From the Corner Office

Leading LegoLand Florida Resort through empathy, accountability, and discipline w/ Franceen Gonzales

Franceen Gonzales has more than 35 years experience in the amusement park and leisure and entertainment industry. She was named president of Legoland Florida Resort in Polk County in June. Prior to Legoland, Franceen was an executive for WhiteWater West, Great Wolf Resorts and Six Flags.  
Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Franceen talked about how she went from wanting to become a doctor (was pre-med at Stanford) to getting into a career in waterparks and amusement parks. They also talked about how she overcame some of her biggest career challenges and how she balances empathy with accountability in leadership. And listen for Franceen’s recommendation for the coolest theme park in the world: it’s in Guatemala. 
3 Takeaways:
(10:40) When you’re right, defend yourself, when your wrong, make it whole
(17:45) Moral character is a non-negotiable
(19:00) Coaching means having empathy and discipline
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!
(00:30) Introducing Franceen Gonzales, President of Legoland Florida Resort
(01:30) Franceen’s origin story, starting at a waterpark
(04:15) Obstacles throughout career
(06:00) Managing a waterpark at 25 years old
(09:20) What Franceen learned from her biggest mentor
(11:20) Crisis Management
(14:00) How did you end up at Legoland Florida Resort
(17:30) What do you look for in good leaders?
(20:40) Balancing empathy and accountability
(21:35) What are you looking forward to on Legoland?
(23:40) Rapid fire questions
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The highs and lows of building a 50-year construction business with Josh and Alan Bomstein

This week we speak with Josh and Alan Bomstein. Alan Bomstein is the founder of Clearwater-based Creative Contractors, which he launched, a bit by accident, he says in 1974. His son Josh Bomstein was recently named CEO of the company. With about $190 million in revenue, the company’s portfolio of notable projects includes the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, BayCare corporate headquarters and the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.
Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon spoke with Alan and Josh about the early days of the business 50 years ago (it involved building an ice rink inside a Florida mall in 1979) and the projects that define the business today. Alan also talked about how the company overcame an audit crisis in the late 1980s, while Josh talked about the lessons he’s learned while working with his dad. 
3 Takeaways:
(01:45) I wanted to instill integrity in everything we do
(02:45) Do not underestimate the power of the referral
(22:00) Knowing what is going on financially in your business is paramount
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkerking Barberio!
(00:25) Introducing Alan and Josh Bomstein, Founder and CEO of Creative Contractors
(01:10) What defined Creative Contractors 50 years ago?
(03:22) Growing up in the business
(05:10) Defining projects for Creative Contractors
(13:00) Lessons learned from running this business
(18:05) Setbacks you overcame
(22:25) What are we looking forward to in 2025?
(24:30) 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.
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Urgency breeds action with Bill Daubmann, CEO of My Shower Door

This week, we speak with Bill Daubmann, CEO and founder of MY Shower Door. Bill founded Fort Myers-based MY Shower Door in 2003, and the company has since grown to nearly 200 employees with a presence in Florida and recently North Carolina. Prior to that Bill was in the closet design and installation business, and prior to that he was a professional hockey referee.
Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Bill talked about what motivated him to become an entrepreneur (it involves one of his two sons being diagnosed with cancer when he was a young boy). They also talked about the advice he gives to new entrepreneurs — namely focus on your why over money or hours worked. And they talked about his biggest regret early on in the business: not doing more marketing.  
3 Takeaways:
(05:00) Most entrepreneurs will succeed if they listen to the market
(09:35) Leaders are all about attitude and bringing others along
(12:05) “Do you job and have fun”
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkerking Barberio!
(00:30) Introducing Bill Daubmann, Founder and CEO of My Shower Door
(02:40) How Bill became an entrepreneur
(04:45) Having the mindset to adapt
(05:55) Tipping points for My Shower Door
(07:00) Advice for start up entrepreneurs
(09:30) What Bill looks for in leaders
(11:25) Standout advice
(13:10) Setbacks
(15:00) Getting into NIL with Michigan football walk on Peter Simmons
(17:45) My Shower Door in 2025
(19:20) 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.
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How to constantly look to do better and be better at work with 3D Cloud CEO Beck Besecker

