B U S I N E S S JANUARY 2026
Kendra Gemma
The Friendly City: Growth and Possibilities
BY PAULA WRIGHT
Downtown Bradenton has seen exciting momentum lately, with new businesses opening and familiar favorites expanding One milestone I’m especially proud of is the opening of Bradenton Magazine’s first office space right on Manatee Avenue, in the heart of the Friendly City (featured on the cover). I chose this location because I could see the growth happening firsthand, and we wanted to be part of that energy and evolution.
Several local businesses have contributed to this positive transformation Pink and Navy recently expanded, adding a new neighboring concept called Suellen’s, which features custom apparel and hands-on classes like crochet perfect for fashion lovers and DIY enthusiasts alike One of my personal favorites, Left Coast Sol, has also opened a second location in downtown, complementing nearby spots such as Pink and Navy, Suellen’s, The Island Gallery, and the ever-popular Orange Blossom Coffee Shop
Sharing space with Bradenton Magazine are a hair salon, a surf clothing shop, and Hotworx, creating a diverse mix of services and retail that draws people downtown for more than just one reason
So, what are the possibilities for downtown Bradenton? To me, they are endless There are still many available spaces waiting to be filled, and with that comes opportunity One idea creating a buzz is a downtown grocery store, which would add everyday convenience for residents and visitors alike Another exciting buzz is a food hall is coming something that might bring a more urban flow and create a central gathering place in the Friendly City.
With the Bradenton Police Department and city building being relocated, the downtown landscape will naturally change The long-term goal is a truly walkable downtown one where you can play, eat, and shop To achieve that vision, however, we need more retail and lifestyle-focused businesses.
Some of the types of places that could truly thrive in our growing downtown include:
• Bookstores
• Florists
• Gift shops
• Specialty food stores (such as olive oil boutiques or chocolate shops)
These businesses succeed by offering curated selections, unique local products, and a personalized “third place” atmosphere something that goes beyond what big-box retailers can provide With continued growth and thoughtful development, downtown Bradenton has the potential to become an even more vibrant, welcoming destination for everyone
THE OFFICE RENAISSANCE
BY KENDRA GEMMA
The Return to the Office
You might have noticed that corporations are requiring their employees to come back to the office again What are the reasons and how can you implement it for your company, without losing your team members who valued the flexibility of remote work?
Many experts and executives have a few considerations for bringing the staff back to in-office work schedules, including:
Collaboration and Creativity
When your staff can have impromptu brainstorm sessions, eat lunch together, or just chat about their weekend plans in the breakroom, they can get to know each other better, which leads to working better together Coming up with new ideas and solving problems can happen more quickly and easily when the team feels bonded and when they’re not distracted or talking through a screen
Culture and Mentorship
Your company's culture might benefit from bringing your team together in the office, and your younger employees will probably learn better from face-to-face interactions from their mentors
Real Estate and Investment
Maybe you own your office building, or you have a long-term lease on one that’s now sitting vacant While you shouldn’t bring your employees back to the office only to justify your real estate expenses, it could be a factor to add to your pros and cons list, if you have one
What “Back to Office” Could Look Like for You
Your team dynamic, the type of work you do, and your employees’ desires should all play a role in how you arrange your in-office set-up Here are a couple of models and a way to entice employees to make the commute
Structured Hybrid Work
Think about allowing your employees to work from home at least one day per week so that they can still enjoy some of the perks they had while still fully remote Depending on your needs, you can have everyone on the same schedule or stagger employees’ days at home and in the office Or perhaps you have one mandatory day in the office so you can hold in-person meetings If you choose an alternated schedule, make it accessible to all employees so they know who’s in the office when
New Office Amenities
If it’s within your budget, why not create a more inspiring and fun work environment? Ask your employees what would be most meaningful to them Perhaps it’s a selection of snacks in the lunchroom, or a ping pong table where they can take a quick break, or maybe monthly events that would enhance their quality of life
What Employees Think
Company executives have their own agendas for returning employees to the office, but what do staff members want?
Flexibility
For many employees, having the ability to work from home on a regular basis is non-negotiable They’re caring for their aging parents and their children, or they simply want a better work-life balance If possible, try to offer hybrid schedules to your employees who value this perk
Productivity and Hybrid Reality
The old myth that employees who work from home are more distracted and achieve less is pretty much dead Again, think about providing opportunities for your staff to create a schedule that works best for them and for you and the company
What This Means for the Future of Work
How will the office of tomorrow look and function? A near consensus says that they’ll be designed for teamwork and collaboration Personal workstations may be less necessary, especially if companies choose a hybrid work schedule Employees can focus on their solo tasks at home and use the in-office days for meetings, culture-building, and team bonding
The next phase of office culture is here, and it works best when it’s not dictated by the C-suite alone Make it adaptable, purposeful, and inspiring for your employees using some of or all the ideas in this article
More Than a Resolution: A Needed Shift in How Bradenton Businesses Think About Growth
BY IVONNE RIBEIRO
These days, people are not just making personal resolutions They are making business resolutions, too “This will be our best year yet ”
For many business owners in Bradenton, that statement comes with real hope. But hope alone does not create momentum. Growth rarely comes from doing more of the same. It comes from seeing things differently.
