May 2017 Southwest Florida Business Today

FOCUS ON: SMALL BUSINESS

Celebrating 10 Years

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IN THE NEWS

French chef partners with Culinary Accelerator

French three-star Michelin chef Christian Le Squer visited Naples in April to solidify details of a partnership with the soon-tobe-finished Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee. Le Squer toured the Culinary Accelerator facility on Airpark Boulevard in Immokalee on April 21. Le Squer’s team and elected officials announced additional details of the partnership.

The meeting marked the first trip to the United States for Le Squer, recently named the 2016 Chef of the Year in France. Most recently Le Squer led the Parisbased Le Cinq restaurant at the Four Seasons George V to their 3rd Michelin star in 2016, a challenge he started in October 2014 CHEF See page 10

Fusion Pointe mentors startups

Sanibel Captiva in top 20 S&P-ranked banks

Karen Moore SWFBT Publisher

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has been named among the top 20 banks in S&P Global Market Intelligence’s 2016 ranking of the 100 best-performing community banks with under $1 billion in assets in the U.S. Ranked 19th, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is one of only three Florida banks and the only Southwest Florida bank named to the top 100 among 4,585 eligible banks and thrifts in this national category.

BANK See page 11

WMU celebrates launch of aviation program

Western Michigan University leadership and community officials in April gathered at the Punta Gorda Airport to celebrate WMU’s Charlotte County Aviation Collective and the launch of its aviation flight science program in Florida this fall.

WMU’s Charlotte County Aviation Collective, was developed to guide the University’s College of Aviation expansion into Southwest Florida, and includes leadership from the WMU College of Aviation, Charlotte County Airport Authority, City of Punta Gorda, Charlotte County and the Enterprise Charlotte Economic Council.

WMU See page 10

Photos by Jim Jett A mix of business leaders, potential investors and startup company owners attended the Fusion Pointe annual meeting.

According to Startup Genome, startups that get help from strong mentors are seven times more likely to raise investment capital and more than three times more likely to grow a viable customer base.

To provide Southwest Florida businesses with a pipeline to such mentoring and networking opportunities, with the goal of leading to business investors, Fusion Pointe originated two years ago in Southwest Florida. It is a nonprofit organization devoted to encouraging, accelerating and expanding the local innovation economy. The group works with leaders from the private, public and philanthropic communities to connect entrepreneurs with mentors and busi-

ness leaders who can help them scale investor-ready ventures.

Mark Volchek, keynote speaker at the group’s recent annual update meeting and a partner in Las Olas Venture Capital, shared his thoughts on entrepreneurship and the Florida startup ecosystem. The biggest challenges faced by innovators in Florida, he indicated, include: 1) very little capital is currently invested in Florida startups, 2) not enough professional investors are available at every stage of the business life cycle, 3) not enough “bridge” organizations like Fusion Pointe bringing all the parts of the startup process together (i.e. attorneys, accountants, etc.), 4) there is a lot of fraud in Florida, which discourages potential investors, and 5) there are not enough local success stories.

STARTUPS See page 5

Scott Relf, Vice President of the Fusion Point Board, comments on the purpose and progress of the organization since its inception.

Girl Scouts CEO delivers YP Summit keynote Jessica Muroff, CEO of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, will present the keynote at the 2017 Bonita Springs Young Professionals “In Your Future” Summit. Registration is open now for the YP Summit, a half-day educational event hosted by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals.

The goal of the YP Summit is to inspire conversations and equip the region’s emerging leaders with the tools to maximize their positive impact in both their workplace and in

Muroff

the community.

The YP Summit will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Friday, May 12 at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, and will be followed by a Schmoozapalooza social from 4 to 6

p.m.

Muroff serves as the CEO of the Girl Scouts of West Central Flori-

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da, which includes 19,500 girls and 8,500 adult members. She is a founding member of Emerge Tampa Bay Young Professionals, board member for the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay and member of Tampa Bay’s CEO Council and Rotary Club. Prior to her time with the Girl Scouts, Muroff served as the CEO of Frameworks of Tampa Bay. Muroff has held previous roles at Raymond James Financial, Saks Fifth Avenue and Roberts Communications.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

MAY 2017

SALUTE TO ENTREPRENEURS

My Salon Suite sells stylists, not hair dos

My Salon Suite in Naples is bringing a different approach to the hairdressing business. In fact, on its balance sheet it hardly looks like a hair salon at all.

That’s because the business isn’t selling hair styling—it’s selling stylists.

Last year, local owners Scot and Kristen Cummin leased a large retail space at the intersection of Vanderbilt Beach Road and Airport Pulling Road and subdivided the complex into individual salon shops to create a co-working environment for beauty professionals.

Stylists can set-up shop at My Salon Suite, paying rent for the opportunity to operate their own one-person business.

Many of the members or tenants are seasoned salon professionals that have a significant following in the area.

Today, these members are achieving their dreams of business ownership one snip at a time.

Milliner caps her career with fashion difference Sometimes career changing events can bring the best opportunities. After working 28 years in government and not ready to retire, I found myself searching for new avenues that would bring back the passion I once found in public service. I always found in public service that creating something new like a Coalition, community board or community program gave me the greatest feeling of success.

Graduating from high school I had a scholarship for fashion design in New York. My Mom, my hero, raised four children by herself working in a factory standing at a conveyor belt for eight hours. Long story short, expenses for New York were not in the budget, so other career paths came and went from X-ray technician, paramedic and medical office manager while saving for college. I started college at 26 working full time during the day in health planning and full time at night studying Public Administration completing my degree in four years.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, I never dreamed I would be living in Florida but in 1983 I met my soul mate, married and left Pittsburgh. I started my business in 2014 and began designing and creating millinery. I sought established professional milliners for instruction: Elaine Mergard, Hat Academy, Leina Stein, School of Millinery (Ireland), Eug-

enie van Oirschot, Waldtraud Reiner, and Hats for Happiness Australia. My work has been published on the Hat Academy Inspirational site and Pittsburgh Post Gazette. I was asked to participate in the Hats for Happiness project, created by Waltraud Reiner, raising awareness for mental health in Australia. Milliners from all over the world participated and created the book Chaos, which pictures the millinery creations.

“Expression begins at the Top,”

BY KAREN HAWES and wearing a hat completes your apGuest Columnist pearance. Just like the dress if it’s the wrong size, color and shape for your face, you won’t look good. That’s where a professional milliner will custom design and create the new you. In France the “hat” is the new “tattoo.”

Karen Hawes has been instructed by some of the leading milliners in the world. See her work at www.kbspiritdesigns. com and on Etsy

SWFL Enterprise Center raising funds for kitchen Southwest Florida is about to get a 5,000 sq. ft. Commercial Kitchen.

The SWFL Enterprise Center, a business incubator located on Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard in Fort Myers, was first developed in 1998 by the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Department of Community Development.

