Archive for category: Success Stories

Build it Brit, Inc. of Hillsborough County

Founded with a mission to break barriers in the construction industry, Build It Brit, Inc., a Tampa-based licensed general contracting company is proving that women can lead and excel in a traditionally male-dominated field. Over the last five years, business owner, Britney Mroczkowski, and her team have steadily grown the woman-owned business’ reputation in commercial and municipal construction while building strong partnerships across the region.

“I really wanted to start a construction company that was 100% women-owned so that I could show the next generation of women that they could also excel in a male dominated field,” said the business owner.

Together with director of construction, Larry Mattacchione, the company combines expertise in commercial construction, development, and luxury real estate to deliver high-quality projects for clients throughout Florida.

As the company expanded into municipal construction, they turned to the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County for guidance. Working with business consultant Retta Parsons, the team refined its business planning efforts and strengthened internal processes. “Retta’s consultation has been extraordinary,” Mroczkowski shared. “Retta was our guide to opening our eyes to how we expand further and truly started thinking about things like policies and procedures — what we need to start asking our subs that we were not currently asking.”

Since receiving consulting support, the company has secured more municipal projects, including courthouse and election supervisor projects, while also cultivating valuable industry relationships. “We’ve worked on jobs everywhere from courthouses, dealing with exterior work, and also into a couple of different election supervisor projects right now. Retta has been instrumental really in helping us navigate those waters. Now we’re developing these relationships to do additional and even more jobs down the road,” Mattacchione said.

One of its biggest accomplishments has been building four Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming franchise locations for different franchise owners nationwide. “I think one of the biggest successes we’ve had so far is that we’ve cultivated relationships with several brands and several companies. We are now building our fourth Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming franchise, which is a national brand. And even though we’ve done such a good job for them that we’ve won four different locations. Each of those locations had a different franchisee and a different owner. So, we still had to qualify, win the job, and show our excellence to them. We also have worked extremely hard for a large national general contractor, and yes, we are a GC ourselves, but this national GC has really taken a relationship with us to be one of their subcontractors in the area,” Mroczkowski said.

Moving forward, the business owner expresses how they will continue using the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County for various services. “As we continue to grow our business, we’re always going to be partners with the SBDC in Hillsborough County,” Mroczkowski said. “Retta consistently tells us about events we need to go to, people we should meet, other subcontractors, and she is very well connected in the industry to where she’s just happy to make connections and let us take it from there and we’ll continue to have that relationship going forward,” she added.

When asked what advice she would give to small business owners looking for business help, Mroczkowski said, “Take advantage of this free program. It costs you nothing and it’s so valuable. The knowledge, the steps, the ideas, even if you’re an existing business like we were, she opened our eyes to things we had not thought of and really pushed me as a business owner to start working on things for the next steps and expansion. She not only worked with me, but worked with our entire team, including Larry, our director of construction, and Pam, our project manager, to help cultivate that and grow our team for the next level of success.”

“In addition to that, I would say that they’ve really helped us really navigate through some of the potholes and speed bumps that would normally have taken any company years and probably a lot of money in mistakes and expensive lessons. The SBDC has helped us to kind of shortcut some of those and I don’t see how anyone couldn’t benefit from this as long as you put the work in to really benefit from it,” Mattacchione added when speaking about their experience with the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County.

Today, the thriving company continues to expand its reach, strengthen partnerships, and pursue new opportunities with confidence, crediting the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County as an important resource in its continued growth and success.

 

 

 

IQ+ Cabinetry of Hillsborough County

What began as an unexpected opportunity for Carolina Ojeda and her husband, has grown into a thriving cabinetry manufacturing and remodeling business, specializing in custom cabinets, countertops, and closets. Using skilled local carpentry, IQ+ Cabinetry successfully produces custom cabinetry and millwork while also providing remodeling services and wholesale closet manufacturing to the Tampa Bay region.

The business owners did not originally plan to enter the industry. Instead, the opportunity emerged through a mentor who introduced them to the cabinet business through wholesaling. Over time, they discovered limitations in that model and decided to expand into manufacturing to gain greater creative and operational control.

Today, the owners take pride in transforming raw materials into high-quality finished products. “What excites me most about the manufacturing side of our business is the transformation process. Starting with a raw piece of wood and seeing what it can become is incredibly rewarding,” Ojeda explained. “We first visualize the project through renderings and then bring it to life using our equipment and machinery. Seeing the final product completed is truly amazing,” she added.

As they worked to grow their company, the owners turned to the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County for guidance. With support from business consultant, Janette Blanco, they explored new ideas and strategies to expand their services and streamline their operations.

“My Florida SBDC consultant, Janette Blanco, has been instrumental in our growth,” Ojeda said. “Since we began working with the SBDC, we have seen a clear difference in how our business operates. They helped us streamline our processes and focus on hiring the right personnel to support our expansion.”

