Business Briefs 9.11.13

+ Goga Studios Lakewood Ranch shakes things up with a name change

As part of a rebranding strategy, Goga Studios Lakewood Ranch has a new name: Vibology.

Vibology offers innovative fitness, health and wellness products.

It specializes in vibration training, far-infrared sauna treatment, ionized alkaline water hydration and Himalayan salt products.

The name change is part of a rebranding strategy to emphasize the business’s focus on health, wellness and fitness.  

“We pride ourselves on the ability to offer a fitness-for-all philosophy through our unique lifestyle approach to wellbeing,” said Jan DeStasio, Vibology owner.  

Vibology is located at 8733 E. State Road 70, in Bradenton. 

The company plans to open additional studios in the future. For more information, visit the Vibology website at http://www.vibologystudio.com/ or call 941-727-2484.

+ East County photographer captures award from professional organization

An East County photographer was honored as one of the best in the state.

The Florida Professional Photographers Association named Manny Cruz, president of Cruz Portrait Design, 7282 55th Ave. E., as one of the state’s top 10 photographers for the second year in a row.

Cruz earned awards for photos in five categories:

• “Timeless,” a studio bridal portrait in the Portrait of a Women category;

• “Fender 50, My Collection,” in the Photographic Open Illustrated category;

• “I Got Your Back,” in the Environmental Portrait category. This image promotes the firefighter-training program at Manatee Technical Institute;

• “Falcon Lacrosse,” in the Group Portrait category;

• “Impending Storm,” a Utah landscape with a Native American dancer in the foreground, also earned a award.

Cruz, a local photographer for more than 25 years, holds the Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence Award and also possesses the Kodak Gallery Award. 

+ NAACP honors Neal Communities CEO 

This month, the Manatee County NAACP named Pat Neal, president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch-based Neal Communities, its “Outstanding Business Person” for 2013. 

The NAACP chose Neal, along with five other leaders, to be honored at the 2013 annual Freedom Fund Banquet. 

“It is a very special honor to be recognized by the NAACP,” said Neal. “I am humbled by this award, and I am proud to be associated with such an important cause and a worthy organization.”

Other award winners included: retired educator Versia Pollard, who earned the Lifetime Achievement Award; city of Palmetto Police Chief Rick Wells, with the Community Service Award; Henry Blyden as the Unsung Hero; and Rodney Jones with the Presidential Award.

“When it came time to choose the honorees, it was a fairly easy decision,” said Tarnisha Cliatt, executive committee member of the Manatee NAACP. “We looked for people who make great contributions to society, like Pat Neal. Even after his term in the Senate, he has continued to supply his community with tools for success. He is an advocate for local economic development. What really stayed with us is how involved he’s remained. He’s a hands-on civic leader and the ideal recipient for the 2013 NAACP Outstanding Business Person Award.”