The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in McIntosh, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
Eco-friendly & clean work area.
PDCA Certified Member.
Your Go-To House Painting Company in McIntosh, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in McIntosh, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
The Premier Commercial Painting Company in McIntosh, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
352-212-1533Free Consultation
Latest News in McIntosh, FL
McIntosh Woman Aims To Start Community Garden In Food Desert, With Hopes Of Children Getting Involved
Cayela Cuevashttps://www.wuft.org/news/2020/01/28/mcintosh-woman-aims-to-start-community-garden-in-food-desert-with-hopes-of-children-getting-involved/
Gently rocking her 1-year-old on her hip and peeking over a baby gate to check on her 3-year-old watching TV, her eyes start to light up when talking about her love for gardening.April Casey’s been gardening for as long as she can remember. From planting herb gardens to tending to blueberry bushes, her goal has always been the same.“I just want to keep everything alive,” she said, laughing while hearing herself.For nearly 30 years, a lot of land diagonal from her home in Sportsman’s Cove 55+ Mobil...
Gently rocking her 1-year-old on her hip and peeking over a baby gate to check on her 3-year-old watching TV, her eyes start to light up when talking about her love for gardening.
April Casey’s been gardening for as long as she can remember. From planting herb gardens to tending to blueberry bushes, her goal has always been the same.
“I just want to keep everything alive,” she said, laughing while hearing herself.
For nearly 30 years, a lot of land diagonal from her home in Sportsman’s Cove 55+ Mobile Home Park in McIntosh lay empty with no promise of development in the near future. Her passion for gardening and desire to have easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables pointed to one answer: starting a community garden.
Since she moved from Massachusetts in 2015, Casey has looked out of her kitchen window at the lot wondering how much longer it would remain vacant.
Holger Gese, 47, manager of Sportsman’s Cove recalled the day earlier this month when Casey asked her about starting a community garden in the empty lot.
“I thought to myself, that’s a great idea! Do it!” he said.
The freshly tilled land that once was the vacant lot is ready to be poked and prodded with seedlings, which Casey hopes will happen soon with help from her community.
A day after breaking ground on the community garden, she discovered tiny cat paw prints in the soil from the presumably 15 cats in the area. Her orange tabby cat Skittles is likely a contributor to the paw prints in the garden-turned-sandbox.
The only factor holding Casey back so far is this year’s intense cold front that brought lows in the 20s – and a lack of help from people in her community. Although her post announcing McIntosh’s new community garden in the “Micanopy Matters” Facebook group was well-received, no one has actually shown up to help, she said.
In an area where the closest Publix or Winn-Dixie is a 20-to-30-minute drive, Casey is one of the approximately 11.5 million people in the United States who live in low-income areas more than 10 miles from a supermarket, as found by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service.
Taylor Clem, an environmental communications horticultural agent for Alachua County’s extension office, believes that a community garden could be beneficial to help low-income residents in rural areas gain access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
The first product of McIntosh’s community garden is Casey’s loquat tree, which she describes as a cross between a lemon and a kumquat.
Its small but mighty branches bear a few tangerine-colored fruits the size of a key lime. Her son Damien, 3, picks one up off the ground and gently places it onto a palm tree stump.
It’s important to Casey that kids have the opportunity to learn how to garden. Not only does it give them something else to do aside from hanging around the neighborhood, but it could help change the way they view eating, she said.
Clem agrees, citing that kids who have access to a community garden are likelier to be excited about eating their fruits and veggies.
Kids love French fries and mashed potatoes, so why not get them interested in gardening potatoes?
“Potatoes are basically the gateway veggie to get kids interested in growing their own food,” Clem said.
While Logan, 1, munches on cheerios and Monterey jack cheese, Casey expresses her desire to start the garden by growing ground vegetables such as squash and eggplant.
She hopes to move on to planting leafier veggies like kale and collard greens, tomatoes and even bananas.
All she needs to succeed, she said, is a little help from her community.
“I’d love to see the community come together and create something beautiful and educational for future generations.”
If you’d like to assist April Casey in her mission to create a community Garden in McIntosh, please text her or dial and leave a voicemail at (413) 221-1916.
Kenny McIntosh gives the perfect reason for why he picked Georgia over Florida
Connor Rileyhttps://www.dawgnation.com/football/around-the-dawghouse/kenny-mcintosh-georgia-football-florida/EPTKYID73NEXXIXAZEHV44PAWA/
Welcome to "Around the DawgHouse" where we update you multiple times each week on the latest news and information from the different sports. Around The DawgHouse is also a daily feature on DawgNation Daily.Kenny McIntosh wore the Georgia logo for a final time on Saturday as he played in the Senior Bowl. But that didn’t stop the Georgia running back from getting one final dig in on the rival Florida Gators.On ...