The center is currently raising funds to complete a near 5,000-square-foot space that could transform the culinary industry in Fort Myers, according to director

Mike Love. “This is an incredible opportunity and the innovative programs we are developing will be life-changing for many members of our community but we still need help to make them happen,” he says.

For more info, go to www.swflenterprisecenter.com. The project includes three areas: • A fully-equipped commercial kitchen with multiple setups and all the tools and equipment that will enable

community members to cost-effectively gain access to a professional and certified commercial kitchen.

• A commercial kitchen media classroom, which will provide critical classroom space and media services as part of a culinary arts learning environment. The SWFEC has already partnered with the University of Florida IFAS Extension and Keiser University to expand their University Extension programs KITCHEN See page 4

MAY 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 3

Southwest Florida entrepreneurs share lessons learned

By Karen Moore SWFBT Publisher

Leadership NEXT, a professional organization for advancing business leaders in Southwest Florida and sponsored by the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, recently hosted a panel discussion among local entrepreneurs. The panel members presented their professional stories, business acumen and experiences.

Panelists Amy O’Mallery, owner of a Creative World School franchise; Aashish Patel, owner of Wooten’s Airboat Tours, Captain Jack’s Airboat Tours, Everglades City Motel and Boca Grande Resort; Bjorn Rosinus, owner of Endeavor Innovative Workspaces and Marc Devisse, owner of Tri-Town Construction, shared their thoughts about launching and expanding a business as well as marketplace and industry challenges and opportunities, and offered leadership advice.

When asked about why they launched their businesses, Rosinus said, “This (Endeavor Innovative Workspaces,) was not my plan. But when the recession settled in, this is what my plan became.”

O’Mallery, now preparing to open her second location in Southwest Florida and hopefully a third by the end of the year, shared, “Our company’s most important value is to always remember that it’s not about the money, it’s about the huge responsibility we have to our clients. We’re caring for their most precious possessions—their children. This means that we’re not just a business—we’re building a ‘family,’ we’re building a community.”

According to Jan-Erik Hustrulid, founding committee member of Leadership NEXT, “The professional journey of each of the featured entrepreneurs is fascinating, and we hope the attendees left the event feeling inspired and encouraged to pursue their business dreams or to further advance in a career they are passionate about.”

Leadership NEXT is a premier networking group for advancing professionals in Southwest Florida. Members represent a variety of businesses and industries throughout the region. The monthly program is designed to provide valuable information and foster collaborative working relationships.

To learn more, go to www.fortmyers.org .

Now planning a 3000 square foot expansion of the existing space, he shared, “We are not just another office rental building. We are all about putting people, ideas, heads together.” He explains, “We put you into an environment to share ideas with other tenants with whom you might find commonalities, and who might even be able to help you and your business down the road.”

When Patel spoke about his lessons learned, he shared, “At first I was exhausting myself trying to save money by micromanaging everything and everyone. Then I realized that I must not only delegate to others, but truly empower them.” He adds, “I’ve come to realize that there’s no right or wrong way to do things; everyone needs to be able to choose the path for themselves to accomplish the task at hand based on THEIR competencies— not YOUR competencies.”

In response to the question about his company’s most important value, Devisse quickly responded, “Having ethics: every day I strive to instill in my team the importance of doing the right thing, choosing people over profits, going the extra mile.”

Armstrong offers leadership experiences in ‘Tales From the Top’ C. Michael Armstrong, retired Chair and Director Emeritus of Comcast and former Chair CEO of AT&T, was the keynote speaker at The Guild of the Neighborhood Health Clinic’s annual meeting held on April 30 at Royal Poinciana.

During the presentation to more than 110 Guild members and guests, Armstrong shared his presentation “Tales from the Top,” focusing on perseverance,

SUMMIT PAGE 1 The Summit will feature four workshops with topics themed around developing as a leader in the workplace.

The workshop speakers are: Altony Lee, director of Major Gifts at Florida Gulf Coast University; Brad Davidson, director of Training and Sevelopment at the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association; Brian Willett, vice president of Operations at Dale Carnegie Training Southwest Florida; and Samantha Scott, president of Pushing the Envelope.

Lee’s workshop is titled “Elevate Your Brand and Image.” It will focus on how young professionals can use creativity and technology to improve their personal brands and upgrade their resumes and interview skills. The workshop is designed for young executives in all stages of their career path.

Davidson’s workshop, “The Intangible Similarities of Successful People,” will discuss the many ways young professionals can set themselves apart as great employees, from preparedness to taking responsibilities “to the fullest extent,” to creating quality finished work products.

“Leadership Development: Building Trust, Credibility and Respect” is Willett’s workshop. Attendees will work in small groups to identify the core values they believe impact trust, credibility and respect, and then discuss how to work with those values in their own lives.

Scott’s workshop is called “Giving and Getting: Making Mutually Beneficial Connections.” It will help attendees get better at creating and building professional relationships.

Attendees will have the opportunity to attend two workshops before Muroff presents the keynote speech.

Tickets are available now for the YP Summit. Individuals can register online at www.BonitaSpringsChamber.com for $55 until May 5. Sponsorships are available for interested Bonita Springs Area Chamber businesses starting at $750.

ingenuity and success from his experience as a leader across several industries, including: 30 years at IBM during the introduction of the personal computer and the microprocessor operating on DOS through the Microsoft partnership; Hughes Aerospace Electronics CEO working with US defense contracts while the collapse of the Soviet Union caused a 37-percent decrease in the defense budget; Johns Hopkins Med-

icine (retired Chair of the Board of Trustees) where he formed the Armstrong Institute for Patience Safety and Quality to reduce preventable harm, infections transmitted during hospital procedures; and Armstrong currently serves on the boards of Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Telluride Foundation, Marine Corps Foundation, Artis—Naples and as Treasurer for the Neighborhood Health Clinic.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

MAY 2017

SALUTE TO ENTREPRENEURS

Salute to hard work of (some) small businesses I don’t sell wills, trusts,

By Michael Pfeffer Guest Columnist The title is a little misleading. I take my hat off to anyone that has the courage and tenacity to own and operate a small business.

Unless you have been there, there is no way to understand the level of commitment and work involved, or what it is like to worry about an impending payroll, or managing the various relationships with customers, vendors, bankers, professional advisors and referral sources.

As a business appraiser and business broker, I am most frustrated when I am unable to help a small business owner realize the maximum return for all of the blood, sweat, tears and time invested in building a business.

The reasons are many, but, fortunately, most are preventable. As mentioned in an earlier article, when business owners approach a business broker it is usually too early or too late. Too early because they have not prepared the business, themselves and/or the other interested parties for a transition. Too late because, too often, something unexpected has happened and they did not have a contingency plan in place.

My philosophy is straight-forward; Always Be Ready. That way, if someone makes an offer to buy your business, you can say no…. or yes… or maybe.

The key is if you are ready, you have options. When you have options, you are most likely to realize the

KITCHEN PAGE 2 utilizing the Commercial Kitchen space.

• An artisanal bakery that

greatest return on your investment and you can transition on your terms and not someone else’s or due to some unexpected circumstance.

