For many wishful entrepeneurs
it can take years to "wake up and
smell the coffee." But for Susan L. Hartley and her crew at
H&R/SunBelt Coffee, it is the exception. Today
Hartley holds the
distinction of being the first female recepient of the United States
Small Busines Person of the Year for North Flordia and presides
over one of the state's most recognized companies.
In 1988, Susan L. Hartley,
a graduate of Florida State University,
was looking for
a new career. That's when she began her new and
exciting future with H&R Coffee and SunBelt Coffee & Water as a
route delivery driver. Through hard work, long hours and innovative
approaches, she rapidly advanced up the corporate ladder, moving
from route driver to sales representative to sales manager to Vice
President. In 1993, with the help of an SBA loan, Hartley bought
the H&R Coffee division from the former employee, Robert
Jackson, and became the president. In 1999, Hartley acquired
the rest of the company, SunBelt Coffee & Water, doubling the
company's size overnight. Hartley is President and CEO and
owns 100% of the corporation.
Hartley's outstanding
business accomplishments have earned her
numerous honors and awards. She was named the recepient
of the prestigious:
