8/3/2019 Small Business of the Year Awards Special Edition - Page 15

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2011/2012 • Inspiring Small Business • Page 15

For more than 35 years Dr. W.

Edward Gonzalez has been doing what

he loves every day at work, and he

does not plan to stop doing what he

loves any time soon.

Gonzalez, a Tampa native, earned

his B.S. from St. Leo University and

graduated from University of Louisville

School of Dentistry. He did his

residency at the Children’s

Hospital of Philadelphia, where

he was Chief Resident.

 After graduation, he returned

with his family, wife and dental

hygienist Mayling, whom he met

at St. Joseph Catholic School in

Tampa and started dating in 9th

grade and two children. The fami-

ly, including daughter Frankie

who manages the South Tampa

office, and son Sean, owner of 

Dr. Vinyl of West Central Florida,

selected the Brandon area to

start Pediatric Dental Center. “I

always knew I wanted to start my

own business and came to

Brandon because while at the

time it was a small area, but it

was a growing area,” he said.

Back in 1970s, pediatric dentistry

was an up-and-coming field that wasn’t

widely known, so much so that he even

had some difficulty trying to get a loan

to start up his business. “The bankers

didn’t know what a pediatric dentist was

and they had concerns about whether 

or not I would even be successful.”

Gonzalez, got the last laugh,

though, because Pediatric Dental

Center has been a success from the

very begin-

ning. “On

our first day

open, I think

we had 10 patients and we’ve been

growing ever since,” he said. “We’ve

managed to grow along with the growth

of the community.”

When it first opened, Pediatric

Dental Center was located at

Robertson and Parsons but it quickly

grew and in 1984, the practice movedto its current location on Corner Dr. “We

used to have a lot of patients come in

from Tampa; they would take the

Crosstown to get here,” said Gonzalez

After Business Of Year Win In 1985, Pediatric Dental Continues Success By Alissa Bridges

who continues to run the business with

Mayling, now general manager. “That’s

what inspired me to put another loca-

tion in Tampa, which opened in 2001.”

Proof of Pediatric Dental Center’s

success can be found simply by looking

at their patient history; Gonzalez is

starting to see second generations and

even some third generations of 

patients. “To me, the ultimate compli-

ment is that former patients like and

trust me enough to let me do dentalwork on their children,” he said. “It

means that I must have done some-

thing right and it makes me feel great.”

In addition to patient success,

Pediatric Dental Center was named the

Small Business of the Year by the

Brandon Chamber of Commerce in

1985 and has continued its momentum

ever since. This year alone, Pediatric

Dental Center was named the Best of 

Brandon 2010-2011 by the Tampa

Tribune reader’s poll and in February,

Gonzalez was awarded recognition by

his peers with a special accolade.

He was the recipient of the

 American Orthodontic Society's Dr.

Richard L. Moore Lifetime Achievement

 Award, named for the society’s founder.

Much of his success can be attrib-

uted to the example and support his

parents gave him. “My parents helped

me tremendously. My dad always used

to say ‘I don’t care what you turn out to

be, whether you’re a plumber, an elec-

trician or a doctor, just be the best you

can be.’ So that’s what I did, I told him

I’d be the best I could be. That’s how I

got to where I am today.”

 After winning the Small Business of 

the Year award in 1985, Gonzalez said,

“It was truly an honor to be recognized.

You strive at all times to have a busi-

ness that people like and and we have

worked hard to live up to that standard.”

Gonzalez truly understands how to

make a business a success and is very

happy to share what he has learned

throughout the years. “It’s important to

be innovative, keep up with the times

and try to stay ahead of your peers,” he

said. “Start every day with a smile.”

Pediatric Dental Center is located

at 517 Corner Dr. in Brandon. Visit

www.kidtooth.com or call 685-0804.

DR . W. E DWARD GONZALEZ WON THE 

BRANDON C HAMBER S MALL BUSINESS OF THE Y EAR  AWARD IN 1985, AND HIS SUC -CESS HAS CONTINUED FOR HIS PRACTICE ,

P EDIATRIC DENTAL C ENTER .

“To me, the ultimate

compliment is that former patients

like and trust me enough to let medo dental work on their children,” Dr. W. Edward Gonzalez 

Owner, Pediatric Dental Center 

2010

"1-5" Dr. Michael Sip Signature Dentistry"6-15" Dave & Karen West Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium"16+" Greg Celestan & Lewis Jolly Celestar CorporationHome-Based Business Dave Kemp & Barbara Kemp Kemp Design ServicesMinority or Woman-Owned Rinky Parwani Parwani Law, P.A.2009

"1-5" Jay Polizi Electric Today, Inc."6-15" Scott a nd Gay Lynn Love Love’s Tire & Serv ice Center, Inc."16+" Lori Bukaweski Brandon Sports & Aquatic CenterHome-Based Business Sherry Leybovich Cruises For U / Cruise PlannersMinority or Woman-Owned Emma Hemness Law Ofces O Emma Hemness, P.A.2008

"1-5" Betty Huth and Ed Booth Huth & Booth - The Portra it Ga llery"6-15" Frank Fiume i9Sports Corporation"16+" Ro n a nd J am ie S eagr en S er vi ce Ma ste r 2 4 H ou rHome-Based Business Mary Owens and Lisa Huetteman Black Diamond Assoc., LLCMinority or Woman-Owned Rohini Rustogi The Brandon Montessori School2007

