Marketing for the modern age. At Xceptional U, we pride ourselves on being able to develop innovative marketing tactics and solutions for our clients. But Xceptional U is more than just a typical advertising agency. It’s because we have so much more to offer than a typical agency. YES! We have nationwide and regional media-buying specialists. YES! We conduct primary and secondary market research. YES! We offer total web development and hosting capabilities. YES! We offer complete audio and video production studios near you and on site. …And…………………………….. YES! We are the leading Google™ certified agency based in Central Florida. Our approach is simple. We monitor consumer trends and the marketplace in great detail to ensure the recommendations we make are well-researched, expertly planned, economically feasible and perfectly executed. We are not afraid to try something new, but are cautious to make sure it is in the right direction. Which is really the ultimate goal of everything we do: help our clients find the right direction.
Specialties
Search Engine Optimization, Web Design, 3D Printing, Print Services, Direct Mail, and Brand Management
Today’s market provides ample challenges for businesses in reaching consumers: increasing competition, commoditization, disloyalty, and government oversight. We are here to create an ever-changing landscape when it comes to generating consumer traffic, leads, and proving ROI making consumer marketing an uncertainty. So many companies have more than new consumers to win over — they have to reach existing customers and past clients while maintaining a referral base as well. The pressure is not on companies to perform — it’s on the brands to drive traffic. Gulf Coast Media is your single destination to be that force driving your sales through your brand. Gulf Coast Media is here for all of your print, design and web services needs.
Rethinking health and the human experience through float therapy, whole body sonic vibration, far infrared, and magnetic resonance therapy.
Who We Are
MODE Mind and Body is the result of having internet access and desire to do something awesome for our community. What began as an obsession with sensory deprivation evolved into a deeper understanding of how stress effects us and the people around us. What we’ve created for you is a place to powerfully relieve chronic stress and improve all aspects of your life, from health to relationships. Our team is ready to share what we’ve learned and help you reach the next level!.
We offer more than just Floating
We are obsessed with bringing you the most effective wellness technologies around so you can adapt to the demands of modern life without slowing down.
Kolleen Edwards Chesley has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and spent the majority of her career as a financial advisor. In that role, Kolleen was responsible for finding her own clients and quickly learned the value of networking, networking, and even more networking. It was in 2004 and during her sales career that she, along with two other professional business women met for lunch with the purpose of helping to motivate each other after Hurricane Ivan had blown through our area and changed not only the physical landscape of the area, but also impacted the business landscape as well. Out of that lunch was born what is now a thriving not-for-profit organization for business women.
Kolleen currently serves full-time as the Founding Director of what was originally called Women’s Business Lunch and is now known as Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast. The organization advocates a culture of confidence building, lifelong learning, collaboration, empowering others and a spirit of charitable giving. The mission of Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast is to promote, advance and improve women in business and the organization accomplishes these in a number of different ways.
– Monthly networking meetings in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. These are open to all women and free to attend. We run a structured meeting with open networking, an educational segment, a sponsor presentation, an opportunity to hear about the businesses of all attendees, and a whole lot of fun. We frequently hear from attendees that these meeting are chock full of value and a great way to build new relationships to help support their businesses.
– Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast Magazine. We are in our third year of production of the magazine and our goal is for this to be a quarterly publication. Each edition features interviewees of local successful leaders in business who share their honest thoughts on leadership, success, obstacles, and inspiration as it relates to women in business. We also include other articles on leadership, networking, and other skill development. It is geared for anyone in business or looking for business motivation and tips.
– Annual Pursue Your Passion Women’s conference. To help celebrate National Business Women’s Week, we hold a full day conference during the third week of October along with several other events leading up to the conference. We feature a national keynote speaker, several local successful leaders in business, along with Speed Networking, an Experience Hall, structured and unstructured networking exercises and plenty of laughter, relationship building and excitement. Our attendees are not only motivated by the conference but they leave with tangible tips they can take back and implement in their businesses to lead them to success.
– Power Up Challenge is a 12 week educational series where we hold classes once a week for an hour and a half focused around four main areas of business: Networking, Marketing, Business Efficiency, and Sales Skills. Open to men and women and all classmates (whether they attend in person or not) receive the full audio recording of each class along with class notes, expanded notes, and extra resources. Classes are affordable and attendees are elated with the amount and quality of the information that is shared.
– Women in Leadership radio podcast show – sponsored by Pensacola Business Radio X. We hold shows twice a month and bring in mostly women but some men for in-depth interviews. Interviewees share their advice on topics such as mentoring, keys to success, time management tools, personal mantras and favorite inspirations, and what men can do to help support women in business.
