Local couple shines a light on the entrepreneurial spirit

Most people move to Florida later in life to take up golf or engage in various community activities. Many spend time helping out their kids and doting on their grandkids. And while Howard M. and Dr. Barbara C. Holley have done all of the aforementioned, they relocated to Florida looking to be of service and make a difference. In 2009, Howard and Barbara founded The Holley Group. In 2012, they added investors and formed TouchPoint Innovative Solutions (TIS), a communications, marketing, and media firm that publishes EVOLVE Magazines Florida, Parent Magazines Florida, and Florida Baby. The couple says they strive to shine a light on entrepreneurs and to be a resource to those with the toughest job of all, being a parent.

As the CEO and Publisher at TIS, Howard leans on his experience as a former Senior Vice President at the Xerox Corporation. In his last assignment, he provided global leadership for a $1 billion line of business. Howard has received numerous honors for his work including the National Black Employees’ Exceptional Leadership Award.

“Our EVOLVE Business and Entrepreneur Magazines cover a variety of economic topics, including arts and culture, hospitality and tourism, non-profits and community organizations, and environmental sustainability,” Howard said of EVOLVE Daytona Beach Region, launched in 2016, and the brand new EVOLVE First Coast Region, which will launch in October and covers Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. “We want to highlight those positive economic and leadership success stories in the First Coast Region.”

As president of TIS and editor of PARENT, Barbara brings with her years of experience as a primary education school principal in California, Connecticut, and Virginia. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Tech and is passionate about education and the many facets and challenges of parenting.

“We are focused on shining a light on success,” Barbara said. “EVOLVE is a compelling, relevant, inspiring, and informational publication that highlights everything from the legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an innovator, entrepreneur and founder of Bethune-Cookman University, to a how-to for local business owners on creating a new culture for employee retention. We are passionate about giving a voice to small businesses, their critical role in our local economy, and telling their story.”