Southwest Florida Business Today — November 2015

We’re All Business

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S BUSINESS VOICE • 239-573-9732 Vol. 9 No. 1 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com

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

TAKE ONE

Sandra Donatelli of Gartner shares with the audience details about the SWFRTP’s upcoming CIO Roundtable presented later this month.

IN THE NEWS

Plesco opens season for Speakers Assembly Ron Plesco, principal and national lead, cyber investigations, intelligence and analytics at KPMG, will be the featured speaker at The Speakers Assembly of Southwest Florida’s season opener luncheon Nov. 13. This event begins with member networking at 11 a.m. with the program and luncheon beginning at 11:45 a.m., followed by a 30-minute questionand-answer session with the speaker.

At his appearance in Southwest Florida, Plesco will speak about what to expect during a cyber breach. An internationally known information security and privacy attorney, he has 17 years of experience in cyber investigations, information assurance, privacy, identity management, computer crime and emerging cyber threats and technology solutions.

PLESCO See page 4

Charlotte County offers new mobile app The Charlotte County, FL mobile app is now available. Report issues, ask questions, get information – use your smartphone to report an issue such as a damaged street sign or illegal dumping. Receive updates and track the status anytime. Connect with other county services – lightning alerts at county pools, CC-TV live, park trail guides, and fun things to do. Find the free app in your device’s app store or visit CharlotteCountyFL.gov and click on “Get the App” from the Hot Topics list.

Bonita Springs Chamber hosts networking panel The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging new members and business professionals to attend their Networking 301 Panel Discussion.

Panelists include three individuals identified by the Chamber’s Membership Engagement Committee as expert networkers: Becky Sharon, Townsend Consulting Group; Kraig Feighery, director of golf, Alico Family Golf; and Monique Carlone, marketing and sales director, AC Electrical Services. The speakers will discuss how to create mutually beneficial relationships that blossom into future sales, leads or referrals.

The event runs from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Chamber, 25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive, Bonita Springs. Registration is $10 for Chamber members and $40 for nonmembers, and includes refreshments.

To register, call (239) 992-2946 or visit BonitaSpringsChamber.com.

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Photography

by Jim Jett

TECHmatch showcases IT firms The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (www.swfrtp.org) and CareerSource Southwest Florida (careersourcesouthwest.com) hosted the 4th Annual TECHmatch event Wednesday October 14 at the Hodges University Naples Campus.

“TECHmatch 2015 featured companies pitching their growth potential in the technology sector and current job openings. It was an excellent opportunity for IT students and IT/Tech professionals to get face-to-face with decision makers at some of Southwest Florida’s most preeminent IT companies,” said Peg Elmore, Business Services Director for CareerSource Southwest Florida.

She added, “At the same time, local businesses had the opportunity to gauge the current IT talent supply chain in Southwest Florida. It’s a win/win for both the businesses and potential job seekers.”

Above: Attendees want to bridge the gap between local tech firm needs and SWFL workforce skill sets. Below left: Eventgoers network between sessions.

Below right: Jennifer Coomer of Atilus represented her company at the event.

SRMA honors year’s top manufacturers, affiliate

Polygon Solutions owner Peter Bagwell receives Manufacturer of the Year Award from SRMA President Brian Rist and Executive Director Marni Sawicki

At its recent Manufacturer and Affiliate of the Year Award Banquet at Eastern Architectural Systems, the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA) honored its Manufacturer of the Year and Affiliate of the Year Award recipients.

Manufacturer of the Year: • All American Printing / Signarama North Fort Myers (1-9 employees) • Polygon Solutions (10-29 employees) • Dean Steel Buildings (30-99 employees) SRMA See page 8

FOCUS ON: ANNIVERSARIES

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

NOVEMBER 2015

Awards given at Bonita Chamber annual meeting The 39th Annual Bonita Springs Citizen of the Year, Director of the Year and Pat Lord Award winners were announced recently at the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon, held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs.

The event is a celebration of accomplishments during 2014-15 year.

The Chamber uses this meeting to honor member businesses, volunteers and board members.

Winning the 39th Annual Citizen of the Year Award was Kathy McGrath, who has called Bonita Springs home for more 48 years. McGrath has volunteered with the city of Bonita

Springs, YMCA, and at the middle and elementary schools. She has served on several city committees including the Street Light committee, the Special Events Committee and the West Coast Inland Navigation District Waterways Advisory Committee.

Named 2015 Director of the Year was Lisa Portnoy, vice president of Bank United, who has shown great dedication to the Chamber board and recently led its Mission PossibleProject 1,000 Committee to success in recruiting new members to join our Chamber community.

The 2015 honorary Pat Lord Award was presented to Tim Carson, pastor at Estero United Methodist Church. This

Above: Tim Carson was presented with the Pat Lord Award. He is pictured at center with Scott Duval and Christine Ross Left: The Bonita Springs Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Kathy McGrath.

AWARD See page 9

Platinum PEO Resources celebrates 20 years

Len Egdish and Maribel Slabaugh

Christine Ross, Chris D’Elia, Elizabeth Garcia and Gary Mart

Bonita Springs Estero EDC celebrate year’s accomplishments The Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council (BSEEDC) Annual Meeting – held last month at Global Tech LED LLC in Bonita Springs – included a comprehensive presentation of the year’s accomplishments, an update on business retention and attraction success stories, and a look at the overall economic impact made by major BSEEDC clients. The evening also featured presentations by Christopher D’Elia of the Camuto Group, Elizabeth Garcia of Discovery Day Academy, and Gary Mart of Global Tech LED, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of Global Tech LED’s manufacturing facility.

The Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council is organized to build a place to live and work that is economically diverse with a year-round economy that also enhances the environment and reflects the character of the inhabitants of the Bonita Springs Estero areas.

BJ Brundage, Jake Young, Monique Carlone and Elizabeth Garcia

Scott Hennels and Eddie Thorpe

In June, Platinum PEO Resources celebrated its 20th anniversary of being a professional employers organization’s (PEO) broker serving not only Southwest Florida business owners, but owners in every state in the Union and Canada. Platinum PEO Resources has served and been successful in helping clients reduce costs, increase cash flow and decrease liability. Because we are brokers of services, we can secure the very lowest costs for workers compensation, HR and payroll services. We broker for more than 100 PEOs Nationwide to service every need you have today and in the future.

Platinum was based on a simple promise: Give us 10 minutes of your valuable time, and if we cannot save you at least 10 percent or more on your workers compensation costs, we will give you $50 for your time spent with us. That’s how confident we are and that’s what we call the Platinum 10/10/50 Promise.

The company is actively involved with Business Network International for business referral networking, but also with other nonprofit industries in the local communities we serve. We strive to produce the best we can when we become involved with the activities in the area and the individuals they affect, so that the greatest good can come to those in need.

May we earn your business today? To learn more about us and download a free white paper about the PEO industry and the saving that you are going to receive, please visit our website at PlatinumPEOresources. com or call us direct at (888)777-6647.

