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April 2017
Partner Connections Magazine connects partners to the CEP, to each other and to our community.
Cover photo provided By PixelPro
The Heartbreak Society Clothing:
Making Ocala Fashionable
Pg. 6
2 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7
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“If you’re Looking for Quality You’ve Come to The Right Place”
4 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7 A p r i l 2 0 1 7 • P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s 5
Publication team
Publishers: Klodiana Palushi, Tina Atha
Content Coordinator: Sadie Fitzpatrick Designer: Greg Miller
Contributing Photographer: PixelPro
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For more advertising information contact:
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miSSion Statement
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community. To support CEP Partner Connections or to learn more, please contact Publishers.
Volume 4 • Number 4
Feature Story: The Heartbreak Society Clothing: Making Ocala Fashionable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Q & A with Dan Gentry of Third Power Performance . . . . . . . 10
Calendar Of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . 12
J-Tay Consulting Partners: Knowing When to Automate. . . . . 13
Mojo’s Grill & Catering: A Company
with A Lot of Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Business Retention: Passing the Torch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
exCEPtional Mornings: Featuring Chad Christianson, CEO of Ocala Health . . . . . . . . . . 17
Ribbon Cuttings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Homes of Deltona Florida . . . . . . . 2
Hawthorne Village Retirement . . . 2
Canadian Meds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CEP How is your business . . . . . . . 4
BJ Trophies, Awards & Gifts. . . . . . 5
Career Source Talent Center . . . . . 8
Home Garden & Lifestyle Expo . . . 9
Xcel-IT College of Florida . . . . . . 11
Palmetto Kennels . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
T-Jay Consulting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CEP Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
PixelPro. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
HDG Hotels & Developing Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Angie Lewis State Farm . . . . . . . . 19
The Bridge At Ocala . . . . . . . . . . 20
Inside This Issue Advertising Index
exCEPtional Connections
Last month, I outlined the successes of the CEP’s inaugu-
ral five-year plan, Moving Forward. In fact, this plan was
reached a full year early. This month’s column will be focused
on outlining the recently adopted Moving Forward-Phase II
plan which seeks to continue to grow and diversify the local
economy.
Moving Forward – Phase IIJust like its predecessor, this plan did not just happen. It is
the result of months of discussion and research by the CEP
staff and Board of Directors. Once again, the Board asked
economist Dr. Sharon Younger to assist them in the creation
of this plan. She provided an incredible layer of analysis and
detail to assist the Board including a significant amount of data
on how the Ocala MSA and the CEP compare to our ten bench-
mark communities.
First, it is important to note what this plan does not change.
The CEP’s mission has not changed. The organization con-
tinues to exist to be the catalyst for a more prosperous com-
munity by serving as the voice of the business community and
working to create and retain jobs and provide a positive return
on investment for our partners. Additionally, the approach
remains the same. The CEP will continue to focus on Business
Advocacy, Business Attraction, Business Creation, Business
Retention, and Business Services.
The Moving Forward – Phase II plans call for the CEP to do
more in each area. The following is a highlight of some of the
new initiatives or efforts we plan to begin implementing over
the next five years. In Business Advocacy, the plan calls for the
CEP to add an additional team member to grow the opportu-
nities to partner with local and state governments. The plan
for Business Creation includes adding a business incubator
location in addition to the main Power Plant Business Incuba-
tor campus and to create a major business plan competition.
This competition would attract would-be entrepreneurs from
throughout the nation to compete for a significant cash prize
($25,000 is the goal) and residency in the Power Plant. Busi-
ness Services would see a continued increase in education
and networking opportunities through the addition of at least
two satellite locations allowing the CEP to better serve all of
our community. Business Attraction would be impacted by the
addition of a second project manager which would allow our
equine engagement director to focus exclusively on our vibrant
horse community.
However, Business Retention would see the most growth.
More than a third of the new plan is dedicated to implementing
a plan for increasing Skills Development and Talent Attraction.
Marion County schools have taken a significant step forward
with the realignment of skills-based training and the announced
creation of the two new Career Choice Academies with the
promise of additional academies in the future. Skills Develop-
ment would work to build connections between the schools
and business community and work with all of our education
partners on the creation of seamless career ladders. Talent
Attraction will work much like Business Attraction but instead
of focusing on attracting businesses it will focus on attracting
skilled and talented people.
