6/11/2008
Florida Heart CPR*
"Without the help of Ken Stephanz and the assistance received from the SBDC, I wouldn’t be here today. The SBDC guided me to a banker and possible financial assistance, but I found that luckily I had enough working capital. I have created jobs for myself and others, and am meeting a crucial need in our community. I highly recommend that anyone considering a business venture seek out the expertise of the SBDC. Ken’s assistance was invaluable. His coaching and support really helped me and will also in my future business challenges. I continue to rely on Ken and the SBDC even at this stage of my business. It’s so nice to know that help is just a phone call away! "
Gayl Nye will tell anyone that opening a small business was her “dream come true.” Speaking with her SBDC business analyst, she went on to say, “the satisfaction of providing a necessary service along with creating a loyal client base is such a great feeling!” Anyone who knows Gayl knows she loves dogs. She loves them so much that she has several and was considering going into the dog business full time as a sitter. In the summer of 2002, her goal was to open a daycare for dogs in Indian River County – to fulfill her dream of being with animals all day, “and even get paid for it!” Unfortunately she didn’t know where to begin, but she had heard of the Small Business Development Center free assistance available at Indian River Community College (now at Florida Atlantic University), so she made an appointment with Ken Stephanz, the local SBDC counselor. The relationship between Gayl and Ken turned into an ongoing business learning experience. Ken began by guiding Gayl to two training classes – one on how to start a small business and the second on how to write a business plan. They also met one-on-one on a regular basis; she progressed steadily and began looking for a location. Gayl met with landlords, discussed leases, utilities and legalities, and learned a great deal during the process. She considered it all with Ken’s help. She said “I wound my way through the process with him guiding me at every step.” She considered buying a business that might fit her needs, but that landlord refused to renew the lease. Finally she found a business location in Wabasso (Indian River County) that was convenient and affordable. However, it wasn’t zoned for doggie daycare! She was frustrated, but didn’t stop. Ken discovered Gayl had a back-up plan that involved medical training. She had considerable background in fire-rescue and paramedic experience and it seemed natural to consider opening a training center for CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and associated medical training. There was no such enterprise in the county, Gayl had remained current by teaching CPR to private companies and colleges for several years, and she enjoyed it very much. The Wabasso location was zoned correctly so she changed course. The daycare dream continued to linger, but the reality of providing specialized medical training for people that needed CPR certification to work at certain occupations plus the need for such re-certification every two years was extremely attractive. Florida Heart CPR started in November of 2002 with 800 square feet of classroom space, a small kitchen area and storage space that served as Gayl’s office. She began by faxing schedules one by one to notify medical personnel that the business was open. She handed out flyers for two months, called medical offices and taught classes for former customers and the business started to grow. She expanded by serving the surrounding counties and adding more advanced training. She talked to nurses, doctors, chiropractors and church groups about the importance of CPR and defibrillation; she added Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) and additional medical equipment to her list of training and saleable items. OSHA programs and specialized training for daycare centers, industry and medical offices were added. Again, the company continued to grow. Clients loved the personal touch and professionalism of her instructors. Gayl added the website, www.floridaheartcpr.com and it enhanced their professional appearance and expanded the advertising coverage. Finally, they began taking inquiries from other states. Today Florida Heart CPR has doubled its size to 1600 square feet and added a formal office. There is a staff of over 35 instructors, including ER doctors, ICU and emergency room nurses, firefighters, paramedics and other highly trained professionals teaching the courses. Most training is provided at the client’s location. They also have clients from as far away as San Francisco who travel to see family in Florida and take their classes year after year. The response to their services has been overwhelming. Gayl said, “I am overjoyed to see the students taught in basic courses go on to become firefighters, paramedics, nurses and lifeguards. It is an honor to serve the community where I live. The crowning achievement recently, however, was to provide assistance to fellow firefighters in Haiti by traveling there and teaching CPR and medical training to their local fire department.” Gayl shared that she had learned several valuable lessons while opening her business. First, if the direction you take isn’t productive, it is smart to consider a change of focus; and second, go into a business you are good at, you enjoy, and where you are needed. Finally, she added, “Without the help of Ken Stephanz and the assistance received from the SBDC, I wouldn’t be here today. The SBDC guided me to a banker and possible financial assistance, but I found that luckily I had enough working capital. I have created jobs for myself and others, and am meeting a crucial need in our community. I highly recommend that anyone considering a business venture seek out the expertise of the SBDC. Ken’s assistance was invaluable. His coaching and support really helped me and will also in my future business challenges. I continue to rely on Ken and the SBDC even at this stage of my business. It’s so nice to know that help is just a phone call away!” Gayl Nye added, “For me personally, the most important thing is the pride I feel when someone approaches me and says they used the skills taught at Florida Heart CPR to save a life. That is the best reward of all.” Florida Heart CPR has become a premier training and education capability in Florida and beyond, and is rapidly becoming a ‘standard of excellence’ in this industry. Ken Stephanz, Certified Business Analyst at the SBDC at FAU, has assisted Ms. Nye throughout her startup and business growth.