NOVEMBER 2015

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 3

Five finalists chosen for annual Blue Chip Award BB&T- Oswald Trippe and Co. has announced the five finalists for the annual Blue Chip Community Business Award. The final five businesses, which are chosen by an independent panel of judges, will be recognized at the award ceremony luncheon on Nov. 5 – and one will be designated as the Blue Chip Award winner. The five businesses are: Gwendolyn’s Café and Catering Co., Jennifer’s Boutique, A Touch of Class Pet Grooming

Inc., Rumours Hair Design, and Accounting for Profitability LLC. The owner of Gwendolyn’s Café and Catering Company has been a staple in the hospitality industry for more than 25 years. In 2014, the company was awarded with the number one Caterer Award in Southwest Florida.

Jennifer’s Boutique, located in Cypress Square in Fort Myers, has been giving women’s clothing a simple so-

phistication since 1983.

Located in Cape Coral, A Touch of Class Pet Grooming Inc. is a full service dog and cat-grooming salon for all breeds and sizes. They believe every pet deserves to sparkle.

Rumours Hair Design has been in the business of making their Fort Myers customers look beautiful since 1983. For more than 30 years, the owner and her talented staff have been satisfying their client’s needs.

Based in Bonita Springs, Accounting for Profitability LLC has more than 25 years of experience preparing tax returns and successfully representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities.

BB&T-Oswald Trippe and Company provides comprehensive insurance and risk-management services to families and businesses throughout Florida.

The five tools entrepreneurs must know about

Editor’s note: Part 2 of 2

Chat and communication tools.

Communication is one of, if not the, the most vital aspects to any business.

We do it all day long, be it a written piece like this, an email, or a phone call – we’re communicating constantly.

One tool that every business owner and entrepreneur should look at when planning, building, or operating their business are the bevy of chat and communication tools out there. Some great options to consider include: HipChat, Slack, Skype and Campfire.

Bookkeeping and accounting. As much as I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit to build your company and do the work you set out to do, much of your day-to-day responsibilities won’t revolve around your actual product or service. Good or bad, it’s just the

www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com PUBLISHER Karen P. Moore PRINT EDITOR Bob Massey PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jennifer Ogles SOCIAL MEDIA DAX Enterprises, Angelica Torres WEB DESIGNER & EDITOR Michelle L. Hudson

P.O. Box 152299 Cape Coral, FL 33915-2299 News: 239-573-9731 All other: 239-573-9732 News email: editor@swfbiztoday.com All other information requests: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com The contents of Southwest Florida Business Today are copyright 2013 by Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced without the express written consent of Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. The publication of any advertisement or article does not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher of Southwest Florida Business Today. For more information about any article or column appearing in Southwest Florida Business Today, for advertising rates or subscription information please call 239-573-9732 or email: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com

OUR MISSION

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

nature of the beast. On any given day, I’m not actively involved in building websites, or managing our clients’ digital marketing. Instead I’m doing a host of managerial, administrative and other

BY ZACH KATKIN miscellaneous Guest Columnist tasks that, at first glance, might not seem sexy or exciting – but are an absolutely crucial part of running a successful company.

To help you here, there’s a ton of new and exciting cloud-based tools to make the process easier and more fun.

Since this category is a bit more open I’m going to provide some detail: • Quickbooks Online – The de-facto accounting and bookkeeping suite. We made the leap to the online version when it first came out.

• Xero – Another great tool for bookkeeping and accounting.

• Mint – Not a bookkeeping or accounting service, mint allows you to plug in your accounts and see at-aglance ways to reduce your expenses, get better rates and see where most of your dollars are being spent. Although it’s conventionally thought of as a personal expense tracking service, it’s one of our secret weapons in monitoring expenses.

• ZenPayroll – Sure Quickbooks has a payroll service, but this is one of the more attractive, and cost-effective options on the market today.

• Shoeboxed – Great for tracking receipts.

There’s not a business we encounter that has projects of some kind. Although most of our clients are business-to-business and a project management or collaboration tool is second nature, even businesses like local restaurants need project management tools from time to time as they go through a major change or work through their own marketing.

Here we recommend the following tools: Basecamp, TeamWork, Wrike, SmartSheet and Zoho.

Photography tools. It seems like good photo editing skills are in high demand. Today’s businesses almost require proposals that are attractive and differentiated. And, as experts in the digital marketing fields, we know how important a great image is for a website, social media or a simple mailer thanking new clients. That’s why we’ve chosen photo tools as one of the most important tools an entrepreneur should be looking at. Here’s some great tools that are out there: Photoshop, Canva and Skitch.

File tools. Finally, file storage tools.

Sure, it’s not the sexiest of the lot, but if there’s a workhorse at any company it is the file server – and nowadays, that’s happening online. At Atilus we’ve used (and love) Egnyte for some time, but there’s an array of services out there: Egnyte, Google Drive (works particularly well if you use Google Apps), OneDrive (Microsoft’s offering), Box. net and Drop Box. Zach Katkin is the co-founder & CEO of the Bonita Springs-based web development and Internet marketing firm Atilus. He is a certified Google professional, author and lover of technology. He helps Atilus stay out ahead of online marketing trends and loves driving results for its clients.

Anticipating what’s next...

Anticipating what’s next...

...is what keeps you and your business keeps you and your ahead of ...is thewhat game. business ahead of the game.

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Here’s what is ahead for 2015 for Southwest Florida Business

Here’s what is ahead for 2015 for Southwest Florida Business Today.

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Miami City Ballet will kick off its 30th anniversary season at 8 p.m.

Nov. 10 at Artis-Naples.

The Miami City Ballet begins 30 yrs in SWFL Miami City Ballet (MCB) will kick off its landmark 30th anniversary season at 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Artis-Naples, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., Naples.

Program One opens the season with three fan favorites, including “Swan Lake,” George Balanchine’s one-act version of the most famous of all ballets, set to Tchaikovsky’s most dramatic and evocative score.

The program also features the return of “Viscera,” a rhythmic and intensely physical work created on MCB by Liam Scarlett, widely considered to be England’s most promising new choreographer; and “Fancy Free,” Jerome Robbins’s and Leonard Bernstein’s breakthrough World War II ballet – the story of three sailors making the most of their 24-hour shore leave in New York City, and the basis for the hit musical “On The Town.”

Hailed by The New York Times as “one of America’s most beloved dance companies,” MCB is led by Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez.

The company has 51 dancers and a repertoire of nearly 100 ballets.

MCB performs for nearly 100,000 patrons annually during its South Florida home season in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Naples, and tours to top theaters domestically and internationally. Among the company’s notable achievements have been critically acclaimed seasons in Paris and New York City and the nationally televised PBS THIRTEEN special: “Great Performances - Dance In America: Miami City Ballet Dances Balanchine and Tharp.” The company is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

MCB’s 30th anniversary season is presented in loving memory of R. Kirk Landon, a remarkable philanthropist, leader and beloved friend to the ballet.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at $20. To purchase tickets or to learn more, visit ArtisNaples.org or call (800) 597-1900.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

NOVEMBER 2015

Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers announces new class

Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers (DVIC) has launched its next class of disabled veteran trainees.

The veterans will spend the next six months training and learning the many facets of the insurance industry in order to pursue careers in that field.

There are currently four veterans from Southwest Florida, two veterans from Kansas, and one veteran from Texas in the training program.

