August 2019 Southwest Florida Business Today

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S O UT H W E S T F L O R I D A B US I N E S S T O D A Y ® O N :

IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION HOSTS SHARK TANK COMPETITION

Focus on Business Services

Our Trade Show in Print provides information to make your business more successful.

Commercial Real Estate

A specially focused monthly section exploring the SWFL commercial real estate marketplace.

IN T H E N E W S Collier names Pelican Wire as ‘Business of the Month’ During the July 9 Collier County Commission meeting, Pelican Wire was named the Collier County ‘Business of the Month’ and was recognized by the Board for being a manufacturing leader in Collier County for over 40 years.

Pelican Wire President Ted Bill, who received the award, said “We are truly honored to be named the Collier County ‘Business of the Month’ for July. Since moving AWARD See page 4

Gov. DeSantis announces job growth grants Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida are accepting economic development project proposals for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. $40 million is available to fund job training and public infrastructure projects that support growth and employment in Florida.

“We know the importance infrastructure projects and workforce training has on economic development,” said DeSantis. “The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will help Florida communities ensure they GRANTS See page 12

SEASON, SELECT

& VOUCHER MEMBERSHIPS

Dr. Sandra Kauanui (left) and Noemi Y. Perez (right) with - TIF Shark Tank winners Swap & Shop team- Neika Exulus, Ailynee Ramirez, Jessica Sales, Daisy Montanez, Alondra Estrada

Y o u ng entr epr eneu r s s h ar e ideas , ear n aw ar ds Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Noemi Y. Perez Southwest Florida students in The Immokalee Foundation’s business-themed summer camp recently shared their entrepreneurial ideas and garnered awards during a Shark Tank event modeled after the popular TV show.

The four-week Business Management Pathway camp was a partnership between the foundation and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship. Students developed business plans that solved problems common among them finding clothes on a budget handling studentcentric finances getting better sleep planning a quinceaera and finding restaurants suitable for people with restricted diets.

Student teams gave presentations about their target audiences, startup costs, pro ected profits, marketing plans and other aspects of entrepreneurial enterprises at iTECH in Immokalee. Judges for the presentations were: Brian Rist, The Smart ompanies executive chairman Sofia Blanno, The Smart ompanies intern and atthew Turner, ert director of corporate social responsibility.

First place awards of $500 each went to the Swap & Shop team of Neika Exulus, Jessica Sales, Alondra Estrada, Daisy Montanez and Ailynee Ramirez. Aimed at students interested in dressing fashionably on a budget, the pro-

Dr. Sandra Kauanui, FGCU Director of Entrepreneurship, spoke during the event. gram allows shoppers to arrange to buy, sell or swap items through an app, then physically exchange those items at a central location in Immokalee.

MentorUs, an app that encourages students to make smart financial decisions, earned second place of each for team members Alex Soriano, Je’an Espinoza, Myrlandie Etienne, Azael Simon-Quirino and Simson Devesaint.

SHARK See page 5

F o r t M y er s M ay o r lau nc h es D iv er s ity C o m m ittee Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher “It is never too late to give up your prejudices.”

Henry David Thoreau Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson has known Florida Gulf Coast University professor Dr. Peter Ndiang’ui for about 10 years and was a guest speaker in his class, “Introduction to Diversity,” in November. Henderson asked students what he could do to make Fort Myers a

more inclusive city.

Student Hailey Countryman asked the Mayor if he had a team of advisors on diversity whom he could rely on for guidance. Since the answer to that question was no, at that moment Henderson felt inspired to create just such a team. Ndiang’ui wanted to make sure the Mayor was prepared for the road ahead and asked him, “Are you really able to handle the truth?” The project moved forward.

Beth Countryman, Hailey’s mother, became involved with the project, which led to a $25,000 donation from

her employer, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, to FGCU’s College of Education. In a recent interview she said, “We can’t really say we are trying to be representative of our city’s residents and community if we don’t have diversity on the council itself.”

She explained the committee drew its 18 members from the community, representing diversity in race, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity. “We can’t be a committee made up of old white men and think we are going to be in charge of diversity.”

DIVERSITY See page 11

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ÂŽ

Capitalize on opportunity.

AU G U ST 2 0 1 9

BUSINESS LENDING

No matter the size of your business, Capital Bank is here to help. With knowledgeable lenders who understand your community, and lending solutions to fit your specific needs, our business is about helping your business succeed.

To learn more about our lending solutions, visit capitalbank-us.com/bizlending

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AU G U ST 2 0 1 9

Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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T ic k ets av ailab le f o r W o m en in B u s ines s ’ A P E X A w ar ds Tickets are still available for the 2019 APEX Awards, an annual event of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Committee that recognizes local women with outstanding reputations for professionalism, philanthropy and leadership.

The 14th annual APEX Awards will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral. Presented by Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, the evening gala will honor five finalists and recognize all nominees before naming this year’s APEX Awards recipient.

“This annual event is a true celebration of our members and their commitment to professional excellence, service and mentorship,” said Kelly Talamo, co-chair of the 2019 Apex Awards.

The five finalists are athleen O. Berkey, shareholder attorney and certified land planner, Becker oliako elly . ayer, attorney, elly . ayer erri A. oldsmith, financial advisor, B S ealth Advisors ulie oester, founder, managing partner, president, ragon orse Ad Agency and aren L. Mosteller, business consulting and technology partner, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co.

Berkey is a shareholder attorney and a certified land planner at Becker oliako , a multi-practice commercial law firm. Berkey serves on the board of directors for Keep Lee County Beautiful, as co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the Urban Land Institute of Southwest Florida, and serves on the Breastfeeding Accommodations Committee of MothersEsquire. ayer established The aw O ces of Kelly L. Fayer in 2006. She is the founder of #KindLee, past president of the Lee County Bar Association, board member of the Lee County Bar Association Foundation, founding member and

vice president of the Miguel C. Fernandez III Hispanic Bar Association, treasurer of CAMEO of Lee County, board member of Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida, honorary board member of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, and master of Calusa Inn of Court. oldsmith is a financial advisor at HBKS Wealth Advisors and has been with the firm since . A native of Fort Myers, Goldsmith has served in leadership roles for industry associations and nonprofit organi ations over the last several decades and currently is the president-elect of Rotary Club of Fort Myers South.

APEX See page 6

BUSINESS SERVICES

Sanibel Captiva customizes banking for businesses Banking is a necessity for businesses, but some banks make it more expensive when it shouldn’t be. hat makes Sanibel aptiva ommunity Bank di erent is we don’t believe in charging fees unless we absolutely have to. e o er the same services and benefits of a big box bank except better with fee-free products to help businesses save money.

We pride ourselves on providing customized business banking services, including free business checking with no minimum balance required or monthly service charges. Unlike other banks who charge for treasury management products, many of ours are feefree such as ACH origination, Positive Pay, QuickBooks integration, online banking with bill pay and mobile banking apps, including mobile deposit. e also o er top-yielding money market accounts, safe deposit boxes, ATMs and drive-thru banking.

In the last 16 years, the bank has expanded throughout ee ounty with seven locations and an eighth

branch scheduled to open in 2020.

The bank is consistently nationally ranked by S&P Global Market Intelligence in the top 25 best-performing community banks, out of more than 4,500 banks with assets under $1 billion. It is well capitalized, with over $460 million in assets, and generates the highest return on equity of all Florida banks in excess of $155 million in total

BY BETH assets.

COUNTRYMAN As a nonconventional, locally Guest Columnist grown, community bank, our foundation is built on people and relationships. We were founded to serve our community. We do this every day by empowering our neighbors, team and community through local decision-making. Our strong belief in relationship banking helps us support Lee

g n i r o Hon

For more business news, visit www.sw oridabusinesstoday.com

ounty businesses by o ering more exibility than a regional or national bank. That exibility allows us the privilege of helping thousands of Lee County residents realize their dreams of opening or expanding a business.

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is devoted to staying locally owned and operated with an unwavering commitment to the Southwest Florida business community with smart, thoughtful business banking solutions.

Beth Countryman is the vice president of treasury management for Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. She is responsible for supporting business clients using the bank’s suite of digital products and services. Learn more at sancapbank.com or call (239) 472-6100.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

J

Kathleen O. Berkey Becker & Poliakoff, P.A.

Kerri A. Goldsmith HBKS Wealth Advisors

Kelly L. Fayer

Kelly L. Fayer, P.A.

THE FIVE FINALISTS

oin Women in Business of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce in celebrating outstanding local business women who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of professionalism, philanthropy and leadership. The 14th Annual APEX Awards will bring together community leaders and business professionals for an inspirational awards ceremony recognizing five finalists and naming this year’s recipient of the prestigious APEX Award. Since 2006, Women in Business has honored 18 revered women in Southwest Florida.

FRIDAY | AUGUST 16 The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village Julie Koester

Dragon Horse Ad Agency

Karen L. Mosteller

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A.

6:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction 7:30 p.m. Dinner, Awards Ceremony & Dancing $150 per person $1,600-2,000 per table

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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Implement a results-oriented management system

Management has been defined as working with and through other people in order to accomplish the objectives of the organization and its members.