Just as the original Moving Forward plan resulted in the meet-
ing and exceeding of three big goals, the Phase II plan is an effort
to meet three even larger goals. By the end of 2021, the CEP
will 1) impact the announced creation of 4,500 new jobs. These
jobs will 2) pay on average 15 percent above the current County
average wage. These projects will result in 3) a direct capital
investment of $400 million. This plan and the meeting of these
will continue to diversify and expand our local economy for the
benefit of our residents, our businesses and our governments.
However, it will only be accomplished if
we all partner to keep Ocala and Marion
County Moving Forward. ■
Best,
Kevin Sheilley, President & CEO of the CEP
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the
views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of
any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2017 Best Version Media.
All rights reserved.
A p r i l 2 0 1 7 • P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s 7
streetwear. Looks include luxurious
details such as French terrycloth hoodies
and pants, nickel zippers, Sherpa lining in
jackets and wool hats.
Recently accepted as a resident of the
Power Plant Business Incubator,
Heartbreak Society now has a home
base from which to grow.
“We are so excited to have this
startup apparel brand at the Power
Plant Business Incubator. In the past,
our program has mainly served innova-
tors in the fields of technology, media, and
healthcare. Now, we are excited to see
a new industry represented – and once
again by a young, local entrepreneur,” said
Ryan Lilly, VP of Business Creation for the
Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Econom-
ic Partnership.
Peoples chose to begin his business
in Ocala because of its current lack of a
fashion scene.
“I was born here, and Ocala doesn’t
have a fashion scene, so I thought I would
start here, and hone my craft before we
take it worldwide to LA, Miami, New
York, and Paris,” Peoples noted.
Peoples has partnered with his child-
hood friend and fellow Ocala native,
Cortez Allen, the former cornerback for
the Pittsburgh Steelers. Allen has invested
in The Heartbreak Society and introduced
Peoples and his collection to a number of
celebrities and fashion influencers.
His fall 2017 collection, called Heart-
break Militia, is inspired by the military
with its color palette and detail. Peoples
also pays homage to his high school, West
Port and its team, the Wolf Pack, with the
subtle wolf details he included in some of
his designs. In keeping with the wolf and
military themes, he is working to produce
a short film depicting a militia march-
ing through a dense forest to showcase
his fall designs. Peoples is hands-on in
creating all of the look books and creative
marketing concepts for his collections.
The ideal Heartbreak Society customer
is one who is willing to task risks with
their fashion choices.
“The ideal person for our line is some-
one who is at the edge of fashion. They
are always looking at new trends and try-
ing to bring something fresh to the table,”
said Peoples.
With his customers in mind, Peoples
believes in creating clothing of premium
quality that individuals can incorporate
into their wardrobe as staple pieces.
“I want to create more concrete, attain-
able pieces that people can wear. A lot
of times, people see looks on the runway
and wonder how they can ever wear those
pieces. I always try to bring something dif-
ferent to the table, and I want our clothes
to be a part of people’s everyday lives,”
said Peoples.
By Sadie Fitzpatrick
Milan. Paris. New York. Ocala?
When thinking of fashion capi-
tals, Ocala is typically not top of mind.
Aldon Peoples of The Heartbreak Society
Clothing intends to change that way of
thinking and position Ocala as the center
for avant garde fashion.
A native of Ocala, Peoples started by
designing and selling custom t-shirts
online, which quickly gained a huge fol-
lowing. In 2012, with the success of his
t-shirts, Peoples began entertaining the
idea of creating a fashion line. He drew
ideas for his clothing line from the movie
Grease, and the leather jacket-clad char-
acters, The T-Birds.
“I wanted to make a clothing brand
that gave off the feeling of the group that
made the rules, somewhat of a rebel feel.
The original name was going to be coeur,
which means ‘heart’ in French, but that
didn’t have the right feel. I later came
up with Heartbreak Society, and after
asking around, everyone really liked it,”
explained Peoples.
Fans of The Heartbreak Society are
known as “heartbreakers” who are
characterized by their ambition, inde-
pendence and loyalty to their friends. In
keeping with the rebel-without-a-cause
vibe of the brand, its motto is “Loyalty
is rare.”
