How I Got Here with Dave Fiore

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 15 Guest Rachel Pienta. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Rachel and Dave listen to her answer from 2020, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Rachel's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into her journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore returned to Access Tallahassee's Young Professionals Summit for a live recording of the podcast featuring three successful women entrepreneurs representing the local brewing scene. Dave spoke with:  Shannon Smith from Ground Ops Roastery and Bakehouse; Michaela Teasley from Tally Kombucha; and Alison Denny from Amicus Brewing Ventures. Guests shared their unique journeys and the obstacles they overcame along the way and then gave some practical advice for women entrepreneurs pursuing their dreams.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 13 Guest Keith Bowers. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Keith and Dave listen to his answer from 2020, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Keith's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into his journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Darius (Doc D) Baker, music producer and founder of Tallahassee Nights Live. Doc has been launching music careers since middle school, producing up-and-coming artists and creating a platform for local entertainers of all experience levels to hone their craft in front of grateful and enthusiastic audiences around the world. The Havana native is a married father of four boys who remains committed to providing opportunities for anyone with a love of music and a willingness to put in the work to achieve their dreams.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 12 Guest Elizabeth Emmanuel. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Elizabeth and Dave listen to her answer from 2020, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Elizabeth's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into her journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Carrie Zimmerman, co-founder and former CEO of The Zimmerman Agency. Carrie is a native Tallahassean whose family has been in the Capital City for more than 100 years. She grew up in a competitive, sports-oriented environment, but it was rolling on the mats of the Tallahassee Tumbling Tots that sparked a passion that would lead to exploring gymnastics, training full-time in Oregon at age 15 and earning a coveted spot on the 1976 U.S. Olympic team – a memory that still elicits great emotion. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Carrie worked with her husband, Curtis, at an ad agency in Atlanta, before moving to Tallahassee to be near her family. Starting with no clients but a considerable Rolodex, the couple started The Zimmerman Agency, which today has more than 130 employees and competes with New York agencies (and often wins) for the right to represent some of the most prestigious brands in the world. Recently retired, Carrie now focuses on travel, FSU sports and enjoying being a grandmother.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 9 guest Danny Shrine. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Danny and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Danny's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into his journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Emily Saras, CEO and data scientist with Knowli Data Science. The self-described overachiever with a nerd persona loved field hockey in high school and was her class valedictorian in her hometown of Hopedale, Massachusetts. Emily entered prestigious Wellesley College with plans to be a doctor, only to make a significant pivot to study anthropology and opera singing. Wanting to connect with her family heritage, she earned a scholarship to study ethnomusicology and opera performance in Lithuania under the nation's top soprano. Emily spent two more years studying in Europe before returning home as an AmeriCorps fellow, where she worked with underserved Boston teens. It was there that Emily was recommended for a position at Florida State, which she took thinking it would be a short-term stop on her life journey. She was wrong. Emily would go on to earn her Ph.D. in sociology from FSU, fall in love with Tallahassee and get connected to Knowli, a women-owned company that translates big data for policy makers in a variety of fields, including health and human science agencies and educational institutions across the Southeast. Emily says her journey to CEO has been a “joyful challenge,” and she greatly appreciates the opportunity to serve as the company's cultural ambassador.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 8 Guest Jami Coleman. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Jami and Dave listen to her answer from 2019, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Jami's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into her journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Brad Buckenheimer, co-founder and CEO of Canopy Road Cafe. The Tampa native got his first taste of the hospitality industry as a country club cabana boy at age 14 and says he always had a job. His path to entrepreneurship, which includes owning 13 Canopy Road locations and being a partner in several other concepts including the popular Lemon & Thyme in Midtown, has had some unexpected twists. An internship in Los Angeles led to touring as a fill-in drummer for a popular band. Brad was a bartender, corporate trainer for a major restaurant chain and developed leadership skills that would unknowingly come in handy later in life. But it was a call from his former FSU roommate and best friend saying that he had just purchased Jenny's Lunchbox, a small restaurant where they both worked in college, that would put his future in motion. And while Brad is proud of all that he has accomplished, he acknowledges that none of it would have been possible without the love and support of many others – most importantly his parents and wife, Allison.