Management also is a process. There are four critical links that hold the process together for the manager of any business - whether it’s a golf facility, team sports, sales or various aspects of teaching.

These are: • Defining objectives • Assigning responsibilities • Developing standards of performance • Praising performance The management process is cyclical in nature. It begins with the defining objectives for the team at the start of every budget cycle.

Managers of any business should consider themselves as the team president. They are responsible for helping the team members achieve their objectives.

At the beginning of a budget cycle, there’s a seven-step process of implementing a results-oriented management system.

STEP 1: Team managers gets agreement and commitment from their team members.

STEP 2: Team members write in draft form their understanding of their key responsibilities.

STEP 3: Team managers review these drafts to assess if team members are on the right track what their responsibilities are.

STEP 4: Team managers meet with team members to close the gaps in perceptions.

STEP 5: Team members draft standards of performance for their key responsibilities.

STEP 6: Team managers review these standards of performance to see if they fully understand their

BUSINESS SERVICES

responsibilities. The key is to get everyone on the same page.

STEP 7: Managers meet with team members individually to negotiate final standards that meet both parties’ expectations.

This may seem like a tedious process but it’s imperative that both parties have a crystal clear view of what they want to achieve as a team.

BY PATRICK In brief, once managers have MONTANA gotten to the final step in this proGuest Columnist cess, they have an expectation or performance contract, which will govern the relationship between the parties during the budget cycle.

In fact and in practice, I sign and have my subordinates sign such a document, since at the core of the system for managing for results is managing expectations.

The entire system of managing for results with an explanation of its relationship to time management and the delegation process is contained in my book. It’s titled ‘Conquering the Course: Managing for Results In Business and in Golf.’ It’s available at Amazon.com.

Why making an exit strategy is crucial

Dr. Patrick Montana is a former president of the Professional Institute of the American Management Associations and currently is a master golf teaching professional at Alico Family Golf Center in Fort Myers. He is president of the Montana AIMS Group. He can be reached at patmontana17@gmail.com.

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P.O. Box 152299 Cape Coral, FL 33915-2299 News: 239-573-9731 All other: 239-573-9732 News email: editor@swfloridabusinesstoday.com All other information requests: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com The contents of Southwest Florida Business Today® are copyright 2019 by Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced without the express written consent of Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. The publication of any advertisement or article does not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher of Southwest Florida Business Today®. For more information about any article or column appearing in Southwest Florida Business Today®, for advertising rates or subscription information please call 239-573-9732 or email: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com

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Southwest Florida Business Today® is to provide the best business-to-business marketplace where business executives operating in Southwest Florida buy and sell goods and services via the exchange of news, advertising and information.

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We all remember why we started our own business and, in most cases, we understand “what” our business model is and “how” we were going to run that business.

But what we don’t spend enough time doing, is thinking about “when” we are going to get out of business or transition that business to a new buyer and liquidate our e orts into a payday.

It’s a fact that most business owners have 80-90% of their Net Worth tied up in their businesses and that only 75% of owners even remotely know what their business is worth.

Another shocking statistic is 10-20% of

BY SERGIO businesses placed for DECESARE sale never sell at all.

Guest Columnist Incidentally, of the businesses that do sell, the average sales price is only 75% of the list price and usually includes some form of owner financing and “hold backs,” which means the owner did not cash out!

Those are pretty scary statistics considering the time, e ort, money and stress your business has put on you and your family to get to where it is now. The reason It was a question of “risk for the buyer!” Risk not mitigated earlier in the process. ax Business rofits speciali es in helping business owners come up with an Exit Plan, implement their options and prepare heir business for sale at a premium price. Typically, a business requires 2-5 years of planning, collaboration with our employee team and financial professions such as your A and financial planners.

We are routinely referred by these professionals to help their clients achieve maximum profits at the time of sale and more importantly during the “preparation” period prior to a sale. We have helped numerous clients grow or “scale” their businesses by using our proprietary system that addresses not only revenue promotion, processes and several other documented profit or value factors that every business needs to implement for success and profit

A ntic ipating w h at’ s nex t. . .

Sergio DeCesare is a Certified Business Exit Strategist and “Turn Around” consultant, licensed Florida business broker and No. 1 Amazon Best Selling author for Business Ethics & Leadership 2015. Email him at Sergio@smallbizadvising.com or call him at (239) 580-7408.

...is what keeps you and your business ahead of the game.

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Due to expansion, SWFBT seeks part-time telephone sales professionals who are motivated to achieve their sales potential. Call (239) 770-7527 for details.

Here’s what is ahead for 2019 for Southwest Florida Business Today®.

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DEADLINE (WED., 5 pm)

SEPTEMBER Manufacturing

Aug. 23

Aug. 14

Entrepreneurs

Sept. 20

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OCTOBER

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to Naples in 1976, Pelican Wire has watched Collier County grow and we have been pleased to be part of that growth. As a manufacturer, we help to diversify the economy of Southwest Florida and are honored to be recognized by the Commission for our contribution to the county and the community.

“On behalf of the employee-owners of Pelican Wire, I would like to thank the Board of County Commissioners for recognizing the importance of manufacturing by honoring Pelican Wire.”

The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce also recognized Pelican Wire at their monthly ‘Wake-Up Naples’ breakfast meeting the following morning.

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

Leasing equipment offers up alternative to b uyi ng

By Steve Kolton Guest Columnist Have you wanted to get equipment but felt you could not afford it? Or wanted to upgrade equipment, but did not know what to do?

Equipment leasing can come to the rescue.

Because leasing is much easier and quicker than dealing with a bank, more companies are getting the equipment they need today, not having to wait until a later time.

Normally, for equipment costing up to $75,000, all that is required is a one-page application. In most cases, a decision is made within 24 hours.

Documents are then received by the Lessee), signed and returned to the Lessor.

Lease terms can be in 12-month increments, with 60 months the standard. But 84 months can be provided if the lessee is credit worthy.

There are many programs to choose from, starting with the standard fixed monthly payment no payments for days, seasonal step-up rate (low at first, then increasing x program payments at $99.00, then a set payment, and others upon request.

Prefunding is another alternative available whereby a vendor can be given up to 50% of the cost so that the equipment can be manufactured.

This way, the lessee has only put up the two payments as a deposit to start the lease. When equipment is finally delivered, a vendor is paid the remaining balance due.

This program allows all parties to be satisfied, but the biggest benefit goes to the lessee, since they were able to get the equipment they wanted, with such little deposit monies required. Should you wish to upgrade equipment, this is another program that benefits the lessee.

A state-of-the-art piece of equipment can replace the older piece in your plant easily. On approval, the funding source pays off the remaining balance of your older piece, and applies that balance to the cost of the new equipment. You now have the new, modern equipment, and did not have to be concerned about selling the older piece.

As mentioned, terms can be 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months and end

SHARK PAGE 1 SkyNight, a pillow designed for college students with four small speakers to drown out noise and encourage sleep, earned third place and $100 each for Elmer Santiago, Cenaida Herrera, Lizett Alvarado, Eloy Anzualda and Kenniya Miller.

The camp was part of The Immokalee Foundation’s recently launched program supporting “Professional Careers in The New Economy,” designed to prepare students for successful careers in Southwest Florida. The program introduces students to career pathways that lead to employment in high-demand jobs that may require professional certifications and credentials, in addition to those that require two- and four-year college degrees.

The four general pathways include:

of lease options are either $1, 10% option or fair market value (FMV).

The $1 option is what is due after all payments are made. The 10% option is based on the original amount that was leased. If it was $50,000, 10% option is $5,000. The FMV option is based on the value of the equipment at the end of lease term. If equipment has a high value, your buyout could be more than 10%.

Each program determines your monthly lease payment, with the highest being the $1 option and the lowest being FMV option. Leases can be structured so that all payments are 100% tax deductible.

You should contact your accountant to determine the best structure.

Most equipment can be leased, new or used, as well as rolling stock (trucks, tractors, trailers) and some funding sources lease molds for injection molding machines.

Time in business is essential for approval on leasing. The established companies (in business for two years or more) have a much better chance for quick approvals.

Businesses with less than one year in business are acceptable, but may require more than the one page application for credit information.

Start-up companies can get approved, but usually amounts cannot exceed $25,000 unless it is a special transaction with additional collateral available.

One other valuable program available is the Sale/Leaseback.

The funding source buys the equipment from the lessee, sends the check to lessee and the lease term starts. This program is normally a 36-month lease with a $1 buyout option. However, it can help a lessee acquire monies without affecting a line of credit with a bank.

By providing 100% financing, leasing also frees capital for much needed research and development, which will be necessary for businesses intending to compete effectively in this growing economy.

So why wait to get that new piece of machinery or mold? Call your funding representative today and see how easy it is to lease it.

Steve Kolton is the president of Equities Funding Group in North Fort Myers. For more information, contact (800) 829-2340.

Engineering and Construction Management ealthcare Business anagement and ducation and uman Services.

FGCU Institute for Entrepreneurship Director Sandra Kauanui, along with institute interns and faculty, designed the summer curriculum and guided campers through the business development process during the camp.

