After Jose David Tobon and Juan Garcia threw a party for a friend on a 50-foot catamaran, everyone who attended loved it and started calling them wanting to know how they produced such an event. “We started seeing that there was a very big potential in the entertainment industry,” Tobon […]
Success Stories
Half Moon Empanadas: A savory success story baked with equal parts passion, perseverance, and vision
Even some of Pilar Guzman’s mentors advised her not to expand her Miami small business nationally, yet she persisted. Today, the tasty creations of this entrepreneur’s Half Moon Empanadas can be savored in locations across the US, particularly in airports, with more expansion on the runway. With trial and error […]
Raising capital? What you need to know, from an award-winning consultant who has been there, done that.
When it comes to raising capital, Florida SBDC at FIU consultant Ricardo Weisz has experience in the trenches on both sides of this entrepreneurial challenge. While an executive at The Walt Disney Company, he launched operations in multiple countries, and over the years he has headed and or invested in […]
For this small business owner, successful entrepreneurship is a family tradition
Chinedu Okoro began working at his parents’ janitorial services company just after finishing college at Chapel Hill. He needed the money, they needed the help – a win-win for that moment in time. He helped his parents’ company grow, but what also happened is that experience opened doors to the […]
For Kendall’s coffee lovers, this couple brews up a success story
Step inside Macondo Coffee Roasters in Kendall and you’ll immediately feel welcome. The small restaurant is rustic, industrial and artsy all at the same time, with a number of tables, all different, beckoning you to relax and take a look at the colorful illustrated wall-size menu featuring paninis, pizza, bowls, […]
Zai Cargo’s road to success was smoother, thanks to Florida SBDC at FIU’s assistance
Zai Cargo is a family business through and through. “Our business is a parcel company. We ship boxes, mainly personal effects, to Central and South America. We pick them up and deliver them directly to customers or to other multi-services companies. We consolidate them here in Miami and ship them […]
How old is your rescued pet? This FIU alum’s startup EpiPaws can help
Tapping resources available to startups is a key to success. This startup founder turned to StartUP FIU for help By Irene Ferradaz – FIU News “How old is my pet?” That’s the question on the minds of those who love and care for animals adoped from shelters or taken in off […]
Luxury clothier and salon for men is quickly taking off, with help from Florida SBDC at FIU
Walk into Jaxson Maximus on the ground floor of a glittering high-rise in Brickell area of Miami, and you’ll find a bustling luxury custom clothier, a full-service tailor shop and a salon for men all in one shop. Madison Boehm, who had recently graduated from the University of Houston with […]
Entrepreneurship can be a crazy ride, but this small business owner wouldn’t have it any other way
For the love of key lime pie, Fookem’s Fabulous creates the recipe for business success, with help from SBDC at FIU
Fresh and delicious key lime pie delivered in a convenient vending machine? Yes, please. It’s the latest expansion of Coconut Grove small business Fookem’s Fabulous, which popped up during the pandemic’s early days as a home business and has since served thousands of Miamians and visitors the oh-so-Florida dessert. Hungry for more? […]