Tampa Bay Developer

In episode 70 of the TBD Podcast, Garret sits down with Kimberlee Curtis to discuss the grand opening of her Gold's Gym in Tampa, the Gas Worx development, and the future plans to bring more green space to the Channel District. Kimberlee Curtis is the owner of Gold’s Gym Tampa Gas Worx, which is set to open June 29th, 2024. This will be a 25,000 plus square foot gym located in the vibrant Gas...

In episode 69 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Sean Demartino, a widely respected veteran in the construction industry who has led multiple large scale projects for clients such as Walt Disney, Universal Orlando, LYNX and the Orlando Magic. Sean has overseen Tampa projects like the JW Marriott Water Street, the Ritz Carlton residences on Bayshore Boulevard, the Pendry Hotel in downtown,...

In episode 68 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Kathy Castor, a U.S. Congresswoman representing Florida's 14th congresional district. She is Tampa Bay's voice in congress, elected in 2006, becoming the first woman to represent Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Kathy Castor focuses on issues vital to Tampa Bay area families and businesses, and is committed to building a stronger...

In episode 67 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Joanna Olsen, the owner of the Coyote Ugly Saloon in Ybor City. Tune in as Garrett and Joanna discuss Ybors growth over the years, future Ybor development, and the biased news coverage surrounding Ybor nightlife.

In episode 66 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Edgar Castrotello and Shelby Lewis, who are the recycling specialists for the Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management. Edgar and Shelby oversee the educational programs and public outreach relating to recycling, composting and waste diversion for the City of Tampa. The Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Pr...

Brad Miller is the CEO of Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The PSTA is a government agency that provides public transportation for Pinellas County, Florida. The authority manages a fixed-route bus system that encompasses over 40 bus routes - including two express routes to Tampa; the Central Avenue Trolley; the Suncoast Beach Trolley; and the bus rapid transit service, the SunRunner. In the ni...

Harry Kayafas is a builder, developer, and the owner of Sterling Cigar Lounge in Ybor City. Sterling Cigar Lounge is an infill development on 7th Ave in Ybor City. It includes a first floor restaurant, a second and third floor of a boutique hotel/ Airbnb, and a fourth floor cigar lounge with a bar, humidor and outdoor patio space.

Max Chillura is the owner of Chill Bros Scoop Shop. Max started the business with his 3 other siblings, and learned the art of Gelato and Ice Cream making in Italy. They use the finest ingredients and no preservatives or gums for texture, only the real stuff. Chill Bros has 5 locations across Tampa: Ybor City, Water Street, Armature Works, Palma Ceia, and SoHo.

Casey Ellison is the CEO of Ellison Construction, a premier general contractor in Tampa. Casey has been a part of many of Tampa's most impactful projects, including Oxford Exchange, Stovall House, Armature Works, Hotel Haya, Sparkman Wharf, and is a preferred partner for the Hillsborough County School Board, University of Tampa, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rodney Kite-Powell is the official County Historian for Hillsborough County. He is the Director of the Touchton Map Library and Florida Center for Cartographic Education at the Tampa Bay History Center, where he joined the staff in 1995. Rodney Kite-Powell is an officer with the Philip Lee Philips Society of the Library of Congress, where he sits on the academic committee.

Garrett sits down with Frank Di Giacomo, a lender with iFundCities. Frankie first appeared on episode 3, and has been a consistent guest ever since. We talk about Tampa's growth, the current market, and why I started this podcast.

Greg Slater is the CEO of The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA). THEA owns and manages the Selmon Expressway, the Selmon Greenway, and Meridian Ave in Tampa, Florida. Greg is the former Secretary of Transportation of Maryland.

Dave Bevirt is the executive Vice President of Corporate Leasing and Strategy for Strategic Property Partners (SPP), the developer of Water Street Tampa, a massive 56 acre mixed use development in Tampa's urban core. https://waterstreettampa.com

Stephen Benson is the Director of City Planning for the City of Tampa, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Before he was Tampa's City Planner, Stephen worked for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Chris Cavallini is a former Navy Diver, best known for once being a drug dealer with 25+ arrests, to becoming a multi millionaire, Forbes featured entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of a Tampa based meal delivery and nutrition company, Nutrition Solutions.

Michael Kelly is the VP of Athletics at the University of South Florida. Michael Kelly began his tenure as USF Vice President for Athletics on August 6, 2018, returning him to the Bay area where he previously served as an associate athletic director for USF and led efforts around a Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff National Championship and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Tampa Bay.

Andrea Gonzmart is the great-great-granddaughter of Casimiro Hernandez Sr., founder of the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City in 1905. Columbia Restaurant is a restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida. It is the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Florida, as well as the oldest Spanish restaurant in the United States. The Gonzmart family also owns and operates other restaurant brands including...

Carter Long is the founder of Finding Floridians, a social platform that explores the true cost of Florida Living.

Josh Goodwin is a lender based out of Tampa, Florida. He is the owner of Goodwin Mortgage Group.

Donald Carlson is an entrepreneur from Sarasota, Florida. He is the owner of Tweeds Suit Shop, a custom suit buying experience, with locations in Sarasota, Tampa, and St. Petersburg.

Steven and Martine Eshkenazi are real estate developers and husband wife duo with projects in Tampa, Florida and Chicago, Illinois. They are the owners of Skyline 41 Development.

Nathan Hagen is the chapter lead for YIMBY Tampa. Yes In My Back Yard or YIMBY (a play on the NIMBY acronym) is a group who advocates for more housing supply. From the YIMBY TAMPA website: We are a group of volunteer housing advocates in Tampa fighting to end the housing shortage in our community. We are frustrated by the tenant displacement, segregation, high rents and home prices, and long commu...

Gary Cardone was born and raised in Lake Charles, LA, son of stockbroker Curtis Cardone and the twin brother of Grant Cardone. He has a BA in Marketing/Economics, 1981. After college, Cardone joined startup, Natural Gas Clearinghouse in 1987 as the 12th employee,  and would help it become Fortune 30 Dynegy after joining the company in 1987 after doing mergers with Morgan Stanley, BG plc and Chevro...

James Lascara is the visionary leader and driving force behind Lascara Real Estate, Poseidon 25 Developments, Trident Rental Group, and Lascara Capital. With over 17 years of combined industry expertise, James and his agile team have achieved exceptional results in a short time period. In 2022, he conducted over $15 million in sales volume, initiated two 7-figure development projects, and conducte...

Previously recorded on December 18th, 2023. Garrett sits down with Producer Tyler for another attempt at a Live Show. We're getting the kinks worked out, and will plan to go live more in the future. We discuss growth in Tampa Bay, a changing market and how to be prepared as a young real estate investor and business owner.