• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Past Episodes

November 9, 2023
Meet the dynamic mother-son duo behind Michael Saunders & Co.

This week, we are speaking with Sarasota legends, Michael and Drayton Saunders. Together, they run Michael Saunders and Company. We speak about how Michael got started in real estate, Drayton’s …

November 2, 2023
Lessons on good growth and good leadership with John Neal

This week, we chatted with John Neal of Neal Land and Neighborhoods. Together, we discussed how master planned communities begin, leadership lessons from Pat Neal and affordable housing. On top …

October 26, 2023
Chocolate, Baking Competitions and Hospitality: The Sweet Success of Norman Love Confections

Today we are speaking with Norman Love, founder of Norman Love Confections. Together, we discuss Norman’s start at Ritz Carlton, creating the TV Food Network show, “The Challenge” and how …

October 19, 2023
Go under the couch cushions with DutchCrafters furniture CEO Jim Miller

Today we are speaking with Jim Miller of DutchCrafters. Together, we discuss how DutchCrafters (formerly JMX Brands) found their niche, how Jim looks for leaders inside the company, and handling …

October 12, 2023
Motors, Murals and Museums: The Interesting Life of Liz Dimmitt

Today we are speaking with Liz Dimmitt, CEO of Fairgrounds St. Pete and Managing Partner of Dimmitt Chevrolet. Liz works at the intersection of innovation and tradition. She is the …

October 5, 2023
The largest independent coffee roasters in Florida — Kahwa Coffee

This week we are speaking with Kahwa Coffee founders Sarah and Raphael Perrier. Together, we discuss how they got started and challenges they faced as independent roasters. Now that they …

September 28, 2023
'Anything less than the best is a felony' with Pushing the Envelope’s Samantha Scott

This week we sat down with Samantha Scott, President of Pushing the Envelope, a marketing and PR firm based in Fort Myers. Samantha shares with us leadership lessons, including taking …

September 21, 2023
Gather Around the Melting Pot with Dan Stone

This week we are joined by Dan Stone, Chief Operating and Development Officer at Front Burner Brands, parent company for the Melting Pot restaurants. Together, we talk about how Melting …

September 14, 2023
Running with the Bulls: Leadership lessons from USF President Rhea Law

This week, we are speaking with University of South Florida President, Rhea Law. Together, we chat about how Rhea tackles leading a 16,000-employee organization, leadership advice for students, being invited …

September 7, 2023
Carrying the Legacy With Sunshine Ace Hardware’s Michael Wynn

This week, we are speaking with Sunshine Ace Hardware’s President, Michael Wynn. Together, we discuss how the organization has stayed relevant in the highly competitive sector, Sunshine Ace’s core values, …

« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 »

Team

Host

Mark Gordon

Mark Gordon is the managing editor of the Business Observer. Mark has been a business journalist and editor for more than 20 years, and one of his passions is writing about leadership. That led to Mark to start writing a leadership column in 2021 in the Business Observer, called Leadership Matters. It also led to the creation of the From the Corner Office podcast in June 2023.

Producer

Read Corley

Read attended elementary, middle and high school in Manatee County. After graduating from Florida State University and navigating the pandemic, Read joined up with his father to create the podcast I 501(c) You - The Podcast for Nonprofit Board Members. As the podcast has grown, Read has created a path producing podcasts for others, including the Business Observer.

Where to Listen

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podbean App
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
  • iHeartRadio
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest business and commercial real estate news from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
  • May 7, 2026
Canadian apparel maker opening US headquarters in Lakewood Ranch
2
  • May 7, 2026
Report: Florida ranks No. 7 nationally in hospital safety
3
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota's Architectural Salvage property sells for $1.8M
4
  • May 7, 2026
Manatee hospital CEO named leader of Indiana health network
5
  • May 6, 2026
Popular St. Pete Beach hotel The Beachcomber sells to investment firm

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-362-4848

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Podcast
  • Big Book of Business

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Distribution Points
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Your Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
×
3 Articles Remaining!
Not a Subscriber?

Click here to Subscribe

Already a Subscriber?

Click here to Login

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Start your day with the top Gulf Coast business news you need to succeed.

Sign Up for CRE Central

Stay updated with a weekly roundup of big deals, market shifts and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples.


Smart People Subscribe.

Turn headlines into game plans. The playbook’s right here.
Subscribe to the Business Observer today.

Subscribe Now