At the presentation, Kauanui said, “The last four weeks were not easy, and The Immokalee Foundation students worked hard. I truly appreciate the students finding a need and wanting to find a solution to solve the problem. Their experience was valuable, and they learned what it means to be an entrepreneur. The Immokalee Foundation students are going to make the world a better place. We need to help them find that opportunity and add value to society.”

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Local Bank. Commitment. Decisions.

Banking shouldn’t cost you Having a bank account is a necessity for any household or business, but some banks are making it more expensive when it shouldn’t be. At Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, we don’t believe in charging fees unless we absolutely have to.

We offer the same services and benefits of a big box bank – except better with fee-free products, like business and platinum personal checking accounts.

Free business and platinum personal checking accounts, with no minimum balance required Free online banking, bill pay, mobile banking apps and mobile wallets Free Treasury Management services for business banking, including ACH Origination and Positive Pay Free fresh-baked cookies daily

Visit us at one of our seven convenient Southwest Florida locations or www.SanCapBank.com to learn more.

Locally Owned and Operated 239-274-6200 | www.SanCapBank.com NMLS #411904

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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Alternative funding sources give you more options The banking and lending world have dramatically changed in your favor, as has the Business Lending marketplace. When your credit score is 725 or above, the banks are your best friend however, as a small business owner, they can take weeks or more analyzing your credit only to have a credit committee turn you down. For most of us who work hard, are doing the best we can and have credit scores lower than 725, the banks aren’t so friendly.

Today though, there many other sources for loans, not just the banks, hedge funds, Wall Street, family offices and private lenders. ere are some examples of the loans being done in the alternative lending market today.

• Business Purpose loans for Owner Occupied Real state usually your o ce, showroom or warehouse .

Up to 90% LTV. Business Purpose loans for Non – Owner occupied investment properties these include residential investor properties (you can’t live there). LTV typically 7580%.

• Fix and Flip loans – you buy a property do some renovation and you hope the value of the property will be worth more. Then you either sell it at the improved value price or rent it out. Lenders will lend 85% of the purchase price, 100% of the renovation money. ectively lending of cost, 70% of after repair value.

• If you have a portfolio of

BY JOHN many rental units or even one sinSVIRSKY gle rental property, there are lendGuest Columnist ers who will lend on the whole portfolio. Best non-bank rates are in the high fives, more realistically 6.25-6.5% (depending on lots of factors, of course rates vary). 75% typical LTV, can go higher. Can be interest only.

• Bridge loans – these are usually 1- to 2-years short term financing, giving you time to reposition property before either selling or refinancing. These loans are

Microbe-Lift chosen by Jacksonville for Harmful Algal Blooms program The City of Jacksonville is working with Cape Coralbased Ecological Laboratories to use its proprietary bacteria blend, Microbe-Lift, in a two-year pilot program to determine its e ectiveness in reducing nitrogen in municipal ponds.

Nine city storm water retention ponds will be treated with Microbe-Lift and water samples will be analyzed monthly for total nitrogen by the Jacksonville Environmental Quality Division through December 2020. Nitrogen fuels harmful algae, which feed on it and create destructive blooms. Major nitrogen sources in Florida include: fertilizer, septic systems, polluted urban rain runo , animal waste and wastewater treatment facilities.

Microbe-Lift uses natural processes to remove organics and excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen compounds. The bacteria in icrobe- ift convert nitrate a form of nitrogen into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere. The non-toxic product is routinely used to maintain aquariums and koi ponds, and in aquaculture. Microbe-Lift has been on the market for 40 years. It is being used in China and gated communities throughout Florida, and was used to treat the Cabot Canal in Cape Coral in 2018 following severe harmful algal blooms under a partnership with the City of Cape Coral and the consent of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation.

The City of Jacksonville used Microbe-Lift on three ponds in a 2015 pilot study. Based on those results, its Jacksonville EQD Chief Melissa Long predicts a 60-percent reduction in total nitrogen. Jacksonville is under strict, mandatory guidelines to reduce total nitrogen under the St. Johns Basin Management Action Plan, and the MicrobeLift study is one of several innovative approaches it is undertaking to decrease water pollution.

The Microbe-Lift program is being funded with more than $300,000 in support from: the Florida Department of Transportation, the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

•

Did you k n ow ...

that SWFBT highlights:

Break in g Busin ess New s • B2B Ev en ts Calen dar • P hoto G alleries • Commercial Real Estate Directory • P rof ession als w ho are “ G oin g P laces” ... an d much more at

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ine

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interest only.

• Foreign national programs. Can lend to non-US Citizens.

Bottom line, if you have a Real Estate Asset that is being underutilized, or there is a property you want to buy, and you want to take advantage of bank alternative financing, there is plenty of money out there. It is wise to have someone who can help you through the maze of choices to help you make the right decision for your needs. With rates ranging between 5.25% and 12%, it is really good to have an expert to help you.

John Svirsky has been a Commercial Mortgage Broker since 1979 helping a diverse range of clients from mom and pop operations to Fortune 100 companies.

His “sweet spot” for loans is between $500,000 and $10,000,000. Contact him at (239) 631-0033 or John@svirsky.com. Learn more at www.svirsky.com.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Image One franchisees find success in SW FL Despite their young ages, 21 and 23 respectively, franchise owners Nikko and Anthony Conn have a combined experience of over a decade owning their own businesses. While still in high school, both began operating an Image One commercial cleaning franchise in the northern suburbs of Chicago.

Upon graduation, Anthony went on to Lake Forest College and continued to grow his business while obtaining a bachelor’s degree with a focus on business and a minor in entrepreneurship.

“Working to grow my own business while I was in college wasn’t always easy, but it allowed me to graduate debt free,” he said. That’s something that none of his friends can say.

Nikko, the younger of the two brothers, opted to bypass college and sold his business in suburban Chicago to relocate to Southwest Florida in spring of 2016.

“Moving away from the family business at only years old was a little scary, but I was confident I could be successful anywhere I would choose to set up an Image One franchise,” Nikko said.

Within just 6 months of moving, the younger Conn was billing nearly $15,000 per month and had several part-time employees.

The brothers were reunited in a partnership in

their ort yers-based franchise after Anthony finished college in 2017.

Image One Facility Solutions is a franchise system co-founded by their father, Tim Conn. The franchisor s corporate o ce is located in olling Meadows, Illinois with franchisees spread across the country. The Conn brothers have found success in operating their franchise because of their focus on customer satisfaction. They service a variety of commercial properties, including general o ces, automobile dealerships, churches, schools and condominium associations.

Anthony and Nikko share all the responsibilities of their thriving business. It seems like they are running In the daytime hours, they are out meeting with prospective clients, as well as inspecting locations and meeting with existing customers At night, they are out managing their crews, oftentimes into the late night hours.

They are searching for new cleaning opportunities throughout the Fort Myers area and south to Naples.

For more information, or to get a proposal for cleaning your commercial facility, contact Nikko or Anthony at (239) 789-2267 or visit imageoneusa.com/fort-myers.

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Mosteller has worked in public accounting since 1986 and was named a partner with Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co. in 2000. Mosteller is an experienced presenter and has been a speaker at several national conferences as well as local business groups, in addition to serving on several boards, committees and professional organizations. She also is an active volunteer and board member with the Small Business Development Center at FGCU. For more information on the event, call (239) 332-2930 or visit www.fortmyers.org.

Koester is the founder, managing partner and president of Dragon Horse Ad Agency and founded several other companies including Mr. Toad’s Toy Company, Life with Moxie, Moxie Creed and an organic skincare company. She has volunteered with the Conservancy, chaired the MS Walk, led the Columbia University Alumni Association, been a Guardian ad Litem and is the founding board chair of the Children’s Museum of Naples.

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

M idy ear C R E u pdate: ‘ T h e o nly c o ns tant is c h ang e’ Special to SWFBT Submitted By: Karen P. Moore, Publisher

Trends in commercial continue to play out as powerful changes in technology create the Ama on ect and “company repositioning” across all business sectors across the globe. Southwest Florida adds to these global changes its own local “quirks.” For example, how can Southwest Florida provide the infrastructure to keep up with the continued and heavy migration of Baby Boomers from the north, creating a burgeoning year-round local population? Roads, bridges and housing are all part of this equation. But things like providing enough parking continues to be a major challenge for our cities and counties as well, even as building heights begin to climb. Adam Palmer, Landqwest Commercial, quipped, “So many projects underway are underparked.”

LEASING As big box stores re-configure for the future, he sees more call centers moving into these spaces, and lessees who sublease to others. But, he indicated, it will be interesting to see what the absorption rates of these spaces will be as they “run out of parking.” Palmer noted other trends in leasing include more tenant improvements, permitting challenges and shrinking square footage per employee across all industries.

He pointed out, “There’s been a 40% drop in per square footage per employee in ust the past five years. So perhaps not surprisingly, he said, there are now multiple instances of companies consolidating their say, Naples and Fort Myers o ces. otable leases that occurred during the first half of include, eogenomics at Three Oaks, Alta Resources at Skyplex and the huge Arthrex expansion of its Naples complex.

