Will Wellons of Wellons Communications

Wellons Communications

Will Wellons didn’t start out as a small business owner. He’d distinguished himself as a newspaper journalist, then as an advertising and public relations executive for a prominent Orlando agency. Somewhere along the line, however, he got the entrepreneurial bug and decided to launch his own communications firm; Wellons Communications.

Wellons Communications is a 13-year-old marketing and social media firm, specializing in public relations. “We’re here to help you tell your story,” Will Wellons states proudly. “Our vision is that every business, no matter the size, needs great communications. We are committed to making that happen, and have done it for startups all the way to international corporations. That mix allows us to do some very, very unique things for our clients, including keeping our rates reasonable.”

As much success as Wellons Communications has had, it wasn’t always easy. It’s a big jump from agency executive to business owner. “There’s an old saying: You don’t know what you don’t know,” recalls Wellons. “While I know my stuff on the PR and marketing fronts, and had a strong management background, nothing prepares you for running your own business, putting your own money in the game, and making the final decisions.”

“So I listened when another small business owner raved about the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF), how good their services are and the wide variety of assistance available to someone like me who was looking to build my business, and take it to the next level.”

Wellons took advantage of a variety of the services offered by the FSBDC, including its expert, no-cost business consulting; seminars and workshops; and special programs for second stage companies. “Our business has thrived thanks to the FSBDC,” says Wellons. “The consulting has been extremely important; its brought focus, and a new and different look at our business with ways to improve and do things better. The seminars and workshops are outstanding; they’re bite-size energy pills of information that refresh and then add to what we know. And their special programs like CEO XChange and the Advisory Board Council, whether in my role as a client or a volunteer advisor, give you the chance to benefit from the expertise and different perspectives of other small business owners and professionals.”

“Owning a business is difficult,” Wellons remarked. “And there are always ups and downs. Thanks to the consistency of the FSBDC and their help putting a foundation of processes and procedures in place, we’ve been able to weather the bad times and now are moving ahead with very strong growth, seeing a 25% increase in revenues in just the last 12 months.”

“If I had to use one word to describe the FSBDC, it would be ‘Outstanding’,” concluded Wellons. “The business impact from their assistance is probably immeasurable. They are always there for you and ready to help propel the growth of your business. Every small business owner should take advantage of what they have to offer.”

For information about Wellons Communications, please visit www.wellonscommunications.com.

FSBDC Consutlant Lisa Reineck with Toni B. Springer

Toni B. Springer CPA PA

People. It’s always about people. Finding good ones; then finding more. Helping them be as productive as possible. Creating a constructive company culture. Human resource management is one of the single largest challenges faced by owners of small-to-medium sized businesses. That’s what we see and hear at the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) every day and why we offer the DISC behavior assessment tool, implemented by a DISC-trained consultant, to help our clients improve work productivity, teamwork and communication.

As important as employee effectiveness and satisfaction are for all businesses, nowhere is it more important than in a service business. Toni Springer, owner and principal at Toni B. Springer CPA PA, recognized that fact. Her firm offers tax, accounting, and business consulting services to companies and individuals. They like to say, “We can service your accounting needs so you can run your business, not let your business run you.”

The key word here is “service.” High quality, personalized service is crucial to her company and Springer relies on her employees to deliver that service. So finding the right people and creating a positive work environment are crucial to her success. “I had found the right person for a key role the firm,” recalls Springer. “A colleague suggested I needed to clone her. His experience with DISC had been very positive and he recommended I see what it could tell me about this person’s personality and behavior profile for the next time I was hiring or if I needed to replace her.”

Springer contacted FSBDC at UCF consultant and DISC expert Lisa Reineck to implement the DISC tool. Focused on four behavioral traits — Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Compliance – the tool draws a picture of an individual’s behaviors and preferences that can be used to enhance collaboration, cooperation and communications.

“Lisa did a great job and DISC had amazing consequences,” continued Springer. “I have very good people, who performed and collaborated better when they started recognizing each other’s styles and where the points of conflict existed. It brought peace back into the office. We all have better insights into each other’s behavioral traits which significantly increased the morale of everyone.”