Membership in Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast is also available. Contact kolleen@powerfulwomengulfcoast.com for more information or visit our website at powerfulwomengulfcoast.com or Facebook at Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast.
Jon Shell / Upward Intuition
In the spring of 2015, Upward Intuition was created with the purpose of facilitating positive change in Pensacola. The three-word phrase that we center our work upon is simple: Thoughts Create Reality.
Taking the time to assess the needs of our community, led us to the realization that there is a great need for a bridge between the young innovative people with great ideas, and the local leaders who have the ability to help effect change. Today’s youth are important; they are our future, and should be part of a vibrant and growing Pensacola. We strive to lead by example in an effort to inspire and empower them to live with a sense of purpose, and to show the value of giving back the community. Through youth-driven programs we provide opportunities for young people to make good decisions. They are encouraged to be innovators by identifying problems and crafting solutions, and we support their goals by offering them ways to become involved in projects with lasting significance.
Upward Intuition is committed to creating positive change in Pensacola and we greatly value the support of those who share our vision. With openness to new ideas, effective partnerships, and collaborations with community stakeholders, we are confident in our city’s future as we act today to make a difference.
After nearly two years of hard work, The Blake Doyle Community Park is ready to move forward! Upward Intuition will be responsible for design and construction and recently, in October 2016, the City of Pensacola formally agreed to assume responsibility for operations and maintenance once the park is completed.
With that critical approval by the City secured, we at Upward Intuition are now able to begin Phase I of the skatepark project: Fundraising for soft costs (design/development, engineering, surveying, geotechnical, and architectural). Our fundraising goal for Phase I is $100,000.
The core of the project will be an iconic, destination skatepark that will serve, among others, the ‘Forgotten Youth’ of our community, the non-traditional athletes. (i.e. skateboarders, BMXers, rollerbladers). This top-notch public facility will even be suitable for professional skateboarding events. However, with additional areas in the park focused on such elements as general health, early learning, art and music, there will be activities and amenities for people of all ages and interests, from children to seniors.
Meghan McCarthy / Baptist Health
Meghan McCarthy has a vision to turn Pensacola Blue. “We are almost the least healthy county in Florida,” she said. “At what point are we going to get angry.”
A Blue Zone is a place where people live a measurably longer, more healthy life. Cities that have gone Blue have experienced dramatic health changes as a result.
Meghan’s plan involves starts with a shared vision of what a healthier Pensacola looks and feels like, and having Blue “pockets” throughout our community. We are working with Meghan and Baptist Hospital to make the skatepark one of these pockets.
What makes the Blue Zones so healthy? There are many factors. They are called the Power 9:
Move Naturally- Don’t think marathons, think gardening and walking.
Have a Purpose- It is the reason you wake up every day.
Down Shift – This requires the ability to manage our stress.
80% Rule – Eat until you are 80% full.
Plant Slant – Make plants the center of your diet.
Wine at 5 – One serving of alcohol daily with food and friends.
Belong – Being part of a faith-based community.
Loved Ones First – Invest in family with time and love.
Right Tribe – Have social circles that support healthy behaviors.
What they all center on is that our environment is very powerful. If the healthy choice is the easiest choice, we are accidently healthier.
Some people think that the major factor of how long you live is your genes, but research has shown that genes only account for 20%. The other 80% is lifestyle.
Mitch Stephen has been a self-employed RE investor for 20+ years. His real estate investing career started at the age of 23 when he read “Nothing Down” by Robert Allen.
REAL ESTATE INVESTOR:
Mitch, together with his wife, Tommi, and his daughter, Shannon purchased their fair share of local houses. Their company, Independence Day, Inc., has bought and sold over 1,300 properties in and about San Antonio, Tx since 1996. This company specializes in buying distressed properties with OPM and selling those properties with Owner Financing.
STORAGE FACILITY OWNER:
The Stephen family built wealth by purchasing very affordable homes, selling them for double the cost, and owner financing the sale by creating note to their buyer. In 1991 the family made plans to keep their wealth and create “Forever Money” by acquiring Self-Storage and Boat Storage facilities primarily around Canyon Lake where they live in Texas. They started with 13 boat storages in front of a state park at the lake, and the storage business has grown to over 1,100 storage doors in 16 locations;
AUTHOR:
Mitch is the author 3 books:
MY LIFE & 1,000 HOUSES:
Failing Forward to Financial Freedom
MY LIFE & 1,000 HOUSES:
200+ Ways to Find Bargain Properties
EDUCATOR:
Mitch offers Online Education, Group Coaching, and Full-on Mentorships as it relates to all the aspects of Owner Financing.
