Summer break is over! If you’re a regular, then you know events take place monthly on the last Tuesday of the month – except for the months of July, August, and December. This was the first event in the Fall 2015 series of Entrepreneur Night, and it was held at one of the newest and hottest venues in Flagler County – none other than Finnegan’s Black Cloud Saloon. What a unique and unexpected venue! It’s located in an area of Bunnell that doesn’t have a large population of people running through it — but stands as this gem of a restaurant/bar that features one of the most open, unobstructed, large event venues in the county. It gives off a hunting-lodge impression, with faux taxidermied animals hung and wooden posts in place of support beams. Of the 209 people that attended, the place was completely filled, while some people spilled over into the outer deck and continued to mingle. Of all these people, it was notable that some wore colorful peace signs around their necks. What do these signify, you ask? If you’re new to Entrepreneur Night, it’s an indicator to let everyone else know,
“I’ve never been to one of these events before, but fear not — I come in peace.”
It’s as simple as that.
One of these peace-bearers was Tyler Clay, who was also one of the youngest entrepreneurs that made an appearance at September’s event. This 18 year old art aficionado-turned-businessman has transformed his passion into a business. This new business, Tyler Clay Designs, completely revamps blank canvas hats and shoes into a wearable masterpiece. He’s already produced a host of intricately designed pieces, ranging from Skrillex caps to DC Comic’s The Flash sneakers – resulting in very happy customers. When asked where he acquired such artistic skills, he simply responds, “It’s in my blood.” And it’s true. Art runs through the veins of Tyler Clay’s family tree. His grandfather on his father’s side was a painter, and his grandfather on his mother’s side was a professional photographer, who took surveillance photos for the Air Force — indubitably, being artistic was Clay’s natural born talent.
So, when Flagler County implemented their new uniform policy, it didn’t sit well with him. The stricter dress code posed a problem: it limited a student’s ability to express their individuality. While there were restrictions on the shirts, pants, and types of jackets they could wear, there was no restriction on the type of shoes they could wear. When it was time to go school shopping, he bought his polos, and school supplies, but a blank, white pair of Chuck Taylors struck his eye. He remembered seeing people online draw on their canvas shoes, but never thought to try it for himself — so he took advantage of the opportunity.
Designing his own shoes was sure to give him that sense of individuality that he desired. People at his high school took notice of his one-of-a-kind shoes, and asked if Clay would design a pair for them. From here, he took this idea to Swip-Swap on Facebook, now knowing that he could get paid for designing shoes, and when he posted, he got a few offers. He then realized that people are willing to pay for his work, and he can make profit from passion – thus, Tyler Clay Designs was born.
It’s this kind of creative thinking that creates entrepreneurs, and that’s exactly what you’d find at any Entrepreneur Night. Another one of these peace sign-toting businesses was MP Strategic Marketing, founded by Michelle Sapp. Her company is a data driven marketing firm – meaning that her marketing tactics are rooted in facts. She relocated from Connecticut to Orlando two years ago, and is loving the Florida market. But there are tons of marketing businesses around – what makes this one so special?
Well, this company is all about strategic marketing – not just marketing. There’s a formula involved. First, they add market research analytics prior the actual marketing. “Then we find what your target audience is saying,” Sapp says. “We base everything on what consumer behavior is responding to, we create a strategic plan against the competitive activity that is in the market you’re operating in, and what your products and services can do.” This results in increased awareness, increased trials and repeat business, adding up to a brand-loyal customer.
But what’s the difference between marketing and strategic marketing? “Look at it like this,” Sapp started. “Take a piece of cheese. Marketing, is showing people what a piece of cheese is.
Strategic Marketing is making a lasagna and showing people what the cheese can do – how far the cheese can go.”
With all the greatness that MP Strategic Marketing offers, this is not the only thing that Sapp runs. She is also a founder of SaShi (which stands for Sapp and Sapp Hair Imports). This is a company that Michelle Sapp and her two siblings initiated, with her sister, and her brother who lives in India. They import hair to other companies that sell hair in their shop, salon, or boutique. In India, it’s normal for the women to cut their hair and leave it at the altar. This hair is then taken and cleaned by SaShi, and sold to their clients. Sapp understood that hair extension is one of the fastest growing industries around – and wanted to hop onto the bandwagon. It just goes to show: if being creative isn’t enough, entrepreneurs are definitely resourceful too.
