This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition

In this episode of "This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition," host Kent Justice talks with Ryan Smith, founder of First Coast Metalworks and the Jacksonville Innovation Hub. Smith, a Jacksonville entrepreneur with a background in FinTech and manufacturing, saw a gap in the local innovation ecosystem: “There’s no one place in Jacksonville you can go to get the space to work, to build, to create...

Downtown Jacksonville continues strong growth as 2025 ends, says Jake Gordon, CEO of Downtown Vision, Inc., who has been leading the organization for nearly 11 years and joined the next episode of “This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition.” “It’s wonderful. My kids have grown up here. The Jaguars are having an amazing year. Finally. And it’s gorgeous out, so what more could you ask?” Gordon sai...

Franchising is emerging as a powerful option for entrepreneurs in Jacksonville and the surrounding region, providing a proven business model that helps reduce risk and accelerate success. David Montanez, vice president of franchise development for Authority Brands, shared insights on the current franchise landscape in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia during a recent episode of ⁠This Week in...

Jacksonville entrepreneur Matthew Chang is making waves both as CEO of Chang Robotics and as the author of the Amazon bestseller “Risk Taking is Biblical.” In a recent interview on “This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition”, Chang shared how his faith shapes his approach to business and leadership, and how Jacksonville is emerging as a center for robotics and automation innovation. Chang explai...

Jacksonville is emerging as a key player in the global fintech landscape with the launch of Jax Hub, a new corporate innovation initiative led by L Marks, a UK-based firm specializing in accelerating innovation for large organizations. Daniel Saunders, CEO of L Marks, shared in a recent interview that Jax Hub aims to bring cutting-edge financial technology solutions from around the world to Northe...

Jacksonville’s Northside community is experiencing a revival of roller skating and family entertainment thanks to retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Terry Harris. Harris, a lifelong skater and serial entrepreneur, ⁠recently opened Planet Skate in the former K-Mart Plaza on Lem Turner Road⁠, bringing back a beloved pastime and creating a safe, welcoming space for families. Harris grew up skating a...

A new primary care model launched this summer in Ponte Vedra is positioning itself as both a health-care alternative for patients and a source of jobs and services for Northeast Florida. Able Medical Group, a direct-pay primary care practice led by CEO Peter Jensen, charges a membership fee (plans begin around $300 per month) for unlimited physician access and a deeper, prevention-focused approach...

Paradigm Roof and Shield expands roofing with a veteran focus in Jacksonville. Paradigm, an award-winning roofing company based in Dallas, has expanded to Jacksonville, Florida, launching its new office in March 2025. Greg Hiltz, CEO since 2023, leads the expansion with a focus on roofing excellence and exceptional customer service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) prepares for its signature Carry Forward 5K event on Nov. 8, the organization’s economic footprint in Jacksonville continues to expand, reflecting its evolution from a grassroots veterans’ support group to a major force in veteran employment and community development. In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Walt Piatt...

Jacksonville’s port is sharpening its Southeast advantage by combining deepwater access, abundant land for vehicle staging, and strong multimodal links to move cargo inland efficiently. This episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition explores JAXPORT’s growing role in auto logistics and the Southeast supply chain. Kent Justice speaks with John Murray of Enstructure and Alberto Cabrera,...

The University of North Florida (UNF) has launched a groundbreaking free AI certificate program that has already attracted more than 20,000 registrants worldwide, demonstrating the growing global interest in artificial intelligence education. The “AI for Work and Life” certificate program, which began in September 2025, offers a comprehensive eight-module curriculum designed to help individuals un...

When WJCT Public Media faced state and federal funding cuts, the organization didn’t just survive—it thrived. In this revealing conversation on This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, President & CEO David McGowan discusses how more than 1,000 donors contributed over $1 million to support independent local media, making WJCT 100% community-funded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap...