The businesses that will experience meaningful growth this year are not necessarily the ones adding more marketing, more hours, or more noise. They are the ones willing to realign how they think about progress, effort, and growth.
When Vision Won’t Let You Sleep
Most business owners did not start their companies on a whim. They started because an idea took hold. They believed in a solution They saw a better way of doing something That vision stayed with them long after the workday ended
Many still experience that moment: lying awake at night, not because they are overwhelmed, but because ideas keep coming New possibilities New offerings New ways to serve
That energy is vital Growth is trying to break through and move forward
But vision alone is not enough Without the right perspective, even the best ideas can stall
Growth Requires More Than Effort
There is a common belief that if results are not showing up, the answer is to push harder with more content, more promotions, more activity
The reality is that growth often requires a different approach, not more effort
If you are planting daisies, you will not harvest roses And if you want a different bloom this year, you have to change more than the seeds You have to change how you nurture them
Think about a garden A gardener does not expect better results by using the same soil, the same fertilizer, and the same watering schedule year after year Growth requires better inputs, intentional care, and ongoing attention
Business works the same way
Why “Doing More” Often Misses the Mark
Many businesses sense that something is off, but they respond by adding more activity instead of addressing the foundation
More tactics without clarity create noise, not momentum
Real growth begins when business owners step back and examine how their time, energy, and resources are being invested It requires asking yourself harder questions about alignment, not output
Is what I am building today truly supporting where I want to go?
Are my efforts working together, or pulling in different directions?
Am I nurturing my ideas with intention, or reacting out of habit?
These questions are uncomfortable, but they are necessary.
Local Businesses Feel This First
Bradenton is a community built on relationships, reputation, Local businesses thrive when they are clear about erve and how they show up
trong, well-established businesses can stagnate if oo heavily on what worked in the past. Markets ctations evolve. Competition increases. What once an quietly become outdated.
not mean starting over. It means refining, ing, and realigning so your business continues to e right direction
ctive Before Strategy
oes not begin with tactics It begins with e
business not just as it has been, but as it is
Understand how your brand, messaging, and either support that vision or slow it down
about chasing trends or reinventing yourself every about evolution Making thoughtful adjustments your ideas to mature and your business to move h purpose
spective shifts, strategy becomes clearer. And egy is clear, effort becomes more effective.
A Different Kind of Resolution
This year should not be about doing more.
Make it about:
More intention behind decisions
More impact from focused, consistent effort
More alignment between vision and execution
This is an invitation to pause and reflect before pushing ahead
Are you planting the right seeds? Are you creating the conditions for them to thrive? Are you giving your ideas the structure and care they need to grow?
Because when growth finally breaks through, it’s rarely because of more effort It’s because the right conditions were put in place
And that’s how a resolution moves beyond intention and becomes real business growth.
BADPRESS TOBRAND GROWTH From
BY AMANDA GRAY
Many small business owners have been there the moment a negative review is posted, or a feedback survey delivers fewer than five stars While it’s frustrating to hear from customers who weren’t thrilled with your services or products, there are valuable insights to be gained from their feedback
Negative press isn’t fun, but it is unavoidable Even with a high-performing team, there will be moments when customer expectations aren’t met While there are instances where a negative rating or review may feel undeserved, receiving one doesn’t have to feel like defeat
Businesses that understand feedback both good and bad is an opportunity for growth are often the ones that build stronger reputations over time Below are ways to develop, or refine, your strategy for responding to customer feedback
BADPRESSISINEVITABLE;SILENCEISOPTIONAL
It’s natural to feel discouraged or defensive when you receive a negative rating or review By accepting criticism as part of doing business, you can reframe the emotions associated with it and respond more strategically Take a breath before replying and consider how your response will be perceived by everyone reading it including prospective customers Before you hit “send,” make sure your message reflects the values and professionalism you want your business associated with publicly
DON’TIGNORE;DON’TDELETE
It may be tempting to ignore a negative review or delete it and move on, but how you handle feedback can shape how both current and future customers view your business If you’ve ever read a public response where a business argues with a reviewer, you know it rarely comes across well
Responding politely and empathetically doesn’t mean the customer is right in fact, sometimes they’re not Regardless, they chose to spend time or money with your business A diplomatic response that offers a path to resolution can help retain that customer and demonstrate professionalism to others reading the exchange Remember that you’re not just responding to one person you’re responding to everyone who may come across that review
Insight: Increase your credibility by investing in your reputation management efforts If customers are leaving reviews and ratings on public platforms, ensure you are actively monitoring, responding, and participating in those spaces
SHOWYOURVALUES; INCREASEYOURREACH
When you respond to a review or rating, you’re speaking to a much broader audience than the original reviewer. Public-facing feedback turns a private issue into a visible moment of truth for your brand.
