This spring, alongside blooming flowers and flourishing trees scurrying to fill in voids left from winter, you may notice several new businesses budding along with the flowers throughout the area. Here are a few to check out this season.

While in the midst of spring-cleaning, have work and play apparel professionally cleaned in a “greener” way by KleanSmart. In early 2009, Francisco Martinez, along with his wife and business partners, began searching for an up-and-coming location to set up a discount dry cleaning store. “We chose East Orlando for its demographic projection as well as its convenient location close to the airport,” explains Martinez, co-owner of KleanSmart.

Adapting to the trend of going green, KleanSmart uses the most advanced technology. “By using the most environmentally friendly solvent, Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaning, and maintaining our equipment, we take the upmost care to keep our business green,” says Martinez. “Our business is an example of the dynamism and opportunities provided by the ongoing growth and development of East Orlando.” With state-of-the-art, eco-friendly technology, personalized service and expertly trained personnel, KleanSmart aims to provide the best possible care for your clothes and the environment.

Looking for a new method to enhance your well-being? Unlike conventional medicine, Synergy Wellness Chiropractic emphasizes on improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and illness through an assortment of treatments. Since opening in mid-February, Dr. Noah Herbert, owner and clinical director of Synergy Wellness Chiropractic, has seen an increase in patients. “I believe this area is growing at a rapid rate,” he says.

Though the current economy may challenge new businesses, Herbert considers it a great time for business owners to take advantage of lower interest rates and possible negotiations on lease terms with a number of office space vacancies. “The benefit of a healthcare profession is that no matter the economic climate, there is still a need for healthcare practitioners,” he adds.

The clinic is also working towards saving some green while going green with the addition of absorbing plants in every room, florescent lighting and the installation of light dimmers, which require less energy to operate.

Recently, as many struggle with the high cost of grocery bills, eating out has become more of a luxury. Avalon Pockets, a family-owned business in Avalon Park, has designed an affordable Mediterranean menu consisting of everything from Greek Gyros to Turkish Kabobs while allowing locals an opportunity to enjoy a good meal in a nice, quaint setting.

“We chose the area specifically for the atmosphere to promote fresh food made right here in the store, as an alternative to fast food,” says Sal Shimy, owner of Avalon Pockets. In the months to come, the eatery would not only like to have an influence on healthier eating habits, but also on greener habits by setting an example for businesses with their use of energy efficient equipment and recycling whatever waste they can daily. Since opening a month ago, feedback from the locals has been the greatest help. “Everybody likes to try new places, and if they like the food, they will come back and recommend it to friends,” says Shimy. “We are working on trying to cut down waiting times without affecting the quality or freshness of the food by staffing better, which in turn will provide additional jobs to our community.”

Now that spring has sprung, be sure to stop by a new local business when you’re out and about to help support the growing community of East Orlando we call home.

Article by Carol Galbicsek

When choosing what dentist you and your family will visit, what factors come into your mind? Sure, you want to feel comfortable. You want to feel like the doctors and staff really care and they are highly skilled - but have you ever thought about factoring in the practice’s green initiatives? By creating a patient-first practice combined with environmentally sound programs, Dentila, formerly The Right Smile, offers the best of both worlds at their new location, opening this month.

Located just down the street from their former office, the new space allows the practice not only more room to accommodate patients, but a chance to upgrade their dental technology and to take their environmentally conscious business practices to the next level.

“It’s really a win-win for us, the environment and our patients,” says Dr. Axel Castro, co-owner of Dentila Dentistry, along with his wife, Dr. Maribel Morales. “In addition to offering all of the services you’d find at any leading dentist’s office, we are also able to create a better atmosphere for our new, incoming and current patients  and feel good at the end of the day - what more could you ask for?”

The new office is not only a chance to grow and rebrand their practice, but an opportunity to improve on the foundation that has made them so successful over the past five years.

New green features of the office designed specifically to reduce their carbon footprint include: investing in solar panels to be their main source of power and state-of-the-art methods to reduce the amount of paper needed to run the office, driving them ever closer to paperless dentistry. “On top of that, it’s going paperless is a cost saver we can pass onto our patients, and it’s killing fewer trees. You would not believe the amount of paper we used to go through before the change,” says Morales.

Other environmentally sound practices include choosing flooring and window treatments that are certified “green” or post-consumer materials, like their floor that is made out of used rubber.

