Select a Business below to view the Success Story!

Comfort Keepers

"The SBDC is an incredibly wonderful resource that is at the fingertips of all small business owners in Jacksonville," says Kathryn Murphy. "I try to take the time to educate business owners of what is available at the SBDC, not only for the classes but also for the excellent counseling."

After 24 years in the Navy as a registered nurse, Kathryn Murphy retired as a Commander and was selected to serve as Director of Health Services for the Mayo Health Plan, an HMO owned by the Mayo Foundation. After five years in corporate America, Kathee was ready to write the next chapter of her life - not really knowing how the story would unfold. She attended a series of workshops put on by the Small Business Development Center at UNF (SBDC) with a friend who was considering starting a business and the experience sparked her entrepreneurial spirit. Kathryn knew she wanted to start a business that put her nursing and management skills to good use helping seniors and those who could not help themselves. She just needed help defining the concept.

As Kathee was looking for the right opportunity, she met with a consultant who, after a series of interviews and questionnaires, suggested she considered buying a Comfort Keepers franchise. He had just received the current issue of Successful Franchising that featured Comfort Keepers on the cover. Kathryn did her own research and found that Comfort Keepers was well-recognized, fast growing and, more importantly, encompassed what she was passionate about - helping people, particularly seniors - who needed assistance to enhance their quality of life. It turned out that the franchise was started by a nurse who recognized that as the population aged, there would be universal need for services to be provided for seniors who wanted to live in the comfort of their homes. Comfort Keepers specializes in providing in-home care for the elderly and other adults needing assistance with daily activities. Caregivers provide companionship, meal preparation, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and personal care which includes bathing, transferring, feeding, cognitive supervision and medication assistance.

Kathee purchased the franchise in 2002 with the help of an SBA loan and has consistently exceeded her projections in number of clients and revenue growth. She has grown from a staff of two - herself and an office manager to 75+ employees. All of her caregivers are employees, which is unique in an industry that often relies on independent contractors. This allows Kathee the ability to control quality and build loyalty amongst her staff and her clients.

Kathee is quick to give credit to the Navy for her leadership and team-building skills. She reaches out to her staff for feedback and provides them the support they need to do their jobs. And Kathee is not a leader that relies on her staff to handle all customer interaction. She is directly in contact with her clients, providing emotional, social and spiritual support while coordinating resources to meet their physical needs.

Since taking the SBDC series of workshops, Kathee has turned to the SBDC for additional assistance over the years. In fact, she attended the workshop series a second time with her son who as considering the start up of an internet business. She has also taken advantage of the free one-on-one counseling offered by SBDC certified business analysts to provide guidance on business planning for the future growth of her business. She is also working the SBDC to pursue opportunities for government contracts as a service-disabled-veteran-owned business. 

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Jacksonville Running Company

It was early in June 2008 when Owen Shott and his wife, Jo, came to the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida with a dream.  As avid runners they, along with their partner Ted DeVos, had a vision for a store catering to both serious and casual runners.  The shoe brands would be carefully selected, and customers would be assured of a custom fit and great customer service.  They had some rough figures as to how much it would cost to open the store to be known as the Jacksonville Running Company. They met with Kevin Monahan, Certified Business Analyst, who helped them analyze their estimates and encouraged them to write a strong business plan to serve as a blueprint for the project.

Owen and Jo returned with an effective plan that featured some great ideas in customer service. It would all start with the feet.  The partners would use a comprehensive- foot- digital- analysis program to gather data related to arch type, length, and width of the foot. They would also use frame-by-frame video analysis to determine what category of shoe stability the customer would require. Once fitted, the customer would be encouraged to try the shoes out before making a purchase.

Owen, Jo and Ted found a location at Tapestry Park, a brand new mixed-use community that was recently built on the Southside. While the location is not in a high traffic area, the owners were confident that their strong relationships within the running community would mitigate that issue.  Also, the partners have been running in races with their company logo shirts to increase the visibility of their business.

With a solid plan in hand, Kevin showed the partners how to present their idea to local banks.   American Enterprise Bank considered them an ideal candidate for a Small Business Administration 7(a) working capital loan.  With their SBA loan approved, the owners did much of the leasehold improvement themselves to save money. They bought a company vehicle and a mobile fitting trailer called McFit. This high visibility, mobile store would enable the Jacksonville Running Company to visit schools, corporations and special events and fit customers on the spot.  A mascot and logo called "Sunny" would be used to promote branding.

On February 8th, 2009, the Jacksonville Running Company was open.  By ten in the morning, there were customers waiting at the door.  The SBDC conducted a formal ribbon cutting for the Jacksonville Running Company on February 13th. In addition, Regional Director Janice Donaldson and FSBDC State Director Jerry Cartwright met with owners for an update on the business.

Today, the Jacksonville Running Company is extremely busy with in-store sales and taking the McFit system on the road on a nearly daily basis. The future looks bright for Sunny and the Jacksonville Running Company!

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Body Balance Institute

 "Kevin and the SBDC at the University of North Florida were instrumental in the growth of Body Balance Institute."

Vicki Sullivan is a nutrition consultant, adjunct instructor at the University of North Florida and business owner since 1997. In 2001, she opened a small studio in her home where she offered both private and shared Pilates classes. By 2006, she had leased space at the beaches. Vicki had a vision of a new facility that would provide Pilates, Gyrotronics, physical therapy and therapeutic massage.