“DVIC offers disabled veterans who have served our country the opportunity for a meaningful career,”

said company President and CEO Gary Bryant. “These men and women should have career opportunities when they return home and it is our mission to provide excellent insurance education and training so they can be a success.”

DVIC relies on fundraising and personal donations to continue to sponsor disabled veterans who go through the training program. If you would like to sponsor a veteran or make a donation to DVIC, visit DVIC.us or call (239) 433-8523.

Five ways to break free from overcommitting Editor’s note: Part 2 of 2

One of the Friends’ annual fundraisers is the Guardian Anglers All-Release Charity Fishing Tournament which invites men, women and youth to target snook, trout and redfish in the nearshore waters of the reserve.

Friends of Rookery Bay celebrate its 28th year

The Friends of Rookery Bay was established in 1987 in support of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. At that time there were three full-time staff responsible for managing 9,000 acres of coastal waters owned by the state of Florida just south of Naples. The mission of the reserve was, and still is, to promote informed coastal decisions about estuaries through research and education.

The Friends’ original steering committee included a science teacher, a college professor, an attorney and a real estate agent. All shared an interest in engaging local community volunteers and raising funds to help support ongoing work at the reserve. Today the Friends has about 800 members and is considered to be one of the largest citizen support organizations in Florida.

The Friends plays an instrumental role in working directly with the Rookery Bay Reserve, now managing 110,000 acres with 35 staff, to help ensure that sufficient resources are available to accomplish the reserve’s

PLESCO PAGE 1 Prior to joining KPMG, Plesco was the CEO of the National Cyber Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA), which functions as a conduit between private industry and law enforcement with a core mission to identify, mitigate and neutralize cybercrime. During this time, Plesco managed development of intelligence that led to more than 400 worldwide cybercrime arrests in four years and prevented more than $2 billion in fraud.

Following Sept. 11, 2001, Plesco was selected to chair the Cyber Attacks Committee for the Pennsylvania Homeland Security Council.

Plesco is a member of the Cyber Security Forum Initiative, the Financial Crime, Risk, Fraud & Se-

important mission. One of the Friends’ annual fundraisers is the Guardian Anglers All-Release Charity Fishing Tournament. Hosted jointly with Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, the second annual tournament is scheduled for Nov. 6 and 7, and invites men, women and youth to target snook, trout and redfish in the nearshore waters of the reserve. Anglers can participate for $100, and the event includes live and silent auctions with proceeds benefitting both organizations.

Learn more about the Friends and our Fishing Tournament at RookeryBay.org/fishing.

curity Forum, the Fraud, Phishing & Financial Misdeeds Forum, Global Corporate Fraud and Compliance Professionals and the Regulatory Compliance Association.

Ron Plesco To attend this event, visit SpeakersAssembly.com or call (239) 9487909.

Members of The Speakers Assembly of Southwest Florida attend seven seasonal luncheon events to be enlightened, educated and entertained by the world-class speakers.

The Speakers Assembly will also host its Twentieth Anniversary Evening Celebration in February 2016.

New members are always welcome to join the organization.

If you are ready to break free from the lose-lose cycle we discussed last issue, here are some simple steps you can take to stay on course to create the business and life you desire: Start saying “no” instead of “yes.” The next time you find yourself being asked to commit to an activity you really do not want to do or think you have the time for (whether it is for personal or business reasons), ask yourself these questions: Is this something that is completely in line with my vision and the direction I am headed in? Is this something I can commit to 100 percent? If you cannot say “yes” to both of these questions, then perhaps it is best that you to decline the offer or invitation.

Tune out other people’s opinions or circumstances. Believe it or not, the act of listening to other people’s opinions is simply disguised as – eeek, it’s pretty scary, are you ready for it? – FEAR. Fear of not being capable of making decisions ourselves, fear of failing, fear of rejection, fear of succeeding, fear of having to stretch beyond what is comfortable, and so on. It’s okay to feel this emotion but dwelling in it can be costly. The next time you need to make a major decision, try making your own list of “pros and cons” before you consult with others.

Live in the present, not in the “I’ll finally be happy when…” syndrome. Here’s the challenge with that thinking: There’s NEVER going to be a better time than in the present to tackle your professional dreams and goals. Let me be frank: If you are not taking action to-

ward a goal, you probably don’t want it after all.

Want the secret to achieving success quickly? It’s discipline TODAY. Professionals who want to achieve greatBY ERICA CASTNER ness for themGuest Columnist selves and their business simply do WHATEVER it takes to get it done.

Get some help from trusted resources. What’s the answer to having a more efficient, profitable career path? It’s called leverage. In the context of business, leverage simply means utilizing the efforts of others’ resources to get the job done. Identify some tasks necessary to run your business but that can be “handled” by someone else.

Plan ahead but keep it simple.

We, as busy working professionals, often do so much for others. It’s so easy to get off track. The key is getting clear about what is important to you. Map out your week ahead of time and take a moment each night to review the game plan. This simple act of “checking in” each night can save you precious time, help you re-commit to your goals and re-connect with your “why.”

Erica Castner is founder of Queen of Results Business Coaching & Consulting, dedicated to helping working moms and other business professionals. She also hosts the podcast series. Contact her at TheQueenOfResults.com.

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Over thirty years experience specializing in business issues Background Inquiries & Due Diligence Breach of Contract Investigations Company Mergers & Acquisitions Intellectual Property Infringements Internal/External Fraud Inquiries Insurance Fraud Surveillance Asset Searches - Judgment Recovery Fraud Risk Assessments David B. Watts

Fraud Examiner & Legal Investigator

“Getting the facts…that’s what we do!”

Allied Business Solutions Serving all of Southwest Florida since 1989

NOVEMBER 2015

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 5

High school students visit Trilogy Labs for Manufacturing Day Teenagers from North Fort Myers High School donned hair nets, shoe covers and lab coats and got busy on the floor at Trilogy Laboratories last month as part of Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association’s (SRMA) packed schedule of local business tours, shadowing and hands-on experiences in honor of Manufacturing Day. The 15 students toured the Fort Myers custom skin care product manufacturing facility, applied their academic studies in chemistry to a lab activity, learned about the science of advanced skin care and got a lesson in product development, testing and packaging.

Trilogy Laboratories founder Dr. Kristen Flaharty drew on her experience as a former pharmacy professor and industry consultant to lead the students through their discoveries. She highlighted manufacturing as a diverse industry with many products and career opportunities represented. The students learned about cosmetic chemistry and the materials handling process from logging in ingredients, testing them for characteristics like viscosity, pH and the presence of microbes, to packaging, labeling and batch coding. A lab activity allowed the kids to produce a custom lip balm, measuring out ingredients, melting wax, stirring in colors and flavors and labeling their creation.

STEM student Sarah Donehew, age 16, said, “I had no idea how much effort goes into making makeup and skin care. There are so many steps.”

Students were impressed to learn that there are manufacturers of all different sizes and descriptions.

They also learned about the authority wielded over all industries by various government regulations.

“Even though we’re a small, custom manufacturer, we have to adhere to the same FDA regulations as the big guys,” Flaharty said.