Peoples has loved fashion from a
young age. A trip to LA several years ago
allowed him to learn the ins and outs of
the fashion industry and further spurred
his desire to create his fashion line. With
his background in graphic design, he has
been able to seamlessly segue into the
fashion industry.
Peoples explained, “I started getting
more into fashion and designing, and I
started learning
more about the
industry,
and where streetwear is going. Higher
fashion and streetwear are in the same
category. You have your urban streetwear
that’s making your $200 and $300 hood-
ies just like Louis Vuitton and Gucci are.
We decided to take the next step into the
higher quality streetwear brand, which is
where we are now.”
Heartbreak has since morphed
into a brand that combines both
high fashion and urban
the Heartbreak Society clothing: making ocala Fashionable
Feature Story
Pho
tos
By
Pix
elP
ro
6 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7
8 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7 A p r i l 2 0 1 7 • P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s 9
Peoples hopes to have boutiques in Miami carrying his designs
by the end of the year with a plan to have a brick-and-mortar
store in the South Florida area in the next five years. He envi-
sions The Heartbreak Society as a lifestyle brand, so he would
like to one day expand into designing
home décor and accessories.
“We want to be a lifestyle brand that is
in every facet of someone’s life whether
it’s home goods or accessories. I’d love to
eventually make colognes, throw blankets,
and more for people who like to collect
things,” noted Peoples.
Peoples believes his clothing stands out
because of his use of quality materials as
well as the intricate details of his designs.
He works closely with a group of collabo-
rators to ensure his material is always fresh and cutting edge. As
the brand continues to grow, he wants to bring on more design-
ers and eventually have complete women’s and children’s lines.
Peoples is now busy working on his spring 2018 line, which
will have a heavy focus on denim. Though he is constantly busy
designing, managing orders and creating concepts for his next ad
campaign, he is excited about the evolution of The Heartbreak
Society.
“It’s surreal to see the progress we’ve made. At the begin-
ning of 2012, I didn’t even know what a look book was, and
now we have someone manufacturing our clothes and we’re
in talks to have our designs in boutiques in Miami. It’s crazy,”
Peoples said. ■
For more information about The Heartbreak Society,
visit www.theheartbreaksociety.com.
Y O U R M O S T
V A L U A B L E A S S E T
I S Y O U R
E M P L O Y E E S .
C O M P R E H E N S I V E S O L U T I O N S C O N N E C T I N G B U S I N E S S E S A N D P R O F E S S I O N A L SThe Talent Center at the College of Central Florida is focused on delivering personalized services that meet the
needs and expectations of professionals and highly-skilled technical career seekers and the businesses that
need their talent. This exciting new joint venture between CF and CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion also builds
on the partners’ longstanding collaboration to provide career development and placement services to postsecondary
students and graduates. Available at no charge regardless of where you live, work or attend school.
RECRUITING AND SELECTION SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL AND HIGHLY SKILLED TALENT
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT
CAREER COUNSELING AND COACHING
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY
CUTTING-EDGE SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS
PROFESSIONAL RESUME ASSISTANCE
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
3003 SW College Road, Suite 101, Ocala, FL 34474 P 352.840.5762 | 844-364-9859
Talent Center at the College of Central Florida is an affiliate of CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion in partership with CF.
Talent Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to persons with disabiliites. Disponible in Espanol. The voice telephone numbers may be reached using TTY/TDD equipment via Florida Relay at 711. For accommodation, call 800-434-5627, ext. 7676.
HANDS-ON DEMOS THROUGHOUT THE DAY INCLUDING:
SEMINAR SCHEDULE Seminars will be held in Room 107 in the Lobby Area
9:30AM Understanding Your Credit 10:00AM Money for Homebuyers – Carolyn LaRoss, FBT Mortgage
10:30AM First Time Homebuyers Transitioning from Renting to Owning- Pebbles Vance, Neighborhood Housing & Development Corp.
