From the Corner Office

Fine dining and fine-tuning your career with Grace Restaurant owner Jason Lutzk

Jason Lutzk is chef and owner of Grace Restaurant in Pass-a-Grille Beach. He’s professionally trained in classical French, Modern American, Mediterranean, South American and Italian cuisine and pastries. A Tampa Bay native, he’s also worked at 400 Beach in St. Petersburg, Ponte Modern American in Tampa with James Beard nominee Chris Ponte and was Sous Chef and Pastry Chef with James Beard nominee Chef Steven Oakley at Oakleys Bistro in Indianapolis. 
Together, we talk about Jason’s career trajectory and one of his proudest moments: that he went back to school and earned degrees from the University of Tampa and Culinary Institute of America after some struggles early on. We also talk about dealing with the pressure to be creative as a chef, some of the biggest challenges in the restaurant business today and what cooking shows like Top Chef get right — and wrong. 
 
3 Takeaways:
(04:10) Running a business is about being part of a team
(05:20) Communicating under pressure is key in a kitchen
(13:45) Cross utilize your resources
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:20) Introducing Chef Jason Lutzk and Grace Restaurant
(01:35) How Jason got into restaurants
(04:00) What have you learned about running businesses from others?
(05:10) What characteristics do you look for in leaders?
(06:00) What is the best part of being a leader?
(07:25) What is the most challenging part of being a leader?
(08:00) Best leadership advice you've received?
(09:20) Failures you learned from?
(10:45) Is Top Chef realistic?
(13:30) How do you address challenges of cost increases?
(15:15) Wages in restaurants
(17:40) What is your day to day?
(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.
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Five decades of learning: the legendary real estate career of William Raveis

William Raveis founded his eponymous real estate brokerage 50 years ago, in an office above a grocery store in his hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. The company has since become a family-run business and one of the largest real estate brokerages in Connecticut, with a rapidly-growing presence on the west coast of Florida. The company now has 4,500 agents, 140 offices, and in nine states 
Together, we talk about Bill’s humble beginnings and how he went from a desk-bound career at Westinghouse to real estate. We also speak about the lessons learned in the four books he’s written about business and real estate, and his 10 Noble Rules for Compassionate Leadership.  
3 Takeaways:
(06:30) Learn to delegate properly
(10:15) Your job as a leader is to make others happy
(20:15) Have a vision and an end game
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing William Raveis and how he got started
(03:30) The Agent was our customer
(04:20) Handling growth
(07:10) The Way of the Entrepreneur
(09:10) Company culture
(11:10) Growing up and having great parents
(13:40) 10 Noble Rules for Compassionate Leadership
(15:20) Bringing William Raveis Real Estate to Florida
(18:20) William’s day-to-day
(20:05) Leadership advice
(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.
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Performing well under pressure with Perform[cb] CEO, Erin Cigich

Erin Cigich has been with Sarasota-based web marketing firm Perform[cb] for 17 years. She has led the firm, now with 140 employees, through two different private equity investments and has overseen four acquisitions. The University of Florida grad has also become a thought leader in the niche space of affiliate marketing and cost-per-action advertising   
Together, we talk about the tipping points at Perform[cb] and her role in steering the 22-year-old company through some big changes, and challenges. We also discuss a key lesson she learned in communicating transparently when making an acquisition and why a Mother Theresa poem remains an inspiration a decade after she heard it. And stay tuned for a fun Covid-era story about client calls, working from home and her four-year-old daughter’s interruption. 
3 Takeaways:
(16:20) There is not a one size fits all approach to making your team happy
(19:15) What you spend years building could be destroyed overnight, build anyway
(22:00) In business, things will always change
Timestamps:
(00:00) Subscribe to the Business Observer
(00:50) Introducing Erin Cigich, CEO of Perform[cb]
(03:30) Changing internal operations during COVID
(05:20) Being a CEO and mother during COVID
(08:10) Leading the company through Private Equity acquisitions
(10:30) Erin’s day-to-day
(12:00) Leveraging AI to provide more value
(14:00) How did you get into this line of work?
(15:35) The best part of being a leader
(15:55) Most challenging part of being a leader
(16:35) What do you look for in leaders?
(19:00) Leadership advice
(21:30) Learning experiences in Erin’s career
(24:30) Key mentors
(26:45) Perform[cb] in 2024
(27:35) 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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Beating back anxiety and depression with real estate executive Michael Davis

