Happy Hour Holidaze

Happy Hour Holidaze

By Sean Febre & Manny FebreBusinessEntrepreneurshipInvestingMarketing
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Happy Hour Holidaze episodes

  • S2 E35 | Real Estate Realities: Navigating Today's Market with Manny Manna

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    Cutting through the noise of real estate misinformation, Manny Manna—a successful entrepreneur with extensive experience in property development, private equity, and lending—delivers an eye-opening assessment of today's housing market that both novice buyers and seasoned investors need to hear.

    The conversation dives deep into how social media "experts" are spreading dangerous misinformation about real estate for clicks and views, while lacking the credentials and continuing education that would validate their advice. Manny shares his professional insights on why macroeconomic factors beyond interest rates—including tariffs on building materials, logistical challenges, and policy decisions—are shaping housing affordability in ways many commentators miss.

    Perhaps most shocking is the revelation that 68% of properties in Hillsborough County are investor-owned, pushing Tampa into the top 10 U.S. cities for homelessness and housing insecurity despite its economic growth. This stark contradiction between prosperity and social challenges raises profound questions about community development priorities.

    The episode also unmasks lesser-known industry realities, such as the fact that Florida real estate agents aren't required to carry errors and omissions insurance—only brokers are—highlighting the importance of thorough vetting when selecting representation for life's largest financial transactions. Manny's advice on navigating builder contracts, understanding home inspections, and advocating for transparency provides a masterclass in protecting yourself during real estate transactions.

    Whether you're considering buying your first home, investing in rental properties, or simply trying to understand how economic forces are reshaping our communities, this conversation provides essential context that goes well beyond typical market analyses. Tune in for straight talk from someone who's seen every side of the real estate equation and isn't afraid to challenge conventional wisdom.

    Ready to make smarter real estate decisions? Listen now and share your thoughts in the comments!

    1 hr 8 min
  • S2 E34 | Artishi Unleashed with Shi: From Songwriting at Five to Finding Her Voice

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    Enter the vibrant world of Artishi – a dynamic force in Tampa Bay's creative scene who's redefining what it means to be authentically yourself as an artist. In this captivating conversation, we dive deep into the journey of a multi-talented creator who's been crafting words and melodies since the tender age of five.

    Artishy reveals the fascinating story behind her podcast "Shi Speaks" and her mission to create what she calls "safe spaces to fix your face" – environments where people can be vulnerable, grow, and transform without judgment. Her concept of "goal friends" – supportive circles that celebrate your wins rather than competing with them – provides a refreshing perspective on building meaningful relationships in creative industries.

    The conversation takes unexpected turns as Artishi performs snippets of her songs "Soon" and "We Swinging," demonstrating her versatile musical style that blends nostalgic 90s vibes with contemporary sensibilities. Her track "We Swinging" carries a powerful message beneath its catchy exterior: "As long as you're up to bat, they can never count you out" – a mantra for perseverance that resonates throughout her work.

    What truly sets this episode apart is Artishi's candid discussion about the struggles of perfectionism as a creative entrepreneur. Her confession about finding it difficult to delegate and her tendency to rework projects until they meet her exacting standards will strike a chord with anyone who's ever struggled to call a creative project "finished." The advice shared – that sometimes 70% perfect is good enough – offers liberation for creators trapped in cycles of endless revision.

    Whether you're an aspiring musician, podcast host, or simply someone seeking to live more authentically, Artishi's journey from childhood performer to multi-platform creator offers valuable insights on finding your voice and using it to connect with others. Follow Artishi across all platforms to experience her unique brand of artistry that continues to captivate audiences across Tampa Bay and beyond.

    1 hr 31 min
  • S2 E33 | Alex Delgado Beyond the Uniform: A Marine's Journey Through Entrepreneurship

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    What separates those who dream from those who do? Alex Delgado's remarkable journey from Marine Corps intelligence analyst to serial entrepreneur reveals that success isn't about avoiding failure—it's about learning from each experience to fuel your next venture.

    The serial entrepreneur, Marine veteran, and author of "The Four Fs: Seeking Self-Mastery in Faith, Family, Fitness, and Finances" takes us through his fascinating career trajectory, beginning with a doomed hip-hop clothing store in Miami. Rather than being discouraged when competing with vendors selling stolen merchandise from car trunks, Delgado extracted a valuable insight about advertising from the experience that led to his next business: marine advertising with inflatable billboards towed along Miami's beaches. This venture flourished, attracting major clients including Miller Coors, Red Bull, and international DJs.

