Directionary Group aims to help businesses

A new business has opened its doors in Bonita Springs but shoppers won’t be strolling down the aisles, or lining up at cash registers.

It will service the business owner.

The Directionary Group is offering a customized service that helps local businesses keep afloat in the ever-changing Southwest Florida market.

“I’ve seen a lot of smaller businesses struggling because of season and hurricanes,” said Hugo Arloro, Directionary’s financial adviser. “We want to help keep them in business.”

The group, which is based in Bonita Springs, wants small business to keep their focus on providing services for customers.

“Figuring out where the cash flow is going is difficult and many smaller businesses could be doing much better,” said Arloro, who has been building the consulting side of The Directionary Group for a year and a half.

They will service businesses in Bonita Springs, Naples, Estero, Fort Myers and as high as Cape Coral. The main focus, and personal passion, for Arloro is making sure smaller fish don’t drown in a sea of large businesses in Bonita Springs.

“I’ve done a lot in the mortgage field and I’ve discovered that consulting is needed,” said Arloro, who began his financial and business career in Boston 17 years ago. “Consulting services allow me to show the owners where the cash flow is and how they can put it back into their business to make more.”

But Arloro isn’t promising that businesses will make more, just spend their money more wisely.

“I’ll come in, analyze the numbers and where the cash flow management is going. I can help them decrease expenses by 20 to 30 percent,” he said.

Through the use of a close network of business associates in public relations, sales and marketing, The Directionary Group will also be able to hire help wherever businesses need it.

“We will analyze their business for free and put together a plan for growth,” said Arloro, who has connections throughout Florida and the United States. “If we can’t do it, we can hook you up with someone who can.”

The one-stop shop approach is what Arloro says separates The Directionary Group from other consulting businesses in the area.

“We want the business owner to focus on doing their business and we will take care of the rest. We want to be that one-stop shop,” he said. “I’m trying to create a niche by helping businesses that need consulting and follow-up services.”

Arloro can also help larger businesses through his work with The Directionary Group.

“Some people need money for the business so I can get it from my mortgage connections. Some just need analysis and I can do that, too, through the Directionary Group,” Arloro said. “My passion is to help the small guys and I’ve been there myself so I know what they are going through.”