« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

SRQ DAILY Jul 25, 2017

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

Please allow images to view this email properly

Freshly Squeezed Content Every Morning

"It affirms the recent significant national recognition our area has been receiving for being a great place for entrepreneurs to start and grow a business."

- Mark Huey, Economic Development Corporation
 

[Business]  Gulf Coast Home to Companies to Watch
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

When GrowFL announced its 2017 list of Florida Companies to Watch, the Gulf Coast got a significant share of attention. From an incentive marketing company boasting eight at its Bradenton headquarters to a craft brewer shipping beer from a Sarasota distillery to a VoIP provider based in Venice, the firms in the region showed off the Sarasota-Manatee area as one enjoying disproportionate success in cultivating startup businesses.

It affirms the recent significant national recognition our area has been receiving for being a great place for entrepreneurs to start and grow a business,” says Mark Huey, Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County president and CEO. “What is exciting about this particular recognition is that it growing growing businesses that are helping diversify our local economy, since most of their revenues are earned outside our market.”

Companies to Watch were selected from more than 500 applicants and were selected for being second-stage companies headquartered in Florida that demonstrated high performance in the market[lace with innovative strategies. Out of the 50 companies announced by GrowFL recognized for 2017, four hail from Sarasota County: AdRizer, Big Top Brewing Company, Clickbooth and Lightspeed Voice. 

Web companies earned particular attention. AdRizer, a Sarasota-based tracking platform for publishers seeking return on investment optimization and digital marketing analytics, specializes in real-time analysis of revenue partners for businesses. Clickbooth, a Sarasota digital advertising company, has been recognized nationally for its high customer acquisition rates. Light speed Voice, based out of Venice, offers cloud-hosted Voice-over-Internet-Protocol telecommunications, a business service growing in popularity. CEO Brad Fuller released a statement touting the GrowFL recognition. “Our company would be nothing without our amazing team of professionals, who work tirelessly to provide impeccable service to our national client base. It is because of their dedication that we continue to grow and thrive,” he says.

Of course, Sarasota brewery Big Top’s recognition came thanks to growth at the bar top, not the laptop.

Bradenton-based Xplor, an incentive marketing company, specializes in developing promotions for companies to build loyal customer bases and improve brand recognition. “Owning a small business is both rewarding and challenging,” says Anju Lynn, CEO and President. “For our efforts to be recognized is more than we can ask for.” 

[Daily Shop]  Woven in Rwanda
Shelby Schwartz, shelbys@srqme.com

Craftswomen in Rwanda bring their tradition of weaving to western storefronts with All Across Africa bowls, found in Terra Nova on St. Armands Circle. Constructed with chords of dyed sisal fibers and sweet grass, the structure takes on a spiral shape as they snake up into a concave formation. Tightly woven and eye-catching in design, the bowls take on a color block pattern, bringing in white, teal and green chords that seamlessly feed into one another. These bowls serve as a perfect catch all for keys and notepads, add a hand made touch of home décor and help support craftswomen who combine entrepreneurship with traditional weaving— a brief bio accompanies each piece, telling a story about the artist behind the bowl. Enjoy for $45. 

Photo by Shelby Schwartz.

[Exec Moves]  Jennings, London Join Florida Studio Theatre

Florida Studio Theatre has announced the appointments of Greg London as director of artistic operations and Becca Jennings as marketing director. In his role, London will serve as a “chief of staff” for the producing artistic director. This newly created position comes as a result of the tremendous growth seen in the last few years at Florida Studio Theatre. London will work as liaison with the production department and in casting and creative staff hiring, as well as the literary department and new play development. London comes to FST with over 20 years of professional theatre experience working with a variety of theatres across the country such as Celebration Music Theatre, The Palace Theatre, Richmond Free Shakespeare Festival and the Spoleto Festival, USA. In her role as marketing director, Jennings will oversee the entire marketing department and manage all aspects of public relations, communications, advertising, and digital/social media. Jennings previously served as marketing and communications manager for First Person Arts. 

