Aydin Bilgutay, a second-generation owner of the company Infinium Medical, a leading patient monitor manufacturer and medical equipment supplier based in Pinellas County, has continued to grow the business alongside his brothers ever since his father started it over 30 years ago. Since taking over the business, the team knew they wanted to keep up with their exporting success and reach global markets. That’s when they decided to reach out to the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida (USF) for professional advice and guidance.

Faced with the challenge of penetrating new markets, Bilgutay turned to the Florida SBDC at USF for assistance. His business consultant and international trade specialist, Selma Canas, provided invaluable support in developing a comprehensive export marketing plan tailored to the company’s goals and capabilities.

“We started with the SBDC many years ago. The first item we received was a packet, an export marketing plan. It was a very detailed plan that focused on our products, our export codes, and some target markets we might want to consider that had an ease of doing business. We used that to target the distributors in those markets for our products and make connections with the distributors that help us sell in those markets,” Aydin Bilgutay said.

In addition to the export marketing plan, the Florida SBDC at USF assisted Bilgutay in securing State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grants. These grants provided essential funding for international marketing activities and enabled the company to participate in trade shows. “On top of that, we had several trade missions abroad. I, myself, visited Vietnam and Panama with the SBDC, and just recently, we had this STEP grant for our international marketing efforts, and we went to Vietnam for a Gold Key meeting. We also did a trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany, at the Düsseldorf Medica, and we did a big show in Miami. The FIME show, Florida International Medical Expo,” Aydin Bilgutay said.

The Florida SBDC at USF’s support didn’t stop there. The business consultant offered continuous international business guidance, helping Bilgutay navigate the complexities of global trade. This comprehensive support culminated in a significant achievement. “Our biggest success, in my opinion, is in the pipeline right now, using the STEP grant, we were able to secure a one-on-one meeting aboard with a very large university hospital,” Bilgutay expressed. “We originally went for the product that we were manufacturing, the monitors, which they were very interested in, and not only that, we were able to close a lot of other products in the package. So, I think it’s going to be a long-term success and a multiplier for our business,” he added.

Moving forward, the business owner mentions how they will keep in contact with the Florida SBDC at USF to use Canas’ professional advice and access to important market research. “Anytime we have a new market or a new contact, I reach out to them to get some more information on the market. So, the ease of doing business, any barriers, things like that. That information is provided to us as a service from them, and then, of course, setting up and finding trade missions, future grants for marketing efforts,” Aydin Bilgutay said.

Infinium Medical’s success story is a testament to the power of partnership and the impact of targeted business support. Thus, Bilgutay goes on to encourage his fellow small business owners to take advantage of the help and resources offered by the Florida SBDC at USF. “For other small businesses considering the services at the [Florida] SBDC [at] USF, I would say, go for it and be clear about what your product, or service, is offering to the marketplace,” he said. “They can get you connected with the right people, get you into the country, and have meetings with similar businesses in different countries that can distribute your product and also source different products for you if you’re looking for certain materials,” Bilgutay added.

Bilgutay didn’t fail to mention his own appreciation for all the help he’s received and will continue to receive. “On a personal level, I’d just like to thank the SBDC at USF and Selma, especially for these opportunities. I got to travel to eight or nine different countries over the past five years and meet a whole group of new people,” Aydin Bulgutay said.

“It’s the small steps that make the biggest impact, so thank you, Florida SBDC at USF, for getting me in the right direction and helping grow my business,” he said.