INDUSTRIAL & CONSTRUCTION Jerry Messonnier, Lee And Associates, shared that activity in this sector since the first of the year occurred as follows in warehouse in ex space and in distribution.

“2019 square footage and per square foot rates,” he pointed out, “have climbed to

the highest levels since 2008.” He also noted that according to CoStar, 90% of buyers in the past year were private firms and that many of the buildings sold were around 15,0000 square feet.

As always, with sales that have occurred in the past 12 months in Southwest Florida, the price per square foot covered a broad spectrum, ranging from $47 to $143 per square foot, primarily dependent on the county in which the sale took place, with Collier usually being on the high end.

Messonnier stated, “We only saw a handful of leases in Southwest Florida in the past six months. He added, however, that of the top 20 leases in the area, the average lease was for 25,000 square feet. “With companies like Amazon and Wayfair in the mix seeking local distribution centers,” he noted, “there is clearly a trend toward leasing larger spaces.” Regarding construction trends, he observed that rental rates are still not keeping up with construction costs. “The main driver of construction costs is not the steel tari , however,” he explained, “it is subcontractors, who are charging more because they can.”

RETAIL Dan O’Berski, Trinity Commercial Group, jibed, “We’ll be out of retail shortly so my presentation will be very brief.” While banking retail branches are disappearing, it is worth noting Chase Bank has gained customers lost by other banks that closed their branches. “It seems Chase is having the last laugh there,” he observed. The upcoming SunTrust/BB&T merger, he added, will result in the new company, Truist, selling o some of its locations. These locations, however,” he stated, “can be modified for use in other industries.

And while the “traditional” retail of clothing, shoes and accessories may be falling o , the new retail, including emergency medical and dental centers, car washes, storage units, auto sales and repair shops and food businesses, is on the rise.

“Moving forward,” O’Berski pointed out, “retail will continue to look more like industrial as the ‘big box stores’ continue to reposition themselves and retail expands through distribution.”

It’s Your Future. Own It.

Dunkin’ unveiled its latest Next Generation concept store on Nicholas Parkway in Cape Coral.

D u nk in’ o pens in C ape C o r al Dunkin’ unveiled its latest Next Generation concept store on Nicholas Parkway in Cape Coral. On June 15, local franchisee Michael Koroghlian hosted a Grand Opening Celebration at the restaurant.

Guests experienced a modern atmosphere with new technologies, such as an iced beverage tap

system and an environmentally friendly design using 25 percent less energy.

Koroghlian partnered with Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida and local teenager Sarah Cabrera in support of her efforts to collect 18,000 pounds of canned food donations.

S ear s dem o litio n b eg ins in N aples

HONC Destruction has begun demolition of the Sears building, located at Coastland Center mall in Naples. The removal of the structure is in preparation for construction of a new luxury sixscreen movie theater and 354 additional parking spaces.

The 165,000-plus square-foot project is the company’s largest to date, and is estimated to take about three months to complete. Demolition debris will be sorted into wood, concrete, metal, rock, cardboard and fill material at HONC’s recycling facility, where more than 80% of it will be recycled, repurposed or sold.

A family-owned business, HONC’s demolition and recycling business is the largest in Southwest Florida. With a goal of recycling more than 90% of its con-

struction and demolition debris by the end of 2019, the company is aiming to operate the most efficient recycling facility in ee County.

Founded in 2002, HONC Destruction is one of several separately owned companies that carry the HONC family name. The company has completed thousands of commercial and residential demolition and recycling projects throughout Southwest Florida.

“We are excited to be a part of a project of this magnitude,“ said David Mulicka, president of HONC Destruction.

“Transforming the site is key to help revitalize the space and we look forward to witnessing the growth and opportunity it will bring to Naples and the surrounding community.”

It’s Your Future. Own It. Secure Your Future With Your Own Business Tom Maiale Vice President / SBA & USDA Lender

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Selling your Business is our Business!

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

N ew

BUSINESS SERVICES

Y o u B o dy C o nto u r C enter o pens

New You Body Contour Center, a full-service Endermologie Center, just opened for business at The Terraces Building on College Parkway in Fort Myers.

LPG Endermologie is an FDAcleared, patented and proprietary technique of cellular stimulation through reproducible mechanical massage. It is 100% natural and effective and targets the connective tissues of the body and face, including skin, muscle, blood and lymphatic circulation, according to New You Body Contour Center managers.

LPG techniques are non-aggressive and non-invasive, with no downtime and no known side e ects.

New You Body Contour Center is the only company in Lee County right now to bring the latest LPG technology available in the beauty industry from France.

“Our body sculpting machine is fully computerized which guarantees a faster and more visible result. This innovative technology targets cellulite and tightening of our connective tissues with great results,” said owner Bieka Bevillard.

C as tellano s c o m pletes u pdates at E ag le’ s N es t B eac h R es o r t

Improvements at the Eagles For more business news, visit Nest Beach Resort on Marco Island www.sw oridabusinesstoday.com have been completed.

Designed by Art Castellanos, arcade and guard house were also of Castellanos and Tramonte Ar- updated.

Led by partners Art Castellanos chitects and managed by Hilton Grand Vacations, the improvements and Jason Tramonte, Castlellanos + included three oors of common Tramonte Architects specializes in areas, lobby reception, o ces, con- condominium, hospitality, amenity, ference rooms, custodial area, add- commercial, government, educaed storage and children’s play area. tional, veterinary and faith-based design.

TheTombstone5x8 poolside grill, fitness BA Group 2.pdf room, 2 2/11/19 12:04 PM

Lake Michigan Credit Union Commercial Banking announces the following loans: Loan Size ......... $4,500,000 Type of Loan ...... Refinance of a retail center Business............ Developer Loan Size ......... $18,000,000 Type of Loan ...... Construction/Perm ........................ Owner Occupied Business............ 10th Street Collective (various businesses)

Learn more, contact William M. Blevins | EVP Commercial Lending West Florida Region (239) 314-0550 | William.Blevins@LMCU.org

Getting your project funded with an SBA loan by the end of 2019 The end of 2019 is right around the corner, especially if you have a project that needs to be financed before the end of the year. A SBA financing pro ect can take anywhere from 30 to 120 days depending on the complexity of the deal and the accuracy, quality and timeliness of the documentation and information needed to make a loan decision and ultimately get that loan closed. I will touch on a few things that will help e ciently close your loan in 2019. For a full list of application and closing documents that are needed, please visit my web-site at www.sbaworks.com.

The suggested deadline to get an application on a complex deal is Sept. 30.

This will almost ensure the lender has enough time to complete due diligence and the SBA process. Also, the SBA’s fiscal year ends Sept. and there are many times the SBA runs out of funding there are budget delays or there is a government shutdown like we saw last year.

During any of these times, the lender will be unable to obtain the guarantee from the government and your closing will be delayed. So get ahead of this and submit your application ASAP. As far as the approval process, provide the lender with every document requested without any push back, missing pages, illegible documents, missing signatures on forms, etc. Also, be as detailed as possible on the application.

Don’t assume we do not need information asked on a form and especially do not leave anything out that you think will hurt your application because that could lead to a decline due to a lack of good character. If you have an issue, talk to your lender about it upfront. Most issues can be resolved.

Next, make sure you have your 2018 business taxes filed. The I S deadline is

Tom Maiale, First Federal Bank SBA Lending Vice President and Business Development Officer, is a 17-year SBA Lending veteran with SBA Training from The National Association of Government Guaranteed Lending and The U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact him at tmaiale@cbcnationalbank.com or (239) 288-9966

S eag ate b r eak s g r o u nd o n h eadq u ar ter s Community leaders, Seagate team members and construction partners were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking of Seagate Development Group’s corporate headquarters, located at Interstate 75 and Alico Road in Fort Myers.

The two-story, 13,000-square-foot building will house executive and gen-

eral o ce sta . mployees will be able to access and present information from anywhere in the building. irst oor features will include an upscale reception area with stone ooring and walnut wood details, three conference rooms for client meetings, an expansive training room and o ce space for Seagate sta .

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Sept. 15 so if they are on extension, push to have them complete.

Lastly, make sure you carve out enough time to focus 100% on the application process with no distractions.

Better yet, designate a key employee like

BY TOM your CFO to hanMAIALE dle this process or Guest Columnist engage Your CPA to manage this for you. I will be posting a more detailed list of application “do’s” and “don’ts” on our website at www.sbaworks.com.

The closing process timing is somewhat dictated by the timelines of obtaining third party reports such as appraisals, environmentals and title work. These can be ordered upfront and prior to your loan being approved as long as you are willing to risk the funds to cover the cost.

The three things that most often delay the closing process are incomplete information, insurance and sourcing your down payment funds.

I have run out of space, so please give me a call or visit my website at www.sbaworks.com for a detailed list of possible delays in closing SBA loans and what you can do to avoid or manage these issues.

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“Our first ad in the first issue of Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY ® landed us a sale that more than paid for the price of the ad campaign, and is delivered directly to our target market.

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

N eo G eno m ic s to b u ild O nc o lo g y L ab , G lo b al H eadq u ar ter s in F o r t M y er s

Vantage managed the construction of the Sunset Grill at The Legends Golf & Country Club.