11:00AM Buy or Build? – Panel Members: Suzette Weddington-Moderator, Becky Bunn- Realtor®, Linda Adamson-Realtor®, Kathleen Plunkett- Builder, Scott Zellak- Builder
12:00PM Why Use A Realtor®?- Randy Alvord, OMCAR Past President 12:30PM Hurricane Preparedness- Tony Vazquez, Career Safety Center 1:00 PM Insurance Coverage for Your Home—Lauren Gibson, Angie Lewis State Farm
1:30 PM How To Keep Your Home In Tip-Top Shape After Buying—Scott Zellak, ProHome of Central Florida
INSTALLING A DIMMER SWITCH
INSTALLING A CEILING FAN
THE BASICS OF PAINTING & CAULKING
BASIC HAND TOOL OPERATION
HOW TO INSTALL CLOSET SHELVING
INSTALLING HARDWARE IN YOUR HOME
10 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7 A p r i l 2 0 1 7 • P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s 11
I am a technology and science geek, so having a really cool AI
company just down the street is amazing. But more important
than their technology is how they reach out and make a differ-
ence in the community through their lectures, Science Satur-
days, and summer camps. That is something I aspire to in the
future with my company.
13. How has the Power Plant Business Incubator and CEP
helped you to grow your company?
a. I cannot say enough great things about the Power Plan
and the CEP. You have the “normal” items on this kind of list.
Referrals, contacts, advice, etc. But what makes it more than
just business help is the real support you feel. It feels more like
you have a business partner that has a true vested interest in
my business. When I talk to Ryan or Angela, it is not just a busi-
ness consultant, it is a friend with real knowledge and the true
desire to share it.
14. What advice would you have for other entrepreneurs
starting-out?
a. Do it. Don’t wait until everything is perfect. I spent YEARS
“getting ready” trying to get all my systems perfect, and all my
content perfect, and my website just right, and.. and… STOP.
Start action now. There is plenty of time to refine once you are
in motion. It is not going to be perfect. That is true whether you
spend years planning, or if you start today with an imperfect
plan. So start. Now.
15. How can we learn more about you? (Contact info/Website)
a. Website: www.ThirdPowerPerformance.com
b. Twitter: @ThirdPowerPerf
c. Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThirdPowerPerformance/
d. Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gentry/
e. Email: [email protected]
f. Phone: (352) 302-0869 ■By Dan Gentry
1. Name of Company
a. third Power Performance
2. Name of Company Founders
a. Daniel G Gentry II
3. What do you sell?
a. Life Transformation.
i. I have developed a mobile APP for
balancing life and achieving your goals,
the life triad System.
ii. I hold Workshops, Webinars, Online
Classes, and talks about Life Balance and
how to have not only a successful life,
but a fulfilled life!
iii. I also do Individual and group
coaching.
4. Year Business Began
a. 2001, however the new DBA name
officially started in 2017
5. What was your background before
starting the business?
a. Military (Air Force) and civil
engineering. Then on to Software
Development.
6. Why did you start this business?
What inspired you, or what unmet need
do you believe existed?
a. I started this business because
there is a message I need to give to the
world about Life Balance. In my own
life, I found myself solely focused on my
career to the detriment of the rest of my
life. When my life started falling apart
around me, I realized there had to be
balance, and I needed to find or create
a system to achieve that balance. After
15 years of refinement, the Life Triad
System is ready for the world!
7. State your company’s value propo-
sition in one sentence. Why would a
customer want to buy from you?
a. We help you create an actionable
plan for life Success and Fulfillment,
and give you the Accountability to make
sure it happens.
8. What has been the biggest challenge
you have had to overcome in starting the
business?
a. Not getting caught in the “getting
ready” trap. Everything does not have
to be perfect and all planned out to start.
Once action has begun, you can adjust.
Aim, Fire, Ready.
9. Where do you see your business in
5 years?
a. Having a major impact on thousands
of people’s lives through online and live
events.
10. Why is Ocala/Marion County such
a great place for starting a business?
a. The economic conditions here are
perfect, and having the CEP in my corner
is huge.
11. What other local companies have
you worked with? (either as business
partners/customers/suppliers, etc.)
a. Human Potential Healthcare
b. Marc Stalvey, Edward Jones
12. Which local entrepreneur or com-
pany do you most admire and why?
a. Local Entrepreneur: Kristen Van
Meter – I have watched her create her
business from the ground up, and really
admire her drive and unrelenting effort
to move her business forward.
b. Local Company: IHMC – for one,
Q & A with Dan Gentry of Third Power Performance
Q & a with Dan Gentry of third Power Performance
12 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7 A p r i l 2 0 1 7 • P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s 13
Calendar Of Events [All events are held at the CEP unless otherwise noted]
April 4th and 18th: TuesdayTalks presented by Rasmussen College: 8:30 a.m. CEP Boardroom
April 19th: exCEPtional Mornings featuring Chad Christianson of Ocala Health 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Marion County Extension Auditorium
April 20th: Business After HoursHosted by DeLuca Toyota5:00-7:00 p.m.
