See It, Hear It, Believe It
PHOTOS BY JORDAN RANDALL | DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BANK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Imagine returning home after a long day at work and effortlessly transforming your space into a haven of comfort. With just a few taps on your smart device, you can close your blinds, adjust the lights to your desired brightness, play soothing music, and cool down your home—all within 30 seconds. Thanks to innovative solutions like those offered by Arracal, managing your home environment has never been easier or more convenient.
When you visit Arracal’s experience center in Lakeland, you can touch and see what it’s like to have your own “smart home.” This innovative space showcases the expertise of a locally-owned company that began 16 years ago, driven by one man’s passion for cinema. Today, Arracal is dedicated to helping people “simplify their lives” through advanced technology and tailored solutions.
Tony Calero and Rene Arrazcaeta have been best friends since the late 80s, often joking about starting a business together. One day, Tony decided to sit down and list his true passions. At the top of Tony’s list was spending quality time watching movies with his son.
Meanwhile, Rene was seeking a job that offered a more flexible schedule, and greater fulfillment. In 2008, the two friends took a leap and founded their company, initially focusing on building home theater rooms and installing high-fidelity audio systems.
Arracal has evolved as technology has rapidly advanced since the company’s founding. Today, they provide a wide range of services, from landscape lighting and security solutions to an extensive array of smart home options for residential settings. Additionally, they offer comprehensive commercial solutions for bars, restaurants, small businesses, corporate offices and more.
Arracal owners Tony Calero (far left) and Rene Arrazcaeta (far right) have benefited from the expertise of Bank of Central Florida staff Trey Barnett and Emily Jesse as they have navigated the process of expanding their business.
“If you’re unsure about what we do, we aim to simplify your life,” says Tony, the President. He emphasizes that his best friend Rene, the Vice President, shares equal ownership and authority within
the company.
Over the years, their business has primarily grown through word-of-mouth referrals. However, an unexpected opportunity arose that required Tony and Rene to seek expert advice. A close friend who owned a similar business in Venice, Fla. became ill and approached them with a proposition: to consider acquiring his 25-year-old business.
“This was never on our roadmap, and we were somewhat unaware of what it would take or how we would approach it. Honestly, it’s something we are still learning,” Tony explains. “But thanks to the team at Bank of Central Florida, we have been able to navigate it all and know we have people dedicated to our success.”
Tony and Rene joke that they realized Bank of Central Florida might be the perfect partner for their expansion when Professional Relationship Manager Emily Jesse stopped by with a gift of fresh pastries, eager to learn more about Arracal and their future aspirations.
Tony notes that the Lakeland-based bank has been attentive and responsive since their first interaction, just over six months ago when they began exploring the acquisition. “The same day we sent a request for more information, we received a response, and they followed up with an in-person visit,” he shares. “They provided an extremely white-glove experience in a field we knew very little about.”
Bank of Central Florida equipped Arracal with essential tools, such as an in-office scanner for checking deposits, along with a dedicated team ready to answer their calls and provide assistance during challenges. Part of that team was Trey Barnett, the Commercial Relationship Manager who Emily brought to help with questions about the business acquisition. The support of a team enabled Tony and Rene to concentrate on integrating their company culture and educating a completely new team of professionals in the Sarasota and Venice regions who have recently joined their organization.
Traditionally, about 80 percent of Arracal’s