Vicki needed a plan and turned to the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida for assistance. Kevin Monahan, Certified Business Analyst, reviewed her initial draft plan for a new facility and made recommendations on marketing, location and transition. Kevin and Vicki worked on the details of the plan to prepare for presentation to lenders as the new facility would require financing. They also worked on marketing to retain the clients she currently had and to also start growing the business.

With a finished plan, Vicki explored an SBA 504 loan to buy a location in the Hodges at JTB area of town.  In early 2007, a meeting was arranged with Florida First Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC) to package a loan for facilities, build out, and equipment. Kevin and Kristen Tackett of FFCFC answered Vicki's questions and showed her how the loan program worked.

This was a big expansion, and Vicki continued to do market research to assure that this was the right location for her business. The Hodges location was centered near Windsor Park and Jacksonville Golf and Country Club, as well as other affluent development communities. In addition, Vicki believed that she would be able to retain her clients from the Beaches.

In 2008, Vicki opened Body Balance Institute, a beautifully designed facility with state-of-the-art equipment and high-end clientele. Market research paid off as her client base continues to grow. Body Balance Institute has professional staff on board to teach classes and provide one-on-one instruction. Many local professional athletes have become clients at this successful personal fitness and wellness studio.

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AA Gutters

 David Hawkins enjoyed a long and successful career in banking, but had always wanted to own his own business.  In 2006, he started to search for an existing business to purchase.  This search led to a company that installed gutters in residential and commercial buildings.  David talked with the current owner and got financial information to review.  He took this information to Ward Rainnie at American Enterprise Bank, a member of the Small Business Resource Network.  Ward referred David to Cathy Hagan, Certified Business Analyst at the SBDC at UNF, to get a preliminary assessment of the company's worth.  Cathy assisted David in developing cash flow projections and putting together a business plan.  They discussed his options for financing the purchase of the business such as SBA loans, a home equity line, or seller-financing.  Ultimately, David decided the best strategy was to have the seller hold the note.  In July 2006, the purchase was complete and David became the owner of AA Gutters.

In the Spring of 2007, David participated as a student project in an Entrepreneurial Marketing class held in UNF's   Coggin College of Business.  A student team developed innovative marketing ideas for AA Gutters.  He implemented some of the ideas, including providing logo shirts for his crews to wear when working on a job, and better graphics for his vans that clearly display the company name and phone number.  He also participated in a Home & Garden show, another recommendation made by the student team.

In 2007, David turned to Cathy for further assistance.  The sales figures had not quite materialized as the previous owner had presented, and the company was saddled with a huge phone directory advertisement contract.  Cathy and David revisited the cash flow projections.  David decided he needed to renegotiate the purchase agreement with the seller to better reflect the value of the business.  Cathy referred him to the Small Business Resource Network where he found an attorney who was able to help restructure the deal.

Now two and half years into the ownership of AA Gutters, David has no regrets.  During his banking career, he developed both sales and financial management skills - a unique combination for an entrepreneur.  He was also actively involved in collections when he was in banking - experience that has served him well as he stays on top of accounts at AA Gutters.  The biggest learning curve for David was understanding the products and the language of the industry, but he mastered that in a short time period.

Despite the sluggish economy and downturn in the housing market, David sees continued opportunity for growth and success.  "You have to adapt," says David.  He increased marketing of gutter cleaning and maintenance, an area the previous owner did not give much attention.  This has proven to provide steady cash flow, an increase in sales and creation of an additional sales position.  David plans to add window washing to his menu of services and has also expanded his product line to include decorative gutter spouts, a product popular with high end homeowners.  And while David proclaims that he is "lousy at networking", he has developed strong relationships with several builders in the area who consider AA Gutters on the top of the list of contractors for new gutter installation as well as maintenance.  This "network" keeps his crews busy.

"Before I bought the business, Cathy provided me with honest feedback and valuable information I needed to make the decision to purchase AA Gutters," says David.  "When times were tough, she was reassuring and inspired confidence that I was making the right decisions.    Through the SBRN, I was able to find professionals to help with specific needs.  I am looking forward to continued support from the SBDC as my business grows." 

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Ameritape

Tom Whipple and Renee Vogel started working at Ameritape 15 years ago. During this time, they contributed to the company's growth and success. When they heard the owner was looking for a buyer, they expressed their interest in buying the company. The owner liked the idea and agreed to give Tom and Renee the opportunity to buy the business. In late December of 2007, he began the process of a formal business valuation to determine the price tag for the company. In the meantime, Tom and Renee met with Cathy Hagan at the Small Business Development Center at UNF to evaluate the opportunity. While the SBDC does not provide business valuation services, it has access to some financial analysis tools that evaluate the health of a company. Using these tools, Cathy helped Tom and Renee establish a range of value for the company. She also provided them information about SBA loan programs along with names of several participating banks who are members of the Small Business Resource Network. Tom and Renee also used the SBRN to find an attorney to help with the transaction.

Upon completion of the formal valuation, the owner provided Tom and Renee with a lot of information, but no final dollar figure for the purchase of the business. He wanted Tom and Renee to make an offer, so they worked with the information provided by the business valuation company and the SBDC to come up with an initial offer. After some negotiating, they agreed on a final price. The next step was to secure financing. Tom and Renee presented the deal to several banks. Some showed initial interest but would not commit. Finally, in August of 2008, they were able to secure a SBA 7(a) loan. With the loan, their own investment, and the previous owner agreeing to hold a note, Tom and Renee purchased Ameritape.

