From the Corner Office

Building cool spaces and leading an architectural revival with Jerel McCants

Jerel McCants is a leading architect in the Tampa Bay market, having built his own firm from scratch with a focus on how people use spaces. He founded the company in 2010, and it focuses on commercial and residential builds, with work on the both coasts of Florida. On this episode Jerel and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about his philosophy of designing spaces that bring people together and how and why he launched his own company. And listen for the pop culture icons Jerel would love to have dinner with. 
3 Takeaways:
(08:45) You can find mentors in unexpected places
(12:00) Be curious, there is always something you can take from a conversation
(15:10) Great leaders take responsibility
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Jerel McCants, founder, Jerel McCants Architecture Tampa
(03:45) What kind of work does Jerel McCants Architecture Tampa do?
(05:10) How did Jerel get into Architecture?
(06:10) Jerel’s role in Tampa Union Station
(08:00) Jerel’s mentors
(12:00) Being a curious leader
(15:00) Leadership characteristics
(17:20) Best leadership advice
(18:50) Favorite project
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.

Boosting the Lakewood Ranch community to new heights with Brittany Lamont

Brittany Lamont was named president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in 2021. Prior to that Lamont, a vocal advocate for the local business and civic communities, was a vice president at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. On this episode Brittany and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about her career in chambers of commerce and what motivates her. They also talked about what she looks for in leaders, her mentors and how she shapes the work culture at the LWRBA. 
3 Takeaways:
(07:15) Be a servant leader, support your staff
(08:40) When you have a small team, you need to know what makes everyone click
(13:00) It is important to have a tribe that support each other
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Brittany Lamont, President & CEO, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
(02:50) What is the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance?
(04:00) Brittany’s career
(05:30) Leadership lessons and being able to learn from so many leaders
(07:05) Characteristics of good leaders
(08:10) What does servant leadership mean to you?
(11:40) Mentors and lessons you have learned
(16:00) Taking your ego out and listening to feedback
(17:45) LWRBA in 2025
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 to Lead with Grace and Grit with Michael Corley

Michael Corley worked in health care and human resources for some 10 years before starting his own leadership consulting business, The Corley Co., in 2009. The Corley Co. works with nonprofit and some for-profit leaders, in addition to nonprofit boards on topics like creating engaged board members; bringing clarity to roles and responsibilities; and developing strategic focus areas. On this episode Michael and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about how he got into podcasting, the valuable lessons he learned from his father and other mentors and what he learned from getting laid off from a high-level corporate job. 
3 Takeaways:
(08:30) Leadership is not that different in a for-profit versus nonprofit
(12:15) Great leaders have humility, make decisions, and communicate clearly
(15:10) Never burn a bridge
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Michael Corley, President of The Corley Company
(03:10) What is The Corley Company?
(05:20) Developing your ability to become a thought-partner
(06:20) About I501(c)You - The Podcast for Nonprofit Board Members
(08:15) What have you learned about leaders from your interviews on I501(c)You?
(10:20) Michael’s Career
(11:55) What are some good leadership characteristics?
(14:00) How do you handle setbacks?
(15:00) Mentors
(16:35) How do you overcome setbacks?
(19:40) The Corley Company in 2025
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.

From the financial services C-Suite to leading a national school choice movement with Erika Donalds

Erika Donalds was a COO and CFO for financial services firms before shifting gears to education, first as a mom and later as an elected Collier County School Board Member. She’s since led and supported several innovative educational models, including one of the world’s first virtual reality schools, Optima Academy Online. On this episode Erika and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talked about the why behind her career change and why she has remained a leader in education transformation. They also talked about her mentors and the characteristics of top-flight leaders. 
3 Takeaways:
(09:55) Have high expectations for your employees and team
(14:30) Decide what success is going to look like alongside your employees
(17:30) Look at the big picture when thinking about setbacks
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Erika Donalds, founder and chairman, Optima; education entrepreneur
(05:00) What is Optima Ed?
(06:45) Center for Education Opportunity
(08:00) Starting in Finance and leading to education
(09:30) What Erika learned about being a good leader working in finance
(12:00) How do you lead?
(14:05) What do you look for in leaders?
(16:10) How do you overcome setbacks?
(18:45) What is next for your organizations?
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 to navigate a crisis — calmly and coolly with Kaitlyn Perez

Kaitlyn Perez launched her own business, KPC Strategies, in January 2024. Prior to that she was senior director of communications and marketing with the National Policing Institute and community affairs director for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for nearly seven years. On this episode Kaitlyn and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about her career change, in going from top law enforcement spokesperson to running her own crisis management firm that helps leaders navigate high-stakes issues. They also talked about what she learned working directly with elected sheriffs and the dos and don'ts of crisis management.  
3 Takeaways:
(13:00) Define don't defend
(17:30) Speak to yourself like you would your 4-year old self
(19:30) Failures are learning lessons
Timestamps: 
(00:00) Introducing Kaitlyn Perez, founder and CEO, KPC Strategies
(03:40) What is KPC Strategies?
(05:20) Working for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
(07:05) Getting into this line of work
(08:15) Mentors
(09:45) Crisis Communication Must Do’s
(11:55) What should you NOT do in a crisis?
(13:00) Define don't defend
(14:45) What have you learned about leadership?
(17:30) Speak to yourself like you would your 4-year old self
(18:40) Overcoming setbacks
(21:15) KPC Strategies in 2025
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.

