Protecting biz from cyberthreats Company

Sells Promo With Swag

What does it mean to be “the Sultan of Swag?”

For Rob Paul, a business leader and entrepreneur from Naples, it means leading one of the fastest-growing Business to Business promotional products companies in Florida: SwagWorld.

It also means helping businesses quickly create and deliver branded products at a time when events are bustling, and companies are seeking to build loyalty and brand awareness.

SwagWorld brings a consultative, solutions-minded strategy along with a straightforward approach to resolve challenges and deliver for clients.

“Increasing top-of-mind awareness” to help drive repeat business and build client/employee loyalty is the name of the game, Paul said.

Recent specialty swag orders included a custom leather wine box debossed and etched wine bottle with a luxury car dealership’s logo, as well as a from-scratch, 3D Realtor award.

SwagWorld’s’s web-based eCommerce platform relies on ever-evolving technology to custom-design and creates everything from branded pens and T-shirts to stadium chairs and table coverings. SwagWorld features company store capabilities, meaning employees and clients can go to their own branded microsite to purchase gear. Companies and clients can also build and design their own virtual sample— seeing what a product would look like before purchasing.

SwagWorld instantly became involved in the Southwest Florida community by donating swag to local charities and doing nonprofit work, such as serving as a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and helping with or donating time to charity events.

The bottom line: If your company’s goal is to increase visibility, be there when your clients need you, drive your brand message home, or come up with the perfect corporate gifts, we can help.

Contact Rob Paul at (419) 409-8000 or Rpaul@SwagWorld.com. Visit swagworld.com.

Lipman makes $3 million gift to RCMA

RCMA announced that it received a donation of $3 million from Lipman Family Farms. The gift will support efforts to expand RCMA’s charter schools throughout the state, including a new campus in Immokalee, Florida. The gift is the largest one-time private gift that RCMA has ever received and is also Lipman Family Farm’s largest donation to any one organization.

“Lipman Family Farms has been a great partner in helping us provide educational opportunities and other services to the migrant and agricultural working families in Immokalee and throughout the state,” said Isabel Garcia, executive director of RCMA. “This gift will fuel RCMA’s efforts to build new dual language schools in different parts of rural Florida, which have the potential to change Florida’s educational landscape for low-income families in rural Florida. We are so very grateful for their generosity.”

RCMA will receive $1,200,000 from Lipman Family Farms this spring, and $200,000 a year over the next nine years. In honor of their many years of partnership, RCMA’s new campus in Immokalee, located off Lake Trafford Road, will be named Lipman Family Farms Campus for Children and Families.

“We are proud to be a part of the continued success at RCMA,” said Jaime Weisinger, director of Community Relations for Lipman Family Farms.

“This gift represents the largest donation Lipman has ever made to a nonprofit organization, and is the culmination of a relationship that goes back decades. Lipman is dedicated to creating lasting impact in the communities in which we operate, and this gift is going to positively affect the Immokalee community in a big way.”

Groundbreaking for the new facility in Immokalee will be held on May 12. When completed, the center will feature two new child development centers, a community center, two soccer fields, and a new charter school.

Celebrating its 12th year in business, Tech in a Flash, a locally owned managed service provider and computer repair shop, has come a long way since its humble beginnings.

Initially operating as a mobile-only computer repair shop, we now boast a prime location on Del Prado and proudly service over 180 local businesses and 500-plus residents in Cape Coral. As a managed service provider (MSP), we offer comprehensive IT services, including proactive monitoring, maintenance, IT support and cybersecurity solutions.

Our team experienced explosive growth last year, despite being shut down for several weeks due to Hurricane Ian. Today, we employ 13 skilled team members providing exceptional cybersecurity services.

The past few years have seen a dramatic increase in cyber threats. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), reported cybercrimes rose by 69% from 2019 to 2020. Ransomware attacks increased by 150% in 2021, causing significant disruptions and financial losses. Small businesses are often prime targets due to their perceived vulnerabilities.

We have seen a spike in threat actors targeting businesses involved in the sale of homes, such as real estate agents, developers, roofers and title companies. Over the past two years, Tech in a Flash provided breach response services to help businesses recover from devastating attacks. Many of these incidents resulted in 5 or even 6-figure payouts due to the lack of security, backups and disaster recovery plans.

At Tech in a Flash, we understand the

BY MATTHEW REBSTOCK Guest Columnist

stakes and adapt to ensure our clients’ security. Our experts stay informed of emerging threats and trends, investing in cutting-edge technology and training. We work closely with clients to customize cybersecurity strategies tailored to their specific needs.

As the CEO of Tech in a Flash, I’m passionate about educating local business owners on the risks they are exposed to in a digital world. I recently finished writing my book, “Not Today, Hackers: Render Cybercriminals USELESS With Today’s Proven Plan to Protect Your Network And Business From A Data Breach.” It is expected to be a valuable resource for businesses looking to bolster cybersecurity defenses. Email me for an advanced copy.

As we continue adapting to the everevolving cyber landscape, our commitment to securing the IT needs of local businesses and residents has never been stronger. I look forward to more years providing exceptional cybersecurity services, breach response solutions, and building Tech in a Flash to be the premier IT Services company in Southwest Florida.

Matthew Rebstock is the CEO of Tech in a Flash with over two decades of experience in the IT field. Contact him at matthew@ techinaflash.net or (239) 789-2700.