Vero Beach Podcast - Meet Your Neighbors. Support Local. ™

Message Brian & Shawna What makes a community the perfect place to launch a business? In this episode, Ashley from Apricot Lane Boutique shares her why, and it's something we continue to hear echoed throughout the town. Having moved from Connecticut to Florida years ago, Ashley found herself drawn to Vero Beach for its unique ability to maintain a small-town atmosphere despite continuous...

Message Brian & Shawna Step behind the racks and discover the fascinating world of boutique ownership through the eyes of Ashley, the passionate owner of Apricot Lane Boutique in Vero Beach . During this conversation, Ashley pulls back the curtain on juggling motherhood, caring for both a four-month-old baby and a 17-year-old daughter, while running a fashion boutique. What makes this boutique...

Message Brian & Shawna Ever wondered what it takes to leave the corporate world behind and open your own boutique? Ashley Borenz of Apricot Lane Boutique in Vero Beach shares her journey from big box retail manager to independent business owner. After 15 years in Vero Beach and years working alongside her husband at Lowe's, Ashley took the entrepreneurial leap. Her motivation wasn't...

Message Brian & Shawna The success story of sea turtle conservation in Vero Beach isn't just about scientists; it's about an entire community making conscious choices. Kendra Bergman, founder and executive director of Coastal Connections , shares how the organization has become woven into the fabric of Vero Beach over the past decade. When Hurricane Milton struck, Coastal Connections...

Message Brian & Shawna Ever wondered what makes those colorful ribbons and stakes appear on Florida beaches during turtle season? Kendra from Coastal Connections pulls back the curtain on sea turtle conservation in this enlightening second installment of our three-part series. Running a marine conservation nonprofit requires remarkable versatility. During nesting season (March-October), the te...

Message Brian & Shawna Meet Kendra Bergman, marine biologist and founder of Coastal Connections , who's passionate about protecting the endangered sea turtles of Vero Beach. From a chance childhood encounter with a green turtle in Hawaii to establishing a thriving conservation organization, Kendra's journey reveals how dedication and community involvement can create remarkable change...

Message Brian & Shawna Finding your tribe in a new city can be one of life's greatest challenges, especially for adults. When Danielle moved to Vero Beach, leaving behind her tight-knit friend group in Westfield, she discovered firsthand how challenging it can be to build new social connections, particularly for women. While men had golf clubs and fishing spots to forge friendships, women...

Message Brian & Shawna Ever wondered what makes a boutique fitness studio truly special? Danielle, owner of REsistance Fitness Studio in Vero Beach , pulls back the curtain on creating a fitness experience that goes beyond just workouts. Dive into REsistance's creative "Christmas in July" programming, where holiday cheer meets fitness goals through themed spin classes like &quot...

Message Brian & Shawna What happens when you blend psychology, creativity, and fitness expertise into one dynamic space? Danielle Kireyczyk, founder of REsistance Fitness Studio in Vero Beach , joins us to share her remarkable journey from Massachusetts fitness instructor to Florida studio owner. Remember that intimidating feeling of walking into a fitness class for the first time? Danielle ha...

Message Brian & Shawna Ever wondered if that nagging hip pain might be connected to something else? Or why healthcare often feels so disconnected from our real lives? Ashley from Breeze Pelvic Health joins us to transform how we think about our bodies and healthcare delivery. Ashley takes us behind the scenes of her mobile pelvic floor physical therapy practice, where she literally carries a 5...

Message Brian & Shawna Taboo topics and awkward silences have no place in healthcare, especially when they prevent us from addressing issues that affect our daily lives and wellbeing. That's what makes this conversation with Ashley Murray, founder of Breeze Pelvic Health, so refreshingly important. Ashley demystifies pelvic floor therapy with clarity and compassion, explaining that her wo...

Message Brian & Shawna In Part Three, we'll dive into the heart and soul of Walking Tree Brewery with founders Mike and Brooke as they unpack their powerful mission statement: "Staying rooted in practice, promise, and people." This candid conversation reveals how a personal art project evolved into an iconic brewery logo, and why mangrove roots perfectly symbolize their commitme...

