The Small Business Spotlight

What does it really take to turn a side hustle into a fashion brand with Bloomingdale’s on speed dial?

In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Steven Guerrero, founder of Six/Fifty, a women’s wholesale apparel brand known for its versatile “desk to dinner” style.

Steven shares how he started with minimal investment, leaned on social media instead of traditional marketing, and built customer trust brick by brick. From road trips that sold out inventory to breaking into major retailers, this story is about persistence, creativity, and listening to your audience.

Whether you’re in fashion, retail, or any small business looking to scale, this conversation is loaded with takeaways you can apply today.

🔥 What You’ll Learn:

✅How Steven turned a side hustle into a wholesale brand with major retail partners ✅ Why customer feedback is your biggest growth engine ✅ The role of social media in building exposure and credibility ✅ The importance of relationships in breaking into competitive industries ✅ How “desk to dinner” fashion captured customer demand for versatility ✅ What future growth looks like for 650 (and how AI fits in)

• Website: sixfiftyclothing.com

• LinkedIn (Company): linkedin.com/company/six-fifty-clothing

• LinkedIn (Steven): linkedin.com/in/steve-gurrieri-293a4921

• Facebook: facebook.com/sixfiftyclothing

• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCAtIefsLGAnufgjkYbeCMug

What happens when you buy a business instead of starting one from scratch? In this episode of Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz talks with Connor Pera, owner of The Print Authority, about his leap into acquisition entrepreneurship and what it really takes to grow a business after the deal is done.

Connor opens up about the challenges of managing cash flow, navigating vendor relationships, and balancing personal guarantees with the responsibility of leading a team. He also shares his proudest moments as a business owner, the lessons he's learned along the way, and how he's positioning The Print Authority for future growth.

✅ Why Connor chose acquisition over starting a business from scratch ✅ The hardest (and most rewarding) parts of managing cash flow ✅ How simplifying vendor relationships creates real value for customers ✅ The importance of hiring and building a strong, empowered team ✅ Why entrepreneurship is a constant balance of trade-offs and rewards

• LinkedIn (Connor): https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-pera/

• Substack: https://connorpera.substack.com/

• Company: https://theprintauthority.com

📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business?

👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz:

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt

🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast

🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com

📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

What do egg sales, landscaping, and construction have in common? For entrepreneur Jake Jaros, they were all stepping stones on the path to founding Archway Construction.

In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Jake to unpack his journey from small side hustles to running a full-fledged construction company. Jake shares how partnerships fueled his growth, how he navigated capital challenges, and why strong project management and marketing strategies are non-negotiable for success in construction.

✅ Why Jake's entrepreneurial mindset started with eggs and landscaping ✅ How partnerships play a critical role in business capital and growth ✅ Marketing strategies that go beyond ads (referrals + relationships) ✅ Why thick skin and emotional detachment help overcome business challenges ✅ The role of project management in hitting deadlines and budgets ✅ Jake's long-term vision for Archway Construction's growth and reputation

If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur facing growth pains, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on grit, strategy, and scaling your business the smart way.

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: +1 (781) 217-4199

• Company: Archway Construction Corp archwayconstructioncorp.com

📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business?

👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz:

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt

🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast

🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com

📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

What does it take to go from knowing nothing about construction to becoming a recognized custom home builder? In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Connor Andries, owner of Andries Builders.

Connor shares his unlikely path—from managing a mobile home dealership to building his very first home (with zero prior construction knowledge). He talks about financing his first projects, building during COVID, and why transparent budgeting and a strong team have been key to his success.

If you've ever thought about starting a business in an industry you don't know inside-out, this is a story worth hearing.

✅ How Connor transitioned from mobile homes to founding Andries Builders ✅ Why financing that first project took guts (and personal savings) ✅ The lessons of building homes during a global supply chain crisis ✅ How transparent budgeting builds trust with clients ✅ Why people and teamwork matter more than anything in business ✅ Connor's vision for expanding into multiple states and becoming a top national home builder

• Website: https://andriesbuilders.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: +1 (337) 362-4774

• LinkedIn (Connor): https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-andries-6748b1243

• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/andriesbuilders

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andriesbuilders

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andriesbuilders

📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business?

👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz:

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt

🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast

🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com

📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a bold idea into a thriving business? Join us as we sit down with Adin Kikic, founder of Hydro Wash 360, to unpack his incredible journey from car sales to building one of Jacksonville's leading exterior maintenance companies.

🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Adin made the leap from a stable career to entrepreneurship ✅ The financial hurdles he overcame and how he funded his vision ✅ The innovative marketing strategies that fueled Hydro Wash 360's growth ✅ How building a strong team helped scale the business faster ✅ Adin's future goals and advice for aspiring business owners

📌 Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or just looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with practical strategies and real-world lessons.

🔗 Connect with Hydro Wash 360: 🌐 Website: www.hydrowash360.com 📞 Phone: 904-581-5305 📱 Social Media: @Hydrowash360

📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business?

👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz:

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt

🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast

🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com

📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

In this episode of Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz interviews Tomas Ortola-Stange, co-founder of Svidanza Audio, a studio specializing in music and game scoring for video games. Tomas shares how he turned his lifelong love of music into a thriving creative business in the gaming industry, building unique soundtracks and interactive music that connect players emotionally to the games they love.

From the challenges of launching a business to the art of storytelling through audio, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to succeed as a creative entrepreneur in today's competitive gaming world.

🔥 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How Tomas turned a lifelong passion for music into a career in video game scoring ✅ Why family support and early funding played a key role in launching Svidanza Audio ✅ The toughest part of building a creative business in the gaming industry ✅ How interactive music is changing the way players experience video games ✅ The role of entrepreneurship, networking, and reputation-building in creative industries ✅ What's next for Svidanza Audio, including collaborations with innovative game developers

🔗 Connect with Tomas & Svidanza:

• Website / Portfolio (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/tomasortola

• Company Website: https://www.svidanzaaudio.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SvidanzaAudio

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svidanza_audio

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/svidanza-audio

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@svidanzaaudio

📞 Need capital or support growing your distribution business?

👉 Book a strategy call with Irv Cruz:

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/contact-irv-cruze-yt

🎧 Listen to the Small Business Spotlight Podcast

🌐 Website: https://thesmallbusinessspotlight.libsyn.com

📬 Newsletter: https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc

What do honey marshmallows, risk-taking, and a former government consultant have in common?

A damn good story about turning passion into product.

In this episode, Irv Cruz sits down with Amy Trout Hughes, founder of 48 Blocks Fine Candy, to talk about her leap from the federal world into the whimsical (and wildly competitive) world of sweets. Amy shares how she bootstrapped her business, innovated the candy game, and built a community-first brand that doesn't want to be the next Hershey's; she wants to be herself.

This one's for the rebels, the candy lovers, and anyone chasing a dream that doesn't quite fit inside the box.

✅ Why leaving a "safe" career can be your sweetest move yet ✅ How Amy used honey (not corn syrup) to win an innovation award ✅ What "collaboration over competition" really looks like ✅ How she financed her dream, 401ks, angel investors, and all ✅ Why process matters just as much as passion in food manufacturing ✅ The power of community when building a local brand

• Website & Shop: https://48blocksfinecandy.com

• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/48-blocks-fine-candy/

• LinkedIn (Amy): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amytrouthughes/

• Phone: +1 703-772-9374 •

• Email: [email protected]

Irv Cruz is a business advisor at Credit Banc, specializing in funding solutions, business credit, and strategic growth for small businesses. Whether you need capital, better credit, or a plan to scale, he's here to help. Book a call with him today!

• Behind the Seams: How Emily Built a Fashion Studio
• How a Garage Sale Turned Into a Syrup Business!
• Want to grow a business rooted in purpose? Watch this
• Can This Simple Idea Fix the Housing Crisis?
• The Secret ROOFING Formula That Drives Small Business Success

How do you go from cooking for crowds to curating exclusive dining experiences for the elite?

In this episode, Irv Cruz sits down with Lionel Chadwick, founder of The Black Cat List, a boutique Nashville-based firm connecting ultra-high net worth clients with private chefs and luxury estate services. Lionel shares how he left the corporate kitchen behind to build something of his own, from the early financial hurdles to designing a brand that stands out in the hospitality space.

If you've ever thought about turning your passion into a premium business, you'll want to hear this one.

