BBIF
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BUSINESS SERVICES
New Business Orientation are designed to increase
knowledge of "How to get a business
loan" and learn about BBIF's services
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Designed to increase management
capacity and enhance business
growth
LOAN PRODUCTS
BBIF provides:
Lines of Credit, Contract & Accounts Receivable Financing, Commercial
Real Estate, Equipment, and Term Loans
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Welcome
to the BBIF’s quarterly newsletter! Our goal is to be a
leader in facilitating “smart growth” for
Central
Florida’s Minority Businesses. We hope that you find this newsletter to be informative and helpful
to your business. ….Inez Long, President/CEO
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City of
Orlando Projects Manager Janeiro Coulter Joins Business
Members for Lunch To Discuss
Community Venues Projects
Janeiro Coulter Projects Manager, City of
Orlando
City of Orlando Project
Manager Janeiro Coulter, joined business owners at the monthly BBIF’s
Business Opportunity Luncheon to provide an in depth
update about The Community Venues
Projects as well as to urge business owners to prepare and position themselves to
obtain contracts and expand their businesses.
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The Community Venues
Projects consist of the construction of a new
Events
Center,
a Performing Arts Center and the renovation of the Citrus Bowl.
Mr. Coulter
spoke about the level of Minority Business participation to
date with the Orlando Events Center and reiterated the
City's commitment to provide job opportunities for the local
community. Mr. Coulter also, assured the businesses
that there would be oversight throughout the process to
ensure that the "Venues Blueprint" goals are achieved and
that the Community Venues Projects are successful in creating
a sustainable
economic impact for the community.
It is imperative for
minority businesses to certify with the City of
Orlando as a minority business enterprise
because certified businesses are preferred. The City will recognize
Orange
County’s Minority Business
Enterprise Certification specifically for the Venues project. For more information on the Community
Venues Project, visit:
www.cityoforlando.net/elected/venues
The BBIF holds
the Business Opportunity Luncheons to provide a forum for business
owners and professionals to meet with business and community executives,
public and private, in a roundtable format to discuss contracting
opportunities every 1st Thursday at 11:30 am. |
UPCOMING EVENTS
BBIF
Business
Opportunity Luncheons
Every 1st
Thursday of the month
The BBIF Opportunity Luncheons provides a forum for
business owners and professionals to meet with business and community
executives, public and private, in a roundtable format to discuss
contracting opportunities. BBIF Business Opportunity Luncheons are held
every 1st Thursday of the month at 11:30 am. Cost: Members are FREE, non-members $10.00
For more information contact Joy Clarke at 407-649-4780.
Orientations
- Every 2nd
and
4th Tuesday
Orientation sessions are held on the 2nd
and 4th Tuesday of each month. On the second Tuesday, Orientations
begin at 5pm and at 12 noon on the 4th Tuesday. Don't miss out on this
opportunity to find out everything you need to know about BBIF's services
and loan programs. Learn how to grow your business the smart way!
For more information, please contact
Duane Lewis at 407.649.4780.
Roundtables and One-on-Ones
Monthly roundtables are an interactive management development tool
which implements an applied
learning approach to assist business
owners. BBIF’s Technical Team works
intensively with roundtable business owners (company president) in a One-on-One
or group environment with other
business owners in non competing
industries and provides ongoing assistance by identifying and helping to
solve business issues and monitoring company progress.
To learn how to grow
your business the smart business way! Please contact Duane Lewis at
407.649.4780.
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BBIF
CLIENT FEATURE STORY |
ADS
Welding, Inc.
6107
Laurelwood Ct.
Orlando,
FL
32808
Phone: (407) 291-2728
ADS Welding, Inc., founded by
Anthony Sylvester in 1996, operated the business as
a sole proprietor until he incorporated the business
in 2003. The business specializes in SIP (Stay In
Place metal) and most recently Rebar bridge work.
ADS Welding has a diverse list of
clients that includes the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, City of
Orlando, Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority,
Orange County,
Orange County Public Schools,
Florida Department of Transportation, Florida's
Turnpike Enterprise. The business also works
with large contractors that include Hubbard, Granite, Lane Construction, Middlesex Contractors, and Posen
Construction. The business has worked on several
major bridge projects that include
I-4 at Conroy Rd, Turnpike (Ocoee), St. John River
Bridge, Miami, Chatanooga River, 408 (Conway), 408
(Tampa I-4 exit), 427 (Polk County), Boyton Beach,
I-95 (West Palm Beach), and Punta Gora.