Welcome to "Around the DawgHouse" where we update you multiple times each week on the latest news and information from the different sports. Around The DawgHouse is also a daily feature on DawgNation Daily.
Kenny McIntosh wore the Georgia logo for a final time on Saturday as he played in the Senior Bowl. But that didn’t stop the Georgia running back from getting one final dig in on the rival Florida Gators.
On game day, McIntosh was interacting with fans. One asked why he didn’t go to Florida. McIntosh is from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and signed with Georgia as a member of the 2019 recruiting class.
“Man I wanted to win. I’m a Florida boy but I wanted to win,” McIntosh told the fan.
“I’m a Florida boy but I wanted to win.” pic.twitter.com/QMvWyye0A6
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) February 5, 2023
McIntosh had his best season at Georgia as a senior, posting career bests in rushing yards (829), receiving yards (504) and touchdowns (12). McIntosh led the team in rushing and finished third in receiving yards and receptions.
His best games came in wins over Oregon, Kentucky and the Gators. Despite a fumble, McIntosh earned praise from head coach Kirby Smart for his play that day. He finished the win with 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns, as the Bulldogs won 42-20. McIntosh finished his career with a 3-1 record against the Gators.
“I told him he’s a bad MFer. He’s tough, he’s physical,” Smart said of what he told McIntosh during the Florida game. “He gets after it and he responded. That’s what I talk about. You’ve got an opportunity to show resiliency—one of our four DNA characteristics. I promise you every NFL scout and every Georgia fan watching will remember the way he responded. He ran the ball with just a vicious attitude. A contact-seeking running back.”
Related: Georgia tailback Kenny McIntosh updates Senior Bowl injury, shares parting thoughts
McIntosh was one of four Bulldogs to compete in the Senior Bowl this week, along with safety Christopher Smith, offensive tackle Warren McLendon and kicker Jack Podlesny. McLendon did not play in the game due to injury, while McIntosh was unable to finish Saturday’s game due to a hyperextended elbow. He finished the game with two carries for nine yards and a six-yard reception.
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener won MVP efforts, as his side beat Smith and McIntosh’s team 27-10.
Georgia won back-to-back national championships thanks to McIntosh’s ability and an NFL team will surely find some use for his skillset. Given his ability as a receiver, most see McIntosh as a third or fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
McIntosh will have more opportunities to impress NFL teams at both the NFL combine and Georgia’s pro day. The Bulldogs had 15 players taken in last year’s NFL draft, including running backs James Cook and Zamir White.
More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation
Kirby Smart praises ‘vicious’ Kenny McIntosh response and ‘drive of the year’
Mike Griffithhttps://www.dawgnation.com/football/georgia-football-kenny-mcintosh/23KYGIBB7VFNZLQLJUR7DROZTE/
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Georgia had what Kirby Smart referred to as the “drive of the year” at the most pivotal junction in its 42-20 win over Florida on Saturday.Senior Kenny McIntosh, who had a career-high 16 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns -- along with a pair of receptions -- helped set the tone for the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC).RELATED: Georgia flexes cha...
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Georgia had what Kirby Smart referred to as the “drive of the year” at the most pivotal junction in its 42-20 win over Florida on Saturday.
Senior Kenny McIntosh, who had a career-high 16 carries for 90 yards and two touchdowns -- along with a pair of receptions -- helped set the tone for the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC).
RELATED: Georgia flexes championship resiliency, turns back Florida
Five of the six plays on the 78-yard touchdown drive Smart referenced came on the ground as the Bulldogs extended their lead to 35-20 after the Gators had scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter.
“That was probably the drive of the year so far, and they answered the bell, it was 28-20,” said Smart, who has now won five of the past six meetings against Florida.
“We’d lost momentum, we had what felt like three kickoff returns in a row. We weren’t getting field position and Kenny (McIntosh) had the fumble.”
The Gators turned McIntosh’s fumble and Stetson Bennett’s second interception of the game into 10 of their 17 third-quarter points.
Georgia, which built a 28-3 halftime lead with smothering defense and explosive plays to Brock Bowers (73 yards), Darnell Washington (25 yards) and Ladd McConkey (30 yards), turned to its ground game.
McIntosh fumbled on Georgia’s first play of the second half when the ball was stripped from behind on his 4-yard gain, and the Gators turned it into a field goal that made the score 28-13.
Offensive coordinator Todd Monken went back to McIntosh on the next drive, and the senior captain responded by tearing off runs of 13 yards and 15 yards before Bennett was picked off on an underthrown pass.
Florida made that turnover hurt, scoring three plays later on a 78-yard TD pass after freshman safety Malaki Starks blew his coverage.
RELATED: Rare blown coverage leads to tense moments in Georgia win
“Kenny came out after that fumble, and he had that eye of the Tiger look, and he wanted the ball and he was running the ball hard, and physical and getting yards after contact,” Smart said.