Ojeda went on to explain how Blanco’s guidance led the business to implement technology and seek funding that ultimately benefits the company as well as their clients. “We are currently implementing AI tools to automate certain processes and improve efficiency in how we serve our clients. The SBDC has also helped us strengthen our financial position, allowing us to pursue the commercial contracts we have been working toward,” she added.

Through networking opportunities and strategic guidance, the company also achieved a major milestone — partnering with a local general contractor to secure a government contract for millwork and cabinetry at the Pat Frank Courthouse. “The SBDC has helped us achieve one of the main goals that we had, and Janette obviously, helped create this opportunity by partnering with a local general contractor, obtaining a government contract to do the millwork at the Pat Frank Courthouse. It was not only millwork, but it was also our standard cabinetry work. This was definitely new, but it was something that we wanted to get into and we were able to achieve that goal,” Ojeda said.

When asked what advice she would give to other small business owners, Ojeda said, “I always recommend the SBDC to other business owners. It is an excellent resource for anyone looking to grow their business, improve operations, and reach their goals. Their guidance can help you build the business you envision.”

Today, the business continues to grow with new opportunities, demonstrating how craftsmanship, vision, and expert guidance can transform a small business into a flourishing enterprise.

Armadillo Travel Adventures of Hillsborough County

For Kim Hilsabeck, owner of Armadillo Travel Adventures, a flourishing full-service travel company helping clients “explore the world one adventure at a time” isn’t just a job—it’s a lifelong passion. From booking airfare and hotels to coordinating tours, cruises, and rental cars, she guides travelers through unforgettable experiences across the globe.

Travel has always been part of Hilsabeck’s life, but it wasn’t until a transformative two-week trip to Iceland with her sister and friends that her entrepreneurial journey truly began. Tasked with planning the entire adventure—from lodging to car rentals— Hilsabeck realized mid-trip that she had found her calling. “About three quarters of the way around the country, I said, I’m going to be a travel agent. I can do this. And two weeks later, I was in business,” Hilsabeck said with a smile.

Starting a business, however, came with challenges. That’s when she connected with the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County and business consultant Retta Parsons. “Retta and I worked on budgeting, expenses, marketing, branding—pretty much the whole thing,” Hilsabeck said.

“I had never had a business before and jumped in headfirst. Retta helped me recognize the outline of what I needed to do next, how to track things, and making sure I had a good bookkeeper,” Hilsabeck said. “Every time I take a suggestion, she gives me, I implement it, and bam, then I get more business. So it’s been a fantastic relationship and I I’m really looking forward to continuing on over the next several months into the year,” she added.

The results speak for themselves. Hilsabecks’s net income grew from just over $8,000 last year to an expected $27,000 this year, with projections to double—or even triple—next year. “Just growing by leaps and bounds, and I’m so very excited that I could make this my career as I go into my late fifties,” she said when speaking about her business growth.

With the help of her community and her business consultant, Hilsabeck’s business has flourished quickly. Thus, she attributes much of her success to the support she received in the beginning of it all. “Having that support between the Temple Terrace Uptown Chamber and the [Florida] SBDC [at Hillsborough County] has just really been one of the catalysts that has truly helped my business grow,” Hilsabeck said.

Her biggest success? “Transitioning from a full-time corporate employee to a full-service entrepreneur. It’s a great accomplishment in being able to have the passion for what you do, and love what you do,” Hilsabeck explained.

Her advice to other small business owners: “I would tell my friends that are small business owners, just do it. There is no harm, no foul, no fee to use the [Florida] SBDC. They are there to help you, guide you, help your business grow and do everything to support you, to make your journey what you want it to be. You have to use the tools. They can give it to you, but if you don’t use it, then it’s not gonna help you. But the SBDC is there to guide you and I have benefited and it’s the best thing that I could have ever done,” Hilsabeck concluded.

ABA on Demand LLC of Hillsborough County

Driven by a shared passion for helping children with autism and supporting families, two Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Lisset Riera and Rosa Alonso, launched their own behavioral analysis practice, ABA on Demand, to provide high-quality, compassionate ABA services. Their business delivers therapy in schools, homes, and community settings, along with parent training designed to guide families through behavioral challenges with confidence and understanding.

After years of working for other providers, the founders envisioned creating the type of company they always wanted to work for — one that combined best practices, strong professional development, and a positive environment for both clients and staff. “In our experience, we gathered good and bad experiences, so we wanted to take the good ones that we learned and fix the ones that we thought needed fixing to create an environment for employees and also a practice for kids,” Alonso shared.

“We thought, we can provide good quality ABA services and also help the professionals become very proficient in what they do — learn the science, learn how to practice ABA the right way,” she added.

