Sarasota SpeaX

This week we welcome Beth Bobb and Jamie Florio, from Sarasota Facial Aesthetics, to the show.  We learn about the various services they offer along with the importance of ensuring you’re using a certified and licensed professional to do the type of work they do in the facial aesthetics, field.  With the rise in men seeking out these services and treatments, the ladies also put to rest some of the...

If you’re a business owner who is always looking for nuggets, this episode is for you.  This week, we welcome Alexander Ronzino and Justin Russell from Rework Capital to the show.  The guys jump into more detail on the show, but the nature of their business is to help businesses grow, scale, and ultimately prepare them to sell, so that the owner can maximize the value when that time comes.  Their...

This week, we’re celebrating the 100th episode of the Sarasota SpeaX Podcast.  And what better way to do it than by discussing one of the newest experiences that will be opening in Sarasota, very shortly.  We sit down with the VP of Communications & Strategic Initiatives, Kevin Cooper to learn all about Mote’s past, and what’s to come.  We get a chance to learn more about the work that Mote ha...

This week, the SpeaX crew sits down with Managing Director of Sirq Studio, Rob Toomey.  As an organization that is helping launch AI Healthcare companies in the area, Rob and his team are helping aspiring companies accelerate and thrive in today’s environment.  They believe that “Humanity Evolves At The Speed Of Entrepreneurship”. We also learn a bit about his history developing personality profil...

This week, we sit down with the owner of Beauty Booze, Kris Ravenscroft.  As the owner of a mindful drinking company, we learn what drove her to create her own brand of vodka, which is infused with the goodness of the Goji Berry.  In ancient Chinese culture, these are revered fruits often referred to as “Red Diamonds” due to their inherent qualities.  We’ll get into it all on the episode. We bring...

This week, we are honored to once again welcome Sarasota Police Chief, Rex Troche to the show. On this episode, Chief Rex Troche is sharing with the community, the drastic reduction in crime in the city of Sarasota.  What’s more impressive, is that they achieved this in back-to-back years, a 38% reduction in 2023 and 2024 combined.  This was historical for the community, and the Chief is sharing s...

Just about everyone knows about the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  But did you know that there are chapters throughout the country that focus on granting wishes for children in their local area?  This week, we sit down with Advisory Board Member for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Terri Klauber, to learn about the amazing work the foundation is having on kids within our community.  We talk about how kids...

This week, we have the privilege of welcoming two distinguished guests to the podcast.  William Villafranco, who is the trustee of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, and Kevin Pease, who is both an educator and the author of an 8-Part book series which examines and honors the life of Virginia B. Toulmin.  Both William and Kevin give us insight into who Virginia B. Toulmin was, and her generous do...

This week, we sit down for an in-depth discussion with the President and CEO of Visit Sarasota, Erin Duggan.  Not only do we learn more about the organization, and its task for getting “more heads in beds” as they like to say, but Erin shares how the Sarasota Community gets to benefit from having tourists and visitors.  We get into the nitty-gritty of the funds raised, how they are allocated for o...

This week, we sit down with Jason LeFevre, the District President for MarineMax.  Summer is coming quick, which means boat season is gonna be underway (in Florida, it never really ends though).  We talk about the upcoming Aquapalooza which kicks off on May 25, along with some interesting facts about boats, boat owners, and Jason’s background that convinced him a life near the water was the way to...

This week, Sarasota SpeaX sits down with the owner of Catch a Buzz Events, Rachel Borock.  Coming from the restaurant and service industry, Rachel channeled her passion for creating delicious cocktails into a customer service experience that clients can have at their own locations.  We also get a little insight into a reality tv show she will be making an appearance on next year due to an encounte...

This week, we sit down with the Owner and President of Morton’s Gourmet Market, Todd Morton.  Not only is this high level market a staple in Sarasota, it still maintains that “neighborhood market” appeal.  We get into Todd’s story of how he reacquired the family business after moving around the U.S., and how the family name still donned the building, even after they sold it. The guys also talk wit...

This week, we sit down with the Executive Director of Casting for the Kids, Ben Shroyer.  Several years ago, Ben and his wife received the 4 words no parent ever wants to hear… “your child has cancer”.  As a result, Ben decided to turn his mess into his message by helping to raise money for families dealing with the costs associated with having a child going through cancer.  You’ll hear the heart...

