Join us on Small Biz Florida as we sit down with Kourtney Rincon, the visionary creator of the groundbreaking app, "The Missing Piece." Kourtney shares her inspiring journey, from overcoming personal challenges to transitioning from a career in behavior analysis to the world of tech entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Kourtney introduces us to the innovative features of "The Missing Piece" app, designed to bridge the gap between families, providers, and resources in the autism community. With one in 54 children in the US identified as being on the autism spectrum, the need for accessible and comprehensive support has never been greater. Kourtney's app aims to address this need by providing a platform that connects families with the right providers, regardless of their location.

Discover how "The Missing Piece" app facilitates communication, understanding, and access to vital resources for families and providers alike. Through strategic partnerships and the app's B2B and B2C components, Kourtney envisions a network that not only reduces wait times for services but also empowers individuals with autism throughout their lifespan. From early intervention to adulthood, this app strives to ensure that families have the support they need every step of the way.

Don't miss this episode as we explore how technology and innovation can transform the autism support landscape. Join us as we delve into the unique features and benefits of "The Missing Piece" app, and learn how Kourtney Rincon's entrepreneurial spirit is making a lasting impact on families and providers in the autism community.

Learn More about Kourtney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kourtney-rincon-ms-822612167/

Join Tom Kindred on Small Biz Florida as he sits down with Annelie Pelaez, founder of Northbound Spry, a lifestyle coaching business aimed at adults aged 65 and above. With nearly 30 years of experience in critical care, Annelie witnessed the impact of preventable conditions firsthand, leading her to incorporate the behaviors and abilities she learned growing up in Norway, a country known for its high happiness index, into her own life.

In this episode, Annelie shares her insights on the target demographic of her business, which includes more than 700 billion adults worldwide over the age of 65. With projections indicating that this number will grow to 1.5 billion people by 2050, Annelie is dedicated to reaching and helping this group achieve better health and happiness. Discover the meaning behind the name "Spry," which embodies the qualities of liveliness, quickness, and overall well-being associated with aging gracefully.

Annelie also introduces her book, "Si Ja, Say Yes to Better Life and Death" available on Amazon. Serving as her guide to a happier and healthier life, the book offers valuable insights and practical advice for individuals seeking personal growth and well-being.

During the interview, Annelie discusses her experience working with the Small Business Development Center at IRSC. With the guidance of Business Consultant Frank Fink, she participated in the Start Smart Orientation and the Digital Marketing Bootcamp.

Welcome to Small Biz Florida on the Treasure Coast! In this episode, host Tom sits down with Stella B and Ashley Epiphany, program moderators for Step 2 the Mic, a family-friendly event that provides a platform for local performers to showcase their talents in poetry, song, and comedy. Stella, an English educator and poetry veteran, and Ashley, an eclectic creativity enthusiast, both share a passion for the arts and teaching young people. Together, they inspire and encourage the pursuit of creative passions through Step 2 the Mic, and other means.

Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/step-2-the-mic-anniversary-show-tickets-580566619387

Connect with Stella B here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christella-burnette-066449180/

Connect with Ashley Epiphany here: https://linktr.ee/thehealingjourney

Ready to take your small business game to the next level? You won't want to miss this episode, where we're joined by a true industry insider: Tim Fischer who serves as a board member of the Treasure Coast Manufacturing Association and is the CEO of Southeast Elevator.

Tim takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of elevator manufacturing and service, sharing his insights on the challenges and opportunities facing this dynamic sector. You'll also get an inside look at his experiences as a member of the TCMA and how this influential organization is working to support and strengthen the manufacturing community on the Treasure Coast.

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the world of manufacturing, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice you won't find anywhere else. So be sure to tune in today and discover how Southeast Elevator and the TCMA are changing the game for small businesses in our area.

And don't forget to share this episode with your friends and colleagues, so they can benefit from these insights too. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop on all the latest small business news and tips!

Connect with the TCMA here: https://www.tcmamfg.com/

Looking for the latest scoop on small business news? Tune in to this episode, where we're thrilled to welcome a special guest to the show: Jack Chadam who serves as a member of the board of directors for the Treasure Coast Manufacturing Association and serves as a Director of CBIZ.

Join us as we dive deep into the thriving marketplace on the Treasure Coast and explore the ins and outs of manufacturing in the area. Jack shares his valuable insights on the industry, along with his experiences working with the TCMA to support and empower local manufacturers.

With so much ground to cover, this is an episode you won't want to miss! So be sure to tune in today and discover everything you need to know about small business news and the Treasure Coast Manufacturing Association.

Don't forget to share this episode with your friends and family, and follow us on Instagram @SmallBizFlorida to stay up-to-date with all the latest small business news!

Learn More about the TCMA: https://www.tcmamfg.com/

On this episode, we sit down with Regina McCants who serves as TCERDA Coordinator and is charged with coordinating operations of a hidden gem in the culinary space here on the Treasure Coast. 

The Sunshine Kitchen Incubator. The Sunshine Kitchen located off Kings Highway in Fort Pierce is a state-of-the-art food incubator where chefs, caters, food truck operators and more can hone their culinary skills.

