With so many companies taking a bottom-line approach these days to combat the U.S. economic downturn, those that choose to value other outcomes really stand out. Sarasota is fortunate to have a number of businesses that refuse to compromise and be ruled by the almighty dollar. With a little luck, other companies soon will model themselves after these local ventures and our entire community will be better off for it.

The Evolution of Neo-Genesis
Though he used to work for some of the biggest names in the business world creating commercials, ad campaigns, and marketing materials for the likes of IBM, Motorola, McDonald’s, Blockbuster, Universal Studios, MTV, and NBC, Steven Shepard left it all behind to begin Neo-Genesis, a very different type of graphic design & PR firm located in nearby Longboat Key.

What makes Neo-Genesis different? Shepard’s prospective clients are evaluated on such factors as environmental consciousness, sustainable solutions for all life, and whether the products or services his clients offer are bettering the world in some way for humanity or the environment, versus sheer financial motivation.
“The biggest surprise,” says the always-smiling Shepard, “is that I can still make a respectable income while working with companies who care as much about humanity and the world as I do. Even despite the global economic woes, a lot of businesses are thinking and acting responsibly versus trying to squeeze out a few extra bucks. Those are the businesses and people I choose to play with, and that makes all the difference in the world to me!”
The name of the company, Neo-Genesis, plays on the idea of new beginnings and fresh starts. This reflects the creative consciousness and outside-the-box thinking from which Shepard approaches every project. A large part of his job, he admits, is helping clients see beyond their initial concepts. “I like them to think about the bigger picture of how their company and its products fit into culture, community, and industry.” His award-winning results and word-of-mouth reputation says wonders about the partnerships he creates with clients.
Spend even just a few moments with the positive force that is Steven Shepard, and it’s easy to see why one of his favorite quotes is by Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” It’s clear that Shepard has taken this idea to heart.

Keeping Communities Safe and Clean
Thanks to over-the-top pop culture figures like Dale Gribble (the conspiracy theorist, bounty hunter, gun fanatic, and chain-smoking exterminator of the Fox TV show King of the Hill), many people think the pest control business is just about the maniacal slaying of bugs on a massive scale. “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Paul Hobson, the burly certified operator-in-charge of Hobson’s Termite & Pest Solutions, a local business based here in Sarasota. “As important as the handling of any pest situation is, we are also committed to the protection of property, food, and the public health. That’s non-negotiable.”
Integrity, fairness, and safety are what Hobson’s is all about. Having worked for larger pest companies in Florida over the years, Hobson witnessed too many cut corners and cost-saving techniques at the expense of results. Despite the pest control industry being a $6.3 billion business, a lot of companies are finding ways to fight the economic downswing by jacking up prices and recommending unnecessary procedures. That all proved too much for Hobson. In 2007, he started his own company with the goal of providing top-notch client service, and it’s this type of commitment to the welfare of the client and the community that makes Hobson’s stand tall.
When Samantha Kasprzyk-Benge of the Bradenton Re/Max Alliance Group called to have them treat a serious problem in a client’s home, Hobson postponed the family’s weekend plans to handle the job that same day. With good reason, some real estate agents refuse to do business with any other pest control company thanks to that level of concern and dedication. And when wildlife takes up residence in an attic, Hobson — a state-registered wildlife trapper — uses safe traps and releases the animals at a permitted natural release site or takes them to The Wildlife Center in Venice. Just this past year, a raccoon and four babies got into a neighbor’s house. Hobson refused to relocate the animals until they were sure they had the entire family together, even though it took an entire evening to do it properly.
While some pest companies advertise their exclusive use of “green” chemicals, Hobson readily tells customers the best solution for the job whether it’s “green,” chemical pesticides, traps, or something else entirely. “Making the bugs ‘drunk’ with a natural pesticide, putting cucumber peels under door jams, or sprinkling NutraSweet on ant hills isn’t always the ideal situation since with some varieties of insects, they’ll come back and be a problem again in a few days or weeks if you don’t do it right the first time. Customers pay good money for our services, and I want them to be completely satisfied that we’ve met their needs,” says Hobson. No matter the job, he’s careful not to overuse strong chemicals and possibly create an unsafe situation for families or the environment. The pesticide industry has a lot of low- and non-toxic products, and Hobson always considers those first.
Educating the public matters to Hobson, too. He recommends the following tips, which might help people from needing the services of a professional. But he shares these easy-to-follow ideas freely anyway — that’s the type of professional Sarasota can be proud of.
• Seal all external entry points for utilities and pipes.
• Keep all shrubbery and tree branches trimmed away from the house.
• Keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces dry and well ventilated.
• Store garbage in sealed containers; dispose of it promptly and regularly.
• Store firewood at least twenty feet from the house (ideally keep it five inches off the ground).
• Call a qualified pest control professional for additional advice and treatment as needed.
“We stand behind every job that we do,” Hobson says with his characteristic big smile. “One hundred percent.” With pride in his work and a commitment to excellence, clearly this is no Dale Gribble. This is someone whose company grew out of his own community-based conscience.