V antag e c o m pletes “o Vantage Construction Services completed a multi-phased project at The Legends Golf & Country Club.

Acting as general contractor, Vantage managed the construction of the Sunset Grill, an 8,000-square-foot openair amenity with kitchen, full bar, 16 wide-screen TVs and seating for 174, four pickleball courts, a new tennis bath house and an expanded parking lot with utilities.

The Sunset Grill was built with nine large overhead doors providing views of the golf course and resort pool when open and security and protection from the weather when closed.

It also features a custom designed mosaic bar face. The wood ceiling was

E H C

pen- air ” am enity

The Sunset Grill was built with nine large overhead doors providing views of the golf course and resort pool. hand-crafted, each plank individually cut and placed creating a stunning vaulted canopy.

NeoGenomics, a leading provider of cancer-focused genetic testing services, announced it intends to build a leadingedge cancer diagnostics testing facility and global business headquarters in Fort Myers.

The facility, which will be located on a 14-acre parcel of land close to the intersection of Alico Road and Three Oaks Parkway, is expected to open in 2021. The site is a short drive from the existing NeoGenomics footprint in Fort Myers and in the vicinity of the Southwest Florida International Airport.

The 150,000-square-foot laboratory and headquarters facility will incorporate innovative technology to deliver comprehensive oncology testing for physicians and their patients spanning all available testing modalities including a state-of-the-art molecular lab with next generation sequencing capabilities. The laboratory will also support clinical trials for oncology therapeutics.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Lee County agreed to support NeoGenomics’ expansion to encourage the company’s growth of high-paying jobs in a “high-impact sector” of the local economy.

The State has agreed to support NeoGenomics with Florida State Capital Investment Tax Credits based on the investment of at least $25 million in the new facility and creation of at least 100 new jobs. After NeoGenomics spends

at least $25 million for the new facility and creates the 100th new job, the company will be entitled to an annual tax credit equal to up to 5% of the eligible capital costs for up to 20 years for the cost of the building, subject to the company’s ability to generate the income necessary to utilize the tax credits.

DEO has agreed to provide Florida State Tax Refunds beginning in 2022 based on creation of at least 295 new obs over five years at an average annual wage of at least $59,900. As NeoGenomics hires people at that wage level, the company will be eligible for up to $1.77 million in tax refunds.

Lee County has partnered with the State and has agreed to provide approximately $354,000 of economic support as the company hires the 295 people at the targeted wage level.

“As a leading provider of cancer testing in the United States, NeoGenomics is deeply committed to deploying advanced diagnostic technologies to improve the quality of oncology care”, said Douglas M. VanOort, NeoGenomics’ Chairman and CEO. “We are grateful to the State of Florida for their tremendous support as we build a new state-of-the-art laboratory and headquarters facility, add new jobs, and serve patients, physicians, healthcare organizations, and our communities in an even bigger way as we continue to grow in the future.”

anno u nc es c o m pletio n o f th r ee pr o j ec ts in S o u th w es t F lo r ida

EHC, a construction company that provides preconstruction, earthwork and infrastructure services, announced the completion of three projects including the new MY Shower Door North American Headquarters and D3 Glass Manufacturing Plant, Springs at Port Charlotte, and Phase III of Naples Square.

M Y Sh ow e r Door Nor t h Am e r i c an H e ad q u ar t e r s / D3 G l as s M an u f ac t u r i n g P l an t Chris-Tel Construction awarded EHC with the development of the new MY Shower Door North American Headquarters and D3 Glass Manufacturing Plant. The seven-and-a-half-acre campus features a 60,000 square-foot multi-purpose building

with the option to expand another 10,000 square feet. EHC provided pre-construction, erosion control, clearing, pond excavation, import fill, earthwork, subgrade base and asphalt paving as well as site concrete including sidewalks and curbing for the project.

Sp r i n gs at Por t Ch ar l ot t e EHC worked with Kaufman Lynn Construction to develop The Springs at Port Charlotte. The 11-building apartment complex features 256 apartments plus a clubhouse, pool, lake and other amenities on 21 acres. EHC provided lake excavation, erosion control, clearing, parking lots, subgrade base, asphalt, striping, tra c signs, concrete curbs and sidewalks,

underground storm drainage, sanitary sewer, water and fire and final grade for the harlotte ounty project.

Nap

l e s Sq u ar e Naples Square is an enclave of luxury residences within walking distance of the downtown district’s attractions. The Ronto Group engaged EHC for earthwork, grading, underground storm retention, water, sewer, fire lines and storm drainage, pervious pavers, concrete curbing and finish grading for the 77-unit Phase III building. EHC developed Phase I and II for Naples Square. Upon completion, Naples Square will have four buildings with a total of 300 residences.

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Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

Is SWFL office market primed for growth or correction? y dad is no arren Bu et or eter Schi , but a golden truth, he always reminded me of was this, igures never lie, but liars always figure.

Unfortunately, as business leaders, we are surrounded by a lot of figuring. ortunately, as business leaders, we are also surrounded by simple and convenient data at the click of a button, or in this case, the turn of the page.

If you have been watching the markets over the past year, you’d have pretty good reason to think the commercial real estate market is heading into a correction.

The question is not if but when. One month, the market news reports sales are up, and the next month they say prices are sliding. Market news outlets will leave you thinking, “What is going on in the commercial real estate market?” To address this question, I am setting the record straight by providing the following une Southwest lorida O ce ental acancy ate figures.

First, let’s look at the largest Southwest Florida metro market, Fort Myers. Fort Myers has experienced a slight increase in total inventory to 20,572,331 square feet, and a decrease in total va-

cancy square feet to 1,459,251 square feet, re ecting a . vacancy rate. The average rental rate has increased to $18.19 per square foot. Fort Myers’ professional, education, business and health services employment has increased an average of 4% since 2009 (the U.S average is 2.3%).

The second major metro market is Naples. Naples has experiBY DARREL enced an increase in total invenCORRADINO tory to 9,493,507 square feet, and Guest Columnist in total vacancy square feet to , square feet, re ecting an . vacancy rate.

The average rental rate has decreased to $24.79 per square foot. Naples’ professional, education, business and health services employment has increased an average of 4.2% since 2009 (the U.S average is 2.3%).

The final ma or metro market and the smallest in the tri-county area is Punta Gorda. Punta Gorda has experienced an increase in total inventory to 3,993,571 square feet and decreased total vacancy

For more business news, visit www.sw oridabusinesstoday.com square feet to , square feet, re ecting a . vacancy rate. The average rental rate has increased to $18.24 per square foot.

Punta Gorda’s professional, education, business and health services employment has increased an average of 2.5% since 2009 (the U.S average is 2.3%).

Carly Fiorina said, “The goal is to transform data into information, and information into insight.” Need help gleaning trustworthy insight from this valuable market data for your particular circumstance? Feel free to contact me. Helping leaders prosper is what we do.

Darrel Corradino is a Senior Advisor at Integrity Commercial is a Southwest Florida commercial real estate firm, which specializes in brokerage and management advisory services. If you are interested in a “SUB-MARKET” Office Snapshot (Cape Coral, Estero, Golden Gate, Port Charlotte, etc.), email a request darrel@integritycre.com. Contact him at (239) 300-1353. Learn more at www.Integritycre.com.

F lo r ida R eper to r y T h eatr e pu r c h as es H is to r ic A r c ade T h eatr e Florida Repertory Theatre’s leadership and Board of Directors announced the purchase of the Bradford block in downtown Fort Myers, which contains the Historic Arcade Theatre, ArtStage Studio Theatre and other Florida Rep facilities, as well as the parking lot across Bay Street.

This milestone purchase was made possible by multiple transformational gifts from a group of anonymous donors, given solely for the company to purchase the property. The acquisition secures the company’s future into its next 21 years and beyond. or the first time in our -year history, we will own the theatre and the parking lot,” said Florida Rep Board Chairman Marc Laviolette. “It gives us the self-determination which we never had and the opportunity to apply for grant dollars that were unavailable because we didn’t own our facility.”

In addition to the theater’s two stages, other facilities and the parking lot, the Bradford block contains 20 commercial units and 42 residential units.

Florida Rep currently rents 12 of the

residential units for visiting artists working at the theater.

The 110,000-square-foot parking lot is essential to the theater’s daily operations and is a significant selling point for patrons visiting downtown six nights per week during the theater’s busy season. The acquisition of the parking lot puts the theater in control of its usage and ensures that no matter how downtown continues to grow, theater patrons will always have a place to park when coming to the theater.

“As one of the top regional theatre companies in the United States, we are dedicated to producing great work and impactful outreach. We don’t intend to go into the real estate business,” said Florida Rep Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen.

“Florida Rep is and will continue to be a cultural hub both in downtown and for all of Southwest Florida, and this purchase only strengthens our position as an economic driver and artistic anchor for the River District. We look forward to this next chapter in our growth.”

Talks with Bill Smith, the longtime owner of the downtown property, began in early 2019 and progressed smoothly throughout the due diligence and contracting process.