Ameritape, Inc. is a converter/distributor of pressure sensitive tape products. The company represents all major manufacturers of tape and label stock, which enables them to service many different market segments. The company's unique niche is specialty tape, which includes electrical/electronic and double-coated products supplied in both roll form and as die-cut pieces. Ameritape markets its products and services through manufacturing representatives who sell throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Ameritape is an ISO9001 certified company, demonstrating the company's commitment to quality.

As employees of Ameritape, Tom and Renee worked primarily in operations but had lots of customer contact. As owners, Tom oversees production while Renee is primarily responsible for sales. They both are focused on growing the business by aggressively pursuing growth industries such as electronics, aerospace, and security.  While the business is running smoothly, Tom and Renee are glad they utilized the SBDC and want to continue with the relationship saying, "The SBDC is a great resource. Cathy provided us with ideas on how to evaluate the purchase price of the business. She introduced us to the SBRN where we found banks and an attorney to help structure the deal. We look forward to working with Cathy and the SBDC in the future to develop a strategic marketing plan to fuel the future growth of Ameritape".

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Heavy Equipment Resources of Florida Inc. (HERO)

 "We knew we wanted to export. We just didn't know how. The certificate program opened our eyes to opportunities and resources that made exporting a reality for our company," said Leslie. "Cathy and the SBDC connected us to the experts we needed to get started."

Leslie Smith, co-owner of a thriving family-owned landscaping business in Jacksonville, has been paying attention to all the news about the expansion of JaxPort.  So, when he heard about the International Trade Certificate Program - Export Series being offered by the SBDC at UNF, he signed up immediately, and brought along his brother and nephew. The SBDC partnered with JaxPort, Enterprise Florida, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Beaver Street Enterprise Center, and the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce to put on the program, designed to help small businesses sell their products and services in the international marketplace.

Smith never really thought about getting involved in international trade until he heard about the export series. Now, thanks to the knowledge and commercial contacts gained during the six-week program, facilitated by Cathy Hagan, Certified Business Analyst at the UNF SBDC, Smith is expanding his business horizons to include exporting agricultural equipment.

With the recent shipment of a motor grader to Germany, Leslie Smith officially became an exporter. He credits his success in launching Heavy Equipment Resources of Florida Inc. (HERO) to his participation in the export series. Hagan brought together experts in the field from Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Department of Commerce, among others. The program also featured "live case studies" - business owners who had practical exporting experience - to share their stories. Smith also took advantage of the one-on-one counseling the SBDC provides for small business owners. He met with  Hagan to discuss the development of a business plan to help guide the growth of HERO.

Smith is using his 20 years of experience in the construction business to source new and used construction equipment to export. And he is using international leads provided by Enterprise Florida and market research from the U.S. Department of Commerce to help him find buyers. These were resources he was unaware of until his participation in the SBDC's program. He also followed up with the banker from Regions Bank who presented information about international payment mechanisms and financing. The bank provided him with financing to fund his entrance into exporting.

Smith will be one of the "live case studies" featured in the next international trade certificate program put on by the SBDC at UNF. His advice is simple. "You can't be an exporter until you export something." Smith knows from personal experience that if you take advantage of all the resources available to help, you can be successful doing business internationally.

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Boise Jackson

Boise Jackson initially came to the SBDC in 1998.  He had been a carpet installer for twenty-three years and had a lot of field experience in the carpet business.  He wanted to open a business primarily because of his desire to give the best product and services to his potential clients and to provide employment for his friends and teach them a skill, installing carpet and wood flooring, that would be beneficial. 

He found a good location for his business in Gainesville, Florida.   He ultimately used his savings to fund the business and utilized the advice and guidance of the SBDC.  Jackson opened his flooring business in 2000. 

Since opening, Jackson has been very busy in the carpet and flooring business.  His gross income is well over $300,000 per year, and his wife and daughter work in the store taking care of the bookkeeping and sale of the carpet and wood flooring products. Jackson had no formal knowledge about running a business when he began his flooring business other than meeting with the SBDC for assistance and attending several workshops through the University of Florida Department of Diversity and attending Job Fairs.  He advises the importance of investigating a business thoroughly before taking the plunge, developing a business plan, and making sure you have adequate funding before starting your business. He quickly learned there is a big difference between installing floors and running a business.

Today, he is still in business and doing very well even in these difficult times.

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Tan USA

Chris and Nancy Geisenburg had always dreamed of having a business of their own.  They were well aware of the obstacles of being in business which included not having any actual business experience which prompted them to visit with the SBDC in Gainesville for assistance. They met with Pat Fitzgerald, Certified Business Analyst, who provided them with information on licensing, business structure, business planning, record keeping, marketing and loan packaging. He also suggested they contact an SBRN member for assistance in purchasing a franchise. After researching numerous types of businesses they settled on a tanning salon and found just the right one in Tan USA, a franchise for sale located in the northwest area of Gainesville.

They purchased the Tan USA franchise using their retirement funds. The franchise was established in 1999 and the owner wanted to sell it. The previous owner was absent from the business and left the management and maintenance of the business to the young employees. Nancy and Chris both felt by being on site and running the business themselves they could do a much better job of managing and maintaining TAN USA and that is exactly what has happened. Chris takes care of the maintenance, and Nancy takes care of the management side of the operation. They work very well together and clients are very happy with the change in ownership. They have eleven flat tanning beds and one upright tanning bed. They presently have a membership of approximately 1500 clients.

