Bonita Business Podcast with Coach Darcy

It's been an unusual end to our third season as we all adapt to worldwide changes due to the pandemic. So as we wrap up this season, I checked in with a few of our past guests to get an update on what’s been happening with their business here in Bonita.

In this episode, you'll hear April 2020 updates from:

Shelley Anderson, Blush Salon

Adam Botana, Bay Water Boat Club

Debi Brandle, Bonita Boarding Kennel & Pet Camp, and

Fred Fung, Bonita Bay Club

So as we wrap up season three, let me say thank you. Thank you of course to our amazing sponsor, Spotlight News magazine, your local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Spotlight hasn’t missed a beat through all of the chaos, and continues to land in our mailboxes with its’ gorgeous covers and interesting coverage of local people. Please join me in supporting the businesses who advertise in its pages—it matters.

Also, of course, a big thank you to you, our listener. You may be someone who’s lost your job, or is now on an uncertain furlough, or have taken a pay cut in order to preserve other jobs. Or, you may be one of our retired residents, your activity in our community cut back and the isolation setting in. No matter who you are, we see you, and you’re not alone. When you need someone to talk to, or if you need more specific help, don’t hesitate to start with me. I’m at [email protected] and if I can’t get you what you need, I’m honored to know enough people in our community who can.

Also, if it’s useful, I’ve developed an audio series you can get each day in your inbox, designed to give you a quick boost of encouragement for your business and career. It’s free for you when you sign up at RedCapeCareer.com.

As we came closer to the end of this third season of our local podcast, the world changed--fast. In this bonus episode, I catch up on the changes with tech leader Alex Allen of Two39 Group, co-owner of the year-old Bonita co-working space Two39 Work. 

Alex and I talked not only about disruption to his business due to the worldwide virus pandemic, but we looked at how this new world will likely change the tech community in Southwest Florida and as well as other companies relying on local technology talent.

Thanks again to our sponsor, Spotlight News Magazine, local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Now, let’s listen to this bonus conversation with Alex Allen of Two39 Group.

My next guest tells me that One good day on the water is worth a thousand words. Well, if you’re listening to this episode right when it comes out in April 2020, you know that we’re all ready for one and hopefully many more good days soon, when the threat of the coronavirus is vanquished for good. When that will be? We don’t know. But it will happen—I know it.

This conversation with my guest Adam Botana was recorded prior to this stunning shift in our lifestyles and economy here in Southwest Florida, and of course our state’s stay-at-home orders are impacting his family’s company, Bay Water Boat Club, as they are yours, mine and so many others.

Adam’s also running for Florida state representative, which at present is still scheduled for a primary election in August. In this conversation, we talk about the other crisis that drove him into the campaign—that red tide/blue green algae nightmare of a few years ago. Remember them? They seem tame right now, but they were devastating to so many businesses in our area. But  I’m remembering how those businesses bounced back, and it gives me a dose of hope right now.

I also get hope and great local info when I read the work of our sponsor, Spotlight News Magazine, local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Also, since you might need some new books to listen to right now, remember our friends at Audible, who’ll will give you a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy, and you’ll get started today.

Enjoy the interview and come over to Bonita Business Podcast for more!

One of the reasons I started this podcast is to tell the story about how our area was becoming more than just a gorgeous vacation or retirement community. I had started to see how many interesting and different businesses were thriving here, and I wanted to go behind the scenes to tell more of those stories.

My next guest and I share this goal of wanting to spread the word about the tech and entrepreneurial opportunities in Southwest Florida--and don't let the current economic environment fool you--there WILL be opportunities. He’s Alex Allen, who’s the co-founder of the Two39 Group, a tech startup hub that owns Two39 Work, a co-working and connection space for tech companies and entrepreneurs.

At the time of this interview, the coworking space just celebrated its first year, home to several tech professionals and entire entrepreneurial companies. As you’ll hear, Alex has an entrepreneur’s passion with a heart for our local community—after all, the company’s called 2-3-9—ring a bell? But beyond the coworking space, he’s focused on creating opportunities to connect, engage support and even fund the sometimes hidden tech talent we have here in Southwest Florida –and there’s a lot more of that than you might think.