So what does it take to be ready? There are many factors that come into play—too many to cover thoroughly in this short article. But there are some critical elements that have a great impact on the final result. First of all, know what

BY MICHAEL your business is worth. Have PFEFFER a professional business valuaGuest Columnist tion done periodically—every year or two, or when there is a major event that affects the value. At the very least, have a local business broker prepare an opinion of value report so you at least have a ballpark idea. Otherwise, how will you know if an offer is fair?

Secondly, make sure your books are in order. You can only fix what you measure and if you cannot back up your claims with regard to your earnings, nobody will pay you for them.

Run a “clean” operation. At the very least, make sure you can accurately account for perks, such as owner’s life insurance, auto, travel, meals and entertainment, charitable giving etc. You might be SALUTE See page 11

will provide local restaurants, delis and coffee shops fresh baked goods on a daily basis. Other guiding purposes for the bakery will be a program that will provide a path to success for those re-entering the community from incarceration.

“It is our belief that local businesses should be at the core of any worthwhile endeavor designed to empower those in our community that are willing to work and learn new skills,” said Love.

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I educate my customers Nobody likes to sit down with an attorney to discuss taxes, complicated family relationships and their future demise. So I don’t do that.

Then again, I’m not your typical estate planning attorney. I don’t focus on selling clients trusts and wills.

In my client’s eye, legal documents are nothing more than commodities—like a bushel of corn or a barrel of crude. To the layman, wills and trusts are indistinguishable from what the attorney down the street prepares or what’s available with online document preparation software.

So how do I approach estate planning? Authors Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore write in The Experience Economy that when businesses orchestrate memorable experiences for their customers,

BY CRAIG HERSCH the memory itself—the experience—becomes the product.

Guest Columnist What I deliver to my clients is an educational experience that begins the moment they contact my office. I package my wisdom and experience not in an advertisement touting my firm’s prestige but through tangible deliverables that offer educational information available at their fingertips.

Through these deliverables and one-on-one communication, we gauge our clients’ mindset so that we have a mutual understanding of their goals and concerns. Whether they consider a relationship with their legal team to be important and necessary reveals whether we can move forward together to deliver a custom plan with revolutionary solutions.

But it’s not about obscuring my wisdom to make it seem like I’m the only one that can help. That’s a trick many attorneys often employ. I constantly develop innovative content that my clients can easily digest.

Rather than build a website about myself, I focus on showcasing materials that speak to the personal interests of my clients and prospective clients. Media such as videos, webinars, blogs and podcasts help enhance that client experience. What I aim to create is called a “value creation monopoly,” which is a uniquely positive client experience that can’t be found anywhere else at any price.

I accomplish this through two trademarked processes, The Family Estate & Legacy Program geared toward estate planning and The Estate Settlement Program for estate administration. Each is a seven-module process providing clients with a lifetime of confidence, comfort and clarity.

Craig R. Hersch, a partner with Sheppard, Brett, Stewart, Hersch, Kinsey & Hill, is the author of three books, Common Cents Estate Planning, Legal Matters When a Loved One Dies, and The Florida Residency & Estate Planning Guide. For more information, visit www.estateprograms.com.

MAY 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 5

CenturyLink Cybersecurity Executive keynotes tech awards R. David (Dave) Mahon, chief security officer for CenturyLink and a former supervisory special agent with the FBI, will be the keynote speaker at the 9th annual Technology Awards presented by the Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership.

Mahon’s presentation will be “Cybersecurity Best practices and proactive strategies to mitigate threats.”

Mahon’s presentation centers on understanding that breaches will occur and how security executives must work with senior leaders and boards of directors to assess value, measure costs and identify risk to then properly architect and implement a comprehensive security program. Topics will include perspective from a board of directors, balancing threats versus compliance, dealing with ever increasing regulatory and litigation actions and how to develop a cyber risk management strategy.

Mahon was appointed chief security officer for

CenturyLink in April 2011. He is responsible for enterprise wide security strategy, information security, cyber defense, critical infrastructure protection, physical security, network fraud and abuse, industrial security, international travel security, threat intelligence, workplace violence prevention, Mahon executive protection, investigations and liaison with the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Council, National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, as well as federal and state law enforcement and homeland security agencies.

Before the merger with CenturyLink, Mahon was the vice president of corporate security for Qwest Communications International from August 2006 until March 2011 and responsible for similar corporate security programs that he is currently re-

SALUTE TO ENTREPRENEURS

SCORE to host counseling sessions

SCORE to host one-hour counseling sessions on May 6 as part of a SCORE Naples Small Business Academy event. A counselor of attendees choice will offer free expert advice on how to start up, run or grow a small business.

Naples SCORE is a group of over 70 small business mentors who are experts in their fields, averaging over 30 years of experience as small business men or women or senior corporate executives in manufacturing, finance, marketing, IT, human resources and other fields.

An hour of time in a mentoring session plus follow up meetings can materially improve the likelihood of success or generate ideas that can dramatically increase the size and/or profitability of a business, officials said. If you need help in social media marketing, raising capital, planning for growth, improving your margins, hiring and retaining talent, or setting up your business, SCORE wants to help.

SCORE mentors will be available from 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. on May 6 at the SCORE office in the Fifth Third Bank building on Goodlette Road in Naples.

Set your priorities in life and career Leaving a high-profile corporate career when my daughter was born in 1992 is one of the best decisions I’ve made, not only because Anna is so important to me, but also because it led me to start my business.

Shortly after Anna was born, I decided to start a home-based business, and I named the company Priority Marketing because it is based on my priorities: God, family and work.

Twenty-five years later, I am so grateful to the clients who have trusted their business’s success to me and my team. As Anna grew, the business grew and I now have 30 employees at Priority Marketing.

We have been blessed to serve a wide variety of clients, including many Southwest Florida businesses who are thriving today, and it’s gratifying to be part of their success. It’s also very rewarding to be able to give back to our hometown community and I’m proud of the fact we have donated approximately $2 million in pro bono or discounted services since the company’s inception.

Our full-service marketing and public relations firm has seen its share of challenges, as well as opportunities, but I believe there is always a solution. That is something I preach as a leader, and it comes from the heart. At Priority Marketing, we implement that philosophy every

single day. Before the recession, we made our tagline “Will Work for Solutions,” because it speaks to our core values as a company and what we do for our clients, whether we are seeking out new opportunities or tackling challenges

BY TERI HANSEN like the recession head-on.

Guest Columnist I am thankful for the lesson-filled years, including the recession years, because that is the foundation we are building on today. Priority Marketing is always focused on the future, which is how we stay relevant in a rapidly changing world, and we look forward to serving our clients each and every day.

Teri Hansen is president and creative director of Priority Marketing of Southwest Florida, the region’s largest full service marketing, advertising and public relations firm, which she founded in 1992. In all, Hansen has been honored with more than 150 local, state, national and international awards.

sponsible for at CenturyLink.

