The Bridge Magazine - January 2023

Welcome to 2023! This is such an exciting time of the year as we move into the next chapter of a brand-new year filled with new opportunities to serve our member businesses- the true economic engine of our community. Our mission at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is to cultivate Sarasota’s prosperity and quality of life for our member businesses. So how does an organization like ours go about fulfilling its mission?

It deeply cares about the needs, the strengths and the desires of the business community and is willing to work diligently and passionately to exceed the expectations of its members. Your Chamber is working on some new and cuttingedge programming for the new year. In 2023 we will be bringing new ways for our members and the business community to come together through our platform of meetings, events and programs. Programs that connect people, help to inform and educate, and build a network of go to resources. Get engaged with one of our councils to engage at a deeper level with the Chamber and our members. It works on policy and issues at all levels of government that affect both small and large businesses and promotes a strong economy. It cares about community and making sure that the quality of life we currently enjoy continues for our businesses, our families and residents. Partnering with other local organizations on issues and programming will also be a priority for 2023.

Thank you for being a treasured member of our organization and believing in the work that we are doing here at the Chamber on your behalf.

Heather Kasten Presdent/CEO

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

At the ribbon cutting of phase one of The Bay in October, City of Sarasota Manager Marlon Brown remarked that it was a Chamber of Commerce Day offering particularly gorgeous weather. That day also happened to be our 102nd Annual Meeting where we officially announced our 4-star Accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It was certainly a day to toast to being at our very best.

We closed off the year with Engage Sarasota having their monthly luncheons, Youth and Adult Leadership Sarasota focusing on media day and ending the month with a bang with our annual Sporting Clays Tournament. These events and programs are key components of your membership and we encourage you to participate to get the best out of your membership.

Recently the Sarasota Chamber Board of Directors held its annual board retreat to focus on our strategic plan into the next year. As a board we are committed to these pillars of excellence:

• Build a Strong Chamber Community

• Be a Resource

• Advance Advocacy

• Convene the Community

• Talent and Workforce

• Ensure Stability and Growth

By focusing on these key areas we are committed to upholding our mission to cultivate Sarasota’s prosperity and quality of life through our member businesses. Here’s to making 2023 one of our best years yet.

Emily Walsh, Observer Media Group

Chair of the Board

CHAMBER STAFF

Heather Kasten President/CEO hkasten@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4050

Ed Hill Vice President ehill@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4040

Dan Sidler Vice President of CareerEdge & Economic Development dsidler@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4045

Maggie Burton Executive Assistant mburton@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4051

Kevin Golumbeck

CareerEdge Program Manager kgolumbeck@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4038

Zach Henkel

Membership Investment Manager zhenkel@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4029

Sonya Islam Communications Coordinator sislam@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4046

Melanie Lavender Opportunities for All Manager mlavender@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4058

Craig McGonigal

Director of Membership Engagement cmcgonigal@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4034

Mark Pawlicki

Membership Coordinator mpawlicki@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4026

Sara Rachon

Director of Programs srachon@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4039

Christine Seaman

Accounting Coordinator accounting@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4053

Lisa Wood

Membership & Events Assistant lwood@sarasotachamber.com (941) 955-8187

1945 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 955-8187 sarasotachamber.com

Thursday, January 19

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Discover Sarasota Tours

Thursday, March 9

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Sunwest Bank

MONTHLY EVENTS

Thursday, January 12 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria

Friday, February 17

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Rise & Nyes

Greater Sarasota Chamber Board Room

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, January 25 | Achieving Peak Performance Without Burnout (Part One)

Wednesday, February 22 | Achieving Peak Performance Without Burnout (Part Two)

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Monday, January 30, 2023

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Palm Aire Country Club

Presented by: Waste Pro of Florida

Friday, March 10, 2023

7:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Presented by: Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Powel Crosley Estate Presented by: HH Staffing

Thursday, April 6, 2023

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Robarts Arena

Presented by: Sam’s Club

Your Chamber has a host of opportunities for you to advertise and promote your business! By advertising with us, you can build awareness of what you’re doing for the Sarasota business community to our 1,200 members. It’s a great way to educate your future and current customers on what you’re all about.

Web:

Print:

See an opportunity that may be a fit for you?

Congratulations

Chris Pfahler Chair Class of 2005

Taylor Aultman Past Chair/ Project Management Chair Class of 2012

Kari Queen Vice Chair / Alumni Chair Class of 2017

Stacy

Jeanne Armour

Josh

Tim

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS

CORPORATE CORNER

Organization: Baltimore Orioles

Title: Senior Vice President, Community Development & Communications

Q: What is the biggest leadership lesson you have learned?

