Action Zone

09/03/2026

The Legend.

08/27/2026

It's that time again.....time for pizza and networking!

Join Action Zone for Beyond the Call: Networking with Military & First Responder Spouses, an evening designed to bring together military spouses, first responder spouses, entrepreneurs, career professionals, and community supporters for meaningful connection and conversation.

Whether you’re building a business, growing your career, navigating transition, or simply looking to expand your network, this event is a welcoming space to meet great people and build relationships that matter.

We’re also grateful to Colony Grill for once again serving as our venue host and pizza sponsor. And helping us create opportunities for Florida’s military & first responder-connected community to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Action Zone's Beyond the Call is hosted in collaboration with FourBlock, GPS4vets, and .

Come connect with us and bring someone who should be in the room.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/beyond-the-call-networking-with-military-first-responder-spouses-tickets-1995045248042?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

A networking for veterans, first responders, and those in transition—connecting careers, businesses, resources, and community beyond service

08/26/2026

6 years ago I was nominated for Best Chef with Creative Loafing Tampa. And thanks to all who voted me to 2nd place.

In a little over a month we will see what happens with my nomination for Best Meal Prep with TAMPA Magazine

Thank you to everyone who voted, and if you do not live in the Tampa area, you can catch a taste of my cooking by watching Healthy Meals In Minutes on Watchrhstv

08/24/2026

Are you going to ? Let us know 👇 You'll see there!! 💥

What To Expect at MIC: Registration! 🎟️

One of the easiest things you can do at MIC is get your badge early.

If you’re getting into Tampa on Wednesday, Early Check-In & Badge Pickup will be open from 6:00–8:00 PM.

Otherwise, Conference Check-In & Badge Pickup opens Thursday morning at 7:00 AM and runs through 7:00 PM.

Get checked in, grab your badge, and you’re ready to go.

Registration at MIC 2026 is presented by National University.

Secure your seat here: IZM01@hJM9wWhtRjk3es/?source=sa16vbso" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/IZM01@hJM9wWhtRjk3es/?source=sa16vbso

📍 Tampa, Florida
📅 September 23–26, 2026

08/11/2026

🤝 Calling Tampa Bay’s Veteran-Serving Organizations & Community Partners

What could we accomplish if more of us working to support veterans and their families were regularly sitting at the same table?

We’re excited to share the launch of the Hero Coalition at the Centre Club - Tampa a sanctioned committee created to strengthen collaboration among veteran-serving nonprofits, community partners, and support organizations across Tampa Bay.

Leading the Coalition is Jennifer Williams. Jennifer is a U.S. Navy Veteran, Action Zone alumna, and Founder of GPS4vets. Jennifer brings firsthand experience as both a veteran and community leader, along with a passion for connecting people and organizations to better serve our military-connected community.

The goal is simple: create a think tank where we can openly share challenges, resources, ideas, and solutions….AND identify opportunities to work together.

Because when we collaborate instead of operating in silos, we amplify our collective impact.

📅 Every 3rd Tuesday
⏰ Arrival: 5:00 PM | Coalition Meeting: 5:15–5:45 PM
🎤 Speaker Series: 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Centre Club Tampa

The Coalition meeting leads directly into the monthly Veteran Happy Hour and Speaker Series, creating an evening of collaboration, learning, and connection.
This month, we’re also excited to welcome Jonathan Bauser, U.S. Space Force (Ret.), for our Fireside Chat.

Who else should have a seat at the table? Tag a veteran-serving organization or community partner below and share this invitation with your network.
The more voices we bring together, the stronger the network — and the greater our collective impact for those who served and their families.

08/07/2026

🎉 Three Action Zone alumni. Three IVMF Ambassadors. One incredible representation of Tampa’s veteran entrepreneur community.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate April Sue Caldwell Cole and McAllister who have been selected as IVMF Ambassadors representing Tampa!

Action Zone was created to ensure our founders have the business foundation and relationships they need to build, grow, and ultimately give back. Seeing three of our alumni step into leadership roles that allow them to encourage, connect, and support other military-connected entrepreneurs is exactly the kind of impact we envisioned.

April, Ericca, and Justin thank you for representing Tampa, the military-connected business community, and Action Zone so well. We cannot wait to see the connections you create and the entrepreneurs you inspire!

Please join us in congratulating them on this well-deserved recognition! 👏

08/07/2026

Stop thinking about it. Start building.

Have you been talking about starting a business...or wondering why the one you already have isn't growing the way you hoped?

You're not alone.

Since 2018, Action Zone has helped hundreds of veteran and military-connected founders turn ideas into action and businesses into sustainable ventures.

Activate is a 7-week founder development program designed to help you:

✅ Build a new business or grow the one you already have
✅ Test your ideas and strengthen what works
✅ Learn from experienced founders
✅ Leave with a clear roadmap for launch or growth

Whether you're just getting started or ready to move your business to the next level, we'll help you move forward.

Open to Veterans, First Responders, Military Members, and Military Spouses.

NEXT TAMPA COHORT BEGINS OCTOBER 2026
Applications are now open!

Apply today: https://wkf.ms/3se3NAU
Need more information? Email [email protected]

08/06/2026

📣 We're proud to celebrate one of our own!

Diane Agudelo, Action Zone's Director of Marketing, who will be serving as a panelist for Local Stories Live! – Branding & Marketing: The Art of Standing Out hosted by the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center.

As the founder of The Boss Agency Co., Diane has helped businesses build brands that are authentic, memorable, and positioned for growth. She brings that same passion to Action Zone.

If you're an entrepreneur looking to strengthen your brand, increase your visibility, and hear practical advice from experienced marketing professionals, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

👏 GOOO, Diane! We're grateful to have your leadership on the Action Zone Board and can't wait to see you share your expertise with the Tampa Bay business community.

🎟️ Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-stories-live-branding-marketing-the-art-of-standing-out-tickets-748645999337

Local Stories Live Monthly Series

07/30/2026

Action Zone Co-Founder Rosie Bonfiglio Lee participated in the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Executive Program and Co-Founder Valerie Ellis Lavin participated in the Small Business Executive Program as the Founder/CEO of Luminary Global.

Action Zone takes pride preparing our members to be ready for participating in other entrepreneur programs.

If you are a JMI alumni apply for the JMI Fast 30 Award. If you're not an alumni check out what is happening in Tampa Bay 👉 https://jimmoraninstitute.fsu.edu/tampa

The JMI 30 Awards are back for 2026!

Do you own or lead a growing business as a Jim Moran Institute alumnus? This is your opportunity to be recognized among the 30 fastest-growing businesses in the JMI alumni network.

The JMI 30 Awards celebrate innovation, growth, leadership, and the lasting impact of entrepreneurs and business leaders who have participated in Jim Moran Institute programs.

Applications are due July 30, 2026.

The 2026 JMI 30 rankings will be revealed during the JMI Alumni Summit on November 6, 2026, in Dania Beach, Florida.

Learn more and apply: jmi.fsu.edu/jmi30

07/29/2026

🌾Big news for our veterans in agriculture!

Tractor Supply Company just announced a $100,000 donation to the Farmer Veteran Coalition, helping military veterans launch and grow their own farming and ranching businesses.

Tractor Supply Company has supported over 450 veteran families since 2018. Thank you to our veterans for serving our country and now feeding our communities!

Learn more 👉 https://www.military.com/100k-dontation-expands-grants-for-veterans-starting-farming-businesses

📸Robert Roberts, Marine Corps veteran checks his peppers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Watola /Released)

Tractor Supply Company, which supplied the grant, has supported efforts the past eight years.