Morales says that along with creating more awareness the office is moving, they also hope the green measures will inspire other businesses and families. “We’re making a big effort in our business and at home with our kids to contribute to a safe environment on our planet,” she says.

The duo has also taken the opportunity to upgrade the equipment they utilize and redesign their office layout to increase patient comfort and relaxation.  “We’re incorporating cable TV in every treatment room to offer some entertainment for patients while they wait or to help keep their minds distracted during procedures,” says Castro. “We know going to the dentist isn’t anyone’s favorite thing to do, so we want to make it as comfortable as possible wherever we can.”

The larger space will also allow the doctors to continue to grow their practice and offer more convenient appointment times for patients. “Expanding our office not only allows us to accommodate more patients with less headache; but it also gives us the opportunity for longer appointments, and that means more face time with patients,” says Morales. “One of our goals since opening our office five years ago was to dedicate enough time to serve our patients needs and really build strong, long-lasting relationships with them - this is another way to improve on that goal.”

From your average hygiene/cleaning appointments to more advanced procedures like periodontal disease treatment and root canals, the Dentila team can accommodate any number of dental needs in one office. “We try hard to limit the amount of referrals out of the office for one main reason,” says Castro. “It makes the patient’s life easier. If all their procedures are done here, with us, it’s less confusing, there are less places to drive and we can develop better relationships - which ideally lead to better results.”

As the doctors look toward their future in East Orlando, they can’t help but remember what got them here in the first place. “Before we opened we made a promise that we would always do two things,” says Castro. “One is to provide excellent quality dental work and the second is to always offer superb customer service to our patients. With our new office, we strive to continue providing both.”

To experience Dentila difference, contact their new Waterford Lakes area location to schedule an appointment today.

Dentila Dentistry
422 S. Alafaya Trail, Suite 27
Orlando, FL  32828
407.380.7046 - www.Dentila.com

Article by Corey Gehrold

A child’s education is fundamental to their future successes, both professionally and socially. As a parent, you strive to give your child the best, most nurturing learning environment you can find, and rightfully so. In East Orlando there are dozens of options for early childhood care and education, but none may offer more than Ladybird Academy.

Combining preschool early learning and education with high quality childcare, Ladybird Academies are designed to give youngsters aged six weeks to 6-years-old the learning excellence they deserve in a bright, nurturing environment. Their unique blend of activities, caring childcare professionals and development-oriented curricula are just some of the reasons local parents, like Lori Helman, choose Ladybird. “I am so impressed with the advanced level of education-based care provided by Ladybird,” she says. “They incorporate a wide variety of activities, music, learning skills, and even computers and foreign language into the daily program and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

After enrolling at Ladybird at just three-months-old, Helman’s son, Jason, was engaged in a well-balanced program complete with teacher-facilitated activities, structured and free play time and repetition. “Jason was well-prepared, and even a few steps ahead, in his learning and social skills as he entered kindergarten. I’m simply thrilled that when he graduated Ladybird preschool he was already reading and loving it,” says Helman.

One of the hallmarks of family-based Ladybird Academy is to provide a safe and secure environment that fosters healthy growth, while encouraging personal, physical and intellectual development, according to vice president, Simon Hansla. “We believe that every child should be encouraged to their maximum potential through a variety of early learning experiences,” he says. “Offering a high-quality, educational curriculum with small class sizes, dedicated fully-certified staff and state-of-the-art facilities are just some of the ways we help to make that happen.”

Starting with their early learning program, children enrolled at the school enjoy music, games, stories, toys and more - with each element carefully designed to develop growth and promote small and large-scale motor skills. And with each of the five East Orlando centers located in Lake Nona, Avalon Park, Windermere, Wyndam Lakes and off of Lake Underhill averaging 15,000-squre-feet, there is plenty of space for students to learn and develop at their own rate. Built to include a bright, open environment with tempered glass walls in all classrooms, activities are easily visible to everyone.

“We keep our classes small to ensure as much one-on-one interaction as we can with each student,” says Hansla. “Each facility also has separate playgrounds with age appropriate equipment for a particular age range, so the kids get the most out of every part of their day, even when they’re just outside having fun.”

