Ray Peter, FSBDC, Palm Coast, Business Consultant

Raymond A. Peter Named Area Manager of the Florida SBDC at UCF in Palm Coast

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January 26, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or hthayer@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – The Florida SBDC at University of Central Florida (SFBDC at UCF) today announced that it has named Raymond A. Peter as Area Manager of the FSBDC at UCF’s Palm Coast office. He will be responsible for managing the FSBDC’s activities in Flagler County and providing counseling services, seminars and workshops aimed at assisting FSBDC at UCF clients start new businesses and then grow them into successful small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In addition, Peter will be active in guiding the Palm Coast Business Assistance Center (BAC) which houses the FSBDC and contributes significantly to the economic development of the area.

Peter, age 68, is currently a consultant and certified business consultant for the Florida SBDC at UCF’s satellite office in Palm Coast. He joined the FSBDC after an accomplished career in marketing, sales, partner relationship management and IT consulting with over 30 years at International Business Machine (IBM). In addition, he is an active entrepreneur and co-owner with his wife of a small business, Designs By Kathryn Inc. Prior to joining IBM, Peter, a Vietnam Veteran, served in the US Army, reaching the rank of First Lieutenant in military intelligence

“Ray brings a great mix of skills to the Florida SBDC at UCF in Palm Coast” commented Eunice Choi, FSBDC Regional Di-rector for Central Florida. “His combination of sales and marketing experience, hands-on familiarity with running a small business and the excellent work he has done as a consultant for the FSBDC make him the right fellow to lead our Palm Coast satellite office and assist the FSBDC’s clients with growing their businesses.”

Peter succeeds Joy Roy who will remain with the FSBDC in a reduced capacity. Roy will dedicate his time to training, working with a few larger size businesses, development of the 2015 Palm Coast Business Expo, now in its 4th year, and will contribute to the FSBDC’s overall strategy for Palm Coast.

Peter earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MBA from Queens University. In addition, he studied at the IBM Management School and Harvard Business Leadership Academy. He resides in Palm Coast with his wife Kathryn Teiro-Peter. In his spare time, Ray assists his wife with her residential interior business and enjoys swimming, playing golf and having the six grandchildren come to visit.

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF
With its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of the UCF Office of Research & Commercialization and the Florida SBDC Network (FSBDC Network). THE FSBDC at UCF provides business seminars and no-cost, one-on-one business consultation to emerging and established businesses. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 10 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2013, the FSBDC at UCF served more than 7,200 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 7,507 Central Florida jobs created, retained or saved; $1.0 billion in sales growth; $51.5 million in capital formation; $87.7 million in government contract awards; and 129 new businesses started.

About the FSBDC Network
The FSBDC at UCF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network is hosted by the University of West Florida and is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

For over 35 years, the FSBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations, dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. The FSBDC Network is a statewide service system of 41 centers with 60 outreach locations, including the FSBDC at UCF.

In 2013, the Florida SBDCs served over 34,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 39,536 jobs created, retained and saved; $5.5 billion in sales growth; $197.3 million in capital accessed; $602.2 million in government contract awards; and 685 new businesses started. And, for every $1 of Florida public and private sector investment in FSBDC programming, $35 was returned to the state in tax revenue

FSBDC at UCF | 3201 E. Colonial Drive | Orlando, FL 32801 | p 407.420.4850 | f 407.420.4862 sbdc@ucf.edu | www.sbdcorlando.com

FSBDC Daytona State

FSBDC at Daytona State College’s CEO XChange Program Benefits Daytona Beach Company

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Mid Florida Sportswear leverages CEO Peer-to-Peer Coaching to Advantage

January 21, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or hthayer@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL –    John Koberg had an opportunity and wanted input on how to take advantage of it. As CEO of Mid Florida Sportswear, he had worked hard to become an approved vendor with Sam’s Club several years ago.  The company was initially brought in as a supplier of officially licensed Daytona Bike Week shirts.  Over the years, Mid Florida Sportswear had grown its relationship with Sam’s Club by expanding the number of clubs that carry Daytona Bike Week shirts as well as securing licenses with other rallies such as Sturgis and Myrtle Beach to grow into other Sam’s Club markets.

During that time, by working closely with the local Sam’s Club manager, Mike Mitchener, Mr. Koberg had been trying to develop an apparel line that would appeal to more than just the clubs surrounding the area of the rally. In fact, over the past three years Mid Florida had tried several different design approaches, but none of them took off.  Mr. Koberg knew he had to do something that would get the attention of customers nation-wide, but just could not find success.