Tan USA has been in the black ever since they took over in February 2008, and the Geisenburgs are now working together and enjoying the challenge of owning their own business and making new friends into old friends.

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Arlette’s Place

Arlette Price decided it was time to work for herself. She had a vision of a small but beautiful store selling unique items for the home and gifts that could be personalized. She already had the experience, having been a buyer for Wal-Mart, and she had European retail buying experience as well. Even as a young child, Arlette expected to own her own business someday. Arlette met with Kevin Monahan, Certified Business Analyst, at the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida.  Kevin quickly realized Arlette had great vision and buying skills, but recommended she take a few workshops to ensure her model would work.  At the same time, Kevin helped Arlette create a plan for her business.

Arlette had already found the location she wanted before she had taken her first business workshop. She had done her homework and it demonstrated that the customer base she wanted was in the Fleming Island/Middleburg area of Clay County. The population, income, traffic and buying habits all matched her model.

Arlette went on to take all seven of the small business start-up workshops and with her business plan completed, she was ready to seek financing. Kevin helped her with an application for SBA 504 funding. The process led to Arlette receiving funding and the store, to be called Arlette's Place, was born.

Arlette designed a logo and signage. She utilized SBDC staff as an impromptu focus group to test her designs. Kevin discussed with her the value of having an attorney, and Arlette utilized the Small Business Resource Network to find one.

Today Arlette's Place is a well visited and highly regarded store on Fleming Island. Arlette continues to be on the lookout for unique gifts and home furnishing for her discerning customers.  After working with the SBDC at UNF, Arlette recounts her positive experience by saying, "Kevin was with me the whole way. I'm not sure this store would have been here today without the guidance of the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida."

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Sneak Peek Studios

Kerii LaBombarbe is an ARDMS Certified, experienced Obstetric sonographer who wanted to start a professional independent elective 4D ultrasound studio in Jacksonville.  The business, soon to be known as Sneak Peek Studios, would offer a memorable and detailed first peek at an unborn baby through state-of-the-art ultrasound imaging using 3D/4D technology, with multiple 3D/4D ultrasound packages from which to choose.

Kerii visited the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida in August of 2007.  Kevin Monahan, Certified Business Analyst, helped Kerii get started on a business plan, which she knew would be the roadmap to a successful startup and would help her secure funding for the business. Kevin worked with Kerii to tweak the plan into a document that was the model she was looking for.

Upon completion, Kerii presented her plan to a local bank and received the funding she needed to purchase state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment. She found a suitable location in the Southpoint area of Jacksonville that was central to her customer demographic.

Kerrii soon began to receive referrals from physician practices in the area and today, Sneak Peek Studios is ahead of projections and is a profitable and highly regarded business; a place where friends and family can come and share the miracle of life.  Kerrii would like to continue working with Kevin Monahan and the UNF Small Business Development Center saying, "Kevin helped me all the way through opening and we're still working on marketing. It is very reassuring to have expertise like that available to Sneak Peek Studios".

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DASH

In search of a better life, Danita & Shannon Heathcock saw an opportunity in October 2001 and became entrepreneurs.   As residents of Citrus County Florida, they noticed that there was a large elderly population, plenty of doctors, nursing homes, and two hospitals. With no formal training, they started doing research on the county and what was required to start a non-emergency medical transport company. They decided to incorporate in November of 2001, they called their new company DASH; an acronym for Danita and Shannon Heathcock. However, some obstacles loomed large: little money, little credit, no vehicles, and no customers.  The most troubling obstacle was no customers or even the prospects of customers.
After a lot of praying and research, they took our entire savings of $3,000 and bought two vehicles that did not even run.  But, by December 2001, they had one vehicle in shape to transport people. It took four months of knocking on doors to receive their first call.
Eventually the calls started coming from the hospitals, then nursing homes; soon they had to put a motor in the other vehicle.   Not long after, they hired their first employee and added another vehicle. By the fall of 2003, they realized we needed help so they contacted the Small Business Development Center, located in Ocala, Florida. They meet with Dr. Philip Geist, Certified Business Analyst, who told them about a program called “Fast Trac” that was starting the winter of 2004. Shannon attended the course and in May 2004 completed the course. Soon after, the Heacocks completed the business plan that would guide DASH Transport, Inc. (DASH) into the future.
With their business plan, they received a small SBA loan that gave DASH a boost. Later in November 2004, they moved the business operation out of our home and into a small office. By the end of 2004, they were grossing close to $300,000 annually. In December of 2004, they began negotiations to buy their largest competition.  Eight later - after many conversations with Dr Geist, attorneys, bankers, accountants – they agreed on a price and closed the deal on August 5 2005.

DASH is the largest transport company in Citrus County and is the only non-emergency medical transport company in Citrus County. The company now has15 vans, 27 employees, a Medicaid contract and several other contracts with facilities and organizations. Now DASH has quadrupled in size, making it one of the fastest growing companies in north Florida. It has been a wild ride they hope to continue!