April 28th: FridayTalks presented by Rasmussen College8:30 a.m. Rasmussen College
Net>Works Meetings:April 4th and 18th: Net>Works: Biz Promoters11:30 a.m.
April 5th and 19th: Net>Works: South Marion7:30 a.m. The Farm House11077 SE 57th Court, Belleview
April 11th and 25th: Net>Works: CEMG 8:15 a.m.
April 11th and 25th: Net>Works: Stiletto Network4:30 p.m. Gateway Bank
April 5th and 19th: Net>Works: Young Professionals5:15 p.m. Infinite Ale Works
By Kathaliya Jarvis of J-Tay Consulting
Every industry wants to find the most efficient way to use
technology to improve staff productivity. This often leads
to automating their processes to accomplish more tasks with
fewer people. When determining which processes to automate
keep in mind that automating a bad process not only ensures
you do the wrong thing every time, but that you do the wrong
thing every time with less effort. Therefore, it is critical to thor-
oughly develop the protocol for your process before you begin
automation.
The key to successfully
automating a process to
gain the most return is
to first understand the
process. This requires us
to take a step back and
look at the tasks we are
completing and determine each step along the way. We must
be diligent and focus on every detail of the process as no
item is too small to consider. For example, if we wanted to
automate filing papers into a filing system, the first task is to
identify all the files that need to be filed. The next step would
be to separate each file into groups where some of these files
are paper-clipped or stapled together. We then determine
which file folders each file goes into and we place them in the
appropriate folder.
Now when you start the plan to automate you must create
the replica in the virtual world. Design the virtual filing cabi-
net. How many drawers should it have? How many folders
do you need? Do you want folders in certain drawers to be
grouped together? Or shall all folders simply be alphabetical?
What happens if a file does not belong in any of the folders
you have designed? Do you want to scan all the files at one
time? Are the staples and paperclips important?
The most successful solutions almost identically mirror
the physical world. There are many possible approaches to
automate filing these files. Each response to the questions
drives the correct solution. The key is making sure we con-
sider all possible angles before we decide which solutions
we want to use. If the staples and paperclips are disregard-
ed, a solution is created that loses something critical that we
currently have in the physical world; i.e. these pages belong
together for a reason.
The best automated solutions keep the work flow and
process that the person expects while improving efficiency by
removing redundant and unnecessary steps. When asked by
a client how to improve their processes, the first thing I want
to do is see what they are currently doing. Then together we
identify areas that need a process change to be more effec-
tive. Once we have a detailed process-driven approach to the
solution we identify what tools can be used to gain better
efficiencies. In some cases, there are no existing tools or
the ones that do exist require too much departure from the
process we have identified as the best process to achieve their
goals. If this is the case, we can build a custom solution that
can both meet their needs and fit their budget.
J-Tay Consulting partners have years of experience iden-
tifying the best processes to be automated and creating the
solution that helps their clients. The key here is to understand
technology and its limitations and to use our skills to build
the process that keeps people working on the tasks they know
how to do proficiently and keep their process as close to what
they normally do as possible. As a rule, people are resistant
to change. When the change makes their work easier, while
staying familiar, it is easier to get full adoption and therefore a
high return on investment. ■
Knowing When to automateJ-Tay Consulting Partners
Our goal is to help companies find the balance between business
strategies and information technology while ensuring the greatest
efficiency at the optimal cost to their bottom line. We will always
remain focused on bridging the gap between technology and
customer service.
Business Phone:
800-215-JTAY (5829)www.j-tay.com
• Server Support• Networking• Email Filtering• Custom Software• Process Work Flow• Technology Training
14 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7 A p r i l 2 0 1 7 • P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s 15
for kids. When you see the
innocence of kids get hin-
dered somehow, it breaks
our heart, so we’re very
passionate about under-
privileged youth.”
After recently learn-
ing there are more than
5,000 homeless youth in Marion County, the Mojo’s team knew
they had to do something to help. They have joined forces with
Hunger Fight to make 100,000 packs of macaroni and cheese,
oatmeal and rice and beans. They are in search of 20 businesses
who will sponsor a table at $1,000 each. A single bag of rice and
beans cost just 25 cents and can feed a family of four. The pack-
ets just need water, so kids that are living in hotel rooms can use
water and heat them up in the hotel microwave.