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 7 Guest Bill Kelly. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Bill and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Bill's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into his journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Ricardo Schneider, executive advisor and recently retired president and CEO of Danfoss Turbocor. The Tallahassee-based company produces high efficiency, oil-free compressors for commercial air conditioning systems around the world. Ricardo's lifelong passion for improving the world through better refrigeration and air conditioning led him to a position with Danfoss in his home country of Brazil, where he grew up in a community of German immigrants. He excelled in every opportunity with the company and worked his way up to global vice president and a move from Mexico to Baltimore. While Danfoss has more than 40,000 employees and $12 billion in global revenue, the operation in Tallahassee was in trouble when Ricardo arrived. He quickly turned things around, doubling the company in size every five years, managing multiple expansions and delivering hundreds of millions in economic impact to our community. He remains inspired to create greater global and local impact through innovative and disruptive thinking and helping create tomorrow's leaders. And while he is in transition toward the next season of his life, Ricardo says, “purpose does not retire.”  He is proud of what he has accomplished but says his best products for the world are his three children, made in partnership with his wife, Juliana.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 6 podcast guest Drew McLeod. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Drew and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. The post 5 Years Later – Episode 6: Drew McLeod appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content Marketing | Tallahassee.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 6 podcast guest Drew McLeod.  At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years?  Drew and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today.  Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned!  If you have not already, please also listen to Drew's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into his journey.  Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Susie Busch-Transou, founder and owner of Hearth and Soul and vice president/co-owner of Tri-Eagle Sales. Susie is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Adolphus Busch and Lilly Anheuser, and the daughter of August Busch III, who ran the iconic brewing company until 2002. She got her first tiny taste of Budweiser at the slightly less than legal age of 1 day old. The post Episode 67: Susie Busch-Transou appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Susie Busch-Transou, founder and owner of Hearth and Soul and vice president/co-owner of Tri-Eagle Sales. Susie is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Adolphus Busch and Lilly Anheuser, and the daughter of August Busch III, who ran the iconic brewing company until 2002. She got her first tiny taste of Budweiser at the slightly less than legal age of 1 day old. After graduating from Duke University, Susie worked her way through the ranks of the family business, earned an MBA and eventually bought a beverage distributorship with her husband, Tripp. While she respects and embraces what it means to be a Busch, she loves that in Tallahassee, she is just Susie. Her heart for hospitality and bringing people together is evident in her generosity and community involvement, and was the motivation for creating Hearth and Soul, which she describes as “hospitality at retail in a home-like setting.” The idea was sparked through a conversation with a life coach 10 years ago. She had the concept roughed out in 48 hours, a business plan in eight weeks and the doors opened 10 months later. Susie is a dynamic entrepreneur and business leader whose greatest joy comes from the relationships she nurtures.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Katrina Rolle, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Florida. From her days as a varsity cheerleader and student government president at Miami Carol City High School to continuing her family legacy at Tuskegee University and working her way through the University of Florida Law School, even though it was against the rules, Katrina has always found a way to get things done. The post Episode 66: Katrina Rolle appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Katrina Rolle, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of North Florida. From her days as a varsity cheerleader and student government president at Miami Carol City High School to continuing her family legacy at Tuskegee University and working her way through the University of Florida Law School, even though it was against the rules, Katrina has always found a way to get things done. She dreamed of owning a business at age 14 while working at Burger King and gained valuable experience as a cost accountant with Honeywell and as a supervisor with Florida Power and Light. But it was her 11 years staying at home with her children and volunteering in the community that led to offers to be CEO of The United Way of the Big Bend and most recently the Community Foundation. Katrina, and her husband, Dr. Gary Rolle, were reluctant transfers to Tallahassee, but are now grateful to have invested their lives in the community where they raised their children and are proud to call home.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 4 guest Mickey Moore. