Business Briefs
Rijpkema interning
at Pushing the Envelope
Pushing the Envelope has announced the addition of Wytske Rijpkema, from Hanze University, Netherlands, to its internship program. Rijpkema is the first international student to participate in the expanding program, which offers students hands-on, real-world experience in the marketing communication industry.
Rijpkema is expected to graduate in two years with a bachelor of science in commerce from Hanze University of Applied Science, Groningen, Netherlands. For the next five months, Pushing the Envelope will work with her to develop her knowledge in branding, marketing and communication as well as exercise her practical skills in the key areas they provide services to clients.
Existing to help businesses proposer through strategic and creative communication, Pushing the Envelope is a privately held, award-winning marketing communication company based in Fort Myers, Florida. They work with companies in a variety of industries from motorsports and attractions to medical and technology both regionally and nationally.
For additional information, call 239-221-2858 or visit GetPushing.com.
Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2015 Fall Job Fair
The Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce invites the community to its 2015 Fall Job Fair Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Keiser University, 9100 Forum Corporate Parkway, Fort Myers.
Participating companies include Latino 97.7, Keiser University, Lowe’s, Telemundo, BB&T, FOX 4, CenturyLink, LYNX Services, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Univision SWFL, Sunstate Academy, LCEC, MundoMax, Fort Myers Broadcasting, Accin Hispana, Fifth Third Bank, Biotest Pharmaceuticals, Telediario, Lee Professional Institute, Tower Dental Arts, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Hope HealthCare Services, Imagen Semanal, Comcast, Juan 1200/1460AM, Azteca America SWFL, CareerSource SW Florida, HolaCiudad.com, Nuevos Ecos, Lee Memorial Health System, Supervisor of Elections, United Way, Florida Highway Patrol, Exitos Magazine, Take Shape for Life, Autos Trocas y Mas & more.
Anyone interested in changing careers or in need of a job is welcome. This event is free to the public. For information or to rent a booth, call the chamber at 239-418-1441, or e-mail to info@hispanicchamberflorida.org.
Southwest Florida Small Busiess Resource Network to host discussion
The Southwest Florida Small Business Resource Network will host a networking and discussion event to address health insurance success strategies for small business owners Thursday, Oct. 15, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Connors Steak and Seafood Gulf Coast Town Center, 10076 Gulf Center Drive, in Fort Myers.
SBRN, a statewide organization, is sponsored locally by Florida Gulf Coast University’s Small Business Development Center.
The speaker will be Reggie Blackmon of Great Florida Insurance.
Lunch is included in the cost which is $20 per person for members. Guests and unaffiliated small business owners pay $30 per person.
Space is limited and RSVP is required. To register, go online fsbdcswfl.org/sbrn-lunch-series/. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, Oct. 14.
For more information, to register for the event or to get directions, contact Lorna Kibbey, coordinator at the Small Business Development Center at (239) 745-3700.
Norman Love chefs earn 2015 Chocolatier of the Year honors
Norman Love Confection chefs Brittany Mateika and Molly Rothermel were first and second place winners of Pastry Live’s 2015 Chocolatier of the Year competition.
Sixteen chocolate artisans from across the country participated in the 2015 Chocolatier of the Year competition, in Atlanta. Each contestant entered two different types of handcrafted chocolate creations to be evaluated by judges and an audience.
Mateika received first place in the 2015 Chocolatier of the Year competition. Her first piece was an “Apricot Lavender Short-bread,” which consisted of a shortbread base with layers of vanilla-lavender ganache and apricot ganache, surrounded by white chocolate. Her second entry was her “Banana Almond Praline,” which contained an almond praline and feuilletine layer, filled with banana and milk chocolate ganaches and covered in milk chocolate.
Rothermel received second place in the competition with her “Cassis-Pistachio,” which contained cassis jam, vanilla ganache and pistachio praline wrapped in dark chocolate, and her “Coffee-Hazelnut,” which featured hazelnut crunch, gianduja and coffee ganaches, encased in a dark chocolate shell.
Founded in 2001 by Norman and Mary Love, Norman Love Confections creates and distributes handcrafted artisanal chocolates from its corporate headquarters at 11380 Lindbergh Blvd. in Fort Myers. For more information visit www.normanloveconfections.com or call 239-561-7215.
‘Thirty Years of Slicing the PR-RPIE’ Oct. 8 at Florida SouthWestern
The Florida Public Relations Association Southwest Florida Chapter still has availability to attend the 2015 PR University, “Thirty Years of Slicing the PR-RPIE.” This one-of-a-kind, professional development seminar will celebrate the 30th anniversary of FPRA SWFL and feature presentations on a variety of communication topics from public relations professionals across the state of Florida. PR University will be Thursday, Oct. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers.
New to PR University this year, conference attendees are invited to University Grill at the conclusion of the seminar for the inaugural “PRU After Hours” from 5-7 p.m. Located across the street from FSW, University Grill will offer cocktails, appetizers, and the opportunity for networking and socializing.
Registration for PR University closes today, Oct. 2 and the cost is $75 for members, $90 for non-members and $40 for students. To register for the event, visit fpraswfl.org. For more information about PR University, contact McKenzie Cassidy at mckenzie.cassidy@fsw.edu.