Florida Business Minds

Access to capital is often a major obstacle for small business owners and entrepreneurs growing their business. In this episode, JBJ Reporter Carter Mudgett invites Mona Co-Founder Andrew Leon Hanna to share what he and his team are doing to not only make it easier to access funding, but also add clarity to the process.

As the year winds down, venture capital investors and business start-ups are looking toward 2026 for opportunities. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Govo Venture Partners Managing Partner and CIO Rob Panepinto to share his outlook and expertise on the Florida market.

South Florida's commercial real estate crunch is forcing developers to get creative. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Andrew Zidar, VP of Acquisitions and Development for RK Centers, to share his company's winning formula as consumer demand continues for convenient retail options.

As North America prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, US soccer teams and executives on all levels are ready to take advantage of the moment. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner calls on United Soccer League President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough for an update on his league's efforts, and what differentiates the USL from other soccer leagues across the country.

As the Jags "Stadium of the Future" takes shape, the adjacent Shipyards redevelopment continues adding premium experiences. In this episode, JBJ Managing Editor Stuart Korfhage and Reporter Matt Denis connect with Asado Life Owner Nick Carrera, who shares the news of his popular restaurant's Jacksonville debut at the Shipyards.

One of the world's most respected pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, Robert "Stan" Loomis is the Founder of Olympia Pharmaceuticals and Wesley Pharmaceuticals. In this download, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao leads a lively and informative conversation with Loomis, who shares his insight and outlook.

Vertical Real Estate Co-Founder Lyle Stern's big break came when he attracted Blockbuster Video to South Beach. Hundreds of other retailers have followed since, from national brands to high profile restaurants. In this episode, Stern joins SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez to talk about his career, his most memorable deals, and the past, present and future of South Beach and the Miami real es...

Florida's economic future depends heavily on investment in education. That mission starts in kindergarten and also requires continuing education to uplift millions of job ready people. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson to share statistics and perspective that impacts business owners in every zip code across the state...

A fourth-generation farmer, Angela TenBroeck is a leader in innovative farming techniques, an entrepreneur, and the advocate for protecting our food supply. In this download, JBJ Reporter Matt Denis invites TenBroeck to share her insight and perspective on a business sector that directly impacts all of us.

Economic uncertainty is top of mind for Florida business owners, including those in the financial services sector. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao connects with Addition Financial President & CEO Kevin Miller to get an update on the business climate, Addition's merger with Envision Credit Union, and efforts to improve financial literacy in our schools and communities. 

A native Miamian with over 36 years experience in the banking sector, City National Vice Chairman and CEO Jorge Gonzalez has seen it all in South Florida. In this episode with SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez, he offers an update on rates, the economy and why the boom & bust days are over for Florida's economy.

Tackling affordable housing issues is a nationwide crisis, particularly in Florida with the influx of new residents the past decade. In this episode, TBBJ Real Estate Reporter Ashley Gurbal Kritzer invites Dan Coakley, Principal of PMG Affordable, to to discuss his company's monumental project, along with the challenges of building affordable housing.

She started running Freedom Boat Club in 2009 during the depths of the Great Recession. Then Mother Nature delivered one of the coldest Florida winters in memory, so even avid boaters weren't interested in memberships. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites Freedom Boat Club Owner Lisa Almeida to share how she turned things around, and why so many boaters are now opting for...

Whether the economy's up, or down, we have to eat. With the cost of dining out on the rise, consumers are shifting their buying habits and that benefits grocery stores. So it's no surprise the fast-growing Florida market is attracting new, niche players hoping to take a bite of the market share. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites "Grocery Guru" Mark Tho...

As a major player in the automotive industry, with interests in financial services and franchising, JM Family Enterprises has a pulse on consumers across South Florida. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites President and CEO Dan Chait to provide an update on the car market, consumer trends and how AI is reshaping the industry.

Sponsored Content: With over 500,000 customers across the state, adding more each day, Peoples Gas has a pulse on Florida's growth and what builders and consumers demand. In this episode, sponsored by Peoples Gas, Vice President of Residential and Commercial Business Shawn Connell joins TBBJ Publisher and Market President Ian Anderson for a conversation on the impact of natural gas and its fu...

Hurricanes have wreaked havoc with Florida's property insurance market, driving premiums so high that it often kills a real estate transaction. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites Itel President Chris Touchton to explain how his company's technology is working to save costs for insurers, and how that translates into saving money for homeowners.

Bob O'Malley sits at the intersection of public affairs, government relations and transportation policy. As the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP), perhaps no one is as well-versed in the challenges and opportunities with commuter rail. OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites O'Malley to share his insight and transportation vision in...

While the migration of people and businesses has slowed somewhat, the Sunshine State and South Florida in particular remain highly desirable long-term. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance President & CEO Bob Swindell to share what he's seeing and hearing from business decision makers.

Florida's growth has sparked a business boom, but the influx of people has driven up real estate prices, making affordable housing scarce. In this episode, TBBJ Managing Editor Pam Huff invites Habitat for Humanity Gulfside CEO Mike Sutton to share what he and his team are doing, and who they're working with to help ease the housing crunch.

Once a sector dominated by mom & pop shops and locally-owned small businesses, the highly-skilled trades sector is seeing strategic consolidation from private equity firms looking to scale best practices nationally and cash in. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief James Cannon invites Axia Advisors Founder Sean Shapiro to share his expertise in the roofing sector.

There's no question sports bring people together, particularly when teams win. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Richard Bilbao invites Jarrod Dillon, President of Business Operations for Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride and Inter&Co Stadium, to share the impact of the Pride's NWSL title, Orlando's first major sports championship.

Elevated interest rates linger, making deals more difficult to pencil. But South Florida's robust international monetary base and the Sunshine State's diversified economy appear to be healthy enough to keep deals flowing. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez calls on veteran commercial real estate and capital markets exec Greg Matus, EVP at Franklin Street for an update.

The transformation of the Tampa Bay Lightning on and off the ice over the past decade is truly remarkable. But team owner Jeff Vinik, Vinik Sports Group, and CEO and Vice Chairman Steve Griggs aren't sitting back admiring their achievements. In this download, Griggs joins TBBJ Real Estate Editor Ashley Gurbal Kritzer to share what's next as he and his team take the Lightning fan experien...

Florida's immunity from national & global economic hiccups has been tested the past two years. As we enter the heat of summer, tourism remains robust across the Sunshine State, particularly along the First Coast. In this episode, JBJ Managing Editor Stuart Korfhage welcomes St. George Inn Owner Irving Kass to the podcast with an update.