tcbusiness.com – Business Buzz

Florida SBDC Network to host inaugural Small Business Success Summit

The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, will host the inaugural Small Business Success Summit on June 27-28, 2022 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. The summit, themed “Contracts, Capital and Connections” will provide opportunities for small business owners from across the state to learn strategies to access capital, win contracts, and make valuable connections.

The summit will feature keynote speakers, over 12 breakout sessions, and networking opportunities that will help small businesses take their business to the next level.

“I am very excited for the Florida SBDC Network to come together to host the first Small Business Success Summit,” said Greg Britton, Florida SBDC Network State Director. “Our team of professionals, along with our partners from across the state, look forward to the event to help our state’s small businesses start, grow and thrive.

The summit will kick off with a welcome reception Monday, June 27, and conference programming will occur Tuesday, June 28. The standard registration fee is $199, with a discounted, early-bird rate of $175 available until May 29.

The Florida SBDC Network extends its gratitude to this year’s sponsors and partners: Florida Power & Light, United Midwest Savings Bank, Thryv, Intuit Quickbooks, CareerSource Florida, and the Florida Economic Development Council.

For more information about the Small Business Success Summit, and to register, please visit www.floridasbdc.org/success_summit.

About the Florida SBDC Network:

For more than 45 years, the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance [Fl. Stat. 288.001], has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development to provide existing and emerging small and medium-sized business owners with management and knowledge resources that enable overall growth, increased profitability, and economic prosperity for Florida’s economy. In 2020, the Florida SBDC Network delivered more than 162,500 hours of consulting to more than 24,000 small businesses, resulting in 38,797 jobs impacted, $7.4 billion in sales generated, $553.5 million in capital accessed, and $488.1 million in government contracts acquired. With over 40 offices statewide, the Florida SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network, headquartered at the University of West Florida, is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs and is a recipient of the President’s E Award for Export Service. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email [email protected]

May. 23, 2022|

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County announces Keynote for Youth of the Year Celebration

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County announced a keynote speaker for the Youth of the Year award dinner and celebration, Caleb Wesco. The annual event will be held live on Thursday, March 10, 6-8 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, Ross Hall. 623 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart.

Palm Beach County native and Boys & Girls Club Alumni Caleb Wesco is known for his most energetic, educational, and inspiring keynote engagements and presentations. Since becoming a dynamic motivational speaker more than ten years ago, he has traveled to 45 states and international destinations like London and Zimbabwe, sharing his motivational message with as many people, especially students, as he can. He has been featured five times in Teachers Matter Magazine and on local television as a speaker and philanthropist.

"I'm committed to inspiring people, motivating them, and helping them unlock the best version of themselves," says Wesco. "With that commitment, everything else will fall in line."

"Wesco's motto is Let's Get Motivated," says Jeronda Hill, BGCMC Area Director and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer. "Incredibly engaging and energetic, he encourages the audience to get the MOST out of life. And we are thrilled he can come and inspire our Youth of the Year, Class of 2022, and event attendees."

The annual Youth of the Year is one of BGCMC's signature programs recognizing members who exemplify the Boys & GirlsClub's mission. A celebration of the extraordinary achievements of Club teens, those who earn the Youth of the Year title embody core club values of good character and citizenship, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles.

BGCMC Class of 2022 includes:

Nereida A., representing the Bill & Barbara Whitman Club, Indiantown
Javien E., representing the John & Marge Bolton Club, Port Salerno Club
Fredd G., representing the Cole-Clark Club, Hobe Sound

Nereida, a junior at Southfork High School, has served as a KeystoneClub advisor, JuniorStaff, soccer aide, and community volunteer. Nereida credits the Club for believing in her and as a result, helping her blossom into a strong young woman and emerging leader. "My Club has taught me the importance of giving back," she says. "I lead my peers in keeping our neighborhood clean, helping with the soccer program, and helping with the arts program."

Javien has served as vice president of SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco), Torch Club member, and Honor Roll student. "The Club has helped me mature from being closed-off," he said. "It has allowed me to open up and grow as a person. I want to help younger members and my siblings because I am passionate about being involved in the Boys & Girls Club because I know it helped me grow up into the leader I am today."

