The Business Observer’s From the Corner Office Podcast

Helping is in her DNA with Elizabeth Dosoretz CEO and Founder of Elite DNA Behavioral Health

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 the early days of Elite DNA and how and why Elizabeth started the company, in addition to the unique hidden meaning behind the name of the organization. We also talk about how Elizabeth has managed the growth of the company to meet a surging demand for mental health services, and why she's a fierce advocate for expanding availability of mental health services. 
3 Takeaways:
(04:40) Begin where your client is
(13:52) It is easy to get distracted, and sometimes it is convenient to be distracted when things are hard
(16:40) If we take care of people well, everything else will fall in line
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Elizabeth Dosoretz and Elite DNA Behavioral Health
(04:05) How did you grow the company?
(05:50) What is the footprint of Elite DNA now?
(07:10) Communicating the importance of mental health
(08:50) How do you keep a consistent culture while expanding?
(11:35) What book is the organization reading now?
(13:05) Key lessons Elizabeth learned building the business
(15:25) Who are the mentors you have learned from?
(17:05) What do people misunderstand about mental health?
(19:45) What can we look forward to in 2024?
(20:45) Rapid fire questions

How to be a Better Storyteller with New York Times Best Selling Author Don Yaeger

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 better at it. Don also told a story that includes his love for basketball and how that intersects with Michael Jordan.   
3 Takeaways:
(07:35) A good story makes you want to do, think, or feel something
(13:10) A loss is not a failure until you make an excuse
(20:50) Craft and memorize the first 3 minutes of a story
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Don Yaeger
(03:10) The current state of Sports Illustrated
(05:25) What makes for good storytelling?
(08:30) The Michael Jordan story
(15:15) What tips do you have to tell better stories?
(17:25) Using emotion in stories - The Warrick Dunn story
(20:00) Any other tips about storytelling?
(23:15) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Behind the scenes of an ad agency with ChappellRoberts CEO Christine Turner

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 talk about Christine’s mentors, the biggest business lessons of her career and what makes a great ad campaign and commercial.  
3 Takeaways:
(08:29) When you are for the business and not for yourself, it becomes easier to be seen as a leader
(10:00) The pain points that I had don't have to be someone else’s
(11:40) People that are happy will produce creative, great work
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Christine Turner, CEO of ChappellRoberts
(02:40) What is ChappellRoberts niche?
(03:45) What is a project that really defined ChappellRoberts?
(07:45) How did you pursue the CEO role?
(09:50) What do you do to create a great culture?
(13:00) What mistakes did you learn from?
(15:50) Who are some mentors and what did you learn from them?
(18:10) What do you love about this industry?
(20:10) How do you consume marketing and advertising?
(21:10) Any projects you are excited about in 2024?
(22:30) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Connections, creativity and championing innovation with Synapse Florida CEO Lauren Prager

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 across Florida to gather and learn from one another. We also talk about what Lauren has learned seeing and working with some of the region’s most notable and innovative organizations and companies.  
3 Takeaways:
(08:52) Florida is a welcoming community, utilize it
(10:35) Not all innovation is tech, and not all tech is innovative
(12:35) A common thread among inspiring people is they give more than they receive 
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Lauren Prager and Synapse Florida
(04:15) How do you connect people and organizations at Synapse?
(06:20) How did you get connected with Synapse?
(10:07) Who are some innovators that are doing it right?
(12:00) Who are some leaders you look up to?
(14:00) How do you choose your opportunities at Synapse?
(16:35) Nonprofit organizations leveraging partnerships
(18:25) What is Synapse Summit?
(21:00) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Insights into retail leadership with former Macy's and Neiman Marcus CEO Terry Lundgren

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:
(18:55) All you need is an opportunity
(19:28) Surround yourself with talented, capable, and hard working people
(25:45) Ask, be confident, and follow through
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Terry Lundgren and how he got started in retail
(06:40) What steps did you take to move up in your career?
(10:20) Becoming the CEO of Neiman Marcus
(15:20) Meeting Stanley Marcus
(18:10) Who are some mentors who impacted you?
(20:10) Stanley Marcus giving credibility
(22:45) Checking ego at the door
(24:30) What do you look for in leaders?
(28:45) Why is philanthropy important to you?
(31:20) Rapid fire questions
(33:40) Listening to and meeting Taylor Swift
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Brisket, BBQ and how to run a strong restaurant business with Dick Rivera