One of the main goals for Ladybird, aside from ensuring that every parent feels safe and confident dropping when their children off, is to combine learning with fun for their students. “We have a structured educational curricula, but we’re also trying it make it a fun learning experience,” says Hansla. The philosophy works. Not only are all of the schools near full enrollment, but they also scored a state-high 100 percent on a kindergarten readiness test recently.

Cindy Smedal enrolled her dauther, Lauren, at Ladybird when she was just 14-weeks-old. Now moving into the preschool program, Lauren continues to impress her parents with skills she is learning in the classroom as well as through her ballet and soccer activities.

“She blew me away the first time she pointed to a shape and said ‘pentagon!’” says Smedal. “Or the first time she counted to 10 in Spanish, or the first time she counted to 30, all before the age of three. We have become so close with her teachers, I feel like they are extended family.”

Ladybird Academy also introduces the computer lab as part of their activities as early as the “ladybug” class with students between the ages of three and four. “Starting at an early age is key to help students respect, not fear, technology in a fun and interactive format,” says Hansla. “It’s all part of making sure that when a child leaves here they are well-prepared for the road and the world ahead from a development standpoint. We’ve been so lucky in being able to staff each of our locations with, what I feel, are truly the best, most caring teachers out there.”

Ladybird Academy’s Lake Nona, Lake Underhill, Windermere, Wyndham Lakes and Avalon Park facilities are currently enrolling for VPK classes as well as part or full-time programs now.

Visit Ladybird Academy’s website at www.LadybirdAcademy.com or call them at 407.273.4331 today to learn more.

Article by Corey Gehrold

Have you ever experienced a moment in time when everything just felt “right” - a time when there was nothing you’d rather be doing? That feeling, that natural high, is exactly what Frank and Joann Nardolillo experience every time they walk into their newly purchased business, Davis Bakery & Co. in Avalon Park.

“It’s crazy stuff, but I always wanted to own a bakery,” says Frank, a former account. After spending decades in the accounting field, he and wife decided it was time to pursue their dream. They decided to invest in themselves, and in a business they truly loved. “If I could pick one thing I wanted to do, just as a dream, this is it. Then, the perfect opportunity came up and just kind of fell in my lap,” he says.

The Avalon Park couple, married for more than 25 years, were looking for a business to take over for two years. They thought they found it in Winter Park with a locally owned yogurt shop. “I put a bid in just under $3,000 what the owner was asking for and his broker told me he wanted to listen to a few other offers that were supposed to come in throughout the week,” says Frank.

So he waited. A few days later he received a call from another broker, this one representing Chris and Alex Davis, previous owners of Davis Bakery who were selling the business to relocate to Austin, TX.

“Even though it was kind of bad timing, and I told him that, I thought I might as well meet; so, I sat down with Alex for about an hour and after hearing the way she built the bakery and the business, I said ‘I’ll take it,’” says Frank. Ironically, the day after he agreed to take over Davis Bakery, the Winter Park business came calling, accepting his offer. “I thought, ‘Someone must be watching out for me’ and I told them it was off the table,” Frank says with a grin.

Being an accountant for clients in so many industries, Frank was able to see how each business worked firsthand. “That’s one of the reasons we knew Davis was a winning combination, from their people to the atmosphere and especially the food, everything was top-notch, so it made for an easy decision and transition,” he says.

Today, the duo couldn’t be happier. “When I first walked into this place a few years ago, I thought it was a great atmosphere and I was excited to have our own little hometown bakery,” says Frank. “Then I had one of their breakfast sandwiches and just fell in love, but I never thought I’d own it,” he jokes.

“More than anything we want to become a bakery that Avalon Park and its residents can be proud of,” says Frank. “The staff and the food here is amazing already, and we want to build on that experience that is uniquely Davis to offer more of that good stuff.”

That’s right, the new owners are planning to offer more pies, more cakes, more cupcakes, more cookie and more smiles with every bite. “Everyone has a favorite dessert, and we’re going to try and have it at some point throughout the year,” says Frank. “We plan to expand on the breakfast sandwiches as well, and really cater to what Avalon Park wants.”

Other changes planned for the bakery include a redesign of the front of the store to allow for a more comfortable environment during peak business hours and a focused effort to make the ordering process a bit less cumbersome. Changes are expected to be completed within the first month of the year.

The goal, according to Frank, is to give the shop more of a market “feel” where customers can browse around for what they want as opposed to a “stand in line, order and wait” system. The goal is to keep the people and tummy-friendly culture that’s already been established while making it more accessible.

