Small Biz Florida

Ep. 56 | Alan Davis Founding Member and CEO of i5 Services | Florida Make More Summit 2021 Series

Alan Davis is the Founding Member and CEO of i5 Services. His background in technology, along with years of experience in leadership, transformation, process improvement, and business/IT alignment, have helped him excel at implementing solutions that bring about disruptive improvement. 
In this episode he joins Host Tom Kindred to discuss i5 Services and Connex Marketplace. Listen to learn about this tool and resource that may help you if you are a small business in the manufacturing industry. i5 Services changes industries by solving complex business problems through creative technical solutions.
Founded in 2009, i5 has developed innovative solutions for the aerospace, manufacturing, supply chain, defense industries and more. i5 Services mission is to create solutions that change industries, drive direct savings to the bottom line and create value for our clients everyday.
 
 
 

Ep. 55 | Erin Gillespie Director of Public Sector Strategies at Coastal Cloud | FEDC Conference 2021

"Live at the beach and work in the cloud."  -Coastal Cloud 
On this episode of Small Biz Florida Tom interviews Erin Gillespie. She serves as the director of Public Sector Strategies at Coastal Cloud.Erin joined Coastal Cloud in 2021 to grow the technology company's public sector solutions. Previously, Erin spent more than a decade in state government, leading the state of Florida's disaster recovery and economic development efforts, along with leadership positions in several other state agencies. She has more than two decades of experience in crisis communications, disaster recovery, public relations and government affairs.
Coastal Cloud is the only platinum Salesforce consulting partner headquartered in Florida. They partner with clients to plan and execute a migration to next-generation systems that focus on client’s mission, not on systems issues. They have become experts at program management, project execution, business analysis, data modeling, data migration, user training and the skills necessary for a successful migration to next-generation technologies. Coastal Cloud like many of the businesses we work with are a small business and they are headquartered in Palm Coast, FL. 

Ep. 54 | David Denor, Publisher of Florida Trend Magazine | FEDC Conference 2021

Florida Trend is the second longest running statewide monthly business publication. Our Host Tom Kindred is joined by David Denor publisher of Florida Trend to talk about his background and pathway to becoming the publisher of Florida Trend Business Magazine. 
In this episode: David Denor discusses the family of publications provided by this highly valued statewide magazine. Tom and David discuss the different industry sectors covered by the magazine and the growth that the state of florida has seen in the past 2 years. Listen to this exciting episode to hear about how florida has been impacted by the healthcare system and other big industries that have come into the state. 
Florida Trend finds the common threads, tying those competing, diverse regions together in a statewide context. For over 60 years, the magazine has reported on the people and issues that have defined Florida and shaped its future. The magazine and its website offer regionally-based stories and reporting with statewide impact. Florida Trend's mix of local color and thorough, hard-hitting investigative journalism is recognized each year with regional and national awards for editorial excellence. 
 

Ep. 53 | Elevate Lake Director Tracy Garcia and Business Development Manager for Northeast Lake Mary Ellen Stern | FEDC Conference 2021

Join Tom on another episode of Small Biz Florida as he sits down with Lake County Economic Development Officers Tracy Garcia and Mary Ellen Stern. 
On this episode of Small Biz Florida Tracy and Mary discuss the anticipated business and population growth coming to lake county in the next year. Covering topics such as Wellness Way, the new Lake Orange Express Way, and their recent "Deal of the Year" award for the Kroger/Ocado “advanced robotics” customer fulfillment center contract. 
 

Ep. 52 | Vinny Muratore President, SBA Division at Stone Bank | FLAGGL Conference Series

Vinny Muratore is the President, SBA Division at Stone Bank. On this episode of Small Biz Florida Tom sat down with Vinny Muratore to talk about all the service offerings that Stone Bank can provide for you. 
 
