Red7Tees Finds Success with Help from the Florida SBDC at UWF
Red7Tees is a custom apparel company specializing in embroidery, screen printing, and direct-to-garment printing for a diverse range of clients. The business was acquired in November of 2024 by Mike Hume. Mike is a retired Army Special Forces veteran who served 20 years on active duty. He is also the founder of Sceptre Security, LLC, a prominent security agency in Northwest Florida.
The Business Challenge
Mike’s entrepreneurial philosophy is rooted in self-reliance, as he believes, “As an entrepreneur you only have yourself to rely on. You do not have a corporate bailout plan. Your company will only go as far as you are willing to take it. If you are not willing to lose it, don’t risk it.” This belief initially led him to handle all business filings himself. However, he soon faced a significant hurdle when he received a denial response on SAM.gov. Recognizing the need for expert guidance, he decided to seek help from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of West Florida.
How the Florida SBDC and APEX Accelerator Helped
Fortunately, Mike already knew Chip Wells, Associate Director for the Florida SBDC at UWF and Government Contracting Consultant for the Florida APEX Accelerator at UWF, after receiving consulting for Sceptre Security. After the setbacks with SAM.gov, Mike finally went to see Chip, who educated him on how to support a single company across different platforms. “Chip helped me scrub my data across the different platforms and what to update where,” Mike said. He also provided essential guidance on the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification process.
Michael continues to work with Chip to this day on contract searches. He also turned to him to understand the SBA-backed loan program and resolve an EIN validation issue. Mike notes that the Florida APEX Accelerator is a valuable tool for searching for federal contracts, especially those related to FEMA-oriented operations. Mike also found that “the SBDC can help individuals on setting up the LLC on Sunbiz, file for an EIN, research analysis, business plans, and basic business 101 information.”
A Path to Continued Success
Mike’s hard work, combined with assistance from the SBDC and APEX, has led to remarkable success. He highlights that the “everyday grind is necessary in an entrepreneur’s household; you have to do whatever it takes to get through sticking points of the business.” He and his partners have been able to “reinvest in their companies to keep them growing,” and collectively they now own eight operational and healthy businesses.
Mike’s experience underscores how the support from the Florida SBDC at UWF and the Florida APEX Accelerator at UWF can be a crucial factor in navigating the complexities of business ownership and achieving significant growth.
Ready to start your own entrepreneurial journey? Connect with the Florida SBDC at UWF and the Florida APEX Accelerator at UWF for comprehensive support at no cost. The experienced team provides the same guidance that helped Red7Tees achieve success.
Visit Red7Tees for all of your custom apparel needs. Plus, follow them on social media and check their website to learn more. Support local businesses that invest in our community, just like Mike has done with his remarkable success story.