Sarasota SpeaX

This week, we sit down with the owner of Bonanno’s Bagels, Monique Bonanno.  Monique shares her story of spending 15 years in the corporate world with Aramark to purchasing her own food truck to go into business for herself.  Monique also shares some of the upcoming plans for her business, including a Matcha brand. As always, we bring the conversation back to Sarasota, getting Monique’s thoughts o...

This week, we sit down with the owner of Jefferson Fit, Jefferson Charles.  We hear Jefferson’s story about how he moved from the Caribbean to the U.S. to initially become a pilot, but instead landed in the fitness industry.  His travels have taken him from California to Saudi Arabia, and back to the states, where he is in the process of relocating his gym to the new location at 1800 2nd Street in...

Dating has become an interesting experience in the age of social media and dating apps.  Our guest this week has built a business around getting people off the screens and out and about.  AJ Yunker, the Founder of The Love Vault, sits down to discuss how her business is designed to put people in real life, face-to-face situations and events that can help create real connections.  We learn that mat...

This week, the Sarasota SpeaX crew sits down with Julianna Strout, the Founder & CEO of The SRQ Women’s Expo.  In addition to highlighting the event, which takes place on Sunday, November 16 (Cocktail Event takes place November 15…links below) Julianna also shares her past in the world of pageantry and politics.  The Women’s Expo is also an event/experience that she is growing to other cities...

This week, we sit down with Angie Stringer and Jamie Kattrein, both with Girls Inc. of Sarasota.  This organization has the mission of helping girls become strong, smart and bold leaders for the their community.  In this episode, we learn all about the organization, how it began, and how it will continue to support girls into the future.  Don’t worry guys, there are opportunities to be involved as...

This week, we are sitting down for an in-depth conversation with a coaching legend.  Not just a legend in Sarasota, but a High School Hall Of Fame Coach who spent over 40 years as a head coach for the game he loves.  Coach Clyde Metcalf lets us in on his coaching career, the lessons he learned along the way, and many of the lessons he instilled in his players throughout the years.  This was truly...

This week, we welcome Bill Villafranco, Lead Trustee for the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, back to the podcast.  Bill shares with us the first book in an 8-part series based on the life of Virginia, titled, “Virginia B. Goes to the Symphony.  Bill also shares several stories of his mentor, and almost surrogate mother, in hopes that her legacy will continue and grow throughout the Sarasota Commun...

On this episode, we sit down with CEO of Cabinetworks, Jeff Jackson.  Jeff has an extensive business background leading companies like PGT, Coca-Cola, Hershey’s and Mrs. Smith’s in an executive role.  Jeff breaks down several key elements of turning companies around, getting employees to buy-in, and building a structure for success.  This is one of those episodes where we got an education on leadi...

This show was a blast to record!  This week, we welcome Stephanie Roberts and Joey Panek, Co-Hosts of Suncoast View on ABC7 to the show.  In an interesting turn of events, the SpeaX crew was featured on their morning show, which can be seen daily during the week at 9am.  We got to learn about what makes their show tick, what make them tick as co-hosts, and the unique interaction they have amongst ...

This week, we sit down with Mark Peterson, the Branch Owner of Daisy Sarasota.  Daisy is a Smart Home and Automation company that serves both individual clients, along with businesses in the area.  Mark let’s us in on the recent tech that people are implementing in their homes, everything from ambient lighting to automated systems that can literally transform a living space.  In addition to the co...

This week, we sit down with Heather Hawley, Development Coordinator for More To Living (formerly More Too Life).  This non-profit organization is committed to the prevention of human trafficking, along with assisting survivors to rehabilitate their lives.  On this episode, we learn why Heather is so devoted to the cause, her admiration for the Founding CEO, and some of the efforts they are engaged...

This week, the SpeaX crew is sitting down to speak with Sarasota High School Head Baseball Coach, Greg Mulhollen.  Greg gives us his insight and excitement about the upcoming season, along with what it’s like to follow in the footsteps of a high school baseball coaching legend, Clyde Metcalf.  Greg also talks about how important it is to be a leader of young men, and how that ultimately trumps the...

