Eye on Business
By Kate Quesada
Bibzees Fashion bibsBibzees is a home-based online baby boutique started by local Mom, Beth Powell. She had a second baby with a drool problem and reflux; he was constantly donning a bib. “The problem was I had quite the trendy wardrobe for him and was covering up his little graphic tees and onesies with pastel blue and green bibs that said ‘I Love Daddy’,” said Powell continuing, “I began a hunt for trendy bibs and couldn’t find any that would work with his outfits.”Powell said she felt like she was sitting on this great idea and that she needed to follow through with it. She started purchasing baby blank products to find a good quality bib and onesie. Next, Powell found a dye company in the Los Angeles garment district to dye and vintage wash the product. Then, she set out to find a screen printer that would use water based inks that were safe for the baby and the environment. “Finally,” she said “And the fun part, I came up with some trendy designs to put on my bibs. Thus Bibzees was born early 2008.” The great part about Bibzees is that they come as a set, with one bodysuit and two coordinating bibs. For example if you order Surfer Dude, you get a custom dyed blue bodysuit and two blue bibs, one with a surfer and one with a shark. Bibzees carries 3 piece bodysuit and bib sets and has just added Toddler Tees for 12 to 18 month olds. Powell’s latest designs, “Baby Ink” are tattoo designs. The current products range from $13.50 to $26.95 (excluding tax). Powell has lived in Brandon, Riverview, Tampa and is moving a few miles back to Brandon in September. For more information visit Powell’s Website, www.bibzees.com. Apollo Beach Florist moves to RiverviewRuskin resident Jan Crosby is moving her business of 15 years to the Riverview area. Located at 9405 U.S. Hwy. 301 S., where All-American Florist used to be, Crosby will offer a full service floral salon. With 25 years of floral design experience, Crosby will provide services like corsages, weddings and funerals. They can also send/deliver flowers locally as well as world-wide. Crosby said she plans to join the local chamber and host a ribbon cutting for her new business, which is already open. The hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5p.m. For more information, call 677-9700.Click Photography Ribbon CuttingOn Wednesday, June 4, with 50 people in attendance a Ribbon Cutting and Website Launch was held for Click Photography in Apollo Beach. Holding the ribbon are Jennifer Gordon, owner Click Photographer and Nelson Ferrar owner of N2N Graphics- the web designer for the new Ruskin Chamber of Commerce website. For more information, visit www.ruskinchamber.org.Ali Lassen’s Leads GroupThe Southshore Professional chapter of the Ali Lassen’s Leads Club is a structured referral environment where members meet weekly over lunch to pass hot leads to other members. The group meets at Freedom Plaza in Sun City Center every Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. Each member exclusively represents his or her industry in the group and this chapter is looking for new members.For more information, contact Penny at 454-5406 or by e-mail at psmith@hrblock.com. Wilhelm wins Ruskin RunaroundWilhelm Heating and Air Conditioning placed first in he Ruskin Chamber of Commerce’s “Ruskin Runaround” held on May 31, 2008. The 14 Participating teams stopped at 22 area businesses and collected cards at each venue. The Wilhelm Heating and Air Conditioning Team of Donna Kelly and Judy Hamp had the best hand at the end of the event. The photo shows (from left to right) Donna Kelly, Anne Madden and Judy Hamp. Madden and Mary Ann Wilhelm stayed at the Wilhelm office during the event to man their business “stop” on the route. For more information on Ruskin chamber events call 813-645-3808 Sumatra Coffee Reopens Its Doors After closing for nine days, they have reopened their doors to the community. Sumatra is simplifying and refining its service and products. They will not be offering sandwiches but focusing on coffee and pastries. Sumatra will keep its coffee menu and going back to the roots of a traditional coffee shop-style. The shop will be operating on a temporary schedule, and will expand hour as business grows. The current hours are Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. To 1 p.m. And on Sunday 7 a.m. To 12 Noon. Sumatra will continue to be a meeting ground for the arts, ideas and a second home for the greater Riverview/Apollo Beach area. You can contact Sumatra Coffee at 671-6875 or e-mail at sumatracoffee@drinksumatra.com. IC Electronic ComponentsIC Electric Components has in business under the name InstoComp, Inc. DBA IC Electronic Components for more than five years and at their new location in Riverview at 10018 Park Place Ave., for over a year. Their location is approximately 1,800 sq. ft. and they are looking to hire sales people to service a worldwide market as they are in growth mode. They will hire no more than 15 people at this location. “We offer a great compensation package and are willing to train people about our products and services,” said owner Glenn Nichols. IC Electronic Components is an Independent Distributor of production quantities Hard-to-Find Electronic components. “We sell Obsolete Discontinued by the original manufacturer Electronic Components (Memory, SDRAM, DDR, NAND, Flash, modules, Logic , logic , FPGA’s, CPLD’s, Micro controllers, Semiconductors, IC’s, high / low frequency RF, Power products, Capacitors, Transistors, Diodes, Connectors, Crystals, Relays, Resistors, Switches, semis, semiconductors and more),” Nichols said. “Focus manufacturers include Motorola, Maxim/Dallas, Analog Devices, Intel and more; Nitch in RF/Microwave power transistors.”Nichols said they sell to a broad base that includes small electronic repair shops to the U.S. Government. Some devices are priced under a penny others can cost over $2,000 each.Standard hours for IC Electronic Components are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, visit them on the Web at www.icelect.com or www.riverview.icelect.com or e-mail at sales@icelect.com or call 672-8300.Dawn’s water safetyDawn Blake, a resident of Riverview who has lived in the area since 2004, has been providing swim lessons throughout the Riverview, Brandon, Valrico, Sun City center, Ruskin, and Tampa area. Currently she only provides one-on-one private swim lessons for infants to adult ages. She has been