4/1/2008
American Building Inspectors Corporation
"By using the no cost services of the Gainesville, Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) we had professional assistance to help us launch our Business Plan into action. We would like to thank Pat from the Gainesville SBDC for all of his help and John Miller from the Lynn Haven, Florida Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) for his involvement and assistance."
American Building Inspectors (ABI) Corp was created with several goals in mind: To provide a great service, to give their family an excellent income, to assist other Veterans, and to help protect our environment. ABI’s services include local commercial and residential inspections, legal services and real estate inspections. Their international services include acquisition inspections, consulting projects, and Government contracts. Gary and Delayna Harris opened this Woman-owned, Veteran operated business on November 1, 2007 after seeking assistance from the Veterans Business Outreach Center. Gary has been doing commercial inspections for many years. Gary felt that the experience Delayna had through school and other administrative jobs would be an asset to his business. ABI Corp. is a very successful business because of Delayna and Gary’s experience. Gary states: “We had challenges to meet before we could begin. We needed working capital, but didn’t want to go into debt. Since we had both been United Parcel Service employees we made the decision to utilize our retirement savings to fund our business start up. This provided the working capital we needed to begin as a debt free company. By using the no cost services of the Gainesville, Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) we had professional assistance to help us launch our Business Plan into action. We would like to thank Pat from the Gainesville SBDC for all of his help and John Miller from the Lynn Haven, Florida Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) for his involvement and assistance.” Florida Crown Workforce also helped to bring ABI into existence. Delayna Harris attended the University of Kansas. She also has experience in administrative jobs through Outback Steakhouse. Gary obtained most of his education through the military. He has extensive experience with commercial inspections through his military background. He is committed to helping other Veterans with any assistance he can offer. Delayna and Gary donate a portion of their profits to Veterans and their families. They also support environmental awareness through use of our paperless inspection services. This passion to give back to Veterans and the environment inspired Mr. Harris to start his own venture, American Building Inspectors, Inc., in Ft. White, FL in November of 2007. After requesting assistance and receiving guidance from Tony Zacchio and John Miller of the Veterans Business Outreach Center, Mr. Harris started his business with his own equity injection of $10,000. UPDATE: On June 12, 2008 Fort White, local service-disabled business owners Gary and Delayna Harris were the only invited guests of Governor Charlie Crist for the signing of Bill 687. Governor Crist and Navy Reserve (Retired) Rear Admiral Leroy Collins invited the business owners to represent all disabled-veteren owned business entrepreneurs for the ceremonial historical signing. The Florida Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Opportunity Act signed into law will give preference regarding state contracts to certified service-disabled veteran business enterprises such as American Building Inspectors Corporation starting November 11, 2008. "Thanks goes out to Tony Zacchio and John Miller of the Florida Veterans Outreach Business Center for assisting Gary and Delayna during the start-up phases and with the excellent follow through to help create the success of ABI, Corp."