“We are so pleased to be able to work with the Smith family to do this deal,” Longenhagen said. “They saw this as an opportunity to preserve not only the history of the Bradford property but also to cement Florida Repertory Theatre’s legacy as part of the cultural fabric of downtown. The Smith Family has always been a partner in Florida Rep’s success, and we are honored to take on the property and to honor their 40-year history as its owner.”

The anonymous donors made clear the donated funds are only to be used for the purchase of the site. As always, Florida Rep will continue to rely on ticket sales, grants, sponsorships and the donations from individual members of the community.

The support of donors makes it possible for Florida Rep to provide Broadway-quality theater at accessible

prices to over 90,000 patrons annually and to sustain its ever-growing educational programs that reach over 35,000 young people across Lee, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte and Glades counties each year.

“This purchase is so important because, while Florida Rep has always been strong, its future was never fully secure because we didn’t own the Arcade and ArtStage Theatres or the parking lot,” said Laviolette. “Now we no longer have to worry about that.”

Florida Repertory Theatre’s 21st season closed on May 19 and boasted record-breaking attendance, extended performance runs and some artistic and educational milestones.

The theatre’s 2019-2020 nine-show season is set to open Sept. 24 with the musical, “Always…Patsy Cline” in the ArtStage Studio Theatre and Ken Ludwig’s “The Fox on the Fairway” on Oct. 29 in the Historic Arcade Theatre.

Tickets and subscriptions are available through the box o ce at (239) 332-4488 and online at www.FloridaRep.org.

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Airg lades airport eag er to fly into the future ith the first phase of Airglades International Airport (AIA) underway, the surrounding communities are ying high as they continue with the next phase. The final application to the Airport Privatization Pilot program was submitted in June 2019 and all contenders want a piece of the action as Hendry and Glades counties begin looking at what the future will look like.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is near capacity for in-bound perishable goods AIA is seeking to challenge the status quo. Once the expansion of the current 5,000 -foot runway is complete, the new 11,000-foot North-South runway will o er a prime destination for both in-bound and

BY SUSAN out-bound cargo planes. EnPAREIGIS vision in-bound cargo planes Guest Columnist loaded with owers, seafood, fruits and vegetables from South and Central America arriving into AIA rather than MIA. Outbound ights could be a mixture of non-perishable high value goods such as electronics and auto parts to be shipped to various Latin American Air Cargo hubs.

Perishable suppliers will be able to take advantage of a streamlined logistics chain (in and out with reduced ight times, reduced fuel, shorter tarmac wait times, and less cold storage chain disruptions. AIA has the needed four-lane highways and rail access required to move goods.

The strategic plan includes planes o -loading at Airglades and beginning the haul north, using highways with more available capacity than the highways currently being navigated throughout the Miami-Dade area.

With the surrounding rural communities, land is in abundance for future expansion of warehousing operations and distribution centers, which will include the latest in modern logistics, storage and distribution.

Hendry County and neighboring Glades County have ample real estate to build out, but labor shortages in construction remain a critical issue for these communities with higher than average unemployment rates. The good news is, once AIA is ready to open, there will be over 1,000 available jobs and the majority of the positions to be filled will only require short-term training.

Susan Pareigis is president and CEO of the Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance.

She served 10 years as president and CEO of the Florida Council of 100 following four years as Gov. Jeb Bush’s appointed secretary of the Agency for Workforce Innovation and was president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County and Lee County Office of Economic Development. Visit www.swfleda.com for more information.

Southwest Florida B U SI N E SS T O D AY ®

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BUSINESS SERVICES P C A c o nnec ts b u s ines s es to h elp th ey need Preferred Commercial Alliance (PCA) members are licensed, bonded and properly insured Southwest Florida business professionals who have a vast amount of expertise and experience in their industries. Members work together to assist you with all phases of your commercial services needs. Below is an introduction to a few of our business partners who stand ready to assist you. We are your one-stop shop you are one call away from finding the help you need.

MJD Enterprise Solutions, LLC is comprised of business consultants who identify opportunities business owners may not be aware of or have the time to research and implement, thereby providing a “value added which helps their profitability. also speciali es in providing a ordable health benefits that o er preventative and catastrophic coverage, as well as ancillary benefits such as dental, vision, critical illness and accident. Groups can be as few as three employees. Plans are Cafeteria 125 plans and are pre-tax. In addition, we help businesses capture tax credits and incentives that almost all businesses qualify for but of which less than 13% take advantage. These include Cost Segregation, R & D credits, WOTC hiring incentives and property tax mitigation.

We also audit expenses associated with credit card processing, workers comp premiums, waste and recycling, etc., ensuring that you are not paying excessive fees. Our consulting fee is contingency-based so there is never a risk to the business owner.

Lykins Signtek has been assisting businesses, communities and municipalities for over 20 years with all their signage needs. Whether it’s interior or ADA signs, or larger ground and wall signs, customers rely on Lykins for their expertise, knowledge and personal service to design and fabricate something to fit their needs, all at a competitive price. In addition, ykins can handle agpoles, decorative mailboxes and street signs, all with our 100% satisfaction guarantee. “A business with no sign, is a sign of no business!”

Puttin on the Glitz Promotional Products & Apparel, serving clients all over the USA since 2005, has the heart of its business in Southwest Florida, with an o ce and showroom in the South ape oral Business District. We provide advertising specialties, promotional items and apparel products ranging from embroidered, screen-printed and rhinestone-

DIVERSITY PAGE 1 On July 17, Mayor Henderson announced the committee of 18 and stated that this committee would work to examine city policies, events and hiring, as well as on identifying ways to enhance integration in Fort Myers. According to the committee’s vision statement, it “will advise the Mayor on the integration, diversity and inclusion plan that outlines specific goals to enhance the multi-cultural experiences of Fort Myers residents and businesses to include race, religion, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic level,

We Care About SWFL Commercial Realtors

logoed apparel, to trade show set-ups and all your giveaway items. We have over 40 years’ experience in marketing, business development, client retention, local and national event and trade show planning. ommitment is the single word that makes us di erent. We are committed to helping clients grow their business, giving them a better ROI by saving them money with quality products, on-time delivery for events, and making the process easy by providing individualized service. Our goal is to keep our clients happy, giving them free tips and advice along the way, making them feel appreciated by giving them the value they deserve.

Paychex provides practical, scalable payroll and human resource solutions managed by well-trained local professionals who actively support you to mitigate compliance risks, streamline administration and maximize human resources and payroll. Our onthe-go technology provides a secure, single point of access to payroll, HR, retirement and insurance resources including a PEO platform, helping you manage your employees and business more efficiently.

By leaving non-revenue-generating tasks to Paychex, you can put your e orts into strategic activities that add directly to your own bottom line.

Security Title and Abstract is a full-service title company o ering expert commercial and residential closings. Realtors, attorneys, homeowners, banks, mortgage companies and investors enjoy professional services while experiencing a personal interaction.

We’re here to help protect the homeowner’s most important purchase. Commercial closings are held in confidence while keeping everyone informed. et us help you close your next transaction!

Newell Lawn Care & Property Maintenance, family owned and operated since 2001, has become a leading landscape company in Southwest Florida.

Speciali ing in professional lawn care o ering fullservice landscaping, some of our additional services include tree pruning tree removal and installs irrigation, landscape designs and new installs. Our fullservice pest control division, Newell Pest Solutions, treats all your internal and external pests that can harm your business, home or lawn. We are happy to give you a free estimate. Because we want you as our new business partner, we want you to experience how our attention to your needs makes a di erence in achieving your overall landscaping goals.

mental and physical di erences, age, sexual orientation and any other aspect of diversity and inclusion.”

The committee, which is divided to work on two pillars, then presented the results of a survey sent to city residents that asked about their experiences with racism and other topics. Pillar One group members focus on community engagement and education.

Pillar Two group members focus on socioeconomic empowerment. ach group made specific recommendations to the Mayor.

After the presentations, Dr. Peter Ndiang’ui stated, e can do this as a team and, we can only do this as a team.”

You Have One Opportunity to Sell Your Business Eric J. Gall

With dedicated space for informa�on: • On our website with a Commercial Real Estate sec�on & directory • In our quarterly Commercial RE Market pullout in both the print & digital versions of SWFBT • With zoned and full-run inserts • With guest column opportuni�es • With digital marke�ng op�ons

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How to avoid common intellectual property law disasters

Part 2 of 2

To help businesses and individuals avoid pitfalls, here are some more of the most common intellectual property law disasters and how to avoid them.

Co m m o n Di s a s t e r 3 – No t Pa t e n t i n g a n In v e n t i o n A third common intellectual property disaster is failing to timely file a utility patent application. atents give inventors a right to exclude others from practicing an invention.

A business that owns a patent covering an invention can monopolize the market for such invention during the life of the patent – creating an invaluable “head start” in the marketplace. Patent rights can be critical to protecting and monetizing a business. This is especially true in the startup phase where a business’ only source of value often lies in its ideas.

However, utility patent rights are easily the most time-intensive and expensive form of intellectual property protection. As such, many inventors and business owners struggle to ustify the expense of filing a patent application before a product has demonstrated its commercial potential.

