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Medical innovation wins
VenturePitch SWFL brings ideas to Babcock Ranch Special to SWFBT Jacob Ogles, Editor
Salute to Small Business
Local entrepreneurs tell their stories in our annual celebration of commerce in Southwest Florida.
Commercial Real Estate
A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace.
Southwest Florida companies competing within the health and services space faced tough questions about the viability of their inventions and business models during at the most recent installment of VenturePitch SWFL. The event took place in Babcock Ranch. Executives impressed the panel of makeshift magistrates while showcasing plans to revolutionize the walker, regulate holistic medicine dosage and even help stroke victims restore their sight. Judges ultimately split $50,000 in equity investments between Naplesbased Stabilized Steps and Bonita Springs-headquartered Envision Solutions, but not before putting respective presenters Stephanie Gomez and Andrew Maskery through a public interview about their goods. Tim Cartwright, event organiz-
er, said the high-stakes gathering showed the growing startup culture in Southwest Florida. “It’s important to grow the region’s economy and bring innovation,” said Cartwright, a general partner with Adrenaline Venture Fund and chairman of Tamiami Florida Angel Funds. The fledging Babcock Ranch, a fully solar energyrun community, provided a great venue for a VenturePitch event, he said. Gomez, president and co-founder of Naples-based Stabilized Steps, impressed judges with a patented stabilizer allowing users to take walkers over sand, mud, gravel and other varied terrain. The company looks to sell more than 4,700 units this year and to quadruple the amount next year. Gomez said winning the $25,000 in funding at VenturePitch provides a chance to publicize the product. “We have inventory but no money for marketing,” she said. The prize PITCH See page 3
IN THE NEWS
Food is the stuff of these dreams
Badia named S. Florida Small Business Person of the Year
The U.S. Small Business South Florida District Office recently announced the winners of the SBA’s 2018 District and State of Florida Small Business Week Awards, including naming Anais Badia, chief medical officer and owner of Florida Skin Center in Fort Myers, as Small Business Person of the Year for the South Florida District. “This is a celebratory announcement for the entire South Florida region,” said Lynn Douthett, interim district director for the South Florida District Office.
Airbnb announces Charlotte County bed tax agreement
Airbnb announced a tax agreement with Charlotte County that will allow the hospitality rental platform to collect and remit bed taxes on behalf of its local hosts. With the tax agreement in place, the county will be able to benefit from more people visiting Charlotte County and staying longer through home sharing. Effective May 1, Airbnb will automatically collect and remit local bed taxes for all taxable bookings on the Airbnb platform in the County, making the process seamless and easy for both Airbnb hosts and the City. TAX See page 4
Photo by Jacob Ogles Stephanie Gomez of Stabilized Steps and Andrew Maskery of Envision Solutions won equity funding at a VenturePitch event.
Special to SWFBT Karen Moore, Publisher
Photo by Bob Szanto Attendees of the Knockout Boot Camp gathered at the new Naples location for The Rocket Lounge in April.
Rocketing into success in Naples
The Rocket Lounge, a co-working space and business accelerator, recently hosted its latest “Knockout Boot Camp” for small business owners preparing to take their enterprises to the next level. The all-day event at a TRL’s new Naples location featured a series of workshops presented by well-known and successful entrepreneurs in the area. Topics included branding, finance, digital marketing and building a successful team and culture. Presenters included TRL Founder and CEO Dieter Kondek; TRL Chief Operating Officer Bud Stoddard; millennial entrepreneur and CEO of RoomDig, Jakob Adamowicz, and others. After completion of the Knock Out
Boot Camp, attendees each received a certificate of completion. Other programs offered at The Rocket Lounge include the TRL Academy, as well as Florida-specific Vertical Accelerator Programs. Members of TRL also have access to a large network of mentors, coaches and the TRL co-founders. To further encourage the development of Southwest Florida’s startup ecosystem, TRL also offers monthly learning, pitching and networking events where freelancers, developers, investors and entrepreneurs get together to share their ideas and concerns. More information is available at www.therocketlounge.com.
“Eat. Explore. Learn. Enjoy.” This is the mission of Collier County’s Culinary Accelerator in Immokalee, the first business incubator of its type in Southwest Florida, a groundbreaking project for both the county and the region. Work has been underway to open for over four years according to Director Dr. Marshall Goodman. Business incubators provide the environment, tools and support to develop and nurture a variety of business models under one roof. The Immokalee Culinary Accelerator is membership-based and specifically focused on the development of food businesses. On site at a recent event were samples from a variety of local food entrepreneurs, ranging from a specialty wine developer to local bakers who want to open their own shops. Danny Gonzalez, owner of Lozano’s Mexican Restaurant in Immokalee, dreams of distributing his restaurant’s special brand of salsa to the market extending beyond his restaurant’s patrons. With no idea how to do that, he shared: “The Culinary Accelerator is helping us figure out how to package, promote and distribute our salsa. We are very excited about the Accelerator and the opportunity to expand our business.” CULINARY See page 4
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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
MAY 2018
FSBDC’s annual Distinguished Entrepreneur nominees unveiled The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University revealed the nominees for this year’s Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida Awards. The annual presentation will take place on May 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Bonita Bay Club during the 2018 National Small Business Week. The awards recognize three outstanding Southwest Florida business owners for their success, innovative technology and business advocacy. “We celebrate the business owners that took an idea, grew that idea into a business and created a positive impact on the economy in the Southwest
2018 DISTINGUISHED ENTREPRENEUR AWARD NOMINEES Dwayne Bergmann, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors Reema Bhatia, Stickboy Creative Michelle Borders, Naples Network Services Scott Fischer, Scott Fischer Enterprises Javier Fuller, Fuller Online Solutions George P Garner, Next Plumbing Rochelle Graham-Campbell, Black Onyx World Jennifer Gratz-Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing Jim Henderson, Willam C Huff Company Gary Israel, Estero Life Magazine Amanda Jaron, A.JARON Fine Jewelry Misty Kinzel, Misty’s Sunshine Cleaning
Florida community,” said FSBDC Regional Director Lois Knox. The “Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year” is a business owner who
Batya Maman, Social Connect Lora Mccann, Peace of Mind Patient Advocacy Beverly Milligan, Myerside Jesse Morgan, Morgan Manufacturing James Nolte, Nolte Wealth Management Group Wells Fargo Advisors Dan Puleio, Cape Cleaners Connie Ramos-Williams, CONRIC PR & Marketing Jeff Poirier, AXI International Bjorn Rosinus, Endeavor Innovative Workspaces Curtis Sheard, Big Boi’s BBQ Jim Wheeler, Argo Trak
demonstrates “innovative and cutting edge approaches to corporate culture, employee programs, and integrated new technologies.”