Michael Davis helped build TerraCap Management into one of the largest commercial real estate fund management companies in Southwest Florida, where he sourced, evaluated and acquired more than $1.3 billion in real estate transactions and partnerships. In 2021, however, he faced something of an identity crisis mixed with what he called self-doubt, depression and anxiety. He overcame that and in 2023 he bought a real estate brokerage, Worthington Realty.    
Together, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Michael talk about the go-go early days of his career and how he guided the business. They also spoke about Michael’s major life transformation — which remains ongoing — in response to his depression and anxiety. It involves music, walking — lots of walking — and more.  
3 Takeaways:
(13:00) Movement and momentum are powerful
(18:50) There is more than one way to compete
(23:00) Be yourself, all other positions are taken
Timestamps:
(00:00) Subscribe to the Business Observer!
(00:33) Introducing Michael Davis, President of Worthington Realty
(07:00) Michael’s life transformation and stepping away from Terracap
(12:30) Going on a life changing walk
(14:10) Books that made an impact
(16:45) The path to Worthington Realty
(21:00) What makes a great company culture?
(22:45) Leadership lessons
(25:15) 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.
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Becoming a 2-time US Olympian and entrepreneur with Donald Suxho

This week, we speak with Donald Suxho, co-founder of Global Sports Institute in Venice, a youth sports training facility with volleyball and pickleball courts. Prior to GSI, Donald was a decorated collegiate, Olympic and professional volleyball player. He was an All-American and national Player of the Year as a senior at USC and competed in two Olympics. 
Together, we talk about Donald’s career in volleyball and what he overcame to make the U.S. Olympic volleyball team. We also discuss coaches and mentors he met along the way who taught him resilience, determination, grit and more.  
3 Takeaways:
(05:45) It doesn’t matter your background as long as you work hard
(10:25) If you put in the work, opportunity will come
(16:00) Lead by example and lift up others
Timestamps:
(00:00) Subscribe to the Business Observer!
(00:35) Growing up in communist Albania
(03:10) Moving to America and getting a scholarship for volleyball at USC
(06:20) Joining the US Olympic team
(08:10) Making the decision to be a great athlete
(12:20) Working at IMG
(13:30) Learning lessons from sports and business
(14:55) Leadership lessons from volleyball
(18:10) Donald’s mentors
(20:11) Starting GSI, a multisport training facility
(22:10) 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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The merging of restaurants and technology with Chon Nguyen

This week, we speak with Chon Nguyen, partner with The Proper House, a multi-unit Tampa Bay area hospitality company with brands that include the Rooster & the Till, Gallito Taqueria and the Nebraska Mini Mart. Chon also founded an IT services company, Newgentek, that's behind Fusionprep, a kitchen recipe software program for multi-unit restaurants. 
Together, we talk about how — and why — Chon balances running business in two industries, the lessons Chon has learned in adapting to customer needs and what he looks for in employees and leaders.  
3 Takeaways:
(08:00) If you are growing your business, treat your processes like you are larger than you are
(13:30) You don’t have to go ‘all in’ if your product is outstanding 
(20:40) Treat your team members with the same level of hospitality as you would treat customers
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Chon Nguyen, serial entrepreneur
(03:30) Chon’s entrepreneurial beginnings
(05:40) Starting in IT
(07:35) Excellent customer service, learning from books & listening to podcasts
(11:20) Getting in the restaurant business
(15:45) Challenges in entrepreneurship and diversifying
(19:00) Characteristics of good leaders
(21:00) Mistakes/failures
(23:15) The value of Vistage
(25:40) What's coming up for The Proper House?
(26:50) 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.
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Major lessons in leadership with minor league baseball managing partner John Martin

This week, we speak with managing partner of the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, John Martin. John’s humble beginnings started on a farm in Illinois. He grew up in a town of 1,000 with no stop light, but it did have a baseball field. He fell in love with baseball while listening to the Chicago Cubs on the radio. John went on to have a successful career in agriculture, working for several seed companies, and is still part of his family farm.
In 2022, John became the managing partner of the Mighty Mussels. John takes leadership lessons from the farm and board room to Fort Myers. Here he uses his skills to create a family-friendly environment in the baseball stadium. Together, we discuss the future of the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the leadership lessons he learned on the farm and in the corporate world, and how sometimes timing is everything.
3 Takeaways:
(03:20) It is hard to get the ecstasy of victory to equal the agony of defeat
(10:10) When your employees talk, listen
(11:00) Don't tell them how to do the dirtiest job, show them
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing John Martin, Managing Partner of the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
(03:40) John’s farm history and transitioning to Florida
(06:15) What does a Managing Partner do?
(07:50) What is the landscape of Minor League baseball?
(09:45) What stands out as good leadership characteristics?
(12:20) John’s mentors
(13:50) Learning what NOT to do
(15:45) Lessons learned and taking risks
(18:20) What can we expect from the Mighty Mussels?
(21:20) 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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The beauty — and struggles — of being your own boss with Coyote Ugly franchise owner Joanna Olsen