Alexander Berrios, a 15-year-old STEM student, who has medical field aspirations and might like to become a plastic surgeon one day, said, “I’m amazed at how hard women such as Dr. Flaharty work, and how smart they are.”

“Manufacturing Day was everything I had hoped

it would be,” Flaharty said. “To see these kids connect the dots from science learned in the classroom to applications in an actual career was rewarding to watch. It was especially a privilege to witness that spark of discovery in an atmosphere where they were having so much fun.”

Manufacturing Day is a national day of celebrat-

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Fifteen North Fort Myers High School students enjoyed hands-on experiences at Trilogy Laboratories as part of Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association’s Manufacturing Day activities across Southwest Florida. The 15 students toured the Fort Myers custom skin care product manufacturing facility, applied their academic studies in chemistry to a lab activity, learned about the science of advanced skin care and got a lesson in product development, testing and packaging. ing modern manufacturing that is meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. The purpose of SRMA is to bring together manufacturers to encourage the economic development of Southwest Florida through manufacturing, and to act as a forum for the expression and exchange of ideas and information among its members.

SCORE Naples offers free business networking event SCORE Naples, a nonprofit volunteer association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses, is offering a free business mentoring event, where experienced business mentors offer their time at no charge to discuss any business issues. Participants choose from among the mentors listed for one-hour time slots between 9:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the SCORE headquarters office, 900 Goodlette Road North (behind the Fifth Third Bank building), Naples.

Although the event is free, it is necessary to review the specializations of the counselors below and pre-register: Debbie Finch – Expert in business strategy, operations, human resources, executive coaching, not-for-profit.

Debbie has 38 years as a human resources executive and business partner Brian Dawson – Expert in web design, search engine optimization, content/brand/social web marketing, and finding customers for businesses. Brian is the owner of Customer Finder Marketing.

Bob Anderson – Bob is a SCOREcertified mentor, with strong skills in sales, marketing, business planning, sales management, general management and international business. He has many years of experience in sales, marketing management, sales management, general management and senior management in the large business industrial sector.

Mike Zoglio – Expert in business planning for new businesses, business

development strategies for established businesses, buying and selling businesses, building enterprise value and business valuations.

Mike has 20 years as a business owner in the printing and fulfillment industry, and 18 years as a business broker and consultant on building value in a business Tom Hornbuckle – Expert in business plans, marketing, budgeting, business development, selling a business, franchising, wholesale distribution and service business operations. Tom has more than 40 years of small business experience in the retailing, wholesale distribution and service sector, and 15 years as a multi-unit franchisee (Franchisee of the Year in 2009). He has 15 years’ experience as a wholesale distributor of professional beauty supplies.

Angela Bruckner – Expert in leadership coaching, strategic goal alignment, sales, training and product development. Angela has more than 25 years of sales and leadership experience. As a business coach she helps business leaders remain confident in their business plan and their skills when they are not realizing their expected results.

To register, you must visit the website in advance. Go to the SCORE Naples home page (SCORENaples.org) and scroll to “Upcoming Events,” then click on “November 7 Counselor Fair” to register. If you have questions, call the SCORE office at (239) 430-0081 or send an email to Jim.Dallet@scorevolunteer.org.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

NOVEMBER 2015

SBA accepting Small Business Week award nominations

Doug and Steve Gyure of S4J Manufacturing Services Inc. The company is marking its 50th anniversary.

S4J Manufacturing Services celebrates 50 years in business

Doug Gyure has much to celebrate this year as the second-generation business owner and his family business, S4J Manufacturing Services Inc., both turn 50. The Cape Coral company is a major supplier of specialty connectors widely used in medical equipment.

It has also carved out a niche as a custom manufacturer while maintaining steady employment for 14 people.

Doug got involved at age 8, pushing a broom around the factory.

“You can’t be in my family and not be involved in the business,” he said.

The company incorporated in 1969, and focused its offerings around Luer Lock fittings around 1980, when Steven, Doug’s father, created a catalog from his own hand-drawn schematics.

Around that time the manufacturing industry contracted, with metal components giving way to plastics.

Plastic component manufacturers were able to deal in greater volume for their disposable products, but S4J recognized an opportunity to differentiate

itself by specializing in the clean, highperformance, reusable connectors that are permanent and integral to durable medical equipment.

S4J components can be found in endoscopy devices and tools used in cosmetic surgery, for instance. A steering handle used in angioplasty procedures is an example of a custom manufactured component.

S4J is one of very few companies that deals in Luer Lock connectors and custom metal component manufacturing. It could possibly be the only company that focuses on these products and services as its core offerings, and that doesn’t seem likely to change.

In 1999, S4J relocated from New Jersey to Cape Coral, which offered a less burdensome tax structure for business. Gyure runs the business with his wife, Gina. His sister works in the business, too, and three of the next generation, a daughter, a son and a nephew, are poised to follow in the family footsteps.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is now accepting nominations for its 2016 National Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year.

Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation’s economy.

The dedicated website awards. sba.gov provides criteria and guidelines for submitting a nomination. For 2016, the nomination criteria have been streamlined and simplified. In years past there were multiple forms, letters and documents required; now the nominees are only required to submit one form and questionnaire.

“National Small Business Week is the time when we honor the successes of small business owners and their champions,” said SBA South Florida District Director Francisco “Pancho” Marrero. “I urge the business community to nominate strong small firms and their advocates who are having a positive impact on our economy and community.”

SBA Awards given in celebration of National Small Business Week, May 2-6, 2016, include the following: Small Business Person of the Year Exporter of the Year Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery

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SBA administrator issues statement on TPP agreement Administrator Maria ContrerasSweet, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, issued a statement on the conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

“The United States has completed negotiations with the 11 other members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This 21st century agreement will strengthen America’s position in the global economy and enhance the ability of America’s

small businesses to reach customers in the Asia-Pacific region with their madein-America goods. TPP is the first trade deal to ensure small businesses stand to gain from global trade by dedicating a chapter specifically to breaking down the barriers to exporting faced by small businesses. The U.S Small Business Administration is committed to opening doors to global markets for our small and growing businesses.”

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• Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer Federal Procurement Awards • Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year • Small Business Subcontractor of the Year • Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence (for large prime contractors who use small businesses as suppliers and contractors) • 8(a) Graduate of the Year Jody C. Raskind Lender of the Year Small Business Investment Company of the Year Awards to SBA Resource Partners • Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award • Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award • Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year All nominations must be submitted no later than 3 p.m. EST Jan. 11, 2016. In addition to the website, nominations can also be sent directly to an SBA District Office. For contact information and other district office information, visit sba.gov/districtoffices.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Dave Fleming and Scott Fischer

Marshall Bower and Mary Beth Geier

Page 7

Dr. Wilson Bradshaw & Mike Boose

FutureMakers Champions Team learns from national coaches Two national coalition-building experts recently met with the FutureMakers Champions Team, part of a Southwest partnership committed to transforming the regional economy by increasing post-secondary completion.