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Grandma’s Country Pharmacy

On December 10, 1998, Marianne Glorius consulted with the Small Business Development Center at UNF concerning the possible purchase of a small pharmacy in Ocala.   Ms. Glorius has a degree in Pharmacy and is Nationally Certified in Immunization and Asthma programs.  She had extensive experience working for national pharmacy chains and decided the time was right to make the leap into business ownership.  After careful evaluation of the business, she decided not to purchase but to start a new pharmacy in an underserved rural area of Marion County.
Ms. Glorius returned to the SBDC for guidance on March 1, 1999.   SBDC Business Analysts  helped her develop her business plan and start up her business, answering her questions along the way.
 With the help of the SBDC and an SBA loan, Grandma’s Country Pharmacy, Inc., was open for business in Fort McCoy on July 12, 1999. This business is the only pharmacy in a 25-mile radius and is a real asset to the community.   Ms. Glorius has been able to manage the many problems of a start-up business and has been exceeding her business plan projections to date.  Next year she will celebrate 10 years in business, a milestone many entrepreneurs don’t accomplish.  

Grandma’s Country Pharmacy offers a free delivery service for the local areas, next day special orders, compounding services, a childhood immunization program, seasonal flu shots, and specialty care in asthma.  Ft. McCoy is fortunate to have this great resource and the SBDC is glad to have helped make it a reality.

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Fingershield Safety

Geoff Moseley had already completed a full and very distinguished sales career in the IT industry and just when his buddies were sitting back relaxing and collecting their retirement checks, he decided to take the helm of a start up business and a begin a new career as a business co-owner and CEO.

A chance meeting brought Geoff together with the owner of Fingershield (UK) Ltd, a United Kingdom-based company that wanted to expand into the American market. They manufacture door hinge guard covers which stop finger pinch accidents occurring in the gaps created between the door and door frame when the door is opened.

Initially not that interested in the offer, Geoff sat down at his PC and did some desk top research. He was absolutely astounded to discover that in the USA, there are over 300,000 accidents each year involving doors. 45,000 of those accidents were to children under the age of 14 and amazingly there were 15,000 amputations as a result of these injuries each year.  Realizing that here was a market just waiting for a product, Fingershield Safety (USA), Inc. was created in February 2004.

Geoff operated as a home-based internet business for the next three years. The United Kingdom company provided modest funding and a dedicated UK based link manager called John Stockwell. This enabled the company to start marketing the product, but they had to be very focused with these limited dollars. They chose a market segmentation route (child care centers) with customer intimacy as a primary means of delivering value. Despite reasonable success, Geoff and John were getting concerned that they did not have the skill set to expand the business and move out of the house so John took the bold step of moving himself and his family to the USA to provide full time on site support to grow the business. Despite this extra resource Geoff and John knew they needed help to develop a growth plan.

In November 2007, they first met with Cathy Hagan, Certified Business Analyst at the UNF SBDC. After a series of e-mail exchanges and interview sessions, Geoff was realized that he could learn in this type of environment at his own pace and was not sent “back to school”. In the meantime, John took advantage of the workshop series offered by the UNF SBDC – including sessions on the nuts and bolts of getting started, taxes, recordkeeping and marketing. “The guidance and support from Cathy and the SBDC is ongoing and has proved invaluable to the business,” said John.

Fingershield Safety (USA) now occupies offices in Ponte Vedra Beach, with three staff members and a fourth planned. In addition to pursuing sales in the child care center market, they have expanded their focus and are now marketing to manufacturers and distributors of doors and door hardware. Marketing efforts like attending trade shows and advertising in trade publications have really paid off.

Moving from a home-based business to a commercial office isn’t the only way Geoff and John have moved “out of the house”. They recognize that marketing is the key to their success so they spend as much time as they can “out of the office” telling people the story of Fingershield. And they definitely see the value in getting “out” in the community having recently joined the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce.

Geoff says “We have a really socially responsible product with a strong market demand. Thanks to Cathy and the SBDC team, we now have a well rounded growth strategy. I’m looking forward to a long fruitful business relationship with the SBDC.”

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St. Johns Power Sports

With successful careers as US Navy officers and carrier aviators followed by 20+ years as pilots and Captains at major commercial airline, Don Passell and Paul Barreto were ready to pursue a business that would keep them closer to home. After conducting due diligence on several businesses, they decided to purchase St. Johns Power Sports in Palatka.

During the due diligence process, Don and Paul met with Cathy Hagan, Certified Business Analyst at the SBDC at UNF. Cathy helped them evaluate how much the business was worth and the pros and cons of potential funding sources.  They also discussed potential marketing strategies. “Cathy provided us valuable insight to help us decide on the best way to finance the purchase of the business,” said Don. “And she also brainstormed with us to come up with innovative marketing ideas.”

Don and Paul decided to buy the business with the help of owner-financing and they took over operations in October 2007.  They partnered with Yamaha to increase marketing efforts and now have an updated web site and better signage on a busy thoroughfare.  Both owners spend a lot of time at the store, working the sales floor, providing support for the mechanic shop, or keeping track of sales and expenses.

The store’s inventory includes ATVs, watercrafts, motorcycles, scooters, and utility vehicles. What, no airplanes?  No, Don and Paul stick to ground transportation these days… but the “sky is the limit” for the success of St. Johns Power Sports.

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Body Design Cosmetic Spa

Cherron Johnson has always known she would open her own cosmetic spa – it was just a matter of time.  Cherron is a board certified nurse practitioner and was working for a family practice medical group when she decided the “time was right”.  Initially, she considered purchasing a business condo for the spa and met with a certified development company (CDC) and a bank to pursue an SBA 504 loan. The CDC referred Cherron to Cathy Hagan, Certified Business Analyst at the SBDC at UNF, for help in developing a business plan and financial projections. Cathy assisted her in setting up a spreadsheet to develop cash flow projections based on the number of procedures and retail products she expected to sell each month. She also helped Cherron find demographic information to measure the number of potential customers in the area. The CDC was eager to get the package in, so Cathy and Cherron worked quickly to put together a list of assumptions for the projections and a business plan describing the business concept, the market, and Cherron’s expertise that would make it a success.