Treat everyone the same, intern to CEO.

Q: What is one business advice you would give to local entrepreneurs?

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve moved on from hiring a business/professional because they didn’t return calls or follow up as promised. You can stand out just by doing simple things well. “The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.” -Vince Lombardi

Q: Are there any exciting developments happening in your company? We are in the midst of preparations for our 2023 Spring Training season, which includes 17 games at Ed Smith Stadium, and excited to be incorporating an incredible number of opportunities for fans to support nonprofits positively impacting our community.

Q: What do you love the most about Sarasota? Philanthropy is in Sarasota’s DNA, and it makes me so proud to call this area home.

Learn how your organization could be featured in our Corporate Corner! Contact Zach Henkel, zhenkel@sarasotachamber.com

Jennifer Grondahl

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS

CORPORATE CORNER

Kevin Cooper Organization: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aqaurium

Title: Vice President for Communications

and Strategic Initiatives

Q: What is the biggest leadership lesson you have learned?

The biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned is the importance of humility. To be an effective leader, it’s critical to subordinate your ego. When you’re able to acknowledge your shortcomings, admit your mistakes and create an atmosphere where everyone is able to lead and take ownership, you’re able to more constructively address challenges and take advantage of opportunities.

Q: What is one business advice you would give to local entrepreneurs?

In his article, “What is Strategy?”, Michael Porter wrote that, “the essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” Often, there is a central focus on the things that a company will do and a lack of clarity on what it will not do. In his article, “What Only the CEO Can Do”, A.G. Lafley offers that one of the fundamental tasks of the CEO is “answering, time and time again, the two-part question, what business are we in and what business are we not in?” Make sure you’re paying equal attention to the second part.

Q: Are there any exciting developments happening in your company? Mote is currently in the third, and final, phase of constructing our new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park. Mote SEA will be an iconic facility at a nexus location for Sarasota and Manatee counties, and the entire southwest Florida region. Reaching nearly 700,000 visitors per year, Mote SEA will surely inspire the next generation of marine scientists, while serving as a major tourism and economic driver for the greater Sarasota-Manatee region.

Q: What do you love the most about Sarasota? The things I value most in my life are faith, family and civic engagement and service. What I love most about Sarasota is that it’s a place where all three of those areas are able to grow and refine.

Learn how your organization could be featured in our Corporate Corner! Contact Zach Henkel, zhenkel@sarasotachamber.com

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida, located at The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, assists existing and emerging businesses in Sarasota county, through nocost confidential business consulting, market research, and no-cost training. Specialized services for smallto-medium enterprises are also available in the following areas:

Growth Acceleration: provides in-depth business assessments and strategic planning for qualified businesses to develop sustainable growth strategies.

Export Marketing Plans: position qualified manufacturing small businesses in Florida who are “newto-export” to identify growth strategies through the development of specialized plans.

Government Contracting: assists established businesses to expand by reaching new markets through federal, state and local government contracting.

Schedule an appointment with your Sarasota Chamber-based consultant at www.SBDCTampaBay.com.

MEMBER NEWS

Impact: First Church Donates Turkeys for Veterans in Need

“As it has for a number of years, First Church has brightened the holidays for veterans in need. Church members – led by missions chair Peggy Hite – contributed 45 turkeys as well as a big box of side dishes for veterans served by Goodwill Manasota’s Veterans Services program.”

All Faiths Food Bank Receives Donation of Canned Goods

“All Faiths is a member of Feeding Florida, the state’s largest hunger relief organization and the only food bank network with an active presence, providing ongoing community-based food distributions in all 67 counties of Florida. Its efforts are especially critical during times of crisis and natural disaster.”

Grants:

Gecko’s Grill & Pub’s 30th Anniversary Party Raises Record Scholarship Funds for Sarasota County 4-H Foundation

“The Gecko’s Hospitality Group has a long history of serving as Business Partners with dozens of schools in Sarasota and Manatee County, providing Super Student Free Meals to tens of thousands of elementary students and supporting untold numbers of philanthropies and charitable groups.”

Children First Receives Critical $100,000 Support from Gulf Coast Community Foundation

“Children First also received a $50,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support immediate needs for its children, families, and staff members following the devastation of Hurricane Ian. Damage from the storm has surpassed $7.6 billion in estimated insurance losses and more than $642 million from FEMA for individual assistance approved for over 307,000 households.”

Read more of our member news and the amazing impact they are making in the community by heading over to our website.