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Mickey and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. The post 5 Years Later – Episode 4: Mickey Moore appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content Marketing | Tallahassee.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 4 guest Mickey Moore. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Mickey and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. If you have not already, please also listen to Mickey's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into his journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with legendary FSU quarterback and community leader Charlie Ward. Charlie's resume also includes 1993 Heisman Trophy winner, 11-year NBA veteran, longtime high school coach and public speaker. But to the Thomasville, Ga., native, the roles of mentor, husband and father have always been most important. Charlie and his wife, Tonja, run the Ward Family Foundation and are currently developing the Champions Ranch, the vehicle for the foundation's mission to develop youth character rooted in Christian principles through sports, arts, education and wellness. The post Episode 65: Charlie Ward appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with legendary FSU quarterback and community leader Charlie Ward. Charlie's resume also includes 1993 Heisman Trophy winner, 11-year NBA veteran, longtime high school coach and public speaker. But to the Thomasville, Ga., native, the roles of mentor, husband and father have always been most important. Charlie and his wife, Tonja, run the Ward Family Foundation and are currently developing the Champions Ranch, the vehicle for the foundation's mission to develop youth character rooted in Christian principles through sports, arts, education and wellness. One of Florida's State's most beloved athletes, Charlie shares about his college journey that included a detour through Tallahassee Community College (now Tallahassee State College), how Coach Bobby Bowden had to be convinced that Charlie for a good fit for his program, balancing the demand of basketball and football and breaking the race barrier as FSU's first black quarterback. We also talk a lot of football – so much that for the first time, we are offering bonus content to our email newsletter subscribers. Subscribe today to hear Charlie talk about the 1992 football season, including the birth of the fast-break offense against Georgia Tech, getting booed after early-career interceptions, his season-saving pass to Warrick Dunn against the Gators on the national championship run and finally playing basketball and living in New York City. If you are a fan, you won't want to miss it!

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 2 guest Terrance L. Barber. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Terrance and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. The post 5 Years Later – Episode 2: Terrance L. Barber appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content Marketing | Tallahassee.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 2 guest Terrance L. Barber. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Terrance and Dave listen to his answer from 2019, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Terrance's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into his journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

On this episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 1 Guest Kristine Dobosenski. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Kristine and Dave listen to her answer from 2019, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. The post 5 Years Later – Episode 1: Kristine Dobosenski appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content Marketing | Tallahassee.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 1 Guest Kristine Dobosenski. At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think “here” will be for you in three to five years? Kristine and Dave listen to her answer from 2019, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today. Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned! If you have not already, please also listen to Kristine's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into her journey. Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Mike McCall, chief meteorologist at WCTV, a position he has held for more than 30 years. Mike caught the weather bug in 1977 at age 12 when a legitimate snow blanketed his hometown of Tampa, and he says everyone lost their minds. To encourage his interest, his mom arranged a trip to a local TV station where Mike met the man who would offer him a job a decade later after he earned his meteorology degree from Florida State. The post Episode 64: Mike McCall appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Mike McCall, chief meteorologist at WCTV, a position he has held for more than 30 years. Mike caught the weather bug in 1977 at age 12 when a legitimate snow blanketed his hometown of Tampa, and he says everyone lost their minds. To encourage his interest, his mom arranged a trip to a local TV station where Mike met the man who would offer him a job a decade later after he earned his meteorology degree from Florida State. Another lifelong passion was ignited around the same time when Mike noticed an employee air drumming to the thumping music at a local skating rink. He got a snare drum the next Christmas, started taking lessons and was soon rocking out to Van Halen and Styx. Mike's love of percussion paid off in other ways as well as it led him to the FSU Marching Chiefs where he met his wife, Mallory, on the Big 8 drumline. Mike shares candidly about the emotional stress of his profession, being wrong sometimes and dealing with the helpless feeling of being right but knowing people are still going to get hurt. Finally, Mike talks about his dreams for the future, which includes staying in front of the green screen during the week and maybe finding a gig in an ‘80s cover band on the weekends.