Page 19 - Palm City Spotlight - March '21

Palm City Spotlight, Page 19

new Members spotlight

Rude bwoy spirits ocean Republic brewing

Having lived through the roots of reggae days of the ‘80s We are proud to be Stuart’s only family-owned and
and the Dancehall days in Jamaica of the 1990s, the Rude operated craft brewery. Our community celebrates a laid- west Advisory
Bwoy spirit bubbled into fruition and over the course of time back lifestyle which is a huge inspiration for who we are.
the brand was born. Rude Bwoy Spirits begun being crafted The only thing missing from our town was a craft brewery Commercial lending support for family owned and closely
in Tampa at a small distillery and over the next four years, the to bring people together and we are happy to provide that. held businesses.
tastes and notes were (as they would say in Jamaica) “twisted We strive to become a staple of Stuart, a place to come relax Business finance strategy, fractional CEO/CRO, cash flow
and bent up” through trial-and-error until the taste of the “Old with friends, a place to be proud of! analysis, commercial loan restructuring/refinancing.
Days” was in every drop. It was time for the world to see that In 1992, I began helping Florida entrepreneurs focus
Rude Bwoy Spirits was here and it was time for the brand to their businesses and obtain financing. Since this time, I
be taken nationally. From this passion to bring the world the have consulted, owned, operated and served as an officer
best coconut rum, and specialized sugar cane vodka, as well or director of numerous Florida businesses, several banks
as the smoothest white and gold rums, Island in a Bottle, LLC and commercial loan companies, multiple independent
was created and operates today as the brand’s management, authorities, public/private partnerships, and nonprofit
sales and marking arm. Locally crafted, natural, gluten-free organizations. I have been fortunate to have been honored
70 proof alcohol is available now. with major awards for my work.

25 Years Commercial and Consumer Lending
MBA Finance

Florida Economic Development Council
McLaughlin Award for Emergency Lending

Bank Special Assets Team Leader
palm City neighbors 2008 - 2012 Financial Crisis

Best Version Media distributes millions of community staggwood State of Florida Emergency Loan Fund
2000 - 2001 Lake Okeechobee Drought
publications every year to local and neighborhoods across 2004 Hurricane Response
the U.S. and Canada. We’re bringing people together, one Staggwood, LLC. was born in 2009 and began as a small 2020 COVID-19 Crisis
community at a time, by tailoring our publications to the areas one-man-band operation out of a 2-car garage in Port St.
we serve. Our community publications feature local families Lucie, Florida. USMC Combat Logistician
and highlight neighborhood news, events, sports and much Kevin, an injured non-union employee of a multi-
more. By combining key elements of social media with the gazillion dollar national corporation, needed to find a new
print media industry. BVM has experienced unparalleled income source to support his family. Having inherited his
growth since our company’s founding in 2007. We proudly father-in-law’s tool collection when he’d passed years
connect thousands of small businesses to local residents before, Kevin blew off the dust and set to work. After several
by providing business owners with a highly effective and hours of toiling away, much to the initial chagrin of his wife,
powerful advertising platform. We’re one of the fastest Amanda, he'd made his first "box.”
growing copanies in the print media industry because we On seeing the reward of his efforts, she said two words.
successfully target hyperlocal areas like no one else can. ”Make more!” And so, he did!
The local Green Market & Craft Fair in the picturesque
downtown area of beautiful Fort Pierce, Florida (shameless
plug) were happy to welcome Kevin Stagg, Maker of Boxes.
And oh, how he grew!
Even his admiring offspring became involved helping
out on Saturday mornings earning an income of their own.
2016 saw the craftsman’s father, we’ll call him Ron
because, well, that’s his name, invest in the company by
way of a laser engraver. And oh, how they grew again!
2017 saw a further investment but in a much different smallcakes
five star Modular Housing vein. They acquired “Ocean Inspired Mailbox Brackets and
Wall Art” called Simply Burtons. Susan Burton had needed Jeff Martin founded the wildly popular Smallcakes that
Recognized as the most knowledgeable and experienced a hobby and Susan never went in on anything half way! She bakes and frosts 17 signature flavors every morning, fresh
in the Industry. built her successful business from scratch and Staggwood was from scratch. Smallcakes features seasonal and special flavors
98% of our customers come from referral. impressed and gladly took over. Growing, growing, growing! created by Jeff. After appearances on the Food Network’s
At Five Star you deal directly with the owner of the SB comprised a whopping 8 ft. by 4 ft. CNC routing “Cupcake Wars” seasons one, two, and seven as well as on
company, we do not use salespeople, we do this because we machine, numerous items of pre-cut PVC stock, software, the hit daytime talk show “The View,” Smallcakes became
feel that the designing and purchasing of a home should not a busy online Etsy shop and a hugely successful website. well known and in hot demand in neighborhoods across the
be at the guidance and control of a commissioned salesperson. Kevin had great plans for his new toy and set to work nation. Even celebrities have had Smallcakes at their events
At Five Star Modular Housing, we design and build a floor (almost) immediately. Toiling away once again on an and weddings. USA TODAY listed Smallcakes as one of the
plan that will allow our staff a plan to work off of to complete exciting new project, Amanda knew she may not see him Top Ten Cupcake Places to try in the country.
the on-site construction. We do this so that you do not have to for a while. Once again, he handmade and diligently hand Smallcakes believes in its slogan of “Maybe a Cupcake
work with out of town unlicensed or uninsured subcontractors. finished beautiful, functional and affordable custom pieces Will Help?” and has been growing their neighborhood
Doing this is allowing a professional company to design your for his loyal customers. cupcakery across the world. Our mission statement is how we
home, and completely finish the job. Amanda had ideas of her own! Her recent lack of have grown our little cupcake store. “To use creative flavors,
In order to successfully provide you an accurate estimate of enthusiasm in her Real Estate career largely hinged on her quality ingredients, and friendly service to provide the finest
your cost, Five Star must have knowledge of your build site. husband’s massive successes in his chosen path. She had, cupcake experience worthy of returning and recommending.”
We do this so we can provide you an estimate that includes however, begun a sideline move making Closing Gifts for Our local Smallcakes is owned and operated by Andrea
the necessary standards needed to build your home. her clients by use of the Laser Engraver and bamboo cutting and Joseph Luchini. They are located at 2299 S.E. Federal
We love to educate people no matter what. Many times we boards, which was becoming increasingly popular with her Highway in Stuart in the Stuart Centre.
will give guidance on what difficulties they could be facing, own circle at the office. “Make more” her clever husband
such as site cost, for their potential location. stated. So, she did!
We hold all the knowledge you could ever need for modular Soon after, Staggwood launched on Amazon Handmade
home designing and installation. Because of this, we will save completing the Staggwood, LLC banner companies.
you endless hours of the days, and weeks searching for the Staggwood, LLC. Truly family owned and operated since
answers you need to build your new home. Our goal is to keep 2009. Just ask the kids!
you from a major loss of disappointment. Find us on Facebook