After running my own small businesses for over 45 years, I now provide my time free of charge to help small companies, startups, and pre-startups. My mentoring and advising focuses primarily on:★ Planning and launching a new business- Helping assure that a business idea is really viable- Determining what resources (financial and human) it will take to get the business going- Exploring alternative strategies and developing a basic plan★ Increasing Sales by- Using Customer Discovery to validate business ideas BEFORE they are launched- Identifying and understanding the customers' real problems- Defining the market segment and target customers- Refining the sales process to concentrate on solving the correct customer problems★ Improving Customer Loyalty by- Evaluating and improving the overall customer experience★ Helping new entrepreneurs learn about basic business, marketing and sales. Since 2014, I've mentored clients and taught classes for both SCORE and Starter Studio in Orlando, and also worked directly with my own clients.For more information: https://www.score.org/greaterknoxville/profile/denny-johnson

For nearly 40 years, SOFTRITE provided Software Development, Project Management, IT Services, and Management Consulting to the Finance, Homebuilding, and Technology industries. A few of the major clients have been:★ Homebuilding Industry: Lennar, Ryland, Park Square, Engineered Homes★ Finance Industry: Bank of America, GreenTree/Conseco, John Deere, Yamaha, Allegro Acceptance★ Technology: Voxeo, LifeSize (div of Logitech), Columbia Data Products, SysCorpIn addition to running the business and conducting all sales activities, I've been the designer and lead developer for all our software projects, as well as a member of our network implementation team. After semi-retiring in 2014, I continued to assist a few long-time clients with technical needs, but now volunteer my available time to coach and guide other small businesses and startups.

Launched 70 desk upscale co-working office which became the premier co-working space in Central Florida. Obtained sponsorship from Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and developed joint projects with them. Office was fully occupied at the beginning of 2020, but shutdown later in the year due to Covid-19.

► As the recession hit the Homebuilding and Finance industries, SOFTRITE started moving away from technical services. My consulting involvement with Voxeo increased and eventually led to this full-time position.Focused on a variety of high priority corporate projects involving customer loyalty, employee engagement, tech community relations, information systems and others. Managed the customer survey and follow-up process that resulted in Net Promoter Scores (NPS) exceeding 60%. Led the CEO's mission for Voxeo to become the center of the tech community in Central Florida through our co-working program and event hosting. These efforts were recognized by numerous TV news and print media feature articles. Honored with the Voxeo Obsession Award for overseeing the construction of our new headquarters...a 55,000 sq ft "Google-like" high tech environment in downtown Orlando.●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●Voxeo was acquired by Aspect in the summer of 2013. My responsibilities were migrated to Aspect's existing corporate staff.

Established and managed the first high-tech co-working office in downtown Orlando, hosting nearly 100 workers from a variety of small tech and startup companies. Voxeo CoWorking became the primary tech-hub of Central Florida, hosting regularly scheduled events and meetups. It also became the home of Orlando Tech, the largest independent tech organization in the area. Upon sale of Voxeo, the acquiring company shut it down.

Responsible for system management for their 1,000 person Finance organization. Led development projects to migrate the Estimating and Cost Control Systems from the mainframe to the PC.

Developed standard and custom business application software for small IBM systems. In addition to direct sales to customers, I developed a small network of independent resellers. Our success with IBM led to being recruited as IBM's first Value Added Reseller in Alabama.

Responsible for the marketing, sale and implementation of IBM's first portable computer, the IBM 5100, throughout the south half of Alabama. I was a dedicated product rep overlaying the divisional sales teams in three offices. Earned membership in IBM's Hundred Percent Club in recognition of meeting sales objectives.●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●Intense 10 month technical sales training program which combined field experience along with 17 weeks in a formal classroom environment at headquarters. IBM's focus on quality, customer obsession and individual respect established the values that I've followed throughout my entire professional career.

While in college...● LIBRA PHOTOGRAPHS - Focused mostly on doing real estate photography for mortgage companies and sports photography for a local newspaper ● TV and ELECTRONIC SERVICE - Repaired televisions and other electronic equipment for a large hotel as well as individual consumers.● SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE - Maintained swimming pools for several apartment complexes.