This week, Sarasota SpeaX sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Vic Cipolla and Kira Lee, owners of the DD Roastery and Kira Lee Gallery.  The couple made their way to Sarasota via the 2020 migration from New York City and have loved every minute of their decision.  In this episode, you’ll hear how they came to develop their own coffee business, and how Kira’s passion for art has infused itself int...

This week, we're having an in-depth conversation with Vilia Dragovoy, Co-Owner and Director of Operations for the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry. The center was originally opened in New Jersey, but expanded to Sarasota, due to the owner loving our community and climate. The guys discuss some of the many reasons we deal with mental health and anxiety, along with how the Center of Revitalizi...

This week, we welcome Tim Self, who is here on behalf of My Hometown Fest, which takes place on Saturday, March 29.  This event is a food festival that also includes beer, activities, bands, and so much more.  You’ll also get an opportunity to mingle with businesses and restaurants from across the community as they partake in the event as well.  And all of it goes for a great cause, the Sertoma Cl...

This week, we have a bit of a different discussion on the podcast.  We welcome Alex Kompethecras, owner of Alpha Law Group for an in-depth roundtable discussion to go over an incident that happened in September of 2024.  On that evening, a local man with autism found himself in a situation with the Holmes Police Department while trying to interpret between the police and his father. For those who...

What happens when you take a rock and roll variety show, and intertwine it with circus and burlesque?  You get the Sinister Sisters.  This week, Sarasota SpeaX sits down with the producer of the Sinister Sisters, Nicolette Fornasari.  We learn about this traveling variety show, as well as Nicolette’s past as a performer and aerialist.  Growing up in the circus industry ignited a passion to produce...

This week, the SpeaX crew sits down with the Music Director, and Maestro, of the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, Dr. Robert Vodnoy.  Robert’s career spans nearly 50 years in music, conducting several orchestras and composing music.  We have the pleasure of learning more about his art, and just how the Chamber Orchestra fits into the rich cultural art community that makes up Sarasota.  We also dive...

This week, the gang sits down with Executive Publisher for SRQ Magazine, Wesley Roberts.  We get into the nitty gritty of why he and his wife, also the CEO, decided it was important to develop a publication that focused on some of the best Sarasota has to offer.  We also dive into the “Best Of” Competition that the magazine holds each year to highlight some of the best businesses, establishments,...

Get ready Sarasota!  This year’s Forks & Corks event will have your mouth watering and your tastebuds asking for more.  Michael Klauber, owner of Michael’s on East and the Founder of Forks and Corks, joins the show to preview this year’s event.  There are wine tastings, an online auction, and several opportunities to get the tastes of food and wine from 69 local restaurants across the communit...

This week, we sit down for an in-depth conversation with Cardiologist, and Founder of the Reveal Vitality & Longevity Institute, Dr. Christopher Davis.  As a life long health professional, he began to grow weary of fixing problems after they had occurred, and wanted to focus on prevention efforts so that patients reduced life-threatening illnesses and disease (especially as it relates to cardi...

On this week’s show, the SpeaX gang sits down with Owner & CEO of Grapevine Communications, Allison Imre.  We dive into how she ultimately became the owner of the business, her background in sports marketing, and several other key nuggets that make them such a unique marketing firm to work with.  Ultimately, they don’t tie their clients down with long contracts, and they make sure their client...

This year marks the 25 annual Pineapple Drop, which takes place each and every New Years Eve, in downtown Sarasota…right in Pineapple Square.  We brought Ron Soto, who has been in charge of the annual event, along with Chris Hembrough (of Misguided Spirits), who is one of this year’s sponsors.  There will be festivities all day long, which begin at 1pm in the afternoon on December 31. In the episo...

This week, we sit down with owner of Sunshine Movers, Blake Fitzpatrick.  Over the past 10 years, Blake has built a successful moving business by putting his customers’ needs first, and building genuine relationships with partners.  In fact, he lives by the motto, “make someone else the hero of the story, and you’ll win every time”. We dive deep into his business philosophy, how he got started in...