Message Brian & Shawna What does it truly take to run a successful craft brewery? The Walking Tree Brewery founders pull back the curtain on the daily realities of their business, a world where passion for great beer meets the unglamorous tasks of plumbing repairs and navigating outdated alcohol regulations. This candid conversation reveals how Walking Tree's journey evolved from their in...

Message Brian & Shawna Tucked away in Vero Beach sits an extraordinary 24,000 square foot piece of World War II history that nearly faced demolition. Instead, it became the home of Walking Tree Brewery , a testament to what happens when passion meets perseverance, even during tough economic times. Meet Mike and Brooke, the husband-and-wife team who transformed this abandoned 1940s naval aviati...

Message Brian & Shawna What happens when a hometown you once called "Vero Zero Beach" becomes the perfect place to build your dream business? Amanda from Level Yoga takes us on her journey from skeptical local to passionate small business owner, revealing how Vero Beach transformed before her eyes into a community of extraordinary support and connection. Growing up in Vero Beach, Ama...

Message Brian & Shawna Ever wondered what it takes to run a successful yoga studio? Amanda from Level Yoga Studio pulls back the curtain on her entrepreneurial journey, revealing the surprising balance of teaching, practicing, and business management that fills her days. Despite founding and running two successful yoga locations, Amanda remains committed to teaching four classes weekly while m...

Message Brian & Shawna Discovering how yoga can transform both body and mind is at the heart of our conversation with Amanda Steadman, owner of Level Yoga Studio . As she celebrates an impressive 10-year milestone with her Vero Beach studios, Amanda reveals how a dark period of her life evolved into a thriving community space that's changing lives. As Amanda explains, yoga's transfor...

Message Brian & Shawna Ever wondered about the real Florida beyond theme parks and beaches? Pull up a chair and pour yourself something smooth as Ray, owner of Indian River Distillery, takes us on a captivating journey through Vero Beach's colorful past. Ray's Florida roots run deep. His pioneering family settled on John's Island in 1903, well before Indian River County even exi...

Message Brian & Shawna What happens when passionate craftsmanship meets Florida's unique environment and rich history? At Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach, Ray and his team aren't just making spirits—they're bottling the essence of the Treasure Coast itself. From the moment you step into their "tasting room" (not a bar, as they'll kindly remind you), you&apos...

Message Brian & Shawna Ray Hooker sits down at Indian River Distillery to share the story behind Vero Beach's premier craft spirits destination. As a third-generation Indian River County resident with deep local ties, Ray brings an authentic Florida perspective that challenges the theme park and beach stereotype visitors often associate with the Sunshine State. The journey from landscaper...

Message Brian & Shawna From snowsuits to flip-flops and surfboards, Linda's journey to Vero Beach began with skepticism but quickly transformed into a 25-year love affair with this charming Florida coastal town. Despite her initial resistance—"I've done spring break, I've done Florida"—Linda found herself captivated by the lush greenery and stunning beauty of Vero Beac...

Message Brian & Shawna Ever wondered what it really takes to run a successful Airbnb? Linda from the Coconut Casita in Vero Beach, Florida takes us behind the scenes of vacation rental hosting, revealing both the magic and the madness of this increasingly popular business venture. The labor of love that is Airbnb hosting extends far beyond changing sheets and handing over keys. "Running a...

Message Brian & Shawna Stepping through the doorway of the Coconut Casita feels like entering another world – a tropical sanctuary where every object tells a story and the surrounding "jungle garden" whispers secrets of times past. In this heartfelt conversation with Linda Roberts, we uncover the remarkable journey of how a once "smoky, dingy, and sad" guesthouse transforme...

Message Brian & Shawna What happens when hometown pride meets entrepreneurship and a desire to give back? Seahorse Lane Boutique owners Audrey and Mike reveal their journey from Vero Beach roots to creating a beloved local business with community impact at its heart. Audrey shares how an unexpected high school relocation to Mississippi sparked her passion for boutique retail—experiencing first...

Message Brian & Shawna What does it take to create a thriving local boutique in an Amazon-dominated world? At Seahorse Lane Boutique , owners Audrey and Mike have discovered the secret ingredient: genuine human connection. Step inside their Vero Beach shop where customers aren't just shoppers—they're welcomed friends deserving to be seen and valued. "We reflect love," Audre...