The “Small Business Advocate of the Year” is a business owner who “actively volunteers their time and resources throughout the Southwest Florida community to inspire, encourage and mentor other small business owners in helping them grow their business.” The “Distinguished Innovator of the Year” is a business owner who has “adopted or created their own technologies or cutting-edge approaches resulting in accelerated business growth and profits.” The event provides an opportunity for the local business community to celebrate their achievements.
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS Brothers brings NY Italian recipes to Florida Two Guys Kitchen and Catering was founded in October 2015 by two brothers. Peter and Larry Falisi were on different tracks until they came together to offer their family’s food recipes to the public. An Italian family growing up in New York, entertaining family and friends for holidays and get-togethers was always at the top of the list. Larry went on to cook for everyone. His passion is in the kitchen and always enjoys experimenting with new recipes. Peter worked in the financial industry when the family realized the opportunity to provide catered lunches for offices. From this demand, Two Guys Kitchen and Catering was born. The services quickly developed from a
lunch-only menu to include breakfast and hors d’oeuvres for cocktail events. They also began to cater for private dinners, parties and weddings. The brothers still look to grow their new venture and are opening a brick-and-mortar retail location. The store will be located in River Reach Plaza on Airport Pulling Road. They will have seating for 20 and plan to offer individual meals for breakfast and lunch. They are exploring weekly food preparation space. People are on the go and busier than ever. They want to take on the hassle of cooking a healthy balanced meal by doing it all for you. To learn more, go to www.TwoGuysKitchenandCatering.com or call (239) 384-9072.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 2018 DISTINGUISHED ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
2018 NOMINEES: Amanda Jaron, A.JARON Fine Jewelry Batya Maman, Social Connect Beverly Milligan, Myerside, LLC Bjorn Rosinus, Endeavor Innovative Workspaces Connie Ramos-Williams, CONRIC PR & Marketing Curtis Sheard, Big Boi’s BBQ Dan Puleio, Cape Cleaners Dwayne Bergmann, Dwayne Bergmann Interiors Gary Israel, Estero Life Magazine George P Garner, Next Plumbing James Nolte, Nolte Wealth Management Group Javier Fuller, Fuller Online Solutions Jeff Poirier, AXI International Jennifer Gratz-Whyte, Fort Myers Brewing Jesse Morgan, Morgan Manufacturing Jim Henderson, Willam C Huff Company Jim Wheeler, ArgoTrak Inc. Lora Mccann, Peace of Mind Patient Advocacy Michelle Borders, Naples Network Services Misty Kinzel, Misty’s Sunshine Cleaning Reema Bhatia, Stickboy Creative Rochelle Graham-Campbell, Black Onyx World Scott Fischer, Scott Fischer Enterprises
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Page 3
Increase your local Startup Weekend returns to Southwest Florida SEO rankings Part 1 of 2 Most business people that are familiar with digital marketing concepts know what search engine optimization is. SEO is a way to get your website to appear higher up in search engines, and therefore in front of more potential customers. Because of the complicated algorithms that Google and other search engines use – SEO isn’t a black and white, one size fits all process. It involves a number of strategies that BY ZACH should be considKATKIN ered throughout Guest Columnist the process of any online marketing strategy you implement. Beyond that, for local businesses, there is a whole other challenge to get in front of searches in physically relevant areas. While you may think you know a lot about SEO, most aren’t as familiar with the concept and strategies of local SEO. Why is local search important? Ninety percent of local purchases are first searched online, and 75 percent of all business traffic online is driven by search engines. Also, people spend 151 more minutes on their smart phones than any other device, which is changing the way people access information about the local businesses around them as they are on the go. If something comes up and you need to find a product or service locally, ask yourself what you would do, search Google on your iPhone or go home and check the yellow pages? People are turning to search engines to search anything from “plumbing service near me” or “Mexican restaurant in Bonita Springs” every day and creating an opportunity for local businesses to connect with them. If you’re a business owner and you don’t prioritize local SEO, you are missing out on valuable customers. How do search engines rank local listings? There are three main factors to a search that Google and other search engines analyzes. First, what the user is searching. If the keyword includes any location indications such as city, state or neighborhood, google will show results that match up with that location. Secondly, since Google is constantly gathering data, it also considers past searches. So, if many of a user’s past searches include any location keywords, they’re newer searches will consider that location as well. Lastly, between Wi-Fi, IP location, and GPS, Google is aware of users’ locations to present searches to them that are more relevant. Find top strategies to improve search rankings in Part 2 of this column in next month’s issue Zach Katkin is president of Atilus. He can be reached at (239) 362-1271 or zach@atilus.com.
