University of Central Florida Business Incubator at Daytona Beach International Airport to Host Business Plan Boot Camp

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Phaedra Lee, a client of the Volusia County--University of Central Florida Business Incubator at Daytona Beach International Airport was excited when she learned from Incubator Site Manager Connie Bernal of the three-day Business Plan Boot Camp the incubator is presenting March 19-21. And, her excitement grew when she heard who would be speaking. As the co-owner of Fusion Fitness Designs – a fitness and strength-training equipment manufacturer – Lee has a special interest in lectures by Dr. Brent Fulton, a sports medicine doctor, and his father, Dr. Michael Fulton, an orthopedic surgeon. "We're really excited to be a part of the boot camp and about working with Dr. Fulton, as he has a lot of experience in our industry," said Lee. "Connie has done a great job of bringing well-qualified people together to help us get our business plans even more solidified," she added. The Fultons will talk about how the mind and body work together to heal patients, as they host part of the Boot Camp at their Green Acres Habitat for Human Growth and Performance center in Daytona Beach. “We are so fortunate to have the Fultons help us present and host this event,” said Bernal. “These doctors have been in Volusia County for 35 years and they are experts in helping people achieve success through a clear mind and a healthy body. We can’t thank them enough for their generosity.” Nancy Fulton, office administrator of Medical Exercise Associates at the Green Acres campus, said the boot camp is something her husband, Michael, and sons, Brent and Chris, have been looking to do for a while at their 40-acre facility. “When Connie mentioned that she was going to do this, we said immediately that we wanted to be a part of it,” she said. “My son, Brent, was in special ops when he got out of the Naval Academy and he’s always been interested in having a boot camp here for all ages. So, this will just jump start our plans.” Fulton said two employees will get “down and dirty” as they act as tough drill instructors and put the business clients through the paces, including a run through their wooded property. Afterward, participants will be attending the daily lectures, where they’ll learn about goal setting, teambuilding, working together and making good business decisions. Bernal said the boot camp is designed to “get tough on business” by helping the clients complete their business plans in three days. “It’s a time for them to work on their business, not in their business.” The boot camp, which will include breakfast and business plan software, will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The first day’s topic will be “From the Battlefield to the Business Plan” followed by “Marketing and Sales Strategies” on day two, and “Is Franchising Right for Your Business?” on the final day. “We’ve invited several speakers who are at the top of their respective fields,” Bernal said. “That’s because we want our entrepreneurs to learn from the best, so they can become the best.” In addition to talks the two doctors will give for incubator clients, four additional speakers will hold sessions that are open to the public. They are: Michael Waldrop is a U.S. Army Captain and combat wounded veteran who founded Blue Cord Design and Construction – a service/disabled veteran-owned small business – after he returned home from Afghanistan. He will talk about the importance of business discipline and dealing with adversity. Eric Shulman, founder of Sandler Training in Altamonte Springs, will coach attendees on why sales people fail, and how to fix it. Shulman began working in a family retail business at the age of 13 and started his own direct-marketing firm when he was 29. He opened the training center in 2003 and now coaches more than 100 professional salespeople each week. Derek D. Hudson, a certified business analyst and procurement specialist at UCF, will talk about market diversity and how to determine a target market. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Hudson has managed multiple small business units and worked as a strategic communications and public relations consultant to several government agencies. Marshall Reddy, president of Jacksonville-based Franchise Network, will ask attendees if franchising is right for their business, and explain some common misconceptions of franchising. With more than 22 years of business ownership, and sales, marketing and consulting experience, Reddy has helped thousands of entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality. The boot camp sessions are designed for the center’s current 12 clients, but, Bernal said the individual talks by the speakers will be free and open to the public. Seating is limited and reservations can be made by contacting Arlene Wilson Arlene.wilson@ucf.edu or at 386/872-3100. The incubator – a partnership between UCF, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council – is designed to help start-up companies as well as established businesses. The businesses who rent space at the Daytona Beach International Airport location receive assistance in the form of mentoring and coaching; educational programs; marketing and public relations; access to seminars; networking with peers; inexpensive office space with shared reception, conference rooms, office equipment and support services; as well as paid memberships in a number of organizations.