Florida Business Minds

Few industries have faced disruption as much as the paper industry. But over the past 61 years, MAC Papers + Packaging has steadily evolved, diversified and delivered for customers across the region and nation. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites CEO Ian Forrest to share continuing challenges and opportunities for growth.

As we hit the mid-point of 2026, investors continue to be cautious. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao checks in with Michael "Q" Quatrini, Founder, CEO and CIO of Capital Q Ventures for a market update. Q offers a different perspective and shares his alternative approach to investment management.

It's no secret, land is at a premium across the Sunshine State, particularly in South Florida. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez calls on one of the industry leaders, Basis Industrial President and Managing Partner Anthony Scavo for insight on how he and his team grow their portfolio wisely.

You may know Cathie Wood as the bold and strategic investment guru who focuses solely on disruptive innovation and a long term approach. But in this exclusive TBBJ Power Breakfast conversation, Editor Alexis Muellner gets personal with Wood. She shares why she often doesn't get jokes and the significant impact her almost 100-year-old father has had on her life. Wood also explains why Tampa/St...

Entrepreneur and restaurateur Stephen Hutson put Catch 27 on the culinary map while consulting behind-the-scenes for 17 King and others. In this delicious download, he shares his recipe for success, and the challenges the food scene faces with JBJ Managing Editor Stuart Korfhage.

The seeds of success are often planted during challenging times. Beth Hobart began her real estate career shortly before the Great Recession, but weathered that tsunami of foreclosures, focused on relationships and leveraged her background in marketing and advertising to build her business. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Hobart to share her career journey, perspective...

It's no secret that tech companies have flocked to Florida, particularly in the post-Covid era. And while that's good for business, it also creates challenges. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez dives into the issues with Terri-Ann Brown, Director of Miami Tech Works, a workforce development initiative that bridges the gap between employers and training providers. 

One of America's leading ad agencies is based right here in Florida. Founder Bob Faller made the move from Buffalo to Tampa Bay long before it was the "in" thing. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites FKQ Senior Vice President Stacy Howell to share the agency's journey from an upstart in Upstate New York to an industry leader in the Sunshine State.

With World Cup Soccer taking center stage across North America this summer, local teams including Sporting JAX are ready to make the most of the sport's exposure. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon connects with Chief Operating Officer J.J. Keitzer and Chief Community Officer Tony Allegretti to get their game plan.

With funding and land secured, the East Coast Zoological Foundation's second campus, anchored by Bowen Aquarium, will deliver a regional conservation hub and worldwide tourist attraction. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites CEO Keith Winsten to share why this project is so important to our state, and the entire region.

Affordable housing is a hot button issue in many cities across America, but particularly in South Florida where land is scarce and demand is high. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez calls on Falcone Group COO Alfonso Costa, Jr. to share his expertise and approach to addressing the issue.

The Florida Business Journal teams thank you and our sponsor, TECO Peoples Gas, for making our series one of the most downloaded business podcasts in the region! In this milestone episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Tampa Bay Sun FC President & GM Christina Unkel, a 2026 BusinessWoman of the Year Honoree, to share her career journey and the opportunities for growth in women's soc...

When your product is caught half way around the world, processed in foreign countries and the deal is done three months in advance, even a small hiccup can cause big-time issues while operating on razor thin margins. In this revealing conversation, BSF Executive VP Mark Frisch shares the challenges and opportunities his company faces with JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon.

No stranger to competitive team sports or Special Olympics, Meghan McLean ascended from COO to the lead executive role last month. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites McLean to share her passion for sports, people and the impact of Special Olympics outside the competition.

Miami native Mary Usategui rose to the top of South Florida’s banking industry during a period of rapid mergers and acquisitions, an evolution that reshaped the finance landscape and created an opportunity to reaffirm the value of relationship-driven banking. Inspired to build on that tradition, she founded the area’s first new bank established from the ground up since 2008, with a strong focus on...

With an estimated 750,000 more residents moving to the Tampa area in the next decade, Tampa International Airport and the transportation network feeding it will be vital. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner checks in with TPA CEO Michael Stephens who reflects on his first year at the helm, and looks to the future of one of America's favorite airports.

Business leaders and executives can acquire an MBA, but the mental aspect of leadership is often learned the hard way, by mistake, or through experiencing trial and error. In this download, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Dr. Naakesh Dewan, Vice President of Behavioral Health at GuideWell and Florida Blue, to guide us through this important, yet often overlooked aspect in business success.

Growing up in the family business, Bill Finfrock always knew he'd help lead the next generation of the design-build firm. There have been many challenges over the past 80 years, but Finfrock's innovative approach, bringing architects, engineers and builders together under one roof has sparked innovation and success. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao profiles this family...

In a business that's dominated by men, Kristi Beaudoin has earned her way into the C-Suite, leading acquisitions while integrating AI and technology at Coastal Waste & Recycling. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Beaudoin to share insight on her industry.

There's no question that Florida has attracted technology companies and significant investments over the past decade. But where do we stand, and what challenges do we face? In this episode, JBJ Reporter Carter Mudgett invites NLP Logix President and CFO Fallon Gorman to share her assessment and outlook.

Collaboration and cooperation inspire innovation, and that's what's happening for tech and business startups at The Link in the heart of Nocatee Town Center. In this episode, JBJ Reporter Matt Denis connects with The Link Co-Founder Raghu Misra and CSO Randall Thomas to learn more about the culture inspiring growth.

With less than six months until the FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America, organizers at Florida Citrus Sports are gearing up for friendlies between some of the biggest names in the game. OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Florida Cup Series CEO and former soccer star Ricardo Villar to give us a preview.

Without air conditioning, it's safe to safe that Florida would still be just a winter retreat. Now, technology is transforming AC, led by the vision of Blue Frontier CEO Daniel Betts. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites the AC entrepreneur to share advances that could save money and the environment.

It's no secret that funding children's charities is an investment in our next generation of leaders. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner calls on Florida Children's Museum CEO Kerry Falwell to share how business leaders are making a difference, and her approach to inspire giving.

Long before Disney, Universal and SeaWorld were attracting millions of visitors, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm was THE place for adventure. For 130 years, families have ventured to Florida's First Coast to see the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. In this episode, JBJ Managing Editor Stuart Korfhage invites Director John Brueggen to share how the Alligator Farm Zoological Park keeps a...