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 pandemic. We also discuss some mistakes he learned the most from, including always sticking to what the customer wants. 
3 Takeaways:
(10:50) Profit is a result of having a well run operation
(16:05) Having good character is no guarantee of success, but its absence is a disqualifier
(20:30) Don’t teach customers what they want, give them what they want
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Dick Rivera and starting Brick’s Smoked Meats
(03:45) What went through your mind when you had to close due to the pandemic?
(05:30) Brick’s next door neighbor
(06:40) How did you get into the restaurant business?
(09:50) What are the keys to building a successful restaurant?
(15:30) What do you look for in leaders?
(17:38) What challenges are you facing in the restaurant business?
(21:25) What are some mistakes you learned from?
(24:22) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

See the world through the eye of an economist with University of Tampa's Abby Hall Blanco

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 about the bad reputation some new college graduates have in the workforce, and what employers can look for when hiring the next generation.    
3 Takeaways:
(05:40) Can you understand how a reasonable person may come to an alternate solution based on the data they have?
(15:25) Students want to engage in tough questions, but are not always given the chance to engage in these conversations critically
(17:25) Economics is amoral, it is absent of morals
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Abby Hall Blanco
(01:45) Being a professor at University of Tampa
(03:00) Economics of repugnant markets
(06:15) Tell us about your economic research on the illicit drug market
(10:40) What should employers know about hiring college students?
(18:42) Admiring Ludwig von Mises and other economists
(22:20) What is coming up for Abby Hall Blanco?
(23:55) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Overseeing business turnarounds and saving companies from themselves with Paul Fioravanti

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.   
3 Takeaways:
(14:30) Governance can do more damage than management
(16:07) The biggest change opportunity is when leadership and governance admit they have a problem and are willing to do something about it
(20:50) “Culture in an organization is determined by the worst behavior an organization tolerates”
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Paul Fioravanti and Qorval Partners
(02:55) What does Qorval do for a company?
(05:00) Private equity firms
(07:05) What stands out as a challenging turnaround?
(12:05) How do you deliver a difficult message?
(15:00) Companies generally know what their issues are
(16:45) What stands out as good leadership characteristics?
(23:20) Why is painting important to you?
(25:30) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

How Stephanie Ink Edwards tackles a big and daunting mission with energy and enthusiasm

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 performing, and a sweet story about a volunteer, her grandfather.
3 Takeaways:
(03:50) Fundraising is a relationship based business and it takes time
(05:00) Share the impact
(16:50) Be honest and transparent, then own it and fix it
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Stephanie Ink Edwards and Community Cooperative
(03:00) How did you find success as a development director?
(04:45) How do you tell the story to the donor?
(06:30) How do you deliver stories?
(08:20) How do you get in front of people 12 months a year?
(09:00) What is your day like as a CEO?
(10:00) How do you keep your team performing well?
(12:18) Who are leaders you try to emulate?
(13:35) The evolution of a nonprofit board
(15:30) What are some mistakes that stand out?
(17:40) Tell us about your grandfather Stan
(19:50) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.
 

Accountability and being an authentic leader with Game On Nation’s Steve Shenbaum

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 athletes at IMG Academy in Bradenton to starting and growing Game On Nation. We also talk about the company’s inspirational and important catchphrases and how to build memorable relationships — in work and in life.  
Just a Suggestion Blog: https://www.gameonnation.com/blog/just-a-suggestion
3 Takeaways:
(07:30) Laugh with, not at
(12:00) How are you allowing space for your staff to have a voice?
(21:21) Be a ‘coin’ collector
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Steve Shenbaum and Game On Nation
(01:45) Steve’s acting background and getting connected to IMG Academy
(05:00) Learning from rejection
(07:00) Game On catchphrases and practical behaviors
(10:35) Blog - Just a suggestion
(14:12) Connecting with clarity
(15:50) What are “coins”?
(20:50) Connecting with others through joy
(23:09) Rapid fire questions
Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.