A First Coast business is receiving special honors for their commitment to the environment and their community.
On Tuesday, Senator Marco Rubio named Amelia Island Kayak Excursions of Fernandina Beach as the U.S. Senate Small Business of the Week.
Rubio is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, which regularly chooses businesses to feature that are doing great things for their community.
Mark Bullington started the company in 2012. In a couple of years, it was so successful he was able to make it a family business, partnering with his son Aaron Bullington and daughter Amber Bullington Tipton.
Amelia Island Kayak Excursions takes families and friends out on the water to experience the beauty that nature holds. The family says they are overjoyed and honored by the announcement.
Mark Bullington choked up as he said, "I was humbled, and we worked hard."
"Just to reference, the six years we've been in business, we have had paddlers from all 50 states, multiple times over," Aaron Bullington said. "And we've also had 30 different countries paddle with us as well."
Amber Bullington Tipton described her favorite moment when a family of four came to them to make their vacation a memorable one. Amber Tipton recalled the family's teenagers thanking them.
"For our family to make someone else's family have a wonderful vacation, that's priceless," Amber Tipton said.
Rubio released a video message to congratulate them.
“It is my pleasure to honor Amelia Island Kayak Excursions of Fernandina Beach, Florida as the Senate Small Business of the Week," Rubio said. “Six years ago, Mark Bullington and his two children, Amber and Aaron, decided to turn their passion into their livelihood. Showcasing Florida’s beauty, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions offers both kayak and boat expeditions throughout ... Florida’s coastal environment."
In 2017, Amelia Island Kayak Excursions was recognized by the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year and received the Bold City Best Water Sports Award.
To educate the next generation on Florida’s wildlife, the company partnered with an after school program by gifting students a free kayak trip if they meet their academic goals
“Amelia Island Kayak Excursions is an example of a community-oriented small business, and I look forward to watching their continued growth and success," Rubio said.
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America’s small businesses.