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Kim Price, the general manager of TLH2, Tallahassee's Amazon Robotics Sortable Fulfillment Center. The graduate of Wakulla High School and former Miss Wakulla County is a wife, mom to three boys and talented musician who plays multiple instruments and has performed in Nashville. The post Episode 63: Kim Price appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Kim Price, the general manager of TLH2, Tallahassee's Amazon Robotics Sortable Fulfillment Center. The graduate of Wakulla High School and former Miss Wakulla County is a wife, mom to three boys and talented musician who plays multiple instruments and has performed in Nashville. After earning an MBA from Florida State, Kim attended a campus recruiting event and was impressed with Amazon's vibe. The feeling was mutual, and she was hired within the week. She quickly ascended the ranks and was assistant general manager at an Amazon facility in Tampa when she heard about a new center coming to Tallahassee. Kim says she wanted to come home and would have taken a demotion to make it happen. She didn't have to. Today, Kim leads the state-of-the-art facility, working to make the lives of her 1,500 employees, her family and her community better every day.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Ashlee Fontes, the owner and CEO of Tallahassee Reckoning, the region's first pre-professional women's soccer team. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the second annual Access Tallahassee YP Summit at the FSU Conference Center. The post Episode 62: Ashlee Fontes appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Ashlee Fontes, the owner and CEO of Tallahassee Reckoning, the region's first pre-professional women's soccer team. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the second annual Access Tallahassee YP Summit at the FSU Conference Center. Ashlee is a former Florida State soccer player, professional player and coach, a serial entrepreneur and one of the most important voices in women's soccer in the world. She shares about overcoming obstacles, nearly blowing her chance to play big-time college soccer and her passion to provide young female players in Tallahassee an opportunity to train, compete and pursue their dream to play the game they love.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Alan Hanstein, the executive director of the Challenger Learning Center in downtown Tallahassee. Alan is living out a dream that includes a lifelong passion for science and space and giving back to the community. His programs serve more than 50,000 K-12 students every year and they host popular events and activities for kids of all ages. The post Episode 61: Alan Hanstein appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Alan Hanstein, the executive director of the Challenger Learning Center in downtown Tallahassee. Alan grew up in Rockland County, New York, a short drive from Manhattan that provided for fun and relatively safe teenage exploration – at least during the day. His life took a dramatic turn while headed home on winter break from The State University of New York at Fredonia, when he and his friends stopped to help an overturned tractor trailer during a snowstorm. A passing car hit Alan on the side of the road, flipping him into a snowbank, breaking both legs and changing the trajectory of his life. After a remarkably fast recovery and exploring a few life options, Alan decided to continue his education at Florida State, where a European trip derailed his education for a bit, before he eventually returned to earn his degree. It was during that time that Alan accelerated his career journey by combining his work in the event management industry with his knowledge of innovative technologies that would eventually lead to online event registration. His job would take him around the world, rubbing elbows with celebrities at high-profile events and parties. But his favorite place has always been with his wife, Amy, whom he met as a SCUBA instructor, and their two children, who are now grown. At the Challenger Learning Center, Alan is living out a dream that includes a lifelong passion for science and space and giving back to the community. His programs serve more than 50,000 K-12 students every year and they host popular events and activities for kids of all ages.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Anita Bushnyakova, chief financial officer at Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Anita experienced very different sets of challenges as a child. First, it was enduring the turbulent years of the Eastern European country's shift from communist rule to fledgling democracy and then assimilation into American culture as a 13-year-old who didn't speak English – at all. The post Episode 60: Anita Bushnyakova appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Anita Bushnyakova, chief financial officer at Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, Anita experienced very different sets of challenges as a child. First, it was enduring the turbulent years of the Eastern European country's shift from communist rule to fledgling democracy and then assimilation into American culture as a 13-year-old who didn't speak English – at all.  Her response was to use education as a path to opportunity, earning a perfect score on the SAT and national scholarships, which she used to attend Florida State and study international affairs. Her broad experiences with an international perspective have shaped her priorities as a professional, community volunteer, advocate and mom. Anita shares about her plan to join the Peace Corps, her aversion to debt and her love of Tallahassee. She also talks about the importance of resilience and community support in overcoming adversity, the value of early childhood education and why we as a community must ensure equal opportunities for all children.