Entrepreneurs in Southwest Florida had another chance to build real companies from scratch during Startup Weekend in April. “The inaugural Startup Weekend event last fall was so successful and it generated so much interest that we started planning the next one right away,” says Bjorn Rosinus, the CEO of Endeavor Innovative Workspaces. The second Southwest Florida Startup Weekend took place the weekend of April 13 to 15 at Endeavor Innovative Workspaces, a cowork office hub on Business Park Drive in Fort Myers. Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs. Beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business-plan development and basic prototype creation, Startup Weekends culminate in Sunday night demos and presentations to a seasoned panel of investors and entrepreneurs. “Endeavor is a hub for more than 50 fast-growing businesses, so it makes sense that we host events like Startup Weekend,” says Rosinus. “Our cowork space is ideal for fostering entrepreneurship because it encourages collaboration and teamwork. In fact, many of the coaches and mentors for Startup Weekend are members at Endeavor.” At the start of the event, approximately 75 startup entrepreneurs make brief one-minute pitches to each other and create 10 to 15 teams after they’ve selected the best ideas. Experienced entrepreneurs pitch in to help mentor the teams
PITCH PAGE 1 money will go to web marketing and a TV commercial. Maskery, CEO for Bonita Springs-based Envision Solutions, will use the funding to complete a clinical trial for his product, a home computer-based software program proven to help cortical blindness patients substantially regain vision lost in a stroke. But more than money, the victory brings credibility, Maskery says. “The bigger thing is the virtue and confidence from the judges,” he says. “That’s what the Adrenaline Venture Fund can give this
Start
Photo by Will Taylor Startup Weekend coaches, Sebastian-Alexandru Froehlinger-Weiss and Harpreet Singh Ahluwalia, discuss possible solutions for the challenges teams considered as they built their business plans and final presentations. and provide guidance throughout the weekend. Startup Weekend is run by local organizers in 700 cities and 150 countries worldwide with help from Techstars, an entrepreneur network which provides a facilitator for each event. Although venture-capital investors will be present at Startup Weekend, entrepreneurs do not compete for investments. However, non-cash prizes such as branding consultations, website development and office space get awarded to the winners, Rosinus says. company. I need that more than the $25,000.” The event is styled off the television show Shark Tank, with judges quizzing entrepreneurs on products and business plans. Judges praised all finalists at the event. David Scheck, founder and CEO of Sebring-based AmbuTrak, presented technology for a pedometer-like device for rolling walkers. A special host award of $10,000 was granted to the company. Alainah Hacker, Founder and CEO of Naples-based Accugentix, showed off a prototype for a device to help properly dispense doses of CBD oil, a natural product not regulated by the FDA but available in all 50 states.
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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
CULINARY PAGE 1 Naples restaurateur Daniela Craciun decided to make a lifestyle shift and gave up her restaurant. “I want to develop a variety of organic foods, including products for diabetic, paleo and vegan diners, available online,” she revealed. “Even though I’m a professional chef and experienced entrepreneur, I have no idea how to develop an online food business. The Culinary Accelerator is helping me accomplish that.” According to the Accelerator’s Culinary Program Manager Ahmed El, who left a career as a chef in a leading national restaurant chain to work with this program, the beauty of a membership-based approach is that it allows the budding “foodpreneur” to use only as much or as little of the incubator’s vast array of resources that it needs. “Our goal,” he said, “is to do what’s best for the local business owner and for the Southwest Florida business community.”
MAY 2018
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS
Blue Chip Awards salute small businesses In 2018, BB&T – Oswald Trippe and Company will celebrate its 24th annual Blue Chip Community Business Award in November. Since its inception, the Blue Chip Awards has recognized small businesses based in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties that have overcome adversity to achieve success. The Blue Chip Enterprise Award program was established nationally in 1990 by MassMutual Insurance to honor entrepreneurs who overcame adversity to achieve success and to share their stories so that other business people could learn from their experiences. Oswald Trippe and Company began coordinating the program in Southwest Florida in 1994. When the national program was restructured in 2001, Oswald Trippe and Company continued its commitment to recognize Southwest Florida’s successful small businesses. As part of the application process, businesses submit a narrative of the hardship that the company faced, the lessons learned, and the tactics used to overcome and eventually achieve success. These narratives are judged by an independent panel and narrowed down to five finalists, then eventually one winner. The finalists are honored at a luncheon and a presentation by nationally known speakers that have also persevered in adverse situations. The winning business joins the Blue Chip Hall of Fame and
is featured in advertising and marketing materials identifying them as the Blue Chip winner. In the 14 years since Scott Gregory started as Blue Chip Community Business Award coordinator with David Denotaris, he has seen hundreds of stories of small businesses that have thrived after devastating events including hurricanes, family BY SCOTT P. deaths, illness, economic crash GREGORY and jail time. Guest Columnist The good news in all of this is that the small business owners of Southwest Florida are resourceful and tenacious. They look to their community, their peers and even their own employees to help them rise from the ashes. BB&T – Oswald Trippe and Company is proud to recognize these businesses and the adversity that they overcame. Scott P. Gregory, vice president and business insurance agent with BB&T Insurance in Fort Myers, serves as the Southwest Florida Blue Chip program coordinator. He can be reached at (239) 433-7136 or spgregory@bbandt.com.
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS All Under Wraps brightens cars, saves energy By David Cammarata Guest Columnist
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All Under Wraps is a company to watch. You have heard of all the big names in town, but I’m a skilled, competitive installer and I have a current 5-star Google rating. My name is David I am the owner operator of All Under Wraps. I have lived in the area since the early 80’s. I have been installing film since 2004 for a local company and in 2013 decided it was time to start my own company. So All Under Wraps was born. My objective is to give customers a product that can help save energy, block UV and reduce heat and glare, all while making it more pleasing in your home, office or automobile. We specialize in film on homes, cars and businesses in Lee County. We also work in vinyl car wraps to protect your paint or just to change the color of your vehicle. We offer safety films to keep your glass together in case of breakage and a variety of different options for privacy in your home or office with decorative films. Stained glass film is a fraction of what the cost of replacing the glass with an insert would be and make your entry your own with custom color choices to match your current decor. I am licensed and insured and offer free estimates. I try to stay competitively priced, with customer satisfaction my top priority. My residential and commercial window films can help control the amount of heat coming into your home or business. I offer films that can block up to 84 percent of the heat from entering thru the glass. Film will help save you energy and give you privacy. It can also slow the fading process that happens from the sunlight bleaching out your expensive flooring,
TAX PAGE 1 Collecting and remitting hotel and occupancy taxes is complex, as the rules were designed for traditional hospitality providers and large hotel corporations with teams of lawyers and accountants.