“As a manager, DISC helped me see attributes in my employees I hadn’t recognized before which enabled me to place people where they best fit, would be most productive and most fulfilled,” Springer went on. “It may have even saved me from losing a valued employee. DISC revealed that one staff member was under immense stress from increased workloads. The results of the DISC report prompted me to make a quicker decision to hire additional staff. If I hadn’t engaged in DISC, I probably wouldn’t have made the decision to hire immediately and my ability to grow my business the way I wanted would have been hindered.”

“Increased productivity, improved efficiency, expanded employee effectiveness and the opportunity to make better decisions, that’s how DISC was very helpful for my firm,” concluded Springer. “We’re on the road to a terrific 2019 with the right people in the right roles, thanks to the help of the FSBDC.”

For information about Toni B. Springer CPA PA, please visit www.tbscpa.com.

Nava Pets

NAVA PETS

Every entrepreneur has a story, one that tells you where their new business idea came from and what ignited their passion to turn that idea into a going concern and then into a success. Most will also tell you that they couldn’t have done it alone; one of those is Janel Young, founder and CEO of NAVA PETS, a natural, organic pet food and products manufacturer.

Young has a wonderful story to tell. It begins with “Maxie”, her sweet and beloved little dog. Maxie was constantly beleaguered with irritated skin caused by food and skin allergies; she almost died from a severe reaction to traditional flea/tick prevention shampoo. And so Janel Young went to work to help her dog. In 2011, after months of trial and error, she successfully created an organic dry shampoo powder, natural treats and food to relieve Maxie’s skin condition and supplement her health and wellbeing!

NAVA PET's Janel Young with Florida SBDC at UCF's Jill McLaughlin (L-R)

When Young’s animal-loving friends saw Maxie’s transformation, they asked for the products to help their pets. It was then that Janel Young knew that she was on to something. Starting modestly, she began doing the rounds of the local farmers’ markets. She entered new business pitch competitions, and won! She also received national recognition as an entrepreneur, being named a Torey Burch Fellow and winning a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Award.

Young is quick to say that she hasn’t done it alone, though. She credits her team at NAVA PETS as well as her consultants at the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) and many others. “My journey with the FSBDC began when I needed advisement on a huge retail contract,” recalls Young. “It was an important growth step for my company and I wanted their assistance.” Young proceeded to take advantage of the FSBDC’s no-cost business consulting, workshops, PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) services and the Small Business Institute® program.

“I have been very fortunate to team with people like Jill McLaughlin and Steve South at the FSBDC.  (McLaughlin is an FSBDC consultant; South is a PTAC specialist). They have been like an extended family for NAVA PETS,” says Young. “They’ve really been in my corner in helping the business grow and providing me feedback in areas that need improvement.” Among the specific ways in which the FSBDC has helped NAVA PETS include developing a B2B, commercial sales strategy; looking at opportunities in international export markets; and branding, pricing and operations analysis and planning.

From its modest beginning at local farmers’ markets, NAVA PETS has come a long way. The company has grown to 10 employees; it is transitioning into a new, larger manufacturing facility; it is now being sold in Walmart, Lucky’s Market, and Albertson’s as well as on Amazon; and it has seen its revenues grow by over 2000% over the past 3 years. Maxie would be proud.

“Teaming up with the FSBDC is a phenomenal opportunity,” concluded Young. “I would highly recommend them. You can’t start and run a business without a team and the FSBDC is your extended team. It’s helped make NAVA PETS the success story it is today.”

For information about NAVA PETS, please visit https://navapets.com/ .

Unlimited Employee Benefit Service Center (UEBSC)

Unlimited Employee Benefit Service (UEBSC)

In addition to assisting existing local small-to-medium sized businesses, the Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) works with new-to-the-area companies seeking to establish themselves in our region. Unlimited Employee Benefit Services Center (UEBSC) is one of those companies. After relocating from Mississippi in 2016 and incorporating in Florida in early 2017, it has taken advantage of the support and resources offered by the FSBDC at Seminole State College (FSBDC at SSC), an FSBDC at UCF sub-center.

