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Re-Thatching Project at Discovery Cove |
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May 2010
Orlando, Florida – amaZulu, Inc.
recently completed a nearly three-month long extensive
re-thatching project at Sea World’s Discovery Cove.
amaZulu, who is a leading supplier of
natural and synthetic theming materials was contacted by
Discovery Cove to rejuvenate the weathered Sabal Palm roofs
into a tropical paradise with little to no disruption to the
resort’s daily operations.
It took a crew of approximately
fourteen people diligently working the 12-14 hour night
shifts needed to install the 140,000 Sabal Palm leaves on
over fourteen buildings in Discovery Cove complex. It was
their tireless work during some of the coldest nights in
Central Florida history that completely rejuvenated the
tropical paradise atmosphere that tourists from all over the
world will enjoy for many years to come!
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Congratulations to amaZulu, Inc.’s
President Claire Evans for being featured in Florida Trend
Magazine! |
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March 2010
Clermont, Florida- To read the
original story, click
here.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit
» Transitions
In 2002,
Zimbabwe-born Claire Evans gave up a successful career as a
computer programmer at Intel to open a business that sells
eco-friendly building materials such as thatch, bamboo and
reed.
 At
the time, Evans told her family, “I’m going to sell grass to
the Yanks.”
Evans
jumped from the corporate world when her company asked her
to relocate to either Seattle or Toronto. That was a move
she didn’t want to make so she launched amaZulu.
The
Clermont company got its big break working with Disney’s
Animal Kingdom and now designs and builds outdoor tiki bars,
screens and fences, as well as woven furniture and rugs, for
theme parks, zoos, restaurants and private homes.
Two years
ago, Evans began looking for a synthetic product that would
match the beauty of natural materials but would better
withstand the weather. She wanted to use recycled plastic
for the thatch and, after a long search, found a Canadian
company that could provide the products.
With a
supplier lined up, Evans began looking for the capital to
fund the imports and grow her business. Evans’ amaZulu had a
solid track record, five employees and projected $1.7
million in 2009 revenues. Still, she got the brush off when
she approached three large banks. So Evans turned to the
University of Central Florida Small Business Development
Center for help. The SBDC suggested she contact Winter
Park-based Bank First, a lender that works closely with
small businesses. “They showed great interest,” says Evans.
“They were fantastic.” It took about four weeks for the
$500,000 loan guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business
Administration to go through, and in late 2009 Evans was
awaiting her first shipment from Canada. The key, she says,
is “a good product with a good plan.”
With the
U.S. economy still fragile, Evans is turning much of her
attention to projects in the Caribbean. Still, she’s selling
to U.S. theme parks that need to maintain their properties
and new water parks in the northern U.S. designed to cater
to people who want to vacation closer to home. Evans
projects revenues of $2.1 million for amaZulu in 2010.
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amaZulu, Inc. Designs Custom
Residential Tiki Bar |
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Feb 2010
Fred and Linda were referred to Scott Cook of amaZulu, Inc. in
February of 2010. The couple visited our showroom to
explore design ideas for a custom built tiki bar for their
enclosed patio area. After walking through our showroom,
Fred and Linda discovered the myriad of options that
amaZulu’s products provide customers allowing them to fully
personalize their new creation.
The couples’ paramount desire was to replicate a Key West feel in their
enclosed patio area that provided a unique entertainment
area which also allowed seating for up to eight people.
Working from that premise and with Scott’s design help and
vast knowledge of amaZulu products, they were able to come
together with a firm design idea for their custom tiki bar.
The tiki
bar’s main supports were constructed from our
Eucalyptus pressure treated poles. The roof rafters and
hips were created from
Tre-Gai Sanded Finished Bamboo poles and amaZulu’s
Solid Bamboo Sanded Finished poles were used as the roof
battens. A thick topical
Tahiti Thatch and Tahiti Thatch top cone was installed
on the roof structure and not only assisted with the Key
West feel, but as an added bonus waterproofed the roof.