“That’s a lot of credit to the offensive line, but that’s a lot of credit to Kenny, as well.”
What Smart referred to as “the drive of the year” started with McIntosh bursting 11 yards up the middle and ended with a 22-yard touchdown run by Daijun Edwards that made it 35-20.
Ninety-one of the Bulldogs’ 110 yards in the third quarter came on the ground.
And McIntosh wasn’t done yet, powering through Florida defenders and moving the pile on a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that essentially put the game out of reach.
Smart went over to McIntosh on the sideline with a message.
“I told him he’s a bad MF’r, he’s tough, he’s physical and that’s what I talk about,” Smart said. “You have an opportunity to show resiliency, which is one of our four DNA characteristics, and I promise you every NFL scout and every Georgia fan watching will remember the way he responded.
“Kenny ran the ball with a vicious attitude, a contact-seeking running back … he ran pissed off.”
Walking Club: Exploring Plant City’s McIntosh Preserve
ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS)https://www.abcactionnews.com/community/walking-club/walking-club-exploring-plant-citys-mcintosh-preserve
Many of us are looking for ways to remain active while also staying a safe distance away from others. That's why Sarah Phinney started a ‘Walking Club’ to highlight some hidden, and some not so hidden, trails and parks across Tampa Bay.There’s a beautiful new preserve to explore in the Plant City area. ...
Many of us are looking for ways to remain active while also staying a safe distance away from others. That's why Sarah Phinney started a ‘Walking Club’ to highlight some hidden, and some not so hidden, trails and parks across Tampa Bay.
There’s a beautiful new preserve to explore in the Plant City area. McIntosh Preserveopened in June and is already getting rave reviews from visitors. Consider checking it out this weekend!
Where is it?
McIntosh Preserve is north of I-4, east of Paul Buchman Highway. The address is:
775 East Knights Griffin RoadPlant City, FL 33565
There are 20 parking spaces near the trail head, in addition to an overflow lot.
There are no restrooms or any other amenities at the preserve so plan accordingly.
What’s there?
McIntosh Preserve stretches 363 acres. Fifty acres have been developed so far, with plans for more in the coming years.
There are currently 2.2 miles worth of trails. All are color coded on this map.
The blue trail leads to a 30 foot observation tower, which is the highlight of the park.
If you’re unable to climb the tower, there are video monitors at the bottom so everyone can appreciate the views. There’s also a small playground nearby.
“If you have your youngsters with you and they get a little bit bored, they’ve got something to do while you’re up in the tower,” said Jack Holland, Director of Parks & Recreation for City of Plant City.
Holland says you could see a variety of Florida wildlife, including alligators, snakes, birds, bobcat and even possibly Florida panther.
“We think we’ve got one in here, but we haven’t been able to photographically prove it yet,” he said.
Dogs are allowed, but must be leashed and cleaned up after.
When should I visit?
McIntosh Preserve is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
While city officials have seen a good amount of visitors, they’re expecting even more once the weather cools down.
“We want people to come out and thoroughly enjoy this property,” said Holland. “It’s unique and it shows Florida as it was and hopefully we’ll keep it that way for the future.”
Join Walking Club!
Post photos of your adventures, ask questions and learn about upcoming Walking Club stories in Sarah’s Walking Club group on Facebook!
You can also keep up with Sarah on Instagram and Twitter
Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Gem Next Door: SWFL entrepreneur's desire to give back shaped her entrepreneurship journey
Erica Van Burenhttps://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2022/10/17/gem-next-door-sw-fl-entrepreneurs-desire-give-back-shapes-journey/8036645001/
Shadreka McIntosh's desire to give back to the community inspired her to open Sozo Wellness Pharmacy in the heart of the Dunbar community of Fort Myers.“I always felt like I was being bound by corporate structures and rules and I couldn’t practice the way that I wanted to,” said 42-year-old-McIntosh. “I’ve always had that community-minded spirit within me and wanted to give back. My family goes back four generations here. I grew up across the street from here in a housing project. Not only ...
Shadreka McIntosh's desire to give back to the community inspired her to open Sozo Wellness Pharmacy in the heart of the Dunbar community of Fort Myers.
“I always felt like I was being bound by corporate structures and rules and I couldn’t practice the way that I wanted to,” said 42-year-old-McIntosh. “I’ve always had that community-minded spirit within me and wanted to give back. My family goes back four generations here. I grew up across the street from here in a housing project. Not only is my family deeply rooted here, Black pharmacists and healthcare professionals aren’t easily accessible.”
Catch up on other Gems:Gem Next Door: Fort Myers entrepreneur, healthcare provider brings the clinic to the people
More:Gem Next Door: Fort Myers entrepreneur advocates for gun safety, responsible gun ownership
Sozo Wellness Pharmacy opened its doors in Fort Myers at 3510 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Ste 1 in July 2021. The pharmacy offers a variety of services including free home delivery, affordable prescription prices, herbals and supplements, immunizations, lab testing and medication check-up and cost reviews.
