JAX Bridges grad Toni Chrabot addresses crisis

Former FBI agent Toni Chrabot is watching the San Bernardino mass shooting with a lot of interest. Her expertise is crisis management.

Since retirement, Chrabot started her company, Confidence, LLC to train organizations on how to address a crisis.

Chrabot said she is seeing an increase in demand for her services, even before the bloodshed in San Bernardino.

"Companies are definitely thinking more about that," she said.

The challenge for everyone is being able to identify a threat, like what unfolded in California, before it happens. (read more)

JAX Bridges grads plan brownie bakery at Elks Building Downtown

         Photocredit: JAX Daily Record 11/27 articel by Karen Mathis

The sign in the window at 209 N. Laura St. hints at the bakery on the way.
Its storefront and Facebook page say “really, really sweet things are coming soon.”

By yearend, sisters Helga Langthon and Pilar Langton hope to open a brownie bakery in the Elks Building Downtown at Hemming Park.

Mocha Misk’i will bake traditional brownies as well as those made in the shapes of alphabet letters and corporate logos. Think “thank you” or “welcome” spelled out in brownies.

In addition, Pilar Langton will bake and sell her PilArt specialty cakes and cookies there. She has been operating that business from home for almost six years.

Pilar Langton runs a business related to a brownie bakery. Helga Langthon does not. (read more)

JAX Bridges grad goes international...

Dan Miller, President of GloDea, has announced that GloDea has been invited to actively participate in one of the biggest startup events in Latin America which results in new businesses and new product launches. The event is called “AceleraStartup” which is organized by FIESP (The Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo, in Brazil). GloDea’s CEO, Ignacio Santos and GloDea’s President of International Business, Patrick Cherix were both invited to attend the event as judges and mentors for the product proposals and entrepreneurs in São Paulo, Brazil. Joining them in Brazil will be Marco Schorr GloDea’s legal advisor for Latin America and Victor Santos GloDea’s project engineer for Latin America.

This event that takes place every year is in its 7th edition and spans across two full days. The objective is to introduce startup companies and high potential products or projects from all over Brazil to high profile investors. This year the event received over 5,000 applications from entrepreneurs with 322 finalists selected for the main event.

During the first day the entrepreneur finalists selected are invited to attend morning lectures by some of Brazil’s most influential businessmen. In the afternoon they will receive mentoring in a diversity of subjects such as patenting, marketing and business strategy plus many others. GloDea will be mentoring the entrepreneurs on International Business and how to take their local products to a global scale.

During the second day the entrepreneurs will have 3 minutes to present their proposal to the investors in a classic elevator pitch. GloDea along with 80 other investors will rate all projects, and narrow the field to the top 20 best rated proposals. The top 20 will then be given an opportunity for 10 minutes each to convince a selected board of 10 investors that their product is the best proposal. GloDea will be among this special group of investors that determines which presentation earns the coveted winners award.

The GloDea team is honored to participate in this event as a mentor, investor and judge. Initiatives like this one are extremely important to help entrepreneurs take their ideas forward and obtain the funding they need to take their ideas and companies to the next level. It’s not only about finding good products that we can bring to the American and European markets but also about giving back to the community to potentially help those that are viable products or businesses.

Most of them are in a similar place to where many businesses stood in the past.

GloDea designs innovative and competitively priced consumer products including multiple furniture lines and unique promotional items. GloDea’s specialty is the design and manufacture of new and unique products utilizing the talents of over 300 designers worldwide.

GloDea’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has been instrumental in growing the business in North America and the globe. The GloDea brand is earning international recognition and respect as well. Sales channels include over 100 affiliated websites, wholesalers and retailers. With strategically located international partner offices, GloDea continues to build productive relationships with retailers and expand sales and licensing internationally.

For additional information on GloDea Store Corp. go to http://shop.glodea.com/.

Contact

Dan Miller 

President North America Business, GloDea Corp.

(904) 312-0175

http://shop.glodea.com/

JAX Chamber sponsors entrepreneurs at Defense Expo

A cornerstone of the JAX Bridges program is connecting businesses to business opportunities. The JAX Chamber sponsored the participation of five entrepreneurs in the annual Defense Expo on November 10, 2015. 

The Florida Defense Expo offers an ideal opportunity to bring together military, law enforcement, Homeland Security and other organizations serving our country with businesses dedicated to providing high quality, safe and innovative products and services to our warfighters and first responders. Federal, state, and local leaders will also be on-hand to lend support for the defense sector and the brave, dedicated men and women in our Armed Forces.

Hosted by the Florida Defense Contractors Association in conjuction with Congressman Ander Crenshaw.

Tire Diva drives innovation with business plan developed with #JAXBridges

The businesswoman was invited to participate in the second cohort of Jax Bridges late last year, a Jax Chamber program geared toward growing small businesses through partnerships with larger corporations.

Pope-Wells was asked to come up with a business plan — specifically, a way she planned to ramp up her business, even as it surpassed $17 million in revenue in 2014.

That’s when Pope-Wells had her aha moment.

“I began seeing all the connections I have from staffing, nonprofits and the business community,” said Pope-Wells.

