Quint Studer has accumulated a lot of his business acumen over time. Just think how far we, the people, have come in ten years, twenty years, thirty years…

A vibrant downtown is the ripple in the pond.

I have personally seen his influence in Pensacola, Florida. I have watched the city and its people learning how to organize its potential, learning new educational techniques and stressing early learning, showing the citizens of the community how one simple thing can lead to another, and another…

We never know the outcome of our actions, no matter how well we study and plan for them, but to do nothing allows the decisions to be made for us.

I thought of Hillary Clinton’s book, It Takes A Village. Children are our future and I love that Quint and Pensacola are making a targeted goal of giving children what they need to fulfill their potential. Investing in them can return to us in big ways. They will be our leaders, eventually, so to offer them the opportunity to be the best they can be is a no brainer to me.

Quint and his wife, Rishy, put their money where their mouth is. They have numerous businesses here in Pensacola, and are involved in the continuing growth of the community.

He shows that when people are invested, whether through their children’s education, health resources…they are more apt to accept change and want to be a part of it. All groups must be represented. There is no room for discrimination. All decisions need to be transparent. I am proud to say that Pensacola has its own set of SHARKS (the TV show).

Nothing happens overnight. Persistence and patience pay off in big ways.

Youth is vibrancy…energy, enthusiasm, vitality.

While I was reading Building A Vibrant Community, the Parkland shooting had just occurred. Young people are speaking out, loud and clear, that they will be heard. Reinforces to me, even above Quint’s belief, that the young of the community is one of its most valuable assets. Win them over young and they will be a lifelong contributor.

Building a Vibrant Community by Quint Studer is written in easy to understand language. It had me feeling upbeat, positive, hopeful for the future. I have seen changes, very good changes in the downtown area. I have been here, as the Wahoos, our minor league baseball team, struggled to be, and enjoy their affordable games and the beautiful park that I felt was long overdue. I see Quint Studer’s work in progress and I want to congratulate him and all those involved on a job well done. Keep up the great work. One person can make a difference.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Building A Vibrant Community by Quint Studer. ( )