UEBSC specializes in providing retirement and health & wellness guidance to federal and state employees. Their motto: We Inform, Help and Direct. It is a premier national marketing organization representing a large group of top-rated companies in the financial and insurance industries and features professional, highly qualified Benefits Counselors from all over the country. UEBSC recently extended its services by offering Employer Health & Wellness Benefits programs.

“We were new in town,” recalls Cedric Lancaster, founder and CEO of Unlimited Employee Benefit Service Center. “We connected with the consultant and sub-center manager at the FSBDC at SSC Moses Aikyu. It has been a wonderful relationship.”

“With the FSBDC’s help, we have identified ways to become known in this area and built a game plan to get our business on the right track,” Lancaster continued. “Now we have the right strategies to take our business to the next level.”

In addition to benefiting from the FSBDC’s no-cost, expert business consulting, UEBSC has received significant support in the area of market research. By accessing the broad and deep information databases available from the FSBDC, UEBSC has been able to identify new business prospects and opportunities. And they’ve connected with multiple resource partners, including various Chambers of Commerce and other community groups.

They have also utilized the seminars and training available from the FSBDC, some of which guided UEBSC in becoming verified as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) by the U.S. Small Business Administration, a designation that can be useful in winning government contracts.

“As a small business, we know that our success is tied directly to the effort we put into the business,” Lancaster remarked. “By combining our work ethic with the resources of the FSBDC, we have been able to grow. It is great to know we have someone there if we need assistance. And the FSBDC has been there for us every step of the way.”

And grow UEBSC has. Since arriving in Central Florida, it has created 19 jobs, invested more than $120,000 in the local economy and generated more than $1.5 million in sales. It is working with multiple federal, state and local governmental agencies, as well as a growing number of local businesses gained from their Health & Wellness services.

“Coming to Central Florida was the right choice for UEBSC. And choosing to work with the FSBDC was the right decision,” concluded Lancaster. “It’s the small things that make the big things happen. From the beginning, the FSBDC was willing to do whatever they could to help us. We’re glad to be working with them. They have been a vital part of our success.”

For more information about Unlimited Employee Benefit Service Center, please visit www.thinkuebsc.org.

Summer Solutions, Inc.

Summer Solutions Inc.

The entrepreneurial life has its challenges. They are only multiplied when you relocate yourself and your business from Pennsylvania to Lake Mary, FL. But that’s exactly what Keith Lorenz, founder and owner of Summer Solutions Inc., did in 2013.  While searching for local assistance and learning the local business landscape, he found the support and assistance he needed to make a success of his move at the Florida SBDC at Seminole State College (FSBDC at SSC), a sub-center of the FSBDC at UCF, through its Advisory Board Council (ABC) program.

Summer Solutions is in the business of solving the problems that swimmers have with chlorine: the hair discoloration, the dry skin conditions, the deterioration of their swim suits to name a few. Summer Solutions offers a full line of products – shampoos, soap, swimwear care products – specifically designed to address the deleterious effects of chlorinated swimming pool water.

Lorenz started the company in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and made it a small success. Now he was ready to devote his full time to making the company a big success and answer some big questions: is this a real business I can grow? How can I scale it up? Where can I find the people I need to help me succeed?

It was then that he did some research and found the Florida SBDC. “I looked at all the different services offered by the FSBDC and saw the Advisory Board Council as the program that could really help me,” Lorenz says. “‘Wow,’ I said. ‘This is exactly what I need. Right here in Seminole County.’” He contacted Amy Kirkland, a consultant and the manager of the FSBDC at SSC, to apply.

In the Advisory Board Council program, the FSBDC constructs a no-cost board of experts that meets over an 18 month period providing advice and council to help businesses grow. The FSBDC acts as a matchmaker between established local businesses and area professionals who volunteer their expertise as members of an advisory board, with the Board customized and the volunteers selected to address the specific needs of the FSBDC client.

“My Advisory Board was invaluable. I was working on my own and needed advisors to bounce ideas off, to discuss issues with,” says Lorenz. “I wanted the accountability that would come from putting my plans in front a group of experts. And that’s what I got, and more, from my Board. They provided a forum that helped me make better decisions that helped my company grow.”

