Experience

Spark Growth

• United States
• Think Tanks
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Visionary Leader - CEO

  • Apr 2013 - 10 years 9 months

  Sarasota, Florida Area Innovation Consulting: For the future of your organization, how you manage change is as important as knowing what changes to make. Today's Decisions. Tomorrow's Future. Identify and unlock potential and possibility to: Increase profit and performance Chart a course for growth Drive to outcomes Connecting the Dots... Consulting projects take shape across cultures, time zones, industry clusters and business sectors, leveraging expertise across the innovation value… Show more Innovation Consulting: For the future of your organization, how you manage change is as important as knowing what changes to make. Today's Decisions. Tomorrow's Future. Identify and unlock potential and possibility to: Increase profit and performance Chart a course for growth Drive to outcomes Connecting the Dots... Consulting projects take shape across cultures, time zones, industry clusters and business sectors, leveraging expertise across the innovation value chain from ideation to exit. Spark Growth works alongside each client to identify potential and possibilities for growth and to develop specific authentic solutions to that client’s needs. Founded innovation consulting firm bringing connections, resources and solutions to serve clients worldwide. Visionary leader drives overall strategy through action-focused agendas for client business expansion, community development across sectors and networked collaboration using agile strategies. Founded “Thought Leader Exchange”, designing experiences and cultivating a global network of thought leaders across sectors. Produced 6 conferences and multiple workshops including leadership topics, economic and community development, funding, impact investing and entrepreneurship. “Meet Leaders. Share Methods. Change the World.” Developed and co-produced Smart Cities Accelerator Program Series with The Innovator’s Forum, an initiative of the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard, bringing together top city CIOs from across North America, Europe and beyond with Global Industry Partners at invitation-only workshop events. Launched Toward Smarter Communities initiative bringing together City/County decision makers across sectors with top Industry Partners. Several program offerings include Mastermind gatherings to create density regionally and multi-site workshops connecting regional efforts into super-regional collaborations. Show less



The Resolute Team

• Business Consulting and Services

• Partner

  • Dec 2022 - 1 year 1 month

  Florida, United States The Resolute Team provides an assemblage of very accomplished industry professionals. Our experience has demonstrated success in strategic design/planning, execution strategy, monetization, capital raising, and succession/exit. The Team has built and led a diverse set of organizations, both public and private. The Resolute Team has also participated in multiple M&A transactions, enhanced valuations, above-market exits, and access to capital through various sources. We understand creating and… Show more The Resolute Team provides an assemblage of very accomplished industry professionals. Our experience has demonstrated success in strategic design/planning, execution strategy, monetization, capital raising, and succession/exit. The Team has built and led a diverse set of organizations, both public and private. The Resolute Team has also participated in multiple M&A transactions, enhanced valuations, above-market exits, and access to capital through various sources. We understand creating and executing strategies with a focus on value propositions. The Resolute Team's extensive network provides companies with outstanding data and a deep understanding of market conditions. We thrive working with companies that have developed innovative solutions that will advance economic activity. Resolute has a passion and history of success in establishing new strategies & business development opportunities in both vertical and horizontal markets. These strategies lead to revenue growth and profitability gains. Our focus with our clients is maximizing ROI. Show less



TIE Tampa Bay

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• TiE Tampa Bay Board, Charter Member, Programming Co-Chair

  • Apr 2019 - 4 years 9 months

  Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area As Program Chair for TiECon I have the privilege of helping others understand the unique value proposition TiE brings to our community, region and state as an entrepreneur service organization providing access to the global investor and entrepreneur community. Through quality education and networking my goal is to focus on fostering new collaborations and strengthening those we currently have as an organization to increase membership and expand influence and impacts. TiE TAMPA:… Show more As Program Chair for TiECon I have the privilege of helping others understand the unique value proposition TiE brings to our community, region and state as an entrepreneur service organization providing access to the global investor and entrepreneur community. Through quality education and networking my goal is to focus on fostering new collaborations and strengthening those we currently have as an organization to increase membership and expand influence and impacts. TiE TAMPA: https://tampa.tie.org/ The TiE Tampa Chapter was founded in 2012 and provides a unique value as an access point for entrepreneurs and investors to a global community. As a service organization TiE Tampa is a non-profit volunteer-led organization for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education and investing in the greater Tampa Bay area. TiE works synergistically alongside other entities (incubators, accelerators, co-work or university program) bringing the strength of seasoned, successful entrepreneurs and business professionals with a desire to serve through time and financial investments. Today TiE, although still connected to its roots of successful entrepreneurs and business professionals with Indus roots, membership has continued to grow and becoming more diverse based on the core philosophy that, “wealth generation is good and that with this there is a responsibility attached.” Show less



