June 2022 Southwest Florida Business Today by Southwest Florida Business Today

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SWFBT: THE EDISON AWARDS INNOVATION EDITION Vol. 15, No. 8 / JUNE 2022 www.swﬂoridabusinesstoday.com

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EDISON AWARDSMARKET COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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

Disaster Services

In this issue, we discuss hurricanes and other kinds of potential disasters business owners may face.

Edison Awards

Global celebration of innovation comes to Fort Myers for second of three years.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MA Commercial Real Estate

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rs and Salute to Entrepreneu solo practitioners

Startups, of the economy visionaries fuel Southwest Florida.

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

Estate Commercial Real 8-page pullout

South American

A comprehensive a quarterly Southsection that is Real Eswest Florida Commercial tate market overview.

IN THE NEWS

Dave Gammon elevated Charlotte EDO director

Fort businesses visit

Myers

Special to SWFBT

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

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

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

GAMMON See

Privacy & Cyber Security Forum announced

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

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

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Hoffmann Family buys Hertz Arena, Everblades

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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

Focus on Manufacturing

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

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

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

IN THE NEWS

Fort Myers sixth Business Summit slated for Sept. 20

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

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

SUMMIT See page 7

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

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

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

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

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HOT CROP Commercial Real Estate

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

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

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

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

Gov. DeSantis announces job growth grants

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

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

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

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi

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

Fort Myers Mayor

Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore,

launches Divers ity Committee

SHARK See page

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

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A look at commercial real estate trends & topics in Southwest

Photo by Luminaire Foto The 2022 Edison Awards announced the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners, as well as the Edison Achievement Awards honorees, at the gala held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers.

Edison Awards lights up Fort Myers Special to SWFBT

Hundreds of the world’s top innovators recently came together in Fort Myers to participate in the three-day international Edison Awards events and to experience Southwest Florida’s culture and local attractions. The 35th annual Edison Awards event was held April 20 to 22 at the Luminary Hotel and Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers, attracting 500 executives from 13 countries and 33 states.

Individuals who are thinking about starting their own business but need some mentoring are invited to apply to the Goodwill Southwest Florida MicroEnterprise Institute, scheduled for June 20 through July 28.

Many of the Edison Award attendees are executive leaders representing their “game changing” new product or service. “As an organization, we continue to research and recognize the most innovative teams, products and services OVERVIEW See page 18

Distinguished Entrepreneur awardees announced

Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University announced the winners of the 2022 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida Awards during an awards ceremony on May 3 at Bonita Bay Club. The FSBDC awards are held annually to recognize three Southwest Florida small businesses for their innovation, advocacy, and business growth. This year’s awardees include Distinguished Entrepreneur of SW Florida, Michael Peterman of VeraData; Innovator of the Year, Jaime Zabala of Advanced Hurricane Technology Inc.; and Advocate of the Year, Teri Hansen of Priority Marketing. SBDC See page 8

Michael Peterman of VeraData, center, was awarded Distinguished Entrepreneur of SW Florida at the FSBDC awards.

IMPORTANT BUSINESS NOTES

IN THE NEWS Fort Myers small business class starts June 20

See the 4-page center pullout inside for more \details about the conference. Other Edison Awards stories appear throughout this edition.

As of Jan. 16, the number of small businesses opening in Florida increased by 9.7% compared to January 2020, with total small business revenue also increasing during that period. Florida leads the nation in new business formations, increasing by 61% since 2019. In 2021, Florida saw 114,000 more new CLASS See page 19

 Paycheck Protection Program Loan Taxation To receive loan forgiveness so you will not be taxed on the loan, you must complete the simple application and receive approval. Contact your PPP lender ASAP for more info.  SWFBT News Updates To get current business news

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JUNE 2022

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DISASTER SERVICES

Risky password management continues to be a problem The first Thursday in May marked National Password Day. This is a special initiative to educate and encourage consumers to proactively protect themselves from cybersecurity fraud by using strong, unique passwords for all online accounts and to update them regularly. In a pandemic world where our online presence continues to increase, exercising best practices with passwords is even more important. While many consumers make an eﬀort to change their email and online banking passwords, risky password management continues to be a significant problem. Approximately 2021 saw a record number of data breaches, often caused by password compromise. NordPass, a password manager software, shared that the most common online password in 2021 was “123456,” a code that was being used by over 103 million people and would take a hacker less than 1 second to crack. To make matters worse, the average person uses the same password about 14 times, mean-

ing there are several online accounts at risk of being compromised with such poor password security best practices. Most people choose convenience over password security, resulting in passwords that pose no difficulty to hackers. Many use the same passwords in both their personal and work accounts. However, knowing how to create, change, store and use passwords safely is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your online accounts and your organization. Celebrate National Password Day by scheduling some time to change the passwords for your online accounts (e.g., banking, social media, shopping sites) and to delete any inactive accounts. Start by making a list of all the different online accounts you have, update your three most important accounts today, and then commit to updating them by the end of May. BBB recommends the following password safety tips: • Make passwords long and

strong. Use between 8 to 13 characters. Mix upper- and lower-case letters, add numbers in random places and add a symbol. Avoid words found in the dictionary, birthdates and family or pet names. Another option is to use a passphrase, which is around 20 characters, and includes random words, numbers and symbols. • Use unique passwords for every account. Do not use the same password for every account, even though it may be convenient and easier to remember. Avoid adding a number or letter to the last password you had. Create something new each time. • Secure your passwords. Never share your passwords with anyone. Use two-factor authentication when possible. Also consider using a password manager software to help you securely update and track your online accounts and passwords. • Password-protect your devices. As a backup to your biometric security features, make sure your smartphone,

laptop and tablet require strong passwords to access the home screen. • Change your passwords regularly. Frequently updated passwords are one of the best ways to keep your private information safe. • Clean up your old accounts. Schedule time at least twice per year to update your passwords. Close old accounts that are associated with money, credit cards, or bill payments, and do not forget to delete inactive email and social media accounts. Better Business Bureau Serving West Florida is one of many local, independent BBBs across North America that provide business proﬁles on companies within its 11-county service area. These counties include: Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Hardee, Desoto, Charlotte, Lee and Collier. To contact BBB Serving West Florida about this release please call Bryan Oglesby (727) 530-4651 or boglesby@bbbwestﬂorida.org.

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Randall Barber, Todd Swaney, Marc Collins, Angela Katz and Krista Anderson

JUNE 2022

The room is full of SBDC’s Distinguished Entrepreneur ﬁnalists, nominees and guests

Jeanne Sweeney, members of the Rist family and Kelli King

Sunshine Selfie: Celebrations show region’s business diversity Special to SWFBT Submitted by Marilyn Santiago

For more business news, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com

Hi ya’ll. What a great month to be out and about. I loved the fact that all the events I was graciously invited to were celebrations. Anniversaries, recognitions, inaugurations, wow what a month. We were thrilled to see firsthand the grand opening of the IMAG and Rist Family Foundation’s initiative that will inspire our next generation of innovators and advance STEM education, the Fab Lab. We celebrated the 7th anniversary of El Mensajero Newspaper. President Milka Valdivia (also the interim chair of the Hispanic chamber) welcomed a who’s who of Southwest Florida Latino business owners to a fantastic fiesta with mariachi, colorful dancers and lots of delicious yummies. From a 7th year anniversary, we leapt to a 70th anniversary. That’s right, Southwest Florida’s staple for incredibly delish Southern comfort food, Farmers Mar®

www.swﬂoridabusinesstoday.com

ket, celebrated this milestone with a festival full of attractions, arts and crafts and the best ribs I’ve had in a long time. From ribs and coleslaw, we got fancy as we acknowledged the power of women at Gulfshore’s first Women in Business celebration. 10 incredible SWFL ladies were recognized for their contributions to the business landscape in the area as well as their philanthropy. On the same day, we went to my favorite event: FGCU’s Small Business Development Center’s Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards. So many familiar faces, so much camaraderie. That night, everybody was a winner and everybody celebrated the success stories of the winners, but also all nominees as well. Congratulations to: Jaime Zabala, of Advanced Hurricane Tech-

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nology, Innovator of the Year; Teri Hansen, of Priority Marketing, Small Business Advocate of the Year; and Michael Peterman of Veradata Decisions Lab, our Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida. I had the honor of seating at their table and it filled my heart with emotion as I saw the tears of joy of his mommy, wife and friends. I get emotional just by recalling the moment. Oh the sacrifices we make as business owners. It was great to see their recognitions and how their performances inspire all of us.

