OCALA, FL (352today.com)—It is said numerous times that a hungry entrepreneur with a powerful mindset and a set of goals can turn a rudimentary idea into a multi-million-dollar company. This is how the most prevalent corporations in America began and how independent companies continued to flourish during their early days of development.

Bryan Caracciolo and Kelly Lafler, owner and general manager of BWC Construction and Sunshine Air Conditioning, respectively, are the local entrepreneurs continuing this narrative. The two have churned out a batch of very successful businesses, landing them on the INC. 5000 list.

For those unfamiliar with INC. 5000, it is a ranked list of independently owned and operated U.S. companies. The rankings are based on profit margins, with this year’s list culminating in profit margins from 2020 to 2023. According to the website, the minimum revenue required for 2020 is $100,000, while the minimum for 2023 is $2 million.

Caracciolo found BWC Construction in 2013. In the last three years, the company has experienced a 160% increase in profit, earning the #3,102 place on the list. Not to be outdone, Lafler’s Sunshine Air Conditioning posted a three-year profit growth of 341%, snagging the #2,169 spot.

The men represented two of only three businesses on this year’s list located in the Ocala metro area. The outlier is Next Dimension Construction & Roofing out of Summerfield, which experienced a whopping 1,060% increase in profits in the last three years and secured the #423 spot.

Charisse Rivers, current Vice Chair and incoming Chair of Ocala’s Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) board commended the two businessmen on their achievements during a Wednesday panel discussion at Ocala CEP’s Exceptional Morning Breakfast.

“Millions of people apply for this award, yet less than one percent actually receive it,” said Rivers, who, along with her role on the Ocala CEP board, is a three-time recipient of a spot on the INC. 5000 list with her company, Zinnia Wealth Management.

“It is more than just about your PNLs (profit and losses); it’s about leadership, innovation, and resiliency,” said Rivers about the INC. 5000 list.

Rivers then turned the conversation toward the businessmen to discuss their personal journeys.

“Everything in my business career started in college. I got a job doing dishwashing and lasted one day,” laughed Caracciolo. “I left and said I’m never going to work for anyone else again; I’m going to do my own thing.”

Caracciolo says he owned and operated multiple businesses in college at just 19 years old, successfully turning a profit before returning to his hometown of Ocala.

“It’s a moving target: you have to find the long target and work your way through all the obstacles and everything in between,” said Caracciolo regarding entrepreneurship

Shortly after college, he founded BWC Construction upon returning to Ocala. He credits steady mentorship from various sources with helping him sustain the business and guide it toward success.

“Fail early, fail often, but always fail forward,” said Caracciolo, quoting a phrase from the John C. Maxwell book Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success.

The construction company has now expanded its workforce to locations across the state but prioritizes its growth in Ocala.

“Ocala is the heartbeat of the success of our company,” said Caracciolo.

Lafler then held the mic and spoke about his 25-year journey, starting with a seven-year tenure at an electrical firm.

“Just like everybody else, I started digging ditches,” said Lafler, who worked his way up from the groundwork to general manager of the company.

He transitioned to the HVAC industry at the onset of the Great Recession in 2007, starting at a local HVAC company. After working his way up to a sales manager position, he eventually moved on, taking a few other roles before joining Sunshine Air Conditioning in 2021.

“We were a much smaller company then,” said Lafler. “We had 36 employees and encountered many hardships: Where do I get material? Where do I find things? How can we make sure our jobs get completed?”

Lafler said the company flew across the country to states such as Georgia and Mississippi, visiting branches to collect material and bringing them back in a U-Haul.

As the company has steadily acquired resources, so has its workforce, which now stands at 96 employees and counting.

“It takes people to get where we are,” said Lafler. “You have to have faith in the people you put in your company that they’re going to keep everything forward-thinking. You are going to make mistakes, but make sure through the mistakes, you’re encouraging your employees so that they get better every time and continue to grow.”