This week, we sit down with the founder and owner of Methodical Organizing & Moving, Amy Esper.  For those who may need help in coordinating their next move, or need some help maintaining the look and organization of their own living space, Amy’s business specializes in helping you out.  As a former attorney, Amy quickly realized that her organizational skills, along with her desire to be ther...

This week, we’re sitting down to have a conversation with the Athletic Director for Riverview High School, Rod Dragash.  We begin the conversation with Rod discussing his two newest hires, the Head Football Coach, and the Head Baseball Coach (Mark Sobolewski), who we interviewed a few weeks ago.  Check that interview out when you have a chance. We get into the philosophy of making coaching hires,...

This week, we sit down with Taylor Marini and Emily Rickerson, both from the Make-A-Wish Foundation Southern Florida, to discuss an upcoming event they are holding on October 4, called “Walk for Wishes”.  You’ll learn all about the event, which takes place at Benderson Park, to which the proceeds go towards continuing their great work of granting wishes for children with life threatening condition...

This week, we sit down for another content creator who also created a series highlighting our great city of Sarasota.  Rich Tyson, the creator and host of “Why Sarasota”, which you can find on all the major platforms, talks to us about his journey to Southwest Florida, and why he decided to use the series as the go-to-market strategy for his business.  We enjoyed hearing about the various individu...

This week, we sit down with David Mayer and Era Rubalsky of the Opsrey PolyClinic.  For years, we’ve been going to doctors, then going somewhere else to see a specialist they recommend, only to be sent somewhere else to go through a series of tests they need to help you get better.  What if there were multiple doctors, and a facility to run all the tests you need, under one roof?  Meaning, no trav...

This week, we’re sitting down with the CEO and Board Chair of Teen Court Sarasota, Heather Todd and Megan Leaf.  While most think Teen Court Sarasota is some sort of juvenile rehabilitation program, we learned that it is actually a non-profit organization that offers first time offenders of a misdemeanor offense, who are under 18, a chance to wipe that offense off of their record.  We ended up lea...

This week, the guys sit down with local baseball legend, and former ball player, Mark Sobolewski.  Mark was recently named the Head Baseball Coach for Riverview High School.  Mark shares his time playing with Sarasota High through the University of Miami, and eventually into the pros.  He also shares his experience as an Assistant under the legendary Hall of Fame Coach, Clyde Metcalf.  Now, Mark i...

This week, we sit down for an in-depth, super-techy discussion with the founders of Plato Industries, Dillon Auxier and Brandon Dey.  We’ll admit it, we’re gonna geek out a bit on this one.  We’re going to learn more about their business, how A.I. plays an integral part in it…and even a few things that we can’t fully comprehend yet.  Buckle up for this one folks, and keep your eye out for the T-10...

This week, we’re crossing city lines to sit down for a conversation with the Mayor of Bradenton, Gene Brown.  The guys get into his decision to enter the political arena, along with his passion to give back to the community.  They also jump into some of the challenges the city has faced, particularly with infrastructure as it relates to being prepared for the recent hurricanes our coast has faced....

This week, we are sitting down with one of the sweetest guests we could possibly get on the show…literally.  Mike Stockton, owner of Dirty Dough Sarasota takes the time to share about his business and what separates him from the competition.  They’ve got cookies, shakes, dirty drinks and ice cream…enough to satisfy every sweet tooth out there. As always, we bring the conversation back to Sarasota,...

This week, the guys sit down for a conversation with Founder and President of Holiday House SRQ, Sepi Ackerman.  We learn about this very special non-profit organization, and how it helps spread some cheer for elementary school students during the holiday season.  We learn about the origin of the idea, and how schools have been very receptive to the program, and how Holiday House will go about gro...

This week, we sit down with Jill Gass, VP of Philanthropy for Easterseals of Southwest Florida.  We learn about the origins of the organization, and all the incredible work they are doing for those in need in the greater Sarasota Community.   Of course, we bring the conversation back to Sarasota, getting Jill’s thoughts on Roundabouts, as well as sending her through the Rapid Fire Gauntlet For add...

This week, the guys sit down with the partners of Hale Law, Patrick Hale and Patrick Iyampillai.  They get into how they monetized Patrick’s last name into a dynamic marketing campaign for the law firm, along with how the two Patricks came together.  We also get into the weeds a bit about some legal cases (names and identities protected, of course) and how they have managed to build a solid reputa...