My name is Cory Cannon. I have a little experience with entrepreneurship. I would categorize almost everyone on my father’s side as serial entrepreneurs. In the 1960s my grandparents started a distribution company in competition with Rite Aid that provided pharmacies in the south with first ad and cosmetic products. They were successful in that venture and transitioned to real estate in the 1980s by developing waterfront condominiums for tourists in Steinhatchee and Cedar Key and commercial properties in Tampa. My uncle and my dad hired microbiologists to found a clam hatchery in Cedar Key where they bred clam seed from the most desirable clam species for human consumption. They revolutionized the clam business in Florida by purging all harvested clams in purge tanks filled lab created salt water to produce the only clam on the market without the grit or sandy texture most consumers expect from this shellfish. They also were the first company in the United States to vacuum seal portions of clams that could be frozen, extending shelf life, and addressing the largest hurdle the industry faced. My dad was featured in Seafood Business Weekly for his involvement in these innovations and bringing them to market. Our clams can be found at any Costco. My father went on to start Oasis International Imports where he imported warm water lobster tails from South America. This was a big deal because in South America they have an abundance of lobster that is the same species as the Florida spiny lobster (Panulirus argus). While we all love spiny lobster we all have limited access to it due to state a federal regulation. My father addressed this by exporting them from where they’re abundant and getting them in restaurants across the US from the Mirage and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas to Hooters.
I’m taking this class to polish my abilities and reflect on successes and failures I have experienced with my last two businesses and to help me be successful with my current and future projects.
Hey Cory!
ReplyDeleteIt's cool to know that your family has been involved with entrepreneurship in the past, and I am pretty sure you have been able to extract experiences and knowledge out of that. I hope that in the future, all of that wisdom comes in handy for you, and that you accomplish all of your goals! Good luck!
Hi Cory,
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting how your family revolutionized the clam business. They were very successful entrepreneurs and are probably great for advice! I also have little experience with entrepreneurship and hope this class will help be become more successful. I have already learned so much. It takes a completely different mindset to be an entrepreneur. Best of Luck!
Hi Cory,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how successful your family has been in entrepreneurship! It is nice that you have someone so close to you that has shown you how successful entrepreneurs can be. I bet they also have tons of amazing advice. I took this class for the perspective, but I bet this class will be really helpful for you given how much you already know about entrepreneurship.