Building Pensacola

Ever wondered about venture capital? This discussion breaks down the world of startup funding, comparing it to a less dramatic "Shark Tank" experience. We explore investing in early-stage private companies, explaining the inherent risks and potential for significant growth in entrepreneurship. Learn about the private market and how investment drives new businesses. Check out Gain Venture Capital:...

In this Building Pensacola interview, Jeff Rogers — founder of Buzz Marketing and former Gulf Power communications leader — shares proven, real-world tactics any entrepreneur or local business can use to grow. You’ll learn: • How to turn word-of-mouth into a repeatable strategy • The “go ugly early” approach to crisis communication • A listening-first superpower that disarms angry customers • A me...

Jakob Carmichael is revolutionizing public safety. His startup, RescAlert, merges police, fire, EMS, and volunteer data into one AI-driven dashboard, while the free Overwatch app sends real-time alerts to families. In this Building Pensacola episode, Jakob shares how a hurricane, a servant-leader mindset, and Pensacola’s tight-knit community shaped his journey from teenage tinkerer to life-saving...

In this episode of Building Pensacola, host Zach Dykes sits down with community leader and entrepreneur Donnie Peterson for a powerful and inspiring conversation on leadership, business, and purpose. Donnie shares his journey from being a Chick-fil-A Operating Partner and local pastor to founding Collaire, a leadership development company focused on cultivating culture and character within small b...

Buying or selling a home in Pensacola? Wondering what it takes to succeed in real estate or avoid costly mistakes? Realtor Ashley Murray breaks it all down with real stories, tips, and local insight. In this episode, Ashley shares her journey from teaching to real estate, how being on a team fast-tracked her success, and why education plays a key role in helping buyers and sellers feel confident....

Blake Jones was slinging drinks one day and booking high-profile photo gigs the next—all because of a random LinkedIn message. Wild, right? In this episode, he breaks down how a simple profile update put him on the radar of a global brand, why networking is the cheat code to success, and the brutal lessons he learned about running a business. If you’re a freelancer, creative, or entrepreneur tryin...

Pensacola business owners, entrepreneurs, and coffee lovers—this episode is for you. We dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Caleb, the founder of Makers Cafe, a thriving coffee shop in downtown Pensacola. Learn how he transitioned from photography and videography into building a beloved community hub, how branding set them apart, and what it takes to manage a growing team. We also discuss bus...

Welcome to Building Pensacola, Episode 0! Join me, Zach Dykes, and my co-host Nic Wilson as we kick off a brand-new podcast dedicated to  highlighting the business leaders, community builders, and change-makers shaping Pensacola . In this episode, we’re laying out our mission—digging into real conversations with local success stories to uncover the lessons, struggles, and wins that can help  you  ...