The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

Stuart Clark, owner of Paul Davis Restoration of Mobile and North Baldwin County, shares his background growing up in West Mobile, moving to New York, dropping out of high school to earn a GED, and briefly studying at Key West Community College before fighting forest fires in Oregon and joining the Marines. He discusses his approach to succeeding across industries by focusing on systems, financial...

Blake Martin, director of coaching and performance for Telomere (parent company of Connexus Clinic), shares his Mobile, Alabama roots and explains why he started Connexus Clinic nearly four years ago after leaving a stable career. He describes the clinic's mission as helping people feel good and enjoy the time they have left by focusing on "health span," not just extending life with pills. Blake e...

Chris McNeil, owner of Metro Bonding, Outlaw Bail Bonds, and Mobile Bonding, shares his Mobile, Alabama background, early jobs at a restaurant and Skate World, and how he entered bail bonds in high school. He explains a bail bondsman's core role, posting bonds and guaranteeing defendants' court appearances, along with the realities of tracking fugitives across states and working with law enforceme...

Reagan Farr, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch, shares his background from Louisiana to Nashville, early lessons working at a Baton Rouge drugstore, and how his tenure in Tennessee state government led to founding Silicon Ranch in 2011. He explains what shaped the company's strategy as they started during the 2008–2010 downturn. Farr addresses community concerns and pushback around the Stockton,...

In this podcast episode, Joe Carlisle, founder of Vision Handyman and Window Tinting, shares his life story and entrepreneurial journey. Born in Oxford, Mississippi and raised partly in Dallas, Joe worked in his dad's restaurants, then spent years with Best Buy in retail and home theater installation, learning hands-on skills that later shaped his career. After his younger brother died, he moved t...

Thomas Irving, owner of Pool and Spa Superstore, joins the podcast to share his background and how he entered the pool industry, helped grow a distribution/retail business, bought the retail business, and built a customer-focused company centered on education and stress-free pool ownership. He discusses treating "sales" as educating customers, and emphasizes building relationships because Mobile r...

Trey Oliver, co-owner with his wife Laura Kennedy of the Lupercalia Art Society, shares his background growing up in Jackson and Mobile, serving four years in the Coast Guard in North Carolina during marijuana-smuggling days, and completing a 47-year public safety career culminating as warden of the Mobile Metro Jail before retiring three years ago. He recounts early jobs, joining the junior volun...

Jason Cooper, is the Mobile native behind the sock-puppet character "Sock Cop." Jason shares his background growing up in Saraland, graduating with a degree in communications, earning a master's in digital marketing during the pandemic, and working in local news and marketing. Now a stay-at-home dad to a six-year-old, he explains how Sock Cop began as a solo creative outlet using a sock, police ha...

Jon Jeffress, owner of Deep South Focus Photography, shares his background from Tampa to Mobile, attending Davidson High School, starting college with plans for architecture, and choosing entrepreneurship instead. He reflects on his first job at Little Caesars, and discusses lessons about leadership and client service. Jon explains how Deep South Focus began in 2012 with automotive photography at...

In this podcast episode, Cole Howard and Camp Campbell, co-founders of Open Truck, share their backgrounds and how they came to start OpenTruck. Cole and Camp discuss early job lessons, and reflect on entrepreneurship as a discipline built through effort and failure. They explain Open Truck's origin: a need for one place to find any food truck that is located near you. It will also tell you their...

This week on the podcast, we sit down with Chris Cockrell, owner of Cockrell Contracting, LLC, to hear how a Mobile, Alabama native went from studying civil engineering at Auburn to finding his passion in construction through insurance restoration work. Chris shares lessons from early mentors, why fighting insurance estimates pushed him toward home building, and what he believes new entrepreneurs...

In this episode, we sit down with Mohannad Sahyouni, the owner of Jerusalem Cafe in Mobile, Alabama. Mohannad shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Kuwait to becoming a successful restaurant owner in the United States. He discusses his educational background in graphic design, his initial jobs, and the influential lessons he learned in the hospitality industry. Mohannad also reflects on...

Get to know Chad Jones, owner of Your Choice Senior Care in Mobile, as he shares his journey from a small town in Texas to running a senior care franchise. In this episode, Chad talks about his background, including his high school and college experiences, and how a life-changing injury inspired him to help others. He discusses the hard work and dedication required to build his business from the g...

In this engaging episode, Scott Tindle, co-founder of Meducate AI, joins the podcast once again. He shares insights on his evolving career and his current ventures in AI healthcare. Scott discusses the importance of curiosity, meditation, and personal growth. The conversation also explores the implications of AI on future jobs and society, providing a thought-provoking glimpse into the rapid chang...

Join us in this exciting podcast episode featuring Spiro Cheriogotis, a former judge and prosecutor, who is now running for mayor of Mobile. Spiro delves into his background, from his roots in Dothan, Alabama to his experiences in law school at Alabama and his journey through the legal profession. He talks about his family, his passion for barbecue, and his vision for Mobile, Alabama. Spiro emphas...

In this episode of the podcast, Tommy Wetjen, the general manager of the Mobile Flea Market, discusses his new role and the exciting changes planned to modernize and revitalize the market. Tommy recounts his transition from owning a wrestling company and gaming store to managing the flea market, driven by a passion for big projects and future potential. He shares insights into the diverse offering...

In this episode, Marcus sits down with Paul Lockett, the Technical Director of the Venture Studio at the Innovation Portal in Mobile, Alabama. They discuss Paul's impressive journey from a young high school graduate securing a full ride to Moorehouse College, his ventures and experiences in Silicon Valley, and his return to Mobile. Paul shares stories of his professional growth, internships at Goo...

In this podcast episode, Veronica Culberson, owner of Honey of the Hill Apiaries, shares her journey into beekeeping and educates listeners on the importance and complexities of bees. Growing up with a background rich in scientific curiosity and outdoor life, Veronica delves into how her fascination with insects and gardening challenges led her to the world of honeybees. We also talk about the the...

In this episode of the Mobile Alabama Business Podcast we talk to Blair Ladd. Blair is a successful realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Mobile, Alabama. Blair shares her motivations, the importance of maintaining priorities, and how Keller Williams' supportive environment helped boost her confidence. Blair talks about the realities of working in real estate, the necessity of dual-income househo...

In this episode of the Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Freddie Blache, the artist and entrepreneur behind Muffinjaw Designs, a local glassblowing studio. Freddie shares his journey into the mesmerizing world of glass art, from discovering his passion to building a thriving business in Mobile. He discusses the challenges of mastering such a demanding craft, the creativity that fue...

In this episode of the Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, Michelle Parburner, the director of Nassar Gymnastics Academy, discusses her journey in the world of gymnastics and business. Michelle talks about her father's legacy, an Olympic gymnast who founded the academy, and her own path from Mobile to Colorado and back. She highlights the challenges and joys of running the gym, focusing on the intrin...

On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit with Karen Simmons. Karen is one of those undercover entrepreneurs. Listen in as we discuss how she uses her background as a CFO to run multiple businesses at once.

On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit with Lynne Chronister. Lynne is the Vice President for Research and Economic Development at The University of South Alabama. Listen in as we discuss what big things they have in store.

In this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit down with Josh Ray with Tanners Pecans and Candies. Listen in as we discuss how he got started in the candy business, and what he's working on!

On this episode of The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, we sit with Jimmy Fazekas. Jimmy is the founder of Bluewater Exteriors. Listen in as we discuss how Jimmy started and his plans for franchising the business.