Florida Studio Theatre

[Synergy]  STC, CareerEdge Partner for Certification Program

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative has partnered with Suncoast Technical College (STC) to offer a tuition-free plumbing technology certification program beginning this fall. The nine-month class will be held Monday through Friday, 7:45am–2:15pm, with both classroom and on-the-job training. While the focus is on young adults, the program is open to students of any age. Once they complete the program, graduates will be able to enter apprenticeships with local employers leading to plumbing jobs with average US wages of $54,000 a year, according to the National Association of Home Builders. CareerEdge will also fund internships for these plumbing students through its internship reimbursement program, whereby employers receive up to $1,500 for hiring an intern. The program provides financial incentives for local employers to utilize interns in high demand industries in order to meet their workforce needs. CareerEdge is also partnering with Manatee Technical College on express programs for plumbing and electrician certifications, and with Learning Alliance for a short-term broadband technician program. Suncoast Technical College will host an information session on August 8 from 5–7pm in the main atrium of its Sarasota campus at: 4748 South Beneva Rd., Sarasota. 

Suncoast Technical College

[Expansion]  Gocio Elementary Announces Pilot Program

The Sarasota County School District will establish two full-time pilot programs for four-year-old children at Gocio Elementary, beginning in August. The program, approved by the School Board July 18, will include a three-year study to gauge the academic impact of high-quality preschool instruction on young children. The classes will be taught by two certified master teachers and two certified paraprofessionals. Students who live in the Gocio Elementary attendance zone will be eligible; the school is located at 3450 Gocio Road in Sarasota. The program is made possible through Joe and Mary Kay Henson, local philanthropists who founded the Eagle Academy at Alta Vista Elementary. The Hensons have committed $700,000 over a three-year period to fund the initial set-up and costs related to this study. The young students in the program will be immersed in learning through a curriculum incorporating a variety of experiences. Upon completion of their preschool experience, they will be able to transition into Gocio’s Summer Learning Academy. Students participating in the Academy will have the benefit of a year of school-based academic learning before beginning kindergarten. 

Gocio Elementary



[TODAY]  DANCE: Behind The Curtain With SCD , July 26 – July 27

See the rehearsal process up close as you watch Sarasota Contemporary Dance dancers work with 12th Season Guest Artists! Both viewing opportunities will be at New College of Florida College Hall and admission is $10.

New College of Florida, New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL 34234

[SOON]  THEATER: Liz Pascoe-Broome & Friends present Not My Type , July 27 – July 28

Liz and her cast of talented singers – including David Walker, Dorian Boyd, Charlotte Crowley, Jamie Lee Butrum,and Brian Craft – will perform songs by iconic musical theatre characters that they will never get to play because they are the wrong “type.” With Eli Schildkraut on piano, Not My Type will feature songs from a variety of great musicals like: Little Shop of Horrors, Book of Mormon: The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, and many many more!

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

[SOON]  GRAB BAG: Art Making , July 27

Drop by the Children’s Welcome Center in the Visitors Pavilion which has been transformed into an art studio for the evening. Instructors will teach you how to become comfortable will many different materials that artists use. This event is free and all ages are encouraged to participate. For more information please visit www.ringling.org

The Ringling, 5401 Bayshore Rd., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Zombie Prom , July 28 – August 12

Set in the atomic 1950s at Enrico Fermi High, where a zany, tyrannical principal lays down the law, a pretty senior has fallen for the class bad boy. Family pressure forces her to end the romance, and he charges off on his motorcycle to the nuclear waste dump. He returns a glowing zombie still determined to take her to the prom. Directed by Brad Wages.

Venice Theater , 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice

[SOON]  GALLERY: Painting Children's Portraits , July 28 – July 30

Often without much experience, students contend with washed-out or chalky flesh tones when painting portraits, In this seminar, learn how to capture a likeness, as well as the vibrant tones of a young person's skin tone. 