I know you’ll enjoy my interview with Alex. But first, would you help me thank our sponsor,  the Spotlight News Magazine. It’s local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Also, we’re grateful for the support of Audible, which offers our listeners a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy, and you’ll get started today.

My guest Greg DeWitt became Bonita Springs' fire chief in January 2020, but brings years of Bonita history as well as a vision for Bonita's future. 

In this second part of my two-part interview, we talk more about the future of Bonita Fire and the city itself, balancing all the needs our growth entails. 

If you haven't listened to the first interview yet, do that soon--in that episode, Chief DeWitt shares more about the current state of Bonita Fire

Thanks to our sponsor, the Spotlight News Magazine: local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Also, we’re grateful for the support of Audible, which offers our listeners a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy, and you’ll get started today.

Be sure to visit BonitaBusinessPodcast.com for all our episodes, plus show notes.

Now, let’s listen to the second part of my conversation with Chief Greg Dewitt of Bonita Fire.

When you think of local businesses, you’re probably not thinking about one very big, very important local business. In fact, this business had a budget last year of $38 million, and if you pay taxes in Bonita, about 70% of that was funded by you and me.

I’m talking about the Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue district, and today’s guest is Greg DeWitt, who became the CEO—better known as the fire chief—in January of 2020.

We dive into the business of the department, and surprisingly, it’s more than just putting out fires. As you might expect, it’s a capital-intensive business, with a lot of physical properties to maintain—not just the trucks we think of, but firehouses themselves and all the speciality equipment that goes on a rig, and even a boat—which makes sense for our water-centric community, right?

But you might not expect that Bonita Fire is debt free, with careful planning ahead to be able to buy properties or replace equipment to support our town’s growth.

As a new chief but with a lot of history, we had a lot to talk about. So I’ve broken this interview into two separate episodes.

At a high level, in this, the first part, we talk about the past and the present of the fire department; in the second, we talk more about the future. That episode will be released next, so watch for it! Better yet, subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and that way you’ll never miss an episode.

I know you’ll enjoy my interview with Chief DeWitt. But first, would you help me thank our sponsor,  the Spotlight News Magazine. It’s local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Also, we’re grateful for the support of Audible, which offers our listeners a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy, and you’ll get started today.

One of the things I love about living and working in Southwest Florida is that no matter where I am, if I look up and pay attention, I’m surrounded by wildlife. From the ibis and egret overhead, to the teeny geckos at my feet or  the bright green anole lizard who stares me down outside my office window—well, our animals are everywhere.

For the most part, that’s a good thing. But when it’s a problem—when an animal gets caught where it shouldn’t be, or when an invasive animal gets out of control, that’s when it’s time to call my next guest. He’s Butch Smith, and he’s the founder of Southern Trappers Nuisance Wildlife Removal, based right here in Bonita Springs.

I met Butch through a friend whose community hired Southern Trappers specifically to handle the cane toad infestation we’ve all been hearing so much about in the past few years. And while at one time, his business was more like an advanced version of pest control, in recent years, the work as become a critical part of helping us managing our environment and protect the wildlife populations that are getting overtaken by species such as the cane toads, igauana and pythons.

Before we dive in, your Bonita Business Podcast is supported by the Spotlight News Magazine, local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Also, we’re grateful for the support of Audible, which offers our listeners a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy, and you’ll get started today.

Now, let’s listen to my conversation with Butch Smith of Southern Trappers, based here in beautiful Bonita Springs, Florida. Get the show notes with pictures at BonitaBusinessPodcast.com.

You probably know that starting a new retail service business can be hard. But how would it be if you were starting it with your mom?

Or if you’re a mom who’s retired from a successful career in the buttoned up world finance, would you be willing to dive into a new creatively-driven business with your daughter?

Well, in this interview, we meet two women who are taking on that challenge. Shelley Anderson and Sarah Thompson are the mother-daughter team behind Blush Salon, a full-service salon located next to Bonefish right here in Bonita Springs.

