Joe Dodd’s restaurant and hospitality career has taken a lot of twists and turns, overcoming some missteps, in locations and partnerships, among others. But now his award-winning King of the Coop, specializing in Nashville hot chicken, is a hit in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. On this episode Joe and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon chatted about the keys to building a strong culture in hospitality — holidays off! — how Joe has overcome setbacks and more.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:35) Appeal to what your team wants and you’ll get the best from them
2. (15:10) Communication, honesty, and humility are key leadership characteristics
3. (18:10) Don’t listen to the noise, make your own music

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Joe Dodd, founder of King of the Coop

(06:50) Mentors and what Joe learned

(10:50) Retaining talent

(11:45) Starting King of the Coop

(15:10) What makes good leaders?

(16:20) Coming back from setbacks

(22:20) What is coming for King of the Coop?

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Ashley has been in the nonprofit sector in Florida for a decade or so, working for the United Way Suncoast and the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, among other entities. She was named president and CEO of the Florida Philanthropic Network, which works with foundations statewide in research, education and public policy, in 2020. On this episode Ashley talks about how she got into nonprofits, why she puts an emphasis on collaborative leadership and what she looks for in leaders. And listen for her stories about working and earning a master’s degree in Australia.

3 Takeaways:

1. (11:40) What is the “why” of the people you serve?
2. (14:40) Lead with humor, leave your ego at the door
3. (15:50) Collaboration moves at the speed of trust

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Ashley Dietz, President and CEO, Florida Philanthropic Network

(07:00) What is the Florida Philanthropic Network?

(09:10) Ashley’s career before FPN

(11:25) Knowing your “why”

(13:25) What do you look for in leaders?

(15:50) Collaboration moves at the speed of trust

(18:15) Learning from mentors

(20:30) Dealing with setbacks

(22:10) What is coming up the rest of 2025?

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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Jamie founded Growing Your Team in 2018 after working for a decade or so in the marketing field. Growing Your Team helps other companies, mostly small businesses, not only hire the right people but find the right position for that new employee. On this episode Jamie talks about the challenges — and freedom — in starting Growing Your Team (with a pivot after she founded a different company) and how that’s made her a better leader. She also talks about leadership lessons she’s learned from working with small business owners and some of the secrets to hiring ‘A’ level employees.

3 Takeaways:

1. (12:10) Take the time to actually analyze the problem, is it real or is it in your head?
2. (20:15) Do not hire off a resume, hire off the conversation
3. (23:30) Great leaders have a ‘people first’ mentality

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Jamie Van Cuyk, Founder of Growing Your Team

(04:50) Jamie’s career arc

(09:45) How Jamie started Growing Your Team

(11:10) Mindset for becoming an entrepreneur

(15:30) Hiring process for a small business

(21:30) Interviews

(22:20) Onboarding

(23:15) Good leadership characteristics

(24:40) Leadership advice

(30:00) Growing Your Team in 2025

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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Brandon has been in banking in Southwest Florida for 15 years, joining Orlando-based Cogent in 2020. He started his career in his native Louisiana, working for IberiaBank in Baton Rouge and since coming to the Naples-Fort Myers market he’s become a go-to leader in the business and civic community.

On this episode Brandon talks about the lessons he learned from navigating the 2008-09 recession as a young banker, and how that frames his leadership style today. He also talks about the value in transparency in holding people accountable, and how he maintains a positive workplace culture.

3 Takeaways:

1. (12:50) Invest in your people and train them well
2. (19:15) If it were easy, everyone would be doing it
3. (19:40) There is never failure unless you stop trying

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Brandon Box, Market President, Southwest Florida, Cogent Bank

(05:00) How Brandon got into banking

(07:30) Learning from 2008-2009 recession

(09:20) What makes Cogent different?

(12:30) How do you build teams?

(14:00) Characteristics of good leaders

(15:15) Balancing personability and leading

(17:00) Mentors and lessons

(18:40) How do you handle setbacks?

