Atlanta, Ga. / Leesburg, Fla. – Hometown Health TV LLC, a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Leesburg, Fla., received an international award at the National Business Incubation Association’s International Conference on Business Incubation.
The NBIA award – the 2012 Outstanding Incubator Client in the non-technology category – was presented to Hometown Health TV founder and media and marketing professional Marc Robertz-Schwartz at the NBIA’s recent conference in Atlanta. The company was selected from a field of applicants from across the globe.
“I don’t think any small business launches with this kind of recognition on its list of things to do; I think that’s what makes this recognition so humbling and gratifying. Three years ago I didn’t even know what an incubator was or how it could help me grow a successful business. Today – with the support of the UCF Business Incubation program, Lake County and the City of Leesburg – we’re being looked at as a model and, perhaps, an inspiration to other small businesses during a challenging economy,” Robertz-Schwartz said after receiving the prestigious award.
With more than 7,000 business incubators worldwide, the NBIA – the world's leading organization in advancing business incubation – estimates that in 2005 alone, North American incubators assisted more than 27,000 start-up companies that provided full-time employment for more than 100,000 workers and generated annual revenue of more than $17 billion, according to Linda Knopp, director of policy and analysis and research for the National Business Incubation Association.
“Business incubation programs like the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools they need to make their ventures successful,” she said.
Hometown Health TV, a three-year-old Lake County health and medical-oriented TV production company, launched Hometown Health, with the goal of developing cost-effective video and web platforms for physicians and healthcare professionals so they could share their expertise on health issues with both existing and new patients watching the videos, according to Robertz-Schwartz.
The monthly, hour-long videos provide health and wellness information through a network of medical office waiting rooms, county health departments, local cable networks and the Internet. As market demand for its services expanded, Hometown Health TV created Apple Seed Marketing in 2011 to expand its multi award winning production and marketing expertise to clients outside the health-care field and to educate businesses and clients on the multiplatform marketing opportunities associated with quality video production.
James Spencer, site manager of the Leesburg incubator, said he isn’t surprised at the success of Hometown Health TV and its sister company Apple Seed Marketing.
“I’m very pleased that Marc has been recognized by the NBIA for all the hard work, long hours and focused energy he’s put into making Hometown Health TV and Apple Seed Marketing such successful companies. His unwavering commitment to creating value for his customers drives him to deliver award winning quality and results that consistently meet and exceed their expectations. I suspect this is just the beginning for Marc... I can’t wait to see what he does next!” Spencer said.
Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder of the UCF Business Incubation Program and NBIA board member, describes Robertz-Schwartz as a gifted entrepreneur who knows his market.
“It’s very rewarding for us to have one of our clients receive accolades for their achievements. Entrepreneurship can often seem like a lonely undertaking with little positive reinforcements for the effort it takes to not only survive, but grow. We should celebrate these entrepreneurs whenever we can,” said O’Neal
For more information about Hometown Health News, visit www.YourHometownHealth.com.
About Hometown Health TV:
Hometown Health TV is complemented by its website www.YourHometownHealth.com and a YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/HometownHealth), both of which include access to the most recent content featured in the video program, as well as profiles of the participating medical professionals and support content. Information about Apple Seed Marketing can be found at www.AppleSeedMarketing.com
About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
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