All Under Wraps specializes in film on homes, cars and businesses in Lee County. furniture, window treatments and even paintings. For your car we carry economy films up to a high end Ceramic film for the most heat protection, all with lifetime warranties. Help reduce heat, glare, UV and gain privacy with a variety of choices of films for your home or office. We offer a full line of decorative films to give your glass a custom look. Also for your car, Vinyl Wraps for color change or accents. Completely change the look of your car with vinyl. All Under Wraps now proudly offering custom entry carpets for your RV and motorcoaches. Also available full entry mats, steps, runners and outdoor furniture mats and dog bone mats for your furry friends. I recently competed in the International Window Film Tint-off, a tinting competition where out of 48 competitors I ranked 8th in the world for architectural windows. David Cammarata is the owner/operator of All Under Wraps. He can be reached at (239) 986-0295 or allunderwrapsbiz@gmail.com. Airbnb officials say they proactively partnered with over 370 local governments throughout the U.S.. In Florida, Airbnb has been collecting and remitting sales taxes on all statewide bookings since 2015. Charlotte County represents the 40th Florida county where Airbnb will collect and remit local tourist development taxes.
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MAY 2018
Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
Page 5
COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida
Shopping center gets makeover
Construction continues to progress as Mystique’s 15th floor has been formed and poured and work is in progress on forming the 16th floor and supporting structural elements.
Mystique continues its rise over Naples skyline Pelican 1 Owner, the developer for Mystique, announced that the iconic, 20-story tower continues its vertical ascent in the exclusive Pelican Bay enclave of Naples. Pelican 1 Owner is an equal partnership between an affiliate of the global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and an affiliate of the Gulf Bay Group of Companies. Construction continues to progress as Mystique’s 15th floor has been formed and poured and work is in progress on forming the 16th floor and supporting structural elements. The pouring of the 16th floor is expected to be completed by the end of the month, with the pouring of the 17th, 18th and 19th floors of the ultra-luxury high-rise estimated to be completed by the end of April. Additionally, metal framing and interior partitions for Mystique’s second and third floors is completed with additional floors underway. Other construction milestones include the installation of the exterior glass glazing and window systems which is substantially completed on the second, third and fourth floors, and underway on the fifth floor. Mystique’s Certificate of Occupancy is estimated to be achieved in March. Located steps from the beach on one of only two remaining permitted and developable land parcels in Naples between The Ritz-Carlton on the beach and Port Royal, Mystique offers 68 estate and four penthouse residences with expansive living spaces and terrace views toward the Gulf of Mexico from most units. Additionally, Mystique offers nine Jardin residences. Mystique’s building amenities include a 24-hour staffed front desk with a monitored video/electronic closed circuit
surveillance system, surveillance cameras at all owner entry accesses, and a two-level parking garage with controlled access. Additionally, Mystique offers SmartEstate integrated technology that features state-of-the-art home automation and monitoring systems, private elevators with biometric/alphanumeric access, and the opportunity to access an Electric Vehicle charging system. Mystique’s resort-inspired outdoor recreational amenities include a tropical pool, sun deck with pergolas and lush landscaping, and two Har-Tru tennis courts above the garage deck. Mystique’s lobby-level amenities offer custom-designed interior spaces for socializing, including a club room, parlor, salon, library and solarium/card room. Mystique also features a theater, billiard room, board room, state-of-the-art health and fitness club with the latest in exercise and wellness equipment, ladies’ and men’s steam rooms and showers, and massage rooms with on-call masseurs and masseuses. Residents also will enjoy the exclusive and renowned amenities of prestigious Pelican Bay, including private beachfront dining, extensive walking and biking trails, chauffeured tram service, and private access to nearly three miles of unspoiled Gulf of Mexico beaches. Estate residences at Mystique range in size from 4,003 to 5,280 square feet of air-conditioned living space and are priced from over $3 million to over $7 million. Jardin residences offer 1,370 to 2,396 air-conditioned square feet and range in price from $1.2 to $2.2 million. Mystique’s four penthouse residences, priced from $8 million, have been sold.
RD Management, one of the nation’s largest privately held real-estate development and management organizations, announced that the 325,705-square-foot Merchants Crossing in North Fort Myers will be undergoing redevelopment. Renovations include improved visibility corridors with new landscaping, façade upgrades and a possible transition to a mixed-use property by adding residential units. “The possibilities are endless at Merchants Crossing, and it’s exciting to share with the growing North Fort Myers community our initial redevelopment plan for the center following our announcement of Planet Fitness opening in April,” said Richard Birdoff, principal and president of RD Management. “We already have a diverse mix of tenants offering entertainment, dining, shopping and fitness options. A potential residential component would only further enhance the dynamic environment we’ve worked to create while increasing foot traffic to all of the businesses.” Merchants Crossing is located on North Cleveland Avenue and Pine Island Road. The shopping center sits on 73.2 acres at a prime intersection in the Cape Coral trade area. Major retailers include Home Depot, Bealls Department Store, Planet Fitness, Bealls Outlet, AMC Theatres, JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores, Dollar General and T-Mobile. Merchants Crossing is one of 12 properties owned by RD Management across Florida, and one of more than 150 properties in its national portfolio.
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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
MAY 2018
COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida
Vantage Construction building Matlacha/Pine Island fire station The Matlacha-Pine Island community will soon welcome a new fire station on Southwest Pine Island Road. The Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Board of Commissioners awarded the contract for Station No. 4 to Vantage Construction Services, a local commercial general contractor, and Castellanos & Tramonte Architects. Rounding out the professional design team TDM Consulting was selected to provide Civil Engineering and Planning services and Passarella & Associates was selected to provide environmental consulting services.
The 5,700-square-foot station includes enclosed sleeping quarters, a community room, kitchen and exercise rooms and two fire apparatus bays, with room for future expansion. A feature of Station No. 4 is its design as a drive-through station. Trucks will go in one side and out the other, with no more backing into the bays. The team studied the island’s architecture and integrated many of those features to create a design that is truly community oriented and complimentary to the “Old Florida” style architecture of the islands.