(21:50) Cogent Bank in 2025

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Mike Quillen is the president of three independent restaurant groups that include 15 locations in Florida and North Carolina, with some 800 employees. The list includes Gecko’s Grill & Pub, which opened its flagship restaurant in Sarasota in 1992. On this episode Mike talks about his early start in hospitality — it includes parking cars for a Siesta Key valet company while in high school. He also talks about overcoming challenges both big and small in the industry, the characteristics of the ideal restaurant manager and why being hands on is the right leadership approach for him.

3 Takeaways:

(07:00) Controlled growth is a benefit

(09:50) Hospitality quotient - Does someone truly enjoy what they do?

(20:30) You need to be obsessed with your products and services

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!

(00:30) Introducing Mike Quillen, President, Gecko’s Hospitalty Group and Watershed Hospitalty Concepts

(03:50) Origin story of Mike and Mike, first business venture

(06:30) Early days of Gecko’s

(09:05) Mike’s hiring philosophy

(10:20) The State of hiring in hospitality

(12:15) Changing the culture of a restaurant

(13:15) Why have you decided to support the community?

(14:20) Mentors

(16:40) Dealing with setbacks

(18:50) What is coming in 2025?

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John Couris is one of the most recognized health care leaders in the Sunshine State, having run the Florida Health Sciences Center, parent entity of Tampa General Hospital, since 2017. On this episode, John Couris talks about how he leads one of the biggest medical and health care organizations in Florida. One key: constantly and consistently focusing on culture. Listen, too, for how he overcomes setbacks and failures.

3 Takeaways:

(11:00) Don’t go along to get along

(16:00) I work on culture by working on authenticity, empathy, transparency, and vulnerability

(21:30) Leaders have the responsibility to create an environment where people are psychologically safe

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!

(00:30) Introducing John Couris, President and CEO, Florida Health Sciences Center

(06:00) Getting started in healthcare administration and career path

(09:00) Mentors and leadership advice

(14:30) How do you maintain the culture?

(19:30) Examples of vulnerability

(23:00) Good leadership characteristics

(29:35) Florida Health Sciences Center in 2025

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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Lilah (pronounced like Layla) has overseen the supply chain for east Manatee County-based First Watch since 2017. She’s been in food service supply and logistics for some 30 years, working for Bloomin’ Brands and Benihana, among other entities. On this episode Lilah talks about her early lessons in hospitality, including why details matter and why no task in a customer service field is insignificant. She also talked about what brings her joy at work, what she looks for in future leaders and the mission that drives her everyday.

3 Takeaways:

(08:00) Keep risk away and supply in place

(15:50) There is nothing wrong with dissent

(17:20) Don’t take it personally, it’s just business

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!

(00:30) Introducing Lilah Taha-Rippett, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, First Watch

(03:45) Getting into the food industry

(06:00) Working for Ken Pendery

(07:30) What does your job entail?

(08:40) Dealing with price increases

(10:00) Key mentors

(13:00) What do you look for in leaders?

(15:30) Leadership advice

(17:10) Dealing with setbacks

(19:00) First Watch in 2025

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A nonprofit executive, Sarah has been with the University Area CDC since 2010 and executive director and CEO since 2015. The University Area CDC is a nonprofit public/private partnership supporting residents and neighborhoods in the University area, surrounding University of South Florida's Tampa campus. On this episode, Sarah talks about what she learned about leadership from growing up and working on a farm and how she’s applied it to her current role. Sarah, who recently earned her Ph.D. while working at the University Area CDC, also talks about what she looks for in future leaders and how she’s overcome setbacks and mistakes. And listen for when Sarah chats about her latest gig: working as an assistant professor in the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida.

3 Takeaways:

1. (06:20) Take your kids to work with you
2. (10:15) Great leaders are committed to growth across the board
3. (10:50) Good leaders make tough decisions and are transparent about them

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!

(00:30) Introducing Dr. Sarah Combs, CEO, University Area Community Development Corp. Inc

(03:00) How did you get to the University Area CDC?

(04:15) Growing up on a farm

(07:00) What is the University Area CDC and why did you join?

(08:55) Teaching at USF Tampa

(10:15) What are good leadership characteristics?

(11:20) What have you learned as a leader?

(12:20) What setbacks have you learned from?

(14:45) Key mentors

(17:15) Leadership advice

(19:10) University Area CDC in 2025

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.