✅ Why leaving a secure job can be the first step to real growth ✅ How Lionel built a high-end hospitality brand ✅ The marketing moves that actually attract luxury clients ✅ What it takes to serve (and scale with) elite clientele ✅ Why your team is everything when you're building something big ✅ The meaning behind "Black Cat"....and why branding matters

• Website: https://www.theblackcatlist.com

• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-black-cat-list/

• LinkedIn (Lionel): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lionel-dean-chadwick-a880b172/

Irv Cruz is a business advisor at Credit Banc, specializing in funding solutions, business credit, and strategic growth for small businesses. Whether you need capital, better credit, or a plan to scale, he's here to help. Book a call with him today!

• Behind the Seams: How Emily Built a Fashion Studio
• How a Garage Sale Turned Into a Syrup Business!
• Want to grow a business rooted in purpose? Watch this
• Can This Simple Idea Fix the Housing Crisis?
• The Secret ROOFING Formula That Drives Small Business Success

Emily Thompson turned childhood sewing sessions into a thriving business in New York's Garment District. On this episode of Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Emily to unpack how she built BERTHOLLET NYC, a full-service studio helping fashion brands bring their visions to life.

From her early passion for stitching to studying fashion in Paris and designing for Olympic athletes, Emily shares the real behind-the-scenes work it takes to scale in the fashion industry. Whether you're in fashion or just trying to grow your own brand, this episode is packed with insight on client management, networking, and turning creative vision into real results.

🔥 What You'll Learn:

✅ How Emily turned a childhood love of sewing into a full-scale studio ✅ The step-by-step process of bringing a fashion sketch to production ✅ Why networking is critical for business survival in fashion ✅ The hardest parts of growing a client-based business ✅ What it's like designing for Olympic athletes ✅ How Emily funded her business and moved into her first studio

🔗 Connect with Emily:

• Website: https://www.bertholletnyc.com

• LinkedIn (Founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilykthompsonn/

• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/berthollet-nyc/ linkedin.com

• Studio: 246 W 38th St, Suite 502, New York, NY • [email protected] • (646) 481-1611

Irv Cruz is a business advisor at Credit Banc, specializing in funding solutions, business credit, and strategic growth for small businesses. Whether you need capital, better credit, or a plan to scale, he's here to help. Book a call with him today!

• How Amber Gaige Built a Marketing Agency That Runs Without Her

• 5 Things You Need to Know About the FUTURE of Men's Personal Care

• From Corporate to Culinary: Brittney Iten's Flavor-Fueled Journey with Saucy Chops

• Meet The Marketing HERO Who Built Income On Demand

• What I Learned from Travis Fox About BUILDING a Better Community

In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, Irv Cruz sits down with Amber Burr, co-founder of Daddy's Homemade Syrups, to talk about building a syrup empire rooted in clean ingredients, family values, and pure nostalgia.

What started as a way to make healthier breakfasts for her family turned into a full-fledged small business, with hand-drawn jars, a sold-out garage sale debut, and over 20 syrup flavors later, Amber shares what it really takes to turn a kitchen creation into a growing national brand.

From navigating the challenges of launching during the pandemic to finding purpose beyond profits, this conversation is packed with lessons for any entrepreneur looking to scale a product-based business while staying true to their values.

🔥 What You'll Learn:

✅ How she turned a family health concern into a thriving syrup brand with over 20 core flavors. ✅ Daddy's Homemade Syrups launched at a garage sale and sold out on Day 1. ✅ They use no artificial preservatives and let customer feedback drive flavor development. ✅ COVID-19 shifted their marketing strategy to focus on social media and e-commerce. ✅ Nostalgia is central to their brand—reminding customers of family, comfort, and tradition.

• Website: https://www.daddyshomemadesyrup.com

• LinkedIn (Founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-burr-69b04b113/

• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/daddy-s-homemade/

Irv Cruz is a business advisor at Credit Banc, specializing in funding solutions, business credit, and strategic growth for small businesses. Whether you need capital, better credit, or a plan to scale, he's here to help. Book a call with him today!

• How Amber Gaige Built a Marketing Agency That Runs Without Her

• 5 Things You Need to Know About the FUTURE of Men's Personal Care

• From Corporate to Culinary: Brittney Iten's Flavor-Fueled Journey with Saucy Chops

• Meet The Marketing HERO Who Built Income On Demand

• What I Learned from Travis Fox About BUILDING a Better Community