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Black-owned business honored in its 10-year existence
CONTRIBUTED BY JANICE MCINTOSH Business Marketing Manager City of Miramar
Transcend Performance Auto Repair Shop, located on State Road 7, the major north – south artery connecting other major cities from Miramar, received the prestigious recognition as the best Black Owned Business, 2022. The owners, and brothers Vivian Caesar and Ashley Bair were presented this award by Mayor Wayne M. Messam at an event held at the Miramar Cultural Center to celebrate this achievement.
August was observed as Black Business Month and the city recognized several black-owned businesses and the contribution made to the city. Of the many criteria to cop the top award, companies must show how they are involved in the community. Transcend Performance Auto, in its 10-year existence since opening its doors in 2012, launched an initiative called “Transcend Youth Program” that trains youth to become mechanics and intern at their auto shop. The auto shop also fields candidates from Broward College and McPhatter Technical College and equip the students with hands-on skills training, preparation for state exams as well as ensuring the right areas of study are selected to break into the field.
CELEBRATING BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES
“We love to celebrate all businesses and afford them an opportunity to showcase it to their community and the city at large to demonstrate the positive contribution on diversity and economic impact to the great city of Miramar.” Mayor Messam stated. “We want Black Business owners and budding entrepreneurs to learn firsthand from our expert panelists what it takes to stay in business and to continue making positive strides for years to come. We are also a city that supports businesses and provide resources and training,” he added.
EXPERT PANELISTS
Just over 200 guests attended the event which took the form of a round table discussion under the theme, “Navigating Business and Finding Capital” that was chaired by the Mayor. Panelists included Mr. Chris Major, a 22-year financial services expert that supports many charitable initiatives, Mr. Frederick Harris, CEO, Diversified Chemical Cleaning Supplies, Annette Gray, Growth & Capital Access Consultant with Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) at Florida Atlantic University and Ms. Carissa Chisolm, Assistant VP and Marketing Manager at Valley Bank.
The City’s Director of Economic Development and Revitalization, Ms. Anita Fain Taylor and City Manager, Dr. Roy Virgin were also on hand to give out awards and recognize Transcend Performance auto repair for its outstanding contribution to the city.
The awardees, Vivian Caesar and Ashley Bair have become known for service excellence, and frequently get five-star review ratings from satisfied customers for their business. The feedback from their customers is always the same, ‘professional and great work ethic’. The owners appreciate what it takes to run an automotive business and the upgraded features on the makes and model vehicles they work on. They admit that the automotive industry has changed drastically in the past few years as more automobiles come with advanced technology, AI and nonfuel dependency. Training for them is ongoing to stay abreast of trends and overarching federal policies that are set to affect the industry significantly.
FINDING CAPITAL
Other business leaders and professionals that were on hand at the round table discussion were treated to musical entertainment and poetry, an interlude from the robust discussions from the expert panel that kept the audience engaged and informed. One of the main themes around the discussion was how businesses can survive amid a crisis and how cities can help them stay afloat and thrive. There was also an emphasis on navigating one’s business net worth and network to bring critical visibility to their establishments to grow incrementally from the closest in your circle and expand outward.
During an April 2022 survey, 21.6 percent 1 of surveyed small businesses in the United States claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a large negative effect on business. The positive news is that though some businesses in Miramar had shut their doors, and lost revenue, many were able to re-open with the help of the local and federal programs afforded to business owners, most of them small businesses. Attendees were able to hear from both city officials and the panelists about where and how to find much needed capital in a crisis as well assign non-crisis situations, for example if they desire to scale their business.
More information can be found on the City’s Small business hub at: https://www.miramarfl.gov/1849/Small-Business-Hub.
Miramar continues to be a city where businesses can thrive and take full advantage of resources available. Since 2021, the number of home-based businesses has been on the increase and the city provides resources to these and all types of business ventures as it recognizes that small businesses employ over 60% of the workforce in America and is the bedrock of what makes a city grow and expand.
