LONGWOOD – Shoppers’ Critique International, a consumer intelligence marketing agency, has been selected to receive free technical assistance through the state-funded GrowFL program.
Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses the institute looks for ones that have the potential to be successful, but just need a little assistance to become a second-stage company, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.
“Shoppers’ Critique is an ideal candidate for the program. It is a qualified second-stage company that has shown it has the potential to reach the next level of success with GrowFL,” said O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.
GrowFL will support Shoppers’ Critique through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, forums, database research and website optimization.
The Longwood-based company – which formerly was primarily a mystery shopping agency – was founded in 1994 in the kitchen of husband and wife owners, Bill and Susan Green. After merging with two other companies, Shoppers’ Critique International now has 35 employees, and offers its customers numerous ways to measure their own customer satisfaction, including on-site, Internet and telephone mystery shops, as well as web and telephone surveys, according to Chief Operating Officer Rich Bradley.
“We love the whole economic gardening concept,” Bradley said. “This assistance will help us get to the next level.”
Bradley said his company has already seen some benefits.
“They’ve already opened up other channels for us,” he said. “And, they also looked at our operation and gave us feedback that validated what we're doing. It may sound trite, but GrowFL really is a win, win situation for everyone.”
****
About Shoppers Critique International: Shoppers’ Critique International is the largest consumer marketing/intelligence company based in Florida, the customer service capital of the world. With a heritage that includes long-term relationships with America’s top brands across multiple industries, Shoppers’ Critique measures the customer experience, delivering the highest quality, most credible information in a timely manner, as well as actionable solutions to maximize customer retention and revenue growth, providing clients with an unparalleled return on investment. For details, visit ShoppersCritique.com.
About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute: The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.
For more information about this release, please contact: Rich Bradley, chief operating officer, 407-834-3337, rbradley@shopperscritique.com; Linda Jennings Nelson, GrowFL Outreach Director 407-882-0046, linda@GrowFL.com; Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, chagervandyke@yahoo.com
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gardening. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
OptiGrate Receives Florida Companies to Watch Award
ORLANDO – OptiGrate Corp has been recognized as a recipient of the 2011 Florida Companies to WatchSM award, an honor presented by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation. The 50 companies were chosen after evaluating more than 310 nominations for the awards, represent industries ranging from alternative energy development to food production and industrial gear makers to information technology firms.
“It is truly an honor for us to be a part of the inaugural class of 50 Florida Companies to Watch,” says OptiGrate’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alexei Glebov. “A strong presence of high-tech companies in the group is a sound indicator of the changing face of the Florida’s economy and OptiGrate is excited to contribute to it with our dedication to new technologies and innovation”.
Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program that celebrates privately held second-stage companies headquartered in the state. Awardees are selected for demonstrating the intent and capacity to grow based on employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage or other notable strengths.
“This statewide event lauds the success of business leaders who have taken their operations to the "second-stage" of growth and hold the potential to continue to create new jobs in their communities and industries, thereby making a difference in regional communities”, says Dr. Tom O’Neal, vice president for Research & Commercialization at the University of Central Florida.
The companies will receive their awards at an awards gala on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.
About OptiGrate Corp: OptiGrate Corp, founded in 1999, pioneered and successfully brought to market the innovative technology of volume Bragg grating based optical filters. The unique micro-optic components made by OptiGrate enable dramatic performance improvement of laser systems, vast miniaturization and cost reduction of analytical instruments and ultrafast lasers for medical, pharma, defense, nanotech, and other applications. OptiGrate supplies custom builds as well as volume orders of diffractive optical components to more than 200 customers on 5 continents, including government contractors, key industrial and academic players in optoelectronics, analytical, and semiconductor industries. Additional information about the company can be obtained at www.OptiGrate.com.
“It is truly an honor for us to be a part of the inaugural class of 50 Florida Companies to Watch,” says OptiGrate’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alexei Glebov. “A strong presence of high-tech companies in the group is a sound indicator of the changing face of the Florida’s economy and OptiGrate is excited to contribute to it with our dedication to new technologies and innovation”.
Florida Companies to Watch is an awards program that celebrates privately held second-stage companies headquartered in the state. Awardees are selected for demonstrating the intent and capacity to grow based on employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage or other notable strengths.
“This statewide event lauds the success of business leaders who have taken their operations to the "second-stage" of growth and hold the potential to continue to create new jobs in their communities and industries, thereby making a difference in regional communities”, says Dr. Tom O’Neal, vice president for Research & Commercialization at the University of Central Florida.
The companies will receive their awards at an awards gala on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.
About OptiGrate Corp: OptiGrate Corp, founded in 1999, pioneered and successfully brought to market the innovative technology of volume Bragg grating based optical filters. The unique micro-optic components made by OptiGrate enable dramatic performance improvement of laser systems, vast miniaturization and cost reduction of analytical instruments and ultrafast lasers for medical, pharma, defense, nanotech, and other applications. OptiGrate supplies custom builds as well as volume orders of diffractive optical components to more than 200 customers on 5 continents, including government contractors, key industrial and academic players in optoelectronics, analytical, and semiconductor industries. Additional information about the company can be obtained at www.OptiGrate.com.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Florida Economic Gardening Institute names Fran Korosec Director of Client Services
ORLANDO - The Florida Economic Gardening Institute has appointed Fran Korosec director of client services.
Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, said Korosec earned his undergraduate degree from Clarkson University and his master’s degree from State University of New York at Binghamton.
Korosec has more than 24 years of experience in corporate management, including executive positions at Bell & Howell, Lockheed Martin and IBM.
“The Economic Gardening Institute is a critical effort to provide promising second stage companies with the resources to accelerate their growth and expand employment throughout Florida,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“Fran Korosec is a seasoned executive with a unique combination of business development/sales, program management, and technical expertise. We expect him to play a major role in the growth and success of the Economic Gardening Institute.
Funded by the Florida Legislature at the University of Central Florida, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute is a joint venture of the University of Central Florida, the Florida Development Council, Enterprise Florida, Workforce Florida, Florida High Tech Corridor Council and others working to identify and cultivate hundreds of growth companies.
Visit www.GrowFL.com
* * *
For more information, contact:
Fran Korosec, Director of Client Services, Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-0210; Fran@Growfl.com; Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-1120; oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, said Korosec earned his undergraduate degree from Clarkson University and his master’s degree from State University of New York at Binghamton.
Korosec has more than 24 years of experience in corporate management, including executive positions at Bell & Howell, Lockheed Martin and IBM.
“The Economic Gardening Institute is a critical effort to provide promising second stage companies with the resources to accelerate their growth and expand employment throughout Florida,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“Fran Korosec is a seasoned executive with a unique combination of business development/sales, program management, and technical expertise. We expect him to play a major role in the growth and success of the Economic Gardening Institute.
Funded by the Florida Legislature at the University of Central Florida, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute is a joint venture of the University of Central Florida, the Florida Development Council, Enterprise Florida, Workforce Florida, Florida High Tech Corridor Council and others working to identify and cultivate hundreds of growth companies.
Visit www.GrowFL.com
* * *
For more information, contact:
Fran Korosec, Director of Client Services, Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-0210; Fran@Growfl.com; Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director Fla. Economic Gardening Institute; 407-882-1120; oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
New Stimulus Effort Should Focus on Small Business, Business Incubators, Economic Gardening, says Incubation Expert
ORLANDO, Fla. --- The next step in stimulating the national economy’s recovery from the worst recession since World War II should focus on small business, business incubators and economic gardening, said Dr. Tom O’Neal, founder and executive director of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program.
“Most of the net new jobs in the U.S. are created by a relatively small number of small businesses,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“A stimulus package that targets small companies and support programs such as qualified business incubators and economic gardening efforts, would likely generate a substantially higher return on investment than other efforts that target the nation’s economic recovery,” Dr. O’Neal said.
Dr. O’Neal said that while current stimulus programs have shored up the nation’s financial system, investment capital programs targeting small and expanding business that would generate growth and new jobs isn’t forthcoming.
“Something to stimulate investment in small business would be huge right now,” Dr. O’Neal said.
“Incubation programs and economic gardening is a good investment, but the well is dry right now for expansion capital. Many sound, promising new businesses are poised for growth and expansion, but they don’t have access to capital to fund that growth,” Dr. O’Neal explained.
“Incubation programs and economic gardening is a good investment, but the well is dry right now for expansion capital. Many sound, promising new businesses are poised for growth and expansion, but they don’t have access to capital to fund that growth,” Dr. O’Neal explained.
“They’re successful but they’re stuck. We need something to free up the capital markets and get the investment capital flowing again,” he said.
Dr. O’Neal, who recently received the Regional Outstanding Resource Partner Award from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, said successful incubation programs help entrepreneurs shape promising business concepts into thriving enterprises that create new jobs and new revenues.
“We know how to identify startup enterprises with the highest chances of success, and we know how to accelerate their growth as sustainable companies,” O’Neal said.
“There is a lack in investment capital, and that’s where stimulus efforts could help the most,” he concludes.
For more information about this release contact:
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com.
About the UCF Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including nearly 80 current clients) create over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With six facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/.
Friday, November 13, 2009
CEO Nexus, Edward Lowe Foundation to Present Economic Gardening Initiative during Orlando Chamber’s B.I.G. Summit Nov. 19
ORLANDO, Fla. --- CEO Nexus and the Edward Lowe Foundation will present a strategy to coordinate economic gardening in the Orlando region during the Orlando Chamber of Commerce B.I.G. Summit at the Hilton Orlando on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Featured speakers at the conference include Cameron Ford, founding director of the University of Central Florida’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, Michael Poole, CEO of PCE Companies and Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus in Orlando.
CEO Nexus brings together leaders of established, second-stage businesses to meet and learn from CEOs who have successfully grown their companies into a more advanced stage of business development, Quello explained.