Station 2 Innovation

• United States
• Think Tanks

• Executive Director and Resident Plate Spinner

  • Jan 2014 - 10 years

  Bradenton Serving Entrepreneurs, Building Community & Growing Businesses in Bradenton & Beyond! A cowork & entrepreneur resource center in collaboration with the City of Bradenton, via contribution of historic town hall/fire station building. Because we believe people and businesses thrive in communities. Since opening in 2014 we have served almost 10,000 entrepreneur visits and produced 250+ educational and networking events. Launched Station 2 Meetup - Entrepreneurs & Startups. As hosting… Show more Serving Entrepreneurs, Building Community & Growing Businesses in Bradenton & Beyond! A cowork & entrepreneur resource center in collaboration with the City of Bradenton, via contribution of historic town hall/fire station building. Because we believe people and businesses thrive in communities. Since opening in 2014 we have served almost 10,000 entrepreneur visits and produced 250+ educational and networking events. Launched Station 2 Meetup - Entrepreneurs & Startups. As hosting location for Station 2 and other meetup events - 3rd most used facility in Tampa Bay region. Developed Station 2 Tech Talks with aggregated and curated technology content, numerous workshops for investors, educators, innovators, entrepreneurs and students, including a Summer Student program. Show less



S-Hand Group

• United States
• Think Tanks

• Founder

  • Oct 2013 - 10 years 3 months

  Bradenton Develops creative strategies for client business growth with a strong focus on sustainability and scalability, systems & processes implementation and executive transitions. Clients span small to mid-size businesses across industry sectors and have included custom software development, wealth management, construction material handling, education technology, commercial real estate development, human services and contract manufacturing. Clients achieved: Streamlined operations… Show more Develops creative strategies for client business growth with a strong focus on sustainability and scalability, systems & processes implementation and executive transitions. Clients span small to mid-size businesses across industry sectors and have included custom software development, wealth management, construction material handling, education technology, commercial real estate development, human services and contract manufacturing. Clients achieved: Streamlined operations facilitating owner exit strategy 2 years earlier than anticipated. 100% increase in book of business for service company successively from predominantly strategic and organic marketing campaign. Think Big. Keep it Simple. Make it Happen. Show less



DaVinci's Faire and BarCamp Sarasota-Bradenton

• United States
• E-Learning Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder

  • Feb 2009 - 14 years 11 months

  Founded and operates a multi-generational community event focusing on STEM education and entrepreneurial initiatives in the region, now in its 10th year. An initiative of BarCamp Sarasota, once the largest and fastest growing technology focused entrepreneur support organization in FL, now organized by Spark Growth. Deeply involved in the education, maker, entrepreneurship community from the earliest education onwards. Includes active engagement in Manatee County Schools – fostering grant… Show more Founded and operates a multi-generational community event focusing on STEM education and entrepreneurial initiatives in the region, now in its 10th year. An initiative of BarCamp Sarasota, once the largest and fastest growing technology focused entrepreneur support organization in FL, now organized by Spark Growth. Deeply involved in the education, maker, entrepreneurship community from the earliest education onwards. Includes active engagement in Manatee County Schools – fostering grant opportunities, scaling CTE education, academy learning, student initiatives mentoring and STEM/STEAM programing. Most rewarding experiences: • Mentoring SIMP – Student Industrial Manufacturing Program launch under TSA. This concept and content we shared with the Kauffman Foundation and the Battelle Foundation. • Coaching Formula One Racing Team – took third place in World competition in Singapore. Show less