Vinny talks about his background and pathway to working with Stone Bank. This episode also covers news that the SBA has been aggressive with lending and details information about EIDL Loans and traditional 504 and 7A loans. Particularly with 504 loans that have had changes to the terms involved with that loan, making it a more popular loan over the 7A loan. 
 
With deep roots in North Arkansas, Stone Bank understands the special needs of agricultural producers and rural homeowners.  Our farm lenders are trained specialists with the training and expertise to understand all facets of poultry and cattle lending.  We understand the complexities that can be associated with poultry and cattle loans, which is why we custom tailor agriculture loans to meet the financial goals of any producer. 
 
Built by community leaders, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of service to the members of our community.  Through business checking, loans and Remote Deposit Capture, we work with small business owners to continue growing and thriving in the community.
 
Connect with Stone Bank by visiting them here: https://www.stonebank.com/ 
 

Ep. 51 | Aaron Metaj Senior Vice President at Northwind Financial | FLAGGL Conference Series

Aaron Metaj is the Senior Vice President at Northwind Financial, a direct commercial lender that specializes in creative financing for borrowers in need of funding for a variety of commercial real estate assets. We provide capital for purchase or refinance transactions, structured buyouts, acquisition/construction/development, new construction, rehabilitation, business expansion, and we are also now funding Debtor in Possession financing (DIP financing) as well.
 
On this episode of Small Biz Florida Tom Kindred Host of the show asks all the questions so you don’t have to. Aaron Metaj and Tom met at this year’s Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders Annual Conference and they discussed the options available for your business through Northwind Financial. Listen to this episode if you are looking at options for capital access for the growth of your business. 
For those interested in working with Aaron Metaj visit the Northwind Financial Website here: https://northwindfinancial.com/
 
 

Ep. 50 | Roy Messing Director of State Center Operations at EOX Network | FEDC Conference 2021

On this special segment from the Florida Economic Development Conference Council Tom Kindred sits down with Roy Messing who is the Director of State Center Operations at Employee Ownership Expansion Network. 
The Employee Ownership Expansion Network is a national nonprofit focused on significantly expanding employee ownership  across the United States by establishing and supporting a network of independent nonprofit State Centers for Employee Ownership. We see employee ownership as a critical tool to help reduce income and wealth disparity, increasing community wealth, and creating a more vibrant, participatory economy.
 

Ep. 49 | Dan Barrow with Veterans Florida | FEDC Conference 2021

Veterans Florida is a non-profit created by the State of Florida to help military veterans transition to civilian life and to promote Florida’s status as the nation’s most veteran-friendly state. Veterans Florida provides powerful tools for veterans to take advantage of the benefits of living and working in the Sunshine State.
Through our Career Services Program, we connect veterans with employers who are eager to hire veterans for jobs that put their particular military skills to use. We also assist veterans in creating a winning resume and preparing for job interviews. Employers receive veteran recruiting assistance and may apply for our Workforce Training Grant.
The Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program provides all the knowledge needed to successfully launch and operate a business. As soon as their business is up and running we keep them connected with mentors and resources.
Veterans Florida’s mission can be summed up in our theme – Your Pursuit. Our Power. – because we recognize military veterans are incredibly focused and will succeed in achieving their personal and professional goals when they take advantage of our tools and resources.
 

Ep. 48 | Matt Chesnut Director of Economic Development at Space Florida | FEDC Conference 2021

Matt Chesnut is the Director of Business and Economic Development at Space Florida he is a certified Economic Developer that is motivated and driven for success his goals include to make sure that any organization he works for exceeds goals and expectations  
Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace development organization, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed.
 

Ep. 47 | Kaylee King Business Manager at Okeechobee County Economic Development Corp. | FEDC Conference 2021

Today Kaylee King joins us for another episode of Small Biz FloridaWe talk to Kaylee all about her start with the Okeechobee Economic Development Council Corporation their plans for Okeechobee county in the coming months, and highlighting the Florida Economic Council Conference and the importance of attending as an EDO. Tune in and listen to more of what she had to say.