a Red Cross certified water safety instructor for five years. Prior to moving to Riverview, Blake was employed by YMCA of Clearwater and tarpons springs to perform lifeguard, swim instructor and water aerobics instructor duties. Her swim lessons also include teaching children how to don a life vest, provide assistance in water emergencies and prevent potential injuries by following rules while in the pool or any water source.She also instructs parents on how to assist in their child’s learning and how to be observant while around the water. Blake said she is able to provide a pool for my students if they do not have access to their own. If you have any questions about my business please feel free to call me at the provided number above or at (727)204-6790. Blake provides lessons year around but often by September due to the decrease in temperature and the commencement of school she does not have much continued interest. The peak season is April to August. She also provides all the necessary equipment. Currently Blake receives referrals through the www.clubswim.com Website or through previous students. Galish Grand OpeningPlease join The Galish Group Insurance Agency as the staff celebrates its grand opening and ribbon cutting with the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, clients, friends and family. The fun-filled event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 5-7 p.m. At the Galish Group’s new office at 10849 Park Dr. (behind the Handy Station on Balm Riverview Rd.) And will include light appetizers, beer, wine and other refreshments, door prizes donated from local businesses and more. Stop by to meet owner, Glenn Galish; Tampa region director of operations, Sharon Still; and Pinellas County agent, Jeanette Lawrenson. The Galish Group offers home, auto, life, health, flood, motorcycle insurance and more. Companies represented include Progressive, MetLife, Universal Property & Casualty, Humana, Travelers and others.Prospective clients can use the no-pressure health insurance comparative rater online at www.tophealthcompanies.com, which allows individuals to shop online and compare companies’ side-by-side on their own time. For more information, call 924-2460 or visit www.galishgroup.com. The Ruskin Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new members New members include: Cockroach Bay User Group (C-Bug), The Satin Chef, Holiday Inn Express, All Bay Insurance Group, www.ourgv.com/jml, Mango Jo’s South Shore, LLC, Cardinal Roofing, Sunrise Senior Living, Accurate Air, LLC, Cruzin’ K9 Cuts, LLC, K & B Travel, LLC and Sun City Center Flowers & Gifts. The Chamber membership is now up to 307 members. For more information, contact the chamber at ruskinchamber@earthlink.net. Local Businesses Combine Resources to Support C.A.R.E. of Ruskin. Canine Related Business Owners Group Together to Support C.A.R.EGive a dog a bath? Well, yes…and more! Give A Dog A Bone, Cruzin’ K9 Cuts and Camp Bow Wow – Tampa South Shore merged their talents to provide support and raise funds for C.A.R.E. Animal Hospital of Ruskin. On Saturday, June 21, the three local business owners sponsored Suds n Summer, an outdoor doggie day spa (so to speak) that included nail trimming, dog baths and loads of attention for their canine customers. All three business owners believe in giving back to their communities and this was a means of doing just so. They raised over $400 to support C.A.R.E.The dogs were just awesome. They loved all of the attention and their owners enjoyed watching someone else give their pups a bath. The owners were great, too. There were a few times when there were long lines waiting for doggie pedicures (okay, nail trimming) and there was a small weather event. Tried and true, they waited patiently in line and even helped hold up tents during the heavy rains and winds.The Art of Beauty inside and Out On Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m. For a Life Enrichment Series hosted by South Shore gallery entitled The Art of Beauty Inside and Out. Anti-aging and beauty from the inside out. Let Max give your body and mind what is needed to look, feel and live to the MAX! Presented by Lynn Clement, RN MS ANPJennifer Anderson, owner of Skin Chic Inc., will be speaking on the topic of The Art of Mineral Makeup and Color. She is a Paramedical Aesthetician, Professional Makeup Artist and Educator with over 15 years of experience in her field. She will be sharing her expertise in the newest makeup technology using the only patented mineral makeup line in the beauty industry.Come enjoy wine samples provided by PRP Wines.Please RSVP by July 15th.South Shore Gallery is located at 447 Apollo Beach Blvd. In Apollo Beach. For more information, call 645-0483.ABWA-American Business Women of AmericaThis is a “NEW” year for all new and old members as we continue to grow and learn more about each other. The South Shore County Chapter of the ABWA is about women joining forces to further themselves both professionally and personally. Our members get the inside track on the issues facing their local communities, as well as the trends and events that drive today’s National businesses. The ABWA’s next event will be the ABWA 30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, on July 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Florida Room of the atrium building.The Atrium Building is located at 945 N. Course Ln., Sun City Center at the center of the Central Campus, the Florida Room. The Atrium includes a large open area containing exhibits of the work of the various arts and crafts clubs. Special dinner invitations will be extended to past members, other chapters, members of the Greater Bay Area Council, spouses, relatives, friends and business associates are encouraged to attend. The cost to attend is $20 per person. Tickets are available at Southern Grace gifts & home accessories located at 301 U.S. Hwy. 41 S. in Ruskin. For more information, call 641-0004 or visit www.southern graceonline.com. For information about the event visit the ABWA Website at www.abwasouthshore.com or contact publicity chair Nicole Vikhlyantsev at Register@leadingtheweb.com.
Photo Captions: Bibzees is a home-based online baby boutique started by local Mom, Beth Powell. Powell has lived in Brandon, Riverview, Tampa and is moving a few miles back to Brandon in September. The great part about Bibzees is that they come as a set, with one bodysuit and two coordinating bibs.