Prior to his corporate security positions, Mahon was a supervisory special agent with the FBI and responsible for investigating violations of federal statutes in which the Internet, computer systems and networks were exploited as the targets of terrorist organizations, foreign government sponsored intelligence operations or criminal activities. During his career with the FBI, he also managed programs related to white collar crime, crisis management, critical infrastructure protection and violent crime.

The awards dinner is May 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza at Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers.

The RTP produces the only technology awards event in southwest Florida and recognizes businesses and professionals with awards for Innovention, Transformation, Women in Technology and Partnership.

CenturyLink is the Pinnacle sponsor of the RTP and the Premier sponsors are Hertz, eMaint and 21st Century Oncology.

STARTUPS PAGE 1 To help startups struggling with these challenges, Fusion Pointe currently has 15 companies mentored by over 30 business leaders.

The “mentee” companies receive advice on strategic goals, execution, financial projections, valuations, team building and investment strategy. Workshops have been held on a variety of topics, highlighting local subject matter experts who offer both value and experience to Southwest Florida business innovators.

According to John Gamba, president of MassiveU, “Fusion Pointe helps entrepreneurs navigate the early stages of venture development from starting up to forming a management team to preparing for growth and sustainability. The group is made up of successful entrepreneurs, mentors and networkers and is backed by a proven venture development model.”

For more information, contact team@fusionpointe.org or visit www.fusionpointe.org.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

MAY 2017

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

The Charlotte County Airport Authority awarded the contract for expansion of its Rent A Car facility to Vantage Construction Services, a commercial general contractor. This CCAA RAC project will take place at the Punta Gorda Airport.

The multi-phased project, approved by the Charlotte County Airport Au-

thority, encompasses revisions to the current car rental facility and conversion of an existing, adjacent aircraft hangar to create additional rental car counter space and offices. The work includes structural modifications, updates to mechanical, electrical, plumbing systems and new finishes and will be managed without disruption of the daily car rental business operations.

This expansion is necessary due to the tremendous growth at the Punta Gorda Airport.

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EastGroup is building SunCoast Commerce Center IV.

Industrial spec building marks Fort Myers recovery EastGroup is building SunCoast Commerce Center IV, a 92,558-squarefoot multi-tenant building that will be available for occupancy in May. The building has extensive frontage along Interstate-75 south of Luckett Road in the Fort Myers/Lee County Enterprise Zone, a tax-advantaged area where development is encouraged.

“This is the next phase of development in our SunCoast Commerce Center because we believe the economic recovery in Southwest Florida is now on solid ground,” said John Coleman, senior vice president of the Florida regional office of EastGroup, which is investing $9 million in the Fort Myers building.

Already, Mattress Firm has agreed to lease 25,000 square feet in SunCoast Commerce Center IV. “Quality and flexibility are key to fast-growing tenants who have to adjust to market opportunities,” said Coleman. “Many companies are looking to expand or consolidate their operations and they need space right away.”

EastGroup is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the U.S. with an emphasis in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. EastGroup’s portfolio, including development projects in leaseup and under construction, currently includes 38 million square feet.

“Large blocks of new industrial space are virtually nonexistent in the Southwest Florida market as fastgrowing businesses have filled much of the available space,” said Jerry

“

Large blocks of new industrial space are virtually nonexistent in the Southwest Florida market as fast-growing businesses have filled much of the available space.

“

Vantage Construction selected for airport project

– Jerry Messonnier, Principal with Lee & Associates

Messonnier, principal with Lee & Associates, the brokerage firm tasked with leasing the building. He estimates less than 5 percent of the warehouse space in Fort Myers is available today.

Much of the space that remains available currently in the Southwest Florida warehouse market is obsolete, says Derek Bornhorst, senior vice president with Lee & Associates.

“Trucks need space to maneuver and deliver their goods efficiently onto elevated loading docks and SunCoast Commerce Center IV offers all the amenities of a modern distribution center, from power systems to sprinklers, ramps and bay spacing,” he said.

SunCoast Commerce Center along I-75 is already home to one fully leased industrial building and there’s room for four more after the second one is built.

“We are long-term owners of industrial buildings and parks and we like to grow with pro-business communities such as Fort Myers and Lee County,” says Coleman, who notes that the company has enough land in Fort Myers to build 1 million square feet.

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swfloridabusinesstoday.com

MAY 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 7

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

Common Area Maintenance 101 for SWFL business tenants In the world of commercial lease agreements, common area maintenance (CAM) expenses are outlined in several different ways within the legal document. As a rule, CAM typically pertains to multi-tenant office, retail and industrial properties involved in a rental agreement.

In Southwest Florida, some landlord’s use extensive and definitive language and examples to fully recapture their costs for management, maintenance, repairs and replacements of their commercial space for rent, while others address it briefly and leave much room for interpretation when it comes to a disputed pass through.

CAM Clauses This part of the commercial property for lease agreement is probably the most misunderstood of all lease clauses.

CAM, by definition, will include: • Real estate taxes • Landlord’s insurance costs • Maintenance and repair items that include, but are not limited to, HVAC repairs, maintenance and “replacement” • Utility costs for electricity, wa-

ter, sewer, trash removal, recycling, relamping and reballasting lighting fixtures • Labor and/or wages for personnel hired exclusively for the property • Management and administrative

BY PAM K. VAN costs VLECK • Costs Guest Columnist of independent contractors hired to repair, maintain and operate the property • Supplies and janitorial • Window and pressure cleaning • Telephone and monitoring costs • Elevator repairs and maintenance • Security costs • Maintenance, replacement, resurfacing or repaving the parking lot areas • Landscaping, materials, tree trimming, pest control, fertilization

• Accounting fees and legal services • Inspection and consulting services • Signage and directory costs • Building painting, and roof repairs, maintenance and replacement • Capital costs for replacements are normally amortized over the useful life of the improvement.

Common Areas vs. Interior Leased Premises There is a distinction between CAM costs outlined above for the “common areas” of the landlord’s property and the “interior of the leased premises,” which landlords in the Southwest Florida region will expect the tenant to maintain and repair, excluding the structure, as a rule.

If a landlord from time to time makes available additional land not presently part of the property for parking or other common area purposes, then the CAM shall also include all expenses incurred by the landlord in connection with the operating, maintenance and repair of those additional common areas. The tenant will be responsible to pay their

GATES Construction finishes Blackjack Pizza & Salads

The vascular surgeons suite in the Medical Office Building at Cape Coral Hospital was completely renovated.

GATES Construction completed the interior build-out of a new restaurant, Blackjack Pizza & Salads, located in the new Askar Center of Bonita Springs. GATES also constructed the 7,500 SF Askar Center of

proportionate share of these expenses.

CAM Reconciliation Normally, within 90 to 120 days after year-end, the landlord’s Southwest Florida property management company or accountant will prepare a reconciliation of CAM. The amount due, if the total expenses came in higher than estimated or if the expenses were less (credit), are then provided to the tenant in the form of a CAM credit forward or an “amount due” with the next payment of rent charges.