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Charlie Strickland, CEO and co-owner of Talon Training Group. A native of nearby Marianna, Charlie shares his journey from the FSU Police Department and working on the family farm to building a reputation as the MacGyver of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. While climbing the ranks at LCSO, he earned an MBA from Florida State to bolster his resume for a high-ranking administrative position that he would be passed over for, but he turned that disappointment into a life-changing opportunity that continues to evolve today. The post Episode 59: Charlie Strickland appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Charlie Strickland, CEO and co-owner of Talon Training Group. A native of nearby Marianna, Charlie shares his journey from the FSU Police Department and working on the family farm to building a reputation as the MacGyver of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. While climbing the ranks at LCSO, he earned an MBA from Florida State to bolster his resume for a high-ranking administrative position that he would be passed over for, but he turned that disappointment into a life-changing opportunity that continues to evolve today. Charlie shares his thoughts on running for sheriff in 2016 and the time he was caught driving a motorcycle after consuming too many Monster energy drinks. He also talks about the power of relationships and getting involved in the community – including how a trip to the Florida Public Safety Institute with his Leadership Tallahassee class led to buying the land for Talon Range. We talk about how Charlie started his radio and podcasting career, the responsibilities of gun ownership and the impact of training more than 80,000 people to safely carry a firearm.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Chef Leon Brunson, owner of Leon's at Lake Ella. His journey to owning a restaurant has included working the line at his hometown Waffle House in Panama City, refining his skills at fine dining restaurants, being a private chef, and time at Kool Beanz Café, where he says he really learned to cook.   The post Episode 58: Chef Leon Brunson appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Chef Leon Brunson, owner of Leon's at Lake Ella. His journey to owning a restaurant has included working the line at his hometown Waffle House in Panama City, refining his skills at fine dining restaurants, being a private chef, and time at Kool Beanz Café, where he says he really learned to cook.   He describes himself as a Southern chef with international flair and loves exploring new flavors and techniques to offer his diners a unique experience.   As much as Leon loves food, his first passion is the video game Dance Dance Revolution, which he says dominated his childhood. His DDR skills and competitive drive led to appearances in the World Champions League and being ranked as high as No. 4 in the U.S.   During COVID, Leon starting streaming cooking classes online, which would eventually lead to a spot on the Hulu reality cooking show, Secret Chef. Leon discusses the reality of being on a reality show and his thoughts on the outcome.  After trying to leave more than once, Leon has come to love Tallahassee and is committed to helping with regional food insecurity through his work with Second Harvest of the Big Bend.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Gloria Pugh, the president and CEO of AMWAT Moving, Warehousing and Storage. Gloria was born in New York City and spent time in Columbia as an infant before moving to Miami with her mother and siblings at age 8. The post Episode 57: Gloria Pugh appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Gloria Pugh, the president and CEO of AMWAT Moving, Warehousing and Storage. Gloria was born in New York City and spent time in Colombia as an infant before moving to Miami with her mother and siblings at age 8. She soon became an entrepreneur, sewing Barbie clothes from leftover fabric and selling them to her friends for a few pennies. Gloria would later work at Publix but was let go because the bilingual, popular cashier spent a bit too much time socializing with the customers – her main outlet for the adult responsibilities she faced at home. After high school, Gloria came to Tallahassee, worked multiple jobs and was eventually dragged by coworkers to the infamous Club Park Avenue nightclub, where she would meet a young man named Dean Pugh. Dean declared his love that night, but after not getting a phone number embarked on a search that eventually led to Gloria's apartment – and her heart. They have been together ever since. The couple would later turn a pickup truck and a dream into a global relocation company that is changing their industry. Gloria talks about never taking no for an answer, the importance of giving back to the community and her gratitude for the many people who helped along the way.