing and pricing a business. Trust can be broken and deals can fall apart if the initial recast

BY ERIC J. GALL by the broker is Guest Columnist inaccurate.

In general, there are three approaches to valuing a business: Market, Income and Asset Value. Together these approaches have eight methods for valuing a business.

Your broker should know the appropriate methods to select valuing your business, e.g., selection among the Direct Market Data, Multiple of Discretionary Earnings, M&A and Excess Earnings Methods.

Competent brokers have access to many valuation tools, specifically sold databases and valuation software. Sold databases include Pratt’s Stats, PeerComps, BizComps and BBF. Valuation software includes PeerComps, BizComps and proprietary tools. Adjustments are made to the valuation based on industry, assets, inventory and buyer perceived defects/risk factors. Your broker should also analyze the buyer’s income, debt coverage and return on investment when valuing your business.

Pricing is dependent upon supply and demand of your business type, your willingness to offer seller financing and in rare cases, interest from strategic or synergistic buyers. A competent broker will not simply accept a seller’s desired price or use “rules-of-thumb”. A thorough valuation and pricing analysis will greatly increase your chances of selling.

Do you sell businesses full-time?

Your broker should be 100 percent dedicated to transacting businesses. If your broker’s time is split between selling houses, commercial properties or other side jobs, they will have less time to commit to learning the profession and to you. You deserve a broker who is an expert at transacting businesses and available when you or a prospective buyer needs them to keep your deal together.

Selling homes and commercial properties is very different from selling a business. Many residential and commercial realtors trying to sell businesses; often do not understand or respect confidentiality, nor do they understand the recasting financials, valuation and pricing processes at a depth necessary to successfully sell your business and maximize your return.

Stay tuned for more questions in part two in next month’s issue.

Eric J. Gall is a managing partner at Edison Avenue. He has participated in many forms of business transactions for 20 years totaling $140 million in transaction volume.

western State College, Florida Weekly, Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce, Gulfshore Business, Hodges University, Lee County Economic Development Office/Horizon Council, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Florida Business Today, Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.

For information on attending the Blue Chip Award program, please contact Stacey Mercado at 239-433-7189 or SMercado@BBandT.com.

Phelan adds face to lead media team Jennifer Stacy, a longtime news anchor and television personality in Southwest Florida, has joined Phelan Family Brands. The Phelan family, from Southwest Florida, is behind the success of brands such as Pinchers, Deep Lagoon Seafood and Texas Tony’s Rib & Brewhouse restaurants, as well as the fishing fleet and fresh seafood harvested at Island Crab Company.

Stacy’s responsibilities will include directing and elevating the company’s new initiatives in the broadcast, digital and social space with an emphasis on the company’s culture, family, quality food, and the laid-back Florida lifestyle. Stacy spent 17 years in front of the camera, working as an awardwinning news anchor at various television stations in Ohio and Boston, before joining WINK News 10 years ago, most recently serving as the station’s morning news anchor. She has also served as a contributor and travel writer for various magazines.

Stacy says she is most proud of the millions of dollars she helped raise for worthy causes, emceeing, hosting and volunteering for charities throughout our region. She grew Stacy up on the water and under it, and today is an avid scuba diver. She has been behind the helm of boats her entire life, from Lake Erie in her home state of Ohio to here in Southwest Florida.

She and her husband Scott have two small “Captains-in-Training”—a 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. Stacy says she is excited to now share those adventures with a nationwide audience.

With Stacy’s guidance, Phelan Family Brands will look to capture and broadcast stories about the people and places that embody the laid-back Florida lifestyle to a large audience.

Page 14

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

JUNE 2017

Have you been sued for violating accessibility laws? Seriously?

By Jamie Dokovna Guest Columnist

Typically, the first notice most business owners receive that their property is allegedly noncompliant is when they are served with a federal lawsuit. These accessibility lawsuits are all too common, with Florida ranked second only to California when it comes to the number of these lawsuits filed each year in federal court—and their number is only growing. In Florida, many of these lawsuits are filed by the same plaintiffs who are represented by a handful of law firms that specialize in this area of the law. So what are these accessibility laws? And how can you protect your business? This article will focus on these laws, what you should do if your business is sued for violating them, and give some practical advice about avoiding these lawsuits.

What are these accessibility laws?

In 1990, Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act, known as the “ADA.” Title III of the ADA covers places of public accommodation and prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities requiring accessibility. While many states have their own accessibility laws, Florida does not. In Florida, plaintiffs filing these accessibility lawsuits are not entitled to any form of monetary damages, only injunctive relief and reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and costs.

I’ve been served with a lawsuit, now what?

The first thing you should do if your business is named as a defendant in an accessibility lawsuit is notify your insurance carrier and determine whether you have insurance coverage for the claim.

If you have coverage, insurance counsel should be appointed on your behalf

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Are you prepared for hurricane season?

Q: With hurricane season soon approaching, do you have any suggestions how to prepare for a disruption of business due to a storm or other disaster?

A: Every year many businesses suffer loss due to fire, wind, water and other events. Stop for a moment and think about all the time and resources you’ve invested in your small business. Imagine that it’s all gone—furniture, equipment, inventory, records, everything.

