From the Corner Office

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Radically shifting the restaurant industry compensation model with Zach Feinstein

This week, we are speaking with Zach Feinstein of the Feinstein group. Zach’s restaurant and hospitality company, which he founded in 2014 with his wife, operates The Black Pearl in Dunedin and several other brands. 
Together, we speak with Zach about how he has redefined company culture in his company’s restaurants, and how he and the team execute on that strategy. We also talk about his new compensation model at the restaurants — and why it’s been a big success. 
3 Takeaways:
(01:20) We always put our employees first
(07:05) People will remember how you make them feel
(08:45) Culture comes down to how you expect everyone to interact with one another
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Zach Feinstein and The Feinstein Group
(02:25) Tell us about what you learned from working at Restaurant Brands International
(05:00) What is the Six Sigma process?
(06:20) How did you get into the hospitality industry?
(08:05) How did you create your company culture?
(10:10) Tell us about your compensation model
(15:30) Were there doubters to this model?
(17:10) Tipping culture and tip fatigue
(19:35) What is coming from The Feinstein Group in the future?
(20:35) 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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Positive affirmation and people-centered leadership with Candice and Lauren Henry

This week, we are speaking with Candice and Lauren Henry, co-founders of Aretios. Together, we discuss how to develop and maintain a positive leadership mindset, how younger people can lead at work without the official title and overcoming rejection and setbacks. 
Lauren & Candice, through their company, Aretois, produce newsletters, videos and other content designed mostly for young, up-and-coming leaders. They are also professors at Southeastern University in Lakeland.   
3 Takeaways:
(04:45) Leadership starts with yourself
(16:30) 99% of the challenges people encounter can be boiled down to a lack of communication
(18:25) Encouragement is something that everyone can benefit from
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Candice and Lauren Henry
(01:00) How did you get started in this business?
(03:10) What do you do on the day-to-day?
(04:10) How do you bring leadership skills out of your students?
(06:05) Tell us about The Daily
(08:10) Launching an apparel collection
(08:50) The importance of positive affirmations
(12:30) The meaning of Aretios
(13:15) What have you learned from your mentors?
(16:15) What are the characteristics of a good leader?
(20:30) What does 2024 hold for Aretios?
(22:15) Hot seat 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 the Baseball Diamond to the Commercial Real Estate Boardroom with Matt Siegel

This week, we are speaking with Matt Siegel, former professional baseball player and coach turned commercial real estate market leader for Colliers. Together, we discuss lessons Matt learned from playing and coaching college and professional baseball that can be transferred to business and corporate leadership. We also chat about the state of the commercial real estate sector in the region going into 2024. 
3 Takeaways:
(03:00) Companies make decisions based on where talent, activity, and growth are
(06:28) Commitment, belief in yourself, and being competitive as possible will take you far in any competitive environment
(07:30) Leadership is understanding what is important at that moment
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introducing Matt Siegel
(02:00) Keeping your eye on multiple parts of the industry
(03:20) Tell us about your baseball career
(05:10) What did you learn from past coaches?
(06:40) How did coaching baseball relate to commercial real estate?
(07:15) What makes a good leader?
(09:15) What memories do you have of getting the most out of your players?
(11:20) Nick Saban and the ultra competitive
(12:40) What do you do to keep your team motivated?
(14:40) What do you look for when promoting leaders in your organization?
(16:00) Commercial real estate in 2024
(17:30) What keeps you up at night, when thinking about the market going into next year?
(18:53) Hot seat 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.