The lease agreement is a powerful document that creates binding language, so it doesn’t matter what was “discussed” or “promised” before you signed the lease. The key to fully understanding the CAM language of any lease is to seek the appropriate legal advice.

Read the entire document carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Pamela K. Van Vleck is the chief operating officer and director of Property Management at Cushman &Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida. Contact her at 239-675-3224 or pvanvleck@cpswfl.com.

Bonita Springs for Askar Properties located on South Tamiami Trail in Bonita Springs that houses the pizzeria. Founded in Colorado, Blackjack Pizza & Salads has 42 locations in six states, with its first Florida locations in Bonita Springs and south Tampa.

Blackjack Pizza & Salads was founded in Denver in 1983 and acquired by Askar Brands in 2012.

Cape Coral Hospital renovations completed

R.D. Johnson Construction has completed construction management services for the renovation of a 2,982-square-foot space within Cape Coral Hospital, located on Del Prado Boulevard in Cape Coral.

The project included a complete interior renovation of the vascular surgeons suite in the Medical Office Building at Cape Coral Hospital.

Also, the project included construction of a new storefront entrance with the addition of a handicap accessible ramp.

R.D. Johnson’s Aaron Harder was the project manager and John Crocillo was the superintendent. Burt Hill of Pollock Krieg Architects was the project architect and OCI Associates provided engineering services.

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Page 8

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

MAY 2017

SALUTE TO ENTREPRENEURS

Capt’n Fishbones still endures at Shell Factory

Entrepreneur sets high home watch standards

Many have come and many have gone, but Capt’n Fishbones Seafood Grill has endured a number of economic downturns, the current saturation of new restaurants and even some nasty hurricanes.

Through it all, Capt’n Fishbones remains a great place to entertain friends and family alike.

As part of The Number 1 Family Entertainment Destination IN SW Florida, this hidden jewel in North Fort Myers continues to thrive. With a very popular Nature Park, 68,000-square-foot Retail Store and a refurbished Fun Park, it’s easy to see how Capt’n Fishbones might get lost in the mix. But one stop for the world famous Fish Fry or that special beverage at the All Day Everyday Happy Hour and you will become an instant regular.

The main dining room features a world class collection of preserved Florida Fish specimens along with some world-class menu items from local Grouper to delicious Prime Rib. Serving lunch and dinner, you can dine inside or out at two of the open air Cafe’s. The Swamp Patio boasts everyday entertainment and is located adjacent to the Fun Park. Just think, you can keep an eye on the kids and still enjoy that favorite adult beverage.

If you would rather watch your four legged friends play, DogBones Caf’e is just the place for you. Full dining and beverage service is available at a venue which is known as a local hotspot.

The Shell Factory Dolphin Room and Party House provide the perfect setting for your event. From weddings to birthday parties, The Shell Factory staff can make your event a real hit. With on-site video/audio equipment, along with costume and props for themed events, The Shell Factory can make your dream event come true. The Dolphin Room also plays host to The Del Prados and Single Mingle with music by Erich. Gumbo Fest, Easter, Halloween, and St Patrick’s Day, headline a number of Family Friendly events tailored for guests of all ages.

Additionally, The Dolphin Room provides the perfect location for that next Corporate Sales Meeting, Awards Ceremony, or just an employee get together. Both our Restaurant General Manager, and Event Sales Manager, will work closely with any business to insure a successful experience.

More than just a dining destination for locals and visitors, Capt’n Fishbones Seafood Grill can insure any Event, Special Occasion, or Corporate Meeting, will always leave your guests wanting to visit again.

Visit www.shellfactory.com for event information and a schedule of all The Shell Factory’s future Family Events.

When seasonal residents leave their Southwest Florida homes for cooler climates, many of them will be forced to return to home disasters this summer. Leaking roofs, broken air conditioners, rapidly spreading mold and a host of other homeowner nightmares will keep Southwest Florida contractors busy this summer. But longtime entrepreneur Diane Pisani, founder of Naples-based Your Home Watch Professionals, is building a network of highly trained homewatch experts across Southwest Florida to spot small problems before they create mayhem while residents are away.

Pisani is the author of The Ultimate Home Watch Interview Guide, an essential guide to help residents find the right home-watch professional. Years of firsthand experience in the business led her to develop rigorous new standards in an unregulated industry that has been plagued by amateurs preying on seasonal residents.

“Florida won’t let a barber cut your hair without a license, but the home-watch industry is completely unregulated,” Pisani said. “Your Home Watch Professionals completes thorough background checks and requires extensive and ongoing training for all its affiliates so residents can have peace of mind when they’re away.”

Using GPS-enabled software with a customized home checklist on a mobile device, highly trained home-watch experts affiliated with Your Home Watch Professionals create a detailed report on a secure website after each visit. Homeowners will know the experts performed the home-watch visit because the GPS software can’t be accessed unless they are at your home.

Relying on the kindness of a neighbor or trusting a condo clerk with the keys to one of your biggest investments is a common mistake seasonal residents make. “Most people are not trained to look out for

By Jean Gruss Guest Correspondent

Naples entrepreneur Diane Pisani founded Your Home Watch Professionals to bring rigorous standards to an unregulated industry. She is the author of The Ultimate Home Watch Interview Guide. the little problems that can turn into giant headaches,” says Pisani. “Sadly, some seasonal residents call us after disaster strikes.”

For example, mold can quickly destroy a home if someone isn’t trained to spot it early. A minor moldremediation can cost $15,000, but serious cases can cost more than $35,000. Worse, some homeowners’ insurance policies won’t cover the damage unless owners can prove someone was actively watching the home while they were away.

Southwest Florida residents can find a home-watch professional by typing their ZIP code in the online search tool at http://yourhwp.com/affiliates/. Click on the photos of each professional to read a short biography and get contact information.

Founded in 2009, Your Home Watch Professionals offers comprehensive training to entrepreneurs seeking to launch and operate a home-watch business. The Naples-based company provides a network of referrals for independently owned home-watch businesses that have passed background tests and completed rigorous training requirements. For more information visit www.yourhwp.com.

Leveraging education, best practices to benefit you Eric J. Gall distinguishes himself from other business brokers and M&A intermediaries by continually seeking to improve the processes, methods and tools he uses to complete business transactions. He does this by focusing on education, certifications and best practices. Perfecting his craft placed him in the top 1 percent of over 900 Business Brokers of Florida members in 2016 deal volume.

Education Gall has completed many courses offered by Business Brokers Network, BBF, BBF Tampa Region, M&A Source and International Business Brokers Association.

He also has a MBA with a finance concentration from the University of Michigan.

Certifications Gall obtained the prestigious Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (CM&AP) certification from Kennesaw State University in 2015. He is the only CM&AP in Southwest Florida, uniquely qualifying him in the region to handle lower middle market transactions valued over $1 million. The CM&AP teaches all phases of lower middle market transactions including M&A strategy, transaction validation, diligence, financial analysis, valuation and deal structure. Lower middle market sellers, buyers and advisors are more sophisticated than main street counterparts. Therefore, a specialized approach is required to successfully prepare and execute lower middle market transactions.