    Throughout the conversation, Delgado reveals how military discipline shaped his approach to both business and life. While many might find balancing active Marine duty with entrepreneurship impossible, he simultaneously pursued multiple degrees—eventually earning his MBA—while launching businesses. This commitment to continuous growth reaches far beyond professional pursuits, as evidenced by his dedication to marathon running and community building through the newly-formed Oldsmar Running Club.

    Perhaps most moving is Delgado's account of divine intervention that led him to Detroit after his military service, allowing him to reconcile with his estranged brother shortly before his brother's unexpected passing. This profound experience reinforced his faith and informed his philosophy on relationships, which he now incorporates into his motivational speaking.

    Ready to break free from your comfort zone and pursue your own path to greatness? Delgado offers one piece of advice that trumps all others: seek a coach who can provide a tactical plan tailored to your specific goals. Connect with Alex on Instagram @AlexRDelgado to continue your journey toward self-mastery in faith, family, fitness, and finances.

    1 hr 11 min
  • S2 E32 | The Mental Game of Boxing: Stevie Morgan's Path to Championship

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    The path to boxing greatness requires a level of sacrifice most people can't comprehend. Lightweight fighter Stevie Morgan (15-2, 13 KOs) pulls no punches discussing what it really takes to succeed in professional boxing's unforgiving world.

    Born and raised in Tampa, Morgan's athletic journey began with track and basketball before transitioning to boxing after wandering into a gym and being inspired by a young female fighter. Despite starting at the relatively late age of 28, her natural competitive fire quickly propelled her through the amateur ranks to become #3 in the country before turning professional.

    Coach Moniette, her trainer and manager, doesn't sugarcoat the brutal realities of boxing. He made Morgan study for a full year before her second amateur fight, ensuring she understood the sport's dangers—including the approximately 13 fighters who die annually in the ring. This sobering perspective shapes their approach: "You're not just training to win; you're training to kill... and be willing to die."

    Women's boxing presents additional challenges beyond the physical demands. Despite training three times daily like their male counterparts, female fighters face dramatic pay disparities, often fighting for free or even paying to compete. As Morgan explains, "That's why every woman fight is hard—we're not doing it for the money." This reality forces many, including Morgan, to balance boxing with entrepreneurial ventures to sustain their careers.

    The mental game proves equally demanding. Boxing requires what Morgan calls "selfish winning"—sacrificing relationships, family time, and conventional life experiences to pursue greatness. There are no vacations, no balance, just relentless commitment to the craft. As she prepares for her WBC regional title fight in Colombia on April 26, Morgan's philosophy remains unwavering: "Plan B is to make Plan A work."

    Ready to witness true dedication in action? Follow Stevie's journey on Instagram @Stevie_Morgan_Boston and experience what it means to pursue greatness at all costs.

    1 hr 11 min
  • S2 E31 | Rob Goetz's Torpedo Bats and Tush Pushes: Sports Talk with a Florida Business Owner

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    From battling addiction to five different substances to building a thriving flooring business with nearly 200 five-star Google reviews, Rob Goetz's journey embodies resilience, faith, and entrepreneurial spirit.

    As the owner of Paradise Flooring in Palm Harbor, Florida, Rob shares how hitting rock bottom became the foundation for both personal and professional transformation. After getting sober nearly twelve years ago, he built a company culture around reliability and quality—his core team of four employees are all sober, creating consistency in an industry often plagued by unreliability.

    The conversation delves into Florida's recovery from recent devastating hurricanes, where seven months later, many coastal residents still live in campers outside their damaged homes. Rob offers a firsthand perspective on the construction challenges and insurance complications affecting homeowners, including the FEMA 50-50 rule that's forcing difficult rebuilding decisions.

    Throughout our discussion, Rob emphasizes his business philosophy: "Don't roll the dice, call Paradise." He explains why quality matters over price in home renovations, sharing stories of customers who learned this lesson the hard way. Perhaps most revealing is his commitment to customer satisfaction—even replacing a three-year-old failing floor at his own $10,000 expense when a manufacturer wouldn't honor their warranty.