“With this effort, we can make sure that each high school kid
has food throughout the year including summer. We are focus-
ing more on the high school kids because the elementary school
kids are currently served through the Interfaith Food 4 Kids
program. We hope that this event is a huge success and we can
focus on both high school and middle school
students next year,” said Rondo.
While known for its family atmosphere and
giving spirit, Mojo’s is also known for its deli-
cious food. The restaurant offers a variety of
Cuban American-inspired cuisine such as mo-
jito pork tacos, Mojo’s famous chili, Jappy Joey
burger and their famous wings available in an
array of signature sauces. Rondo’s particular favorite is the Rondo
Combo 1, which features five hot wings and a delicious burger.
With the success of its three restaurants in Marion County,
Rondo aims to continue growing. He would like to grow his
corporate stores and become the first restaurant chain in Marion
County to be in multiple states.
“I think our food stands on its own. The part where we’re just
intertwined with our guests is the best part. We’re just one big
family that happens to have a restaurant,” said Rondo. ■
For more information about Mojo’s Grill
& Catering or the Feed the Need program,
visit www.mojogrillandcatering.com.
By Sadie Fitzpatrick
Good food, good people,
and God. It is this com-
bination that has proven to be
the recipe for success for Rondo
Fernandez and his Mojo’s Grill
restaurants.
Rondo, as he is known to just
about everyone, has worked in the
restaurant industry most of his
life, and started his first restaurant,
Rondo’s, in 2005. After its closing
in 2008, he began catering events
throughout Marion County and
soon set his sights on opening
another restaurant. In 2009, the
first Mojo’s Grill, a 35-seat restaurant with
12 employees, opened.
“I named it Mojo’s because I’m a big
blues guy, and in the blues world, mojo
means magic, good karma. And every-
thing we have has mojo in it anyways, so
it was a fun play on words. When the first
restaurant opened, I worked really, really
hard. I waited tables, did every job, to get
the place open and successful. We worked
our butts off to make it happen,” Rondo
explained.
With three locations throughout Marion
County, it is clear that Rondo and his team
have made an impact on the area. He
credits the caring, loving spirit of his staff
for cultivating a family atmosphere with
all of their patrons.
“We treat our guests as family; they are
family to us. We try to be there for them at
all times. We have a bereavement group,
which we’re the only restaurant in Marion
County to have that, I think. We’re with
people through the good times: the birth-
days, the weddings, the celebrations. And
the bad times: illness, we will visit people
in the hospital, pray with them, bring them
food. Anytime there’s a family crisis, we
show up. I think we’ve become people’s
family and vice versa. I’ve found a lot of
Ocala has really taken ownership in Mojo’s.
They treat it like it’s theirs. When their fam-
ily comes in from out of town, they bring
them to Mojo’s and say, “You gotta see this”
and show them around the restaurant. I
think it’s a good story, a homegrown story.
I think we’re so much more than a restau-
rant. I think that’s why people support us
so much,” said Rondo.
Mojo’s is committed to giving back to
the community that has supported them.
Through their charity, Feed the Need, they
partner with several restaurants in the
area to provide much-needed resources to
area charities.
Rondo explained, “The restaurants
we partner with (Sonny’s BBQ,
Pasta Faire, The Lunchbox, Uncle
Maddio’s, Subway, Latinos y Mas,
Ipanema and Craft Kitchen) re-
ally put the community on their
back, and they don’t necessarily get
the exposure that Mojo’s does. With
Feed the Need, I wanted to impact
the community, and raise awareness
about these restaurants, almost like
a buy local campaign for restaurants
to show how much they take care
of the community. We thought we
would just plan fun events and raise
money that way.”
Through their annual blues show
and their praise and worship event (to
be held on June 2nd and August 4th of
this year, respectively), these events raise
close to $20-$25,000 a year. This money
is then distributed to local organizations
such as Interfaith’s Food 4 Kids, Kids
Central, Inc., Kimberly’s Center for Child
Protection, and Operation Stuff the Bus.
Individually, the Mojo’s team has turned
its focus to underprivileged youth in
Marion County.