Gall will obtain his Certified Business Intermediary

designation on May 9. To obtain his CBI, he completed eight courses and tests. The last step is to take the final exam at IBBA’s conference in Dallas, TX. He will be one of only two active CBIs in Southwest Florida; the other CBI specializes in selling one type of business.

Best Practices Gall is the American Business Brokers Association’s

BY ERIC J. GALL Best Practices Forum Leader.

Guest Columnist He chairs a monthly meeting amongst twelve of the nation’s most successful brokers where all aspects of business brokerage and M&A are discussed. Insights gained from other brokers have allowed him to hone his set of processes, methods and tools to be among the best in the country.

Investing time and money in education, certifications and best practices has demonstrated a tremendous return not only to Gall, but to his clients who have successfully transacted businesses at a much higher rate than the industry average.

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

MAY 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 9

Which social media platform is best to use for my business?

Social media can positively impact your business once you choose the right social platforms. Statistics and demographics of the most popular social platforms can help you with your choice. Once you determine the best ones for your business, then you can focus on engaging your followers by creating post that resonates with your audience to keep them engaged to your brand.

Millions of social media users have at least 2 to 3 social platforms they follow for distinctive purposes.

You can decide based on your business focus which ones will bring the greatest result. Based on “We are Social” Report Jan 2017, here are the top social platforms: Facebook is reigning supreme compared to other social platforms. I find their “Business Page Manager App” useful in postings pictures and videos along with staying on top on my analytics and the ability to add “action buttons” for my followers. Make sure you post pictures which will give you 2.3-times higher engagement rate than posts without pictures.

About 79 percent of the U.S. uses Facebook, which is a 7-percent increase from 2015 (Pew). Users consist of 52 percent women and 48 percent men. The high-

est users are ages 25-34 at 26 percent.

If you are interested in engaging millennials, Instagram would be a great social platform to start with. It is easy to add photos and short video posts of your products. An interesting fact, if you include posts with faces, you will have 38 percent more likes than photos not showing faces. I like that it is mostly a mobile

BY JANETH P. application and that I can add RAMIREZ hashtags to increase my reach.

Guest Columnist Some 38 percent of the U.S. uses it, which consists of 38 percent women and 26 percent men. The highest users are ages 18-34 at 60 percent.

A very popular social platform currently used by our President is Twitter. I find its simplistic way of writing short texts with links, images and videos quite refreshing. It has actually reached a plateau but still has some power behind it. It has almost 4 times more

KGT attends remodeler roundtable

KGT Remodeling owners Theresa and Greg Ulrich recently attended a Remodeler’s Roundtable in Corvallis, Oregon. The industry Case Study meeting and think tank conference was hosted by Henderer Design + Build, a leader in their field. Eleven remodeling companies from across the nation met in Corvallis to provide each other with input and advice on how to continually improve the services and products each company offers.

During the case study, executive’s group members analyzed the host business from the inside. They reviewed systems and procedures, interviewed staff and uncovered the strengths and weaknesses of the company. The group had chosen the host company to visit through a vote at a prior meeting.

The Remodelers Advantage Roundtables is a program of Remodelers Advantage, a Laurel, Maryland-based business that offers remodeling company owners and employees services designed to keep them at the cutting edge of business excellence.

“We always gain insight and new techniques to help us better serve our clients,” said Greg Ulrich. “This think tank roundtable opens our eyes to how other businesses in the country continually improve, evolve and grow.”

KGT Remodeling, the six-time Sand Dollar Award winning firm and 2015 CBIA Remodeler of the Year, is a licensed and insured residential remodeling company with over 45 years of experience. Their goal in every project is complete customer satisfaction by sharing their ‘5-Point Promise’ which includes: prompt and clear communication; listening, advising, and adding value; excellence in design and workmanship; custom client portal; and a clean jobsite.

international users than U.S. users. Thirty-nine percent of the U.S. uses Twitter, which consists of 25 percent women and 24 percent men. Users 50 years old and younger make up 30% of those who use Twitter.

If you are looking for a more business-to-business social platform, LinkedIn would be the best option.

I like the ability to connect with known professionals via posts, links, and even blogs. It is also a great recruiting tool for businesses as well as keeping your connections informed about products and services. It rates 33% higher for adults between 30 and 40 years old. About 46 percent online are adults who have college degrees. About 27 percent of the U.S. uses it, which consists of 31 percent men and 27 percent women.

In my experience, the use of two or three social platforms can be an effective Social Media marketing plan due to the overlapping of age group users. I recommend having Facebook as one of those you chose due to its well-known brand and its billion users.

Janeth P. Ramirez is the social media coordinator for CareerSource Southwest Florida. You can reach her at jramirez@careersourcesouthwestflorida.com.

SALUTE TO ENTREPRENEURS

Stamp your small business passport I’ve stamped my small business passport— have you?

Southwest Florida is full of small businesses, and they are a vital part of the area’s economy.

Per the 2016 State of Small Business Report, Florida’s small businesses employed 43.2 percent of the state’s employees last year and created three out of every four Floridian jobs.

In my roles with the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council, I understand how important these entities are for our economy, but in my role as a lifelong resident of Fort Myers, I understand what they bring to our community. There is something special about spending time in a café, kayak or dentist’s chair (maybe not that one) when you know it is owned by a group of people who love what they do.

From advertising to Zumba instruction, I guarantee that in Southwest Florida you can find a fit for your needs that is local, high-quality and run by a relatively small team.

What are some ways you can get to know these fantastic entities?

Check out the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Directory, at www.bonitaspringschamber.com/search. There, you will find a categorized list of our members, and you

can learn about what our area has to offer.

You can also attend one of our ribbon cuttings. The Chamber hosts free-to-attend ribbon cuttings with new members all the time.

You don’t have to be a Chamber member to find these on our website and attend the grand openings of exciting new

BY TIFFANY businesses.

ESPOSITO Finally, spread the Guest Columnist word about the great businesses you interact with. Word of mouth is an effective way for you to support the small businesses you love, and help other people support them as well.

This weekend, go small. Visit Southwest Florida’s small businesses.

Tiffany Esposito is president and CEO of the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council. Contact her at tiffany@bonitaspringschamber.com.

IN BUSINESS SINCE 2011

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

MAY 2017

SALUTE TO ENTREPRENEURS

It is important to make everyone feel appreciated and significant As a business development liaison for Nu World Title, Madelin Espino takes pride in “establishing lasting relationships that will have a positive and rewarding impact for the commonwealth of all.” Her goal is to build rapport with each and everyone she meets, by gaining their trust through consistency, and integrity with superior customer service.

