Women-Owned Businesses at TIA Take Off

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Highlights Women’s Economic Agenda: When Women Succeed, America Succeeds

(L to R) Gina Almonte, Owner of Refresh-a-Baby; Carren Rieger, Founder of BambinOz ; and Kerriann Greenhalgh, Founder, Chairman and CEO of KeriCure
Their products are carried by Mindworks and its newsstand store, Stellar News, in Orlando, Washington Dulles, Philadelphia, San Diego, Tampa, Miami, and Houston airports.

Female entrepreneurs with products that target busy travelers in a pinch at TIA are taking off and landing business around the country. Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) toured the expanding airport retail and the women behind these businesses to highlight the $1.4 trillion impact that all women-owned businesses across the country have on the economy and the middle-class.  

 “These Tampa women have found a creative niche with travel-friendly products, demand is growing and I would like to help them succeed through workplace policies,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “More women nationwide are choosing an entrepreneurial path, evident with the number of women startups on the rise. But imagine how many more jobs could be created by small businesses if we prioritized an economic agenda for women business owners that acknowledges the multiple roles that women play. When women succeed, America succeeds.”

 In 2014, there are more than 9.1 million women-owned businesses, up from 8.6 million in 2013, according to a 2014 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report released in March 2014. The report also states that these businesses generate more than $1.4 trillion in revenues, employ 7.9 million people and account for 30 percent of all enterprises — a boon for the middle-class. However, women’s market share of revenues is declining, according to a report released just last month by the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

 “Entrepreneurship is the road to pay equity for women,” said Stellar Partners, Inc. CEO Susan Stackhouse, who operates several retail  stores at Tampa International Airport and about a dozen airports around the country. She also mentors local women entrepreneurs, including Gina Almonte of Refresh-a-Baby; Dr. Kerriann Greenhalgh of KeriCure; and Carren Rieger of BambinOz. These women sell their products at Mindworks, located at the main terminal at TIA and owned and operated by Stackhouse. Refresh-a-Baby turns ordinary water bottles into baby bottles, KeriCure sells a natural alternative to bandages and BambinOz has steadily grown a line of products targeted for traveling parents of small children.

 “These entrepreneurs have succeeded in their business pursuits, and as a result have achieved greater economic security for their families and created jobs locally to boost the middle-class economy in Tampa Bay,” U.S. Rep. Castor added. “It’s time to prioritize an economic agenda for women that fosters an equal playing field for all women across the country.” 

 U.S. Rep. Castor has been on the forefront of building an agenda that addresses the economic challenges facing today’s women and working families, including expanding educational opportunities, increasing job training and investing in women entrepreneurs. U.S. Rep. Castor has also convened with businesses and female community leaders across Tampa Bay to discuss local solutions on pay equity, investing in early childhood education and expanding family and medical leave.

 Castor is a cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act, Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act and Working Families Child Care Act that are all part of the “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds” economic agenda to bolster the middle class.

Tampa Chamber Congratulates Four Members Named as U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Award Winners

Adcock Financial Group, Bayshore Solutions, Creative Sign Designs and Hunter Warfield were named Blue Ribbon Small Business Award^® winners by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These companies were recognized for their dedication to the principles of free enterprise and their contributions to restoring jobs and prosperity.

“These four companies represent the strength and diversity of our local business community”, said Bob Rohrlack, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce president and CEO.  “We are excited that four of our members were selected for this prestigious honor, the most recognized at one time from our area.  Each of these companies is a stellar example of great business – both in the boardroom and in our community.”

“The Blue Ribbon Award winners show that, even facing uncertainty and economic challenges, small businesses can grow and succeed,” said Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO. “They are America’s economic engine, driving growth and job creation all across this country.”

The awards program, sponsored by Sam’s Club^®, honors companies that demonstrate excellent business practices in several areas including strategy, employee development, community involvement, and customer service.

This year’s 100 Blue Ribbon winners were selected from a record number of nationwide applicants and will be honored at America’s Small Business Summit 2013. On February 15, seven of the Blue Ribbon recipients will be announced as award finalists, and one will be named the DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year during the summit. The winner will be presented with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of the U.S. Chamber.

Blue Ribbon businesses are also eligible for the Community Excellence Award, which will be decided through online public voting February 8-22. The Chamber encourages the Tampa Bay area to vote for our area businesses by clicking here to access the online voting website.

To learn more about America’s Small Business Summit, visit www.uschambersummit.com.

For more information on the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.tampachamber.com.

 

‘Tax Facts: A Guide for Small Business Owners’ Offers Free Year-End Advice

Small businesses are facing the end of another tax year, in an economy that is still a challenge for many.   Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is partnering with the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA) to host “Tax Facts: A Guide for Small Business Owners.” This free webinar will be offered in October as part of his Your Money Matters initiative and focuses on year-end tax-planning strategies for small businesses.

The webinar follows the 2012 Small Business Leadership Forum held in September in Tampa where 200 small business owners who attended had frank and direct conversations with the CFO and other leaders on what can be done to improve the small business ecosystem in our state.  Small businesses employ four out of five Floridians and play a vital role in every community, and FICPA has a 100-year history of serving the communities in which they live and work.

The “Tax Facts” webinar is being offered to help small business owners make decisions on how to best use their resources to minimize their tax burden.

The webinar will be held at the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, October 16^th, at 2 p.m.
• Thursday, October 18^th, at 12 p.m.
• Thursday, October 23^rd, at 5:30 p.m.

An overview of key tax law provisions that affect businesses today will be discussed along with opportunities for reducing taxes, lowering expenses, making needed capital improvements, and examining potential impacts of health insurance changes and the expiration of tax cuts.

For more information or to register for the “Tax Facts: A Guide for Small Business Owners” webinars, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com/YMM or call the Division of Consumer Services helpline at 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (693-5236).  You will find attached flyer.

Small business owners may obtain additional information by signing up to receive the CFO’s electronic newsletter Florida’s Bottom Line, which focuses on Florida’s small business community and offers the latest data on economic trends in Florida and resources of interest for Florida’s small businesses.

Two Chamber Member Companies Named U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Award Winners

One Member Company Named Free Enterprise Honoree 

Seventy-five companies across the country were named Blue Ribbon Small Business Award® winners last week by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These companies were recognized for their dedication to the principles of free enterprise and their contributions to restoring jobs and prosperity.  “The recipients of this year’s Blue Ribbon Award excelled in business amid great uncertainty and thrived despite difficult economic times,” said Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO. “More important than profits, their successes have provided much-needed jobs and hope to the people in their communities.”

Two Tampa Chamber members were among the companies that received the Blue Ribbon Award – Creative Sign Designs and Italiano Insurance.   This year’s 75 Blue Ribbon winners were selected from a record number of nationwide applicants and will be honored at America’s Small Business Summit 2012, which will be held from May 21–23 in Washington, D.C. In addition to these awards, 25 Free Enterprise Honorees were commended for their strong business practices and contributions to the economy. Chamber member Majesty Title Services, LLC was named one of the 25 honorees.

Creative Sign Designs and Italiano Insurance are now eligible to receive the Community Excellence Award! The Community Excellence Award is designed to highlight a business that has found success in the eyes of its community.  This award is selected by popular vote, so we encourage all members to support one of our Chamber members as they vie for this prestigious honor.  Only one vote per email address is permitted and voting ends on March 15 at 5:00 p.m.  Click here to vote today!