Mitch’s personal expertise includes; Raising Private Money, Finding Bargain Properties, Negotiating Favorable Terms, Dealing with Renovations and Contractors, Selling Houses, Selling Notes with little to NO Discount, and helping others deal with the everyday throws of life in business. He is very familiar with Dodd-Frank, RMLOs, S.A.F.E. Act, Texas Property Code, Truth -in-Lending, R.E.S.P.A. and the legal options available in the owner finance domain.
All of us share something great here – a vibrant and important connection to our community. To keep it strong and healthy we have to take care of it, which means taking care of each other.
You and your goals matter. We understand that you’re trusting us with your money, time, and dreams…and we don’t take that lightly. In fact, we’re here for you because we share those dreams, as well as a mutual respect for the values that connect us – values like family, community, service and financial integrity.
We’re committed to helping you improve your life, and we take very seriously the trust you bestow upon us to help you reach your financial goals. That’s what motivates us to deliver the personalized solutions you deserve.
Pam Hatt/Director of Marketing
Passionate pursuer and advocate of our company’s brand, culture, values, and mission. Creative. Outgoing. Community Focused. Results Oriented. Risk Taker. Deal Maker. Credit Union Proud. Coach. Mentor. Seeker of Truth and Integrity. Biking Enthusiast.
Oversee all aspects of Marketing, and Business and Select Employer Group Development for Pen Air FCU with assets of $1.3B, 18 branch locations, including three student run credit unions, and over 98,000 members located in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties in Florida and Baldwin and Mobile Counties in Alabama.
“Where “Colorful Voices” lay DORMANT and DOUBTFUL, with HOPE, HEALING, and ACTION, those voices and dreams become IGNITED!” – Timothy M. Jones
In 1999, while serving on active duty, our next guest Timothy M. Jones, encountered several traumatic events that would alter the next twenty years of his life. After receiving assistance, from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Jones navigated past each adversity, reclaiming his “COLORFUL” voice. Today as the founder of “Colorful Voices” a training and professional development platform through his Sexual Assault and Rape Prevention (SHARP) training’s, Suicide Prevention training’s, Homelessness Prevention training’s, breakout sessions, seminarsand inspirational keynote addresses, Jones, proudly stands on his transformational journey to inspire the lives he touches.
Dennis Caire / HOT PINK WEEKEND
Non-Profit Seat in the SURF
Our goal in the Pensacola area is to create a fantastic fundraiser to raise money to help provide research locally in our area.
The mission of the BCRF is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health. Currently, 91 cents of every dollar spent by BCRF is directed towards breast cancer research and awareness programs.
The idea for creating the i4GovCon Summit came from the Thunderdome Initiatives that have been floating around our community for the past year. Knowing that Orlando and the Space Coast also have tremendous resources for aerospace and defense, we wanted to expand across the state, so we chose the “i4” to mark the location of this inaugural event. There are similar conferences in other parts of the state, including the ITen Wired Summit covering northwest Florida communities, the First Coast Defense Expo in Jacksonville, the Space Coast Tech Expo in Melbourne and of course all the larger conferences such as I/ITSEC and SOFIC.
Our aerospace and defense community is spread across the state and to some extent it’s overshadowed by beaches, theme parks, and real estate development. The goal of i4GovCon is to bring small business leaders from this crucial industry and supply chain together. The I-4 corridor is one of the fastest growing areas of the state. According to a report by Enterprise Florida and Career Source Florida, “Florida’s defense industry had a $79.8 billion economic impact in Florida in 2014.” Forward Florida reports that the space program “generates more than $19.2 billion in annual revenue.” Commercial applications and other technology initiatives provide even more growth potential.
Instead of another DC trip, join us at i4GovCon in Tampa on March 24. Let’s make things happen here! A fast track to meeting other like-minded professionals, the i4GovCon summit is a smaller and more focused event for those who are committed to the federal marketplace.
Veterans are the heart of the aerospace and defense community. Whether on active duty, in the reserves, or transitioning to civilian careers they deserve our support. One aspect of the summit will be to bring together some of the resources that serve this community. Florida is pushing to be the top state for veterans, to accomplish that we have work together to create better connections and networking between our companies and the veterans. We can assist on their way to a future career in our community. For example setting up a veteran friendly program.
Veterans already have what we are looking for: Leadership, discipline, and decision making skills. Let’s use this event as an opportunity to improve the veterans workforce in our communities.