The 5,700-square-foot station includes enclosed sleeping quarters, a community room, kitchen and exercise rooms and two fire apparatus bays, with room for future expansion. In keeping with the District’s mission to provide strong community-oriented fire control and rescue services, a review determined
that a new station, located east of the drawbridge, would decrease response time and improve Insurance Service Office (ISO) ratings.
So you want to buy a business? One of the most widely used loan types the SBA offers are business acquisition loans. Much like my February commercial real estate article explained, SBA loans for business acquisitions generally allow for lower down payments, longer loan terms, and less restrictive loan requirements than a commercial loan. That said, generally, if you do not want to use SBA in a real estate deal, it can be done commercially with more money down. For a small business acquisition (under $5 million), SBA may be your only choice due to the high risk that a change in ownership creates, regardless of the strength of the business or your resume. So what business should you buy? I have done close to 100 business acquisitions during my 17 years in this business so here is my best advice: 1) Buy a business you have the passion and skill set to be successful in. 2) Shop within your price range based on how much cash you have. Although the minimum required down payment is 10 percent, be prepared for your lender to ask for more. You also need to have reserves for life’s surprises. Work with your lender to determine your price range. 3) Trust your gut. If you have a bad feeling or there’s a financial add back or operational process/ cultural issue
that gives you a funny feeling, run away! There are plenty of fish in the sea. 4) If you are buying a large amount of goodwill (over $500,000), ask the seller to share in BY TOM the risk by holdMAIALE ing some seller fiGuest Columnist nancing. Hold the seller’s feet to the fire. 5) If possible, get your own broker to represent you rather than a transactional broker that represents both sides. Make sure you are properly represented. 6) Get your CPA and attorney involved immediately to ensure every stone is turned over and every questions is asked. Otherwise, piece of cake! Good luck and give me a call so we can get the process started! Tom Maiale, CBC National Bank SBA Lending vice president and business development officer, is a 13-year SBA Lending veteran with training from The National Association of Government Guaranteed Lending and The U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact him at (239) 288-9966 or tmaiale@cbcnationalbank.com.
Burlington Stores, a leading national off-price retailer, opened a store in Cape Coral on Northeast Pine Island Road on April 13.
Burlington opens in Cape Coral Burlington Stores, a leading national off-price retailer, opened a store in Cape Coral on Northeast Pine Island Road on April 13. “We are thrilled to open a new Burlington in the Cape Coral community, bringing even more jobs to the neighborhood and providing local residents with a valued shopping experience,” says Tom Kingsbury, president, CEO and chairman of Burlington Stores. This 40,000-square-foot Burlington store has hired approximately 75 associates. To demonstrate Burlington’s
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 informa�on, call Karen at (239) 770-7527
commitment within the local community, the national off-price retailer announced two philanthropic initiatives to further celebrate the Grand Opening. Burlington Gives Back, hosted in partnership with Delivering Good, will donate new merchandise at the ribbon cutting to the locallybased nonprofit organization, Abuse Counseling and Treatment. And Burlington, through its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, will be donating $10,000 to a nearby school to fund the materials teachers and students need to learn and achieve in the classroom.
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MAY 2018
Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
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COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida
Enterprise Center’s first class graduates
GCG Construction is putting the finishing touches on the new Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster Bar at the MarineMax Fort Myers on McGregor Boulevard in South Fort Myers.
Deep Lagoon Seafood to open in late spring
GCG Construction is putting the finishing touches on the new Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster Bar at the MarineMax Fort Myers on McGregor Boulevard in South Fort Myers. The company says the full-service restaurant will fill a void along the Iona-McGregor corridor by providing fresh menu options that are accessible by both land and sea. Newly installed floating docks will provide access to
the restaurant for those coming in by boat. The restaurant will feature open interior seating options and exterior patio seating overlooking the marina basin. There will be a full service bar for those looking for a refreshment after a long day on the water. The Deep Lagoon concept is a fresh twist on Coastal Casual Cuisine and celebrates everything about the Florida lifestyle.
With low unemployment rates and multiple new development projects in the City of Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center recognized an unmet need and developed a training program for citizens seeking jobs in the construction industry. The Enterprise Center’s inaugural class recently graduated with 17 students ready to enter the construction workforce. Participants attended classes from Feb. 1 through April 10, meeting at the SWFL Enterprise center on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers. The program is free for participants. Michael Love, director of the SWFL Enterprise Center, credits the program partners working with the city to make this program a success. Students learned from a curriculum including: construction 101; basic safety; introduction to construction math; introduction to hand tools and ladders; basic communication skills; basic employability skills; introduction to materials handling and basic rigging; and first aid. “It’s wonderful to connect job seekers with training from industry leaders in our area,” remarked City Manager Saeed Kazemi. “This is a community on the move and we are taking steps to make sure everyone who wants to work has the appropriate training resources available right here in the City of Fort Myers.”
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Enn Luthringer, CCIM Partner | Investment Specialist Six Mile Cypress Corporate Park 12140 Carissa Commerce Court Suite 102 Fort Myers, FL 33966 T 239.481.3800 x235 F 239.481.9950 C 239.994.3703 enn.luthringer@creconsultants.com www.creconsultants.com/go/ennluthringer
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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
MAY 2018
COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida
BUILD begins second phase at Pelican Marsh Golf Club BUILD has begun the second phase of renovation at Pelican Marsh Golf Club. Designed by McWard Architects and Wegman Design Group, the clubhouse is undergoing an addition and remodel to the main dining room, private dining, the entry lobby, locker rooms and office area. The men and women’s lounge will also be renovated. This is the third project by BUILD at Pelican Marsh, having previously completed an expansion and remodel of the main kitchen and the complete remodel of the popular grille room and bar.