In September of 2013, John Koberg joined the Florida SBDC at Daytona State College’s CEO XChange, an executive roundtable program offering a confidential setting for top executives to discuss vital business issues, opportunities and trends with a group of peers.  Coincidentally, he and the local Sam’s club manager had been discussing a possible new direction to take to increase Mid Florida Sportswear’s exposure in Sam’s Club.

Looking to take advantage of the brainpower of the members of CEO XChange, the opportunity to grow his business with Sam’s Club became a topic of discussion at one of the monthly CEO XChange meetings. The group began bouncing ideas around.  The CEO XChange members focused on what would make Mid Florida’s product unique and saleable.  Several parameters were agreed to: it had to be entirely made and designed in the USA on an American made t-shirt; it had to be a soft style comfortable t-shirt; the designs had to be branded and trademarked with pride from the Daytona Beach area, yet appeal to a larger audience; and it had to have an eye-catching hang tag capturing that pride.

The CEO XChange group offered input on all of those items and more.   One item directly attributable to the group, with unanimous agreement, was to make use of the Daytona Beach brand.  Everyone agreed that Daytona Beach is an underappreciated brand that is widely known outside of Florida and the United States.  After bouncing around several ideas, they settled on the name “Authentic Beachstyle Daytona”.

With the final samples in hand, it was off to Bentonville that Mr. Koberg and Mr. Michener went.  In July Mid Florida received notification that Sam’s Club was going to run a test order on its Authentic Beachstyle Daytona made in America soft style T-shirt line; it was one of the single largest orders in the company’s history.  In September 2014, one year after joining the CEO XChange, Mid Florida Sportswear began shipping the order and currently its new line is in virtually every Sam’s Club in Florida. Mr. Koberg credits much of this success to the close working relationship with the local Sam’s club manager and the significant guidance and input from the FSBDC at Daytona State College’s CEO XChange group.

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF

With its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of the UCF Office of Research & Commercialization and the Florida SBDC Network (FSBDC Network). THE FSBDC at UCF provides business seminars and no-cost, one-on-one business consultation to emerging and established businesses. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 10 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2013, the FSBDC at UCF served more than 7,200 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 7,507 Central Florida jobs created, retained or saved; $1.0 billion in sales growth; $51.5 million in capital formation; $87.7 million in government contract awards; and 129 new businesses started.

About the FSBDC Network

The FSBDC at UCF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network is hosted by the University of West Florida and is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

For over 35 years, the FSBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations, dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. The FSBDC Network is a statewide service system of 41 centers with 60 outreach locations, including the FSBDC at UCF.

In 2013, the Florida SBDCs served over 34,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 39,536 jobs created, retained and saved; $5.5 billion in sales growth; $197.3 million in capital accessed; $602.2 million in government contract awards; and 685 new businesses started. And, for every $1 of Florida public and private sector investment in FSBDC programing, $35 was returned to the state in tax revenue

FSBDC at UCF | 3201 E. Colonial Drive | Orlando, FL 32801 | p 407.420.4850 | f 407.420.4862
sbdc@ucf.edu | www.sbdcorlando.com

Go Global, International Trade Services, Export Marketing

Exporting for Business Growth Workshop Being Hosted By SBDC at UCF on January 16th

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Attendees to gain valuable tools, insights and knowledge for expanding internationally

8 January 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or hthayer@ucf.edu

Orlando, FL – More and more Florida-based companies are expanding overseas. We at the Florida SBDC at UCF know that expanding into international markets can seem daunting. To help overcome that trepidation and assist companies interested in exporting, we have produced an interactive workshop to help attendees find out how the Florida SBDC at UCF can help you prepare your business for globalization. Participants will leave with a new perspective, better understanding and command of best practices to help your small business earn a share of this growing profit opportunity. This workshop followed by direct, no-cost, one-on-one consulting assistance from the FSBDC at UCF will guide you through the complexities of international expansion strategies toward new markets and new revenues.

This important event, “Go Global: Exporting for Business Growth” is scheduled for Friday, January 16th from 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon at the Florida SBDC at UCF located at the National Entrepreneur Center, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Suite A20, Orlando, FL 32803 (Inside the Orlando Fashion Square Mall).

Many ask the FSBDC at UCF: Why Export? The reasons why tell a compelling and attractive story:

  • Over 70% of the world’s purchasing power is outside the United States.
  • Over 95% of the world’s customers are located beyond U.S. borders.
  • 98% of goods exporting companies in the U.S. are small to medium sized businesses.
  • Companies that export, on average, grow 15% faster, pay 15% higher wages and are 12% more profitable than non-exporters.
  • Most companies that export have an easier time riding out fluctuations in the U.S. economy and are more likely to stay in business.

