Danny B.
Founder [email protected] Danny started putting together the ideas for The Southwest Florida Store in 2013; however, his love for tropical fruit and all things tropical started in about 2004 when he brought back a citrus tree from Florida and was able to successfully grow it in his parent’s kitchen in Wisconsin. Danny decided to attend Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and graduated in 2012. During his studies at FGCU, Danny was able to meet his beautiful wife (Annie B), fall in love with all that southwest Florida has to offer, and learn about growing responsibly and sustainably (which is why The Southwest Florida Store only uses products that are all natural and/or organic on its plants). In his spare time, Danny can be found at FGCU basketball games and other FGCU sporting events, watching college football for most of the day on a Saturday, going to the beach or snorkeling, spending time with his cats, or eating a lot of locally caught Mahi Mahi. Annie B.
Programs/Office Administrator [email protected] The award for living in Florida the longest at The Southwest Florida Store would go to Annie. Annie was raised in the coastal town of Palm Harbor. Growing up, Annie was an avid swimmer and a swim meet at FGCU was what ultimately got her into the southwest Florida area. During this swim meet, Annie instantly fell in love with the FGCU campus, which played a big part of why Annie chose to attend FGCU (as well as FGCU being a totally awesome school all around). While at FGCU, she ended up majoring in Elementary Education and meeting her husband Danny. Annie currently works as an elementary school teacher, but still plays a big part in The Southwest Florida Store when she is not busy working with kids. Annie coordinates activities for staff, manages schedules, maintains budgets and inventory, files business records, talks to clients, manages office and shipping supplies, and finds a way to keep everything organized and under control in the sometimes hectic office. But when relaxing, Annie likes to read, go for bike rides, hangout at the beach, and watch sci-fi and romantic movies. |
Cody B.
Director of Operations [email protected] Cody's role is to make sure all aspects of the business are done in an efficient and effective manner. Born and raised around Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cody is all too much used to the cold winters, and therefore has come to love the heat of Southwest Florida. This is how tropical fruit became one of his interests. One attribute that makes Cody successful is his competitive nature. This attribute always seems to stand out. Whether it be a game of CatchPhrase with friends, or a game of pickup basketball with random people, Cody will always be the one trying the hardest to win (because if we are only playing for fun then why would we keep score, right!?). In his free time he likes to run, lift weights, and ultimately stay active to keep in tip top shape. Cody went to Luther College and studied Business and Economics. Karen B.
Administrative Director [email protected] Karen is responsible for supporting the daily business operations by supervising, organizing, and implementing business and administrative plans. In the past, Karen has owned several of her own small businesses; thus she plays a very valuable role in the vision of The Southwest Florida Store. Karen and her husband Dan have played a fundamental role in the establishment of The Southwest Florida Store due to yearly decisions to vacation in Florida since the 1980s, particularly in southwest Florida. All of Florida is truly great, but spending time in Marco Island and the rest of southwest Florida has always held a special place in her heart. The love for southwest Florida has definitely rubbed off on her two sons, Danny and Cody, and without Karen and Dan’s desire early on to spend time in southwest Florida, it is a very real possibility that The Southwest Florida Store would not exist today. The Southwest Florida Store is truly a family business! |
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