Southern Atelier, 7226 21st St. E., Sarasota

[SOON]  DANCE: Sarasota Ballet Presents: International Intensive Summer Showcase , July 28 – July 29

The Sarasota Ballet’s International Intensive Summer Showcase will feature students from across the world performing works by some of the big names in dance, including Sir Matthew Bourne, Marius Petipa and Antony Tudor! These pre-professional students have spent the 5 weeks leading up to the performances working with an incredible faculty featuring guest teachers from The Royal Ballet, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and Elmhurst Ballet School. Join Sarasota Ballet for spectacular performances July 28 and 29 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available on their website or by calling the box office at 941-359-0099.

FSU Center for Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243

[SOON]  THEATER: Michelle & David Pruyn present A Tribute to the Carpenters , July 29 – July 30

This gifted husband and wife duo will serenade you with all of The Carpenters’ hits along with a top-notch five-piece band.

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

[SOON]  DANCE: In the Round , July 29, 2:00pm to 7:00pm

An intimate performance produced and presented by Sarasota Contemporary Dance company members joined by four selected choreographers from the summer dance intensive. 

New College of Florida, Black Box Theater , 5850 General Dougher Pl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: The Players New Play Series , July 31 – August 4, 7:30pm

Witness the birth of a brand new play as regional playwrights compete each night to have their play produced at The Players the following season. Each night a new play just waiting to be born! Now held at the new Arnold Aimonsen Players Studio! For more information and to purchase tickets please visit http://www.theplayers.org/shows/snap/

The Players Theatre of Sarasota, 838 N. Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Doublewide , August 2 – August 20

Jim Starkey’s American Dream is a modest one: to replace the family’s doublewide trailer with a comfy house his daughter can inherit. Forces and desires beyond his control, though, may shape his family’s aspirations. Doublewide is a heartfelt and resonant comedy about a blue-collar family’s elusive dreams, and just how far they will go to hold on to them… and to each other. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 North palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Eli Schildkraut presents Songs You’ve Never Heard Before (And Maybe Some You Have) , August 3 – August 6

Combining his passion for musical theatre and his love of introducing people to new music, student music director Eli Schildkraut and his talented friends return to Venice Theatre’s Cabaret Festival with an evening of somewhat obscure songs from the musical theatre repertoire. Equal parts entertaining and insightful, Songs You’ve Never Heard Before (And Maybe Some You Have) is sure to have you leaving the theatre with a smile on your face and a couple of new tunes in your head.

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Pilgrims , August 4 – September 10

On a ship to colonize a newly discovered planet, a soldier and a teenage girl find themselves quarantined in one of the ship’s cabins with only an outdated robot and each other for company. When they’re no longer able to create fantasies to escape their past lives, the two cabin-mates are forced to explore their own traumatic histories in order to connect and survive. For more information please visit www.urbanitetheatre.com for show times and tickets. 

Urbanite Theatre , 1487 Second Street, Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Sinning Sirens , August 4 – August 5

Check out the hottest local burlesque troupe featuring the Sirens you love – RubyyJean Siren, Karma Kandlewick, and Ginger Holliday. Also introducing Chief Peach, the Sirens’ fun loving drag king! And who could forget about Toez, the adorably creepy tapping clown? Join Venice Theatre for a night of beautiful ladies and live vocals that will make you want to come back for more.

Pinkerton, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

Copyright © 2024 by SRQ Media Group, 331 South Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe

Read More

Where Oil Meets Water

Where Oil Meets Water

Phil Lederer | Mar 1, 2024

Freedom to Wander

Freedom to Wander

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

Drive and Dine

Drive and Dine

Laura Paquette | Mar 1, 2024

A Mesmerizing Journey

A Mesmerizing Journey

Barbie Heit | Mar 1, 2024