ANNIVERSARIES

November-January

Celebrating milestone anniversaries of members who have been with us for 25 years and above.

66 Years

Stantec

64 Years TECO Peoples Gas

63 Years Yarnall Moving & Storage Solutions

59 Years Fredrick Deer & Comapny, Inc.

59 Years Rusty Plumbing, Inc.

58 Years Sarasota Lock & Key Shop, LLC.

57 Years Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm, Furen & Ginsburg, P.A.

54 Years REALTOR® Association of Sarasota and Manatee

53 Years Sarasota Opera

52 Years Sarasota County Agricultural Fair Association, Inc.

51 Years Professional Benefits, Inc.

49 Years Cavanaugh & Co. LLP

49 Years Kerkering, Barberio & Co.

48 Years Bay Village of Sarasota, Inc.

48 Years Mullets Appliances, Inc.

48 Years Waste Management Inc of Florida

47 Years Hyatt Regency Sarasota

46 Years New College of Florida

45 Years Eager Beaver Car Wash, Inc.

45 Years Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc.

45 Years Suncoast Technical College - STC

44 Years The Out-of-Door Academy, Inc.

42 Years Eldridge Body Shop, Inc.

42 Years Goodwill Industries-Manasota, Inc.

42 Years Toale Brothers Funeral Homes & Crematory

40 Years CB’s Saltwater Outfitters & Boat Rentals

40 Years Cunningham Property Management Corp.

40 Years Gifford-Heiden Insurance

40 Years Practical Car Rental

40 Years School Board of Sarasota County

39 Years Asolo Repertory Theatre

39 Years Screenco, Inc.

38 Years Atlantic Relocation

38 Years CareerSource Suncoast

37 Years State Farm Insurance/ Ric Coffey

36 Years Easterseals Southwest Florida

36 Years WWSB- ABC 7

35 Years Andrick & Associates, Inc.

35 Years Sarasota Trophy & Awards, Inc.

33 Years Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association

32 Years ASO, LLC

32 Years Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

32 Years Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

September 2022-November 2022

6051 Design Source

81 Oaks

Al Harris Pest Control

Ambrosian Touch LLC

Archaeological Consultants, Inc.

AvantGuard Monitoring Centers, LLC

Ballard Partners

Bayside Pet Resort Boo’s Ice House & Dog Bar

C&C Supplies and Services LLC

C&D Homemaker & Companion Service

Cartridge World Sarasota

Castle Concierge

CCM Group Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry

Christmas Tree Shops Compass FL LLC

Crawford Capital Management, LLC

CreArte Latino Cultural Center Corp. East Coast Mortgage Lenders, Inc. eHubCo

ERES Companies

Euro Painting

Everglades University Sarasota

ForeverLawn Artificial Turf Functional Transformation, LLC

G League

Genisys Credit Union Mortgage

Gonstead Chiropractic Clinic of Sarasota

Halflants + Pichette Architects

Humane Society of Sarasota County KB in Bloom

Krewe Du Sno-Ball

Little Medical School - Suncoast M&F Marble and Granite LLC Manasota Moments Mark Holmes

Millennium Physician Group Mobility City of Sarasota Monkee’s of Lakewood Ranch New Dawn Electric Next-Mark, LLC Paul Mitchell The School Sarasota PrimeHealth Urgent Care Pro Shutters and Blinds Resilient Retreat Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar SahaVida Institute

Sarasota Professional Soccer LLC Sean Presley Project LLC Second Heart Homes, Inc. Seniors Helping Seniors Shavonda Sharre Griffin, LLC Shift Avenue LLC Siesta Pops

Southwest Florida Honor Flight Sunshine Peer Network Inc. Test Flight Studios The Fund

The Laser Lounge Spa & Salon The Naked Collective US Ltd The Toasted Yolk Cafe Timberline Chemical Inc Unique Stone Resurfacing View Mortgage LLC Wee Kare Concierge LLC

Please help us in welcoming the following new members joining our Chamber family!

CELEBRATING THE BIG MOMENTS

2022-2023 CHAMBER AMBASSADORS

Chamber ambassadors are a voluntary position at the chamber of commerce and play an essential role in member communication and retention. Ambassadors serve as customer relations representatives for the Chamber, visiting new members and contacting existing members to expand communications and involvement.