Stock Custom Homes honored with Superior Home Award Quadrum Global announced Amavida, a new resort-style senior living community in Fort Myers, has opened its furnished cottage model home and is providing tours.
Amavida opens furnished model in Fort Myers
Quadrum Global announced Amavida, a new resort-style senior living community in Fort Myers, has opened its furnished cottage model home and is providing tours. The 32-acre, $95-million development will offer multiple options for seniors in every phase of life, including independent living, assisted living and memory care. The Largo cottage model features 1,700 square feet of living space. The open floor plan offers two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, den, walkin closets, a laundry room and lanai, as well as a one-car garage and golf cart parking. The cottages provide views of the preserve or neighboring Lakes Park and offer a variety of amenities, including concierge and valet services, onsite wellness center, fitness center, art studio, cafe, outdoor courtyards, swimming pools, spa and salon, a variety of restaurants, library, and private theater, as well as tennis and pickleball courts. To oversee operations of Amavida, Quadrum
has launched a new entity, Quadrum Senior Living Management, which is led by President Colin Marshall, a senior living veteran with more than 20 years of management experience. Heather Batty, a 17-year industry veteran who has launched and stabilized various senior living communities in Florida and California, is serving as Amavida’s executive director. “We are pleased to unveil our first furnished cottage model and invite future residents to come and explore all that Amavida has to offer,” said Marshall. “Amavida is establishing itself as one of the leading senior living communities in Southwest Florida and beyond. A love of life and embracing vitality is our approach to senior living and the new model reflects our vision to differentiate ourselves from others in the marketplace.” Located within a five-minute drive from the HealthPark, Gulf Coast Medical Centers and 12 other unaffiliated medial office complexes, Amavida is situated for any health care necessities.
Stock Custom Homes, Stock Development’s luxury custom homebuilding division, received a Superior Home Award from the Lee Building Industry Association for the design and construction of their Aqualina model in Quail West Golf and Country Club. The honor is bestowed annually to honor builders who excel in all facets of residential design and construction. Stock, a distinguished builder in the region, is renowned for their elaborately crafted and wellappointed models. The Aqualina priced at more than $3 million, for which they were recognized, encompasses 4,937-square-foot-under-air and features décor by Marc Michaels Interior Design in its four bedrooms, library/study, formal dining and expansive outdoor living. Winners of the Superior Home Award are selected by a team of judges, whom are all industry experts located outside of Lee County. Judges evaluate homes on site, and score models on a comprehensive point system that examines the model’s exterior, landscape, bath, kitchen, interior design, outdoor living, pool and overall livability. Models that receive the highest total score in each category are recognized with the award.
5th Avenue South issues response to latest business closings
The 5th Avenue South Business Improvement District, which brands, promotes and creates awareness of 5th Avenue South in Naples, Florida, responded to the recent closing of two 5th Avenue South businesses in April. Lady from Haiti closed its doors after 26 years on 5th Avenue South at the end of April and Café & Bar Lurcat will close after its lease expires on May 5. “While the BID certainly never wants to lose tenants, it is commonplace in the retail and service industry to have businesses move in and out. We wish Café Lurcat & Lady from Haiti the best of luck and appreciate their impact on the Avenue.” said Bruce Barone, Jr., 5th Avenue South BID executive director. “Despite the transition, we continue to have significant interest from business owners across the country—and right here in Southwest Florida—who want to open a location on 5th Avenue South. They will join an esteemed list of merchants and restau-
rants who have expressed their optimism and excitement for the future of the Avenue. Fundamentally, 5th Avenue South is one of the most attractive locations to do business in the country.” In fact, 5th Avenue South businesses experienced one of the best seasons to date, according to Jarred Kaplan, managing partner of Provident Jewelry. “Provident Jewelry has called 5th Avenue South home for over 17 years and we are thrilled to report record sales this past season. It’s clear to us that the rich history of this famed Avenue, coupled with a palpable excitement for its future, translates into a positive place to do business,” said Kaplan. 5th Avenue South’s vacancy rate is currently significantly lower than the 12.2-percent average vacancy rate projected for the first quarter of 2018 by Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data. “We hear customer parking listed as an issue on the Avenue, but that’s simply not the reality,” said
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Jeff Wynn, BID board president. “5th Avenue South offers many more parking options than other districts of similar size, including complimentary valet parking, two parking garages within walking distance to stores and restaurants and free on street parking— a combination of customer/patron friendly conveniences that exceeds what is available at any other downtown district.”
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PINE ISLAND CENTER ISLAND EXCHANGE CENTER 750 SQFT.- 1293 SQFT. - 1500 SQFT.
