Success Stories - Creating Economic Impact

ASTE Trade International – A Hillsborough County Success Story

Tampa Company Exports to Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan

In its first year of existence, ASTE Trade International, LLC has experienced amazing growth and success. In just 12 months, the company has done more than 60 export transactions and has established ongoing relationships with at least 9 clients in Turkey, Iraq and Afghanistan. ASTE has exported construction materials, tools and equipment, computer equipment, and chemicals. Its clients are primarily private contractors who currently serve the U.S. government overseas.

Virginia C. Carter, P.A. – A Hillsborough County Success Story

Plant City Law Firm Creating Jobs

“provided me the education, training, and assistance needed to accomplish my dream”

Established in March 2009, Virginia C. Carter, P.A. is a small business that created two new jobs in 2009 and will soon be creating one more. Virginia, benefiting from the assistance of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, received a small business loan to help her get started. Serving local clients as well as clients in Polk County, and soon clients in Hardee County, Virginia is providing valuable economic impact.

SDVOSB Group – A Hillsborough County Success Story

Awarded Contract with James A Haley VA Hospital in Tampa

Government Contracting Consultant assisted with federal certifications and government contracting strategies

GFH Enterprises, Inc., DBA SDVOSB Group is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that provides mechanical and technical proficiency due to years of service as a value added primary General Contractor as well as subcontractor.

The Gray Building, LLC – A Highlands County Success Story

New Business Started in Avon Park

“Training, Planning and determination were the motivating factors”

Click to Enlarge Photo

In the fall of 2007, Avon Park resident Brenda Gray had the idea to turn one of the city’s vacant buildings into a business enterprise. Through a referral from the Highlands County Economic Development Commission, Ms. Gray discovered a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) only a few miles away. Though enthusiastic and determined, Ms. Gray realized that her dream had many obstacles and unknown pitfalls that could impede her success. When Ms. Gray learned that the SBDC at the University of South Florida had an office at South Florida Community College (SFCC), she enlisted the help of certified business analyst Bill McKown.

Small Business Clients Grow the Economy

Research from America’s Small Business Development Centers shows that clients who received five hours or more of business consulting in 2007  created 58,501 new jobs, saved 88,889 existing jobs, started 12,124 new businesses, obtained $3.1 billion in financing and increased sales by $5.6 billion.

Garden Montessori School – A Pasco County Success Story

USF SBDC Client Opens First “Certified Green Pre-school” in USA

After the birth of her first child, Patricia Gutierrez became interested in helping children achieve a better education. In 2006, she met Stefani Ruskin. Both of them had similar goals: a passion for educating children, a desire to protect the environment, and a wish to become entrepreneurs.

Vase One Floral, LLC – a Small Business Success Story

Click to Enlarge Photo

Vase One Floral Design Studio, LLC is a Tampa, Florida based establishment which was launched on November 9, 2009.  Proprietor Rhonda Pittman invested $15K from personal savings to finance start-up expenses.  Understanding her market segment:  Ms. Pittman immediately began to brand her enterprise as a custom floral design studio specializing in the art of distinction.  She and her staff take pride in providing exquisite customer service.   They cater to the floral needs of weddings; sorrowful events; life occasions; and interior design.  Daily deliveries as well as corporate and residential installation accounts are available.

The Hutchinson Studio, LLC – a Hardee County Success Story

Click to Enlarge Photo

The Hutchinson Studio LLC (THS) is a design firm that produces computer generated architectural renderings and animations as well as graphic design. THS was established in the fall of 2008 by Michael and Megan Hutchinson. Michael has over 10 years of professional experience in various graphic design industries and 5 years experience in IT network implementation and management.  He has a degree in Drafting and Design Technology and has worked in several graphic design industries including video editing, computer animation, architectural visualization and web design.

Commercial Industrial Roof Services Company – Success Story

Click to Enlarge Photo

After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, Hig Rodriquez Dillinger worked with a number of building materials companies. In 2002 he decided to leverage his experience and contacts to launch Commercial Industrial Roof Services Co. “It seemed natural that we would take all of that expertise and put it to use as a roof consultant,” Dillinger said. So in 2002 Dillinger came to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida in order to learn how to obtain his certification as a Minority Business Enterprise and how to win government contracts.

Go Daddy – A Highlands County Success Story

“Let the Buyer Beware!”

“Caveat emptor” is a concept from business law which means “let the buyer beware.” Entrepreneurs Mark and Esther Williard have become very familiar with this concept. In early 2008, Mark found what he thought would be a great way to market his golf cart and truck accessories business. He received a solicitation in the mail from an internet marketing company with information on how he could cash-in on the lucrative ecommerce trend by selling items from his own internet website. He and Esther attended a free lunch seminar where they observed a sales presentation in which they became convinced the internet marketing company offered a sure-fire program of easy-to-use retail websites and technical support. Once he purchased the website program, Mark quickly realized the websites were not as easy to operate as he was led to believe. After much trial and error with the websites and no success, the Williards gave up on the program, resigned to the fact they had lost their investment.

Small Business Success Story – Bayside Gymnastics & Cheerleading

Two experienced gymnasts had a passion to own a gymnastic school when the right time and location became available. This husband and wife (Shelli and Anthony Tatro) team kept their dream on hold while they worked in professional positions in other industries. Thus the dream became a passion and finally a reality when Bayside Gymnastics and Cheerleading in Clearwater became available for purchase in mid 2008, creating an opportunity for this young couple to get back into the industry. As clients of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, they attended counseling and the monthly Small Business Networking Breakfast on a regular basis.

Bayside Gymnastics and Cheerleading needed a new business model so they immediately started to look for who is providing the best gymnastics and cheerleading school in the nation. The Tatro’s found the best and since then, they have focused on how to bring to the market place the “best of the best gymnastic and cheerleading program into the Tampa Bay Area”.