Beck is the co-founder of 3D Cloud, a virtual reality and augmented reality software firm that works with furniture retailers, kitchen cabinet manufacturers and others. He previously founded another tech company that transaction processing giant NCR acquired in 2003. He was also a senior executive with Catalina Marketing in St. Petersburg for five years.  
Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Beck talked about his career in starting technology companies, including 3D Cloud, and how being first to market can be both exhilarating and risky. They also talked about his 2023 book, the Good Works Habit Toolbox — and why curiosity and humility are two traits he looks for in employees and leaders. 
3 Takeaways:
(15:35) You create a culture by building a series of habits
(22:00) Former entrepreneurs might be your best investors
(25:18) Curiosity is extremely important for an entrepreneur
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:30) Introducing Beck Besecker, founder and CEO of 3D Cloud
(03:53) What is 3D Cloud?
(09:40) Tipping points throughout 3D Cloud’s life
(12:30) The Good Works Habit Toolbox
(15:20) Cultural habits
(17:55) The power of the 5x5
(19:40) Raising money as an entrepreneur
(24:45) Leadership advice
(28:00) 3D Cloud in 2024/2025
(29:05) 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.
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Finding the opportunities in any situation with Manatee Community Foundation’s Veronica Thames

Veronica was named executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation in August 2023. Prior to that role she was a senior vice president and COO of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. And before that she worked in human resources in health care, including managing 1,300 employees at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton.  
Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Veronica talked about some of her toughest leadership challenges under pressure — such as overseeing a nighttime hospital evacuation in a blackout. They talked about her best advice — namely, to fail forward and never wallow in what goes wrong. And they talked about how she immigrated with her family to the United States from Argentina when she was 19, initially a move she didn’t want to make.  
3 Takeaways:
(11:50) Hurricane Irma evacuation experience 
(16:35) Good leaders are inspirational, collaborative, and can cast and execute a vision
(20:00) Be who you are meant to be
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!
(00:25) Introducing Veronica Thames, Executive Director of Manatee Community Foundation
(04:20) Finding your footing in a new country
(07:20) Leadership experience at HCA
(10:45) Handling extreme pressure
(13:40) Joining the Manatee Community Foundation
(16:20) Leadership characteristics
(18:00) Leadership advice
(21:25) Setback that you learned from
(24:10) What is coming up for Manatee Community Foundation?
(26:45) 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.
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Busting the myth of the starving artist w/ Ringling College of Art & Design President Larry Thompson

Dr. Larry R. Thompson became president of Ringling College of Art and Design in July 1999. As the head of this pre-eminent art and design college, he is transforming the way people think about art and design and why businesses must infuse creativity to thrive.
A lawyer and an educator, Thompson served as Special Assistant to the President of The Ohio State University, President/CEO of Flint Cultural Center in Michigan, and was the founding Executive Director/CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio prior to joining Ringling College.
He is the former president of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design and currently serves as a member of its executive committee, is chair of the President’s Council of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, and serves on boards of many local arts and civic organizations.
3 Takeaways:
(13:15) It’s not about the leader, it’s about the people around the leader
(17:15) Leaders need to be able to listen
(18:05) Don’t try to be the smartest person in the room, be part of something larger than yourself
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!
(00:25) 25 years as President of Ringling College of Art and Design 
(01:40) How Larry got to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
(05:10) What was Ringling College like in 1999?
(07:30) Growing Ringling College
(11:20) Shattering the myth of the starving artist
(13:00) Navigating the pandemic
(16:00) What do you look for in leaders?
(17:55) Leadership advice
(19:10) Best and hardest parts of being a college president
(22:10) Infusing Ringling College into the community
(23:00) What is next for Ringling College?
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The pursuit of perfection with Integrity Employee Leasing President and CEO Robert Hensley

Robert Hensley has been president and CEO of Integrity Employee Leasing since 2021. The company handles back-office services for small and mid-sized businesses, from payroll processing and workers’ compensation coverage to timekeeping and employee benefits management. The Charlotte County company has clients with employees in 20 states. Prior to Integrity, Robert was a franchisee for First Watch in the Miami area; Taco Bell across Southwest Florida; and Dunkin’ Donuts in the Atlanta area. 
Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Robert talk about his approach to leading others, what he looks for in a leader (trust and integrity are big ones) and how he has overcome mistakes and setbacks. They also talked about his get-after-it approach to work, starting when he was a teenager at Burger King through when he led major expansion initiatives as a franchisee for Taco Bell and Dunkin’ Donuts.  
3 Takeaways:
(06:10) If you put your name on it, make sure it is right
(11:10) Producing producers is the greatest part of being a leader
(13:43) Let people do what they do without interference
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:25) Introducing Robert Hensley, President and CEO of Integrity Employee Leasing
(03:25) How did you get started in this?
(05:05) How did you have the work ethic as a teenager?
(07:00) Becoming a franchisee
(09:10) Learning experiences
(11:00) Best parts of being a leader
(12:38) Hardest part of being a leader
(13:28) Leadership advice
(14:48) Mentors
(17:50) What is coming up for Integrity Employee Leasing?
(19:40) 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.
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Building a strong foundation for leadership at Visit Sarasota County with Erin Duggan