Knowledge Counts
Anthony Sylvester has over 20 years
of welding experience and has for Cheesboro Rooging
Company, International Steel, Oceaneering
Technologies, Transtat Equipment, ABC Welding,
Browne Associates, Arcy Construction Corp., and
Metro Masonry. About three years ago Anthony
made the decision to enter the rebar installation
market. The significance of this decision is
that very few minority owned businesses participate
in this area because it requires very disciplined
management to be successful. The decision has
paid off for ADS Welding as it has increased its
revenues and profitability. Anthony Sylvester
has stated that "If it wasn't for the guidance and
advice that I have received from BBIF's technical
team of advisors in the round tables, the firm would
not be as successful."
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Experience Counts
Anthony Sylvester has
participated in a BBIF contractor round table
sponsored by the Orlando Orange County Expressway
Authority that assists OOCEA approved contractors
with analyzing their financial statements, preparing
financial ratios, and assistance with bid contract
preparation through the guidance of a CPA,
developing strategic plans, analyzing employee
utilization, and improving internal management with
the guidance of an experienced Business Strategist
Consultant, on site management analysis, and the
development of project management systems with the
guidance of a Technical Engineering Consultant, and
financing analysis and loan packaging and
underwriting assistance with the guidance of the
BBIF president and Business Development Officer.
Anthony states that "I recommend any small business
owner especially contractors to take advantage of
this very unique service."
Mr. Sylvester acknowledges
that although it has been a long hard road that all
of the experiences that the business has gone
thorough has allowed it to grow into the success
that it is now. He has this to say to
prospective entrepreneurs "If you go into business
you need to have a strong will and be prepared to
make tough decisions; make sure that you are
financially prudent, hire quality employees, have a
great accountant and attorney, and take advantage of
community development organizations such as
the BBIF." He also states, "The key
to business success is to provide quality service to your customers, be
persistent, and establish and nurture good networking relationships".
Growing…The
Smart Way
Future goals for the ADS
Welding, Inc. are to continue to grow and strengthen
their position within the industry
and expand into international business. |
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BBIF Mentor Business Member
Derek Burke, P.E.
President and Founder of
WBQ Design & Engineering, Inc. |
Derek Burke is a
civil engineer, and the founder and president of the
downtown Orlando based
consulting firm, WBQ Design & Engineering, Inc. WBQ provides
civil engineering consulting services to public sector and
private sector clients throughout the State of Florida. In 2006 Florida
Transportation Monthly Magazine recognized WBQ as one of the
“Top 20” transportation design firms in the State of
Florida.
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Derek is a frequent participant
in civic initiatives.
In 2004, Mayor Buddy Dyer appointed him to the
Parramore Task Force, where he chaired the Master Planning
and Zoning Committee. The Task Force was charged with
developing strategies for the revitalization of the historic
minority neighborhood. He is also a past Chairman of
the Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment
Agency Advisory Board.
Currently Derek serves on the Mayor’s Ad Hoc
Transportation Committee, which is studying transportation
funding alternatives for the City of
Orlando.
Derek continues to be active in community
organizations. He is a member of the Board of the Orlando
Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business Chamber. He also
serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of the Orlando
Neighborhood Improvement Corporation, an organization that
develops and manages affordable and low-income housing in
the greater Orlando area.
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Characteristics
of Successful Businesses
Have you ever wondered what the keys to
business success are? or how to identify a successful
business? if so then the following information is for you.
A successful emerging growth business is likely to display many
of the following characteristics:
1.
Sensibly financed (with prudent mix of equity and debt).
2.
Strong cash position (with access to follow-on or contingency
funds).
3.
Offers above-average profitability (in terms of return on
capital invested).
4.
Aims for rapid growth in revenues (with profits lagging but in
prospect).
5.
Targets expanding, or otherwise attractive, market segments.
6.
Develops a strong franchise or brand.
7.
Devotes substantial resources to innovation (R&D, offerings or
market).
8.
Competes on non-price issues (e.g. quality, service,
functionality).
9.
Very close to customers and responsive to their needs.
10.
Seeks specialist/leadership image with superior offerings.
11.
Well managed with high-grade staff & good people-management.
BLACK
BUSINESS INVESTMENT FUND
315 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 -
Orlando,
FL
32801
Telephone: (407)
649-4780 - Facsimile: (407) 649-8688
Website:
www.bbif.com |
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