Making Waves

>>For Denise Brimmer, fulfillment is in helping others achieve what she has-her own business.

"Primarily, I help people through the process of fulfilling their dreams of becoming business owners," says Brimmer, who with her husband, Jon, owns and operates a Naples franchise of The Entrepreneur's Source coaching and consulting company. "I'm at my happiest every time I help someone reach a point of clarity about their future."

Brimmer, 40, grew up in New Jersey and graduated from New York University with a degree in education, and worked in overseas distribution for a telecommunications company. She also has business-coaching certificates from the International Federation of Coaches and Coach University, a global provider of coach training programs.

Like many others, the weather, the beaches and opportunity brought Brimmer and her family to Southwest Florida.

In 2003, the stay-at-home mom and board member of homeless and crisis pregnancy organizations became a franchisee of The Entrepreneur's Source. Through it, she has helped start more than three-dozen businesses, including retail, manufacturing, financial services, publishing, real estate and catering operations.

"In two to four months, I can help people realize a dream they've held their entire adult life, but haven't been able to achieve on their own," explains Brimmer, who also coaches youth volleyball and soccer and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

In 2004 and 2005, she received the Ronald Reagan Award, given by the National Republican Congressional Committee to entrepreneurs, and for three years running the NRCC has named her a businesswoman of the year.

"I attribute my success in part to allowing practicality to guide my decision making," she says, "but I don't allow it to steal my dreams."

-Lauren Bernaldo