How a Side Hustle Sparked a Construction Business
The Small Business Spotlight
What do egg sales, landscaping, and construction have in common? For entrepreneur Jake Jaros, they were all stepping stones on the path to founding Archway Construction. In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Jake to unpack his journey from small side hustles to running a full-fledged construction company. Jake shares how partnerships fueled his growth, how he navigated capital challenges, and why strong project management and marketing strategies are non-negotiable for success in construction. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why Jake’s...
info_outline
Starting a Home Building Business with No Experience: The Andries Builders Story
The Small Business Spotlight
What does it take to go from knowing nothing about construction to becoming a recognized custom home builder? In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Connor Andries, owner of Andries Builders. Connor shares his unlikely path—from managing a mobile home dealership to building his very first home (with zero prior construction knowledge). He talks about financing his first projects, building during COVID, and why transparent budgeting and a strong team have been key to his success. If you’ve ever thought about starting a business in an...
info_outline
From Car Sales to Hydro Wash 360 | Adin Kikic’s Blueprint for Business Growth
The Small Business Spotlight
Ever wondered what it takes to turn a bold idea into a thriving business? Join us as we sit down with Adin Kikic, founder of Hydro Wash 360, to unpack his incredible journey from car sales to building one of Jacksonville’s leading exterior maintenance companies. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Adin made the leap from a stable career to entrepreneurship ✅ The financial hurdles he overcame and how he funded his vision ✅ The innovative marketing strategies that fueled Hydro Wash 360’s growth ✅ How building a strong team helped scale the business faster ✅ Adin’s...
info_outline
Building a Business in the Gaming Industry
The Small Business Spotlight
In this episode of Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz interviews Tomas Ortola-Stange, co-founder of Svidanza Audio, a studio specializing in music and game scoring for video games. Tomas shares how he turned his lifelong love of music into a thriving creative business in the gaming industry, building unique soundtracks and interactive music that connect players emotionally to the games they love. From the challenges of launching a business to the art of storytelling through audio, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to succeed as a creative entrepreneur in today’s...
info_outline
From Consultant to Confectioner: The Sweet Rise of 48 Blocks Fine Candy
The Small Business Spotlight
What do honey marshmallows, risk-taking, and a former government consultant have in common? A damn good story about turning passion into product. In this episode, Irv Cruz sits down with Amy Trout Hughes, founder of 48 Blocks Fine Candy, to talk about her leap from the federal world into the whimsical (and wildly competitive) world of sweets. Amy shares how she bootstrapped her business, innovated the candy game, and built a community-first brand that doesn’t want to be the next Hershey’s; she wants to be herself. This one’s for the rebels, the candy lovers, and anyone chasing a dream...
info_outline
From Corporate Chef to Curated Luxury: The Black Cat List Story
The Small Business Spotlight
How do you go from cooking for crowds to curating exclusive dining experiences for the elite? In this episode, Irv Cruz sits down with Lionel Chadwick, founder of The Black Cat List, a boutique Nashville-based firm connecting ultra-high net worth clients with private chefs and luxury estate services. Lionel shares how he left the corporate kitchen behind to build something of his own, from the early financial hurdles to designing a brand that stands out in the hospitality space. If you’ve ever thought about turning your passion into a premium business, you’ll want to hear this one. ...
info_outline
Behind the Seams: How Emily Built a Fashion Studio
The Small Business Spotlight
Emily Thompson turned childhood sewing sessions into a thriving business in New York’s Garment District. On this episode of Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz sits down with Emily to unpack how she built BERTHOLLET NYC, a full-service studio helping fashion brands bring their visions to life. From her early passion for stitching to studying fashion in Paris and designing for Olympic athletes, Emily shares the real behind-the-scenes work it takes to scale in the fashion industry. Whether you’re in fashion or just trying to grow your own brand, this episode is packed with insight on...
info_outline
How a Garage Sale Launched a Syrup Empire
The Small Business Spotlight
In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, Irv Cruz sits down with Amber Burr, co-founder of Daddy’s Homemade Syrups, to talk about building a syrup empire rooted in clean ingredients, family values, and pure nostalgia. What started as a way to make healthier breakfasts for her family turned into a full-fledged small business, with hand-drawn jars, a sold-out garage sale debut, and over 20 syrup flavors later, Amber shares what it really takes to turn a kitchen creation into a growing national brand. From navigating the challenges of launching during the pandemic to finding...
info_outline
Holistic Healing in Mental Health: A New Approach
The Small Business Spotlight
Can a mental health practice feel more like a safe space than a clinic? In this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, host Irv Cruz interviews Chyllia Dixon, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Hazelwood Mental Health. After leaving a six-figure job, Chyllia followed her calling to create a practice built on holistic, relationship-driven care. From integrating hypnotherapy and aromatherapy, to measuring success through patient stories, Chyllia shares how she built trust, grew through word-of-mouth, and stayed grounded in her mission. Whether you're in healthcare,...
info_outline
Is This the Solution to the Housing Crisis? with John Poillucci III
The Small Business Spotlight
What do The Sims, zoning laws, and housing shortages have in common? In this episode, Irv Cruz interviews John Poillucci, founder of Space House Architecture, to talk about his journey from childhood dreams to launching his own architecture firm. John shares how designing in The Sims as a kid sparked his interest in building real homes, why ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are a vital part of solving the housing crisis, and how technology is transforming how clients visualize their dream spaces. From navigating zoning headaches to building trust with clients, John drops valuable insight...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Credit Banc Small Business Spotlight, Irv Cruz sits down with Amber Burr, co-founder of Daddy’s Homemade Syrups, to talk about building a syrup empire rooted in clean ingredients, family values, and pure nostalgia.
What started as a way to make healthier breakfasts for her family turned into a full-fledged small business, with hand-drawn jars, a sold-out garage sale debut, and over 20 syrup flavors later, Amber shares what it really takes to turn a kitchen creation into a growing national brand.
From navigating the challenges of launching during the pandemic to finding purpose beyond profits, this conversation is packed with lessons for any entrepreneur looking to scale a product-based business while staying true to their values.
🔥 What You’ll Learn:
✅ How she turned a family health concern into a thriving syrup brand with over 20 core flavors.
✅ Daddy’s Homemade Syrups launched at a garage sale and sold out on Day 1.
✅ They use no artificial preservatives and let customer feedback drive flavor development.
✅ COVID-19 shifted their marketing strategy to focus on social media and e-commerce.
✅ Nostalgia is central to their brand—reminding customers of family, comfort, and tradition.
🔗 Connect with Amber:
-
Website: https://www.daddyshomemadesyrup.com
-
LinkedIn (Founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-burr-69b04b113/
-
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/daddy-s-homemade/
Who is Irv?
Irv Cruz is a business advisor at Credit Banc, specializing in funding solutions, business credit, and strategic growth for small businesses. Whether you need capital, better credit, or a plan to scale, he’s here to help. Book a call with him today!