Cherron was not approved for the 504 loan but that didn’t damper her entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, she was inspired to pursue other options and found an ideal retail location to lease that has great frontage on a heavily traveled road, and it did not take much capital or time to do the build out she needed for the spa. On March 4th, 2008, Cherron opened the doors to Body Design Cosmetic Spa on Southside Blvd. in Jacksonville.   Cherron decided to make an investment in a full page ad in SKIRT Magazine and it paid off, bringing lots of potential customers to her grand opening held in April who got to “sample” services.

Body Design offers a wide variety of spa treatments to pamper customers including facials, laser hair removal, spray tanning, microdermabrasion, and botox injections. The store also offers high end retail products so customers can treat themselves at home to the same products used at Body Design. One of the coolest services offered at Body Design is the SpaCapsule. This self-contained, full body massage system incorporates aromatherapy and an audiovisual entertainment system into one futuristic capsule-shaped relaxation center. The SpaCapsule gives Body Design the ability to offer “standard” services with a new and exciting twist.

Cherron sees her biggest challenge is staying organized so she can balance running her new business and raising three young children. She is confident she can do it.  Cherron says what really attracted her to owning her own business was to be in control of the money - what comes in and what goes out. And in fact, she already has plans to start another venture once Body Design is generating enough cash to support its operations. She will once again turn to the SBDC at UNF for help. “Working with the SBDC was a great experience. Developing financial projections and assumptions was all new to me. Cathy Hagan walked me through the process.”

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DAK Resources

"The transition from military to the private sector is rough," said David Moorefield, owner of DAK Resources. After 22 years serving his country as a Marine, David returned to his hometown of Jacksonville to start a new life. As a service-disabled veteran, he was fortunate to have contacts to help him transfer his experience and skills as a Major in the Marines to employment back in the States. With significant logistics training and expertise, David connected with Network Resources Inc. (NRI), a placement firm in Atlanta, GA. Kathy Shoff, the owner of NRI, worked with David to find a consultant position. When the contract fell through, David asked Kathy if she would join forces with him to start a placement firm focused on helping men and women transitioning out of the military. She was so inspired by his passion and his mission that she couldn't say no. "These soldiers and their families make tremendous sacrifices. When they return, the world has moved forward without them. They don't know the marketplace. They don't know how their skills fit into the private sector," says Kathy. DAK Resources was created to help transition these soldiers back to a "new normal" life.

David didn't know much about starting a business, so he turned to the Small Business Development Center at UNF (SBDC). In October 2007, he participated in "Fast Trac for Veterans", a program sponsored by the SBDC and WorkSource. This six-week program designed specifically for veterans focused on developing a business plan. During this program, David also met one-on-one with Cathy Hagan, a Certified Business Analyst at the SBDC. With Cathy's help over several months, David and Kathy completed their plan to be presented to a bank for start up financing. The first bank that reviewed the plan wasn't interested because DAK Resources had no operating history. David and Kathy turned to the SBDC again for advice on what to do next. Cathy introduced them to the Small Business Resource Network where they found American Enterprise Bank. Banker Marge Cirillo loved the plan and submitted it to the SBA under the Patriot Express loan program. This program provides banks with a higher percentage guarantee than the standard SBA 7(a) program to encourage access to capital for veterans and their family members.

In January 2008, David and Kathy officially opened the doors to DAK Resources. And in March 2008, they closed on the Patriot Express loan that will provide working capital for major contracts. The company has submitted proposals for federal, state, and local government contracts that would provide hundreds of jobs that could be filled by veterans. The next step is to market to major corporations. David and Kathy will once again turn to the SBDC to use ReferenceUSA, a database of businesses throughout the US that can be searched by industry classification, size and geography. From this database, Cathy Hagan will help them build a prospect list for their future marketing efforts. They have also embarked on a networking campaign to let people know who they are and the services DAK Resources provides as part of the community. In addition to local business associations, they joined the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce as a Trustee and have been taking advantage of the speaking opportunities this has afforded them.

The heart and soul of DAK Resources lies in the shared passion of David and Kathy. They believe in their mission to say "welcome home" to veterans by making it easier to transition into the workforce.  An outsider may see the strengths of this management team being their past - David's leadership and logistics experience as a Marine and Kathy's experience in running a successful placement firm. But they see their sincerity and passion for fulfilling DAK Resources' mission as the real strength. And if you ever have a chance to meet them, you will too.

DearBook

“The SBDC has been the most valuable resource I have had in the creation of The DearBook Company.  One-on-one meetings with Cathy Hagan (a Certified Business Analyst), provided unbiased feedback on my business plan, and the SBRN directory led me to our attorney and website developer, both of whom I have been very pleased with.  It’s reassuring to know the SBDC will continue to be there for me as my business grows and I meet new challenges.”

As a mother of two young children, Angie Hughes realized how fast time seems to go by and how quickly one forgets the year’s special celebrations. She had a great idea for a product that would make it easy to plan and capture the wonderful occasions of the year. To fill this need to organize cherished memories before they fade away, Angie created DearBook. This easy-to-use yearly book contains planning and journal sections, helpful forms, archival album pages for keeping favorite pictures and invitations, and pockets for storing ideas found in magazines, report cards, ticket stubs or any other mementos. Everything is contained in a classic three-ring album. Organization helps make special occasions run smoother and ultimately more enjoyable. A priceless benefit is that the yearly planning journals become heirlooms that can be passed down for generations.