McIntosh said people in the community would reach out to get advice before she opened her pharmacy.
“People would find ways to contact me and say, ‘Hey I can’t afford this medicine can you help me?’ said McIntosh. “But then it would evolve to other needs that kept them from being able to address these medication related issues. I fought the idea of opening a pharmacy because I felt like I couldn't be a business owner. But it made sense for people to have a place to come as opposed to having to know someone to access me.”
McIntosh said her dream turned into more than just opening a pharmacy.
“The dream was in me to start with a pharmacy but eventually expand to a whole wellness center where the goal of it is to really engage, educate and empower people helping them to make healthy decisions,” said McIntosh. “When I say health, not just in the sense of physical health, but mental, emotional, all the social determinants of health. So access to healthy food and health literacy are all important.”
McIntosh said the last year has been eye opening.
“I wasn’t aware of how many people in the community didn’t know about medication related issues and how valuable having access to an independently owned pharmacy is,” said McIntosh.
In 2004 McIntosh received a doctorate in pharmacy from Florida A & M University and in 2020 a master's degree in integrative health from George Washington University.
Before stepping out on her own, McIntosh worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Cape Coral for five years. Before that she worked for insurance companies and gained some experience in community pharmacy as well.
McIntosh said growing up she wasn’t exposed to a lot as far as what options were available career wise. A connection she made while a junior in high school led her on the path to becoming a pharmacist.
“I was Black, I was pretty smart, all I really knew was that I could be a teacher,” said McIntosh. “I realized that wasn't for me. I thought about being a doctor. I realized that I don't like blood and certain smells get to me. I thought, ‘What else can I do as a medical professional?’ It came down to physical therapy and pharmacy. After shadowing a physical therapist, I realized it was too touchy feely. A lady that went to church with me was a pharmacist. So I talked to her and she told me the different paths you can take. I applied and got in. It just worked out.”
Representation matters, said McIntosh.
“If I don’t ever see someone like me doing something different I don't know that I can do it too,” said McIntosh. “So that was another reason why opening a pharmacy was important, especially in this community where I'm from.”
McIntosh said if she could give her younger self any advice it would be to make time to acknowledge the journey.
“I would definitely tell myself to slow down and celebrate your wins,” said McIntosh. “I have a tendency to check things off a list and not really reflect on the things that I’ve accomplished. I’m definitely learning that now.”
Near future plans are in the works for Sozo Wellness Pharmacy.
“I’m working on expanding into the space next door,” said McIntosh. “We want to grow the wellness side of things. One big program that I’m really focused on is medication assistance and access. We have a community of people that do have insurance, but then we have people that are uninsured. That's the thing about being in this underserved community. I want to be able to give people access to services. We want to have someone onsite to do urgent care visits on a cash base model."
Even though the pharmacy was one of many small businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian, business continued.
"The power was out for six days," said McIntosh. "We lost a lot of refrigerated meds like vaccines. We haven't been able to replace those medicines yet. We've been playing it by ear. We were without internet. We are back up and running as of today allowing us to operate more efficiently. Even though we were without we were still able to meet the needs of the community when other pharmacies were closed."
Tisha Williams, a customer since the pharmacy opened its doors, transferred her prescriptions from a commercial pharmacy chain and encourages others to do the same.
“There were several reasons why I transferred my prescriptions,” said 44-year-old-Williams. “One is because I believe in supporting Black owned businesses, especially here in the Dunbar community – being a product of Dunbar myself. Knowing her reasons for putting this pharmacy here for our people to have access to their prescriptions and access to resources.
"She’s someone that looks like us and understands the whole genetic makeup of you being African American. I trust her judgment and to be able to support what she’s doing right here in our own backyard.”
Williams said McIntosh offers a personal touch when it comes to the needs of her customers.
“She breaks pharmacy terms down in layman's terms so that they understand,” said Williams. “There are so many other things that she offers besides filling prescriptions. When COVID hit she served as a resource. She served as a site where you could get tested and get your vaccines and you felt comfortable taking our children and older citizens of the community felt comfortable going there.”
If you go
WHAT: Sozo Wellness Pharmacy
WHERE: 3510 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Suite 1, Fort Myers
HOURS: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9am - 5pm; Wednesday and Friday 9am - 3pm.
PHONE: 239-488-2580
WEBSITE: https://www.sozo-pharmacy.com/
About this series
The Gem Next Door is a series that highlights local entrepreneurs operating businesses in your neighborhoods. If you are the owner of a business or if you want to recommend a business for recognition, please contact reporter Erica Van Buren at EVanBuren@gannett.com. Be sure to include your name, phone number and a little bit about the history of the business.