Business
Gateway Orlando District Welcome Business Owners to Mingle Again with ‘Conversations on the Corridor’
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Business owners are recovering from quarantine fatigue too, and Gateway Orlando District gave them an opportunity to break free Thursday. The organziation hosted its first in-person post-quarantine business networking event “Conversations in the Corridor” at Honest-1 Auto Care South Semoran Thursday. State Rep. Daisy Morales (D-Orlando), whose district Gateway Orlando and Honest-1 Auto Care is in, attended and met with business owners.
Leighton and Marie Chin-See welcomed the Gateway Orlando District and fellow business owner members inside their shop for the Gateway Orlando’s “Conversations on the Corridor Thursday, May 27, 2021. Photo: Willie David/Florida National News.
The intimate after-hours event saw everyone gathered in Honest-1 Auto Care’s office–a clean, comfortable, and inviting space for a vehicle mechanic shop. So clean, everyone enjoyed sumptuous food and beverages without a second thought.
It’s a quality the franchise owners pride themselves on. Leighton and Marie Chin-See serve predominantly women clients and knew how overwhelmed (and gross) women can feel bringing their vehicles to a typical mechanic shop with grease everywhere and a bathroom unfit for human use–heaven forbid they have kids. The Chin-Sees wanted to ensure that women could feel at ease when they came to have their vehicles checked and worked on, even including a play area for customers with children.
Honest-1 Auto Care’s brand message is in its name: their mechanic shop franchise is an “honest one,” intentionally bucking the unfortunate stereotype of vehicle mechanics deceiving and overcharging women customers.
“This is the first Gateway Orlando District event we’ve hosted,” Leighton told Florida National News. His wife Marie added, “working with Gateway Orlando has been a great experience. If you haven’t yet, it’s a great investment…They’re family.”
Gateway Orlando District Executive Director Amilcar “Amil” Cordova and President Dennis Ferraro presented the Chin-Sees with a certificate of appreciation for hosting the event.
Gateway Orlando District President Dennis Ferraro (second from right) and Executive Director Amilcar Cordova (right) present a certificate of recognition to Marie and Leighton Chin-See, owners of the Honest-1 Auto Care South Semoran franchise, which hosted Gateway Orlando District’s “Conversation on the Corridor” networking event Thursday, May 27, 2021. Photo: Willie David/Florida National News.
As stated on its website, Gateway Orlando is an official Market Street Organization, operating in partnership with the City of Orlando. The non-profit organization’s purpose is “to help businesses along the Semoran Corridor grow and prosper.” The Corridor boasts more than 500 businesses and 12,000 households.
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Mellissa Thomas is Editor for Florida National News. | mellissa.thomas@floridanationalnews.com
Business
Walmart’s Road to Open Call Returns to Orlando, Offering Small Businesses Access to National Retail Opportunities
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Walmart, in partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, will host the 2026 Walmart Road to Open Call pitch event on May 21 in Orlando, offering small businesses the opportunity to present their products directly to Walmart buyers.
The Orlando event is the only Florida stop in 2026 and is part of a nationwide initiative designed to support small business growth, expand supplier diversity and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Road to Open Call serves as a pathway for entrepreneurs to connect with Walmart’s sourcing team, refine their pitches and prepare for the company’s annual Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Applications are open through May 1 at 10 p.m. EST. A select group of applicants will be chosen to participate in the Orlando event, where each business will receive a 30-minute, one-on-one pitch meeting with a Walmart buyer, along with feedback and mentorship.
Top participants may earn a fast pass to Walmart’s annual Open Call, where they can pitch for potential placement in Walmart stores or online.
FOCUS ON U.S.-MADE PRODUCTS
Walmart’s Open Call is the company’s largest sourcing event for products made, grown or assembled in the United States. The program is open to businesses across industries, including food and beverage, beauty, safety and consumer goods.
“The Road to Open Call provides a powerful platform for small businesses to grow and scale,” said Mark Espinoza, senior director of public affairs at Walmart. “By connecting entrepreneurs directly with our sourcing teams, we’re helping bring innovative, U.S.-made products to customers while supporting American jobs and local economies.”