What do you do?

While we are powerless to prevent some accidents and acts of God, a proactive disaster management plan can mitigate their effects and help speed your return to normal operations. Here are some tips for developing a disaster management business strategy: • Indentify potential hazards: In addition to natural events like hurricanes and floods you should consider man-made disasters like fire, toxic material spills, civil unrest, vandalism and terrorism. Even if your business is not directly affected, such events could disrupt your utilities and supply chains.

• Develop an operational contingency plan: Assess the feasibility of operating out of nearby rented office space, storefront or even your home. Perhaps a mutual agreement with a supplier to share space is worth considering. Back up computer files and store them off site or in the cloud.

• Perform a safety inventory: Regularly clean and test smoke detec-

tors. Make sure you have several well-stocked first aid kits and all fire extinguishers are fully charged. Purchase portable generators and take care that the fuel is safely stored.

•Review

BY GRAY POEHLER your business insurance coverGuest Columnist age: At a minimum your coverage should be enough to get your business back in operation at the earliest possible date. It should cover the replacement cost of the building, contents, and essential facilities. Special coverage may also be needed for computer hardware, software and reconstruction of lost data. A major consideration is Business Interruption and Extra Expense insurance that covers for loss of income and other expenses incurred to quickly return to normal operation.

• For assistance in crafting a disaster preparedness and management plan, contact your local SCORE chapter. Counseling is free and confidential.

Gray Poehler is a volunteer with the Naples Chapter of SCORE. To register call 239-430-0081 or visit the SCORE website at naples.score.org/mentors.

to defend you. If you do not have coverage, you should consider hiring a lawyer that defends these types of claims. Since Florida requires corporations to be represented by counsel for most claims, including accessibility claims, if there is no insurance coverage, you will need to hire a lawyer. Many business owners are confused about the type of lawyer to hire to defend them in these claims, but whether the lawyer predominantly handles employment matters, business litigation matters or real estate matters, the lawyer should have experience in defending accessibility claims. A lawyer that has never defended an accessibility claim may not understand the nuances of doing so or how to best protect the client. After retaining counsel, you and your lawyer should decide how to best defend the claim. Sometimes that means early settlement and sometimes it means taking the case to trial. Each case is

unique—there is no one-size-fits-all defense or defense strategy.

How can I avoid this kind of lawsuit?

Know your property. If it is open to the public, it must be accessible. There are architects, engineers and ADA experts that specialize in ADA compliance.

They can inspect your property and give you an opinion as to whether your property is in compliance. They can also make recommendations to modify your property if there are violations. Waiting until you are served with a lawsuit may save costs in the short term, but paying to comply now may help you avoid paying later. Be proactive and protect your investment.

TIPS PAGE 12

useful. Generating content is an excellent way to maximize the audience’s experience by not only leading the potential customer to your brand, but by creating a network of potential customers who then seek out your company as a trusted information resource.

6. Keep your business tuned up Take advantage of the time made available during offseason: instead of reducing your business efforts, increase them. Many companies tend in the low season to reduce expenses by cutting services, when instead companies should invest even more effort into strengthening their brand. Who wants a new customer to come into their store location and instead of being pleasantly surprised by the experience end up disappointed because of poor customer service? Or what if the available product does not match the advertisement that brought the customer in to your store? These customers may never return. Slow season is a crucial time for you to test innovative ways to give customers such a positive experience that they loyally patronize your store during both in-season and offseason.

Here’s to your success!

to transform periods of previously negative results into opportunities. Focus on specific niche audiences. These ideas help build a relationship with the potential customer and encourage your target audience members to engage with your company.

4. Lost customers? Seek out new ones.

Take advantage of the low demand for regular services to implement customer-prospecting programs. The goal is to find people who share similar demographics and/or behavior patterns with current customers because the company already has the infrastructure in place to serve them satisfactorily. Develop sensible campaigns that attract consumers with the potential to adhere to your brand and your services, becoming loyal repeat customers during both in-season and offseason.

5. Deliver useful content Create content that adds value to your brand. Demonstrate the quality of your services and share your company’s knowledge to attract the attention of potential customers. Show that your business brings benefits, perhaps via blogging or through your company’s social networks, delivering content where your followers can make use of your product in ways that are creative, innovative and

AWARDS PAGE 1

naming her Cape Coral and Fort Myers dermatology centers “The Best” in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Guido A. Minaya has a deep background working directly for Fortune 500 companies and more than 25 years of corporate learning and development management expertise. His company, Minaya Learning Global Solutions, helps clients define a path forward to accomplish their business and workforce performance improvement goals.

Brian Rist is sought out by local companies seeking insight, dedication to the community and commitment to excellence. The Storm Smart president is actively involved with seven different non-profit associations and has engaged in numerous community initiatives over the company’s history.

Christopher Spiro, the owner of Spiro and Associates and 2016 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida, stated, “Being both a professional contemporary and personal friend of Brian’s, I have had the pleasure to watch his firm grow and give back to this great community of

Jamie Dokovna is shareholder with Becker & Poliakoff and has extensive experience representing employers and business owners, including defending Title III ADA claims.