“My board saved me from taking some unnecessary risks and convinced me to invest in my marketing and sales efforts. They helped me analyze and redefine my target markets. We reassessed my website and they assisted me in finding the resources to improve it dramatically. They persuaded me that a dedicated sales person would have much more success than me doing it myself,“ Lorenz continued. “And the results speak for themselves: we now have a better focus on our markets, and our sales are up nicely.

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

Advanced IT Concepts, Inc.

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”.      

Hernon Manufacturing, FSBDC, Business Consulting

Hernon Manufacturing

imageExporting has been part of the business plan at Hernon Manufacturing, a custom formulator of adhesives, sealants, and precision dispensing and curing systems, since 1999. The company’s president, Harry Arnon, believed there was unrealized potential in international markets, however, and recently decided to refocus company efforts and make exporting a top priority for Hernon’s growth strategy.

To find and effectively enter the right foreign markets, Mr. Arnon turned to the Small Business Development Center at UCF for assistance with an aggressive international growth strategy, and was matched with an opportunity to participate in the Export Marketing Plan Services, which had launched in September 2011, due in large part to the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant that was awarded to Enterprise Florida, Inc. by the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Enterprise Florida partnered with the SBDC at UCF to offer customized export marketing plans to Florida manufacturers and professional service providers.

 

After meeting with SBDC at UCF’s International Trade Specialist, Nerine Elattar, planning commenced immediately, and soon after the export marketing plan was delivered to Mr. Arnon.  The plan provided the full gamut of necessary information for successful international market entry: a thorough export readiness assessment, an industry analysis, a market analysis with target market recommendations for Hernon’s products, a review of overseas trade opportunities, and an action plan.“FSBDC export marketing plan has been instrumental in the success of Hernon Manufacturing. Small business has neither the budget nor the experience that the Export Marketing Plan and SBDC can offer. For Hernon Manufacturing the export marketing plan laid out the road map translating in best return on investment concentrating where more business potential is available for our products,” commented Mr. Arnon.

Along with the plan, the company was eligible to receive a grant for a single standalone Gold Key with the U.S. Commercial Service.  The company decided to utilize the Gold Key in Italy and also added France, two recommended markets from the plan, and in early 2013 traveled to those countries for one-on-one meetings with pre-screened, qualified buyers.  The company reported $1.37 million in export sales worldwide as a result of the Gold Key Matching Service.  “The Gold Key offered us opportunities that would not otherwise materialize for Hernon Manufacturing Inc.  We would not have participated without the grant.  We met with 2 companies in France and 6 companies in Italy.  The consulates were immensely helpful in selecting suitable companies that match up well with us and with setting up appointments and simple translation services.  Sales in these 2 countries can increase our production staff significantly,” commented Mr. Arnon.  Hernon anticipates total export sales through the next 24 months to be $3.226 million.  Hernon’s products are now found in over 27 countries worldwide and the company has been recognized for its exporting efforts, most recently winning the 2013 SBA Small Business Exporter of the Year Award and the 2012 Exporter of the Year award by ThinkGlobal, Inc.  Mr. Arnon looks forward to continuing to work with the SBDC at UCF to further expand internationally.

For more information on the SBDC at UCF’s Export Marketing Plan Services, visit www.sbdcorlando.com/exportmarketing.

Jing Zhou, Interventions Unlimited, SBA Award Winner, FSBD, Business Consulting

Interventions Unlimited

It was December 2012 and Jing Zhou, founder and owner of Interventions Unlimited, was facing a challenge: what was the best strategy for expanding her business? She had made many right decisions in building her company up until this point but this was one decision that she wanted some help with. She turned to the Florida SBDC at UCF for assistance.

0 001For over 20 years, Jing Zhou has been dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of special needs children. In 2000, Interventions Unlimited was established to provide an exceptional education to children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Driven by the philosophy that all children can learn with the right instructional approach, Interventions Unlimited teaches special needs children cognitive, social, academic, adaptive, communication and motor skills.