LOCAL IMPACT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Local leaders say the initiative strengthens both entrepreneurship and the regional economy.
“We are proud to join forces with Walmart for the second consecutive year to bring this opportunity to the business community,” said Pedro Turushina, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This initiative supports entrepreneurs and helps small businesses access national retail opportunities.”
Since launching in 2014, Walmart’s Open Call has helped thousands of small and midsize businesses become suppliers, while more than 85% of Walmart shoppers report valuing U.S.-made products.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grants, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health needs across Central Florida.
The grant program partners with community-based organizations to expand initiatives that improve quality of life and promote long-term sustainability. Eligible nonprofits serving residents in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and South Lake counties are encouraged to apply.
Applications are open from March 30 through April 16, with funding expected to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
FOCUS ON COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS
The grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which identifies key challenges impacting residents’ well-being.
“Our annual Community Impact Grants are guided by Central Florida’s Community Health Needs Assessment to ensure we are investing meaningfully where our neighbors need us most,” said Tricia Edris, senior vice president of innovation and partnerships for AdventHealth Central Florida. “We are honored to align our resources and stand as partners to create measurable, lasting impact across the region.”
PRIORITY AREAS FOR FUNDING
The 2026 grant cycle will focus on three key areas:
- Housing instability
- Transportation
- Food insecurity
These priorities reflect social determinants of health that can significantly influence a person’s ability to live a healthy and stable life. Community organizations often serve as the first line of support for residents facing these challenges.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AND PARTNERSHIPS
Past grant recipients say the program has helped expand opportunities for residents. Crystal Davidson highlighted the impact of the initiative on workforce development.
“Schools and colleges often don’t have the funding to provide introductory workforce programs that expose students to new career opportunities,” Davidson said. “Through partnership grants like the one AdventHealth is providing, we’re able to give young people hands-on experiences that help them discover their potential and build a path toward a meaningful career.”
AdventHealth will also host an informational webinar to guide organizations through eligibility requirements, funding priorities and the application process. Interested applicants can learn more and apply through the AdventHealth website.
Business
Florida National News YouTube Channel Surpasses 1 Million Views, Matches Facebook’s 1M Milestone in 2025
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News (FNN) has reached a major digital milestone, surpassing 1 million views on a 20-minute YouTube video, marking a significant moment in the network’s continued audience growth and online impact.
The video has shown renewed momentum over time, trending twice—first in August 2017 and again in April 2026, when it gained an additional 470,000 views.
Florida National News (FNN) continues to experience a strong and steady rise in digital viewership across its social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Audiences are increasingly engaging with FNN’s trusted news coverage, community storytelling, and original video content.
On February 12, 2025, FNN also surpassed 1 million views on Facebook, with a 30-second video reaching over 1.2 million views, further highlighting the network’s expanding digital footprint.
Today, both FNN’s YouTube and Facebook platforms have achieved million-viewer status, solidifying FNN’s position as a growing digital news leader.
This milestone reflects FNN’s expanding reach and impact, connecting with millions of viewers and delivering content that informs, engages, and empowers communities.
VIEWERSHIP MILESTONE SIGNALS EXPANDING DIGITAL REACH
FNN officials say the 1 million-view benchmark represents more than just a number — it signals growing trust and interest from audiences across Florida and the nation.
While individual FNN videos have consistently generated tens of thousands — and in some cases hundreds of thousands — of views, surpassing the 1 million mark underscores a broader trend of rising visibility and relevance in a competitive digital media landscape.
The network’s Instagram platform has also seen strong performance, recently exceeding 350,000 views, further reinforcing FNN’s multi-platform growth strategy.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR FNN?
Building on this momentum, FNN plans to:
- Expand original video programming and live coverage
- Increase audience engagement across all social platforms
- Strengthen partnerships and community-based storytelling
- Accelerate growth toward the next milestone beyond 1 million views
Network leaders say the goal is not just higher numbers, but deeper impact — connecting with audiences in meaningful ways while continuing to grow as a trusted digital news source.
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