Small companies find treasure trove of information

By CHRISTINA K. COSDON

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 21, 2000

Debra Burger and her fiance, Edwin Goodner, were starting a business in April when they realized they needed help figuring out all the licenses and forms they had to deal with before opening.

"A guy walked in the shop one day and had this book with him," said Ms. Burger. "It had information on licensing, taxes, liability insurance, types of corporations -- everything we needed to know about. I told him I needed that book."

The couple got the book and paid the annual $180 membership fee to belong to the Small Business Information Association of Florida, a non-profit business in Clearwater created specifically for the small-business owner.

Headed by local businessmen Gary Damon and Pat Gilmer, the association has a free 24-hour helpline to handle small-business owners' questions and problems. It updates information on local, state and federal regulations, sends newsletters and provides a manual that includes easy-to-follow directions, forms and guidelines on corporate filing forms, payroll and leasing services, sales tax codes, merchant credit card accounts and other matters.

"The book has been incredible," Ms. Burger said. The business, Goodner Deli and Catering in St. Petersburg, has grown 163 percent, she said. "There's no way we could have done it without their help."

Janice Planamenta also has joined the association. She and partner Michael DeFelice opened Taste of Italy restaurant in Largo in late May. She found out about the association from a brochure left in the restaurant's door.

She called on the association when she needed information on small-business loans and corporations. "With a new business, there's no time to breathe," Ms. Planamenta said. "You don't have time to do anything but work. The association does all the footwork for you. They get that information that you need."

Damon, 41, of Largo, has been a small-business owner and now works as an independent business consultant. "I know what it's like to put in 60 to 80 hours a week running a business," he said.

He and his partners started working on the association project three years ago. They tested it in Fort Lauderdale, where one of the company officers, Raul Reyes, lives. It's been operating in South Florida for about two years and has more than 1,000 members.

"We recently began concentrating our efforts in the Tampa Bay area," Damon said. The local association membership numbers ore than 200, he said.

"Our mission is to be that one link for everything the new and small-business owner needs to get a head start," said Gilmer, 42, of Clearwater, who is chairman of the Florida Jaycees Disaster Relief.

For information on the association, its free small-business seminars and manual orders, call Gilmer at 531-5975 or http://www.sbiaonline.org.

New company sells sound and security systems

Curtiss Kuntz and Machelle Corbin Kuntz of Apollo Beach have opened Audio Waves at 8203 Ulmerton Road. The business specializes in installation of custom sound and security systems in autos, RVs, boats and homes.

Kuntz has more than 20 years' experience in the retail electronics industry -- 12 as a district manager for an electronics retailer, three in the wholesale business and five running independent regional electronics stores.

Mrs. Kuntz said the couple invested $100,000 to open the business. The 3,500-square-foot store has an inventory that includes Kenwood, Rockford Fosgate, Cerwin Vega, Directed Electronics, Stinger, Peripheral, Viper and JVC.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 531-9283.

Doctor buys East Bay Accident & Wellness Center

Dr. Marc J. Rogers is the new owner of East Bay Accident & Wellness Center in the Royal Plaza at 800 East Bay Drive in Largo. Rogers bought the business from Dr. Roger Johansen, who will be in the clinic on Thursdays to share his 35 years' experience in homeopathic medicine.

Rogers, who grew up in Madeira Beach, moved here with his wife, Andrea, in March from Atlanta. He is a 1994 graduate of Florida State University in Tallahassee, and a 1999 graduate of Life University School of Chiropractic in Marietta, Ga. Mrs. Rogers is the clinic's office manager.

The practice will focus on sports rehabilitation, physiotherapy and auto injuries, as well as family and geriatric care. It offers chiropractic care, massage therapy, homeopathic and nutritional medicine. Rogers has added two massage therapists to the business.

Three join the board of Clearwater Free Clinic

Bruce Livingston, Kelly Edgar and Dr. Rechad Cassim are the newest members of the Clearwater Free Clinic board. Livingston is president of Boyd Industries near Largo and president of the Dunedin North Rotary Club.

Edgar is a member of the Junior League of Clearwater/Dunedin, the Leading Ladies of the Performing Arts Center Foundation and Leadership Pinellas. Dr. Cassim, a retired physician, has been a volunteer doctor at the clinic since 1994 and was its Physician of the Year in 1996.

The Free Clinic, 707 N Fort Harrison Ave., is a non-profit, non-government medical facility that gives free health care to needy residents of upper Pinellas County.

Largo Hospital names new trustees, medical staff officers

Dr. Andrew Hano has been elected chief of staff at Largo Medical Center and reappointed to serve an additional term on the hospital's board of trustees. He specializes in hematology-oncology and has a private practice in Largo. Dr. Kimberly A. Dean has been elected the hospital's vice chief of staff and appointed to the board. She has a family practice in Largo.

Thomas "Thom" D. Feaster has been appointed to the hospital's board of trustees. He was mayor of Largo from 1979 to 1982 and 1993 to 2000. He is general manager of Serenity Gardens Memorial Park and Moss-Feaster Chapel in Largo.

Largo Medical Center is a 256-bed acute care hospital at 201 14th St. SW.

-- News of businesses and business people can be faxed to the Business Digest at 445-4119 or mailed to Business Digest, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. We are interested in new and unusual businesses, promotions, expansions and major new contracts. Photos can be sent, but not all will be used and they cannot be returned.

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