Drawing from over 20 years of passion for the real estate industry, with many years of marketing, public relations, and representing a wide array of clients from commercial to residential, from being a buyers agent, to a sellers agent, to originating loans, her final touch to the real estate sector is to assist realtors, sellers, buyers and investors navigate the complicated terrain with a smooth real estate transaction by making everyone feel appreciated and significant.

Espino’s philosophy in real estate is: “Buying and selling real estate is one of the biggest decision people make.

There are no small or big clients; everyone is important and need to be valued.”

Espino is involved with some of the best organizations on the west coast of Florida, The Women’s Council of Re-

CHEF PAGE 1 at the bequest of Four Seasons General Manager José Silva. Le Squer is known for his exemplary consistency, which earned him 3 Michelin stars for 12 consecutive years. He earned his first Star at the age of 34, working as a chef at the Parisian Grand Hotel’s restaurant, Café de la Paix.

Le Squer’s partnership with the Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee also marks the first collaboration of its kind that the chef has participated in.

“By assembling a team of world renowned chefs, culinary food professionals and mentors and partnering with food scientists from the Univer-

altors, Young Professionals of Fort Myers, Bonita, Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh and Royal Palm Realtors Association, the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

Espino was born in Havana, Cuba, and arrived to the U.S. as an infant. She is not only proud to call Florida her home but understands the importance of making home ownership dreams come true. She is a mom, businesswoman, wrap dress aficionada, and a Namaste lifestyle persona.

In her spare time she loves to travel, and spend time with her friends and family.

A note from Madelin Espino, Nu World Title Business Development Liaison: Almost a year ago I moved to SWFL from Miami excited with a new opportunity in the real estate industry.

A month into working with the company, we knew we weren’t a great fit. I decided to take some time off to learn the SWFL Coast’s Real Estate Industry and all its different ways of doing business.

sity of Florida, we see Immokalee as the epicenter for 21st century food innovation,” said Economic Incubators President Dr. Marshall Goodman, who is overseeing the Culinary Accelerator project. “Having Mr. Le Squer on our team is a testiment to level of professionalism this project has acheived,” Goodman continued.

The Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee is a membership-based commercial kitchen located in Immokalee, Florida. The Accelerator provides essential space, equipment and services for culinary entrepreneurs to bring their products from kitchen to market. The Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee is expected to be complete in Summer of 2017.

Learning more about the different real estate developments, how counties work, how the Realtors do business, what mortgage companies can offer and finally how title companies operate, I felt this side of the coast was missing a bit of creativity in the sector of the title end of business.

Coming from the East Coast where title companies are a dime a dozen, you have to be different to earn a customer.

Thinking of what company I wanted to be a part of to create a footprint in the West Coast that would be able to bring creativity, a bit of pizzazz and a whole lot of red carpet, white glove business etiquette, the only name that stood out in my mind was Nu World Title.

It was an epic moment. Immediately, I reached out to a title specialist I met three years prior, right at the beginning of her career with Nu World Title. We became friends, and although we didn’t see each other often, we made a good connection. It was now 11 p.m. and my fingers did the walking by sending her a text. She replied quickly, and I said to her, I have a vision. I can be your pioneer on the SWFL Coast with Nu World Title. The rest is history.”

WMU PAGE 1 In March, the University received Higher Learning Commission approval allowing WMU to move forward with its plans to launch aviation flight science and aviation management and operations programs, each leading to bachelor’s degrees.

The aviation flight science program will be offered on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College and the Punta Gorda Airport through collaborative efforts with the Charlotte County Airport Authority. The aviation management and operations program will be offered online.

In addition to showing off WMU

aircraft and other aircraft housed at the site, the program also featured speakers including: Dr. Dawn Gaymer, WMU Extended University Programs associate provost; Captain David Powell, WMU College of Aviation dean; Bill Truex, Charlotte County commissioner; Paul Andrews, Charlotte County Airport Authority chair ; Rachel Keesling, Punta Gorda mayor; and Andy Stultz, past president of the Charlotte Economic Council.

In tradition of aviation hospitality, the event included an exchange of “challenge coins” between WMU and community leaders to mark the beginning WMU’s partnership with the Charlotte County community.

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DOING IT RIGHT, FROM THE START

MAY 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 11

Reception hosted for 2017 Distinguished Entrepreneur nominees Spiro & Associates Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations & Brand Architecture hosted a reception for the 6th Annual Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida nominees on April 5 at its downtown Fort Myers office.

More than 125 business leaders, government officials and Spiro & Associates staff, family and friends welcomed the 30 newly selected nominees during the networking-style meet-and-greet and open house.

As the 2016 Distinguished Entrepreneur and a judge of this year’s award winner, CEO/Chief Creative Officer Christopher T. Spiro provided passed hors d’oeuvres and a spread of catered meals by Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery, as well as an open bar of beer and imported wines and live entertainment by local guitarist Obe Gonzalez.

The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University presents the Distinguished Entrepreneur award to business owners from Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties who have overcome obstacles, grown their business through new technologies or assisted other small businesses via mentorship and civic leadership.

“Small business is a world filled with sharp turns and complex occurrences that many have entered and few have mastered,” Spiro said.

SALUTE PAGE 4 surprised to see what some people run through their businesses. If you are less than honest with Uncle Sam, it is difficult for a potential buyer to take you at your word.

Thirdly, it’s not a business until it runs without YOU! Businesses with management in place, that have little reliance on key personnel, have solid policies, processes, systems and the right people in the right jobs are worth much more than those that do

BANK PAGE 1 “Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s ranking attests to our exponential growth and strength in the community we serve,” said Sanibel Captiva Community Bank President and CEO Craig Albert. “Our strong financial performance allows us to give back to the community through financial support and volunteerism for more than 90 Southwest Florida nonprofit organizations, helping make our community even stronger.”

S&P Global Market Intelligence used six metrics to calculate the ranking: pretax return on average tangible common equity; net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans; efficiency ratio; adjusted Texas ratio; net interest margin; and loan growth.

S&P Global Market Intelligence

Entrepreneur of Year Nominees The SBDC Florida Small Business Development Center has revealed the nominees for this year’s Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida Awards. 2017 nominees include: Tanya Veit, AAE Glass LLC; Jeanne Sweeney, Above Board Chamber of Florida; Jeff Poirier, AXI International; Louis Bruno, Bruno Air Conditioning; Jenn Zella, CID Design Group; John Benkert, CPR Tools Inc.; Dan Puleio, Cape Cleaners; Jamilla D. Brooks, Desire To Inspire; Lisa Cochrane, Dorado Property Management; Caryn Smith, CEO, Driven By Design LLC; Dr. Anais Aurora Badia, Florida Skin Center, Inc.; Bradd Konert Jr., Gamma Tech Services, LLC; Michaela Reiterer Henning, Hlevel Architects; David Mulicka, HONC

“Therefore, it is vital that small business owners support one another in their endeavors and work together to make our communities better than when we started. I am fortunate enough to recognize the value of such an opportunity.”