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Jeri Desloge, the owner of Jeri's Midtown Café, Jeri's Love on a Plate and Simply Entertaining by Jeri. The post Episode 56: Jeri Desloge appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Jeri Desloge, the owner of Jeri's Midtown Café (now Jeri's Eventful Kitchen), Jeri's Love on a Plate and Simply Entertaining by Jeri. And while that may seem like a lot for the popular restaurateur to keep up with, Jeri has spent a lifetime working hard, going the extra mile and doing whatever it takes to make people happy. The native of Clewiston, Fla., was raised in the shadow of the area's sugarcane mill, where she played sports, was class president and rocked the saxophone. She first fell in love with Tallahassee attending FSU band camps and was determined to one day return. Jeri's first food job was at a Shoney's as a server before transferring to the Tallahassee Outback, enrolling at Kaiser and helping to open multiple Red Elephant locations. Eventually, all roads led to the popular Paisley Cafe in Midtown, where she would assume ownership just months before COVID would temporarily shut her down. After first thinking she would lose everything, Jeri says it was the best thing to happen to the industry because it forced positive business decisions that are still paying off today. It paid off personally as well, as she met her husband, Bryan Desloge, then a Leon County Commissioner, in a meeting with a group of colleagues to complain about the county's COVID policies. Jeri talks about her love for Tallahassee, the importance of her faith and her dreams for the future.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Warren Cave, the founder of The Clean Start Initiative, a non-profit ministry to help those previously incarcerated and their families. The post Episode 55: Warren Cave appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Warren Cave, the founder of The Clean Start Initiative, a non-profit ministry to help those previously incarcerated and their families. Warren grew up in Coral Gables as one of 13 children and was an outstanding student and basketball player, despite the fact he would often be drunk and high before the first school bell even rang. He spent four years in the 10th grade, with more time on the streets of Coconut Grove robbing tourists than in the classroom. That led to repeated trips to jail and eventually prison as an addict who didn't expect to live past the age of 25. Warren's life took a dramatic turn when he heard from God in the back of a police car and began to turn things around. And while his journey has not been without setbacks, he has dedicated his life to helping others, especially the homeless and those struggling with drugs and alcohol. He and his wife, Yolanda, met at the Fun Station playing basketball for some Popeye's chicken. A game he lost. They have five children in their family and are grateful to be making a difference together.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Jeff Culhane, the director of broadcasting for Learfield's Seminole Sports Properties and the voice for Florida State football and men's basketball. The post Episode 54: Jeff Culhane appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Jeff Culhane, the director of broadcasting for Learfield's Seminole Sports Properties and the voice for Florida State football and men's basketball. Jeff brings 20 years of multimedia experience to the Seminoles, including broadcasting duties for Nebraska, West Virginia and North Dakota State. As part of his duties, he creates original video and audio content that highlights student-athletes and coaches. Jeff was born and raised in small-town Mitchell, South Dakota, where he grew up around a large extended family, lifelong friends and a house full of radios that served as a window to the world – especially for local sports. A three-sport athlete in high school who preferred basketball, Jeff went on to play college football and baseball at Dakota Wesleyan University, where he earned a degree in business management and marketing before pursuing his broadcasting career. Jeff was enjoying great success at perennial powerhouse North Dakota State University when he learned about the FSU opening when Gene Deckerhoff announced his retirement on Facebook. He quickly used his relationships in the broadcasting world to get himself on the radar in Tallahassee. Now entering his second year as the voice of the Seminoles, Jeff is settling into Tallahassee life with his wife and two young sons and making his own name representing one of the most iconic brands in sports.

This special episode of the How I Got Here podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2023 Tallahassee Chamber Annual Community Conference in Amelia Island. The breakout session focused on women entrepreneurs and featured guests Kristi Kreitlow, founder and president of Quick and Clean; and Marina Lickson, Tallahassee programs manager at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and former owner of Honeytree Natural Foods. The post Episode 53: Kristi Kreitlow and Marina Lickson appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.

This special episode of the How I Got Here podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2023 Tallahassee Chamber Annual Community Conference in Amelia Island. The breakout session focused on women entrepreneurs and featured guests Kristi Kreitlow, founder and president of Quick and Clean; and Marina Lickson, Tallahassee programs manager at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship and former owner of Honeytree Natural Foods.   Both women shared how unexpected circumstances led to opportunities that changed their lives, talked about lessons they learned from running a company and answered questions from the audience about their experiences.  Thanks to Dana Noles and The Tallahassee Chamber for the opportunity to capture these powerful stories of resilience, determination and success.

In this episode, host Dave Fiore is at the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event at the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship in downtown Tallahassee. JMI Tallahassee Program Manager Marina Lickson invited past participants of JMI programs to showcase their business or organization, and as a graduate of the Small Business Executive Program Class II, Dave was honored to use the opportunity to record an episode of How I Got Here. The post Episode 52: 28 Guests Share Business Insight appeared first on Fiore Communications | Content-Focused Marketing | Tallahassee.