Lexie Guanchez Boyd Insurance & Investment Services, Inc. Chair

Denise Boykin Red Door Painting, LLC

Sinead Carr Express Employment Professionals

Gareth Stevenson RITE Technology

Zoe Kasper Bekins Moving Solutions

Molly Lawley Serbin Print Marketing & Publishing

Michelle Leonard Thryv

Brad Marner Ameris Bank

Carina Marsh Roberts Insurance Group, LLC

Bianca Naughton Vensure Employer Services

Tara Ritchie

Paul Davis of Sarasota and Charlotte

Veronica Roshek Mueller Financial Services, Inc.

Angelica Sullivan Advantage Business Partners

Lauren Tominelli Sarasota County Government

Elizabeth Topp Conservation Foundation of Gulf Coast

Scooter Maloney Bank OZK

Scott Moudry Baltimore Orioles

Josh Ferzer Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota

Michelle Olivo

Castle Concierge

AMBASSADOR OF THE QUARTER

Angelica Sullivan Advantage Business Partners

Angelica is a midwestern girl by heart, born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. Moving to Florida 6 years ago with her husband and two boys has been one of the best and most exciting decisions of her life. She’s had the pleasure of being part of the Chamber for over a year. It has been an amazing experience for her and has been able to make life-long friends, as well as becoming a liaison for the business community. She is thrilled to be Ambassador of the Quarter and she looks forward to continuing to do all she can to serve the community.

Angelica has been working with Advantage Business Partners for two years. Her passion is to serve, never to sell. As a HR Business Consultant, her purpose is to advise all types of businesses of the options available in the operations and HR world. The challenges can be overwhelming for all types of business and with her expertise, she provides solutions so the business owner can enjoy life.

COMMITTEES & COUNCILS

CAREEREDGE

Congratulations Manufacturing and Healthcare Emerging Leadership Training Graduates!

Please help us in celebrating the 46 outstanding leaders who successfully completed the 2022 Manufacturing and Healthcare Emerging Leadership Training. Congratulations!

While the war for talent and the “great resignation” rage on, employers are looking at every opportunity to develop and retain their rockstar team members. In an effort to support companies on this front, CareerEdge recently hosted two Leadership Training workshop series in partnership with State College of Florida and Evolve Business Consulting, with each targeted for the Manufacturing and Healthcare sectors.

The 3-week training workshop, facilitated by Evolve Business Consulting founder Jaime Marco, prepared emerging and current leaders to better understand the characteristics of great leaders, varying leadership styles, and keys to communicating as a leader, such as setting clear expectations and how to have difficult conversations.

2022 Manufacturing Class

“This course gave us many tools to approaching difficult conversations. I now know what words to use and to avoid, and I understand what factors can improve the outcome of difficult conversations.”

- 2022 Graduate, Healthcare Class

2022 Healthcare Class

THANK YOU CAREEREDGE FUNDERS!

The work of CareerEdge Funders Collaborative within our community would not be possible without the generous and committed support of our funders.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Opportunities for All Awards $100,000 in Business Assistance Grants to Minority Owned Businesses.

The Chamber’s Opportunities For All program, funded by The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, assists minority, small business owners and non-profit organizations with resources that will help our local businesses grow and thrive. The OFA program was launched in 2021.

Last November, The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Opportunities For All (OFA) initiative announced the recipients of the 2022 Business Assistance Funds Program, awarding $100,000 to 45 minority owned businesses. The awardees were chosen from applicant pool of over 70 by a selection committee made up of local business owners and leaders in our community.

“Growing all of our businesses within our Sarasota community, is of paramount importance to the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. We are honored to fund these minority, locally owned businesses, through the generous support of the Barancik Foundation,” states Heather Kasten, Sarasota Chamber President/CEO.

Compound Catering LLC

CreArte Latino Cultural Center Corp

Dapper Bowtique LLC

Kenny Klean Cut Lawn Services LLC

King HR Services Inc

Kopies and More

Krewe Du Sno-Ball LLC

Little Caterpillar Early Child Care LLC

M.G.V. Natural Soap & Cosmetics Services LLC

Margwine Organization Inc

Minorities in Shark Sciences

Mountain View Media Inc

My Reality Speaks LLC

Queens Of Domestic Violence Awareness Inc.

Rosalyn Walton Education and Enrichment Services Inc.

Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition Inc.

Sean Presley Project LLC

Settles Stump Grinding & Tree Service LLC

Shavonnda Sharre Griffin, LLC

Shift Avenue LLC

Sticks On The Go LLC

Styles By Maria 2

Styles By Maria 365

Little Medical School Suncoast

Symplifyed HR Consulting LLC

The Bee Haven

Time to Change with Denise

UBreakIFix By Asurion

Velazquez Tire Shop Corp

Williams Solid Solutions LLC

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

1945 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34236