In June, Amy Pope-Wells launched her second venture, Tire Diva. The startup is a direct-to-consumer tire service company begun with a tire distributor she knows who imports tires through the Port of Jacksonville. Instead of going to a retail outlet like a Tire Kingdom, customers are able to pinpoint which replacement tires they need by year, make and model and Tire Diva, through its global supply chain partners, locates and delivers them. Because it is cutting out the middleman and buying in bulk, Tire Diva is able to offer wholesale prices. (read more from original JBJ article by Colleen Jones)

JAX Chamber celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week

How to get involved:

Spread your entrepreneurial news related to the Jacksonville region, celebrate an entrepreneur, post an entrepreneurial quote/reflection, or host an entrepreneurial event and share it on social media: #GEWinJAX  Global Entrepreneurship Week In the Jacksonville Region: Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns.

What is Global Entrepreneurship Week? 

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, GEW inspires people in more than 160 countries through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators. These activities, from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings, connect participants to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors—introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities. (more...)

Related JAX Chamber activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week in Jacksonville:

Chamber member Ed Baldwin who is a founder of Profile Gorilla, JAX Bridges alumni, and Startup Quest Mentor to make major announcement regarding innovation district in Downtown Jacksonville this week.

Carlton Robinson, Senior Director of JAX Chamber Entrepreneurial Growth Division to join area entrepreneurial resource providers in establishing a new global approach to entrepreneurial ecosystems at the Bridge2Biz event.

 JAX Chamber: Through its JAX Bridges program the chamber is poised to connect another cohort of entrepreneurs with business opportunity at its Bridge2Biz Event. Participants will engage with strong speakers, connect with major corporations, and obtain a new tool from the Denver entrepreneurial ecosystem as they continue their journey of business development in JAX Bridges. One participant will be featured on WJXT Look Local. (Registration required)           November 18, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
UNF University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224

JAX USA Partnership: JAXUSA Partnership Regional Economic Development Forum. Regional partners in economic development to discuss progress of entrepreneurship in the region; advances made to Innovate Northeast Florida 5 year plan; and highlight entrepreneurial successes. (registration required)
November 20, 2015, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
UNF University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224

A message from Daniel Davis to JAX Bridges participants

These are indeed exciting times for growth and opportunity in our community. Nowhere in our history have we successfully and consistently connected small businesses to corporate businesses for business growth. Well, JAX Bridges is changing that history. Carlton and I are on a mission to help businesses grow. We are building bridges between David and Goliath. We are building the roadmap for how to connect and to engage small businesses to corporations for their mutual benefit—and with our program and process, it’s virtually risk-free. We believe this is perhaps the single most important activity for assured growth in our community.

The pilot program in 2014 has already surpassed all our expectations and measures of success. That tells us this program is needed…this program is wanted…and, quite frankly, this program is long overdue. Understand this program will change lives—the lives of small business owners…the lives of their employees…the lives of their families…the lives of some of you that I have visited with throughout the program.

When I look around at small business owners, I see potential. I see the potential for progress. I see the potential for one of the small businesses in this room to one day have its name atop of one of the big buildings in our city. So, let’s get to the work at hand. Let all those in this program help build the bridges for prosperity and growth. Let us create a legacy for our Jacksonville business community. And, let us create more success stories from each of you—in this Fall 2015 JAX Bridges program.

Thank you,

Daniel Davis                                                                                                                                                         JAX Chamber

Web.com Small Business Summit

Learn from Business Experts on how to build a successful small business!

Join Web.com, Allstate, and Bank of America for the upcoming Small Business Summit. This interactive summit will focus on helping local businesses learn how to successfully market their business online, how to effectively manage your cash flow (Bank of America) and how to create a roadmap for the future of your organization (Allstate). Key areas for discussion from Web.com include:

• What are the elements of a great website?
• How do I increase traffic to my website and to my business?
• Is my website "working" for my business?
• How do I market my business on Google, Facebook and Twitter?
• Learn best practices from industry leaders in banking and insurance from Bank of America and Allstate Business Insurance.

Summit Schedule

• 11:00am - Registration, Networking & Lunch
• 12:00pm - Opening remarks
• 12:10pm -  Bank of America Presentation(Cash Flow Mgt)
• 12:35pm -  Allstate Presentation
• 1:00pm - Web.com Presentation(Onlne Marketing)
• 1:30pm - Panel Discussion/Q&A
• 2:30pm - Be our VIP Guest in the Web.com Hospitality Tent on the 18th green(Optional)
• Select to Register Now!!!

Have questions about Web.com Small Business Summit Presented by Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa - Jacksonville One (1) Complimentary Web.com Tour Championship Ticket for all Attendees? Contact Web.com

Jacksonville's big companies are working to connect with the city's smaller players

At its Bridge2Business event Wednesday afternoon, dozens of local entities heard more about what it takes to make those opportunities happen. The gathering, held at the University of North Florida, included presentations by Winn-Dixie, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, St. Vincent’s and the Gilbane Building Co., as well as less formal networking sessions. (Read more...)

Below: Derek Lott shares at the Bridge2Biz Event for JAX Bridges

JAX Bridges is making things happen

JAX Bridges participant OnPay Solutions recently closed on a $150,000 line of credit with Atlantic Coast Bank and CEO Neal Anderson credits the Jacksonville company’s participation in the JaxBridges program with helping to seal the deal.

“It helped in making those first introductions, and also in learning how to lay out our financials and position the company in a way that would make sense to bankers,” Anderson said.

JaxBridges is an initiative launched through Jax Chamber’s entrepreneurial growth division in July 2014. It aims to connect small businesses with the funding, training and networking opportunities that could lead to deals — such as product supply and vendor contracts — with larger corporations. (Read more...)