John Burnett, CEO of the Community Education Coalition, and Jack Hess, executive director of the Institute for Coalition Building, shared their wisdom and best practices with some of Southwest Florida’s most prominent community stakeholders – about 50 individuals who have pledged their sup- Jack Hess, Cindy Banyai and John Burnett port to the Champions Team. improving cradle-to-career opportuni- munity Partnership for Attainment netThe goal of the FutureMakers Co- ties for students, offering job training work. alition is to increase the number of and certifications, employee educaAs one of 75 metropolitan areas Southwest Florida residents with high- tional incentives and more. working alongside Lumina Foundaquality degrees, certificates and other “The Champions Team members tion to increase post-secondary attaincredentials to 40 percent by the year are key leaders and influencers who, ment nationwide, Southwest Florida’s 2025. together, have the opportunity to help coaches provide guidance, resources With the help of Lumina Founda- shift the culture and conversation in and best practices in building the Fution and its coaches, the Champions Southwest Florida, and the coaches tureMakers Coalition and increasing Team plays a pivotal role in the coali- were here to help us all learn together the number of working age adults with tion’s success. Team members include just how to do that,” said Sarah Owen, degrees and certifications. leaders from education, economic de- president and CEO of the Southwest The FutureMakers Coalition was velopment, business and government Florida Community Foundation, born out of a two-year regional initiawho have the ability to create a stron- which is serving as the anchor organi- tive focused on increasing the number ger workforce and vibrant economy by zation for Lumina Foundation’s Com- of high school seniors in Lee, Collier,

Nate Swan, Will McDonough, Sarah Owen and Charles Chapman

Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties completing the free application for federal student aid. Responding to the Florida College Access Network’s 2012 report that more than $100 million in Pell Grants went unclaimed

by Florida students, the initial effort involved a team of more than a dozen stakeholders who invested in highschool seniors through one-on-one and group mentoring, FAFSA workshops and support, and career coaching.

Within a year and with the recommendation of FCAN and Helios, the work of the inaugural FutureMakers program was recognized by Lumina Foundation, an independent private foundation committed to increasing the proportion of Americans with highquality degrees, certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by 2025.

The FutureMakers Coalition benefits from Lumina’s collaborative approach that connects Southwest Florida to renowned national thought-leadership organizations and provides technical and planning assistance, data tools and flexible funding as attainment plans are customized.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

NOVEMBER 2015

Celebrating Bonita Springs’ 16th anniversary of incorporation

We congratulate Southwest Florida Business Today on its anniversary! Everyone celebrates being around for another year – am I right?!

As a matter of fact, with 2016 literally around the corner, the city of Bonita Springs celebrates its 16th anniversary of being incorporated. As we look back, much has been accomplished over the years to improve the quality of life for our residents. New and improved roads, parks, water recreation access locations, improved water quality, enhanced law enforcement protection and economic development efforts second to none. And, as important as looking back is to measure how far you have come, looking forward with great anticipation at our future is even more important. Not only is the future something over which you can have some control, it is also a place on which to focus as you move forward with new improvement projects.

So as much as we have accomplished over our last almost 16 years, the next few years promise another leap forward for our city. I know it sounds almost boastful, but really, after all these years, this 16-yearold is ready to drive. That’s right! In the very year that most teenagers obtain their driver licenses, this teenaged city is ready to pull away from the curb

and begin its journey towards a sustainable downtown, with improvements to match.

What’s this got to do with economic development? Well, the very foundation of the city’s $18.6 million commitment to its downtown area infrastructure project (with our Lee County financial partner) is a massive centralized storm water project designed to create value for the private sector

BY CARL to increase its return on investSCHWING ment.

This drainage project is Guest Columnist being constructed to eliminate the need for the private sector to retain storm water on its property.

Further, the plan also calls for additional street parking so that on-site parking requirements can be reduced significantly. And since it is well known that developers often have to reserve as much as 40 percent of their sites for drainage retention and parking, eliminating and reducing these requirements allows for more construction to take place – increasing the ROI.

I am happy to report that we are under construction. For the next 18 months or so, we will be constructing not just the master storm water system and street parking, but also two roundabouts, narrower drive lanes with “sharos” for serious bike riders, wider and visually enhanced bridges over both Oak Creek and the beautiful Imperial River, medians for pedestrian safe havens, wider sidewalks to accommodate both pedestrians and recreational bicyclists, enhanced landscaping, undergrounding of electric and communication utility lines, upgrading of water and Internet capabilities, and the downtown’s first installation of gas lines. In addition, the city is working with Lee County to locate the new, 25,000 square foot Bonita Springs Library as a centerpiece anchor in our new downtown.

Please stay tuned as the city continues to pursue its more sustainable, connected, vibrant vision.

Carl L. Schwing serves as city manager for Bonita Springs. He has attained the designation as an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager and has served the public for over 33 years. Contact him at (239)949-6267 or carl. schwing@cityofbonitasprings.org.

ASK Linda: Businesses need to plan for worst Why business continuity planning (BCP)? Why disaster recovery planning (DRP)? Why continuity of operations planning (COOP)?

Here’s why: • 43 percent of US companies never reopen after a disaster and 29 percent more close within 3 years.

• 93 percent of companies that suffer a signifiBY LINDA HANWACKER cant data loss are out Guest Columnist of business within 5 years.

• 20 percent of small to medium size businesses suffer a major disaster every 5 years.

• 78 percent of organizations that lacked contingency plans and suffered catastrophic loss were gone within two years.

Most had insurance, and many had business interruption coverage.

What is the difference between the various plans?

Business Continuity (BC) Planning focuses on the restoration of business functions. It involves a more comprehensive approach to ensuring resiliency.

Disaster Recovery (DR) Plan-

ning focuses on the restoration of IT infrastructure that supports the business functions. A disaster recovery plan is not viable until it is fully tested.

BC/DR are sometimes tied together. It refers to how an entity will keep functioning after a disruptive event until its normal facilities or functions are restored.

Continuity of Operations (COOP) is similar to BC; however, it refers to an internal effort within individual components of government to assure that capability exists to continue essential component functions across a wide range of potential emergencies.

Business resilience demonstrates the ability of an organization to rapidly adjust and transform the business or business function in response to any anticipated and unanticipated change in order to prevent and mitigate hazards, capture opportunities, create competitive position, and improve shareholder value.

Linda Hanwacker is an industry subject matter expert, guest speaker, and author, and CEO and founder of the The LSH Group LLC in Fort Myers, which has provided professional services with economical solutions for business continuity, IT disaster recovery, and emergency management planning for more than 20 years. Contact her at (239) 466.1170 or hanwacker@ thelshgroup.com, or visit TheLSHGroup.com.

Patrick and Kristen Flaharty, Jacqueline Weir and Rick Williams

SRMA PAGE 1 • Storm Smart (100+ employees) Affiliate of the Year: CONRIC PR & Marketing.

Manufacturers of the Year are companies of various sizes that elevate the status of the industry as a driver of growth in the economy of Southwest Florida, positions manufacturing as an attractive sector for the region’s future workforce, and demonstrates best practices to serve as a model of efficiency to the SRMA’s membership.

A new award at the third annual event was Affiliate of the Year Award, recognizing a non-manufacturer business member of the SRMA that has made great contributions to the organization and the status of manufacturers in the region.

SRMA’s executive director, Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki, said, “Our members make our organization strong, which is a direct reflection of

Brian Rist, Jeanie Dean Richards, and Marni Sawicki how manufacturing is strengthening the economic stability of Southwest Florida. I’m thrilled to celebrate our outstanding manufacturers and affiliates.”

