Florida Business Minds

If the head of a household is struggling to pay bills or buy food, that stress will negatively impact job performance. That's one reason why it's critical for Tampa Bay's business community to help address this growing concern. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Thomas Mantz to share how he and his team are partnering with businesses to help t...

Jacksonville now ranks as the 10th most populated city in America, and it's no longer one of the best kept secrets in the country. An influx of wealthy families are now calling JAX home, and J.P. Morgan Private Bank Executive Director Matt Marcin tells JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons his team is ready to serve them.

Rising interest rates have cooled Florida's once red-hot commercial real estate market, making many projects tough to pencil. Unicorp CEO Chuck Whittall remains optimistic, and believes there's a bright side to the slowdown as he moves forward on numerous projects. OBJ Associate Managing Editor Richard Bilbao leads our conversation with the prominent developer.

The talk of artificial intelligence, or AI, dominates conversation and intimidates business leaders who fear change. In our 100th episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites UDT CEO Henry Fleches to ease concerns about AI, and offer his insight and advice on adoption of the technology.

The days of nerds in hoodies hacking your email are over. Now it's an army of bots blasting your business day & night, and your monitoring service might not detect a breach or notify you for days. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons invites OnDefend CEO Chris Freedman to share the latest on cybersecurity threats, and what he and his team are doing on a national, and global sc...

Florida's economic expansion and population growth means banking and financial services are in demand. In this episode, OBJ Associate Managing Editor Richard Bilbao invites VyStar Credit Union Florida Market President Lysa Barbano to share how the Jacksonville-based institution is expanding to serve the region's growing needs.

From the Tampa Bay community to the state legislature, former Representative Ed Narain has served the region for almost 25 years. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner welcomes Narain to share how his family's blue collar work ethic inspired him, diversity, equity and inclusion, and his future political aspirations.

If you're starting a small business, Florida is one of the best states in the country to do it. May is small business month, and in this episode SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez welcomes Jennifer Brin Kovach, Director of South Florida for the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. She shares the programs in place to encourage success, and offers tips to those looking to start a bus...

Yvonne Fry is passionate about workforce development. As the CEO of Future Career Academy and Workforce Development Partners, she's one of the leading advocates in our region, and her work is gaining attention nationally. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Fry to share how business owners and executives can improve their workforce pipeline and effectively grow their team.

Long before AI became the buzzword, NLP Logix was applying machine learning to increase productivity, revenues and efficiencies in business. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons visits with CEO Ted Willich, who shares how artificial intelligence is quickly changing the landscape of business, and what the future holds.

Tourism drives Florida's economy and cruise passengers are a big part of that economic impact. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Carolyn Guniss invites Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray to share how he and his team are preparing for an expanded cruise ship lineup, more passengers, and continued growth.

The pandemic killed coworking spaces in other parts of the country, but in Florida the influx of talent and open businesses fueled growth. Now the question is, what's the future of coworking? In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez welcomes Quest Workspaces CEO Laura Kozelouzek who shares what separates Quest from the rest. Plus, why the future of coworking includes yachts and luxu...

Artificial Intelligence is a game changer, particularly in the legal profession. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner welcomes Holland & Knight Chair and CEO Bob Grammig to discuss how his firm is quickly adapting to the new world of AI and what it means for clients. Plus, Grammig  shares potential growth opportunities for his firm.

The pandemic, an infusion of stimulus and record low interest rates fueled the economy, and the private aviation industry. But what's the outlook as the economy cools off? In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons calls on Malone Air Charter CEO Christine Kirk for an update.

Orlando is the nation's epicenter of theme park entertainment. Brevard Zoo aims to take advantage of that, attracting visitors who seek an experience while they enjoy the thrills of neighboring attractions. In this episode, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Carolyn Guniss welcomes Brevard Zoo Executive Director Keith Winsten to share his vision, and how a major project is progressing.

With over 40 years experience in the South Florida region, Bank of America Palm Beach Market President Fab Brumley has a solid handle on what's impacting business owners and entrepreneurs. In this episode, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites her to share what she's hearing, and seeing, across South Florida's diverse economy. 

Insulated by an influx of money, talent and ambition, Florida's economy will fare better than most states in a downturn. While many experts are predicting a "soft landing", Fifth Third Commercial Bank Chief Economist Jeff Korzenik isn't celebrating yet, and cautions business owners to be on guard. In this download, Korzenik tells TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner why we need to be ca...

He led the development of the popular Water Street project, which transformed Tampa Bay. Now, Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll and his team have their sights set on Jacksonville. In this download, JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons gets an update, as Moll shares how and why Gateway Jax is taking this new challenge one phase at a time.

Not long ago, Tampa Bay was considered the more affordable luxury real estate market when compared to Naples and South Florida. But that's no longer the case, as multi-million dollar homes dot the local map, and more affluent families relocate to the area. In this episode, TBBJ reporter Ashley Gurbal Kritzer invites top luxury agent Jennifer Zales to share what's driving the high end mar...

Higher interest rates have helped put the brakes on development,. But construction across Florida is still going strong as key players find creative ways to get deals done. In this download, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez invites 40-year industry veteran Rex Kirby to share his outlook for the year ahead.

And eighth generation Floridian and family business fixture in Tampa-St. Petersburg for four generations, Liz Dimmitt is fiercely loyal to our community and passionate about the arts. In this episode, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites the co-founder of Fairgrounds Projects and Dimmitt Chevrolet managing partner to share what drives her, and why the arts are so important to our region. 

Tourism is well known as a major driver in Florida's economy. In the past, the Jacksonville-area was the "best kept secret", but that's no longer confidential, as the city and neighboring areas compete for dollars. In this episode, JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons welcomes Visit Jacksonville CEO Michael Corrigan, who shares an update and outlook.

Who needs affordable housing? The answer may surprise you. Shedding light on misconceptions, obstacles and potential solutions only grazes the surface of this critical challenge in a 20-minute podcast. OBJ Editor-in-Chief Sean McCrory welcomes Catherine Steck McManus, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County to deliver an update and overview.

He literally grew up in the restaurant industry, and Abe Ng has infused his own entrepreneurial twist to establish his popular Sushi Maki experience across South Florida. In this episode with SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez, Ng reflects on his family's heritage, his inspiration, and his advice to those hoping to replicate his success in the challenging restaurant industry.

We open the new year by putting the state's biggest issues front & center. TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Jeff Brandes, President & CEO of the Florida Policy Project, to share his solutions to insurance costs, affordable housing and more. The former state senator offers a candid assessment of what it will take to make a difference.