Florida Business Minds

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.

One of the most prominent stories in 2023 was affordable housing, or the lack thereof, in Florida's hot housing market. As we close out the year, Jacksonville Business Journal Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons calls on Ability Housing CEO Shannon Nazworth for an update on her team's goals to serve more people across the state, and the region.

With the holidays upon us, OBJ Editor-in-Chief Sean McCrory delivers and an extended session with Gregg Hill, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Parkway Venture Capital. Hill details his rise from a small North Carolina town to become legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri's favorite for his work ethic. His tennis career was tragically cut short, so Hill turned to business, and duplicated hi...

With the holidays upon us, SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez calls on United Way of Broward County President & CEO Kathleen Cannon for an update on the impact of charitable giving, Cannon's candid interview sheds light on the growing number of families who aren't in poverty, but are struggling to cover the basics of housing, food, transportation, health care and technology.

He's supported US intelligence efforts in two wars and the hunt for Osama bin Laden, and now Celestar CEO Greg Celestan is leading the defense & intelligence industry's growth across Florida. In this download, TBBJ Editor Alexis Muellner invites Celestan to share his unique background, which led him to a career in foreign intelligence during 20 years of service to our country.

How did the St. Augustine Amphitheatre become a huge success? Surprisingly, the hit mix of music acts only played a small part. GM Gabe Pellicer knew he and his team had to take care of business behind-the-scenes first. In this download, he shares that success story with JBJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Gibbons, along with future plans for "The Amp".

Florida's "The Sunshine State" for a reason, but we do get a fair amount of cloud cover and that can hamper renewable energy options like solar. In this episode, OUC CEO & GM Clint Bullock connects with OBJ Editor-in-Chief Sean McCrory to share what he and his team are doing to maximize renewable energy efficiency, and improve EV options.

South Florida's had a remarkable run the past decade, and Miami-Dade Beacon Council President & CEO Rodrick Miller aims to continue that trend. In this update with SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Melendez, Miller shares his economic outlook and addressed the key concerns many have moving forward.