The agenda for the workshop covers the full range of topics important to those considering selling abroad, including:

  • Why Export
  • Export Readiness Assessment
  • Developing an Export Marketing Plan
  • Market Research & Selection
  • Assessing Competition
  • Export Compliance Overview
  • Cost & Pricing Considerations
  • Market Entry Strategies
  • Overseas Opportunities
  • Resources

Leading this interactive discussion are international trade specialists, including two Certified Global Business Professionals (CGBP) from the FSBDC at UCF and the Director of the U.S. Orlando Export Assistance Center.

Partnering with the Florida SBDC at UCF in producing this event are Enterprise Florida, the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida, the Central Florida International Trade Office and the U.S. Commercial Service of the United States of America Department of Commerce.

— FSBDC —

About the FSBDC at UCF
With its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of the UCF Office of Research & Commercialization and the Florida SBDC Network (FSBDC Network). THE FSBDC at UCF provides business seminars and no-cost, one-on-one business consultation to emerging and established businesses. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 10 service centers across Central Florida.

In 2013, the FSBDC at UCF served more than 7,200 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 7,507 Central Florida jobs created, retained or saved; $1.0 billion in sales growth; $51.5 million in capital formation; $87.7 million in government contract awards; and 129 new businesses started.

About the FSBDC Network
The FSBDC at UCF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network is hosted by the University of West Florida and is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

For over 35 years, the FSBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations, dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. The FSBDC Network is a statewide service system of 41 centers with 60 outreach locations, including the FSBDC at UCF.

In 2013, the Florida SBDCs served over 34,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 39,536 jobs created, retained and saved; $5.5 billion in sales growth; $197.3 million in capital accessed; $602.2 million in government contract awards; and 685 new businesses started. And, for every $1 of Florida public and private sector investment in FSBDC programing, $35 was returned to the state in tax revenue

FSBDC at UCF | 3201 E. Colonial Drive | Orlando, FL 32801 | p 407.420.4850 | f 407.420.4862

sbdc@ucf.edu | www.sbdcorlando.com

Drive Solutions, FSBDC, Business Consulting

Drive Solutions: Growth Acceleration Services Enable Business Expansion

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Drive Solutions Inc., a Central Florida business based in Clermont, FL is a manufacturer’s representative company in the bearing and power transmission segment selling products used in the mining, forestry, air handling and pumping industries.

Fred Louwersheimer, CEO and owner, identified an opportunity to significantly grow the business by entering the manufacturing arena producing customized small-size couplings that complement the core business, provide fast turnaround for customers and create a significant point of differentiation from competitors.

This growth initiative required “capital” in a difficult environment.

“Our bank recommended we get help from the SBDC which was the best advice that they could have given us. The SBDC Growth Acceleration consultant, Roger Greenwald command of business growth concepts and financial analysis guided us in producing an expansion plan and loan request package that greatly enhanced our understanding of the entire financial picture that impressed the bankers and helped us attain the financing we needed”; said Fred Louwersheimer, CEO and owner.

On the strength of a nearly quarter million dollar SBA Express loan form Regions Bank Drive Solutions expects to double its 2010 revenue to nearly $2,000,000 in 2012, adding 5 new jobs over the next 18 months.

Certified Slings

Certified Slings & Supply, Supplying the World

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Certified Slings & Supply has a strong tradition of innovation and service led by the Worswick family since 1978.  The company’s current leadership is made up of dedicated second and third generation family members with a combined 67 years of experience in the rigging, overhead lifting, load securement, and contractor supplies industry.  Certified Slings and Supply is headquartered in Casselberry, Florida, employs 95 full-time staff members and operates independent Rigging and Contractor Supply divisions located throughout Florida:  West Palm Beach, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Myers, and Ocala. The core business of each branch is the distribution, sale and manufacture of a variety of marine, mining, industrial and general contractor supplies.

Juan Lopez, the International Sales Director for Certified Slings & Supply approached the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (SBDC at UCF) with a goal of growing the company by increasing export sales. He had previously attended the Export 101: An Introduction to Exporting workshop in 2011 and heard about the Export Marketing Plan Services, a new program awarded through the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  It is offered in partnership with Enterprise Florida, Inc., and the U.S. Commercial Service to assist new-to-export manufacturers in developing their international growth strategy.  SBDC at UCF’s International Trade Specialist met with Mr. Lopez and Certified Slings’ upper management in order to gather information and understand the company’s short- and long-term international trade goals.  A customized export marketing plan was crafted for the company that included industry and customer analyses along with recommended target markets, overseas trade opportunities and an action plan.