    Between serious business talk, we explore Tampa Bay sports culture, debate the Rays' stadium controversy, discuss MLB's torpedo bats innovation, and examine how rule changes are affecting professional football. Rob's perspective as both a sports fan and business owner provides unique insights into Florida's distinctive community dynamics.

    Whether you're facing personal challenges, building a business, or simply looking for honest home improvement advice, Rob's story demonstrates how integrity, faith, and perseverance can transform lives. Subscribe now to hear more conversations with local entrepreneurs who are making an impact in their communities.

    1 hr 17 min
  • S2 E30 | Healing Meets Momentum: Crystian Martinez's Journey

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    What happens when life suddenly changes your entire trajectory? Crystian Martinez knows this reality intimately. On his birthday episode, Crystian shares the harrowing story of fracturing his back in three places in 2020, resulting in partial paralysis of his right foot and ending his cherished firefighting career.

    Rather than surrendering to despair, Crystian transformed this devastating setback into purpose by founding Inertia Medical Center, a holistic rehabilitation clinic specializing in helping accident victims. His philosophy—"where healing meets momentum"—emerged directly from his own struggle to adapt and thrive with physical limitations.

    Throughout our conversation, Crystian's resilience shines as he details learning to walk again with specialized braces, pushing through the psychological challenges of disability, and discovering unexpected peace through activities like scuba diving. His "shut in, shut out" mindset—silencing internal doubts while ignoring external negativity—offers powerful wisdom for anyone facing obstacles.

    Beyond his medical practice, Crystian opens up about recent personal challenges including divorce, spiritual transformation through baptism, and his adventurous pursuits from shark diving to pickleball. His perspective on business collaboration rather than competition challenges conventional thinking, while his candid reflections on failure reveal how setbacks became his greatest teachers.

    This episode offers profound insights on resilience, adaptability, and finding purpose through pain. Whether you're navigating personal challenges, considering entrepreneurship, or simply seeking inspiration, Crystian's journey demonstrates how our most difficult moments often reveal our true direction—if we have the courage to keep moving forward.

    1 hr 31 min
  • S2 E29 | PrincessFrenxh Inside the Algorithm: A Social Media Mastermind Reveals All

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    Ever wondered how social media influencers crack the code to massive growth? PrincessFrenxh pulls back the curtain on her remarkable journey from bartender to social media powerhouse with over 677,000 followers and 100 million content views.

    The secret? "Dating the Algorithm." PrincessFrenxh explains how treating social media platforms like romantic partners—giving them consistent attention throughout the day—yields exponential results. Her "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" posting strategy ensures maximum visibility across different audience segments. While most creators worry about posting too frequently, she boldly publishes 45 pieces of content daily across 15 platforms, strategically repurposing her work to maximize impact.

    Another game-changer is her "Rule of Six" principle: the six people you surround yourself with determine your life trajectory within six months. When PrincessFrenxh wanted to transition fully into social media, she strategically connected with established creators, learned their methods, and integrated their practices. This transformative approach helped her go from charging $50 for promotional posts to building multiple income streams generating up to $40,000 monthly.

    Through her company Zendercorp, PrincessFrenxh now hosts content houses and teaches creators at all levels how to apply these principles. She candidly addresses the challenges of building an online presence—from managing negative comments to navigating algorithm changes—with refreshing honesty and practical wisdom.

    Whether you're looking to grow your social media presence or simply fascinated by the psychology behind digital success, this conversation delivers actionable insights that challenge conventional wisdom about content creation. Ready to transform your approach and feed your algorithm properly? This episode is your masterclass.

    1 hr 44 min
  • S2 E28 | Conspiracy, Cover-ups, and the CIA: Unraveling the JFK Assassination with Steve Fantetti

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    The assassination of President John F. Kennedy stands as one of America's most pivotal and mysterious moments. In this riveting episode, attorney and author Steve Fantetti takes us deep into the recently released JFK files, exploring how various power centers – from the CIA to the mafia – had compelling reasons to want Kennedy eliminated.

    Kennedy posed an existential threat to entrenched interests. He wanted to dismantle the CIA "into a thousand pieces," withdraw troops from Vietnam, and end American imperialism abroad. Meanwhile, his brother Bobby was aggressively prosecuting mob figures despite alleged deals made during the 1960 election. Within 24 hours of Kennedy's death, LBJ reversed course on Vietnam, setting America on a path that would benefit defense contractors and reshape global politics.