Unfortunately, this leads many inventors and business owners to try “testing the waters” by selling products that embody an invention before filing a patent application.

Most countries have an absolute bar to patentability when an invention is o ered for sale or publicly used prior to filing a patent application. This means that, if foreign markets are important to a business, a patent application needs to be filed before an invention is o ered for sale or publicly used.

In the United States, inventors are generally given a one-year grace period in which to file an application after o ering an invention for sale or publicly

GRANTS PAGE 1 are resilient, prepared for all economic possibilities and have the opportunity to achieve their economic goals.”

In 2019-20, DEO will provide $40 million for projects that focus on rapidly developing a highly skilled workforce and on infrastructure initiatives that attract businesses, create jobs and promote economic growth.

“Gov. DeSantis’ commitment to enhancing Florida’s infrastructure and workforce training is creating a brighter future for all Floridians,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson. “The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will allow our agencies to continue SPECIALIZED SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CLEANING NEEDS A large financial institution had tried multiple cleaning companies. Standard practice is to allow cleaning crews in after-hours. But high turnover, lack of training and inexperience caused the cleaning crews to routinely trigger false alarms, resulting in late night calls to managers, police response and thousands of dollars in associated expenses.

using an invention. Naturally, relying on this grace period comes with risks. Most notably, since 2013, the United States has been a first-to-file country, meaning that whomever filed for patent protection first wins the patent, even if someone else conceived of the invention first.

That said, there is a simple, cost-e ective solution for comBY LUCA panies unwilling to invest in a HICKMAN full utility patent application until Guest Columnist testing the invention’s commercial viability namely, filing a provisional patent application.

A provisional patent application can be thought of as a “placeholder,” which gives an applicant up to 12 months to file a full utility patent application. uring these 12 months, an applicant can commercially exploit the invention without fear of losing rights.

Because a provisional application is much less formal than a full utility patent application, it is also much less expensive to prepare and file although the overall cost sometimes increases if an applicant later chooses to file a non-provisional application .

Bottom line: provisional patent applications provide a useful compromise for inventors and business owners who are willing to invest a smaller amount of money for a one-year “trial run” in commercializing an invention.

Co m m o n Di s a s t e r 4 – Im p r o p e r / In a d e q u a t e Pe r s o n n e l Ag r e e m e n t s A fourth and final common intellectual property disaster is failing to have employees and independent contractors sign personnel agreements that in-

making smart strategic investments in Florida communities to improve lives and support sustainable economic growth.”

“Enterprise Florida is proud to work with Gov. DeSantis and our partners at DEO to provide Florida communities with the resources they need to expand infrastructure and improve our state’s talent pipeline,” said Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. “The Job Growth Grant Fund is a great economic development tool that will encourage business investment, creating more opportunities for Floridians.

We look forward to reviewing this year’s competitive projects.”

DEO and EFI will make project recommendations to DeSantis, who will approve projects for funding based on local and regional needs.

• Selling Your Business?

• Buying a Business?

• What’s the Value of Your Business?

We Can Help!

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Contact: Jim Bolinger, MBA, CPA (retired) Truforte Business Group BUSINESS SALES - MERGERS - ACQUISITIONS

8270 College Pkwy ▪ Suite 105 ▪ Fort Myers, FL 33919

Phone: 239.284.1317 Ext 101 Cell: 239.220.2017 email: jim@truforte.com www.TruforteBusinessGroup.com

Ask an expert Host Tom Conwell

For more business news, visit www.sw oridabusinesstoday.com clude proper intellectual property provisions. While the exact needs of each business must be addressed on a case-by-case basis, common oversights include failing to: • Use appropriate work for hire / assignment contract language to secure and or confirm the ownership of all copyright rights • Use non-disclosure contract language (to ensure employees and independent contractors do not share trade secrets • Use non-competition contract language (to ensure employees and independent contractors do not launch competing businesses • Use non-solicitation contract language (to ensure employees and independent contractors do not solicit customers, e.g., for a side-business and • Provide proper notice of whistleblower immunity under the 2016 Defend Trade Secrets Act (to avail the business of the protections a orded by this Federal trade secret statute).

Bottom line: businesses should take intellectual property protection/ownership into account in both future and current personnel agreements, which might need to be updated/amended.

By taking the simple precautions outlined above, businesses can avoid some of the biggest, most common and most costly intellectual property disasters.

Luca Hickman is an electrical engineer and registered patent attorney who practices trademark, patent and copyright law / litigation at Grimes, a renowned intellectual property law firm headquartered in Bonita Springs. Contact him at (239) 330-9000 or hickman@gandb.com.

Triplets break through as G oodwill v olunteers

Ti any, Angel and elissa Brueckner can be counted upon to help out where needed at Goodwill’s annual Festival of Trees fundraiser. They decorate the Bear Tree, the venue lobby and outside banisters. The triplets, 28, and daughters of Vicki Brueckner of Cape Coral, also wrapped cardboard trash bins in holiday paper.

“We look forward to it every year,” said Tiffany.

The sisters this year were named as Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s 2018 Breakthrough winners.

As Tree Angels, their duty is to protect decorated trees and gifts from “touchy-feely” visitors.

“We’ve mastered that,” said Angel.

Melissa gets frustrated when adults who are asked not to touch the trees do so anyway.

At the 2018 festival, Melissa stood by the Mission Tree and told visitors they could pick a wrapped gift from under the tree after they gave a cash donation. She’s proud of the great response from visitors who filled the donation box.

“Because they are triplets, it seems they’re helping everywhere. It’s fun to see the reaction of attendees when the three of them come together among the trees,” said Susan Hegarty, festival chairperson.

Ti any, Angel and elissa all attended athways to Opportunity, an adult training program o ered by oodwill. The trio also attended Trailways amp, o ered through oodwill and the Robert V. and Benjamin G. Miller Fund. While attending North Fort Myers High School, they participated in youth mentoring, a former Goodwill-sta ed program.

They’ve learned to live with and manage disabilities, which includes post-traumatic stress from a house fire when they were young.

Saturdays at 5 am on 92.5 FOX News A show for professionals by professionals www.AskAnExpertFL.com

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BUSINESS SERVICES

Preparation boosts success when selling a business In the Southwest Florida market, most small businesses are sold to individuals. For success in selling your business, evaluate your business and the transaction from the perspective of a potential buyer.

Selling is a complicated process with four major phases: timing, preparing, marketing and executing a complex transaction. This article provides an overview of the first three phases.

Sellers have a variety of reasons for selling: retirement, health, financial, life-style, burn-out, new interests, declining business or increased competition. Recognizing the seller’s reason will assist in framing each step in the selling process.

W h a t is th e b e s t tim in g ?

It is best to sell your business when sales and profits are increasing. Also, a robust local economy and low interest rates increase the supply of well-qualified buyers. It is best to sell your business before a health or psychological reason becomes the driving force.

Pr e p a r a t i o n i s a c r i t i c a l Thorough preparation can increase business value and document the basis for its value.

Well organized, complete records help convince a buyer of the company s value. eview legal documents, financial records and operating manuals for completeness and accuracy. onfirm that intellectual property is protected.

Determine the transferability of all assets and contracts. Are there any encumbrances on your assets?

Transfer assets not included in the sale.

Evaluate the business image tangible and intangible. an the appearance be improved? Are there Better Business Bureau or on-line reviews?

A sales package should be deBY JIM veloped from a buyer’s perspecBOLINGER tive. A buyer will evaluate busiGuest Columnist ness risks. So, your sales package should address operations, management, financial performance and competitive position. The sales package must be “intellectually honest” while highlighting beneficial attributes and explaining mitigating factors for identified deficiencies.

A well-substantiated valuation is critical. Often sellers want more, and buyers want to pay less, than the business is worth. Therefore, you must substantiate and defend the value. Also, recognize that if the asking price is higher than the value, you may have a stressful marketing e ort. Of course, a low asking price loses money.

Achieving the right balance is an art.

Consider how the proceeds of the sale will be used to pay taxes, satisfy other liabilities and provide for your

For more business news, visit www.sw oridabusinesstoday.com

future needs. This can assist in estimating the right asking price.

Effective Marketing The marketing e ort must be honest and informative.

It should be focused on assisting the buyer in understanding the business and its potential.

An e ective marketing e ort should provide opportunities that may not be available to the typical business owner. This e ort should include utili ation of various S databases, confidential advertisements, S O optimized internet marketing and direct email marketing.

The marketing e ort should strive to maintain confidentiality. nowledge of the possible business sale by customers, suppliers, employees or competitors could diminish the value of the company. ood timing, adequate preparation and e ective marketing allows the owner to focus on running the business and reduces the time needed to sell the business.

Jim Bolinger is a Business Broker and Licensed Real Estate Associate with the Truforte Business Group with 45 years of experience provides expertise in business sales, acquisitions, valuations and business planning. He may be contacted at (239) 220-2017 or jim@truforte.com.

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BUSINESS SERVICES

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TechTalks offer development forum Only one out of 10 companies in Southwest Florida use a particular technology training provider. according to a recent survey of more than 80 companies conducted by the Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership in partnership with CareerSource Southwest Florida.