Angie was confident from the start that her idea for DearBook was something she could sell to others. She soon realized that the idea was just the beginning of the process of starting her business. Having no entrepreneurial experience, Angie turned to the Small Business Development Center at UNF for help. She met with Certified Business Analyst Cathy Hagan several times to review her business plan, refine the numbers, and discuss marketing. Angie also tapped into the Small Business Resource Network, where she found her attorney and website developer. 

“The SBDC has been the most valuable resource I have had in the creation of The DearBook Company. One-on-one meetings Cathy Hagan provided unbiased feedback on my business plan, and the SBRN directory led me to our attorney and website developer, both of whom I have been very pleased with. It’s reassuring to know the SBDC will continue to be there for me as my business grows and I meet new challenges.” Angie said of her experience of working with the SBDC and SBRN.

While Angie says she has no entrepreneurial experience, she certainly demonstrates the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur. She is resilient and persistent, never giving up and always looking for a better way to make something work. She has a great support network and she is passionate about DearBook and truly believes it can help people help people capture those traditions that are the centerpiece of family life, creating comfort, anticipation, and joy.

Angie’s ultimate goal is for DearBook to be one of the many exclusive products selected as one of Oprah Winfrey’s “favorite things” she gives out to her audience every year on her show at Christmastime. (Angie has already sent Oprah a personalized DearBook.) That will definitely be a memory for Angie to capture in her own DearBook.

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Flaco’s

“The SBA loan made the café a reality, but learning how to manage the business money was vital for survival.”

With degrees in physics and electrical engineering, it only took Tim Darnell a few short-years working for an engineering company to know that he needed a change.  He knew he wanted to do something completely opposite to what he had been doing as an engineer.  Darnell decided he needed a partner and found them in longtime friend Sara Puyana.

Darnell and Puyana liked the people aspect of the food and beverage business. They wanted to have more control over their time and decisions. Cuban food menu was chosen because Sara’s mom, Marta, was a good cook at home and she is Flaco’s chef.  The café name, Flaco’s, is Spanish for skinny man, Sara’s nickname for Tim.

The friends took their idea and plan to Dominic Orsini, a Certified Business Analyst at the Small Business Development Center in Gainesville. With Orsini’s assistance and guidance, the young entrepreneurs evaluated their business idea and developed a business plan. They worked hard and applied for a BLX community express loan and formalized their business plan. 

The SBDC motivated the new owners, with assistance in understanding cash flow and managing the business. Darnell says, “The SBA loan made the café a reality, but learning how to manage the business money was vital for survival.”

Nothing prepared them for opening day in May 2006. Darnell concedes this was the worst time of the year to open, going into the summer months with University of Florida students away for three months, but they were able to break even.

Flaco’s has three full time and three part time employees. The partners agreed that owners don’t get shifts; they are in the business from opening until closing. They trade off, each putting in 80-90 hours per week.

Located in Gainesville, Flaco’s has 900 square feet with an open but intimate front dinning area and 500 square feet in back.   The café’s clientele is split between downtown business people for lunch and neighborhood locals for night business.  Late night weekend clientele consists of locals and students.

Café hours are adjusted to accommodate the downtown traffic flow. This is the only place in downtown Gainesville to serve food late, after the bars close. Many college students come in to eat after a night on the town.

A phone-in, take–out service is provided for the convenience for patrons to pick-up. Flaco’s beer, wine and tobacco license will allow future plans to have a small beer and wine bar in the rear of the property.

After six months, the young entrepreneurs are reinvesting into the business and seeing their sales increasing. Now they have an accountant to manage the café’s inventory, to track the money, to prepare payroll and taxes.

Darnell offers this advice, “Listen to everybody, you can’t create it all on your own and watch your money. Cash is king." 

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Omni’s Kitchen

“Call Dominic at the Small Business Development Center before you try to do it all on your own.”

Omi Risco had been catering for friends for 16 years and that business grew so much that she needed to open a storefront for catering and walk-in business.

Risco had secured financing from her local bank, and struggled with her business project for about two months, before she called the Small Business Development Center at UNF (SBDC) for help. She was pleasantly surprised when Dominic Orsini answered the phone because they had met while she was a student at the University of Florida.

Orsini directed Risco to attend the SBDC workshop on “How to S-T-A-R-T-U-P Your Own Business” held monthly at the Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center.  Orsini also helped Risco focus on management requirements with the Division of Hotels and Restaurants: Food Service Plan Review, Food Employee Training, and highlighting the important steps needed before opening date.    

“Dominic took me by the hand and led me through the whole process,” Risco laments.

Omi’s Kitchen officially opened Labor Day weekend 2006 and was overwhelmingly accepted.  Four months into her business Risco had already established a good repeat clientele and a steady lunch group that even includes owners and chefs from other restaurants.  The café is open for lunch and only sells take out in the evening.  Professionals in a rush, make up most of the take-out business. They dash in, check out the six entrée-limited menu posted on a large wall chalk board, order and they are out the door.