Fredd is president of the Torch Club and SWAT, Team Captain, Culinary Assistant, and poet. He is an immigrant from Peru and understands the importance of perseverance while having an open mind and a kind heart. Fredd feels that great leaders influence others to be better and that his Club leaders always remind him to be a positive influence wherever he goes. "I am lucky to be a part of Boys & Girls Clubs," says Fredd. "I always look forward to coming to the Club, and they always make me feel better. The Club has given me the greatest council and support I would ever need."

Youth of the Year would not be possible without the community-minded and generous support of sponsors. 2022 sponsors includes Presenting & Blue Carpet Sponsor- The Arati Hammond Team at Keller Williams Real Estate, and our Thrive Sponsors are Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, PNC Bank, Publix Super Markets Charities, Casco Tools, and Carol Webb.

Tickets for the program are $75 per person or $125 for two tickets and are available online at www.bgcmartin.org/YOY2022. Sponsor opportunities remain and may also be found online or by emailing [email protected]

About BGCMC

For more than 30 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County has provided award-winning programs designed to guide and inspire young people ages 6-18 to learn, grow and mature in route to becoming successful adults. Each of the four clubs enjoys strong partnerships with local schools and communities. Such cohesion ensures that Boys & Girls Clubs' programs complement and enrich the curriculum our members learn in class and remain attuned to the challenges and opportunities they face on a day-today basis. The clubs offer opportunities for fun, fitness, STEAM activities, and certified teachers work with club members on everything from tutoring and homework help to specialized courses that prepare them for careers in various trades.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at https://tcbusiness.com tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email mailto:sta[email protected] [email protected]

Mar. 7, 2022|

Local Business Highlight: The Saussie Pig

Owner Tashiema Brown and his son Tre'Bon provided by Leah Voss/TC Palm

Tashiema “Beemer” Brown is doing the food truck thing in reverse. Instead of growing his business, he decided to downsize from brick-and-mortar restaurants to a food truck: The Saussie Pig.

“Bigger isn’t always better,” Brown said.

Brown, who moved to Vero Beach about 15 years ago, owned a dump truck business until the economy crashed, and he had to figure out something else to do for work. He thought of his first job at age 14 at a rib joint in his native Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“I moved my family here and I didn’t want to move them back there because where I grew up and here is night and day,” Brown said. “This is like vacation. I knew I wanted to keep my family here.

“So I went back to what I knew — cooking and barbecue.”

Starting outside Vero Beach bars

Brown bought a smoker and he hauled it around town with his truck.

“I would set up outside of different bars throughout the community as they closed, and it just kind of took off,” Brown said.

He then bought a small trailer and started working some events. He also had opened a restaurant in Fellsmere and a sports bar in Vero Beach, but he was done dealing with employees. He wanted a family-run business with his wife, brother, daughter and sons.

He had bought the yellow truck about five years ago, but he didn’t renovate it until two months before the coronavirus pandemic.

Because of the nature of the business, the pandemic didn’t hurt his food truck.

“We stayed busy the entire time,” Brown said. “This truck never shut down.”

Naming menu items after customers

The Saussie Pig is named for its pulled pork sandwiches.

“You don’t have to ask for extra sauce,” Brown said. “We put enough on there.”

The sandwiches are named after people. The “Bender” — topped with coleslaw and a slice of pineapple — is named after a “surfer dude” customer, he said. The “Harvey” — topped with bacon, cheese and jalapeno — is named after Brown’s partner when he first started the food truck.

“These creations came from outside of the bars at night,” Brown said. “Every sandwich that I have on there, it was created by someone outside of a bar at 2 a.m. And the names just stuck.”

Dec. 13, 2021|

Producer of Conductors arrives at Tradition

Rendering of Accel International’s new manufacturing facility in the Tradition Center for Commerce.

Accel International Holdings, Inc., a producer of high-performance conductors, broke ground on December 9, 2021 at the Tradition Center for Commerce in Port St. Lucie for the company’s newest manufacturing facility.

At least 125 new jobs will be created by the company’s capital investment of $55 million for its new 150,000-square-foot facility and manufacturing equipment. Average annual earnings per worker at the Tradition facility are estimated to be $47,000 plus benefits, 16% higher than St. Lucie County’s average wage.