Jenny W Clark is founder and CEO of Solvability, Inc., a training organization dedicated to small businesses in the federal contracting industry. Through webinars, podcasts, live “boot camps” and conferences, Jenny help small business learn the accounting side of federal contracting and shows them strategies to be more competitive and improve their cash flow.
Growing up in a Navy family, Jenny considers herself lucky to have grown up in the Pensacola area. She is a Gulf Breeze High School graduate and returns to the Panhandle frequently to visit family. Jenny has a BA in Economics and also a Masters in International Business Studies. She’s worked in the aerospace and defense industry for over 30 years, specializing in accounting systems.
Jenny has stayed connected with the iTen area business community and sees lots of potential for growth in Florida, especially in IT, aviation, and unmanned vehicles. She is also an advocate for veterans, especially for veterans who are transitioning from military to civilian careers.
Jenny currently lives and works in the Tampa Bay area. She can be reached through her website at www.solvability.com or via e-mail at jwclark@solvability.com or through Linked in.
Founded in 1997, Solvability works exclusively with small businesses performing as either a prime contractor or subcontractor on federal contracts, focusing on DCAA Compliant accounting systems.
Growing companies need information about which systems to use, the costs of the software, implementation, training and maintenance. Understanding your business structure, your plans for the future, the types of contracts and even agencies you are going after, and your reporting requirements are key to selecting the right financial accounting and reporting systems.
So where do you go for help? The local PTAC can only really provide information about start-ups. Your partners and competitors will only share some of their knowledge and strategy. Large prime contractors don’t understand (and don’t care) that implementing an ERP system is expensive and time consuming, plus it takes more experienced accounting teams to run, and that your priority is passing a DCAA audit (since most small businesses are CAS-exempt.)
Before you can put in the right systems – you need the right people! Finance and Accounting professionals who understand accounting, cost accounting and government contracting requirements, who become part of your key personnel and keep your books straight, but also know about indirect rate strategies, multipliers, billing, bidding, unallowables, unbilled and how to pass a DCAA Audit.
That is where Solvability comes in – your resource for selecting and integrating the systems you need, while providing training for accounting, cost accounting and government contracting for you and your team.
Check out our video on Incurred Cost Submission >> Click here
Camp Fire was founded in 1910 as Camp Fire Girls, this cherished Movement became Camp Fire USA in 1975 when they began to serve both boys and girls. Today, the contemporary, coeducational Camp Fire is one of the nations’ leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, serving nearly three quarters of a million participants annually in the United States. By design, Camp Fire programs are not only fun; they build specific skills and characteristics like self-direction, confidence, school preparedness and social responsibility. Programs include VPK, after-school and child care programs, family clubs, environmental day camps, abstinence program, service-learning and youth-driven leadership.
Laurie Murphy/Emerald Coast Keeper
Executive Director
Laurie Murphy is the Executive Director and Coastkeeper of Emerald Coastkeeper, one of over 240 Waterkeeper Alliance members; a grassroots nonprofit organization that helps to enforce the Clean Water Act. Laurie has a B.S. degree in Oceanography and a Masters Certification in Geographical Information Science from the University of West Florida. Her background includes research and development in the effects of global climate change, including an in-depth study of the demise of mangrove forests in Senegal, Africa.
Kolleen Chesley / Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast
Founder / Co-Director
Kolleen Edwards Chesley is the Executive Director for Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast which is a networking group for women who meet twice a month with the purpose of growing themselves personally and professionally. Kolleen enjoys her various speaking engagements where she educates attendees on topics such as networking, referrals, and business building. Kolleen has the heart of a teacher and thru her endeavors both personally and professionally, she strives to build long-lasting and beneficial relationships with all she meets. In addition, Kolleen is a Junior Advisor with Mainstay Financial Group and has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years.
Founded after Hurricane Ivan, Women’s Business Lunch (WBL) was organized by Kathleen Shoop, Natasha Parvey, and Kolleen Edwards Chesley to provide a venue for women in business to come and share ideas, information, networking contacts, etc to help each other be more successful in business.
In the Fall of 2013, the WBL reorganized and took on the name “Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast” and are a recognized not-for-profit organization.
Meeting information — Like clockwork, we meet for PWGC-Pensacola always on the 1st Friday of every month, always from 11:30-1:00pm, always at theGulf Coast Kid’s House on 12th Avenue. We also have PWGC-Gulf Breeze, always on the 3rd Friday of every month, always from 11:30-1:00pm, always at the Hampton Inn and Suites, Gulf Breeze. There is no charge to attend our meetings. They are WOMEN ONLY events, so feel free to grab a couple of girlfriends to bring with you and help share the WBL experience.