Amber Bamboo Board was chosen for the interior and
exterior wall coverings with
Split, Sanded Finished Tre-Gai Bamboo trim to cover the
seams, corners and to add decorative embellishments. The
counter-top was covered in
Bamboo Skin Board and framed with
Mahogany Bamboo Slats. Finally, the entire counter-top
surface was coated with an epoxy resin. The client was
thrilled with how beautifully their tiki bar turned out and
invitations soon followed for the fun unveiling of the final
project!
amaZulu will be featured in June’s edition of V-LIFE magazine which
talks about creating a piece of paradise in your our back
yard! |
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The Noticer Project and amaZulu, Inc. |
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June 2009
Late last year a gent had called the
office and asked if he could visit the warehouse as he was
interested in building a tree house with a thatched roof.
Naturally we encouraged him as we had a variety of thatch to
choose from. Later I learnt our visitor was going to be Andy
Andrews, the New York Best Selling Author of The Traveler’s
Gift.
Within minutes of Andy being at the
office he had us so engrossed in his idea’s and the plot of
his new book – The Noticer. Something happened that day,
Andy was not just a customer, he took a special interest in
amaZulu, I never did work out why. A few months later a
parcel arrived with an editors draft copy of the book and a
note to say “read Chapter 7”. This renowned author, not only
remembered us from a past visit, but was someone who
graciously spoke about amaZulu by name in his new book.
Obviously we were so excited and bragged to our friends and
families.
It didn’t end there, Andy remains in
contact with us and we always try to visit with him when he
is in town for business. This man is all heart and so
humble. For the first time Andy reveals a lot of his
personal hardships in his new book – I read it cover to
cover, crying and laughing between pages of valuable
lessons. If you haven’t read this book yet, you owe yourself
this treat. Double click the book to find out more about
Andy and The Noticer.
Andy – you are my “Jones” – you
noticed us at amaZulu and you give me a constant reminder
that life is all about perspective …….
Click on the banner below to visit the
Noticer Project website. |
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Come see amaZulu at the AZA 2008
Annual Conference |
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September 2008
Come visit us at Booth #332 at the AZA
Annual Conference in Milwaukee, WI, September 15-18, 2008
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NEW! All THATCH Website for
Natural Thatch &
Faux Thatch |
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June 2008
amaZulu, Inc. launches their new website designed
specifically for Natural
thatch and Artificial
thatch products. This website was designed to make it simple for
customers to find the perfect thatch for their projects.
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amaZulu New Showroom and Tropical Design Ideas |
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May 2008
Check out
amaZulu's
new state-of-the-art showroom filled with creative design displays
to help you or your designer conceptualize a natural-looking tropical
paradise within your home or business.
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amaZulu's new address |
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November 2007
We are happy to announce that amaZulu
has moved
to a new office. Our new address is:
1239 Commons Court
Clermont, FL 34711
Ph (352) 243-5309
Fax (352) 243-5361
Please update amaZulu in your address book! |
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amaZulu at IAAPA 2007 |
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November 12-16, 2007
amaZulu will be exhibiting at booth #4316 at this
years IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, FL.
The 2007 IAAPA Attractions Expo will host 25,000
attendees from around the world at the Orange County Convention Center.
amaZulu will also be launching a new faux product
so Stop by and see us at booth #4316 between Nov. 12-16, 2007. |
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Fiber Thatch Special at AZA |
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September 2007
amaZulu will launch NEW Fiber Thatch
Umbrella panels at AZA 2007. Stop by our booth #618 to see
if you can tell the difference between Fiber Thatch and
Natural Thatch for 15% OFF!
Read more> |
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amaZulu on Biz Radio |
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August 11 2007
Claire Evans, president of amaZulu,
appeared on Biz Radio's talk show "Gut
Check Radio". Gut Check is a Texas-based radio show
appealing to business leaders and CEOs that addresses
relevant business issues.
Hear Claire's appearance in mp3 format. |
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amaZulu Celebrates 5 Years |
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June 2007
amaZulu celebrated their 5th
anniversary in style at their Winter Garden warehouse on
June 22, 2007....
more> |
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Make Mine a Million Foundation |
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May 15th 2007 - Orlando Sentinel
Claire Evans - Founder and President
of amaZulu Inc. becomes a finalist of the Make Mine a
$Million Foundation.
Claire Evans is the kind of woman who
will go skydiving or rappelling -- or even move to a new
country on a lark. Born in Zimbabwe and schooled in South
Africa, Evans likes adventure and isn't afraid of taking a
risk......
more >
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