Blush just celebrated its first year in business, and in this interview, we have an honest talk about their lessons learned in that year, their struggles and surprises, and their vision for a one-stop salon—a model that’s not as common in the beauty industry these days. Whether or not you’ve ever been to a salon, I think you’ll find the conversation interesting and useful as you think about your own career and business.

Oh, and a special note: not long after this interview, Shelley announced that she’ll be running for Bonita Springs City Council in the March 17 2020 special election, filling the seat that was open after Greg DeWitt resigned to become the fire chief.

By the way, look for my interview with Greg on the podcast, too!

Shelley’s district is roughly Old Bonita, an area she’s lived in and raised her family, including her now business-partner daughter Sarah.

So we don’t talk about the election or City Council on this interview, just in case you were wondering. But if you’re curious about that part of her world, you can go to Facebook.com/ShelleyforBonita.

My thanks to our sponsor,  Spotlight News Magazine, local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com. 

Plus, thanks to my friends at  Audible, who offer you a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy.

Remember, you can get the show notes and other links & info at BonitaBusinessPodcast.com. While you’re there,  click on the big red button and sign up to get my weekly behind the scenes emails—that’s where I share stories I don’t share anywhere else.

Enjoy this interview with mother/daughter owners of Blush Salon, Shelley Anderson and Sarah Thompson.

Here's something I see happen all the time when I'm coaching leaders and up-and-coming professionals. They’ve mastered their current role, and they’re hungry to grow. But, the next logical spot for them is one that’s already filled—often, by their boss, and at the time, it doesn’t seem like that boss is going anywhere. So, that ambitious person leaves to get the growth and opportunities they need.

But if you do the work to be a great company in your industry, something interesting happens. Those employees boomerang back, and rejoin your organization down the road. And that’s exactly what happened to Fred Fung, who in late 2019 re-joined the Bonita Bay Club after a couple years away, but this time in the top job of general manager.

Fred shares what’s happening behind the scenes in this company of 350 full-time employees serving a membership of 3600 people at one of the country’s top five clubs in terms of size. And that size includes not only five golf clubs and 18 tennis courses, but the ownership & operation of the 3-story, 60,00 square foot office building next to the promenade that not only houses the club’s fitness center and spa, but is home to offices not connected to the club, including Finemark, Hotwire, and several doctors and specialists. So they’re in the real estate business, too.

We also get in to the future of the club business as populations age, and hiring gets harder, and as environmental pressures grow.

Before we dive in, your Bonita Business Podcast is supported by the Spotlight News Magazine, local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Also, we’re grateful for the support of Audible, which will give you a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy, and you’ll get started today.

And a quick reminder that after the show, come over to BonitaBusinessPodcast.com. There you’ll find show notes with more resources, photos, and other tools related to the episode you’re listening to right now. You can also sign up to get regular email updates from me as new podcasts come out—that’s where I share the dish that doesn’t make it into the podcast. You won’t want to miss what’s ahead, so be sure to visit BonitaBusinessPodcast.com today.

It’s no surprise to anyone who’s trying to make a left hand turn off US 41 our local population is growing—even in the summer. But you might not realize that 70% of each new family who moves here, full or part-time, will have a pet.

That’s good news for those in the pet care business, like our next guest, Debi Braendle, owner of the Bonita Boarding Kennel and Pet Camp, off Bernwood near Shaw Development and the Bonita Springs Charter School.

Debi and her family own and operate the day care and overnight boarding service which has been in business for over 10 years. In this interview, Debi tells us about the real work of a business like this—and it’s so much more than just loving on our four-legged friends.

Before we dive in, your Bonita Business Podcast is supported by the Spotlight News Magazine, local news that shines a light on the people of Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero. Read the Spotlight at swspotlight.com.

Also, we’re grateful for the support of Audible, which will give you a free audiobook when you sign up for a new 30-day trial membership. Just go to AudibleTrial.com/CoachDarcy, and you’ll get started today.

Now, let’s listen to my conversation with Debi Brandle, owner of the Bonita Boarding Kennel and Pet Camp, here in beautiful Bonita Springs, Florida.