"1-5" Je Sheer I.T. Computer Solutions

"6-15" Marie Gilmore Osprey Observer"16+" Jon and Lisa Yob Creative Recycling SystemsHome-Based Business Ja ke an d D ebb ie Pi as ci k D re am L im ou si ne , L LCMinority or Woman-Owned Tim Kilpatrick Kid's Community College2006

"1-5" Bobby Slate Mr. Electric o Tampa Bay, Inc."6-15" Anne Nymark Proessional Accounting & Consulting Services"16+" James Young Golden Corral/Brass Bell CateringHome-Based Business Rich Carey Lionheart.netMinority or Woman-Owned Melissa Snively State Farm Insurance/ Melissa Snively2005

"1-5" Tracy Halman Drug Screen Solutions"6-15" Michael Wick Serenity Meadows Memorial Park

Funeral Home & Creamatory"16+" Heather Ochalek Music ShowcaseHome-Based Business Jana Broder Drum Magic

2004

"1-5" Darren Denington Service With Style"6-15" Lela Lilyquist Nature's Health Foods, Inc."16+" J. Floyd Hall Sunshine State Fed. Sav & LoanHome-Based Business Chuck and Terri Long Ice -Pro Mechanical2003

"1-5" Pat Magruder Magruder Agcy-Nationwide Ins."6-15" Ke n an d S us an Fe arn ow Fe ar now In su ran ce , I nc."16+" Ruus Ashby Flooring AmericaHome-Based Business Carole Gill CRG Training & Consltg, Inc.2002

"1-5" Dr. Tim Russin Tim Russins, DDS"6-15" Jack Ratclie Pro Gol Superstore"16+" Mathew Peeples Advanced MarketplaceHome-Based Business Chris Tucker AAA Apple Roo Cleaning2001

"1-5" Doug Tibbits Premier Outdoor Lighting, Inc."6-15" Tay Coleman Bloomingdale Travel"16+" Dr. John McCoy Hawthorn VillageHome-Based Business Tony and Fran Harring A Quick Sign2000

"1-5" Bruce Waterman Bruce Waterman, DMD, P.A."6-15" Ron Glass and Barrett Smith Brandon Paint & Body, Inc."16+" David Combs David Andrew Hair SalonHome-Based Business Janet Costarell and Sharon Mulligan Welcome Newcomer, Inc.1999

"1-5" Janine Nickerson Brandon-Valrico Journal"6-15" Sharon Kelly and Kelly Kenny Network Credit Services"16+" Wingeld Hughes Forrester Smith, Inc.Home-Based Business LeAnne Crabtree LeAnne's Old Fashioned Cookies1998

"1-5" Jim and Sue Harbridge Mail Boxes, Etc."6-15" Gene Smith Brandon Business Machines"16+" Kevin Donorio Athletic Club o AmericaHome-Based Business Bill Wimble Redstone Resources1997

"1-15" Judy Gettle Deja'vu Laser Services"16-29" Dr. Sanord Schwartz & Dr. Craig Oldham Famil y Dentistry"30+" Michael T. McEnany McEnany Roong, Inc1996

"1-19" Amy Kowalski K2 Engineering, Inc."20-49" Paul Senory Sencommunications, Inc."50+" Paul Fournier ReMax Realty, Unlimited1995

"1-10" Donald B. Pate Donald Pate & Associates"10 +" Dr. Richard Kane Care Animal Hospital1994 Sandy MacKinnon Yale Industrial Trucks1993 Marilyn Kitman Medical Billing Specialists1992 Vincent Ferraro Ferraro & Associates1991 John Lynch Flags Unlimited, Inc.1990 Cliton C. Curry Curry & Associates, P.A.1989 James Taylor Trennex Enterprises1988 Ed West Little Ceasers Pizza1987 Jack Bishop Bishop Insurance Agency1986 Bob Dykes Dykes, Johnson Architects1985 D r. W. Edward G on zal es Pe di at ri c D ent al Car e1984 Julian Crat Crat Equipment Co.1983 Phillip Reed Phil Reed Equipment

*merged with Bobcat o Central Florida1982 Dick Stowers Stowers Funeral Home

Home-BasedB&W PC Consultants - Bill ThomasImmaculate Janitorial Service, LLC - LaShunda & Jerald MangumYard Guards on Doody, LLC - Cheresee Rehart

Minority & Women OwnedCampbell's Dairyland, Inc. - Jill & Jay Paules/ James & Leesa LeeLeonard's Academy o Dance & Centre or the Arts - Leonard MardisTutoring Club o Valrico - Susan Prestridge

1-5 EmployeesCommunity Insurance Group - Bill PuckettGreen Lizard Lawn Care, LLC - Nicole DavisHi Tech Automotive - Joe and Melissa Canfeld

6-15 EmployeesBusciglio Orthodontics - Dr. Derek Busciglio

Park Square Cellar - Shawn & Mary Sarkisian & Kevin FulcherValrico Animal Clinic - Dr. David Thomassy

16+ EmployeesHess Orthodontics - Dr. Michael A. Hess, DMD, MSKnowledgePoints - Rod BurkhardtSuperior Residences o Brandon Memory Care - Jill Andrew