Upcoming SRMA events include a full schedule of manufacturer facility tours. For information on these and all other events, including the monthly roundtable discussions, contact Max Dean at max@srma.net.

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NOVEMBER 2015

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 9

Women-led Dean Steel Buildings boasts more than 40 years Dean has more than four decades of “hands-on” experience in the manufacturing of steel building systems. Our tradition of quality and reliability, combined with design flexibility and personalized service is why Dean Steel Buildings enjoys an outstanding reputation among architects and contractors.

With Dean’s innovative systems, advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing technology, there is virtually no limit to your individual creativity. We manufacture everything from large commercial and industrial facilities such as agriculture buildings and hangars, to neighborhood

shopping centers, office buildings, churches, commercial banks and even private homes.

Our design and fabrication are performed under a quality management system accredited by International Accreditation Service AC472 standard.

In addition, the Fort Myers design and fabrication quality management system is certified to the ISO 9001 standard. Our structural roof and wall panels are tested to UL 580, ASTM E 1592, and PA 125.

We were the first metal building manufacturer to have their panels approved under the Notice of Acceptance (NOA) Product Control Division in Miami-Dade County. All of our panels have Florida

Product Approvals.

With locations in Fort Myers, and also in Thomasville and Cedartown, Georgia, we are centrally located to meet our client’s needs in the southeast, as well as exports.

In 2015, Dean Steel Buildings in Florida was honored with Manufacturer of the Year in the 3099 Employee category.

The award was presented by Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association. Dean Steel Buildings is women-owned and operated, with Nan Dean as its president.

Lee’s Old Courthouse marks 100th anniversary

Storm Smart finalist for award

Storm Smart based in Fort Myers is a finalist for the Manufacturers Association of Florida’s 2015 Manufacturer of the Year award, announced the company’s CEO and founder, Brian Rist.

Nominated companies were judged on leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus, company size, and process management during telephone and on-site interviews with management and employees.

Winners will be announced Nov. 5 during the 12th Annual Manufacturers Association of Florida Summit and Marketplace at the West Palm Beach Marriott in West Palm Beach.

“Recognition as a finalist is a significant accomplishment in itself and speaks volumes about the dedication of our team and their passion for providing premium products and premium service to our customers,” Rist said.

Storm Smart was also recently named Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association 2015 Manufacturer of the Year. It is one of the fastest-growing companies among Gulf Coast-headquartered companies from Tampa to Naples.

The 2015 Young Professionals Grant recipients, Edward Smith, Jaime Hewitt, and Kelsey Balmer, with Young Professionals Advocate Award recipient Joe Nugent at the Bonita Springs awards luncheon.

SRMA PAGE 2 award is presented to a person who dedicates their time through volunteerism and community stewardship for the enhancement of the Chamber and community.

Additional members recognized include: • EverBank – 2015 Outstanding Large Business Member.

• Atilus – 2015 Outstanding Small Business Member.

• Gerard Sola, Hotwire Communications – Chairman’s Award.

• Joe Nugent, director of sales for Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @ Town Center, and owner of Inspector

Gadget Homes LLC – Young Professionals Advocate Award.

• Kelsey Balmer, catering manager for Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @ Town Center; Jaime Hewitt, attorney with Adamczyk Law Firm; and Edward Smith, owner and managing partner of Southwest Florida Estate Planning – 2015 Yong Professionals Grant Recipients.

“We are pleased to recognize the efforts of our community members and volunteers who go above and beyond each day to give back to our region,” said Christine Ross, president and CEO for the Chamber. “Our organization is the beneficiary of the countless hours invested by these volunteers and for that we say thank you.”

Tours are planned as part of the 100th Anniversary of the construction of Lee County’s historic “Old Courthouse.” The free tours give a unique look into the history of the building at 2120 Main St., Fort Myers, that has been an important part of Lee County life for a century.

Lee County’s first courthouse, a two-story wood frame building, was built in 1894. In October 1914, it was dismantled by residents wanting a new courthouse. Construction then began on the two-story stone and brick building now called the Old Courthouse, which opened in December 1915.

The Old Courthouse now houses Lee Board of County Commissioners offices and chambers. The tours, which should last about 30 minutes, are planned for: • 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 6 • 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 10 • 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 19 There is no charge to attend, but advance registration is required and space is limited for each tour. To register, log on to leegov.com/100.

Anyone attending should plan on arriving about 15 minutes before the tour and gather in the commission chambers. For additional questions, contact Tim Engstrom at tengstrom@leegov.com.

The official anniversary celebration will be Dec. 1, with details to be announced.

Technology Partnership hosts inaugural CIO roundtable

Since the title CIO (Chief Information Officer) emerged about 30 years ago, few roles have undergone as significant a change as that of the CIO. As every business also faces significant disruption in the digital world with the explosion of data, mobile, social and cloud computing and the “consumerization” of technology, CIOs now find themselves in a role where influence rather than control is the name of the game, and where a title does not imply homogeneity.

The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (SWFRTP) will host its inaugural CIO Roundtable, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 5 in the White Community Room at Hodges University, 2655 Northbrooke Drive, Naples.

In this interactive roundtable, six of our most prestigious local technology executives take the stage together to share how they are approaching this transformation: Shawn Busky, SVP Global Information Services, Arthrex; Jim Carlsen, VP Infor-

mation Technology, Hertz Equipment Rental; Eric Singleton, former EVP and CIO, Chico’s FAS Inc.; Carl Stringer, VP Information Technology & Employee Benefits, United States Sugar Corporation; David Trimm, CIO, Wendy’s Co.; Sarah Richardson, CIO NCH Healthcare System. The event will be facilitated by Jose Rugerro, MVP, Gartner.

The event is free for members, $25 for future members. Register at swfrtp.org. Questions can be sent to info@swfrtp.org.

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Page 10

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Workplace Fairness group provides information on paid/unpaid leave laws

Workers who need time off from work often find that the legal protections – and pay – are not nearly enough, which has spawned a number of recent efforts to expand paid leave. In order to keep the public informed about the latest developments in this rapidly changing area, Workplace Fairness provides comprehensive, recently updated information on the legal standards of work related leaves of absence, including sick leave, military and family/medical leaves of absence that workers may qualify to take without jeopardizing their job, under both federal and state law.

Workplace Fairness is a nonprofit organization that provides information, education and assistance to individual workers and their advocates nationwide and promotes public policies that advance employee rights. Our goals are that workers and their advocates are educated about workplace rights and options for resolving workplace problems and those policymakers, members of the business community and the public at large view the fair treatment of workers as both good business practice and sound public policy.

A bill titled the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act or the FAMILY Act, proposed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), would expand paid leave up to 12 weeks each year to qualifying workers for the birth or adoption of a new child, the serious illness of an immediate family member, or a worker’s own medical condition. Until the federal law provides for paid leave, some states and local jurisdictions are also passing their own leave

laws to offer more expansive paid sick leave and state family/medical leave than required by federal law.