Erin Duggan is president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, a position she was appointed to after 18 years with the organization. Prior to being named CEO, Duggan was public relations manager, brand director and vice president.  
Together, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Erin talk about her leadership lessons working in several different positions at VSC, what she learned from her mentors and how, as a new CEO, she’s finding her own leadership style — and staying away from micromanaging. 
3 Takeaways:
(05:45) Tourism is the front door of economic development
(11:50) You have got to hire the right people and let them do their thing
(19:45) There is no comfort in growth and no growth in comfort
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:25) Introducing Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County
(03:25) How did you get into Visit Sarasota?
(05:35) When did you know you wanted to grow your career at Visit Sarasota?
(09:05) What have you learned about leadership being the CEO?
(11:10) How do you build trust with your employees?
(15:05) Best part of being a leader
(18:10) Least favorite part of being a leader
(19:30) Leadership advice
(22:55) Mentors and what you learned from them
(26:00) 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.
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From an office bombing to a real estate empire with Ian Black

Ian Black has been in the commercial real estate industry for some 60 years, first in his native Northern Ireland and, since 1982, Sarasota. He founded his own company in 2003, and Ian Black Real Estate over the past 20 years has worked on, brokered and played a key part in several prominent Sarasota projects, especially downtown and in the Rosemary district. Ian is also on multiple civic and nonprofit boards in Sarasota, leading to city officials declaring Oct. 6 Ian Black Day.  
Together, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Ian talked about the secrets to a long career in commercial real estate — namely his management model that allows for brokers to grow and own parts of the success. They also talked about working in Ireland during The Troubles of the 1970s and 1980s and a key piece of advice Ian learned from his father, about trust and integrity, from a Mark Twain quote. Ian also says the key to the city on Ian Black Day was a big honor — but the key doesn’t actually open anything.  
3 Takeaways:
(10:40) Giving people ownership provides stability in the company
(12:10) You are only as good as your reputation
(19:30) Leave the world better than you found it
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:25) Introducing Ian Black, Founder of Ian Black Real Estate
(04:40) Having your office bombed
(06:30) How life experiences prepare you for entrepreneurship
(07:30) Starting Ian Black Real Estate
(09:00) The importance of leadership
(11:10) What do you look for in other leaders?
(12:55) Learning from your parents
(14:25) Leadership advice
(16:20) Example of a failure you learned from
(18:35) Why is being involved in the community important?
(22:30) October 6 is officially Ian Black Day in Sarasota
(23:45) 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.
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Get on the right flight path with Florida High Tech Corridor Council CEO Paul Sohl

Paul Sohl is CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, an economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida. Paul oversees The Corridor Council’s portfolio of programs supporting research, marketing, workforce and entrepreneurship. Sohl joined The Corridor Council in June 2020, following more than three decades of service in the U.S. Navy. In his last command, Sohl led over 500 civilian and military personnel at the Navy’s Operational Test & Evaluation Force in Norfolk, Virginia, 
Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Paul talked about how he handled leaving the U.S. Navy after 33 years and transitioned to a civilian career with the Florida High-Tech Corridor. They also talked about his mentors, overcoming a setback — think landing a plane at night on aircraft carrier — and a personal motto he learned about later in life: live for what people say about you in your eulogy, don’t live for what you can add to your resume. 
3 Takeaways:
(14:40) “Merge into traffic gently”
(14:55) First seek to understand then to be understood
(26:05) Every day just be a little more curious about somebody else
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:30) Introducing Paul Sohl, CEO of Florida High Tech Corridor
(03:55) 33-years in the Navy
(06:20) Who are some leaders you admire?
(09:30) What do you enjoy about being a leader?
(11:45) What challenges have you faced as a leader?
(15:50) Leadership advice
(17:20) Challenges of being yourself as a leader
(18:50) Setbacks you have learned from
(22:42) Why was Beast a key mentor?
(25:30) What can people do to improve their life?
(27:00) 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.