Starting as a part-time, home-based business, providing one-to-one behavioral therapy with only two therapists, Interventions Unlimited now has a team of approximately 70 behavior therapists, educators, paraprofessionals and administrative staff serving special needs children and their families. In 2007, Jing expanded Interventions Unlimited services to include a full-time school, now known as Alpine Academy, to provide an educational alternative to children with special needs. By teaching them adaptive skills and behaviors, these children are now able to achieve maximum potential in their homes, schools, and communities. The quality of life for the child and his/her entire family is very often greatly improved as a result of these services.

With an unwavering passion to expand services for special needs children and with the demand for these services on the rise, it was in December of 2012 that Ms. Zhou sought out the assistance of the Florida SBDC’s Growth Acceleration Services to assist her in planning for this strategic expansion. The FSBDC at UCF consultant, Jill McLaughlin, conducted an in-depth analysis of the business and identified key performance indicators to monitor operations and company finances. In addition, the Growth Acceleration consultant recommended strategies and tactics to achieve growth goals. Once the business analysis was completed and presented to Ms. Zhou, the FSBDC consultant worked with her to implement the report’s recommendations. In May of 2013, Interventions Unlimited was able to acquire the building next door, allowing it to double the capacity of the school and behavioral therapy services.

“I’m very appreciative of the consulting I received from the Growth Acceleration services at the Florida SBDC at UCF. My consultant, Jill McLaughlin, was attentive and thoroughly understood my business. She prepared a detailed financial analysis, providing great insights on the company and key performance indicators to successfully manage our growth.  Her recommendations have given me the tools to plan more strategically. Since then, we have improved our operations and business management.  We are now in a much better position for growth.”

In recognition for her business success and contributions to the community, the SBA named Jing Zhou the 2014 Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year award for the State of Florida.

The Florida SBDC’s no-cost Growth Acceleration services are available to companies throughout the state. To qualify for the services, the company must have growth as a goal, be in operation for at least three years, have annual revenues ranging from $500,000 to $10 million, and employ five or more workers. Florida SBDC Growth Acceleration consultants are available statewide to provide assistance to qualified emerging and growth business who are looking to advance. Specifically, the SBDC at UCF Growth Acceleration services consultants will provide high level consulting of 50 – 100 hours (fair market value of over $10,000) to help qualified SMEs develop sustainable growth strategies. For more information about the SBDC’s Growth Acceleration services, contact FSBDC at UCF Regional Director Eunice Choi at 407-420-4850 or echoi@ucf.edu.

Get Bit, FSBDC at UCF, Business Consulting, Pauline Davis

Get Bit Entrepreneur Gets Bit

Get Bit LLC was founded to offer the ultimate in extreme adventure. And, with the assistance of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (SBDC at UCF), the company is on its way to doing just that.

Whether its supplying custom rod building components, teaching rod building classes, guiding gator hunts or managing world class tarpon fishing trips, Capt. Kevin Brotz, the owner of Get Bit LLC, has an obsession for the outdoors. His passion is focused around sharing the world of nature in ways that most people don’t get to experience. When Kevin was two years old, he would wake his parents at 6:00 am to go ‘pishing’. He couldn’t pronounce the word ‘fishing’ but could cast his own rod even at that young age. He started his outdoor life then and hasn’t looked back since; he was hooked for life.

Harking back to the old saying that “It isn’t work if you love what you’re doing,” Kevin knew he wanted to build a business that incorporated his love of the great outdoors. After graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Entrepreneurship, Kevin was licensed by the United States Coast Guard. Today, Captain Brotz has combined his professional designation, experience and solid foundation in business to make his dream a reality.

Help from the SBDC at UCF
Kevin wanted to set his business up for success from the very beginning and knew he needed assistance in getting the business off the ground.  He contacted Pauline Davis, consultant at the Small Business Development Center at UCF, for no-cost assistance. Together, they worked on several versions of Get Bit LLC’s business plan and cash flow projections.  Recognizing that he would have to fund the business himself, the planning process became even more crucial.  Through a lot of prayer and even more hard work, Get Bit LLC opened for business in February 2011 and has been well received.