Our military leave of absence page (workplacefairness.org/military-leave) clears up the differences between military leave and the traditional workplace leave. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) ensures those who serve our country are assisted with the benefits and the employment opportunities free from discrimination due to their military service. The page continues to list the benefits of the act and it answers many frequently asked questions.

Our page on the state laws on military leave (workplacefairness.org/military-leave-state-laws) has an interactive map of the United States where you can click on a state of your choice and find out the information you will need.

In our family/medical leaves of absence page (workplacefairness.org/family-leave), we explain how the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to help employees balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of their families. The page provides answers to regularly asked questions and scenarios applicable to many different situations on the topic.

While leave protections are rapidly changing and the number of jurisdictions requiring paid leave is rapidly increasing, Workplace Fairness is your definitive resource for legal information related to leaves.

For a more in-depth look at our services, visit workplacefairness.org.

NOVEMBER 2015

Pushing the Envelope approaches 10th year Pushing the Envelope Inc. is proud to announce we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary in January. Since opening our doors in 2006, Pushing the Envelope has experienced tremendous growth and success, receiving numerous awards and recognition of excellence in our industry. What started as a direct mail and printing business has evolved into an award-winning marketing communications firm, servicing both local and national brands such as Harley-Davidson and California Closets.

Although the company has evolved over the past 10 years, we have held steadfast to our mission of helping our clients prosper. We strive to grow our clients’ businesses through communication by defining and telling their stories to the people who need to hear them.

As our anniversary approaches, we look forward to celebrating with our staff, clients and colleagues. As a part of this celebration, we will once again introduce our annual Push-it-Forward Grant. By awarding 10 service hours to an eligible nonprofit organization, this grant will help Pushing the Envelope to continue to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Southwest Florida.

We are sincerely grateful to our clients and partners for their role in our success and look forward to what the future holds. Our promise to you is that we will always continue to push the envelope in Southwest Florida and beyond.

Tips to remember when planning holiday office party We all know the holidays are quickly approaching, and that means getting together with co-workers for the holiday office party. You have been handed down the task to plan the party; however, you have never planned anything more than your children’s birthday parties. So many daunting questions, and where to start loom in your mind. Here are some fool proof tips to help you be the talk of the office the day after.

To plan a successful party you should start planning a minimum of one or two months in advance. Not only does it take time to organize, but you will also save money if you plan ahead. If you are last minute it may be difficult and costly to book the caterer you want, or even have employees attend. First you will want to set the date and send your “save the date” cards, emails or notices to all employees.

Next you will need to set the budget. The budget is one of the most important parts to planning the party. Of course we all want to save our pennies; however, you also want to thoughtfully consider your employees. The key is to make the environment suggest that the event is a reward – not an obligation. Once you have narrowed down

your budget “stick with it.”

Depending on your budget, your next question is: Should you stage the party during the business day or make it an evening event? A catered luncheon can be less expensive than a banquet.

Hiring a local caterer will make your office party special without having to pay for an expensive venBY JENNIFER ue. A luncheon also helps PHILBRICK keeping the attendance by Guest Columnist employees only, versus an evening event where you will have the added expense of spouses. When planning an evening event, you will need to add rental space costs, which can be challenging for a tighter budget.

A surefire way to make or break any office party is to have plenty of food. If hiring a caterer, do your research. You can always stop in at your

favorite local restaurant – especially if it’s one your staff frequents – to see if they cater. If everyone already enjoys their food in the restaurant, chances are they will at the party as well. Again, keeping your employees in mind, find food that will please your guests, and remember those that may have dietary restrictions.

When searching caterers, find one that will deliver, set up and break down for you so you and your staff can enjoy your time and feel appreciated. Keep in mind how you would like the caterer to serve the food. Would your staff enjoy a plated or buffet style meal? The key in finding the perfect caterer is quality – not quantity.

Lastly, don’t forget to decorate. Keep it simple yet elegant. Then sit back and enjoy the party you planned and watch the compliments pour in for months to come.

Jennifer Philbrick is Southwest Florida Regional Sales Manager for Bob Evans Catering.

She has over 25 years experience in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Contact her for any of your catering needs at (941) 456-9036 or Jennifer_philbrick@bobevans.com.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 11

Uncommon Friends announces The power Business Ethics Award finalists of networking The Uncommon Friends Foundation is pleased to announce an expanded field of four finalists for the 2015 Business Ethics Award.

The finalists are: CPR Tools; CRS Technology Consultants; Spiro & Associates Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations; and The Smart Companies As part of the final judging, finalists will participate in a panel at the 10th Annual Ethical Leadership luncheon hosted by Dean Robert Beatty and the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University on October 23, 2015.

The roundtable discussion will focus on the challenges Southwest Florida executives face in business and allow the finalists to discuss how they set and maintain ethical standards in their workplaces. The winner will be announced at the Uncommon Friends Foundation annual gala, Uncommon Evening 2015, held October 27.

For the first time this year, the annual event will be held from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the new Gale McBride Pavilion at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens, 2505 First Street, in downtown Fort Myers. Guests will step back in time to experience yesteryear’s high so-

The Uncommon Friends Foundation annual gala, Uncommon Evening 2015, will be held at the new Gale McBride Pavilion at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens in downtown Fort Myers. ciety of old Fort Myers. Following food and entertainment by the Fort Myers High School Jazz Band, the Character Education Champion Teacher Award will be presented and annual Uncommon Friends student scholarship winners will be announced. The evening will culminate with the presentation of the Uncommon Evening 2015 Business Ethics award.

Past winners of the Business Ethics award include Sunshine Ace Hardware, Ted Todd Insurance, Hope HealthCare Services, Conditioned Air, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, Shell Point Retirement Community, Bonita Bay Group, WilsonMiller, Inc.,

and HomeBanc Mortgage Corp.

For information on tickets and sponsorships, contact Executive Director Angela Melvin at 239337-9503 or at angela@uncommonfriends.org. Visit www.uncommonfriends.org for full sponsorship details. Click on, “Support UFF.” The Uncommon Friends Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1993, is dedicated to lifelong character building among today’s youth and business leaders. Its mission is to promote character education in schools, business ethics in the workplace and historic preservation of the Burroughs Home and James Newton Archives.

Culbertson Agency celebrates five years The Culbertson Agency, one of Allstate’s fastest growing agencies in the country, celebrated 5 years in business this year. The agency was also recognized as one of the top 1% Allstate agencies in overall performance for 2014, which weighs factors like retention and customer satisfaction.

“We started with only 4 team members and have grown to 20 team members over the last five years,” said Brian Culbertson, agency owner. Culbertson credits the agency’s success to hiring professionals who embody the culture and mission of the business.

“We make sure that we compensate them accordingly and provide a positive work environment, but it’s more than that. We have a vision, invest in marketing, stay very involved in the community and refine our strategy along the way.” The strategy appears to be

working, since the agency has experienced very little turnover during the five years it has been in business.

With offices in Naples and Fort Myers, The Culbertson Agency is a top-tier Allstate agency, offering insurance solutions for Southwest Florida residents.

Established in 2010, the agency offers home, life, flood and auto as well as other types of insurance.

As one of the fastest growing insurance agencies in Florida, The Culbertson Agency has won numerous production and customer satisfaction awards including being recognized as an Inner Circle Elite Agency, Allstate’s highest recognition for growth and customer satisfaction.