This 10,000-square-foot facility provides year-round, 24-hour-a-day access for people to produce, package, and market food business items. For example, say you’ve got an amazing homemade mango salsa and you want to develop that into a marketable commodity. Instead of navigating the red tape of health and safety regulations and developing a sales strategy – the Sunshine Kitchen can be your one-stop site to help you focus on creating, packaging, and marketing your product.

The facility provides all the resources you need to build and operate the business of your dreams, including the professionally-equipped, commercially-licensed, multi-station kitchen facilities for professional cooking and baking, and the flexibility to support a variety of needs, including private events, classes, and bottling, and packaging activities.

We discuss how the incubator supports local chefs in the community, our recent partnership, and how this will benefit local entrepreneurs. Tune in for an inspiring and informative episode about how the kitchen incubator is helping to shape the Treasure Coast's culinary industry. 

Click here to learn more about the Sunshine Kitchen Incubator: https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-and-services/county-administration/tcerda/sunshine-kitchen

Click here to connect with the Florida SBDC at IRSC: https://floridasbdc.org/ 

In this episode of our podcast, we are featuring Clifton Vaughn, who has been recently relocated to the Sunshine Kitchen Incubator and has been charged with assisting business owners in the Fort Pierce, FL area. In this episode, Clifton shares a little bit about his expertise in the field and offers practical advice on how to grow your business. 

Listen as we discuss our plans with the Sunshine Kitchen Incubator and our future programs coming to the area, as well as tips on how to make the most of the resources available to you. Tune in and get the guidance you need to succeed!

Visit the Sunshine Kitchen Incubator Website Here: https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-and-services/county-administration/tcerda/sunshine-kitchen

Learn more about the Florida SBDC at IRSC Here: https://floridasbdc.org/

Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc. (COASL) was founded in 1973 by 25 volunteers dedicated to providing a daily hot meal to seniors; the predecessor to the Meals on Wheels Program. Over the years, COASL has grown in scope and size to now provide a number of services including homemaking, respite care, adult day care, social senior services and other programs to reflect the agency’s mission of providing assistance in delaying premature placement of seniors into long term care facilities.

Today, COASL provides services to more than 25,000 seniors annually. The agency employs over 100 full and part-time employees and utilizes the services of over 200 volunteers to administer its programs successfully.

We are joined on this special episode by CEO/President of COASL Darrell Drummond and CFO Lacinda Mouton. Together they give us an overview of their backgrounds and path to COASL and discuss all the services they provide to seniors in our communities.

Lacinda joined the Council on Aging of St. Lucie in July 2010. She oversees all aspects of the organization's finances, including the development and management of budgets, and the preparation of financial statements. She has over 15 years of accounting experience in the private, public and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, she has also served as a volunteer for United Way Citizen Review Panels for SLC BOCC Funding. Lacinda is Alumni of the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce Leadership. Lacinda holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida Metropolitan University and her MBA, Accounting, from Everest University.

Darrell Drummond is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Drummond has worked for more than twenty-seven (27) years for the Council on Aging of St. Lucie. Currently President of the Florida Association of Service Providers (FASP). He is a past President of the Community Care for the Elderly Coalition of Florida and St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce. Darrell is a past board member of the Florida Council on Aging (FCOA), serving as Treasurer for several years. Drummond served for ten years on the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Board. He served eight years as a City Commissioner for Fort Pierce, Florida. Drummond was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast representing seniors and transportation. He is currently on the St. Lucie County TPO, having served continuously for 34 years.

The Florida Assisted Living Association aka FALA is the oldest (30 years) and largest assisted living association in the state.

FALA represents over 500 owners and operators of assisted living facilities (ALF’s) and adult family care homes throughout Florida. Its membership includes for profit and not-for-profit communities ranging in size from two (2) beds to three hundred fifty (350) beds. FALA’s priority is to assist members in providing the highest quality of care for the residents of assisted living facilities.

FALA promotes best practices in operations, encourages high standards, lobbies and advocates regulatory support on behalf of its members and the industry. It is the leading provider of quality education and training for assisted living professionals and adult family care home providers in Florida.

Today on Small Biz Florida members and representatives of FALA join host, Tom to discuss topics affecting the future of the ALF industry not only on the Treasure Coast but possibly the whole state. 

Veronica Kolibab is a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York, and a Certified Belief Clearing Practitioner. She is also the Owner of V Lifestyle Inc. Through her company, she produces the healthy eating show “Eating With V” where she teaches those with allergies to gluten, dairy, grains, and/or sugar how to eat deliciously while removing these allergens from their diets. She also teaches” Food Labels 101” training and “Hidden Sugar & Label Reading” classes both in our community and online. Veronica has an amazing line of delicious foods that are gluten, dairy, and sugar-free. Many of her creations are grain free as well. Veronica makes food for purchase through her social media platforms for pickup in Fort Pierce. 

Learn more about Eating With V: www.EatingWithV.com 

Facebook: @Eating With V

Instagram: @Eating.With.V

TikTok: @Eating.With.V 

YouTube Channel: @EatingWithV