From the Corner Office

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.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

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.

Dare to be vulnerable and find your courage with Natalie Johnson

Natalie Johnson is a co-founder of Vidl Work, where she oversees business development, strategy, and innovation. She also works directly with clients, providing consulting, training, and coaching services. Johnson is also an industry-recognized performance coach, a sought-after keynote speaker and a certified Dare to Lead Facilitator. She’s worked with Johnson & Johnson and Deloitte as well as with the United States Air Force and Department of Defense. 
Together, we discuss how Natalie got into her field and the inside details of Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead training — and how companies and organizations could utilize it to help employees be more vulnerable, and have more courage, in work, and life. Listen, too, for how Johnson handled one of her toughest assignments — involving people recently diagnosed with cancer. Oh, and they talked about Johnson’s favorite treat: donuts.  
3 Takeaways:
(16:42) Almost all audiences look like they are not satisfied
(18:30) Great leaders are able to show confident humility
(21:07) Your story creates your destiny
Timestamps:
(00:00) This episode has been sponsored by Kerkering Barberio
(00:30) Introducing Natalie Johnson, Co-Founder of Vidl Work
(02:00) Natalie’s past
(06:25) Growing up in an entrepreneurial environment
(07:15) Identifying obstacles and creating a solution
(08:20) Dare to Lead and key takeaways
(11:00) Examples of success through Dare to Lead
(14:20) Natalie’s strategies for public speaking
(18:05) Great leadership characteristics
(19:45) Mentors
(23:55) One way to improve your lives
(26:05) 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.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

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.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

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.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

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.
Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.