Here are some moments from the event:
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It’s amazing to see entrepreneurs in action – such creative, resourceful people. But according to Aaron London, editor and business writer for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, they’re innovative too. According to Google, innovation is defined as introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking.To hear this from Joe Shmo is one thing, but to hear it from a person who has 23 years of journalism under his belt is something completely different. Moving down to Florida from Hamilton, OH was a real change in scenery. London’s old area was a rust belt town that was home to some heavy manufacturing – with two paper mills and a steel mill, plenty of banks and a few industrial companies in the vicinity. Coming down here, he wasn’t sure how he was going to cover business the way he did before, but it truly opened his eyes to truth of the matter. He says:
“Being down here reminds me that the climate of business, and the way business is done today is a lot different from what it was 10 years ago – even 5 years ago – for a wide variety of reasons.”
In Hamilton, the city was struggling to attract next generation businesses, and that’s what was so refreshing to London when he moved down here — seeing so many entrepreneurial business about. The thing he suspects is driving these next generation businesses to Flagler County is the quality of life. Being able to work in a growing, developing city, while a few minutes away from the beach, and a few hours away from well-established cities like Jacksonville or Orlando — why not?
“[Entrepreneur Night] is a really interesting event for me, it gives me a chance to see a lot of people in the business community that I don’t see in other places.”
Why would this be? Simply because there is always a wide variety of businesses, people, and personalities.
HH, another newcomer, made an appearance at the event. Pamela & Jeffrey Alicea, founders of this retail company, are true characters. Partners in both life and business, the couple is selling American-made bamboo pillows designed to keep cool, professional hair styling tools, and portable electronics – like chargeable phone cases. They started out by selling their goods at a local flea market in New Jersey.
“Most people associate the flea market with junk,” Pamela stated. “But our products made them look good.”
When they weren’t able to make it to the flea market, they picked up word that people were looking for them, wondering why they weren’t selling. People started to refer friends and family, coming more and more to visit their booth. With this under their belt, they started their own business. They started by catering to the military community, with several locations, one being on the Patrick Air Force Base. Things were going well for them, and one thing lead to another, and now they have a website where they can sell to anyone in the world, with hopes to expand their business.
But what’s so special about a married couple selling pillows, among other things? It’s not just the products that make them different, or special – it’s their character! The sheer amount of charisma that radiates from their smiles. This was evident on their faces at ENT Night, that they were excited to be around so many people who knew the entrepreneurial struggles that they went through every day.w
“It is hard,” Pamela mentioned in reference to entrepreneurship.“Now you’re not working for anybody else, you’re working for yourself; and you have to keep yourself accountable. You have to be your own motivator – you are the one who has to pat yourself on the back.”
Being a new business, that just started in June of 2013, they saw people who had been in business for years on end – and that was nothing more than motivation to them. Jeffery says:
“We met somebody here that’s been in business for 17 years. When you hear that, as a new business, it’s like: y’know what, they’ve been doing it successfully, so I’m going to find out what they know — and that gives me hope.”
This motivation is what inspires our entrepreneurs to keep going – even when the going gets rough.
Another first-timer was Ramon Peralta, who is now expanding to Palm Coast from Connecticut. He started his business, Peralta Design, after being laid off from his previous job. Peralta Design is now a world-class design and branding company that specializes in Startups, but it wasn’t always this way. He started out by himself, hiring a few freelance workers. When these workers started coming for 40 hours a week, he considered them to be a part of his team – and so did his clients.
He’s been able to work a number of amazing projects, and through some of these projects, he’s been able to meet with Warren Buffett, and have one of his designs recreated into a Marvel Comics character. Ramon Peralta even had a Launch Party a few weeks ago, that the city’s mayor was able to attend.If you’re interested to learn more about how this happened, read about Peralta Design’s Launch Party, here.
Next month can only be bigger and better. Who knows what kind of people will bear the peace signs in November’s Entrepreneur Night.
Entrepreneur Night is a grassroots event for and by Entrepreneurs, which takes place the last Tuesday of each month – except July, August, and December – at a different location and venue. It is free to attend. Complimentary appetizers are provided by the venue hosting the event as well as a cash bar. In each event you can expect to meet many new entrepreneurs, investors and service providers; and have meaningful conversations. You can check out the previous Entrepreneur Night events | or RSVP to the Next Entrepreneur Night Event