There’s a reason why Get Bit LLC is off to a strong start: it’s a sportsman’s paradise and a dream come true for anyone who enjoys the outdoors that is built upon a strong business foundation developed with the help of the SBDC at UCF. The business services include:

  • Custom Rod Building Supply & Academy – distributing components to wholesale and retail custom fishing rod builders. Through their full service e-commerce site, Get Bit has a global marketplace. Holding monthly classes in the shop, Get Bit Rod Building Academy teaches first timers how to build and customize their very own fishing rods.
  • Extreme Adventures – Guiding Trophy Alligator Hunts in Central Florida and Trophy Tarpon Fishing Trips in World Famous Boca Grande FL, Get Bit provides the Experience of a Lifetime!
  • Trophy Fish Mounts – Get Bit has a world renowned Taxidermist whose sole job is bringing that Trophy of a Lifetime back to life as a true piece of art.
  • Outdoor Ministry – Kevin loves nothing more than using the outdoors as a platform to help others find and build relationships with Christ. Kevin has full intentions to build Get Bit Outdoors to a level where he can devote his efforts to this ministry full time.

Kevin is very excited about the business’s potential and is grateful to his wife for her unwavering support and confidence in his ability to build this business. He also appreciates the assistance of Pauline Davis and the SBDC at UCF and states, “The SBDC has a wealth of knowledge and experience with small businesses. Every meeting forced me to do more due diligence and build a stronger business plan. Just knowing the resource that is the SBDC at UCF is available was and is reassuring and gave me the confidence to move ahead”.

Working within a tight budget, Kevin finds creative ways to market his business. “With huge potential for growth I refuse to let our limited marketing budget hold us back,” he commented. We have to think outside the box.”

Looking Ahead
Kevin loves nothing more than helping clients experience the extreme outdoors. “The opportunity to build this business is a blessing in many ways, not to mention the excitement of playing tug of war with Swamp Lizards weighing an average of 500 lbs!” says Kevin. “There is nothing to compare it to!  It is an absolute Blast!”  He is confident that his faith will successfully see him through this business adventure and hopes to be an inspiration for others to reach and achieve their dreams. And he is grateful to the SBDC at UCF for its assistance in getting him off to a strong start.

Get Bit LLC,
950 North Central Avenue, Suite 1,
Oviedo, Florida 32765
407-542-7840
www.GetBitOutdoors.com

Hernon Manufacturing, Jill McLaughlin, Business Consulting

Hernon Manufacturing

With the assistance of the Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (SBDC at UCF) and its no-cost Growth Acceleration services, Hernon Manufacturing, the innovator in adhesive and sealing technologies, continues to expand rapidly. The Company recently announced that it had won a large new order from a leading defense contractor and had entered into a new distribution agreement for Florida. Within the last three months, Hernon has received over one million dollars in contracts to deliver high speed application and inspection equipment to some of the world’s largest defense contractors. To facilitate this rapid growth, Hernon has also leased additional manufacturing space while it builds and expands into a 100,000 square-foot plant by year end 2013. The company credits the assistance of the SBDC at UCF’s Growth Acceleration Consultants for helping to make the company’s growth possible.

The SBDC at UCF’s Growth Acceleration services offers companies consulting assistance aimed at developing sustainable growth strategies in key business areas, including marketing and business development, cash flow management, strategic planning, market/industry research, as well as capital access. In the case of Hernon, the SBDC’s Growth Acceleration Consultants performed an in-depth business health assessment and, based upon it, identified ways to optimize cash flow and better position the company to take full advantage of its growth opportunities. They then worked closely with Hernon’s management team and assisted in implementing their recommendations.

“The SBDC at UCF’s Growth Acceleration services have been an important ingredient in putting Hernon’s expansion on the fast track,” said Harry Arnon, President of Hernon Manufacturing. “We had aggressive growth goals to begin with and, thanks to the help of the SBDC’s growth acceleration consultants, have met and surpassed them. We look forward to continuing that rapid expansion in 2012 with the help of the SBDC as we look to hire new employees, expand our manufacturing facilities and introduce new technologies.”