In addition to the plan, the company received a $1,500 scholarship to be used towards a trade mission, trade show or standalone Gold Key Matching Service to connect the company with potential buyers overseas.  Certified Slings & Supply will continue expanding in Central and South America and the Caribbean, and recently traveled to Trinidad and Tobago with the Export Sales Mission.  As a result of this, the company expects an increase of $120,000 in export sales over the next 24 months.  The SBDC at UCF will continue to work closely with Certified Slings to assist in implementing the recommendations from the plan.

“If your company is thinking about exporting products or services abroad, the first thing you should do is meet with a member of the SBDC.  No matter how large or small your company is, a UCF International Trade Specialist will be able to lay out a customized export marketing program personally designed for your company.  It will be filled with data, statistics and facts targeting any region your company wishes to do business with.  This is the best investment any company could make if looking for help with an international marketing program.”   -Juan Jose Lopez, International Sales Director, Certified Slings and Supply

Solutions 1 Transport

Solutions 1 Transport

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Solutions 1 Transport LLC specializes in transporting temperature sensitive products throughout the United States.   They move produce, meats, dairy products and other refrigerated products for some of the nation’s largest food growers, processors and sellers. The company operates by using a combination of company-owned vehicles as well as utilizing owner operators.

imageTimothy and Aseania Jones, both United States Army veterans, started the business 7 years ago as owner operator with a single truck.  They had a vision of hundred of trucks with the “Solutions 1 Transport” logo on every major highway. Although the dream has been modified, their hard work and dedication has not.

Timothy Jones contacted SBDC at UCF consultant Pauline Davis at the recommendation of his banker.  Although Mr. Jones had worked hard and built the business from the ground up, there were some skills he needed to develop to take the business to the next level. In addition, the economy was changing and so was the overall trucking industry.

Pauline Davis worked with Mr. Jones on in-depth financial analysis, cash flow projections, and budgeting.  She also recommended, and the company utilized, several services of the SBDC such as the Advisory Board Council, Small Business Institute®, Marketing, and website analysis.

Utilizing his excellent business acumen and the SBDC’s recommendations, Timothy and his wife Aseania are seeing the business strategy finally paying off.  They are now better prepared to take the business to heights not previously thought of.   According to Mr. Jones, “I have come to see and fully appreciate the value of my business. I no longer make decision without careful cash flow analysis, and fully embrace the phrase ‘cash is king’.”  He is very optimistic about the future of his business and believes he will exceed his 2012 sales projections.  He truly appreciates the assistance of the SBDC.

AITC, Gabriel Ruiz, Advanced IT Concepts, Business Consulting, FSBDC

Advanced IT Concepts, Inc.: Business Life After Retirement

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Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel (Gabe) Ruiz retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2006. Since then he has leveraged a military career in information technology and an entrepreneurial spirit as owner and CEO of Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. which provides IT consulting services and value added resale of computer hardware and peripherals to both the government and private sectors.

AITC, Inc. was not an overnight success; Gabe spent four years as a consultant assisting telecommunications companies do business with the DOD, and concurrently engaged with CDW (an $8 billion business-to-business technology infrastructure and computer resale enterprise).  Blending his military, consulting and corporate experiences Gabe and his wife Sandra founded AITC, Inc. in 2010; AITC, Inc. is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business and has recently earned its 8(a) certification.

Since incorporation the company has achieved outstanding results with sales exceeding $1.5 million in the first fiscal year. Year two was a breakout year which saw sales nearly double with a net profit margin exceeding 12.5%. Sales in this current year will again double exceeding the $5 million milestone. In the three year period {2010-2013} the company has added 11 full time employees reaffirming the fact that “small business” is this country’s economic engine.
The company’s rapid growth has been accompanied with business challenges and Gabe turned to the Small Business Development Center at UCF.

In Gabe’s words; “The SBDC at UCF has been a true and invaluable partner to AITC. From our first meeting with Growth Acceleration Services consultant Roger Greenwald who showed a true caring attitude and superb business knowledge we have received expert advice in areas such as Marketing, Business Development, Budgeting and Forecasting, Operational Effectiveness and more. Additionally, the SBDC at UCF has facilitated AITC’s participation in the SBDC’s Advisory Board Council program which has provided a team of senior business experts that provide guidance in all business areas. Today, we are a much improved, stronger and better positioned company in great part to the outstanding support and guidance provided by the SBDC at UCF”.