2023 CREO Awardees
Collective Real Estate Ownership (CREO)
One of the three Open for Business financial products is CREO, an opportunity to cover down payment and closing costs assistance so that small business owners and/or nonprofits can own their own commercial real estate and experience wealth creation. Through this product, a collaborative of at least 2 or more businesses can apply for financial support to own real estate through a shared equity model in select Miami neighborhoods.
2023 CREO Awardees
Below is a summary of the planned* funding commitments for the second round of CREO funding, selected during 2023). Five finalists were selected from 14 applications. *Please note: the final disbursement of funding is contingent on each collaborative: proceeding with the transaction, gaining site control, and successfully securing financing for the property. The timeline for closing on the property will vary across grantees, and is subject to change.
TRU PREP ACADEMY and WING PARTNERS in MIAMI GARDENS ($450,000)
TRU Prep Academy is a K‐12 college preparatory academy that provides students with a rigorous academic program, personalized support and opportunities to develop character and leadership skills. The academy is focused on academic excellence, character development, and student success and prides itself on the sports program. Wing Stop franchise location 581, located 5 miles away, focuses on job employment for youth, entrepreneurship and skill set. Wingstop has supported Tru Prep in various ways, including technology grants, job opportunities for students, mentorship for students interested in being an entrepreneur and discounted meals to throughout the year.
The collaborative between TRU Prep Academy and Wing Stop has purchased a former church property in Miami Gardens that will house both the academy and the Wing Stop management team. Together, they will create a unique and innovative model that would benefit both businesses and the local community. Students will learn the leadership side of owning a business with a franchisee owner as a mentor on site daily, who currently owns 10 Wingstop locations and also has 20 years of experience. Wingstop will also be able to offer catering services and after school programs attendees.
EPIC CONSULTANTS and EPIC MANAGEMENT CONSULTING in RICHMOND HEIGHTS
($150,000)
EPIC Consultants is a privately held company that specializes in General Contracting and Training and Implementation. General Contracting services include New Construction, Repair Work, Alterations, and Revitalization services for the public sector, including government agencies such as: Miami-Dade Aviation, Miami-Dade County, Jackson Health, and FIU. Training and Implementation services include Lean 6 Sigma, Lean Construction, Supply Chain, and ISO Management Systems. EPIC Management Consulting is a professional services company that provides property management, maintenance, and compliance services in the commercial real estate sector.
Together, both companies are purchasing office space in the Richmond Heights community with additional opportunities to lease space to other small businesses.
GLOBAL SPEECH AND REHAB SERVICES and INTERACTIVE THERAPY SOLUTIONS
in NORTH MIAMI ($160,000)
Global Speech and Rehab Services (GSRS) is a private practice that provides speech and feeding therapy to children with disabilities. The partner, Interactive Therapy Solutions (ITS) is a private practice that provides occupational therapy and behavioral therapy services to children with disabilities. Evidence shows that many children with disabilities require both speech and occupational therapy services. Therefore, this collaboration allows for a seamless transition from one required therapy service to another. GSRS and ITS have been working together in a collaborative model since 2018 so that children receive therapy services in the shared office space. This collaboration affords parents of children with disabilities, who need speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, the opportunity to receive both services in one convenient and safe location.
MUJERES UNIDAS EN JUSTICIA, EDUCACION Y REFORMA
(MUJER) and KRISTI HOUSE in HOMESTEAD ($500,000)
Both MUJER and Kristi House are organizations dedicated to advocacy and service for victims of violence and abuse. MUJER’s mission is to meet the needs of women and children overcoming domestic violence who historically are hard to serve and has a track record of reaching southern Miami-Dade, including Homestead, Naranja and surrounding communities. The mission of Kristi House is to provide advocacy and direct services for children overcoming sexual abuse, trafficking, and other childhood trauma. Together, the two organizations will purchase a property that will be used to operate a One Stop Center for Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence, specializing in reaching the South Dade community.
COSECHAS FLORIDA OP (DBA PURPLE ORCHID), PURPLE
REALTY GROUP, and LITTLE DREAM FACTORY in MIAMI
GARDENS OR OPA LOCKA ($500,000)
Cosechas Florida OP, doing business as Purple Orchid, is a healthy fast casual restaurant providing nutritious meals, beverages, catering, and grab-and-go products. Purple Realty Group is a commercial real estate services company that designs efficient and functional spaces for first and second generation restaurants, as well as conducting renovations of commercial and residential properties. Little Dreams Factory is a commercial real estate services company with skills in tenant management and lease negotiations. Together, the 3 entities plan to purchase space that will include a production commercial kitchen that will double as a commissary kitchen when not in use, as well as office space for the two professional service companies.
