What Is The Hub? Understanding The “Who” Might explain the “Why”

Part 1 in a series of articles showcasing the variety of companies and diversity of talent working at the HuB. 

CR8INC moved into the HuB just before Christmas 2012. Since then we have been exposed to what seems like a countless number of creative entrepreneurs, visionaries and an amazing talent pool that might just create the next billion dollar empire. Meeting all these people left me wondering what his movement was all about. Was it just about having a cool business address or was it just another trend, waiting to fade into the darkness?

Being as insatiably curious as I am, I started asking around, trying to find out what all of these companies had in common and what was bringing such a diverse group of companies together under one roof.

It turns out that working out of the HuB is more than just having a cool business address. Most of the companies here have one thing in common. They are trying to change the world!

The hope is that, as we all grow together, the community will start to understand that everything happening here is more than just business. The HuB is not so much a place or a thing; it is a movement. Everyone is working on their own piece of the puzzle but they all have the bigger picture in mind and by working together maybe they can change the culture in Sarasota, the surrounding community and eventually the world.

People ask me all the time what is the HuB and I am not sure there is a real answer to that question. I tell them that instead of asking “what is the HuB” you have to ask “who is the HuB.” It is with that question in mind that I am writing the first in a series of articles spotlighting the different companies that are operating out of the HuB and how they plan to change the world.

Abbeton

Chris Abbot’s goal is simple. He is trying to help people bring their ideas to life. He explained it to me like this: “Everyone has a great idea, but most people don’t know where to start when trying to take it to the next level.”. It is no surprise that businesses fail for any number of reasons but having the experience of someone like Chris in your corner can give you one heck of a leg up on the start-up process. Got an idea?

Hospitalio

Barak Hirschowitz has a completely different story. He is not a creative mastermind working on graphic design or anything like that (although I am sure he is quite creative in his own right) but he will get you your dream job at a high-end hotel/resort or cruise line. They have placed master captains on cruise lines and top chefs throughout the world, as far as the Middle East. They have listings for positions all around the world including the Bahamas, Egypt, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates just to name a few. Oh, by the way, he also started and runs the largest hospitality group on LinkedIn; boasting over 100,000 active members.

Nanohygienix

Joseph Navarro is a pretty unassuming guy to talk to. If you met him on the street you would have no clue the guy is working on a ridiculously ambitious effort to create nanotechnology products for health and wellness environments. Imagine not having to worry about being in the hospital with a broken leg and leaving with a life-threatening infection. You might not know it but this is a huge problem in our current healthcare facilities and Nanohygienix is working to eliminate this threat. Working together with the University of Florida and a number of particle engineers, Joseph is developing a coating that can be sprayed on any surface and inhibit the growth of infection-causing bacteria. Keep your eyes on these guys because pretty soon you won’t be able to walk into a medical facility without touching his product.

Notion Design Group

These guys understand that the world doesn’t need another big box design shop. Joel Eschenbach has been a freelance designer for seven years now and moved into the HuB last October. They help small companies focus on great design while trying their best to keep it affordable. Their Notion Care service offering allows companies access to design and development professionals without a huge upfront outlay. It’s like having an outsourced art department ensuring that your company gets top notch design while watching the bottom line. Joel is committed to keeping his clients on a first name basis. Their unofficial motto is if we can’t know our clients on a first name basis then we are too big.

As you can see there is quite a group of dynamic individuals and companies alike who are all on their own separate paths, yet working side-by-side to build a better Sarasota. We haven’t even broken the surface on the different companies that are involved in making the HuB a true creative innovation in work space collaboration.

Stay tuned as we change the world.