In addition to Spiro, previous winners include Norman Love of Norman Love Confections, Pam

Oakes of DIY Motor City, Felix Lluberes of Position Logic and Gary Mart of Global Tech LED. The award ceremony, encompassing Distinguished Entrepreneur, Distinguished Small Business Advocate and Distinguished Innovator of the Year, will be May 10 at the Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center in Bonita Springs.

not. Also, businesses with recurring revenue, whether through contracts or a history of repeat business, are much more attractive. Make sure your business is not dependent only on you or a few of your employees.

It’s too risky.

Lastly, (for this article) prepare for the unexpected.

What would happen to the value of the business if something happened to your or one of your key employees? Do you have adequate insurance in place?

Do you have employment agreements with non-compete clauses and, perhaps, “golden handcuffs”? If you have more than one owner, do you have a buy/sell or

cross-purchase agreement? If so, when was the last time it was updated? Does it define how the value of the business is determined?

These are just a few of the many important factors a small business owner needs to consider so they are always ready. Do not leave money on the table – make sure you end up with what you deserve.

Senior Director of Global Financial Institutions J.P. O’Sullivan noted in a statement: “The performance of the finalists is extremely impressive, especially in such a competitive banking environment. Community banks and credit unions are an integral part of their local economies, helping people and businesses access credit and drive dollars back into the community. Each of these institutions has demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence, and the results speak for themselves.”

Eligibility required a loan-to-asset ratio of at least 33 percent, with no more than half of those loans from credit cards. Companies also needed to be well-capitalized according to current regulatory standards, and no more than half the institution’s revenue could come from nontraditional banking activities.

Did you know ... that SWFBT highlights: • • • •

DESTRUCTION; Carleen McIlveen, Imagine By Carleen Inc.; Kirk McFee, Kirk’s Coney Island; Bess Charles, LadyCakes Bakery; Lori S. Adams, Lori’s Movin and Groovin for Lori Adams Enterprises, LLC; Lourdes McLeod, McLeod’s Construction, Paint & Restoration LLC; Guido A Minaya, Minaya Learning Global Solutions LLC; Misty Kinzel, Misty’s Sunshine Cleaning LLC; Keith Daubmann, MY Shower Door/D3 Glass; Lora Mccann, Peace of Mind Patient Advocacy, LLC; Andreas Dolleschal, Smargasy Inc.; Brian Rist, Storm Smart, Inc.; Gavin Cresswell, Str8 Up Aviation; Carline Proux, The CarlionCo; Samuel Lewis, Wear The Fund LLC; and Christopher Gregg Fous, WooBamboo!

Breaking Business News B2B Events Calendar Photo Galleries Commercial Real Estate Directory • Professionals who are “Going Places” ... and much more at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com

Michael Pfeffer is a board certified intermediary, certified business appraiser and certified exit planning advisor with Murphy Business & Financial Services.

For a business dining experience with Old Florida charm,

Capt’n Fishbones Seafood Grill is the place FEATURING • World class collection of preserved Florida fish specimens • Two open air cafes • The Swamp Patio offers entertainment everyday

MENU CHOICES • World famous fish fry • Locally caught grouper • Delicious prime rib • Everything in between!

We can accommodate every kind of business event, including business luncheons, corporate meetings, and employee celebrations.

Serving up Good Food & Southern Charm!

Located at the Shell Factory: 2787 N. Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) | (239) 995-2141 Open for lunch and dinner, inside and outside, seven days a week!

Go to www.shellfactory.com for details

Page 12

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

MAY 2017

Two companies split $50,000 prize at VenturePitch SWFL Five of Southwest Florida’s most dynamic entrepreneurs pitched their business plan to a seasoned, local investor panel at the Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda in hopes of winning up to $50,000 of equity investments.

Tamiami Angel Funds partnered with the Sun Newspapers to encourage entrepreneurs from Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee and Sarasota counties to submit business plans to VenturePitch SWFL. The first Place award, a $25,000 equity investment made available by Adrenaline Venture Fund, went to BooqSmart, a Lee county company. The local host

award, a $25,000 equity investment made available by Sun Newspapers, went to Frontline Equipment Technology. Additionally, Front Line Technology took home the sponsor award of $5,000, made available by North Port Economic Development Corporation.

Representatives from each company were allotted 10 minutes on stage to make their pitch to a panel of judges including Nuzzle CEO and Co-founder Anthony Dubbaneh, BRIDGE Angel Investors Co-founder Sam Guren, Farr Law Firm President David Holmes, and Bank of America Senior Vice Presi-

dent and Senior Client Manager Julie Schmelzle.

“These kinds of events bring together entrepreneurs and investors who are critical to the future economic growth of the Southwest Florida region,” said Timothy Cartwright, chairman of Tamiami Angel Funds. “The support from the local community in sponsorships, community partners and ticket sales indicate entrepreneurship is alive and well in Punta Gorda and Charlotte County.”

The VenturePitch SWFL series is part of the Tamiami Angel Funds’ e.co initiative to build a strong en-

trepreneurial ecosystem from Sarasota to Naples. Modeled after the popular Shark Tank television show, entrepreneurs make a brief pitch to seasoned investors on stage in front of an audience.

Tamiami Angel Fund I, Tamiami Angel Fund II, and Tamiami Angel Fund III are member-managed funds that allow high-net-worth individuals and families to invest in promising early stage and expansion-stage companies located in the U.S., with a preference to those in the state of Florida. The funds are members of the Angel Capital Association and the Florida Venture Forum.

Innovation Hub gets new owner, name “It Pays to Advertise!” ✔ Direct Mail Advertising ✔ All Types of Mailing Lists ✔ Postage as Low as 14.2 cents ✔ Fast, Friendly Service Mention this ad and receive

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The Letter Box, Inc. 936 Country Club Blvd.

Cape Coral, FL 33990

Innovation Hub (iHub) in Fort Myers has a new owner and a new name.

ITEC, a privately held company in Naples, closed on the property recently and renamed it Alico ITEC Park – Innovation, Technology, Enterprise, Commerce. The 240-acre parcel near Florida Gulf Coast University’s main campus is south of Southwest Florida International Airport on the soon-to-be four-lane Alico Road — a key to the Park’s strategic location. Construction will begin in the third quarter of 2017.

Alico ITEC Park is home to FGCU’s 25,000-square-foot Emergent Technologies Institute that houses FGCU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship’s Runway Program. The program is an incubator for growing entrepreneurs, offering students access to a wide variety of new technology to help them

research concepts related to a range of growing scientific fields including renewable energy, water quality and engineering. The goal of the facility is to educate and connect entrepreneurs.

ITEC plans to reposition the property to be Southwest Florida’s premier upscale business park. A wider range of end users will be grouped according to the intensity of their proposed use to ensure compatibility. The park’s users will employ eco-conscious practices with a focus on architecture, technology and security, with restrictive covenants in place to protect the users’ investment.

“We are already getting great interest from national, regional and local companies that would benefit from ITEC’s strategic location,” said Paul Hardy, principal of ITEC.