ReportWire

Tag: sportfishing

  • Florida Small Business Owner Stays Afloat When Lender and Community Business Organization Join Forces

    Lifelong entrepreneur, Troy Warren, says he would be out of business without the financing he was able to access through Florida SBDC and Lendistry


    TAMPA, Fla., August 18, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Lendistry announces today that it was proud to partner with the Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida International University to finance Miller Time Sportfishing, a local charter fishing business in Islamorada. Due to its diversity of fishing opportunities and competitive charter industry, Islamorada is deemed the sport fishing capital of the world.

    “If I had not secured this loan I would be out of business at this time,” says owner Troy Warren, “I had a catastrophic mechanical meltdown on my vessel and had to totally rebuild the boat. I started with my bank. They referred me to the SBDC at FIU, where Bonnie Barnes learned my needs and directed me to Lendistry. I did consider an SBA loan many years ago and gave up, but this process was a night and day difference. When I contacted Bonnie, it was literally the next day and we were in a Zoom meeting and rolling. Shortly thereafter I was in communication with the lender and off we went.”

    Bonnie Barnes adds, “I was pleased to provide assistance to Troy, who expressed his intention to retire within the next five years. We then considered his exit strategy, which involved a comprehensive assessment of his boat’s condition and potential upgrades. This proactive approach will help ensure his business is operating at peak performance when he is ready to sell.”

    Lendistry partners with SBDC chapters nationwide to create a pathway for business owners who are ready to access capital and grow. The lender has financed over 21,000 businesses in Florida and is a top 10 provider of SBA 7(a) loans in the state. The Lendistry team is attending Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit on August 18-19, 2025 in Tampa Bay to connect with more Florida business owners and offer opportunities for progressive growth.

    About Lendistry

    Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a tech-enabled small business lender, grant administrator for private and public agencies, and a trusted resource for undercapitalized entrepreneurs including people of color, veterans, and those in rural communities. Founded in 2015, Lendistry has used technology and community partnerships to deploy over $10 billion in its first ten years. Lendistry was recently named the winner of the LA Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Leadership Award, BankRate’s Best Minority-Led Business Lender, and one of American Banker’s Best Places to Work in Fintech. Lendistry has both Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certifications, is an SBA Preferred Lender and is now the #2 non-bank SBA 7(a) lender in the country. In collaboration with The Center by Lendistry, a nonprofit business education organization, Lendistry helps business owners achieve their goals and prepare to scale.

    Contact Information

    Kate Kearns
    Sr. Communications Manager
    communications@lendistry.com

    Source: Lendistry

    Source link

  • The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Makes Sporting History With a Record Payout

    The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Makes Sporting History With a Record Payout

    Virginia Team Wins Over 3.4 Million Dollars in Prize Money with the Event’s Top Catch

    Press Release
    –

    Jul 12, 2022


    MOREHEAD CITY, N.C., July 12, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament recently celebrated 64 years of competition with a record-breaking purse and top prize payout. This year, 266 teams and over 1,500 competitors vied for a piece of the impressive $5,858,875 purse, and the winning team was able to stack up a total payout of $3,489,813 – a record only surpassed by one other event in all of billfishing’s tournament history.

    Day 1 of the tournament started off hot, with Captain Neil Sykes of the 72-foot Viking, “MERCENARIA”, and angler Matthew Brown weighing a 572.6-pound blue marlin. Their entry into the Fabulous Fisherman division of the tournament immediately ensured them at least $777,750 for bringing the first blue marlin to the scales weighing over 500 pounds. 

    Teams fish four of six days (captain’s choice) of the tournament and can enter as many of the 11 eligible divisions as they prefer, each with unique payout opportunities. Although seven additional blue marlin were brought to the scales at Big Rock Landing throughout the six-day tournament, none could unseat the 572.6-pound fish weighed by “MERCENARIA” on the first day. The team’s first-place blue marlin along with their Fabulous Fisherman prize added up to winnings of $3,489,813. Other popular billfish tournaments have had larger participant fields and total purses available, but only once has a single participating team won a calcutta of prizes this large. 

    Former NBA and North Carlina basketball superstar Michael Jordan added to the Day 1 excitement, backing into Big Rock Landing in Morehead City aboard his 80-foot Viking yacht, “CATCH 23” and weighing a 24-pound dolphin fish (mahi). Jordan went on to release two blue marlin during the tournament.

    While multi-million-dollar winnings are commonplace in the world of professional sports, fishing tournaments like the Big Rock attract entrants from all walks of life and experience levels, with Lady and Junior angler divisions also offering distinct payouts. In the 64 years of tournament history, fishing for blue marlin off North Carolina has truly evolved from a novel hobby to an epic sporting event rewarding anglers with millions of dollars.

    This year, nearly 1 million listeners from 60 countries tuned in to Big Rock Radio to keep tabs on the action. Big Rock TV also features daily live stream video sessions and racked up over 2 million viewers in 71 countries.

    The Big Rock is not just a week-long sportfishing tournament or unique spectating destination, it is also a charitable foundation that gives to the local community throughout the year. Total charitable contributions since The Big Rock Foundation was formed in 1986 exceed $7.5 million. 

    As the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament continues to grow its global following and offshore participant base, so will the charitable efforts throughout the communities the Big Rock Foundation serves. The Big Rock Board of Directors is grateful for the support of so many world-class teams, businesses and organizations, and look forward to June 12, 2023, for the kick-off of the 65th Annual tournament! Read Full Recap

    # # #

    The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament‘s mission is to work diligently to promote sportfishing and conservation while also raising charity funds for regional & international communities. This is accomplished through sponsorships of not only the main tournament, but the Big Rock, Big Hero program, the Keli Wagner Lady Angler (KWLA) Tournament, and the Big Rock Kids Tournament. To learn more about Big Rock and charitable giving, visit thebigrock.com.

    Source: Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament

    Source link