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The Lee County Economic Development Office, in collaboration with community partners, offers Workforce Training and Certification programs and a Small Business Technical Assistance Program to assist people, businesses and organizations in response to COVID-19. The programs were developed under the direction of the Lee Board of County Commissioners and are funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The Workforce Training & Certification Program will offer micro and rapid credentialing programs in response to the education and skills deficiency for disproportionately affected communities exacerbated by COVID-19. Tuition assistance and scholarships paid through $3 million in ARPA funds will be available for in-demand programs in areas such as health care, real estate/ construction and technology offered by: • Florida Southwestern State College • Florida Gulf Coast University • Hodges University The Small Business Technical Assistance Program will be funded by $475,000 paid to local partners offering technical assistance to small businesses and nonprofits such as business mentoring, organizational development, capital access planning and more. Partners for the assistance program include: • Small Business Development Center • SCORE • Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association • SW Florida Impact Partners • Goodwill SWFL – MicroEnterprise Institute For a full list of programs and services offered, as well as contact information for community partners, visit www.leegov.com/ARPA.

JUNE 2022

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 5

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

JUNE 2022

DISASTER SERVICES

Tools to protect your privacy while browsing online After searching for something online, you begin seeing ads for it every time you’re online. It’s as if you are being followed. Unfortunately, in a way, you are. Common web browsers and search engines are storing your online activity, both web page visits and search history, to generate revenue. They then use that history to sell ads to companies. The companies pay to have their ads shown to people that have expressed an interest in a certain product or service. These ads are known as targeted ads as they target specific people online. This is a large part of how web browsers and search engines make money. However, there is a difference between a company that sells targeted ads and one that sells the typical, “general ad.” Companies that sell general ads DO NOT store your online activity. These companies tend to be more privacy centric as opposed to a company that sells you ads based off collected information but, how do you know which web browsers and search engines are collecting your data? I’ve done the research for you. Before I share with you which ones respect your privacy, I want to explain the difference between a web browser and a search engine as they are often thought of as on in the same. A web browser lets you browse the web. Think of Chrome, Edge or Safari. These are web browsers. If

Ethics winners named

After a COVID-19 hiatus, Florida Gulf Coast University’s Newton Ethical Leadership Initiative once again hosted its annual FGCU Rist Family Foundation High School Ethics Competition, this time as an individual event. Students were asked to respond to a real-life event in which an auditor finds that the CEO and employees of a mental health organization are “Doing Bad to Do Good.” They are knowingly requesting reimbursement for services they are not delivering, but they are providing other services they deem critical for their clients, but just aren’t reimbursable in the way the government policy is written. Students have to decide the right thing to do and then find strategies for overcoming the reasons and rationalizations that people are likely to present as roadblocks to doing the right thing. The 1st place recipient, Dominic Mammen of Island Coast High School in Cape Coral, was awarded a $500 scholarship. Second place went to Jaelynn Lias of Three Oaks Middle School in Fort Myers and she received a $300 scholarship. Three third place scholarships of $100 were awarded to David Merveilleux, Jesse Caputo and Riley Steﬀens. A gift by the Rist Family Foundation to FGCU enables important ethics events and teachings such as this one.

you know where you want to go you can type the URL (web address) in and the browser will take you there. Think of a web browser as roads. They help you get where you want to go. But what if you don’t know where to go? Maybe you need direction? A search engine enables you to search the internet. The most wellknown search engine is Google. When thinking of how web BY CARRIE browsers and search engines work KERSKIE together, think of a search engine Guest Columnist as your map. You know where you want to go but don’t know how to get there. The search engine will show you the way. You still need the roads to get there. That’s why search engines are built into web browsers. They go hand in hand, like roads and a map. Most web browsers have built in search engines. For example, if you are using Chrome, Google will be your default search engine. Depending on the web browser, you can also choose to install a diﬀerent search engine. Using the same example as earlier, if Chrome is your web browser, you could switch the default search engine from Google to another search

For more business news, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com engine like StartPage. Check the settings section of your web browser to change your default search engine. Here Are the Browsers and Search Engines We Recommend. Note we may receive a commission if you use these links. However, our decision to recommend these is based on the fact that these are the ones we use ourselves. Web Browsers: Brave or Firefox Search Engines: Startpage or Brave (built-in web browser version). I want to hear from you. Reply to this email to let me know which web browser and search engine you use and why? Do you use any of the ones we recommended? Carrie Kerskie, a nationally recognized identity theft and privacy expert located in Southwest Florida, founded the Kerskie Group in 2001, a private investigation agency dedicated to helping identity theft victims to recover eﬀectively and eﬃciently. Contact her at ck@kerskie.com.

Rist Family Foundation FabLab opens The IMAG History and Science Center announces the opening of the Rist Family Foundation FabLab on April 28. Inspiring the imagination in all of us, the FabLab is a “digital fabrication and learning laboratory” for people to make almost anything they can dream up, design, and develop using advanced tools, technologies and materials. As a “prototype platform” for all sorts of innovation and invention, the Rist Family Foundation FabLab is a stimulus for the creative community. Innovators and inventors, entrepreneurs and engineers, scientists and students, whether they are amateur or professional, gain valuable knowledge, skills and a deep appreciation for the engineering and design process, its materials and machines, technologies and tools when they imagine and create projects of personal interest and import at the FabLab. “We are honored and excited to help make the FabLab a reality for our communities of designers, dreamers, and entrepreneurs in Southwest Florida,” said Brian Rist, chairman of the Rist Family Foundation. The Rist Family Foundation is “an extension of Brian’s personal philosophy” that if you invest in the people who make up your community, those same people will, in turn, strengthen the community. Investing in and strengthening our community, the Rist Family Foundation FabLab is designed as an

The FabLab is a “digital fabrication and learning laboratory” for people to make (almost) anything. inspiring, imaginative environment for exploring and experimenting, designing and learning, making and mentoring concepts and ideas. As such, the FabLab is a valuable, educational resource for project-based, hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) literacy. Speaking to the value and impact of the FabLab in our area, Kim Rist, wife of Brian, said, “It’s all about nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in a fabulous learning and making environment.” Open to all aspiring innovators and inventors, the Rist Family Foundation FabLab is located on the IMAG History and Science Center campus on Cranford Avenue in Fort Myers. Visit theIMAG.org or call (239) 243-0043.

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JUNE 2022

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 7

EDISON AWARDS

Edison Awards makes a natural fit with Fort Myers

The gathering at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center on April 22 had all the appearances of a typical awards ceremony: fancy evening wear, an electric atmosphere and waves of admiration and gratitude. But this was a celebration with a diﬀerence. The Edison Awards shines a bright spotlight on the future by honoring individuals and companies that push forward the boundaries of technology, business, healthcare, transportation and science. Since the Edison Awards relocated to Fort Myers for three years (and hopefully beyond) in 2021, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency has been a proud sponsor of the event. The CRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life of the city’s residents and visitors and to redevelop distressed areas of the community. And while the Edison Awards don’t build buildings or rehab houses, the program is a natural fit with the work of CRA. First and foremost, the Edison Awards honor progress and innovation. Since 1987, the Edison Awards have recognized outstanding products, companies and leaders in a wide range of activities and businesses around the world. On the list of honorees are such visionaries as Steve Jobs, Ted Turner, Elon Musk, Martha Stewart and Frank Perdue. At this year’s awards, they were joined by Bracken Darrell, president and CEO of Logitech, and Carmichael Roberts, an entrepreneur and investor who works alongside Bill Gates to create and build companies that address climate change and the longterm sustainability of the planet. In addition, the Edison Awards gave medals to a fascinating array of new products, including the world’s safest, smartest, and most powerful allelectric motorcycle; an electric jet suit; washable

elastic conductive ink that will allow the production of wearable technology; and a touchless store check-out system that does away with barcodes and swiping and allows customers to simply place all their purchases on a counter and be ready for payment in 10 seconds. The CRA is proud to bring this kind of exciting and inspiring achievement to the downBY MICHELE town historic district where so HYLTON-TERRY much of the agency’s eﬀorts Guest Columnist have been focused. The agency worked closely with the developers of the Luminary Hotel and the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, which served as hosts of the Awards. Fort Myers’ rich history of innovation is a natural fit to continue the Edison Awards mission: To serve as a leader in globally recognizing, honoring and fostering innovation and innovators to create a positive impact on the world. The CRA is pleased to help bring to Fort Myers an awards program named for the city’s most prominent historical figure, perhaps the country’s most innovative figure, Thomas Alva Edison. Not only did hundreds of the world’s top innovators descend on Fort Myers to participate in the event and experience the Southwest Florida culture and local attractions, but the Edison Awards program also works to recognize and promote innovation among local businesses and students. The CRA looks forward to continuing to partner