This week, we speak with Owner of Coyote Ugly Saloon, Joanna Olsen. Joanna fell in love with Coyote Ugly one night as a patron when she was 24 years old. That fateful night led to a napkin deal allowing Joanna to bring Coyote Ugly to Atlanta. Since then, she has opened 4 locations across Florida, including Tampa, Panama City, Destin, and Daytona.
Together, we talk about the importance of owning her own land, and the reason why the Atlanta location is no more. We also discuss overcoming hurricanes, caring for employees, setting the culture, and the successes that have kept the Tampa location in business for  21 years.
3 Takeaways:
(04:30) Keep a good journal
(20:05) Never take no for an answer
(22:50) Ensure you have control over the direction of your business
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Joanna Olsen, Franchise Owner of Coyote Ugly Saloon
(02:00) How Joanna became an owner of Coyote Ugly Saloon
(04:20) Challenges of owning a bar
(06:00) Hurricane Michael’s impact
(09:00) Joanna’s journaling
(11:00) How do you keep your culture at Coyote Ugly?
(12:45) The importance of owning the building
(15:10) What do you look for in leaders?
(17:15) Learning from mentors
(19:55) Advice for other entrepreneurs
(21:15) Giving back to the community
(22:10) Setbacks that stand out
(25:20) What can we expect in 2024?
(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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Behind the scenes of a 40-year career in jewelry design with Mark Loren

This week, we speak with Mark Loren, founder of Mark Loren Designs. Mark is a goldsmith, silversmith, and platinumsmith who started his gallery in Fort Myers almost 40 years ago.
Together, we talk about managing the waves of economic downturn, Mark’s best leadership advice, and competing with national brands. We also discuss lab grown diamonds and the impact they have on the industry.
3 Takeaways:
(07:30) Being nimble might be the key to surviving an economic downturn
(08:00) Become friendly with your local banker
(11:20) Good leaders rise to the top
Timestamps:
(00:00) Subscribe to the Business Observer
(00:30) Introducing Mark Loren, Founder of Mark Loren Designs
(02:30) Getting started in Ft. Myers and tipping points over the last 40 years
(04:40) Best parts of being an entrepreneur
(06:20) How did you get through the difficult economic times?
(09:40) How do you compete with national brands?
(11:10) Characteristics of a good leader
(13:10) Leadership advice
(14:30) Balancing clients expectations with artistic style
(16:00) Lab Grown Diamond Industry Update
(20:45) Changing dynamics of the diamond industry
(21:40) Advice for young entrepreneurs
(22:30) What is coming up for Mark Loren Designs in 2024?
(23:30) 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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Saving lives one text at a time with Cope Notes Founder Johnny Crowder

Johnny Crowder likes to say that, in short, he’s a suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, Billboard-charting heavy metal musician and a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist. He’s also the founder of Cope Notes, a Tampa-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users in nearly 100 countries around the world. Now Johnny, who has  “YOU MATTER" tattooed across the back of his neck and "SAVE THEM" tattooed on his knuckles, is a sought-after speaker on mental health issues. And the ultimate accidental entrepreneur. 
Together, we speak about the unique and unusual circumstances in Johnny’s life that led to Cope Notes, and how he has sustained the organization. (He constantly focuses on his north star — helping people.) We also talk about why cereal is important to Johnny — and which one is his favorite.
3 Takeaways:
(06:00) You have skills that will transfer to entrepreneurship
(08:00) Ask for help
(17:00) The “3-year period of guaranteed loss”
Timestamps:
(00:00) Subscribe to the Business Observer
(00:31) Introducing Johnny Crowder and Cope Notes
(03:40) How did the Cope Notes come to be?
(06:00) Steps you took to grow Cope Notes
(09:55) Being curious
(11:25) Where is Cope Notes currently?
(13:00) What impact has Cope Notes had on its community?
(16:35) Advice to young entrepreneurs
(20:00) Johnny’s music career
(22:20) What can we expect in 2024 from Cope Notes?
(23:30) 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.