Avalon Park Sun Wesley Chapel March 2024

Spring Into Exciting Events in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

As the season of renewal approaches, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel eagerly welcomes spring with a lineup of engaging events designed to celebrate community spirit and cultural diversity.

Kicking off the season is Jazz Under the Starz, which returns on Saturday, March 9th from 6 to 9 pm at the Avalon Park Wesley Chapel Amenity Center. Come enjoy a lovely evening under the stars with live jazz musicians, art, live painting, food trucks, and more!

For those looking to embrace their artistic side, the Pasco Fine Arts Council is now offering an array of community art classes at Saint Leo University. From pottery to painting and photography, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Visit pascoarts.org to register for your favorite class!

The East Pasco Family YMCA invites participants to Spring into Rhythm and discover the joy of movement with contemporary hip hop and jazz classes tailored to all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just starting out, these classes provide a fun and dynamic way to stay active. The cost is $35 for members and $70 for non-members. Contact nicole.bennett@ tampaymca.org to learn more!

Finally, don’t miss Avalon Park’s annual multicultural celebration, Absolutely Avalon, taking place on Saturday, April 20th. This event is free and open to the public and will feature international food and music, local vendors, a kids bounce and play area, community performances, and a spectacular laser light show to close out the night.

Are you a vendor with a product or service that would enhance these upcoming events? Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your offerings to thousands of attendees. Vendor opportunities are available for all upcoming events—apply now to secure your spot!

For more family-friendly events and to stay updated on all the latest happenings, visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com and follow us on social media @AvalonParkWesleyChapel.

Navigating Change: Strategies for Adapting Your Business in a Shifting Economy

I am now 4 decades in the business world, and if somebody would ask me what has CHANGED in those 40 years and what has not, I would say, the only thing that has not CHANGED is that things are constantly changing. Here are a few of my observations of key changes over those 40 years.

My first business trip from Switzerland to the US was 35 years ago. There were no smartphones or internet, and it would be a week before you would have any idea what was going on back in the home office or with your family and friends. Today we are all fully connected 24/7 around the globe. When I wake up, I may have a full report of APG’s activities in Malaysia, or Australia, and questions from the Swiss offices will already be piling up in e-mails. And we quickly get on a video conference with people on every continent. It truly is a fully connected world.

Growing up it was common for somebody in Switzerland to finish school, find a job at one of the large Swiss Banks, and stay until retirement, often for over 4 decades in the same office building. You were encouraged to find a job, where the possibility was high that the employer would be the same for your entire life. Most of the Banks which gave you that prospect in the 1970’s and 80’s do not exist anymore.

As Co-Vice Chairman of VOXX International

(where APG is one of the largest shareholders) I have been amazed to see the changes in the consumer electronics world over the last 6 decades. I am reminded of those changes with the company display of products they have been involved in over the past decades in its boardroom in New York. There is a car phone (VOXX was the world market leader 3 decades ago), walkie talkies, and many other products which do not exist anymore.

Well, to be in business means to deal with changes. I think you need to constantly take calculated risks or small risks, and some bigger ones, like me moving 3 decades ago from Switzerland to the US.

You often need to abandon plans, change, and start all over. I do not personally know Mark Zukerberg, but I agree with him that the biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing so rapidly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks. Move fast and break things. Unless you are breaking stuff you are not moving fast enough.

When people ask me, why is the US is so successful with innovations, my answer is quick: we do have a culture where you can try, fail and try again. In many cultures people do not take the risk to start a business because of fear of failure. In some countries if your business fails, it is a big stigma. Not in the US. You can have second, third and even fourth chances.

“Tomorrow Starts Today” is a slogan AdventHealth uses, and I like it. Start your business today, and contact us at The 5th Floor (Info@The5thFloorOrlando.com) to see how we can assist you on moving your business forward.

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Pasco Tax Collector’s

Office Announces Mobile Unit for Driver License and Identification Card Services Now Available!

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano announces that the Pasco Tax Collector Mobile Unit (PCTMU) is now available to remotely process identification card and driver license services for Florida residents who reside in a Pasco County nursing home or assisted living facility. Those who are unable to travel to one of our offices may now schedule a visit to their facility/ home to have the relevant document renewed.

“This is a service we envisioned for quite a long time,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano comments. “We understand that there are many of our customers who are unable to travel but still need a valid license or ID card. With this new service we come to the customers, not the other way around. We can offer same-day service in most cases, with the renewed document being delivered to

the customer in their place of residence.”

If you would like more information or to schedule a visit or are a facility administrator who would like to schedule multiple renewals, please contact Vicki Stroup at 813-929-2731 or email PascoIDGO@pascotaxes.comto discuss your needs.

Tax Collector Mike Fasano is committed to making the latest technology and the most innovative ideas available to customers in Pasco County. Renewing a license or identification card should be easy and painless, especially for those with transportation or health issues. This is just one more way our office can assist you in keeping your important documents valid and up to date.

SMARTstart Microloan Program Receives Continued Support from SouthState Bank

Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is delighted with the continued support SouthState Bank has provided to the SMARTstart Microloan Program. The financial institution has been contributing to the program since it began in 2011 and recently donated another $5,000, bringing its total support to $55,000.

“SouthState Bank is proud to provide continued support to the Pasco EDC SMARTstart Microloan Program. We are excited to see the true impact donations like this make in the Pasco County entrepreneurial community,” shared Skip Skairus, Regional President of SouthState.

“Pasco EDC is grateful for SouthState Bank’s support since the inception of the Microloan Program in 2011. The Microloan Fund provides loans to businesses who are beginning their entrepreneurial journeys, and we would not be able to support them without the help of the local community through donations like these,” said Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC President/CEO. The Microloan Program gives entrepreneurs the funds

they need to start or grow their business. The goal of the Microloan Program is to strengthen the Pasco County economy and create more job opportunities. Since the program began, it has assisted over 75 local businesses and created over 260 jobs. In order to qualify for a microloan, businesses must be headquartered in Pasco County. Funds can be used for purchasing inventory and machinery, working capital, supplies, and more.

Will Birdwell, owner of The Raven Makerspace (The Raven), recently received a microloan with plans to use it for a build out of his new location in New Port Richey and to get signage and sound equipment. The Raven is a 24/7 private access music studio for rehearsal & recording. “The Microloan program changed mine and my family’s lives. SMARTstart gave my business its lifeblood when no one else would,” shared Will Birdwell, Owner of The Raven.

If your business is interested in learning more about or making a donation to the Microloan Program, visit www.smartstartpasco.com/microloan or contact Dan Mitchell, the SMARTstart Program Director, at dmitchell@pascoedc.com. Learn more about The Raven and follow them on Facebook, https://www. facebook.com/ravenmakerspace

About Pasco Economic Development Council

The Pasco Economic Development Council is committed to developing Florida’s most competitive climate for business growth by providing businesses, that seek to start, move, or grow in the North Tampa Bay area, a comprehensive suite of programs that can help them to reach their full economic potential. Since 1987, Pasco EDC has fostered a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County. Discover more at www.pascoedc.com.

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