GUEST COMMENTARY Problems with our financial system Part 2 of 2 There is a severe diﬀerence between centralized currencies and decentralized currencies. Decentralized currencies, such as Bitcoin, is a currency in which no one owns, controls or operates. Is this bad? NO! Having a centralized banking system means having a centralized currency and being at the mercy of others. Bitcoin is a P2P (Peer to Peer) money system without the middlemen, regulations and rules. Bitcoin can move between everyday citizens wallets without third-party applications such as Venmo, Paypal, Cashapp and Zelle. These service providers work oﬀ the centralized banking system. With recent legislation, these parties will send out 1099s for all transactions, another approach to governmental control. Cryptocurrency can be moved without any of these parties. Businesses can take payments in minutes and for fractions. Traditional credit card processors take 3%+ of transactions. There are two options for you in this exciting monetary system: Custodial and Self-Custodial. Custodial: Reliance on a central authority to hold, manage, make available, your currencies of choice. Examples of such are Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc. Self-Custodial: Wallets on the blockchain are established and held by a Pneumonic Phrase. This is a combination of words in a particular numerical order, which allows you to move your wallet on the blockchain and take it with you anywhere in the world. In a world of self-custodial, there is no one in charge of your money except

Photo by Luminaire Foto A representative of Gravity Industries gave a live jetpack ﬂight demonstration at the Welcome Reception at the Edison Ford Estates in Fort Myers. with the Edison Awards and awaits the surprises and wonder that next year’s awards will bring to Fort Myers and the world. Michele Hylton-Terry serves as executive director of the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, where together with her staﬀ, she manages the Agency’s $12.5 million budget to execute and implement redevelopment strategies focused on advancing businesses, transforming our communities, and redeveloping Fort Myers for the future. Contact her at (239)321-7100 or mhylton@cityftmyers.com.

EDISON AWARDS

you. Your Pneumonic phrase can consist of words in the quantities of 12, 18 and 24. As long as your have this phrase, often referred to as your keys, you have access to your money ALWAYS! Some believe BY BRETT Cryptocurrencies PALLADINO are volatile and Guest Commentary risky. This can be true but understand that by the dollar being backed by nothing, this also applies to the existing financial system. What was once a $3 coffee suddenly is now $6, but you are not questioning why. You are just handing over your money to pay for such goods. This effectively is the volatility of the dollar itself. The system we are in is illusionary. You will not see dollars plus and minus in your checking account, but this means you think your money is safe at the bank. Has anyone noticed their groceries are costing more among other everyday goods and services? Your dollar is not going the distance it once did. If your opposition to cryptocurrencies is volatility, you first need to understand the basic fundamentals of Fiat currencies and how the dollar is any different. Brett Palladino serves as founder for FieldForce Systems, Jobrox and NFTMinds. His vision for optimizing the Crypto, NFT, and Defi space is causing disruption in the digital currency world. Contact bpalladino@fieldforcesys.com

Fort Myers CRA is a Proud Supporter of the Edison Awards. Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) 1400 Jackson Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33901 239-321-7100 • cra@cityftmyers.com • www.fortmyerscra.com

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

JUNE 2022

SCORE honors area businesses, volunteers SCORE SWFL hosted its 2022 Annual Awards Luncheon at The Club at Gateway on May 3. At the first in-person awards in two years, SCORE Southwest Florida gave accolades to three area businesses that have achieved strong successes after working closely with volunteer SCORE mentors. The event also recognized four outstanding SCORE volunteers. Keynoting the event was Steve O’Hara, chairman of New World Angels. Althea Harris, deputy district director of South Florida Small Business Administration, also gave an update on the state of businesses in South Florida. The winners and honorees are:

clients – is a perfect 100 across all 32 clients. Volunteer of the Year: Paul Nichols Coincidentally, Paul Nichols, the 2022 Volunteer of the Year award recipient was the coach of the Mentor of the Year and has coached a number SCORE SWFL volunteers in their process to become certified mentors. Many of his SCORE SWFL mentoring clients are from across the country. In 2021, he met with 34 discrete clients, in 92 sessions for 96 hours of mentoring. He did this with a 66% follow on rate and a Net promoter Score of 100. He followed that up with 30 mentor hours in the six months this year with a Net promoter score of 100. Administrative Excellence Award: Susan Jojo At the SCORE SWFL annual awards luncheons, the chapter historically recognizes excellence in both clients and volunteers. 2022 is the first time that an administrative professional has been recognized, and the first-ever Administrative Excellence Award was presented to Susan Jojo.

Business of the Year – My Dental Tek Kenneth Pike received his award from Chris Bergman, SCORE SWFL Mentor. My Dental Tek provides prompt, local service to dentists throughout Southwest Florida. No longer would a dental chair or essential piece of equipment be out of commission for days — when a treatment station is down, that’s patient revenue that may never be recovered. My Dental Tek can have that station back up and running in hours, not days. Shortening downtime improves the dentists’ revenue and patient satisfaction.

Above: Kenneth Pike of My Dental Tek received his award for Business of the Year from Chris Bergman. Left: Leny Fralicker of ElderBerry Elixir received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Ben Simmons.

Entrepreneur of the Year – ElderBerry Elixir Leny Fralicker received the award from Ben Simmons, SCORE SWFL chapter chair, as her mentor, Mila Mukelova, was unable to attend. The company handcrafts organic Elderberry Syrup that is primarily used to support and strengthen the immune system. Growth Small Business of the Year– TenderCare Dog Grooming Maria Conneway received her award from her mentor, Simmons. She started a pet grooming salon specializing in skincare therapy, which she started to help rescue dogs and dogs with special needs that get turned away at other salons. Mentor of the Year: Corinne Wyard

In the first six months of 2022, this year’s Mentor of the Year award winner, Corinne Wyard, served 32 discrete clients, in 122 sessions with 114 mentoring hours. 11 of those clients are long-term with 83% of her sessions as follow-ons. Her 2022 net promoter score – that’s the evaluation received independently from surveys of SCORE

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Platinum Leadership Award: Eileen Buchanan The Platinum Leadership Award was presented to Eileen Buchanan, SCORE SWFL Mentor. Eileen has been with SCORE for 16 years, serving as a mentor, Chapter Chair, District Director and on the National Advisory Council. This is the highest volunteer-initiated award that can be given by the SCORE Association. The volunteer receiving it must have demonstrated meritorious service and made a significant contribution to SCORE. To be eligible for this award, a volunteer must have provided a minimum of 7 years of meritorious service and have served in a position of leadership during that period. The award is initiated by a resolution of the Chapter’s Executive Committee, the District Director, or the Regional Vice President. SCORE Southwest Florida has more than 35 volunteer business experts. SCORE, America’s premier source of small business advice for entrepreneurs and small businesses, is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 434 into law, reauthorizing VISIT FLORIDA through Oct. 1, 2028. Funding amounts are still to be determined for the tourism marketing agency for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. There was $50 million in state funding appropriated, but those appropriations have not yet gone to the governor for his signature as of press time. VISIT FLORIDA funding was also included in the Governor’s original budget recommendations, which are expected to remain. With tourism and hospitality as the economic engine of the state, tourism leaders touted how much VISIT FLOR-

IDA contributes to the tourism in the state and the benefits that flow to hotels, restaurants, and providers. Florida continues to break pre-COVID records for leisure travel, and it is important that Florida continues to position itself as the top tourist destination for both US and international visitors, according to the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, while the industry works to bring back business travel and international tourism as well. The FRLA has been very vocal about continued support for VISIT FLORIDA’s reauthorization and funding, and commended DeSantis for signing this extension and reauthorization into law.

SBDC PAGE 1

clude Norman Love of Norman Love Confections in 2012, Pam Oakes of Pam’s Motor City in 2013, Felix Lluberes of Position Logic in 2013, Gary K. Mart of Global Tech LED in 2015, Chris Spiro of Spiro and Associates in 2016, Dr. Aurora Badia of Florida Skin Center in 2017, Scott Fischer of Scott Fischer Enterprises in 2018, Ryan Carter, owner of Scotlynn USA Division in 2019 and Bill Daubmann of MY Shower Door/D3 Glass.