But while they were skilled clinicians, they were new to business ownership. That’s when they discovered the Florida SBDC at USF and connected with business consultant David Vargas. “David has been a life saver. We are BCBAs, so we’re not business managers. We had no experience in how to run the company. So, everything we’ve done, we’ve learned step by step. So, when we got to SBDC, we were completely lost,” Riera said.

“He provided help with the business plan, help with all the financial part and the organization of the company itself, that we needed, that we didn’t even know how to get, we didn’t know where to go,” she added.

With the Florida SBDC at USF’s support, the business has grown rapidly earning business certifications, building community partnerships, and even securing a Glazer Foundation hurricane relief grant, which allowed them to give $5,000 in assistance to affected employees.

One of the partnerships that they were proud to speak about is with a well-known university. “Through the [Tampa Bay] Chamber of Commerce that we got [connected] to through SBDC, we just created a collaboration with Kaiser University, and we might be working with them, in an RBT program. So, it’s a lot of doors that open through the [Florida] SBDC at USF,” Riera said.

Their success continues to accelerate. “With Florida SBDC at USF, our business has really increased in size,” Riera said.

Moving forward, the duo plans on expanding their services while using the Florida SBDC at USF along the way. “As we continue to grow our business, we’ll continue to walk with the hand of [the Florida] SBDC,” Riera explained. “We plan on opening up a center or school for children with special needs; to provide ABA services and we’re going to need help. We’re gonna need help with procedures, things that we need to do to be able to function a center, like zoning and all those things that we have no idea how they work. So, we’re gonna keep using the resources… the Florida SBDC at USF,” Alonso added.

When asked what advice they would give to other small business owners, Riera said, “Stay in touch with the SBDC at USF.” Alonso concluded with: “I advise small business owners to take advantage of the [Florida SBDC at USF] program. It is there for us to use and it’s totally free, so why not? It’s a very good resource.”

Bayview Plaza LLC of Pinellas County

Family-owned and operated since 1988, Plaza Beach Resorts, has been a St. Pete Beach treasure for decades. Today, under husband-and-wife duo Robert and Mariuche Czyszczon, the three award-winning boutique hotels continue to offer guests a unique slice of Old Florida charm along one of America’s most celebrated shorelines.

What began as a single property purchased by the owners’ parents in 1988 has grown into three distinct resorts, each with its own personality.

The Plaza Beach Hotel, located directly on the sand, exudes a chic 1960s retro vibe, complete with classic cars in the lobby and outside. The hotel also boasts a world-first penny bathroom, where every inch is covered in meticulously placed copper pennies.

Across the street, Bayview Plaza Waterfront and Bay Palms Waterfront Hotel sit along the tranquil Intracoastal Waterway. Both properties are transformed into an immersive art experience through an exclusive partnership with marine artist Steve Diossy, with vibrant murals covering the exteriors and guest rooms featuring collectible marine artwork.

The family-owned resorts sit along the award-winning shoreline consistently recognized as the number one beach destination in the Unites States of America. Thus, when the next generation of Czyszczon’s stepped in during 2000, armed with experience from luxury brands like the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott, the business continued to evolve into boutique destinations known for their personalized hospitality and loyal guests who return year after year.

Over the decades, the family has faced many challenges—from financial crises to red tide—but none as significant as Hurricane Helene and Milton.

When disaster struck, they turned to the Florida SBDC at Pinellas County Economic Development and business consultant Debra Schweikowsky, who helped them secure a $50,000 Florida Emergency Bridge Loan. “The Florida SBDC at Pinellas County was just instrumental in providing us all the information and help with the Florida Department of Commerce bridge loans, the SBA loans. Debra was just my cheerleader and my follow-through person. We were able to receive some funding— we’re still navigating through some of the SBA loans and providing some more information that they’ve requested but Debra is still following through with me and making sure that it’s been submitted and that we get all the funding that we need,” Mariuche said.

That support enabled them to reopen and, remarkably, house displaced local residents through FEMA’s Temporary Lodging Assistance program. “One of the biggest success stories has been housing local residents that lost their homes but now we’re finally ready to open up to our regular guests and we are welcoming them with open arms,” Mariuche said.

The husband-and-wife team expressed how appreciative they were of the support from the Florida SBDC at PCED as well as their community. “They [Florida SBDC at PCED] were so prepared they gave us so much information on how to apply for everything, how to stay on top of it, and what opportunities were out there for all the businesses that were affected by the hurricanes,” Mariuche said.

“We are just so appreciative of all the love and support we received from everybody from the community from the [Tampa Bay Beaches] Chamber of Commerce, from the [Florida] SBDC, from the government,” Mariuche added.

Through it all, the business owners have stayed committed to their guests, employees, and community.