For Karina Vaguez, owner of a full-scale meetings and events production company, the pandemic could have been a time to retrench. Obviously, a business like hers was going to be hit hard with convenings shut down. But instead of wallowing in worry, Vaguez used this traumatic time to prepare her […]
Success Stories
Award-winning small business AmePower exemplifies how a success story is made
Vision. Expertise. Tenacity. Hard work. Perseverance. Teamwork. Resilience. These are ingredients of a successful small business. AmePower, an industry-leading technology company in the transportation and renewable energy sectors, is a success story. This week, as part of National Small Business Week, the Miami small business’s CEO, Luis Contreras, and President, […]
Leaping into business ownership becomes a ‘magical’ experience, with help from SBDC at FIU
When Kenerly Wright and her husband decided that she would leave her job as a successful property manager to be a stay-at-home mom for several years after her children were born, she discovered that she was having so much fun being home with her kids. When contemplating what she would […]
With Florida SBDC at FIU’s help, small business success stories thrive in North Miami Beach
Small business owner Melissa Guzman offers the beloved foods of her Caribbean homeland – but she veganizes them for healthier living. She should know – it’s helped her, too. Now she wants to expand The Caribe Vegan brand into retail. Darren Mendoza’s Lutong Pinoy restaurants are wildly popular with the […]
After the pandemic’s punch, Amazon Printers is thriving. Owner’s advice? Never stop learning
No matter how long you have run your small business, there is always something to learn about entrepreneurship. And in times of crisis, such as during the COVID pandemic, those lessons become even more important. Cristina Serralta is a believer in the never-stop-learning ethos. In recent years, she has gone […]
Florida SBDC at FIU wins statewide award
By FIU News The Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU Business has been recognized as the Florida SBDC Network Center of the Year for 2022. In 2021, the FSBDC assisted 2,050 clients, providing over 20,660 consulting hours. FSBDC at FIU consultants also led the state network in access to […]
IV Hydration Station in Key West grows in healthy ‘leaps and bounds,’ with help of Florida SBDC at FIU
Over lunch one day, Suzyjo Moore and Bobbie Vurro, both emergency room nurses, started talking about joining forces to open a new health and wellness small business. As they envisioned it, the IV therapy company would offer IV hydration, hangover relief, energizing vitamins, minerals, athletic performance and immune boosting infusions. […]
Grandson successfully takes the helm of Key West Marine Hardware, with the help of Florida SBDC at FIU
Key West Marine Hardware is a family business through and through. Business owner Nick Formico says his grandfather opened the store in the 1960s and then raised Formico’s mother and uncle in the business, as well as himself. “I grew up in the store. I used to work here every […]
Florida SBDC at FIU helps this founder start up so Front Page Retail can help emerging food & beverage brands stand out
Daniel Quinones worked for 10 years in the consumer goods and packaging industry for companies like Nabisco and Coca Cola. And while working with them during the pandemic, he realized he has always had a love for emerging brands. The small independent companies that had fabulous products, but they didn’t […]
The pandemic delivers a powerful punch, but with Florida SBDC at FIU’s help, Old Town Fitness comes back stronger
Step into Old Town Fitness in Key West, and it is like stepping back into the ‘60s. Think about the type of gym Rocky Balboa would want to work out of – old school, no frills, you are there to sweat. And yes, you will sweat: There’s no AC – […]