“It’s so important to celebrate the resiliency and successes of all our 2022 small business finalists. Small businesses form the backbone of our local economy, generate jobs and improve the quality of life for our community,” said LaShaun Middlebrooks Collier, SBDC at FGCU interim regional director. Previous winners of the awards in-

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EDISON AWARDS

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JUNE 2022

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 9

2022 EDISON AWARDS

Innovation opens young eyes and minds to a world of opportunity

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

As always, the future sits with the youth of today. And in 2022, the Edison Awards conference fully embraced our future with several events devoted to igniting and encouraging that spark of innovation within the young people of today. Southwest Florida students were the luckiest recipients of this wealth of knowledge, culled from some of the finest minds in the world who Photo by Luminaire Foto took part in the Edison Awards this year. The Edison Awards conference devoted several events Attendees heard from the amazing Young Edison to encouraging the spark of innovation in youth. Challenge winners, chosen from 60 applications received and administered by the Charlotte Community launches cube satellites into space; to a virtual reality Foundation, from students in 10 countries and 13 states. product intended to teach students about robotics and Moreover, it was announced at the Edison Awards aerospace programs and created specifically to give acGala by Clint Robinson of Black & Veatch, an Edison cess to students with the least resources; to developing Awards sponsor, that the first school district in Florida an energy-conserving (and energy-creating) door closer to become part of the national Center for Advanced Pro- presented by Dunbar High School student David Liu. fessional Studies network will be at Babcock Ranch, The two judges included Southwest Florida develadministered by the Charlotte Community Foundation. oper and business investor Danny Aguirre of Blue WaCAPS is one example of the global experiential learning ters Development Group. He said to the students, “Your movement impacting all levels of education. ideas are incredible and you are incredible for making Robinson serves on the CAPS team. “Fundamental- this presentation at your age in front of all these people! ly,” he notes, “it’s about kids getting real world learning, “As you develop your idea into a business, rememreal world experience. And the cool thing is that each ber to plan your work and work your plan.” community can create its own customized CAPS proThe two judges oﬀered to have a monthly Zoom call gram to match the workforce needs and economic driv- with each presenter to help them develop their vision. ers within the community it serves.” Also taking place the last day of the conference was For the last event of the last day of the conference, a professional athlete “pitch panel,” moderated by the “Experiential Learning Day,” youth pitch competitors founder of the only Southwest Florida-based venture presented to a panel of judges in front of an awestruck capital fund, Tim Cartwright of Fifth Avenue Family Ofaudience. The 3 funding request presentation topics fice. Panelists included: Josh Childress, retired profesranged from supporting a student-based program that sional basketball player; Byron Jones, Miami Dolphins;

Derrick Morgan, former linebacker for the Tennessee Titans; and Brandon Rule of Rule Enterprises. These panelists had the full attention of their young audience. Cartwright asked, “How did innovation drive your success?’ Jones replied, “It all starts with curiosity— that’s what drove me to want to understand finance as part of my responsibility to myself, my others.” Morgan chimed in, “I knew I needed to have something going for ‘life after football.’ I didn’t want to be another pro athlete who goes broke. So I got into real estate to diversify my revenue streams.” He continued, “I grew up a renter so I saw the power of real estate ownership. Today, I give back to help others, maybe like yourselves, get educated about how money works.” South Fort Myers High School student Miguel Guerrero asked pitch panelist Jones, “What advice would you give your younger self or other young people like myself who want to make a diﬀerence in their community?” Jones replied, “Learn what you’re passionate about, take those steps today. Learning doesn’t just happen in school: check out Google topics and ask questions. But if you’re not reading books, that’s stupid. Get exposure to more things, people, ideas.” He continued, “Don’t be embarrassed by what you don’t know. Be uncomfortable so you have to ask questions to understand.” (More on GUERRERO on PAGE 18) In the true spirit of innovation and the Edison Awards, one of the panelists told the audience, “Look at us on this panel. We came from the same places you do, maybe not as good as some of the places, maybe better than others. But look at what can be achieved when you believe in the impossible!”

EDISON AWARDS

Dare to Dream

THE NEXT BIG IDEA The City of Fort Myers was proud to host the 2022 Edison Awards, a monumental gathering of some of the world’s most inspired thinkers, innovators, and inventors across many industries. This year, Edison Awards went one step further and created a program aimed to foster a passion for innovaaon among our own students in this community. Students were extended the opportunity to experience ﬁrsthand award-winning invennons. They also had the chance to meet a panel of NFL football players who invest in such advancements. Someday, our own powerful and driven children will lead the way to concei conceive and develop the next ingenious concept that will connnue to improve all of our lives – but that begins with the commitment to educaaon we show them today. I cannot wait to see this program grow next year and call upon all of us to come together to challenge, moovate and SUPPORT our students so that they can dare to dream the next big idea! Sincerely,

Mayor Kevin Anderson CITY OF FORT MYERS

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

JUNE 2022 JUNE 2022

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 11

THE EDISON AWARDS GALA The 35th annual Edison Awards gala was held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheatre in downtown Fort Myers. Guests, both local and from 33 states and 13 countries, attended the global event this year. It will take place in Fort Myers next year as well. Right: Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson welcomes the Edison Awards ﬁnalists, winners, organizers, sponsors and supporters to the awards dinner and celebration. Below right: Dr. Sandra Kauanui (center, in blue), Director, 2021 Edison Award Winner FGCU School of Entrepreneurship, mingles with guests at the Gala reception. Below center: Guests make new connections at the event. Below left: Lifetime Achievement Recipients Bracken Darrell (l) and Carmichael Roberts (r) shown here with Edison Awards Executive Director Frank Bonaﬁlia. Left: Horizon Foundation Immediate Past President Dan Eveloff and 2022 Horizon Council Chair Holly Smith share opening remarks.

WELCOME RECEPTION

Above: An opening night gathering was held for 2022 Edison Award ﬁnalists and other guests at the Edison Ford Estates in Fort Myers. Left top: Tatum Walker (3rd from left), Lee County Economic Development, visits with guests. Left bottom: Byron Jones (center), Miami Dolphins, enjoying the event. Below: Edison Awards Executive Director Frank Bonaﬁlia addresses the gathering.

Event Photos courtesy of Luminaire Foto

The Edison Awards is an annual competition honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design and innovation.

LEWIS LATIMER FELLOWSHIP

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING DAY YOUNG EDISON CHALLENGE Winners (L-R): Bronze, Maggie Zhang, Overland Park KS; Silver, Sonia Patel, Naples FL; Gold, Pria Sawhney, MA; Presenter, Ashley Maher, Charlotte County Foundation. These students brought to life Edison’s values by providing innovative solutions to challenges in their local communities.

Above left (L-R): Student Pitch Judge Danny Aguirre connects with Brent Kettler and Frank Nater of Ensite. Above right (LR): Pro Athlete Pitch Panelists Brandon Rule; Josh Childress, Retired Professional Basketball Player; Byron Jones, Miami Dolphins; Derrick Morgan, Former Linebacker, Tennessee Titans Left: South Fort Myers High School student Miguel Guerrero asked pitch panelist Jones, “What advice would you give your younger self or other young people like myself who want to make a difference in their community?” Right: Local students mingle with each other and visiting Edison Award winners.

Above: (l-r) Latimer Fellows Dr. Asegun Henry, Dr. Andrea Bowen, Dr. Ayana Arce, Dario Calmese and Byron Jones shown here with Fellowship co-founder Jon Cropper (4th from left), Carmichael Roberts (center) and Fellowship co-founder Frank Bonaﬁlia (2nd from right).Right: 2022 Edison Awards Lifetime Achievement Honoree Carmichael Roberts Below: Latimer Fellow Dr. Ayana Arce with Edison Awards Executive Director Frank Bonaﬁlia.

Page 12

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

JUNE 2022

2022 EDISON AWARDS When individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations win awards, we all celebrate. Their success contributes to our region’s success. Local awards programs recognize the region’s top entrepreneurs, business owners, female leaders, young professionals, public service workers, charitable causes and other high-achieving individuals, companies and organizations. Winning an award is a public acknowledgement that you’re doing things well and doing things the right way. Southwest Florida also won an award, although there is no trophy or plaque to display the achievement. We won the Edison Awards. Specifically, we won by hosting the Edison Awards, a global competition previously held in New York City that honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, human-centered design and innovation. The Horizon Foundation helped recruit the Edison Awards, and its members are already working diligently to make Southwest Florida its permanent home. For three days in April, hundreds of the world’s top minds in technology, engineering, science, manufacturing, sustainability, education and other disciplines descended on Fort Myers for an incredible celebration of innovation and business success. The Horizon Foundation proudly supports the Edison Awards along with a dozen other organizations and businesses. Southwest Florida is home to postcard-perfect beaches, year-round sunshine and unspoiled natural amenities, yet the Edison Awards’ Steering Committee chose Fort Myers for a reason other than tourism – Southwest Florida also is a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship. Two years ago, when the Edison Awards announced Fort Myers would be hosting future awards celebrations, the organization noted “the city has a rich history of innovation and is a natural fit to continue the Edison Awards mission: To serve

as a leader in globally recognizing, honoring and fostering innovation and innovators to create a positive impact on the world.” More than a century ago, the likes of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone spent time in Southwest Florida. In the decades since, thousands of businesses large and small have gotten their start here. Mega-companies like Hertz, Chico’s, NeoGenomics and Gartner chose Lee BY CHRISTOPHER County as their world headquarters. SPIRO World-class systems like the School Guest Columnist District of Lee County and Lee Health continue to thrive, and Florida Gulf Coast University continues to innovate through additions like the Daveler & Kauanui School of Entrepreneurship, The Water School, Institute for Technological Innovation and Small Business Development Center. We want the world to see these assets in addition to our abundant sunshine, seashells and sand. Lee County will again be hosting the Edison Awards in 2023, and perhaps next year, an entrepreneur or innovator from Southwest Florida will be among those honored on the world stage for their achievements. We know the talent is here; now it’s time for the rest of the world to hear about it Christopher Spiro is President at the Horizon Foundation, a charitable 501(c)(3) organization that provides a funding vehicle for businesses to invest in Lee County’s long-term economic development and vitality. For more information, please visit HorizonCouncilFoundation.com or call (239) 533-6800.