While this can feel intimidating, it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate accountability and care A thoughtful response can reassure potential customers who rely on reviews to guide their purchasing decisions and show them how your business handles challenges when they arise
Insight: Effective, solution-oriented responses signal to future customers that you take feedback seriously and are willing to make things right when you miss the mark
SHORT,SWEET(ANDSYMPATHETIC)GOESALONGWAY
Your business relies on individuals who represent your brand every day For that reason, it’s important to carefully consider who oversees your reputation management efforts This role requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, and empathy especially in moments of criticism
While it may seem intuitive to assign this responsibility to a customer service agent, doing so can put them in a difficult position, particularly if reviews reference them or their team A better approach is to assign this responsibility to someone who can remain objective and has the authority to resolve issues efficiently
Empower this person with access to the necessary platforms and the flexibility to go above and beyond when appropriate. Businesses often struggle when internal barriers make it harder to resolve customer concerns smoothly.
Insight: Keep public responses short, empathetic, and solution-focused and ensure your internal processes support seamless resolutions.
CUSTOMERINSIGHTS
Beyond the initial frustration of receiving a negative review lies one of the most valuable tools for improvement: customer insight Successful business owners recognize that consistent feedback can lead to meaningful operational improvements
Even if you have a team that’s managing your customers’ experience, it’s important to stay connected to what customers are saying Whether through surveys or public review platforms, having regular reporting on complaint volume and recurring themes helps you understand the true voice of the customer These insights often surface opportunities for improvement that may not appear in traditional planning or reporting
Insight: Build time into each quarter to review customer feedback and act on it Setting this expectation allows your team to prioritize improvements and demonstrates that customer input leads to action
CONCLUSION
Bad press doesn’t define your business your response does When handled thoughtfully, negative feedback can strengthen trust, improve operations, and reinforce your brand’s values By viewing criticism as an opportunity rather than a setback, businesses can turn challenging moments into long-term wins
NEW B2B SALES STRATEGIES FOR 2026
BY KENDRA GEMMA
As we begin a new year, economic uncertainty continues to affect us all, from consumers to companies of all sizes Everyone is watching their spending, so if you’re a sales manager whose target markets are businesses, you need to adjust your sales strategies to adapt to the current climate We have a few key suggestions to help you thrive in 2026
“What If?” Planning
The days of one-sales-strategy-fits-all are gone Your team needs to have contingency plans for multiple scenarios Start by drafting a list of questions about theoretical events, such as “what if GDP growth is below 1%?” or “what if customer demand increases unexpectedly?” Be sure to include both sides of the spectrum, from economic downturns to a sudden upswing
Next, create sales plans for your team to follow based on each scenario Keep in mind that these strategies themselves should be modified to suit the actual situation at hand They’re more of a guide than something set in stone The keyword for 2026 is “flexible.”
Similarly, your current and prospective B2B clients are also hedging their bets on the economy. Top executives and business owners will work off a planning cycle that’s six to eight months long rather than a full year – all the more reason for you to be ready to pivot.
If possible, think about diversifying your products and/or your potential customer segments in case the market changes For example, a local company that rents out gaming equipment recently expanded from only B2B fundraisers and corporate events to include consumer-focused in-home poker nights and casino-themed private parties
Adjusted Sales Quotas
Also because of the less predictable business climate, your sales expectations and compensation will need to shift if you want to retain your best people
Instead of basing bonuses and salaries on a quota, look at each team member’s relative performance or set a baseline and assess their growth accordingly. You should consider the intangibles, as well, like adaptability, customer satisfaction, and account expansion. These show long-term potential. After all, sales timelines are stretching out, in part because there are simply more decision makers. Many companies build teams to evaluate large purchases and manage risks. This means that your top salespeople will be adept at navigating their clients’ office politics and addressing various concerns, from upfront costs to the ins and outs of implementation.
Integrated Revenue Teams
Much like a lot of today’s smart electronics, revenue teams should be integrated and in regular communication Your team might be comprised of marketing, sales, and post-sales personnel or some combination of these As their manager, you’ll want to establish KPI targets for everyone to aim for and ensure they all have the same data so they can remain knowledgeable about their common customers
Everyone should maintain contact with each other and possibly meet regularly to minimize difficulties as the customer moves along the sales journey.
Another development that challenges the traditional sales model is the switch to more automated and digital information gathering, especially in the early stages Most B2B clients say they begin their research online, so you’ll need to create a more robust digital presence, including your website, content marketing, and case studies Keep in mind that these should try to serve multiple audiences within your target companies, since the employee tasked with initial research will probably not be the final decision maker. Each piece of marketing material will likely be passed up the chain or shared with the committee in charge of choosing your service, software, or other product you’re selling
Because your salespeople won’t be the first touchpoint with your potential client, they’ll act as expert advisors when needed Be prepared to meld online sales and the human touch in 2026 and beyond Knowing when to use which tactic will be paramount
The bottom line is: If you adjust your B2B sales tactics, strategy, teams, and tactics, you’ll set yourself up for success in the new year
“New year is the glittering light to brighten the dream-lined pathway of future.” ― Munia Khan
"Everyone
― Andy Rooney
"Many companies get trapped by the paradox of hitting numbers 'now' versus improving sales for future quarters or years ahead."
― Tiffani Bova
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