Source 1 Solutions: A Leap Taken Without a Safety Net
“Just do it. You can always go to work for someone else. But the excitement, the struggle, and the growth you experience right now you will never get this time back.”
— Robert Hessel
In 2009, when Robert Hessel decided to start his own company, he was not following a family tradition or answering the call of an entrepreneurial upbringing. In fact, most of his family, teachers and educators, thought he was crazy. But Robert had reached a breaking point. Every corporate role brought shifting goalposts. His success was too easily forgotten. And a partnership he entered did not work out. He was tired of feeling like the outcome was never fully in his hands. So, he made a choice. With $6,000 and the backseat of a Toyota Camry as his office, Robert launched Source 1 Solutions. It was equal parts terrifying and liberating. He had no Plan B not because it was brave, but because he knew that having an escape path often means you are already preparing for failure. “If I wanted to eat,” he says, “I had to sell something.”
The Push That Made It Real
Just before launching, Robert was convinced he needed a partner; someone to share the risk, soften the fear, and make the leap less daunting. That changed during one conversation with a respected entrepreneur in England. After listening patiently, the man gave Robert blunt clarity: “F off. You do not need a partner. You just need money. And you are a sales guy; so, go sell something.” It was unfiltered advice, the kind that hits with both humor and truth. That moment removed the last excuse left in Robert’s mind. He did not need a partner. He needed courage.
Building a Company That Scales Quietly
Source 1 Solutions began as a commercial security integrator selling access control and video surveillance. But the real opportunity revealed itself in services. Large telecoms and systems integrators AT&T, Verizon, British Telecom, and others were selling massive hardware and network solutions but did not want to handle the services required to deploy them.
Robert stepped in to be the force behind the scenes. “We’re the bridesmaid, never the bride,” he jokes. But it was strategic. These global companies became an extension of Source 1’s sales force, funneling projects that allowed the business to scale exponentially. As projects grew larger and more complex, so did Source 1’s capabilities. Over time, the company evolved into a fully managed services provider, supporting clients worldwide and delivering high-level engineering, deployment, and support services every hour of every day.
A Global Workforce Built on Relationships and Precision
Today, Source 1 Solutions operates with more than 130 employees in Clearwater, plus teams across the U.S. and worldwide. Its reach extends through a carefully built network of thousands of independent contractors 5000 in North America alone allowing the company to deliver in-person technical work in 134 countries without ever needing to fly someone in. It is not just geography; it is cultural intelligence. Clients in China do not want an American tech flown in. Clients in Portugal prefer local language and customs. Source 1’s model removes friction, speeds deployment, and enhances customer experience. Behind the scenes is a proprietary software platform acquired through an acquisition of technology that allows the company and its partners to instantly see who is available, where they are located, what skills they have, and what their cost structure is. It is one of the company’s greatest advantages: real-time clarity in a world where speed matters.
Culture: The First Value Is Relationships Over Deals
Walking into Source 1 Solutions, the company’s mission, vision, and values are posted proudly on the wall, and they have not changed in 14 years. The first value reads: Relationships over deals. It guides everything. Robert and his team often tell customers “No” when the work is not set up for success or when doing it would harm trust. In a sales-driven industry, that instinct is rare. But it has earned the company long-term loyalty and deeper client partnerships. The culture is powered by a high-performance team with many alpha personalities, many long-tenured employees, and many internal promotions. New roles appear each year as the company grows, including project management, service delivery, and engineering positions that did not exist the year before. And unlike many tech companies, Source 1 never “follows the sun.” At 3 a.m. on Christmas Day, a Source 1 engineer answers the call. Always.
Service Beyond Business: Veterans, First Responders, and Families with Autism
Service is not just a value; it is an expectation. Every team member receives four hours of paid time monthly to volunteer with approved local charities, plus quarterly group service projects. But Robert’s philanthropic focus is deeper. He and his wife founded the Hessel Family Foundation, dedicated to supporting veterans, first responders, and most personally families navigating autism. As parents of two autistic children, the lack of support, long waitlists, and overwhelming system gaps became painfully clear. Their foundation launched the first “Kind Camp” in Pinellas County, giving autistic children a place where they feel understood, safe, and celebrated. They also support a local autism school by donating security infrastructure access control, cameras, and video systems to keep students and families safe. This work is not a side project. It is Robert’s long-term legacy what he wants to build long after Source 1 belongs to its next generation of leaders.
Growth Story: From $2.3M to Explosive Scaling
Several years ago, Robert made a strategic choice: the company would stop doing work it was not great at. Revenue intentionally dropped from $2.8M to $2.3M but the next chapter was explosive: $4.4M → $8.8M → $10M → $14M, followed by continued scaling and acquisition activity that positions Source 1 for another major growth year. Market conditions have helped global demand for IT services is massive, but the real driver is the company’s disciplined model and its position as a global extension of major OEMs.
Overcoming the Hard Parts
Behind the growth are the universal challenges every founder faces.
- Payroll scares in the early days.
- Tariffs and regulations disrupting deal cycles.
- COVID making onsite work almost impossible.
- Hiring mistakes made under pressure.
But Robert emphasizes one challenge above all: Finding the right people; those who align with the company’s values and can thrive in a high-performance environment. “Talent,” he says, “is abundant. Alignment is rare.”
Florida: The Home He Chose
Robert grew up in northern Michigan, in a town so small it had one blinking traffic light. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Jacksonville, experiencing his first Florida January in a short-sleeve shirt with the windows down. He never forgot that feeling. He moved to Tampa after military service, lived abroad in Ireland and England, and traveled the world extensively for work. But no matter where he lived, he kept vacationing back in Florida. Eventually, the message became obvious: this is home. “Tampa isn’t where I’m from,” he says. “It’s who I am.”
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Robert shares advice he once received from a mentor advice that did not make sense to him until years later: “The most fun you will ever have in business is right now. Later, the company gets bigger, the stakes get higher, and the excitement changes. But in these early years everything you do moves the business forward or backward. You will never get this time back.” His message is simple: Take the leap. Do not wait for permission. Do not hide behind Plan B. “You can always go to work for someone else,” he says. “But you only get one chance to chase the dream.”
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GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch (FLCTW)
The Florida Companies to Watch program, hosted annually by GrowFL, celebrates top second-stage companies across the state for their impressive growth and entrepreneurial success. This prestigious program recognizes 50 standout businesses each year, chosen from hundreds of nominees. Honorees are celebrated for their innovation, economic impact on Florida’s economy, and the ability to scale effectively. Through FLCTW, GrowFL not only acknowledges these companies’ achievements but also brings them into a spotlight that enhances their visibility in the marketplace. The event offers an extraordinary opportunity for networking, sharing best practices, and gaining exposure to potential investors and partners, making it a cornerstone for fostering business growth and recognition within Florida’s vibrant business community.
