February’s Entrepreneur Night was a night to remember!
As it always happens on the last Tuesday of every month: entrepreneurs, small business owners, and supporters from all walks of life joined each other for an evening of connecting, conversing, and collaborating. And what better place than New Europa, where some of the best people, best food, and best drinks are all in one place? This time around, given that it was February – the month of love – many business owners shared what they love about being an entrepreneur…or supporting them!
Milissa Holland is an avid supporter of entrepreneurs throughout Flagler County and beyond. She has lived in Palm Coast for about 28 years, and holds this city close: as her most favorite place to be and live. She states, “I feel like I am always on vacation.” With nearly three decades of residing in Palm Coast, she still has the same feeling of being some place new and fresh from the first day that she moved here. 
“There is a strong sense of entrepreneurship and small business in Flagler County. They are the mainstay of the community.”
Holland’s family, especially her father, immersed themselves in local politics – in fact, her father was one of the original city council members of Palm Coast.
They had a special bond due to their love for politics. He had a significant impact on her decision to go into politics and almost naturally, she became the county commissioner for 6 years – and from the looks of it, she has done an amazing job in serving the people of Flagler County.
She works tirelessly to be an effective representative of Flagler County.
After being county commisioner, her jouney didn’t stop there. Since 2013, Holland has worked as a lobbyist in Tallahassee, fighting for the common folk around the state, and protecting the power of small local governments. “I wanted to continue my father’s legacy,” she revealed as her main sources of inspiration. Because of the passion she has for herself and the people around her, Holland has decided to compete in the 2016 race for the mayor’s seat in Palm Coast.
Certainly, passion and the love of being an entrepreneur is a major driving force behind the accomplishments that entrepreneurs have.
The following entrepreneurs shared their experiences:
Charlene “Charlie” Michaux:
- The owner of the publication Parent Magazine.
- Based in Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia County.
Q: Why does the world need your business?
A: There is no other publication in any of the 3 counties. We try to give all the information about the community to parents. We try to answer all of the questions that parents have about many of the things that are happening within their community, and about school or community members.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge? How did you resolve it?
A: My biggest challenge is not being able to clone myself in order to do more things! In order to resolve my problem, I garner support from the community, and reach out to the community and places like the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce.
Q: What do you love about being an entrepreneur?
A: I really like being an entrepreneur. I am a parent of a 7 year old, and the parent magazine has been around for 7 years. I really wanted to be a part of the parent community and make a difference. I wanted to use my skills in business to give back back to the community.
Steve Parker:
- Owner of Pro-Aqua Pressure Washing.
- Located in Palm Coast and Volusia County
Q: Why does the world need your business?
A: We live in Florida, which is the hub for mold and mildew. I moved from California to Florida about two years ago, and I was surprised about the amount of mildew that was around this area. It spreads, and it gets on people’s homes, businesses, etc. People in Florida do not want to see a moldy sidewalk or building, and my business now allows people to see clean areas.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge? How did you resolve it?
A: Hiring someone who actually wants to work has been my biggest challenge to date. The problem is that the work ethic of many people are flawed. They want to start off at the top instead of starting at the bottom and working their way towards the top. Finding someone who pays attention to the details, has a good work ethic, and is customer friendly is imperative for my business to succeed. In order to put an end to my problems, I started to hire people other than my friends. I started off hiring friends, but I found out that wasn’t a good idea. I started going to various businesses that employ the type of people that I am looking for to work at my business.
Q: What do you love about being an entrepreneur?
A: Owning my own business! I get to have people work with me to better the community. It gets hard at times, but at the end of the day you are able to look back and see all of the things that you have accomplished.
Kenneth Reed:
- Founder of R & K Certified Roofing
- General contractor
Q: Why does the world need your business?
A: Roofing is both an art and a vocation. We study it, we educate you about roofing, showing you all the options you have – so you can have the best experience. We don’t want you to just see the numbers, we want you to see the quality and the products. So we make people aware of things that they would’ve never even thought about, unless we brought it to their attention.
Q: What was your biggest challenge and how did you solve it?
A: We have a marriage – that takes time and effort. We have six children – that takes time and effort. Our employees are family, so that takes time and effort. And then, just running a successful business, you have to be dedicated to quality and service and family – and that takes time and effort. So our lives are very full, but very fulfilling.”
Q: What do you love about being an Entrepreneur?
A: The Freedom. We don’t have a boss, we are our own bosses. But I have the responsibility of a boss. The fact that we have unlimited upside growth potential – it keeps me busy, mentally active.
Lorraine and Rob:
- Owners of Ambersands
- Lorraine is a feature writer, editor, researcher, writing professor, blogger, and former.
- Rob is a writer, designer, producer, director, former as agency Vice President, and creative director.
- Based in Ormond beach
Q: Why does the world need your business?
A: We are a creative services firm, and we can do many things in marketing that an entrepreneur might need. We cover large sections of creative sources that businesses might be looking for someone to do. Helping companies, and improving the overall advertisement of a company is something that we strive to do for all businesses in our area.
Q: What is your biggest challenge and how did you solve it?
A: We are trying to grow our local business, and we have only been here for a little over a month now. There are many big ad agencies in Daytona, and there are many people that are doing great work when it comes to design. We know that there is a market for our business and we are in search for it. We haven’t found it, which is our current challenge. Once we get down the road, things will continue to improve and look up.
Q: What do you love about being an entrepreneur?
A: Lorraine: I get to write about the things that I love. If someone gives me a research topic, I get to bring my creative skills to their project. Being able to construct things in the way that I envision it, is the one of the many things that I love about being an entrepreneur.
Rob: I was a freelancer back in the 80s, and I enjoyed it. I love doing what I do, and I am proud that I can still continue through our business. Even though we just started, things will start to pick up for both Lorraine and I. We both enjoy the freedom that comes along with being an entrepreneur.
Bill McGill:
- Electrical engineer and contractor
- Owner of WMM III Engineering, Inc.
- A founding member of Palm Coast Business Network
Q: Why does the world need your business?
A: The world needs electrical engineers. We design new electrical equipment, and solve many problems that many people are faced with. We work will all types of devices, from small phones to gigantic computers. We make the world go round. I love doing what I do, and I have been doing it for decades.
Q: What do you love about being an entrepreneur?
A: I enjoy being able to do what I am interested in. I have been in this industry for many years, and I have seen many things. I worked in corporate America, and saw the corruption that took place. Being an entrepreneur allows me to run things the way I want it to be run. I can always adapt my schedule to meet my needs. It has impacted my life, and I plan on continuing to run an effective and prosperous business.
Here are some moments from this month’s event (video):
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