Originally established in a garage in 2002 and now headquartered in Meriden, Connecticut, Accel currently operates three manufacturing facilities in Indiana and Connecticut. The company produces and distributes high-performance wire and cable products for use in aerospace, medical and telecommunications equipment.

“We are excited to expand our footprint into Florida and tap into the great resources that the city of Port St. Lucie has to offer. We also look forward to becoming an important part of the community,” said Accel Chief Financial Officer Tim Cummings.

“Accel will be a wonderful asset for our community. The company’s manufacturing jobs are exactly the type of higher-wage jobs we have been wanting for our county’s dynamic workforce,” said St. Lucie County Commission Chair Sean Mitchell. “Accel is also planning on training partnerships with our schools and that is a great opportunity for students throughout our county.”

“Today’s groundbreaking on Accel International’s 40 acres in the Tradition Center for Commerce is another milestone in the ongoing diversification of the city’s economy,” said Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin. “In addition to higher-wage jobs, investment by companies like Accel make it possible for the city to continue to provide a high level of services and amenities for our residents while also reducing tax rates.”

“We began our relationship with Accel over two years ago by initially searching for an exciting facility to renovate. Not being able to find a viable option, we considered many alternatives within the southeastern U.S. for a ground-up facility and finally chose Port St. Lucie,” said Malcolm Sina, executive chairman of Sina Companies, the project’s developer. “Having developed projects in over 30 states, it has been a real pleasure working with everyone in the city of Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie County, and the state of Florida.”

“This is what we do. It’s exactly what we need to be focusing on, in particular a focus on manufacturing,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce Mark Adler, who attended the Accel International Dec. 9 groundbreaking in his first official appearance following his appointment to the position of commerce secretary and interim president/CEO of Enterprise Florida on Dec. 8. “Florida is open for business.” The state funded $3 million in 2017 toward the development of road the facility is located on.

“Our focus on recruiting clean, high-paying manufacturing jobs to St. Lucie County continues to pay off,” said Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. “We are very proud that Port St. Lucie was selected for Accel’s expansion over two sites in Connecticut and one in North Carolina.”

The company’s vice president of sales, Kyle Senk, told the approximately 100 groundbreaking ceremony attendees that Accel’s manufacturing equipment is expected to arrive at the new facility in June or July. Senk said the project is the company’s largest capital investment to date, and will be its most technologically advanced.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

The EDC is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic vitality in St. Lucie County through the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses in the community. The EDC works in partnership with local governments and the private sector to advance its goals of creating more and better-paying jobs for residents, broadening the tax base and improving St. Lucie County’s economic quality of life. Contact the EDC at 772.336.6250 or www.youredc.com.

About Accel International Holdings

Accel is a premier manufacturer of high-performance conductors serving the aerospace, medical, industrial and computer marketplace with silver-plated, nickel-plated and tin-plated copper and copper alloy products. Established in 2006, Accel is a privately owned company with three manufacturing locations in Connecticut and Indiana, serving the domestic marketplace with international activity in Canada, Mexico and China.

Local officials and representatives from Accel International and Sina Companies break ground Dec. 9 at the Tradition Center for Commerce.

Dec. 13, 2021|

Water’s Edge dermatology has added Chris Cromwell, M.D. to its plastic surgery team

Dr. Chris Cromwell, MD

Cromwell earned a medical degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed a general surgery residency at State University of New York at Buffalo. He did his plastic surgery residency at Nassau University Medical Center in Long Island, New York with Long Island Plastic Surgery Group and a cosmetic and breast reconstructive fellowship at Northern Westchester Hospital Center in Mount Kisco, New York.

Dr. Cromwell performs a variety of plastic surgery procedures, including:

· Injectable fillers / BOTOX®
· Facial procedures
· Body procedures
· Reconstructive procedures
· Soft tissue reconstruction / trauma and reconstruction

Whether you want to erase the signs of aging, reshape your body after pregnancy or weight loss, improve the appearance of scars or receive breast reconstruction following a cancer diagnosis, Dr. Cromwell can help by creating natural looking results for your face and body.

To make an appointment with Dr. Cromwell
CALL (877) 544-3880

Water’s Edge Dermatology plastic surgery location:
St. Lucie West

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at tcbusiness.com by Indian River Magazine Inc. For more information or to report news email [email protected]

Jul. 8, 2019|