Sinead Runyon runs Express Employment of Sarasota, which she founded in 2020 along with her mom, Josephine Carr. In 2024, she and her husband, William Runyon, opened a Made in the Shade window treatment, blinds and shades franchise in Venice. On this episode, Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Sinead talk about her entrepreneurial mindset, what she learned from her mentors and how she resolves conflict as a leader. She also talked about the second business she launched while running the first business.

3 Takeaways:

1. (11:15) The bus is moving forward, stop comparing yourself to others
2. (20:55) Good leadership is owning your mistakes
3. (23:00) Be there with your client

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Sinead Runyon, co-founder of Express Employment of Sarasota

(04:50) What is Express Employment Professionals - Sarasota?

(06:25) Door pulls

(08:20) Building up the stamina

(09:40) Leadership mentors and lessons

(12:40) Learning from other entrepreneurs

(14:50) Truly showing up for your clients

(16:45) Owning and fixing mistakes

(19:25) What is Made in the Shade?

(20:55) What is good leadership?

(21:55) Handling conflict

(24:30) What is coming up in 2026?

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.

Ashley Ljesevic has led marketing, sales, and development initiatives for a variety of organizations over the past decade, working in sports, travel and nonprofits, among other fields. She also has a podcast, the Endurance Diaries, which interviews athletes, artists, entrepreneurs and others to share stories of resilience. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Ashley talked about striving for — and pivoting when necessary — for big goals and how she does that in her personal life. They also talked about the lessons she’s learned from Endurance Diaries guests.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:30) “Can you enter a process where there are no outcome goals attached?”
2. (12:45) What we see on the surface is not the full story
3. (17:30) When things are tough, focus on the next step

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Ashley Ljesevic, Host of Endurance Diaries podcast

(04:50) Ashley’s 10x10 journey

(07:45) What is Endurance Diaries Media?

(11:45) Who have you learned from on Endurance Diaries?

(14:45) What is endurance to you?

(16:00) Overcoming adversity

(18:20) What leadership characteristic does every leader need?

(20:55) Imposter syndrome

(24:30) Endurance Diaries Media in 2026

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.

Dan is the CEO of Moorings Park, a nonprofit senior living organization with three campuses in Naples. He has been with the organization for nearly 20 years, first as CFO. Before that he ran his own packaged delivery service small business in Ohio. On this episode Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Dan talked about how the concept of VUCA — leading through Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity — has helped make him a better leader and the organization stronger. They also talked about how Dan hopes his team sees him as a leader.

3 Takeaways:

1. (05:30) Leadership is humility and professional will
2. (08:10) Mission driven organizations focus on the end result
3. (09:20) Separate success from leadership

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Dan Lavender, CEO, Moorings Park

(03:15) What is Moorings Park?

(04:00) How did you get into senior living?

(05:10) What defines good leadership?

(07:20) Leadership influences

(08:45) Learning from residents at Moorings Park

(10:30) Decisions that shaped you

(11:35) Balancing short and long term wins

(13:40) Handling conflict

(14:40) Resiliency as a leader

(17:10) Your leadership style

(18:15) Moorings Park in 2026

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.