CALL: 239-823-3734
MAY 2018
Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
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SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS State-of-the-art veterinary clinic keeps Fort Myers animals healthy Will Rogers said: “The best doctor in the world is a veterinarian. He can’t ask his patient what’s the matter. He’s just got to know.” This philosophy is put to the test every day at McGregor Blvd. Veterinary Clinic. A passion for veterinary medicine was instilled in Dr. Lura Jones at an early age. Her father, Dr. Oliver Jones, was a veterinarian and practice owner in Sunrise. Lura grew up in the clinic learning the ropes from her dad, always knowing that one day she intended on owning her own practice. Lura received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida in 1997. It was there Lura met her architect husband, Matt Horton. The couple relocated to Fort Myers in 1999. They were drawn to Southwest Florida because Jones used to vacation here with her family as a kid. They were both looking for a small but developed city to start their businesses and eventually raise a family. Fort Myers offered the perfect mix of a city that promised lots of growth but was already home to many established businesses and a lot of history. Jones purchased McGregor Blvd. Veterinary Clinic in October 2002 with great aspirations of growing the business into a family practice that strived to provide the gold standard of veterinary care for their patients while maintaining a close, open relationship with their owners. McGregor Vet started in the wellknown strip mall behind the Buddha on McGregor
Boulevard. For 11 years, Jones developed personal, individualized relationships with her patients and their owners. Her key to success being to always treat each patient as if it were her own. In September 2014, McGregor Blvd. Veterinary Clinic opened the doors to a state-of-the-art, two-story, 9,000-square-foot veterinary hospital. Designed with BY DR. COURTNEY Horton, a landscape architect, BUTTS Jones worked over seven years Guest Columnist to develop a hospital that would meet the needs of her patients while instilling a sense of family with its clients and staff. The modern design complements—and doesn’t compete with—its surroundings in Fort Myers. In 2017, McGregor Vet received the Veterinary Economics Hospital Design, General Practice Hospital of the Year award. This award was one that Horton and Jones had in mind while designing the hospital and was a great milestone to achieve for the business. The mission of McGregor Blvd. Vet is simple: to provide the best quality medicine for each patient while maintaining a high level of ethics and standard of care. This mission is one that is instilled in the hearts of the doctors and staff and are believed to set them apart from others. McGregor Vet offers high quality surgical, dental,
medical care and laser therapy for your furbabies. The foundation of this practice is to provide preventative care throughout their life. McGregor Vet strives to promote a true sense of family and thus, go over and beyond for our patients. In addition to our medical facility, we are also home to a beautiful, second-floor boarding and day camp facility for our clients. We are happy to board dogs and cats year round. Our boarding suites allow siblings to be boarded together and allow for interaction between dogs and our excellent upstairs staff facilitate play groups, agility, learning commands and the occasional pool time on hot days. Dogs are also cycled through our three outdoor dog parks to ensure they have a good time interacting with their friends and are ready to go home exhausted. McGregor Blvd. Veterinary Clinic is proud to care for the pets of Lee County. Our doctors and staff are grateful for the trust that our clients have given us to see to the wellbeing of their furry family members. Please feel to drop in for a tour or give us a call anytime. We’d be happy to know how we can help your pets live their best life. Dr. Courtney Butts has been practicing at McGregor Blvd. Veterinary Clinic for three years and will be pursuing her certification in Veterinary Acupuncture this year. She can be reached at drcourtneybutts@gmail.com.
IN BUSINESS SINCE 2003
2011
2005
Bernadette Collier
Licensed Insurance Agent
239-939-6500 ext. 3233 bcollier@aaasouth.com
" Cover your home and car the right way with Triple A”
1997
1988
Ronald J. Melvin Architect, LLC
1990
We make banking about YOU!
Standing Strong with Money to Lend Oldest locally-owned community bank in Lee County
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2005
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2016 MERGER
Tax Preparation • Estate Planning For Individuals & Businesses 239.939.5303 • 239.481.4114 www.SolomonHoover.com 1342 Colonial Blvd., Ste. B-11 • Fort Myers, FL 33907
EQUITIES FUNDING Group, inc. Equipment Leasing Specialist “Working Capital Loans”
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Bank Rejects Working Capital Easy Process Quick Decisions All Machinery All Credits Start Ups Located in North Fort Myers Email: equi�es@a�.net www.equi�esfunding.com
President Cell: 239-747-9955
1949
SERVING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SINCE 1949 Fort Myers: 239.334. 2195 • Cape Coral: 239. 542.3148 www.PaveseLaw.com
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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
MAY 2018
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS
Funding group provides companies with money they need By Stephen Kolton Guest Columnist
Equities Funding Group has been in business since 1984, and recently moved its headquarters to North Fort Myers. We offer equipment leasing for commercial accounts so you can get the machinery needed to increase your profitability. Most businesses are considered, such as construction, industrial machinery, restaurant and HVAC, and we welcome startup companies, bank turn downs and storied credits. There is a one-page application for es-
tablished businesses, up to $250,000, without financials and quick decisions (usually within 24 hours). We consider applications as high as $5 million with financials. Terms can be 24, 36, 48 or 60 months payback, and at end of the lease, you own equipment outright. Factoring receivables is also offered where we buy your invoices, and pay you in advance. This allows you to increase your cash flow. Once you use this method, chances are you will want to continue because of the ease and flow of payment. We offer a working capital loan, for that emergency situation like buying in-
ventory, hiring more help, expansion, etc. Payments are arranged to meet your budget and paid back over a short period of time, with 12 months being the maximum. We have gone as high as 18 months. The entire process is quick and easy, with funds in your account within three days. Sale/leaseback of equipment is available. This program is used by companies that previously wanted to own equipment rather than leasing. However, because of new tax laws, it is beneficial to sell this asset to a lender, acquire the money for cash flow and get a 36-month lease term with a fixed payment.
There are benefits to our programs, such as 10ing 0-percent tax deductible, preserving cash by not tying up capital, saving your bank line of credit and lowering monthly payments. We are a courteous, service oriented company with customer satisfaction our main goal. See why businesses are considering these programs to increase their bottom line. Stephen Kolton, owner of Equities Funding Group, can be reached at (239) 747-9955 or equities@att.net. To learn more, go to equitiesfunding.com.
SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS
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Law firm boasts history of protecting small business
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Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz is a business litigation, marital and family and employment law firm with deep roots in Naples and an active practice throughout Southwest Florida. With a long history of advocating for and protecting both small and large businesses, we understand how important your business is to you. We also understand the complex and sensitive nature of family issues including divorce, child custody and support, and preand post-nuptial agreements. Our firm’s litigation partners, J. Michael Coleman, William Hazzard, Damian Taylor, Sonia Diaz and Christyna Torrez, are experienced attorneys with significant courtroom experience who provide comprehensive legal guidance to both businesses and individuals. We represent clients in litigation, litigation avoidance and dispute resolution in a wide variety of matters, including complex civil, business, construction, employment and probate matters. Other areas of
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practice include banking litigation, partnership disputes, disputes between business owners, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, real estate litigation, drafting and review of contracts and condominium and homeowner association litigation. Our firm’s employment law practice includes a wide array of services including the defense of harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims, disputes over competition, compliance with federal wage and hour law, defense of overtime claims, preparation of employee handbooks and employment documents, workplace investigations and the defense of government investigations by the EEOC, FCHR and DOL. Our experienced marital and family law attorneys take pride in providing excellent and thoughtful service during what can be very difficult times. Partners Dale Klaus and Reuben Doupé and associate Sarah COLEMAN See page 11
Finalists revealed for Technology Awards
The growing world of “mobile” demands that you be wherever your customers, clients, members and prospects expect you to be.
