FSBDC, UCF, Business Consulting

TJs Seafood Shack

Brothers Tim and Mike Shepardson, and their sister, Mary Strickland, launched their Oviedo franchise, My Girlfriend’s Kitchen, during 2006 with expectations of being profitable within one year of opening. Nationally, the meal preparation business had received wide appeal across affluent, two-income households; and the franchisor seemed to be a logical fit for the three family members.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! You guys (SBDC at SCC) truly know small business and are just the best!”

TJs Seafood Shack
Oviedo

In early 2008, managing partner, Tim, approached the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Seminole Community College in Oviedo seeking to gain clearer understanding as to why the venture was not hitting its revenue projections. Certified Business Analyst, Robert Goetz, met with Tim and reviewed key performance indicators for the year and half old business. It was determined that while the local demographic profile tightly matched the recommended franchise model, population density was inadequate for creating and sustaining such a venture. Perhaps a larger city, but relocating the business was not a viable option for the family.

Working closely with SBDC, Tim and Mary set out to remake and reposition their business to appeal to a wider audience. They began researching the local market, specifically with keen focus on identifying an eatery with underserved market potential. It was soon determined that there was no casual, low cost seafood eatery in the Oviedo – Winter Springs area. After several planning meetings with the SBDC, the owners decided that they would shut down My Girlfriend’s Kitchen for several months while remodeling and installing new kitchen equipment and fixtures. Additional owner investment of $90,000 was secured. Good landlord communication bought them several months rent free during this critical “no revenue” rebuilding phase. SBDC further advised the owners on the value of a low cost / high return marketing program. TJ’s Seafood Shack opened for business in November 2008. The eatery is currently profitable with a vastly improved financial position. Eight, at risk, jobs were retained and three new ones added.

FSBDC, UCF, Business Consulting

Power Grid Engineering

In 2006, Andre Uribe and his partners Michael Wright and Glenn Durie contemplated started their own electrical engineering firm; they contacted the Small Business Development Center and registered for several seminars to better prepare them for this venture. Andre a veteran of the United States Navy is a graduate of University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. Michael Wright and Glenn Durie are both Electrical engineering graduates from the University of Florida.

“We are fortunate to have the support of high level SBDC personal such as Pauline Davis to help us when we needed assistance running our company.”

Andre Uribe
Power Grid Engineering

In January 2007, after research and consultation with SBDC certified business consultant Pauline Davis, Power Grid Engineering was established as an electrical engineering firm specializing in the design of protection and control systems for electric utilities. Since opening its doors, the firm has consistently obtained complex projects requiring power engineering expertise. The company has formed a unique niche in providing services to maintain the efficient operating of electrical grid systems which is vital to ensuring that electricity flows go uninterrupted throughout the service region.

Since its formation, Power Grid Engineering has developed an impressive clientele list including several Fortune 250 investor-owned utility companies in the United States. Collectively, the firm’s staff has many years of professional experience assembling technical construction packages for their clients. With this experience, clients are assured that their projects will be designed and engineered by knowledgeable and technically qualified personnel and that all documentation will be produced in accordance with current industry codes and standards.

Over the years, Andre and his partners developed a unique partnership by dividing the essential business functions of the firm between them. Currently, the company continues to grow with annual sales of over $2 million dollars and 25 employees. The SBDC’s Pauline Davis continues to offer support to the company and has encouraged the partners to take advantage of the extensive programs offered by the SBDC at UCF. The partners have participated in the Center’s Small Business Institute ®( SBI)®, the Advisory Board Council, and now plan on taking advantage of the government contracting seminar series . In fact, Andre and his partners are very optimistic about the future as they contemplate suggestions made by the research project provided by their SBI® graduate student team. Andre is very pleased with the SBDC services the company received, stating, “We are fortunate to have the support of high level SBDC personal such as Pauline Davis to help us when we needed assistance running our company.”