Cross Border Angels

• Partner

  • Sep 2016 - Nov 2018

  With economic centers shifting globally - diversification is more important than ever. We help investors to co-invest in international high growth potential companies, and we help companies to raise funds with trusted and smart investors in different markets.Working globally across sectors, allows us to provide a unique global investment information point for investor, mentor and company members. Exit oriented companies, Steady return companies, and Impact companies have access to financial… Show more With economic centers shifting globally - diversification is more important than ever. We help investors to co-invest in international high growth potential companies, and we help companies to raise funds with trusted and smart investors in different markets.Working globally across sectors, allows us to provide a unique global investment information point for investor, mentor and company members. Exit oriented companies, Steady return companies, and Impact companies have access to financial and market strategy offerings to facilitate funding. Show less



SP Hand and Associates

• Managing Partner

  • Mar 2009 - Sep 2013

  SP Hand & Associates brought together professional multi-disciplinary teams from both the public and private sector to create new strategies for business development in the Southwest Florida region. Business development consultants specializing in needs assessment, discovery of value proposition, client operational performance and exit strategies. Creation of new business development models in SWFL. Worked with individual business owners to teams at medium-sized businesses on… Show more SP Hand & Associates brought together professional multi-disciplinary teams from both the public and private sector to create new strategies for business development in the Southwest Florida region. Business development consultants specializing in needs assessment, discovery of value proposition, client operational performance and exit strategies. Creation of new business development models in SWFL. Worked with individual business owners to teams at medium-sized businesses on growth strategies and profitability. Strong focus on Message, Market, Model, Money, Team, Systems & Processes and Operations. Show less



Gulf Coast Venture Forum

• President Sarasota Chapter

  • Feb 2011 - Jun 2013

  As president of the Sarasota chapter of the GCVF, Sara was responsible for promoting the success of Southwest Florida’s new and emerging businesses by bringing together the best entrepreneurs and early stage ventures with the growing network of angel investors to establish the GCVF as the region’s premier driver of economic development for early-stage Florida businesses. In this role, the GCVF gained a much larger regional profile through new outreach efforts focused on Southwest Florida’s… Show more As president of the Sarasota chapter of the GCVF, Sara was responsible for promoting the success of Southwest Florida’s new and emerging businesses by bringing together the best entrepreneurs and early stage ventures with the growing network of angel investors to establish the GCVF as the region’s premier driver of economic development for early-stage Florida businesses. In this role, the GCVF gained a much larger regional profile through new outreach efforts focused on Southwest Florida’s re-emerging technology community, private events and involvement with accelerator and incubator groups and the “Why Invest in SWFL?” event series. Responsible for promoting the success of SWFL’s new & emerging businesses. Connected early stage ventures with angel investment opportunities. Created engagement and deep relationship building within the investor community. Utilized as a platform to promote entrepreneur and investor education & continuity. Show less



Joy Beyond Freedom

• Owner

  • May 2006 - Feb 2011

  Speaker, Trainer and Perspective Consultant Identify potential, strategies and resources to implement change and provide maintenance support.



Diverse Specialties, Inc

• Vice President Marketing and Sales

  • Sep 2004 - Sep 2006

  Diverse Specialties, Inc. offers a consulting and design service for a myriad of mechanical and manpower opportunities. Specializing in improving production efficiency and decreasing costs through innovative and inventive changes. Significant expertise across a variety of industries, makes this the consulting choice for your company for one of a kind manufacturing solutions and prototype development. Working in the contract manufacturing, mitigation and recovery field, responsible for… Show more Diverse Specialties, Inc. offers a consulting and design service for a myriad of mechanical and manpower opportunities. Specializing in improving production efficiency and decreasing costs through innovative and inventive changes. Significant expertise across a variety of industries, makes this the consulting choice for your company for one of a kind manufacturing solutions and prototype development. Working in the contract manufacturing, mitigation and recovery field, responsible for equipment sales and strategy development for municipal departments and large-scale clients across North America. Worked in new product prototype and development. Developed sole source provider arrangements at state and national level. Pursued open vending and national distribution channels. Developed contract manufacturing and sourcing for additional vendors to flesh out product offerings. Show less



Creative Essence

• Marketing

  • 2000 - 2002

  Market research and sales