Johnny Crowder likes to say that, in short, he’s a suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, Billboard-charting heavy metal musician and a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist. He’s also the founder of Cope Notes, a Tampa-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users in nearly 100 countries around the world. Now Johnny, who has “YOU MATTER" tattooed across the back of his neck and "SAVE THEM" tattooed on his knuckles, is a sought-after speaker on mental health issues. And the ultimate accidental entrepreneur.

Together, we speak about the unique and unusual circumstances in Johnny’s life that led to Cope Notes, and how he has sustained the organization. (He constantly focuses on his north star — helping people.) We also talk about why cereal is important to Johnny — and which one is his favorite.

3 Takeaways:

1. (06:00) You have skills that will transfer to entrepreneurship
2. (08:00) Ask for help
3. (17:00) The “3-year period of guaranteed loss”

Timestamps:

(00:00) Subscribe to the Business Observer

(00:31) Introducing Johnny Crowder and Cope Notes

(03:40) How did the Cope Notes come to be?

(06:00) Steps you took to grow Cope Notes

(09:55) Being curious

(11:25) Where is Cope Notes currently?

(13:00) What impact has Cope Notes had on its community?

(16:35) Advice to young entrepreneurs

(20:00) Johnny’s music career

(22:20) What can we expect in 2024 from Cope Notes?

(23:30) 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.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

This week we speak with Aysegul Timur, President of Florida Gulf Coast University. Aysegul was named president of Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers last summer — the fifth top leader in the 33-year history of the college. Timur is a first-generation college student who moved from her native Turkey to Naples 25 years ago. She joined FGCU in 2019, after working at Hodges University for nearly 20 years. Her name is pronounced (ah-sha-guhl, rhymes with Portugal; and tim-er, rhymes with glimmer.)

Together, we talk about how she pulled off a major feat: earned a Ph.D, raised her young family, built her career and learned English — all at the same time. We also discuss the leadership advice she gives to young students and the importance of mentors in her life and career.

3 Takeaways:

1. (01:30) Calculate the opportunity cost of your time
2. (14:40) Leadership is about influence
3. (15:40) Communication is oxygen for an organization

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing President Aysegul Timur and her biggest surprises of the first 10 months

(02:45) President Timur’s Inauguration Day

(04:10) Getting started as a teaching assistant

(06:20) Learning English and immigrating from Turkey

(08:20) How did your parents shape your work ethic?

(09:50) Commuting from Naples to Tampa to get her PhD

(14:15) What do you look for in leaders?

(16:10) Leadership advice

(17:15) Mentors

(18:35) The importance of communication

(20:35) Biggest challenges facing college presidents

(23:20) 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.

This week, we speak with Taylor Villegas, founder of Twelve Tables and Sunny Collabs, angel investor, podcaster, keynote speaker, and influencer. Taylor’s companies work with growth-stage startups and established brands on anything from strategic advice to one-off projects to longer marketing campaigns and more. Prior to these companies Taylor worked for a variety of other entities, including one of the largest contractors in the region and a real estate brokerage.

Together, we talk about Taylor’s unusual career path and how, and why, she changed directions. We also discuss Taylor’s “un-hustling” philosophy, how to build a business and career with the right balance between professional achievement and a fulfilling life and her advice for budding entrepreneurs.

3 Takeaways:

1. (17:00) Don’t allow hustle to ruin harmony in your life
2. (23:45) Feedback is the strongest form of care
3. (27:30) You have to continually validate others

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Taylor Villeagas and Twelve Tables

(02:40) The creation of Twelve Tables

(04:15) Transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship

(06:30) Getting started with breathwork

(13:00) The creation and meaning behind Unhustled

(18:30) Unhustled book, inspiration, and intentionality

(21:20) How to collaborate more effectively

(23:30) Giving good feedback

(28:15) Where do you get your inspiration?

(31:30) What can we expect from Twelve Tables in 2024?

(33:00) 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.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.