Ilan Rubin has 30 years’ experience managing teams and companies in clothing wholesale, retail and trading.

You can reach him at (239)206-2520 or ilan@anagoswfl.com . ours. This award is well deserved.”

The awards ceremony was made possible through the support of Hallmark Sponsor Markham, Norton, Mosteller, Wright, and Company, P.A. Other sponsors include The News-Press, Gulfshore Business, Southwest Florida Business Today, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, CONRIC PR & Marketing, Spiro and Associates, Spada Salon & Day Spa, Tamiami Florida Angel Funds, and Grasmeier Business Consulting.

The FSBDC at FGCU offers oneon-one, confidential, no-cost consulting and low-cost workshops for businesses throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The state designates the Florida SBDC Network as Florida’s principal provider of business assistance. The FSBDC at FGCU is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners, and is hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University and nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs.

JUNE 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 15

Great Big Event aimed at increasing employee involvement in SWFL “Any large employer in Southwest Florida could tell you one of the biggest challenges they face is talent retention,” says Tiffany Esposito, president and CEO of Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council. “Companies in our region are great at attracting new employees, but sometimes those employees don’t connect with the area, and leave soon after their arrival.”

That’s why the Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council worked together with Southwest

Florida’s largest employers to host The Great Big Community Involvement Fair on April 26. The Fair showcased the area’s sports organizations, volunteer opportunities, cultural clubs and more. The goal? To help employees make Southwest Florida a home, not just a workplace.

“By helping new employees find their passion in Southwest Florida,” Esposito shared, “the Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council hopes they will fall in love with Southwest Florida, thereby boosting the region’s talent retention.”

Tiffany Esposito at The Great Big Community Involvement Fair.

French chef agrees to three-year partnership with Culinary Accelerator

During his recent trip to the United States, Michelin 3-Star Chef Christian Le Squer agreed to develop a program in conjunction with the Florida Culinary Accelerator at Immokalee. Le Squer will immediately begin work on developing a mentorship program, master classes and a competition-based cooking opportunity for new products that will be manufactured at the Culinary Accelerator. The contract is a three-year commitment, which will have Le Squer visiting the United States frequently and becoming more involved in the concept of culinary entrepreneurship in America.

The Culinary Accelerator and its parent organization, Economic Incubators, have been working to develop the partnership with Le Squer for the past 18 months. The Accelerator is situated in rural Immokalee, where farming employs over 40 percent of the population.

Local restaurateurs and farmers are already feeling the buzz about being offered an opportunity to turn their family recipes into marketable products.

CUTS PAGE 1 this week to call the governor’s office and ask him not to veto important line-item spending in retribution to lawmakers passing a budget with less funding for the agencies. He noted that the House at one point offered a budget compromise that funded Visit Florida at $75 million but the governor rejected that.

The Florida Senate included higher levels of funding for the agencies but in budget negotiations with the state House acquiesced to Speaker Richard Corcoran, who has made cutting funding to the agencies a priority this year.

Corcoran has pointed toward incentives packages like the $350 million budgeted to attract research facility Sanford Burnham to Florida only to see the company now look to relocate outside Florida.

Chef Christian Le Squer takes a crepe lesson from Irene Gueit while touring the Third Street South Farmer’s Market.

“I’m excited,” said Danny Gonzalez, manager of Lozano’s Restaurant in Immokalee. “We get tons of customers that want to buy our salsa by the gallon but we just run out. We have to turn people away.”

Gonzalez hopes to be one of the first involved in the membership-based Accelerator when construc-

Lawmakers also heavily criticized a decision to spend $1 million for rapper Pitbull to record a promotional video for the state, a decision Visit Florida officials defended based on the entertainer’s social media reach and appeal to Millennial visitors.

Scott has traveled the state critiquing lawmakers who supported the cuts by name, including attacking Eagle at an event in Cape Coral in March. State Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto touted that the budget includes $64 million for a Lake Okeechobee reservoir project and $167.7 million for Everglades restoration. Eagle noted a long list of regional projects made it into the budget, including $15 million for a new classroom and lab building at Florida Gulf Coast University, $775,000 for a restoration project at Billy’s Creek and $6.3 million for campus reservations at Florida SouthWestern College’s Lee County campus.

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Le Squer said he needed to feel the right connection with a community-focused culinary opportunity that could be his first entry to the U.S. market.

“I want to make you proud,” Le Squer told Economic Incubators President and CEO Dr. Marshall Goodman. “I want to be proud of my work and want to feel good about the project I choose to be my first in America. I feel a connection with this project that already makes me proud. It can only grow from here.”

A $12,500 grant from the State of Florida will fund the first year of the educational component Chef Le Squer will provide to the Culinary Accelerator under his contract. His travel expenses are being funded through private donations.

“This is truly an amazing grass-roots effort that has attracted a world-famous chef,” said Goodman.

“We are beyond honored that Mr. Le Squer will be joining us to shine a spotlight on culinary education and entrepreneurship.”

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

JUNE 2017

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