March 29, 2024

Small Business 2014

It's a growth environment for women entrepreneurs in Florida

Florida ranks as the 6th-fastest-growing state for women entrepreneurs.

Flynn says her products are made, packaged and shipped from a warehouse/office in Sarasota to users in the United States and distributors in Canada and Europe. While a small sales team reaches out to customers, the company's most effective marketing is done at trade shows and conferences, where it displays products and distributes catalogs — its main source of marketing — Flynn says. Along with its core products, Encompas' product line now ranges from bite blocks (for patients' mouths) to equipment cleaning supplies, sponges and transport bags.

Flynn says her company became certified three years ago as a women-owned business by the National Women Business Owners Corp. The designation, which allows her to bid on certain contracts, has been a good marketing tool. "People really like to see that."

Boden credits her mastery of a niche market — Hispanic female consumers — with fueling her company's growth.

Florida ranks as the 6th-fastest-growing state for women entrepreneurs.

"The demographics are all in my favor," says Murphy, who owns an in-home care franchise.

Killoren turned to the Tampa Bay Small Business Development Center when she felt overwhelmed.

Thompson's recent contract with the VA Center for Innovations takes the company into a potentially lucrative direction.

"Little by little I have learned to manufacture with better quality and narrow the choices," says Seminario.

Hannah says her company survived the recession by preparing for it and rightsizing in advance.

"A lot of our customers have been with us for 30-plus years. They know they can depend on us," says Flynn.

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