Economic impact of awards

For 35 years, the Edison Awards have been putting a spotlight on innovations, inventions and new products from around the globe. The awards have also made a substantial economic impact on the Southwest Florida region, one of the reasons Lee and Collier counties continue to support the awards and the influx of visitors they bring to the area each year. This year’s event was hosted at the Luminary Hotel and the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in the Fort Myers River District. Top innovators from around the world came to Fort Myers in April to participate and experience Southwest Florida. The awards help leverage innovation, invention and the rich history of Thomas Edison in Fort Myers. “The more economic expansion we bring to the community, the more opportunities we create to recognize the innovators,” Tasman said. “It also means better and stronger branding and clustering of innovation we end up being able to promote.” In addition to fueling economic expansion, this also helps increase the quality of life and business-friendly environment for which Southwest Florida is known. “The Edison Awards are all about inventions and innovations that change people’s lives,” Tasman said. “Being part of a positive future is beneficial for our area.” Leveraging the Edison Awards and continuing to focus and brand them around the startup and technology industry is definitely a positive for Southwest Florida. “It’s important to grow and diversify the economy and maintain economic and environmental sustainability,” Tasman said. “The Edison Awards will influence our educational component. Growing and improving our systems here will continue to help exacerbate opportunities as well.”

EDISON AWARDS

THANK YOU FOR SHINING A LIGHT ON INNOVATION Lee County is thrilled to host the 2022 Edison Awards, which has honored the world’s leading innovators and innovations for 35 years. Special thanks to the Horizon Foundation board members for helping to bring this inspiring event to our community and for working diligently to make Southwest Florida its permanent home.

FO UN DD AA T ITOI O NN FO UN

INNOVATION

International awards shine spotlight on SWFL

JUNE 2022

Introducing ALDEA

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 13

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

Region continues to outperform in office space Part 1 of 2 Southwest Florida is outperforming the state’s major markets in commercial office space. Labor shortages and supply chain problems make up the national narrative in the post-pandemic economy. However, what’s happening regionally—especially in Southwest Florida where the office vacancy rate is outpacing the state and the national average—tells a very different story. Office Occupancy Rates Rise Despite Remote Working Trend It’s no secret 2020 accelerated the trend in working from home, and for some employers, this forced experiment inspired permanent shifts in the workplace. According to Forbes, remote working remains high in business sectors where employees can work easily by computer and phone, within industries like finance, insurance, and information services. But for other professional sectors, returning to the office is essential for a work culture that thrives on teamwork and face-to-face communication. A need for in-person work spaces helps explain the stunning office vacancy rate in Southwest Florida. Industry insiders use vacancy rates—the ratio of total space to empty and available space

in a building—to let spaces in the region making up only determine the health 0.02% of total office space. Rental inof commercial real come can be even greater for developers estate. While the who invest in LEED-certified construcnational vacancy tion, as many tenants are willing to pay rate average hovers a premium for smarter workspaces that at 12.1%, the South- are energy efficient—built to maximize west Florida re- natural lighting and improved air quality gion boasts a 4.7% among other workplace perks. Real esvacancy rate with tate investors shopping for income prosome communities, ducing properties should take note. like Estero, as low As more companies weigh the costs BY PHIL as 3%. and benefits of a remote or hybrid work FISCHLER Large employers model, Southwest Florida employers Columnist AGuest look at commercial realhave estate trends topics like NeoGenoman advantage. With& winter temics—who recently invested in an expan- peratures averaging highs of 70 degrees sive 150,000-square-foot headquarters and the state’s lower cost of living, the in Fort Myers—are planning for a fu- nation’s top talent has built-in incentives ture where the office remains the hub of to live and telecommute in the Sunshine work life. And they’re not alone. Office State. investment activity surged in 2021 Q2, Reach out to or call at (239) 895topping $100 million in quarterly sales 1060, and we will make it happen for volume for the first time on record. you. The flurry of new construction has been driven largely by medical office Phil Fischler is president of Fischler trades like NeoGenomics, who special- Property Company. In 2009, he founded ize in cancer genetic testing and infor- Fischler Property Company with a mismation services. sion to build a legacy through inspiring New construction for Class A office investment and restoration of Southspace continues to provide good news west Florida, while helping to positively for landlords who’ve seen annual rent shape its inevitable growth. Contact him growth amidst the pandemic, with sub- at pjf@fischlerco.com.

Airport oﬃcials oﬀer insights at CRE outlook

The Florida CCIM Chapter Southwest District presented its 21st Annual Commercial Real Estate Outlook Conference on April 25. The event was headed by three keynote speakers. Airport Panelists included: Benjamin R. Seigel, executive director of Lee County Port Authority; Lillie B. Rodriguez, airport manager of Airglades International Airport; and Gary E. Duncan, chief operating officer of the Charlotte County Airport Southwest Florida Authority Additional Speakers included Don Scott, executive director of the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Carolann Swanson of Carolann A. Swanson Law Firm. Economic and technology shifts are impacting the demand for commercial real estate. Real estate industry experts discussed how the changing economic landscape is impacting Southwest Florida. This dynamic conference, held at Caloosa Sound Convention Center, was designed to benefit brokers, investors, buyers, sellers, banking professionals, insurance agencies, lawyers, and title insurance companies.

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Page 14

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

JUNE 2022

Seagate buys 502 acres in Fort Myers for $15.3 million Seagate Development Group purchased the Bell Boulevard Mine, a 502-acre fill sand and rock mining operation on State Road 82 in Fort Myers, from MCIN Bell for $15.3 million. The permitted site, consisting of 6 million tons of import fill and 21 million tons of base rock, will be mined by Earth Tech Enterprises, a Seagate Development Group company, beginning in June. Seagate ultimately plans to develop this property when all material is sold. “We look forward to the opportunity to continue our company’s mission of changing landscapes in Southwest Florida. To think that a property that people may not have given much thought could one day become someone’s place of work or home is nothing short of exciting,” said James Nulf, Jr., chief operating oﬃcer and partner of Seagate Development Group. LSI Companies represented the

Investor purchases mass warehouse in Bonita SVN Commercial Partners Senior Advisor Patty McClimans represented the investor in the purchase on Harmony Park Drive in Bonita Springs, an 18,500-square-foot industrial property located approximately two miles from I-75 oﬀ Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. The purchase price was $3 million, or $162 per square foot. This concrete block, fully airconditioned, high ceiling warehouse building sits on 1.01 acres and had been used by the seller for his business and for storage since 2009. The transaction included a sale lease back of the property which served as a catalyst for this investment sale. “The buyer, a seasoned investor, found value in the seller’s willingness to lease back 66% of the building, as well as have two vacant 3,000-square-foot units to lease at today’s attractive lease rates,” said McClimans.

Seagate Development Group purchased the Bell Boulevard Mine, a 502acre ﬁll sand and rock mining operation on State Road 82 in Fort Myers, from MCIN Bell for $15.3 million. buyer and seller in this transaction. “With purchases like this, it’s clear that Seagate has their eye on the future and primary growth corridors in Lee County,” said Justin Thibaut, president and CEO of LSI Companies. “This was a very strategic acqui-

sition, and we’re pleased to have had the opportunity to work with such a sophisticated buyer and seller in what was a very seamless transaction. I anticipate big things from Seagate on this property and look forward to what unfolds.”

Nor-Tech breaks ground on production facility in Cape Coral Nor-Tech Hi-Performance Boats, a Cape Coral company specializing in custom boat manufacturing and design, continues to positively impact the high-performance boating industry and Southwest Florida’s economy. Nor-Tech is expanding operations with a recent groundbreaking ceremony in Cape Coral at the site of its new 30,000-square-foot production facility. This will create additional jobs, help boost a local economy that has historically been dependent on tourism and hospital-

ity, as well as educate young minds interested in progressing the marine industry. The company is invested in the Southwest Florida community and plans to continue its philanthropic outreach efforts. “Southwest Florida has been home to Nor-Tech and our families for decades and we could not be more thrilled to be able to build more boats and see more people getting out on the water,” Nor-Tech CEO and Co-Founder Trond Schou said. “We are excited to be growing

and to expand our footprint in Cape Coral and the local waterways. It means a lot that we are helping to grow a love of power boating and help our local community by providing more jobs and steady revenue in the area as well as continue to expand our commitment to philanthropic and educational efforts. It truly is our love of boats and our community that makes Southwest Florida home.” Schou and his family have been a part of the Cape Coral community

since the mid 1980s and have fallen in love with Southwest Florida and the lifestyle. Nor-Tech High Performance Boats was born in Cape Coral as two close friends Schou and Nils Johnsen developed their own brand. The new production facility will be located approximately 500 feet down the road from Nor-Tech’s headquarters in the North Cape Industrial Park. Contractors and permits are in place, with plans to open doors as early as the first quarter of 2023.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 15

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

DISASTER SERVICES Landlords, tenants should review disaster plans Hurricane season is expected to be active this year, and Florida isn’t a stranger to wildfires. Although rare, some commercial buildings have also been destroyed by tornadoes. As a commercial tenant or a commercial landlord, you will want to be prepared. Don’t wait to review your plans. Now is the time to ensure you know your responsibilities. Here are a few items to take into consideration.

may be limited for vendors. As you keep communication open with the vendors, you can convey updates to tenants.