A whopping 96% of those same companies reported having technology training needs for their workforce. Skill gaps cited included cloud computing, security, website and digital marketing, network, telecommunications, wireless and mobility services, data analytics and more. Where can companies, especially small and medium sized businesses, access knowledge and experience sharing in these topics areas?

TechTalks, produced by the SWFRTP, play an integral role in helping technology professionals begin to bridge this skills gap, be introduced to experts in these disciplines and begin understanding the current key issues and concepts impacting the business environment. Attending TechTalks can be a first step toward pursuing technology certification s and building expertise in specific hardware and software applications such as Microsoft, Cisco, Amazon AWS, Salesforce, etc.

For example, a recent TechTalk featured enterprise architecture and software application executives who led a discussion on cloud transformation concepts and related business impacts and common misconceptions about cloud technology.

Other recent TechTalks covered broadband infrastructure behind 5G technology, best practices for digital advertising and search engine optimization, cybersecurity and cyber liability. Notice a technology trend that you would like to learn more about?

Contact the SWFRTP to submit your suggestion.

Although TechTalks are normally hosted at Two39 Work in Bonita Springs, on August 8 a family friendly TechTalk will be at Saturn 5 Family Entertainment in Naples. Children aged 10 and up are encouraged to attend. Gaming executives John Russo Jr. and Bob Schuster Jr. will discuss

Networking way to prosperity Kevin and Michelle Borders, owners of Naples Network Services, relocated to Collier County in 2004. Although they only knew Kevin’s parents, they were able to grow a successful business.

“Prior to 2004, Kevin was running the worldwide operations for a company headquartered in Detroit,” Michelle said. “The economy was getting shaky, so we moved where Kevin’s parents were seasonal residents – Naples. Upon arrival, it was apparent it would be hard to replace Kevin’s salary. That’s why he started his own business.”

In 2010, Michelle came to the realization she was better o helping evin grow the business. or those first six years, evin oined B I, attended chamber events, and when I joined the team, I took on those activities. Today, I belong to a number of networking groups, I’ve done leadership programs in the area and was recently appointed to the Naples Chamber Board of Directors. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for the hard work of our entire team.”

Since opening its doors, Naples Network Services has maintained consistencies, such as commitment to treat clients like family, but has evolved. Today’s focus is centered around cloud computing, icrosoft O ce 365 migration and maintenance and VOIP Phones.

Because of an ability to deliver world-class solutions at reasonable prices, the company garnered awards including an Excellence in Industry award for Innovation through the Collier County EDC in 2011, Collier County Business of the Month by The Naples Chamber in 2013 and a distinction as one of the best IT businesses in Southwest Florida.

What advice does Michelle have for aspiring entrepreneurs? “Take advantage of free business resources available such as SCORE, SBDC and Chambers of Commerce.” Also, keep in mind, although the area is seasonal, the busy season may not correlate with YOUR busy season. Volunteer. Anything it takes to meet people and get out there.

“Lastly, go to every free event you can. Make friends with everyone because you never know who will end up being that special contact in the long run.”

how technology has transformed the gaming industry from the days of Pong and Atari to the evolution of today’s ourishing professional gaming industry. Attendees will also meet Steven Lee Kleisath who smashed the Mario Bros.

World Record in 2015 with an astounding 5,424,920 points and was ranked third in the

BY RANDY world that year on Ms. PacMITCHELSON Man. Visit swfrtp.org for more Guest Columnist details and to register for this fun gaming experience.

More than 300 corporate investors and individual members of the SWFRTP represent more than 11,000 employees. Thanks to these investors, all TechTalks are free of charge to attendees. In 2018 more than 700 attendees participated in TechTalks and other professional development events and in 2019 that number will exceed 1,000. TechTalks attract both technology developers and users as well as venture capitalists, students and educators.

After 11 years of growth and evolution, TechTalks are just one example of the organization’s community impact. As the only organization solely dedicated to the promotion and growth of the technology industry in Southwest Florida, the SWFRTP is uniquely positioned to be the first choice among technology workers seeking professional and leadership development. Visit www.swfrtp.org to register for an upcoming TechTalk, subscribe to email alerts on new events and become a member.

Randy Mitchelson, APR, is co-founder of the SWFRTP and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at iPartnerMedia. For more information, call (239) 449-4749, ext. 114, email him at randy@ipartnermedia.com or visit the website www.swfrtp.org.

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BUSINESS SERVICES E dis o n A v enu e’ s G all nam ed T o p D o llar P r o du c er in m ar k et

Eric J. Gall, co-founder of Edison Avenue, won the 2018 Business Brokers of Florida #1 Top Dollar Producer Award for Southwest Florida, beating out more than 90 other BBF brokers.

This is the third time he has won the award in the past five years. is and 2016 transaction volume ranked in the top 1% in the State of Florida out of more than 1,100 BBF brokers. He is the only broker in the top 1% not located in the larger Tampa, Orlando and Miami/Fort Lauderdale markets. Eric also was recently awarded the 2018 International Business Brokers Associations Chairman’s Circle and Deal Maker Awards.

Gall believes his continual drive to improve the processes, methods and tools he uses to complete busi-

ness transactions is the key to his success and distinguishes him from other business brokers and M&A intermediaries. He does this by focusing on education, certifications and best practices.

Gall Gall completed many courses o ered by Business Brokers Network, BBF, BBF Tampa Region, M&A Source and IBBA. He also has a BS and an BA with a finance concentration from the University of Michigan.

He obtained the prestigious M&A Source s ertified ergers Acquisitions rofessional certification at

BUSINESS SERVICES

Making communication easy Communication often breaks down, is misinterpreted or can just be di cult. That s where Speak p Consulting & Coaching comes in, providing training for employees and executives in public speaking, nonverbal behavior, customer service, sales, leadership and business acumen.

Breanne Winter, CEO, identified a serious need for such a business while earning her Master’s and teaching communication courses at the University of Wyoming. Almost every report on the top 10 skills needed in the workforce lists communication as one of them. These skills are necessary to enter the workforce, and they’re even more essential in creating professional relationships with clients and advancing in one’s career.

Winter’s own communication journey started when she was quite young. Despite being a rather quiet child, her passion is helping others succeed in their careers. Without continuous professional development, we cease to grow.

The better communication we have, the better the business community will be. We provide training for that specific reason to help retain and enhance top talent and elevate careers and companies.

At Speak up Consulting & Coaching, we provide workshops and

seminar series’, as well as individual coaching and our signature MasterThe-Mountain Training Programs (three to six months) to help today’s workforce communicate more e ectively.

BY BREANNE Most recently, we WINTER announced our Guest Columnist 22-point online presentation evaluations, where you can upload a video of your presentation for feedback on improving your public speaking for the future.

We work with your organization to customi e our programs to fit your specific needs. hether taking a deep dive on customer con ict management, helping overcome the fear of public speaking, or even learning to use body language e ectively in business, we deliver exceptional training to help others achieve their goals. reativity, e ciency and productivity can thrive with the right training!

Breanne Winter is CEO of Speak Up Consulting & Coaching. Contact her at Info@SpeakUpCC.com or (239) 980-3851. Learn more at www.SpeakUpCC.com.

Kennesaw State University in 2015.

He is the only CM&AP in Southwest Florida, qualifying him to handle lower-middle-market transactions valued over $1 million. The CM&AP teaches all phases of lower-middle-market transactions including M&A strategy, transaction validation, diligence, financial analysis, valuation and deal structure. Lower-middle-market sellers, buyers and advisors are more sophisticated than main street counterparts therefore, a speciali ed approach is required to successfully prepare and execute lower-middle-market transactions.

Gall obtained the prestigious IBBA s ertified Business Intermediary designation in 2017. He was one of only two CBI’s in Southwest Florida

For more business news, visit www.sw oridabusinesstoday.com at the time. A broker who has obtained the CBI designation has met the stringent education requirements and high ethical standards of the IBBA for main street business sales.

He is the American Business Brokers Association’s Best Practices Forum Leader. He chairs a monthly meeting amongst twelve of the nation’s most successful brokers where all aspects of business brokerage and M&A are discussed. Insights gained from other brokers have allowed him to hone his set of processes, methods and tools to be among the best in the country.

Q u r es h i s peak s b ef o r e F lo r ida T ax L aw The law firm of enderson, ranklin, Starnes & Holt announced Business & Tax Attorney Sara Qureshi spoke on July 4 at the Florida Bar Tax Section Organizational Meeting during the 2019 Ullman Year in Review at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort.

She presented a brief update (from June 2018 to present) regarding Subchapter S Corporations and C Corporations, but mainly focused on the application of the proposed regulations for Section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code, which were issued by the Internal Revenue Service in November of last year.

Qureshi focuses her practice in business organization operations and plan-

S ec tio n

ning, mergers and acquisitions, federal and state taxation, intellectual property, and health care law. She is multilingual uent in rdu and Hindi. Qureshi serves on the Abuse Counseling & TreatQureshi ment’s (“ACT”) Board of Directors.

She is also the Social Chair for the Lee County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

Qureshi is a graduate of Cape Coral High School.

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