He bought the whole block and other gutty business success stories with Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham, owner of a True-Value hardware store in Tampa and a commercial real estate investor, started his career in lending and financial services. But he soon learned he wanted to do his own thing, and has spent the past 15 years building and buying complementary businesses. On this episode Chris and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about his mentors and how he learned about work ethic and how to treat people. And listen for his secrets on how to outdo the competition. 
3 Takeaways:
(10:20) Don’t put yourself in a bucket
(13:15) AQ is the most important thing for business owners and leaders (adversity quotient)
(17:15) The bigger the problem you can solve, the more you will get paid
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Chris Cunningham, owner, True Value America Store & Dry 24 Water Restoration
(03:55) Chris’ Career
(05:30) Chris’ inspiration to become an entrepreneur
(06:35) Tell us about True Value America and Dry 24 Water Restoration
(10:00) Keys to being a successful entrepreneur
(12:00) Retail deserts and getting involved in the community
(12:55) What do you look for in good leaders?
(14:00) How do you respond to setbacks?
(17:45) What did you learn from your grandparents?
(20:00) What is coming up in 2025?
(21:55) Advice for young entrepreneurs
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.

Doing good, in the community and in leadership, with Helene Lotman

Helene Lotman has been in the nonprofit human services space for 40 years, and is currently CEO of JFCS of the Suncoast, which works with people in need in a variety of demographics in a non-dominational setting. Helene has worked in Kansas City, Palm Beach and other spots, in addition to an earlier stint in Sarasota. On this episode Helene and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about how she holds the staff accountable and has built a culture of accountability at the nonprofit organization. And listen for Helene’s steps she took to get the organization on better financial footing. 
3 Takeaways:
(05:20) Listen before you act
(06:40) The culture makes the organization
(12:30) Good leadership is unique
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Helene Lotman, President and CEO, JFCS of the Suncoast
(02:40) What is JFCS?
(04:00) Helene Lotman’s career
(05:20) Step taken to turn around the organization
(07:00) Steps to change the culture
(09:30) Hugs and High Fives with Helene
(10:55) How do you set up your work day while having an open door policy?
(12:30) Leadership characteristics
(14:40) Be bold
(15:30) Hiring A-list employees
(17:20) Overcoming setbacks
(19:30) JFCS in 2025
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.

Building a business around the beautiful game with Justin Papadakis

Justin Papadakis has spent his career in real estate development and soccer, with his most recent position being a bit of both: deputy CEO and chief real estate officer of the United Soccer League, based in Tampa. On this episode Justin and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about what he learned about leadership from playing soccer — he was a goalie — and the steps the USL is taking to build its brand.   
3 Takeaways:
(09:20) Be aware of the external issues
(11:00) Great leadership is the ability to innovate and execute on an idea
(15:00) Limit your unforced errors
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Justin Papadakis, Deputy CEO & Chief Real Estate Officer, United Soccer League
(05:00) Justin before joining USL
(07:30) Favorite part of working at USL
(08:45) Challenging aspects of working at USL
(10:20) Characteristics of good leadership?
(12:35) Mentors
(13:50) Overcoming setbacks
(17:30) USL in 2025 and beyond
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.

Fail Fast, Fail Cheap, & Other Advice from Kevin Harrington, Original Shark on “Shark Tank”

Longtime Pinellas County resident Kevin Harrington has a stellar resume. Among the highlights: inventor of the infomercial, shark on the first year of the TV show “Shark Tank,” Fortune 100 investor, philanthropist and author. Kevin has launched over 1,000 products in 100 countries, creating some $6 billion in sales. On this episode Kevin and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about his rich history in the product sales business, his must-dos for startups — and don’t dos — and what he looks for in leaders. 
3 Takeaways:
(07:45) Good leaders need to surround themselves with good people
(11:30) Success is being able to go from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm
(12:55) Fail fast, fail cheap
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Kevin Harrington, Inventor of the infomercial and original Shark on “Shark Tank”
(04:45) Becoming an entrepreneur
(07:35) What are good leadership characteristics?
(09:40) How do you deal with failure?
(13:00) The rest of 2025 for Kevin Harrington
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.

A cool strategy to selling hot chicken with King of the Coop’s Joe Dodd

Joe Dodd’s restaurant and hospitality career has taken a lot of twists and turns, overcoming some missteps, in locations and partnerships, among others. But now his award-winning King of the Coop, specializing in Nashville hot chicken, is a hit in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. On this episode Joe and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon chatted about the keys to building a strong culture in hospitality — holidays off! — how Joe has overcome setbacks and more.
3 Takeaways:
(08:35) Appeal to what your team wants and you’ll get the best from them
(15:10) Communication, honesty, and humility are key leadership characteristics
(18:10) Don’t listen to the noise, make your own music
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Joe Dodd, founder of King of the Coop
(06:50) Mentors and what Joe learned
(10:50) Retaining talent
(11:45) Starting King of the Coop
(15:10) What makes good leaders?
(16:20) Coming back from setbacks
(22:20) What is coming for King of the Coop?
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.