In honor of the Florida Governor’s Proclamation commemorating October as Florida Small Business Month, the Florida Small Business Development Center Network is proud to Shine the Light on one of Florida’s outstanding small businesses. The featured business is representative of the thousands of clients and diverse industries the FSBDCN serves statewide. Designated as Florida's Principal Provider of Small Business Assistance by state statute, the FSBDCN is statewide with 35 locations from Pensacola to the Keys. The Network’s integrated infrastructure has the professionals and partners needed to successfully serve the Florida business community. No matter the need(s) of the business, Florida SBDCs have the experience, expertise and connectivity to help small businesses succeed.

Roofing Company Stays on Top During Recession
With Help From the SBDC at USF






According to Dillinger, the consultants at the
Small Business Development Center “provide high
quality advice, were very helpful, and really cared
about my business. I go to many functions where
Small Business Development Center consultants
participate and I am impressed by the
commitment of their people.”
 


After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, Hig Rodriquez Dillinger worked with a number of building materials' companies. In 2002, he decided to leverage his experience and contacts to launch Commercial Industrial Roof Services Company (CIRSCO). "It seemed natural that we would take all of that expertise and put it to use as a roof consultant," Dillinger said.

To get started, in 2002, Dillinger came to the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida in Tampa to learn how to obtain his certification as a Minority Business Enterprise and win government contracts. According to Dillinger, the consultants at the Small Business Development Center "provide high quality advice, were very helpful, and really cared about my business. I go to many functions where Small Business Development Center consultants participate, and I am impressed by the commitment of their people."

Dillinger’s vision, when he started his business, was to be a roof consultant. However, like many entrepreneurs, he discovered his customers wanted more. They wanted a roof consultant, but also a quality roof contractor to protect their roofs. CIRSCO soon expanded beyond advising customers on how to extend the life of their roof. Now, CIRSCO works primarily with multiple-facility building owners and property managers, providing maintenance inspections, budgeting, planning, roof repairs, restorations, recovery and replacements.

"We focus almost exclusively on helping owners and managers of existing buildings protect their roofs to protect their buildings," Dillinger explains. Dillinger says his company’s motto is "treat customers as human beings and understand their needs."

CIRSCO has developed into a family firm of 22 employees with sons Scott and Steve, plus daughter, Nichol, working in the business.

The company has received many awards such as:

  • 2008 Top 25 Minority-Owned Companies in Tampa Bay
  • Nation’s Top 100 Disabled Veteran-Owned Business
  • Nation’s Top 500 Hispanic-Owned Business

Dillinger continues to make use of the resources at the Small Business Development Center to grow his business. He has attended 44 counseling sessions since the business started in 2002. Now, his customers want CIRSCO to provide services for their facilities, landscaping, parking lots, irrigation systems and storm water management.

In spite of the recession, CIRSCO is growing and looking to hire quality people. Again, CIRSCO is going where their customers take them--well beyond the original vision. For further information, visit www.cirsco.com or call 813.740.8080.

The Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network of 35 centers, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, hosted by the University of West Florida and accredited through the national Association of SBDCs. For over 30 years, the FSBDCN has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses, and economic prosperity for the state. To learn more about the FSBDCN or to find an SBDC near you, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.





State Director's Office l 401 E Chase St, Ste 100 l Pensacola, FL 32502
866.737.7232 or 850.473.7800 l www.FloridaSBDC.org