Preventative Measures Landlords, you will want to consider physically checking on your properties or have your property management team inLease Review spect the properties prior to a Tenants and landlords should review their legally known emergency. Do trees need A look at commercial real estate trends binding leases to determine what they are responsi- BY STEPHANIE to be trimmed? Are there any arble for in the event of a disaster. In a general sense, MARTINEZ eas of concerns? Although it is landlords are typically responsible for the structure Guest Commentary impossible to know what disaster of the building (walls, roof, etc.), while tenants are will strike when, basic preventausually responsible for the interior of their space re- tive measures can be taken to alleviate potential garding repairs. If you have any questions or need hazards. clarification, reach out to your legal team. Roof Inspection Updated and Required Insurance It is a general practice for landlords to have the The lease will outline the type of insurance a ten- roofs inspected periodically by a licensed and inant is required to have. Contact your insurance com- sured vendor. They can generate reports about your pany and ensure that your insurance is up-to-date property and inform you of any potential hazards or and includes all necessary policies. Take this time to concerns in advance. familiarize yourself with your deductible depending on the type of disaster. Landlords you will also want Protecting Your Space to review your insurance for the property. Commercial tenants may be responsible for windows and doors. Determine what course of action Business Emergency Plan you will need to take to protect these items because Every business should have an emergency plan you may be responsible for replacing them. in place. Review your disaster plan with your company and ensure each employee understands their Exterior Supplies and Vehicles responsibilities. As a commercial tenant, do you While most of your items may be brought indoors have a plan in place if it is deemed hazardous to in the event of an emergency, determine a plan for any return to your commercial unit? What is your back exterior supplies and/or company vehicles. Flex and up plan? Can your business proceed virtually and industrial tenants may have the space to move the vetemporarily in the event of an emergency? hicles into their space. However, retail and office tenants may need to determine a location to store supplies Communicate with Your Team and vehicles if there is concern of flying debris. Landlords, just as the tenants will need to check in with their employees, you will want to check in Damage Aftermath with your team. What is expected from your comUnfortunately, damage can be caused by a disasmercial property management team? Do you expect ter. Clarify how this will impact your business or inspections after a disaster strikes? What role will property. As a landlord you may have offered abateyou play in the event of an emergency? ment of rent and may suffer financial loss (depending on your insurance), and as a commercial tenant Vendor Expectations you may lose access to your physical space if it is What vendors do you have on standby? Who is deemed hazardous. Plan and prepare for the bestgoing to make repairs or install hurricane shutters and worst-case scenario. when necessary? Are you planning ahead? CommuThis is not an exhaustive list, but it is a starting nicate with vendors your expectations and review point to review your plans in place in the event of your service contracts. Oftentimes after an emer- a disaster. gency, repair work is slow to commence because of the high demand especially in the event of wide- Stephanie Martinez is marketing director and respread disaster. It is imperative to be proactive and gional property manager for Sunizo. Contact her at take preventative measures in advance. Supplies (239) 310-2802 or stephanie@sunizo.com.

Butters Group and BentallGreenOak announced a partnership to develop Gulf Landing Logistics Center, a 2.2 million-square-foot, Class A business park in Fort Myers.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET Development of Gulf Landing & topics in Southwest Florida Logistics Center set to begin

Butters Group and BentallGreenOak announced a partnership to develop Gulf Landing Logistics Center, a 2.2 million-square-foot, Class A business park in Fort Myers. This new development will reside on 284 acres of land acquired through the partnership, representing one of the largest commercial and logistics developments in Southwest Florida to date. The partnership anticipates developing the property in several phases, with the first phase including seven new buildings with a combined 740,000 square feet and occupancy expected in the third quarter of 2023. Construction will commence during the Fall of 2022. “This will be one of the finest business parks in the Naples/Fort Myers region. We are excited to be building in one of the most dynamic regions of Florida” said Malcolm Butters, CEO of Butters Group. “With the tremendous growth in Southwest Florida, we recognized an opportunity to produce a firstclass logistics facility with the flexibility to meet the needs of many different types of users” said Kyle Jones, director of investments at Butters. “BentallGreenOak is excited to draw on the strength of our partnership with Butters to build a truly best in class business park that will serve the vastly growing needs of the region. Gulf Landing Logistics Center delivers new industrial space to serve a thriving economy and offers tenants the opportunity to grow and strengthen their business in our Park for the long term,” said Kevin Rivest, managing director for BentallGreenOak. The current plan for Gulf Landing Logistics Center includes 14 buildings in a range of different sizes and configurations. A portion of the site plan offers flex space for light industrial and office users while the remainder of the site is geared to bulk distribution, e-commerce, and other light industrial users. Built- toSuit opportunities are available, and the site plan will likely evolve to address specific tenant requirements. The prime property includes almost a mile of I-75 frontage on the western boundary, extending east to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, north nearly to Terminal Access Road, and south to commercial properties on the north side of Alico Road.

We Care About SWFL Commercial Realtors With dedicated space for informa�on: • On our website with a Commercial Real Estate sec�on & directory • In our quarterly Commercial RE Market pullout in both the print & digital versions of SWFBT • With zoned and full-run inserts • With guest column opportuni�es • With digital marke�ng op�ons

For more local business news and a calendar of local business events, please visit our website www.swﬂoridabusinesstoday.com

For more informa�on, call Karen at (239) 770-7527 ®

www.swﬂoridabusinesstoday.com

Page 16

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

JUNE 2022

DISASTER SERVICES Organizations need a crisis communications plan

Every organization is vulnerable to a crisis. Most business owners and directors believe they’ve “got it together” when everything is running smoothly. Employees are happy, clients are happy, revenue is up. But what about when a crisis hits? That’s when things tend to unravel. Without a crisis communication plan in place, disaster is bound to happen. The basics are not diﬃcult but having a plan in place prior to an incident is necessary to minimize damage. Consider the alternative: Those aﬀected internally and externally will not know what is happening and are likely to be confused and may even become angry and frustrated Leadership and the organization will be seen as incapable and possibly negligent. Finances and reputation can be severely damaged. Resolution and recovery time will take extensively longer. Here are some tips on how you can get ahead of a crisis before it even hits: Anticipate possible issues. Think about best- and worst-case scenarios and how they will play out. Think about what the organization can do and say (operational and communications planning) to mitigate damage. Identify a crisis management team. Who will be the decision makers? Most likely this team will be led by the company’s CEO and legal advisors and its public relations/communications executives, as well as involving directors or other leadership with knowledge related to the incident. Consider who will be the designated contact and spokes-

person for the organization internally and externally and get professional training for formulating optimal responses and handling other duties related to this role. When an incident occurs, investigate and talk BY CONNIE to the people inRAMOS WILLIAMS volved at the root Guest Columnist of the crisis. Find out exactly what happened and determine who will be involved in managing the issue and what the messaging will be. An outside reputation management team like the experts at CONRIC pr + marketing may be necessary. CONRIC excels in crafting press releases, social media messages and more to ensure your best interest, maintain a positive reputation, and make sure your stakeholders stay informed. Establish a system for notification. Establishing one system ahead of time that can distribute to multiple channels of communication with internal and external stakeholders will ensure everyone knows where to turn during a crisis or emergency to receive accurate information and will help to avoid chaos and confusion. Craft a message that will be disseminated and remain consistent. All staﬀ members working on the crisis management team should be well-versed in the message and should be consistent in their response to any inquiries. The crisis management team should decide what information

is released by the organization and how often it will be updated. Remember: • Stay calm. If you panic, then those around you will too. If you remain calm, you’ll be better able to focus on the situation at hand and make sound decisions. • “No comment” is a comment. If the media asks for information about the crisis, have your predetermined and professionally trained spokesperson respond in accordance with key messaging determined by the crisis team. If you choose to not respond you are opening up opportunities for false information to spread and exacerbate the crisis. You want to ensure the spokesperson is the source of information, especially with the media. It is extremely important to remain on top of the crisis through its resolution. This allows you to give updates internally and externally regarding where the company is at in resolving the situation, and shows that the organization is concerned, transparent and trustworthy. Once resolved, reconvene the crisis management team to review what happened and evaluate how the plan worked, and make recommendations for improvements. Connie Ramos-Williams is the president and chief marketing oﬃcer at CONRIC pr + marketing, a leading creative agency with oﬃces in Fort Myers and Naples that specializes in branding, digital marketing, public relations, graphic design and website development. For more information, visit conricpr.com, email info@conricpr. com or call (239) 690-9840.