Jacksonville is rapidly consolidating its position as a nexus for technological innovation, evidenced by the forthcoming Jax Tech Fest — an intensive, week-long symposium designed to aggregate and showcase the region’s most advanced technological enterprises and thought leaders. Industry pioneers Summer Vyne and Matthew Chang are orchestrating this initiative with the objective of amplifying regio...

In a recent episode of “This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition,” Dominic Calabro offered an in-depth look into the complexities and challenges surrounding Florida’s budget process and taxation landscape. Calabro described the budget-making process candidly, stating, “The budget actually came together with a good product. It just was a very, very messy process by which it occurred. A little bi...

Jacksonville’s beloved public media station, WJCT, finds itself at a critical juncture following substantial funding vetoes in the Florida state budget. On the latest episode of “This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition,” host Kent Justice spoke with David McGowan, President and CEO of WJCT Public Media, to discuss the impact of these cuts and the organization’s path forward. Learn more about y...

Kent Justice and Florida Realtors President Tim Weisheyer as they break down the current real estate market. Learn about buying opportunities, market trends, and expert strategies for homeowners in Florida. Discover insider perspectives on the state's evolving real estate landscape, from single-family homes to condominiums. Weisheyer shares critical insights on market stability, legislative change...

With Florida officially recognizing gold and silver as legal tender, many are left wondering—what does this mean for investors? On this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Luciano Duque of C3 Bullion helps us unpack that question. Duque, a financial expert with deep experience in international portfolio construction, offers unique insight into gold’s evolving role in the financ...

Jacksonville families will soon have new options for children’s health care. Bluebird Kids Health — a fast-growing pediatric primary care provider — is opening two locations this summer: one on Wilson Boulevard and another at Gateway Plaza in North Jacksonville. “We build pediatric practices in areas that we consider pediatric care deserts,” said CEO Chris Johnson. “Communities that traditionally...

In this episode of "This Week in Jacksonville Business," veteran astronaut Winston Scott shares his remarkable journey from Navy pilot to NASA astronaut. He discusses the exciting developments at Kennedy Space Center, including immersive visitor experiences and the importance of space exploration for solving problems on Earth. Join us as we explore the intersection of innovation, community, and th...

As hurricane season approaches, Jacksonville residents are reminded of the importance of preparedness to mitigate potential storm impacts. In a recent episode of "This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition," local experts Lauren Braddock, Florida sales director and partner for Servpro Team TMC, and Brandon Cornellier, co-founder and COO of NexGen Roofing, discussed essential strategies for safegu...

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, we spotlight economic growth through the lens of a thriving Jacksonville-based company: Money Pages. Host Kent Justice sits down with CEO Alan Worley, who shares the story behind launching the company in 2001, adapting to industry shifts, and expanding nationwide through a smart franchising model. Then, newly appointed VP of Sales Sar...

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Vickie Cavey, CEO of JEA, shares her journey from growing up in Jacksonville to leading the utility that serves over a million residents. She discusses the importance of public service, the challenges of preparing for hurricane season, and the need for infrastructure improvements amid the city’s growth. Vickie’s passion for JEA and th...

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Darian “Jack” Jackson shares his inspiring journey of transforming his passion for cigars into a successful business with Dapper D’s, a veteran-owned cigar lounge that has expanded to three locations since 2020. After serving ten years in the Navy, Jack faced challenges transitioning to civilian life but found his calling in entrepren...

In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Mark Van Loh, CEO of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, dives into the dynamic landscape of aviation post-pandemic. He candidly discusses the challenges posed by tariffs, the ambitious expansion plans at Jacksonville International Airport, and the shifting perceptions of the U.S. as a travel destination. With a focus on growth and r...

In the latest episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, host Kent Justice sits down with Jack Hanania, a legendary entrepreneur and 2024 First Coast Business Hall of Fame honoree. Their conversation dives into Hanania’s journey in the automotive industry and the current market landscape. Hanania, who initially pursued a career as a CPA, shifted to the car business in 1983. “I decided...