ActiveData specializes in: • MOBILE WEBSITES • MOBILE APPS • TEXT MARKETING • LOCAL SEARCH • MOBILE DIRECTORIES • PAY-PER-CLICK (PPC)
Call us for a free digital presence report for your business. 4500 Executive Drive Suite 230 Naples (239) 465-0310 www.activedatamobile.com
DOING IT RIGHT, FROM THE START
The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership has announced the finalists for the 10th annual Technology Awards. CenturyLink, IBM and the Gannett Foundation are Pinnacle sponsors of the RTP and the Premier sponsors are Hertz and 21st Century Oncology. The finalists for the CenturyLink Innovention Award given to a company that has invented or demonstrated an innovative and creative technology solution are Benseron, Testimonial Tree and Vectra Digital. The finalists for the Transformation Award for a business that has achieved success through implementation of IT to overcome a challenge are Photo Patch Foundation, Redicare Nursing Services and Supply Samaritan.
The finalists for the Women in Technology Award to recognize contributions made by women in technology through professional expertise and leadership are Janna Bolden, Sloane DeLong and Zarela Graves. The finalists for the Partnership Award, which honors a person who has made significant contribution to the Regional Technology Partnership, are Peg Elmore, Linda Lyding and Charlie Starnes. The awards dinner is May 17 at 6 p.m. at the Club at Grandezza in Estero, FL. Archana Vemulapalli, General Manager, Network Services, IBM Global Technology Services, will be the keynote speaker. For event details and information, go to www.swfrtp.org.
MAY 2018
Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
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SALUTE TO SMALL BUSINESS
Vectra Digital provides clients magical combination of art and technology With Big Data, marketing has become and left-brainers. Data a mathematical study into how to attract, scientists. Storytellers. retain and keep customers. But humans Technology wizards. aren’t machines. Photographers. Social There’s an art—and maybe some magmedia gurus. Relaic—that goes into understanding what is in tionship builders. someone’s heart and mind. Art is marketReading the pulse ing’s secret sauce. It’s where you gain your of potential clients is competitive edge. no longer like a sailor Through art and technology, Vectra reading the wind. Digital offers Southwest Florida compaWe have data. A BY MATT nies the upper hand where they were once BERNHARDT lot of data. Vectra has lagging. Vectra, a full-service marketa solid track record Guest Columnist ing agency in Fort Myers, knows how to using Artificial Intelcombine math and art to create marketing ligence, Machine Learning and Big Data. magic for companies. We have the capabilities to analyze and To be successful in marketing, compa- strategize that data and the creativity to folnies need a diverse team of right-brainers low through.
COLEMAN PAGE 10
Oquendo are experienced trial attorneys who handle all aspects of divorce including property valuation and division, valuation and division of complex assets including closely held companies and real estate investments, alimony, children’s timesharing issues, child support, paternity, separation agreements and post-judgment support modifications. With our team’s personalized attention and over 150 years of experience, we will guide you through complex business litigation, employment related issues and family law matters to help achieve positive results for you and your business. Visit our website at www.chtlegal.com or call us at (239) 298-5200 to learn more about how our firm can help you and your business.
While we monitor and test that data, our clients can stop worrying about: • Getting the highest returns on investment • Having the correct SEO strategy and metadata • Interacting with customers in realtime on social media • Applying the latest marketing trends • Using the best technology • Reaching and getting the most out of potential customers Real-time information offers companies unparalleled insight into customer consumption and behavior. But while data drives direction, art provides an emotional impact. If something posted online is in-
spiring or thought-provoking, there is a likelihood we will be compelled to interact. Numbers remain the same, no matter whom you ask. Creativity is the special ingredient to set your company apart. But reaching potential customers through their hearts via art would not be as successful without data. Math and art are an extremely powerful marketing combination. Add Vectra, and your winning combination just got unlocked. Matt Bernhardt, co-founder of Vectra Digital, completed Harvard Business School’s Executive Education program. He can be reached at matt@vectradigital.com or (239) 234-2566.
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Precision Manufacturing a Perfect Fit in Cape Coral
S4J Manufacturing Services—maker of precision biomedical components and custom fittings— moved to Cape Coral in 1999. Today, the company is one of the top Luer lock manufacturers in the world, shipping products to more than 1,000 customers across the globe. CEO Doug Gyure loves his Cape Coral location. “I would recommend Cape Coral to other businesses,” says Gyure. “I’ve found the city to be cooperative to work with and the workforce is plentiful here.” He adds, “Cape Coral offers a fantastic lifestyle—every time I drive across a bridge and see the beautiful water, I’m reminded why I’m here.” Ranked in the top 10 fastest-growing metro areas in the nation, we invite you to explore business opportunities in Cape Coral.
Cape Coral Economic Development Office (239) 574-0444 • (833) CAPEEDO ecodev@capecoral.net • bizcapecoral.com
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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY
MAY 2018
0 preventive care
$
0 copays
$
15
%
savings
Southwest Florida small businesses save with our Neighborhood Health Partnership plans. The Neighborhood Health Partnership (NHP) options can save employers 15 percent compared to some competitors’ plans.1 And, with $0 preventive care2 and $0 copays,3 employees save money too. Start saving with NHP - a local solution backed by a national company. Visit uhc.com/swfl or call 1-866-462-9299 to take a deeper look.
1
Savings based on February 2018 UnitedHealthcare analysis comparing Southwest Florida rates for similar competitor small group plans.
2
Or first dollar coverage for primary care physician visits.
3
For primary care physician, specialist and urgent care visits.
Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. Health Plan coverage provided by or through Neighborhood Health Partnership, Inc. MT-1165544.0 2/18 Š2018 United HealthCare Services, Inc. 18-6877