Annual media breakfast seminar set for June 3 Together with the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association announces its annual Media Breakfast seminar for Friday, June 3, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Shangri-La Springs, located on Old 41 Road in Bonita Springs. Open to the public, Media Breakfast brings local media representatives, past and present, center stage for informative conversations and presentations, while providing those looking to strengthen their media relations eﬀorts the opportunity to ask the questions everyone wants to know about earning media coverage. This year’s event, titled ‘Rise & Shine – Earn the Spotlight with Media Insight,’ will oﬀer an exclusive insider’s look at the ever-evolving media industry through a series of segments that cover media relations from every angle, so attendees leave confident and ready to capture the media’s attention. Event pricing is $25 for students, $45 for FPRA and PRSA members and $60 for future members. To register, please visit www.fpraswfl.org/ events/media-breakfast-3/. The deadline is May 25, and seating is limited. Registration, breakfast and networking will take place from 8:30 to 9 a.m., followed promptly by the program from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Don’t forget to post your in-person and virtual events on our B2B events calendar at www.swfloridabusinesstoday. com/calendar

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Page 17

Minaya launches Healthcare Learning and Development Practice Minaya Learning Global Solutions, a learning and development firm for mid-to-large enterprises around the world, launched its Healthcare Learning and Development Practice for nonprofit and forprofit healthcare organizations. The new Healthcare Learning and Development Practice oﬀers healthcare organizations a proven partner for healthcare workforce development, learning strategy, a competency-based virtual learning platform for healthcare professionals, culture building and talent development solutions for improving the clinical and nonclinical workforce performance and development. In addition, MLGS oﬀers healthcare clients their Radical Collaboration program to assist Healthcare leaders address and overcome organizational politics that are hindering progress. The MLGS team is composed of learning and development, coaching, and facilitation talent who bring industry and evidence-based best practices to their healthcare clients and talent development solutions. Dr. Guido Minaya, CEO, leads the firm’ learning technologies and infrastructure services,

which includes EngageSIMTM for Healthcare – a cloud-based competency assessment platform. Susan Minaya, chief operations oﬃcer, leads the firm’s work on learning strategy development and healthcare talent development solutions encompassing onboarding, clinical competency, clinical and non-clinical soft skills, compliance and human resources, leadership, and executive development initiatives. “The rapidly changing environment of Healthcare demands responsive learning and development solutions to keep staﬀ in lockstep with changing regulations, patient care, soft skills, and organizational development,” said Dr. Minaya. “The healthcare industry is under significant pressure to retain talent, stay compliant, and remain highly competitive in a dynamic and cost sensitive environment. Minaya Learning Global Solutions can help your healthcare organization with workforce development solutions from onboarding to C-suite development that help raise the performance bar where it matters most – the patient experience,” he added.

Susan Minaya said, “talent shortages wreak havoc on healthcare organizations such as Lee Health, a MLGS client. Solutions for onboarding, workforce excellence and cultural alignment have been developed for Lee Health by MLGS. These operation improvements translate into improved levels of patient care, compliance and competency. MLGS has specific expertise addressing the challenges that healthcare organizations face and their solutions result in eﬃcient training which frees up time for patients, and leadership excellence which drives culture.” Michael Wukitsch, chief people oﬃcer, Lee Health added, “I have worked with Minaya Learning Global Solutions for the past three years. They take the time to understand our business needs and the unique characteristics of our organizational culture. They have supported programs for onboarding, C-suite and executive leadership, compliance, clinical and non-clinical education and diversity. If you need a trusted partner for your learning and development team, I highly recommend Minaya Learning Global Solutions.”

SWFL Public relations professionals win Image Awards

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association presented the 2022 Local Image Awards celebration, held April 28 at Mercola Market in Cape Coral. Winners were: In Division A – Public Relations Programs: • Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Community Relations: Collier County Supervisor of Elections Oﬃce, Jennifer J. Edwards and Trish Robertson, for Art of Democracy. • Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Public Service: Priority Marketing for Kids’ Minds Matter: Unmasking the Epidemic. • Award of Distinction and Judges’ Award in the Public Relations Programs – Institutional: Priority Marketing for Healthcare Network Integrated Marketing Campaign. • Award of Distinction and Judges’ Award in the Public Relations Programs – Promotional/Marketing: Pushing the Envelope and Tiﬀany Hernandez for Unmatched Brunch at Angelina’s.

• Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Promotional/Marketing: Priority Marketing for Sunshine Ace Hardware Hurricane Prep. • Award of Distinction in the Public Relations Programs – Promotional/Marketing: Pushing the Envelope for The Gift of Waterfront Dining. • Grand All Image Award and Image Award in the Public Relations Program – Integrated Marketing: Priority Marketing for Elite Jets Diﬀerence. • Image Award in the Public Relations Programs – Special Event: to Priority Marketing for Market Trends. In Division B – Collateral of Public Relations: • Grand Image Award, Image Award and Judges’ Award in the Collateral of Public Relations – Annual Report: Priority Marketing for Guadalupe Center Annual Impact Report. • Image Award in the Collateral of Public Relations – News Release/Pitch: Priority Marketing for Cypress Pharmacy Brain Health Pitch.

In Division C – Digital Tools of Public Relations: • Grand All Image Award and Image Award in the Digital Tools of Public Relations – Priority Marketing for Guadalupe Center “We are the World” Video. FPRA presented chapter awards: • Mary Briggs, system director of Strategic Communications & PR at Lee Health. 2022 Lifetime Achievement. • Holly Boldrin, Priority Marketing public relations director at. 2022 PR Professional of the Year. • Sorena Vargas, Priority Marketing graphic designer, 2022 Chapter Member of the Year. • Karen Ryan, for LCEC public relations director, 2022 Friends of Janet Philanthropy. • Marie Heisler, APR, Mercola Market PR & Communication manager, 2022 Unsung Hero. • Emily Beltran, Mercola Market PR & Communication Coordinator, 2022 Rising Star. • Alexa Gutierrez, Florida Gulf Coast University FPRA student chapter member, 2022 Pam Nulman Soaring Eagle PR.

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Page 18

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

Comerica hosts small business roundtable

EDISON AWARDS Inspired by a student Special to SWFBT Submitted by: Karen P. Moore, Publisher It was “Experiential Learning Day,” the last day of the Edison Awards conference. I was physically and mentally ready to call it “quits” but promised myself I would attend as many Edison Awardsrelated events as possible. I settled in for the “Pro Athlete Pitch Panel.” (See more about this panel and “Experiential Learning Day” on PAGE 9) When it was time for the panel to take questions, I stopped taking notes. A male voice behind me said, “First I want to thank the Edison Awards and the panelists for sharing their time and knowledge. I’m a student at South Fort Myers High School and I would like to ask Byron Jones a question.” I scrambled for my notepad and swiveled my head to locate the professional-sounding male I had just heard speaking. He continued, “My question is, what advice would you give to your younger self or to young people who want to make a change, a diﬀerence, in their community?” What a great question! I immediately got up and ran towards him—I wasn’t the only one. This young man certainly had that “something” that make people pay attention to him. When we connected, this young man, Miguel Guerrero, shared his story. In 2019, Miguel and his two brothers came to the United States from Venezuela with their parents. For a young man who speaks excellent English now, he spoke no English when he arrived here. He took advanced placement classes and studied four to six hours every day to master English and keep up with his studies. He also works two jobs to make money for college. “I currently work at Arthrex as a warehouse associate for now. I plan to go to FGCU to get my bioengineering degree starting this fall. I just graduated from high school,” he said. “I am also certified for small business and entrepreneurship through my high school. I got the position at Arthrex through a teacher at school when I was 17. I was told Arthrex never hires high school kids and usually doesn’t hire for part-time positions. Now I’m being told I’m kind of the ‘guinea pig’ for Arthrex—hopefully opening the door for other kids to work there in a similar way.” Guerrero added, “I couldn’t be more grateful for everything that’s happened, especially recently. I’ve had a lot of help and tools provided to me along the way. I just received a scholarship from the Collaboratory that is going to help me pay for my college tuition. My dream is to present my business idea at the Edison Awards next year: I’d like to create a non-profit foundation to help kids get to college or find a job here locally because right now there is no incentive for young people to stay here in Southwest Florida.” Boy, am I glad I stuck around for the Q & A—to get inspired by a student! Could I have just met a future Edison Awards innovator?