Distinctively different from the café is the larger catering side of the business; Elegant Catering.  Risco loves this side of the business because the events are almost always happy occasions.  Some clients simply have a budget that Risco is happy to work with to provide a beautiful, tasty presentation that stays within the budget.  It is not unusual to have multiple catered events on the same day requiring a huge service inventory of dishware, flatware, and glassware for 600 guests. Omi’s Kitchen uses contract help on an as need basis for the café and catering business.

The most satisfying part of the business is the complements about the food and service from happy clients and customers.  Risco is thankful for the invaluable coaching assistance she received from the SBDC.   She encourages others to utilize the SBDC by saying, “Call Dominic at the Small Business Development Center before you try to do it all on your own.”

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Decontamination Specialists LLC

"Kevin was very helpful in encouraging me to proceed. He helped me realize the potential of my idea."

Keith Gooch has had a successful accounting practice in Jacksonville since 2003. Despite being busy with the business, he had an idea he wanted to test out. He realized from conversations with a friend who toyed with the idea in Kentucky that there might be a niche for a very separate company that would make a home or business where violent crime or contamination occurred whole and safe again. Client has small accounting practice.

He visited Certified Business Analyst Kevin Monahan at the Small business development Center to explore the idea further. Kevin assisted with research for Keith’s business plan and critiqued his final draft. Everything they learned seemed to point out that the business could succeed.

Being an accountant, Keith had excellent skills in creating a startup budget and projections. He concluded that about $65,000 would be required to open the business that would henceforth be known as Decontamination Specialists LLC.

Keith and Kevin talked a lot about marketing. Keith was concerned about how best to communicate to clients the array and type of services his fledgling company offered.

"How do you advertise such a morbid subject?" he asked. The answer, Gooch said, is by handing out business cards to apartment associations, police, hospitals and hotels, and others who might need the company's services or know someone who does. Web sites and brochures also can get the word out. Gooch's Web site is www.deconhome.com.

An innovative idea was the company’s ability to process and verify credit card payment at the scene to ensure reliable cash flow.

While Kevin identified a few other competitors in the market, Keith was confident he would be the best in the industry. “Our Specialists are trained in the proper handling of everything at the site.  Our specialized equipment will also remove any lingering odor from a clients home or business. At Decontamination Specialists LLC courtesy and professionalism are really important to us.”

The business has two full time and 10 part time employees. As the business grows, Keith expects to make well performing employees full time.

Kevin and Keith are currently working to procure additional contracts for Decontamination Specialists LLC with various levels of government through PTAC.

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Pool Dude Services, Inc.

“You need to get to know this young lady. She’ll help you grow your business.”

Willie Crosby, Jr. kept that in mind after attending a workshop several years ago.

“You need to get to know this young lady. She’ll help you grow your business.” Willie Crosby, Jr. kept that in mind after attending a workshop several years ago. When Willie finally started his pool cleaning service in 2002, he knew just who to call when he discovered he had a lot to learn about managing a small business.
                                      
The young lady mentioned was Tanya Douglas, Director of Micro Enterprise Development at the SBDC at UNF. When Tanya met with Willie, he had an array of challenges he wanted to address.  "Tanya has helped us to identify and prioritize each step," Willie said.

First, since Willie operated as a sole proprietor, he incorporated his business, Pool Dude Services, Inc. Then, to streamline day-to-day operations, he learned and started using QuickbooksTM computer software.

"I learned I could use it for more than general accounting purposes," Willie said. "Now, I can manage my customer database, forecast trends and generate customer information so I know where to spend my marketing dollars."

As a direct result of what he's learned so far, Willie has been able to grow his company from one to nine employees. He now services both residential and commercial accounts.

His relationship with the SBDC is a continuous one. With Tanya's assistance, Willie recently passed the commercial pool building license exam and has applied for state licensure.  Willie is focusing on expanding more into commercial pool cleaning for housing developments, apartment complexes and recreational centers. Additionally, wanting to expand his market reach, Willie has completed numerous workshops and is refining his marketing.

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Bottom’s Up Diving Services

"The help the SBDC provided was exactly what we were looking for. We felt like Kevin understood our needs and that we could trust him completely."

Wade Zaggy was working hard in the diving business but for someone else. Like many entrepreneurs, Wade and his wife Brenda felt that they should consider starting their own company they to would specializing in underwater hull cleaning, propeller changes, inspections, and 24hr emergency services, but with a much bigger emphasis on customer service. They decided to contact the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida. They took the “How to S-T-A-R-T-U-P Your Own Business facilitated by Certified Business Analyst Kevin Monahan. The class confirmed their interest in proceeding, but the saw the need for help and counseling.

While working on a plan, the Zaggy’s were told that Wade no longer had a job with the diving firm. While Wade did not mind separating from the company, he was glad that they had taken steps to support themselves. Monahan helped them finish their plan, which called for a startup budget of about $25,000. The Wades would need to borrow $20,000 for a truck and equipment. Their credit was excellent, but their collateral was just a bit short for a conventional bank loan.

Kevin explained and recommended a BLX Community loan as they met the criteria for lending. He helped them with the forms and submitted the package as technical assistance contact.

The Wades were approved for the full $20,000 and they went into business immediately. They decided to call the company Bottom’s Up Diving Services In a very short time, Wade’s excellent work underwater and Brenda’s customer relations skills above created a growing demand for their services.

Today they are showing increasing sales and have over 50 maintenance accounts. At the present rate, they will be hiring another diver to keep up with demand.

Kevin is continuing to work with the company to help them procure government contracts.

"Kevin Monahan's help was invaluable in taking my business from concept to fruition"

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