Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 6-23-17

Local
Couple Proves Marriage And Business Spell Success
25th Annual Silver Edition Of Gourmet Gents Culinary Fanfare Is Sunday
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
For more than 20 years,
Edward “Tony” Strother
worked for others in the air conditioning and heating business. And when he de- cided to step out on his own he was given some advice that he decided to follow.
“I was told, ‘whatever problems your partner has are your problems.’ So, I de- cided to have my wife as my partner,” he said.
Three years ago, Strother and his wife, Sharon, launched Strother AC & Heating Maintenance. And, they have done well in the business.
Mrs. Strother said by them working together, “a lot of people feel more comfort- able when a husband and wife come into their home.”
They also incorporated another bit of advice that he had been given along the way. That advice was, “Be de- pendable, trustworthy, take your time, do your research, and if you going to do a job, do it right.”
The couple said there were some tough times dur- ing the first two years as it is with all new businesses. However, because they share the same philosophy of doing
Sharon and Edward “Tony” Strother
MS. DELEON RICHARDS- SHEFFIELD
The 25th Annual Silver Edition Gourmet Gents Culi- nary Fanfare will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at St. Lawrence Parish Catholic Church – Higgins Hall, 5225 N. Himes Avenue, from 4 p. m.–7p.m.
Christopher King,
Founder of the Gentlemen’s Course, 2017 Global Philan- thropy Award Winner and grandson of Blues Legend, BB King, will serve as the 25th Annual Gourmet Gents Honorary Chair and Ms. Deleon Richards- Sheffield, national gospel recording artist and host of 95.7 The Beat Morning Glory will guide the program as the Mistress of Ceremony.
The organization will honor Mr. Joseph Bunts (Honorary Gent) and Mar- vin Knight (Community Supporter) for their many contributions to the organiza- tion and the community.
The purpose of this affair is to raise funds for programs and scholarship assistance to young women in the Tampa Bay Area who are pursuing a secondary education. The
CHRISTOPHER KING
success garnered from the past twenty five years is due to the combined efforts of the many men in the Tampa Bay community, local political leaders and Corporate Spon- sors.
This much-anticipated event usually hosts over 300 patrons who will feast on an assortment of appetizers, side dishes, entrees and desserts prepared by 150 of Tampa’s finest “Gents.” Tickets are $50.00 for adults and $15.00 for children.
The Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women is a non- profit, voluntary organization that advocates on behalf of women of color through na- tional and local actions and strategic alliances which pro- mote NC100BW national and international agenda on lead- ership development and gen- der equity in health, education and economic de- velopment.
For more information on Gourmet Gents visit the web- site at, www.nc100bwtam- pabay.org and follow on Facebook.
the job right the first time, the company has excelled. And the business continues to grow through word of mouth.
Another benefit of work- ing together is that they have an opportunity to spend more time together. Al- though, Mrs. Strothers said some things do get be- hind a lot.
Members of Victorious Outreach, the couple said they put God first in their lives and “He’ll do the rest for you.”
The business is located at
2418 E. 9th Avenue and they offer 24-hour service. In ad- dition to serving homes, they also provide maintenance for processing plants as well.
He said having air condi- tioners serviced is the key to preventative maintenance. “You should have your sys- tem checked at least twice a year. And make sure the whole system is checked. That way you can see a prob- lem before it happens.”
When not working, the couple enjoys spending time with their four adult children and three grandchildren.
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