In honor of National Small Business Week, Comerica Bank hosted a luncheon and roundtable discussion for Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center’s partners on May 5 at Mel’s Diner in Naples. “The SBDC is playing a vital role in creating and increasing economic opportunities for underestimated entrepreneurs and small businesses in Southwest Florida,” Beatrice Kelly, Comerica director of community development lending, said. “Celebrating and supporting organizations that are helping power our nation’s economic comeback is one of the many ways we raise expectations of what a bank can be in the communities where we live and Guests had the opportunity to tour gomerica, Comerica’s first mobile bank. serve.” Naples Banking Center Manager Adam Lysiak Specht and Hall, then led a roundtable discusdelivered opening remarks, while Florida External sion about “Building a Better America Through EnAffairs Manager Mo Corker introduced Comerica’s trepreneurship,” the 2022 National Small Business special guests from the SBDC, Access to Capital Week theme, providing insight on access to capiConsultant Suzanne Specht and Finance Consultant tal, bank lending requirements, and other resources Tim Hall as well as Melanie Schmees, the Greater available to help entrepreneurs and small businessNaples Chamber of Commerce’s director of busi- es scale and sustain. ness and economic research. Guests also had the opportunity to tour gomerBefore heading inside Mel’s Diner for network- ica, Comerica’s first mobile bank, which launched ing and the panel discussion, Kelly presented the at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County last fall. SBDC with a $5,000 check to support their ongoing It offers most traditional banking services and feaefforts to help Florida small businesses grow and tures a Banker Connect Interactive Teller Machine succeed. on the outside of the vehicle.

OVERVIEW PAGE 1 that are transforming the global economy and making the way we live, work, and play safer, better, and more sustainable,” said Frank Bonafilia, executive director of The Edison Awards. “We are excited to bring so many transformative new technologies and executives to Fort Myers for the very first time. We continue to look at global innovation through the lens of Thomas Edison and the industries his Menlo Park team pioneered, while at the same time building a bridge to the future, showcasing current visionaries and ushering in the next generation of innovators by bringing them to Edison’s winter home for almost 40 years in Fort Myers to celebrate their success.” Highlights of the event include: • Gravity Jet Suit demonstration featured at the Opening Reception held on the Edison and Ford Winter Estates • Community/Experiential Learning Day at the new Fort Myers Amphitheater: local high school students experienced live demonstrations/samples, a professional athlete new business pitch panel and inspirational talks, local student musicians and events both highlighting and geared towards younger generations • Edison Awards Gala and VIP Reception • Meet the Innovators Forum hosted by Miles O’Brien of PBS and focused on Future Forward discussions led by Apple, Logitech, Black & Veatch, Break Through Energy, Sabic, FP&L, Babcock Ranch, US Sugar, and the Lee County Economic Development Oﬃce • The Lewis Latimer Fellows connected with Southwest Florida community leaders at the Collaboratory in Fort Myers to explore both regional

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challenges and collaborative opportunities, aimed at finding ways to bring our diverse population together as we move forward in to the future • Charlotte Community Foundation announced the first Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) High School in the State of Florida will be in Babcock Ranch, supported by Black & Veatch. The hard work of the Edison Awards team brings the event from its original home in New York City to the Fort Myers area, Bonafilia noted. He added the transition would not be a reality without the valued local partnerships with the Lee County Horizon Foundation, the City of Fort Myers, the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency, Black & Veatch, Florida Power & Light, Babcock Ranch, Charlotte Community Foundation, Arrow Electronics, Blue Waters Development Group, FGCU, Lee Health, the American Red Cross, Enterprise Florida, Lee County Economic Development Oﬃce and the Fort Myers’ City Manager; City Council Members; and the Oﬃce of Mayor Anderson. Bonafilia is both the executive director of the Edison Awards and co-founder of Edison Universe, a nonprofit organization focused on fostering the next generation of innovators. In 2020, he cofounded the Lewis Latimer Fellowship–a program that supports the advancement of Black Innovators through mentorship. Early in his career Frank was involved with the Edison Awards when he managed the Sponsorship and Awards Division of the American Marketing Association, where the roots of the current Edison Awards originated. The Edison Awards is currently an independent organization with Bonafilia at its head. The event will be back in Fort Myers in April 2023. For more information about the event and to sponsor or nominate your “game changing” new product or service, go to www.edisonawards.com.

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JUNE 2022

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

DISASTER SERVICES

How to avoid scammers after a hurricane Shortly after Hurricane Irma made landfall in Southwest Florida, local roofing companies activated their emergency response teams and sprang into action. Emergency roof repairs, much like restoring electricity and cellular service, are critical to the region’s post-storm recovery. Roofs in Southwest Florida take a beating under normal weather conditions, and thankfully, the region boasts numerous reputable roofing companies. Unfortunately, there are roofing contractors — some licensed, some not — who will take advantage of the situation as homeowners, business owners and property managers struggle to find someone —anyone — to fix their roof. The five Ls to avoid scammers after a hurricane include: 1. License: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation maintains a searchable statewide database at MyFloridaLicense.com. Only use companies with a Registered Roofing Contractor or Certified General Contractor license. 2. Local: After a hurricane, roofing contractors will descend upon the hardesthit areas, similar to power companies sending convoys of trucks to storm-damaged regions. Licensed Florida roofing contractors can work anywhere within the Sunshine State, but be cautious of companies without a permanent presence in the area. If you experience a leak because of faulty materials or poor workmanship, they won’t be around to answer your questions or fix the problem. 3. Logos: Established companies have work vehicles, brochures and folders featuring the company logo. That’s generally the sign of a successful business. Look

for employees in logoed T-shirts or polostyle shirts. 4. Legs: Contractors will walk doorto-door after a storm, so don’t be alarmed if the doorbell rings. Most will be helpful, but be wary of highpressure sales tactics like telling a property BY RAST owner they must sign BRYANT a contract immediGuest Columnist ately or that they will file insurance claims on your behalf. 5. Lessons learned: Word of mouth is a great referral source for contractors. Ask neighbors, colleagues and friends for recommendations. Online reviews also offer unfiltered feedback, with Google and Facebook reviews among the top platforms to read insight from actual customers. Even the best companies have a hiccup now and then, and the Better Business Bureau posts correspondence showing how businesses respond to complaints. Water dripping or gushing inside a home or business creates a sense of desperation. Predatory companies sense this. Following the five Ls will help you avoid scammers and subpar contractors on your next roofing project. Rast Bryant is general manager for the Southwest Florida division of Lloyd Roofing, which oﬀers roof repairs, replacements and installations to properties across Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. Visit LloydRooﬁngServices.com or call (239) 284-6748 for more information.

Page 19

2022 Industry Appreciation Awards open for nominations The Industry Appreciation Awards, which celebrate Lee County businesses that drive the local economy, employ our workforce and shape their industries, opened nominations for the 2022 program. The Industry Appreciation Awards will recognize an Innovator, Manufacturer, Small Business and Large Business of the Year. This year, the awards program also features an Inclusion and Diversity Award, as well as a Technology Award. The awards program is coordinated by the Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Oﬃce. Nominations will be accepted online through June 30. There is no cost to nominate a business. Self-nomina-

CLASS PAGE 1 businesses than second place state California, despite having a population that is 40% smaller. The MicroEnterprise Institute is a six-week training program to help emerging entrepreneurs start new ventures and grow small businesses. Graduates complete a comprehensive training course and prepare a solid plan to guide their start-up. They work with mentors who are successful businesspeople and hear from subject matter experts in areas of accounting, legal, marketing, insurance and funding. A workbook, used by organizations across America, assists in transform-

For more business news, visit www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com tions are allowed. Winners will be announced at the 2022 Industry Appreciation Awards in October at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. The seven award categories include: Innovator of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Technology Award, Small Business Inclusion & Diversity Award, and the Large Business Inclusion & Diversity Award. For more information or to nominate a business, please visit IndustryAppreciationAwards.com. ing vision into a plan for a successful business. Classes are from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday and Thursday evenings at Hodges University in Fort Myers. Attendance is limited. A recent program graduate says, “This course helped me to organize and plan out the steps for creating my business. Coming in, I had no idea how to start a business that would lead to success, and now I have that.” To apply, visit www.goodwillswfl. org/microenterprise, or call (239) 9952106 ext. 2215. The session is $80; Volunteer hours can be substituted for the fee, if income requirements are met. For more information, email Annette Watkins at annettewatkins@ goodwillswfl.org.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ®

JUNE 2022

EDISON AWARDS

Congratulations to the Edison Award

Winners!

As the co-founders and leaders of the oldest community bank in Lee County, Robbie and Geoff Roepstorff applaud innovation in our community. Like Thomas Edison said, “There is always a better way... Find it.” Now celebrating the bank’s 25th anniversary, the Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands team is dedicated to expertly blending tradition and innovation with a personal approach to remarkable banking services.

Robbie Roepstorff, President and Geoff Roepstorff, CEO

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

An Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC | Bank of the Islands is an office of Edison National Bank.

Robbie Roepstorff, President