“My biggest surprise so far is that regardless of the hours I’m putting in, I’m enjoying it,” says Frank. “Sure it’s different from what I’m used to, but I’m enjoying making egg sandwiches, tasting pies and interacting with customers. It’s been a lot of fun so far, and it’s just getting started.”

Article by Corey Gehrold

When you think about walking into a dentist’s office, what comes to mind? What is the first thing you feel? If you’re like most East Orlando residents, odds are your first thought wasn’t “relaxation” or “peace.” If you don’t feel calm or hopeful when you walk into your dentist’s office, odds are you aren’t walking into Making Orlando Smile to see Maxine Moncrieffe, DDS.

Since opening her Lake Underhill area private practice in 2000, Moncrieffe and the staff at Making Orlando Smile have continually put one thing above all else: patient comfort. “It definitely takes priority with my staff and I,” she says. “We’re all patients too, so we know what it’s like to be on the other side of the chair that’s why we do everything we can to make them feel at ease.”

The process starts the moment patients walk through the doors. Designed to resemble a living room, the waiting area exudes a comfortable, cozy feel. When you’re taken back to the typically “dreaded chair” you’ll find inviting colors, and unusually large, spacious surroundings. “With this office, we were able to really open up the areas where we see patients,” says Andrew Baylis, office manager for Making Orlando Smile and proud husband of Moncrieffe. “Patients get a little claustrophobic, understandably, with people standing around them and with strange tools inside their mouth. Add to that a smaller confined space, and it can scare them; that’s why we wanted to provide as big and open of an environment as possible to help reduce that anxiety.”

The paperless office is also equipped with the latest technology to make each patients visit as painless, quick and enjoyable as possible. The office even takes digital photos of every patient’s problem areas so the doctor can share exactly what she is seeing with the patient as she is seeing it.

Each chair is also equipped with a video monitor, basic cable and a DVD player allowing patients, young and old, to watch their favorite shows or movies to make the experience more enjoyable. “The dental experience shouldn’t be something you have to dread,” says Baylis. “We do our best to make patients feel right at home.”

In fact, they even have a Relaxation Room set up within their office to provide patients and family members a place to comfortably, privately wait during extended procedures, such as waiting for their crowns to be made.  That’s right, crowns can be made, fitted and placed in the office in under two hours, versus two weeks or more when molds have to be made and sent out to labs at other offices.

“While patients are waiting they can come in here; take their shoes off; close the blinds; turn on the TV; put their feet up and plop down on our comfy couch,” says Baylis. “We use the room a lot for high blood pressure patients as well, if they get a little anxious. They can come in here, enjoy a cold  beverage we provide and relax to the point where they’re comfortable again.”

From routine checkups to complete smile makeovers and even root canals, teeth whitening and Invisalign, Making Orlando Smile offers a plethora of dental services to fit the needs of East Orlando residents of all ages, starting as young as when children start growing teeth. “Usually those early visits are about parent education more than anything,” says Moncrieffe. “We want to get the patients comfortable in the office and with the idea of going to see the dentist at a young age so we can help establish those healthy habits for life.”

Establishing those healthy habits is one thing that the team at Making Orlando Smile takes great pride in. “A lot of patients comment about how much time the staff and the doctor spend with them when they’re here, explaining procedures and getting to know them, it really makes a big difference in how we prescribe treatment for them as well,” says Baylis. “Our philosophy is that what you don’t know can hurt you, so we do all that we can to provide patients with enough information so they know why their problem occurred and how to prevent it from occurring again.”

“We dive deep into patients day-to-day habits while they’re with us, not only because it helps us get to the root of their dental problems, but also because it helps us get to know them as neighbors and share with them,” says Moncrieffe. “We like to think of our patients as family, and we take every opportunity we can to get to know them on a personal level.”

Baylis even goes as so far as to give out his cell phone number to patients for emergencies. “We will see you on the weekends or after hours if there is any type of emergency, no matter what you will hear from us within 24 hours,” he says.

“For me, to see the life changing an experience a patient can have - going from not wanting to smile because of the way their teeth look to not being able to stop smiling because of the way their teeth look, is what it’s all about,”  says Moncrieffe. “They have such a renewed confidence and higher self-esteem, it’s almost like a new person, and it’s a great feeling to be a part of that dynamic.”

Article by Corey Gehrold