“We’re called to be a light in this
community; we’re called to help people
when they need it; we’re called to be an
example of what people are supposed
to be. I think that’s what drives us. The
Bible is a pretty good roadmap for how to
operate a business. It’s definitely softened
our hearts,” Rondo noted. “With the first
couple of things that we’ve done we real-
ized creating smiles is addicting. We’re
addicted to it almost to a fault, especially
mojo’s Grill & catering: a company with a lot of Heart
Mojo’s Grill & Catering
16 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7
By Felecia Judge
March 16, 2011 was the day I started with the (then) Cham-
ber of Commerce. Ironically, March 16, 2017 is also my
last day with the CEP. For six years – to the day – I have had
the pleasure of working with hundreds of businesses in my
different positions within this organization. For the past three
and one-half years, this was Director of Business Retention for
Primary Industries. It is a long title, yet not fully understood by
many of what that really means.
In short, Business Retention is simply about retaining busi-
nesses in Marion County. It is keeping our existing businesses
here and helping them grow. It is about making sure those
businesses who call Marion County home are privy to the
same resources as any new business would be – whether that
is financial incentives, tax credits or exemptions, workforce
assistance, or just referrals to potential customers. Business
Retention is focused on helping existing businesses overcome
barriers and being a central resource for them on a daily basis.
During my tenure at the CEP, and especially in Business
Retention, I have developed an enormous appreciation for our
business community and what they do for Marion County. The
products they manufacture and the services they provide are
immeasurable. They work long hours, oftentimes in swelter-
ing temperatures, to manufacture items – or components of
items – that we use in our everyday lives. Being able to see and
understand how things are made is, of course, awesome yet
humbling at the same time. That is not the preeminent benefit
of going behind the scenes, however. In my experi-
ence, the most valuable takeaways have been the
friendships that have resulted.
What began as a visit to learn more about a busi-
ness, or a visit to determine how we can help a busi-
ness remain in Marion County and grow, frequently
evolved in to a visit “just because.” Behind all the
bricks and mortar of these industries are real people
working real jobs. They come from all backgrounds
yet they are all alike because they share the same
visions and ambitions. They all face similar chal-
lenges but they all have determination and the
tenacity to overcome them, and they have all been
inspirations to me personally. We have incredible
people in this community and I am honored to call
them friends.
Starting March 17th, my successor, Bart Rowland,
will take over the position as Director of Business
Retention for Primary Industries. There is no doubt
he will share the same passion as I do for helping
businesses, and there is no question he will be a
valuable resource for everyone. While I may be
passing the torch to Bart, I am keeping a tight hold
on the treasured friendships that have come to be.
As I raise my glass to celebrate on this St. Patrick’s
Day, I will do so in sincere appreciation for each of
you. Sláinte! ■
Passing the torchBusiness Retention exCEPtional Mornings
A p r i l 2 0 1 7 • P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s 17
Chad Christianson is the CEO
of Ocala Health, which is an
affiliate of HCA and includes Ocala
Regional Medical Center and West
Marion Community Hospital, several
outpatient services and practices, and
a free-standing emergency room in
Summerfield.
Christianson has over 10 years of
healthcare experience, having served
in leadership roles under various HCA
operations, most recently as chief op-
erating officer of CJW Medical Center
in Richmond, Virginia.
Christianson earned his bachelor’s
degree in business administration
from the University of Florida and his
Master of Business Administration and
Master of Science in Health Adminis-
tration degrees from the University of
Alabama at Birmingham.
He will present what’s next for
Ocala Health in our community. This
event is generously sponsored by Har-
bor Community Bank. ■
April 19, 2017 7:30-9:00 a.m. Marion County Extension Auditorium 2232 NE Jacksonville Road
chad christianson, ceo of ocala Health
18 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7
Ribbon Cuttings
18 P a r t n e r C o n n e c t i o n s • A p r i l 2 0 1 7
Pho
tos
By
Eri
n E
man
uel
Love, hope, success, family, security.
Some things we all have in common.
There’s nobody like me to protect the things we all value.
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
CALL ME TODAY.
Angie Lewis, Agent416 E. Ft. King Street
Ocala, FL 34471Bus: 352-291-2444
State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL1101022.1
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Nail Dazzle
Trilogy at Ocala Preserve
April 20170111