For more information, contact Brian Culbertson at brian@culbertsonagency.com or visit www.culbertsonagency.com.

Business networking is a type of social networking that’s meant to increase business networking activity. There’re many organizations that have their own business models which allow the business professionals to build new business relationships and generate business opportunities all at the same time. This type of network is very effective for many business professionals, and it’s a cost-effective method in generating new business.

One of the reasons why it has such a low cost activity is that it involves more time than capital or money. Many of these types of networks meet with the purpose to exchange business leads and referrals with fellow members within the organization.

BY FLORA SANCHEZ These members create a synergy of building a reGuest Columnist lationship with not only the current business network organization but also other networking organizations that can connect with the business professional within this organization.

As you become a member of these different business networking organizations, it’s always important to build the relationship with these businesses and have their best interest at heart. Once the business professionals realize you are willing to go the extra mile, they will definitely do everything they can to work with you.

It’s very important for the business professionals to be involved at some capacity in a not-for-profit organization, become a philanthropist or become a community activist in something the business professionals strongly believe in. If you use your experience and education to empower others to be successful, then you will be able to create strong and loyal business relations with past, present and future clients.

Flora Sanchez is CEO and Marketing Strategist for Vibrant Consulting, a local marketing firm. She has over twenty years of customer service experience and is launching a new women’s networking group in Southwest Florida later this month. Contact her at (305)5886154 or fsanchez@vibrantconsulting.net.

IN BUSINESS SINCE 1978 For All Your Commercial Real Estate Needs Randy Randy Krise, Krise, CCIM CCIM randy@krisecg.com randy@krisecg.com

239-690-4100 239-690-4100 Virginia Avenue “We Mean Business” “We2040 Mean Business”

Randy Krise & Krise Commercial Group Randy Krise & Krise Commercial Group announce the relocation of announce the relocation of their offices to their offices to

Fort Myers, FL 33901

12650 New Brittany Boulevard 12650 New Brittany Suite 102 Boulevard Suite 102 33907 Fort Myers, Florida Fort Myers, Florida 33907

12610 Plaza Lane, (JustWorld off McGregor 12610 World Plaza Boulevard Lane, Suite Suite 1 1 239-690-4100 Fort Myers, Myers, FL 33907 33907 fronting First Street Village) 239-690-4100 Fort FL

www.krisecommercialgroup.com www.krisecommercialgroup.com

“We www.krisecommercialgroup.com “We Mean Mean Business” Business” www.krisecommercialgroup.com

1995

2014

1986

Selling your business is our business

Buyers are looking for profitable businesses to purchase

Call now for a private discussion about the marketability of your business and how we can help.

(239) 433-1343 LARRY STEINBORN, Broker

SAND DOLLAR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS DEPOT BizDepot@aol.com 6309 Corporate Ct. #205, Fort Myers, FL 33919

1985

Reduce your work stress With Personal Fitness Training & Nutrition Counseling

Tony Wagner, CPFT Local Master Fitness Trainer, 30 yrs. experience in Naples, Florida

MR. FITNESS In Home Training Available

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1986

Burkett

Law Office

ROBERT E. BURKETT Attorney At Law

BUSINESS LITIGATION • ARBITRATION • COLLECTIONS 5237 Summerlin Commons Blvd,. Suite 217 • Fort Myers, FL 33907 Office: (239) 275-2145 Email: bobburkettlaw@gmail.com • Web: bobburkettlaw.com

Page 12

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Guest Commentary

Budget paves way for positive Lee County I would like to congratulate the Lee County taxpayers and business owners for living in the best County in the State of Florida. When I was first elected in 2012, Lee County was faced with a $28 million deficit budget. Much like the challenges a business faces, the Board of County Commissioners had to make the tough decisions. We had to lay off employees, cut services, reduce hours of the public libraries, and use funds from the precious Conservation 20/20 program in order to balance the budget.

At both public budget hearings – Sept. 4 and 18, 2013 – hundreds of citizens gathered in commission chambers to voice their concerns and dismay about the budget cuts. We heard their pleas, but knew it was the necessary consequence in pursuance of getting our finances back in order. As a result, we had a balanced budget without raising Lee County taxes.

I am proud to report that on Sept.

15, we passed a $1.94 billion budget, all the while keeping the millage rate at 4.15 and without raising your taxes.

With this budget, we are able to provide for 35 new jobs with the Sheriff’s Office and 12 new positions with emergency medical services (EMS).

We heard the concerns asking for more “boots on the ground” from the Sheriff’s Office and the residents – particularly in the Lehigh Acres community where crime continues to rise. We increased the Conservation Land maintenance, funding for Lee Tran, tourism and infrastructure, and are scheduled to build 2 new public libraries.

Speaking of infrastructure, you

may recall the board’s decision back in March 2013 to lower the collection rate of impact fees to 20 percent in three of the categories, and keep fire and EMS at a 100 percent collecBY CECIL tion rate. This PENDERGRASS rate has made Guest Columnist the funding of new infrastructure possible, along with affording our families the opportunity to build a home in unincorporated Lee County at a reasonable cost.

I look forward to having future discussions with my fellow board members, particularly regarding allocating funds from the BP oil spill settlement for the county’s tourism and environmental needs.

I want to acknowledge our county staff and management for all the hard work they put into this budget before bringing it forward for a vote. The budget process can be grueling and extensive, and because of staff’s foresight and tireless efforts, we continue to be in a positive place. The times have changed for Lee County government and I believe we have a great team working for your best interests.

I look forward to continuing on this path towards a successful economic environment and enriched quality of life for our residents and visitors.

Lee County is in good hands.

Pavese Law Firm celebrates 66 years serving SWFL

“

The recommendations of our satisfied clients are one of our best forms of advertising.

“

Pavese Law Firm is proud to celebrate 66 years of service to clients and the community. What began as a oneman general practice in Fort Myers in 1949 has grown into a diverse firm of more than 25 professionals with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and West Palm Beach. A multi-practice firm, the attorneys are experienced in every major area of the law – agricultural, banking and finance, bankruptcy, business and taxation, civil litigation, community association, employment, environmental and water, estate planning, probate and trust, family, land use and local government, and real estate.

Founded by Frank A. Pavese Sr., the firm serves individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations. Pavese has been a major part of shaping the growth of Southwest Florida, and the firm pioneered applying the law to preserve state lands.

The firm worked on many major infrastructure projects that turned Southwest Florida into a thriving region, from the building of major roads and bridges to Lee County’s first water and sewer systems.

Charles Mann, managing partner for the firm, said Pavese’s excellent service to their clients has been key to

– Charles Mann, Pavese Law Firm

their success.

“The recommendations of our satisfied clients are one of our best forms of advertising,” he said.

Their focus on real estate and development has made the firm experts on the array of issues brought about by the recent economic downturn and subsequent recovery. Pavese’s attorneys understand the complex issues of land titles, land use regulations and environmental considerations, and they work for their clients to ensure successful land transactions and development projects.

As one of Southwest Florida’s largest and most experienced law firms, Pavese looks forward to many successful years to come.

NOVEMBER 2015