“Economic Gardening, is a strategy we support that has proved successful in accelerating the growth of second-stage companies and fostering greater job creation,” Dr. O’Neal said.
CEO Nexus provides an opportunity for mentoring the CEOs of second-stage businesses by CEOs of successful third and fourth-stage companies who realize the need to invest time in a confidential setting to advise and share growth strategies.
“We will all focus on ways companies can accelerate their growth and development in these challenging economic times,” O’Neal explained.
The B.I.G. Summit is open to participants at a cost of $89 per person. To register for the event, please call 407-835-2486 or visit http://www.orlando.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=BIG&category=BIG.
For more information, contact:
Steve Quello, President/Principal, CEO Nexus 407-590-6101, squello@ceonexus.com
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com
About CEO Nexus:
CEO Nexus is a public-private initiative that provides second-stage business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include The Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Enterprise Florida and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
Featured speakers at the conference include Cameron Ford, founding director of the University of Central Florida’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the UCF Business Incubation Program, Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, Michael Poole, CEO of PCE Companies and Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus in Orlando.
CEO Nexus brings together leaders of established, second-stage businesses to meet and learn from CEOs who have successfully grown their companies into a more advanced stage of business development, Quello explained.
“Economic Gardening, is a strategy we support that has proved successful in accelerating the growth of second-stage companies and fostering greater job creation,” Dr. O’Neal said.
CEO Nexus provides an opportunity for mentoring the CEOs of second-stage businesses by CEOs of successful third and fourth-stage companies who realize the need to invest time in a confidential setting to advise and share growth strategies.
“We will all focus on ways companies can accelerate their growth and development in these challenging economic times,” O’Neal explained.
The B.I.G. Summit is open to participants at a cost of $89 per person. To register for the event, please call 407-835-2486 or visit http://www.orlando.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=BIG&category=BIG.
For more information, contact:
Steve Quello, President/Principal, CEO Nexus 407-590-6101, squello@ceonexus.com
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com
About CEO Nexus:
CEO Nexus is a public-private initiative that provides second-stage business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include The Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Enterprise Florida and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
Monday, September 28, 2009
CEO Nexus sowing economic gardening seeds statewide
ORLANDO, Fla., - CEO Nexus, the public-private initiative affiliated with the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program and helps accelerate the growth of second stage companies, is spreading the seeds of “economic gardening” around the state of Florida.
Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus has been invited to speak across the state on the need and value of economic gardening which has taken root here in central Florida thanks to sponsors such as the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship and the Edward Lowe Foundation, who have embraced the need to mentor second stage companies as an important ingredient of job creation.
Since May, Quello has been spreading his story by addressing economic development commission workshops and public forums in Orange, Lake, Sarasota, Collier, Broward and Citrus counties.
Quello has booked speaking engagements Oct. 7 at the Volusia County EDC, Oct. 28 at the Florida Development Assn. in Orlando and on Nov. 16 at the Pasco County EDC.
“Economic gardening has shown to be a cost-effective complement to the conventional economic development efforts of luring large employers to the area,” Quello said.
The Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship is committed to hosting invitation only CEO Nexus forums quarterly – the next set for Dec. 2 – after its first in September was a resounding success.
CEO Nexus pairs principals, CEOs and top executives of second stage companies with highly successful executives in a forum setting to develop practical, hands-on solutions for business development issues.
For more information, contact:
Steve Quello, President/Principal, CEO Nexus 407-590-6101, squello@ceonexus.com
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com
About CEO Nexus:
CEO Nexus is a public-private initiative that provides second-stage business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include The Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Enterprise Florida and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
Steve Quello, president of CEO Nexus has been invited to speak across the state on the need and value of economic gardening which has taken root here in central Florida thanks to sponsors such as the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship and the Edward Lowe Foundation, who have embraced the need to mentor second stage companies as an important ingredient of job creation.
Since May, Quello has been spreading his story by addressing economic development commission workshops and public forums in Orange, Lake, Sarasota, Collier, Broward and Citrus counties.
Quello has booked speaking engagements Oct. 7 at the Volusia County EDC, Oct. 28 at the Florida Development Assn. in Orlando and on Nov. 16 at the Pasco County EDC.
“Economic gardening has shown to be a cost-effective complement to the conventional economic development efforts of luring large employers to the area,” Quello said.
The Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship is committed to hosting invitation only CEO Nexus forums quarterly – the next set for Dec. 2 – after its first in September was a resounding success.
CEO Nexus pairs principals, CEOs and top executives of second stage companies with highly successful executives in a forum setting to develop practical, hands-on solutions for business development issues.
For more information, contact:
Steve Quello, President/Principal, CEO Nexus 407-590-6101, squello@ceonexus.com
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407 882-1120, oneal@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com
About CEO Nexus:
CEO Nexus is a public-private initiative that provides second-stage business leaders—owners, CEOs and presidents—with practical tools and techniques designed specifically for growing second-stage companies. Sponsors include The Edward Lowe Foundation, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the University of Central Florida Office of Research & Commercialization, Rollins College Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Enterprise Florida and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
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