The Business Observer’s From the Corner Office Podcast

This week, we speak with Kristen Lessig-Schenerlein, founder of Koi Coaching and Consulting and Hannah McGowan, founder of Hannah McGowan Coaching.  

Kristen and Hannah, each with independent coaching consulting firms, are teaming up to create a leadership coaching course and curriculum for nonprofit and for-profit professionals in the region.  

Together, we talk about their diverging career paths that led them to their current pas...

This week, we speak with Michael Westafer, founder and CEO of Roger West Creative & Code. Michael founded the company, a full-service marketing agency, in 2007. The company recently merged with Digital Brew, an Orlando video production company, and will be run under a holding company called Roger & James, with a combined 45 employees.

Together, we talk about how Michael founded and grew the business and some early challenge...

This week, we speak with Susie Bowie, CEO, The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. Susie was named CEO of the foundation in March 2023. She was executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation before this new role, and has been involved with nonprofits in the area for some two decades.

Together, we discuss Susie’s passion for leadership and facilitating environments in organizations that make people feel heard and valued. ...

This week we are speaking with Dan Bavaro, founder of Bavaro Hospitality. Bavaro Hospitality operates five Bavaro restaurant locations and a culinary commissary. The company has more than 200 employees in locations from Tampa Bay to Sarasota. Together, we talk about the challenges — and sometimes hilarious stories — in running a growing restaurant business for the past 15 years. We also discuss what Dan looks for in hiring and prom...

This week we are speaking with Jay Girotto, President of Farmland Opportunity. Jay founded Farmland Opportunity in 2009 after a career in tech on the West Coast of the country, including stints at Microsoft, Bain Capital, and multiple startups. Jay holds BA and MBA degrees from Harvard University. Farmland Opportunity manages a billion-dollar portfolio of row crop farms in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, with an eye toward creat...

This week we are speaking with Nelle Miller, President and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank. Nelle has had two careers: one in business with technology and a focus on mergers and acquisitions. And another in nonprofits and philanthropy, in chairing boards and overseeing several nonprofits in Sarasota. She was named CEO of the food bank earlier this year. 

Together, we talk about how she navigated challenges across her career, in additio...

This week we are speaking with Greg Zolkos, President and CEO of Atlas Professional Services. Greg founded Atlas in 2006, after heading up Information Technology for a large concrete company in Tampa. Atlas now provides IT and related technology services for companies across Tampa Bay and in Florida.  

Together, we talk about how and why building a great company culture and place to work has long been a pr...

This week we are speaking with Elizabeth Dosoretz, Elite DNA Behavioral Health, CEO and founder. Elizabeth is a licensed clinical social worker and founded Elite DNA Behavioral Health in 2013. Since then, the company has grown into one the of the largest mental health providers in Florida, providing in-person and virtual behavioral services to children, adolescents and adults at over 30 locations statewide. 

Together, we talk about...

This week, we speak with Don Yaeger, author and public speaker. Don was an associate editor with Sports Illustrated and is an author of 40 books, including 11 that made the New York Times Best Selling list. He is now based in Tallahassee and is an executive leadership coach, podcaster and keynote speaker. 

Together we talk about why storytelling is important for business and nonprofit leaders and some key tips for anyone to be bett...

This week we are joined by Christine Turner, CEO of ChappellRoberts, one of the leading ad agencies in Tampa. Christine was named president in 2021 and CEO and partner in 2023. She’s also been involved in multiple local civic and philanthropic groups, including Leadership Tampa and the Tampa Downtown Partnership. 

Together, we speak about why Christine took a job with ChappellRoberts right out of college and never left. We also tal...

This week, we are speaking with Lauren Prager, CEO of Synapse Florida. Lauren has been involved with Synapse Florida since 2018, when she volunteered for the launch of Synapse Summit, a statewide event of innovation. She was named CEO in spring 2023. 

Together, we talk about how Synapse has evolved, and continues to evolve, as a go-to source for entrepreneurs, business leaders, nonprofits and more from acr...

This week, we are speaking with Terry Lundgren, former CEO and Chairman of Macy’s. Together, we speak about Terry’s turning point in college, his rise to becoming CEO at Macy’s and his philanthropic contributions in his communities.

Terry shares several stories from his remarkable career including utilizing retail legend Stanley Marcus’ reputation and expertise and working with music legend Taylor Swift.

3 Takeaways:

1. (18:55) Al...

This week, we speak with Dick Rivera, owner of Suncoast Hospitality Partners, a Sarasota-based restaurant and development company. Brands it operates include Brick’s Smoked Meats and Classico Italian Chophouse, both in downtown Sarasota. They also own Classico Chophouse and Taproom in Brandon. 

Together, we speak about Dick’s extensive career in restaurants, what he looks for in managers and leaders and how his company survived the...

This week we speak with Abby Hall Blanco, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Tampa. Abby teaches a variety of economics classes, while also conducting a wide range of research with a focus on Austrian economics, the political economy and public choice and defense and peace economics. 

Together, we discuss how the economics of public choice and related behaviors can impact the business community. We also chatted a...

This week, we are speaking with Paul Fioravanti, CEO and Managing Partner of Qorval Partners. Qorval is a boutique management consulting, turnaround, restructuring and advisory firm, founded in 1996. 

Together, we speak about how Paul leads company turnarounds and restructurings, and some of his biggest and most challenging cases. We also talk about the characteristics of good leaders and one of his non-work passions: painting.   

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This week, we are speaking with Stephanie Ink Edwards, CEO of Community Cooperative in Fort Myers. The mission of Community Cooperative is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs.

Together, we discuss Stephanie’s history as a fundraiser, how she keeps her team ...

This week, we are speaking with Steve Shenbaum, founder and president of Game On Nation. Game On Nation, based in Bradenton, works with professional athletes, high-level business and nonprofit executives, government officials and military leaders on presentations and public speaking, teambuilding and communication skills training. 

Together, we speak about Steve’s transition from being an actor in Hollywood to working with young at...

This week, we are speaking with Zach Feinstein of the Feinstein group. Zach’s restaurant and hospitality company, which he founded in 2014 with his wife, operates The Black Pearl in Dunedin and several other brands. 

Together, we speak with Zach about how he has redefined company culture in his company’s restaurants, and how he and the team execute on that strategy. We also talk about his new compensation model at the restaurants —...

This week, we are speaking with Candice and Lauren Henry, co-founders of Aretios. Together, we discuss how to develop and maintain a positive leadership mindset, how younger people can lead at work without the official title and overcoming rejection and setbacks. 

Lauren & Candice, through their company, Aretois, produce newsletters, videos and other content designed mostly for young, up-and-coming leaders. They are also profes...