    The conversation examines how the Warren Commission's investigation was compromised from the start, with Allen Dulles – the very CIA director Kennedy had fired – sitting on the commission. We explore compelling evidence for multiple shooters, suspicious movements around the grassy knoll, and why witnesses kept dying under mysterious circumstances in the years following.

    Steve also shares insights into his upcoming book "Across the Knoll," a historical fiction exploring what might happen if footage beyond the Zapruder film existed and what such revelations would mean for public trust in government today.

    What truly happened that day in Dallas? While the complete truth may never be known, this episode raises profound questions about power, transparency, and how a single moment of violence fundamentally altered America's trajectory.

    1 hr 6 min
  • S2 E27 | DJ Qeys Beyond the Beat: A Conversation with Tampa's Luxury DJ

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    From turntables at age four to festival stages across the country, DJ Keys brings us behind the curtain of his remarkable journey in music. Growing up as the son of DJ Smooth (who learned from Curtis Blow's DJ), Keys was destined for a life in sound—but it was his own unique path that transformed him from a curious kid to one of Tampa's most respected turntablists.

    The documentary "Scratch" changed everything for Keys, shifting his focus from party rocking to the technical artistry of turntablism. He takes us through his evolution—from DMC battles against DJ Slurp to forming the band Samurai Shotgun and touring globally with alternative hip-hop sounds. His memories of Old Dirty Sundays at Crowbar capture a golden era in Tampa's music scene, where true DJ skills were not just appreciated but celebrated.

    What makes this conversation special is how it weaves between music and Keys' other passions—his encyclopedic knowledge of Marvel comics, skateboarding adventures, and competitive gaming career. He opens up about how being a middle child drove him to forge his own identity, finding refuge in subcultures that became fundamental to his artistic expression. This blend of influences has made him not just a technically skilled DJ, but a genuine cultural curator.

    As the music landscape continues to evolve, Keys offers powerful advice for aspiring artists: find your own identity and don't get caught up in social media's imitation game. "Be inspired by others," he says, "but make what you're inspired by your own." In a world of followers, DJ Keys reminds us that originality still matters—and perhaps that's the true key to longevity in any creative field.

    2 hr 19 min
  • S2 E26 | Dream Chasers: Turning Passion into Profit with Melissa Horne

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    Melissa Horne didn't set out to become a real estate powerhouse. Growing up in Queens, she found her first success in Manhattan's nightlife, managing the legendary Comedy Cellar where comedy icons like Kevin Hart cut their teeth. The bustling downtown scene taught her invaluable lessons about human psychology and influence – "there's nothing like a 5am drunk in downtown that you really learn the depths of humanity and how to control them."

    When motherhood at 29 forced a career pivot, Melissa discovered talents she never knew she possessed. Returning to college as an adult student opened her eyes to possibilities beyond the nightclub doors. "I was always that kid that had a ton of potential and I wasn't sure when it was going to come out," she reflects. That potential first manifested in a dumpster company she built with her partner – a venture that proved both educational and challenging in New York's byzantine regulatory landscape.

    The real transformation began when a persistent real estate broker named Vinny Martino saw something in Melissa she couldn't yet see in herself. Despite her initial resistance, his unwavering belief eventually drew her into real estate, where she flourished as a marketing director and buyer's agent. "It took him to discover it," Melissa shares about recognizing her own talents. "I didn't see that talent in me, I didn't have that confidence in me."

    Life threw another curveball when family circumstances forced a reluctant relocation to Florida in 2017. Starting over in Melbourne's real estate market during the pre-pandemic boom, Melissa navigated dramatic market shifts while establishing herself as a top producer at Remax. Now eyeing multifamily syndication deals, she carries forward the wisdom gained from each business venture and life transition.

    Melissa's most powerful message resonates with anyone questioning their path: "Every day is a brand new beginning. There is nothing you can't do." Her journey proves that sometimes all it takes is "one little tiny piece of success" to build the confidence that unlocks your potential. What might you accomplish if you recognized your worth today?

    1 hr 18 min

About Happy Hour Holidaze

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Happy Hour Holidaze, the podcast where business professionals, entrepreneurs, and laughter collide! Join us for a refreshing take on the world of business, as our hosts and their guests…