Host Dave Fiore speaks with David Clark, owner of Allegiant Strategies Group and MyGovGuide. The Tallahassee-area native is a former military officer and entrepreneur with a passion for leadership and making the most of every opportunity.

David began his career answering phones at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, saw opportunities to make himself invaluable and eventually was named Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Ron DeSantis, which included helping deliver Florida's response to the worldwide pandemic.

Raised by a World War II veteran father and a mother from British Guiana, David learned early the value of hard work, humility and learning from others. That perspective carried him into the Army, where he graduated at the top of his class and allowed him to choose his assignment to the 82nd Airborne to honor his father. After a parachute malfunction and traumatic brain injury ended his military service, David transitioned into entrepreneurship.

They talk about being coachable, servant leadership and the importance of mentorship, faith, and most of all, family. The conversation also covers David's decision to start multiple companies—including Allegiant Strategies Group, MyGovGuide, and also Divergent Solutions, all while pursuing concurrent MBA degrees.

When it comes to tackling new challenges, David's philosophy is actually pretty simple. He just asks himself, "Why not, why not me, and why not now."

Host Dave Fiore talks with Sky Nobles, a Tallahassee native, entrepreneur and the creative mind behind Fizz & Foam and Sky Pop Balloons. Sky grew up immersed in books and storytelling, a love that led her to study editing, writing and media at Florida State University and eventually to a career in public relations.

Sky's path has been fueled by curiosity and connection. After experiencing agency life at BowStern, the Zimmerman Agency and now with True Story PR, her journey took an unexpected turn when a Pinterest-inspired idea led to Tallahassee's first mobile bartending service for weddings and other special occasions. That success opened the door to Sky Pop Balloons, a spin-off that adds color, joy and a little bit of whimsy to any occasion.

Today, Sky juggles entrepreneurship, a growing PR career, a thriving social media presence and the launch of Tallahassee Gals — an online community designed to uplift and connect local women. Along the way, she's learned the power of trusting her instincts, asking for help and staying grounded in purpose.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Mark Mustian, attorney, author and founder of the Word of South Festival of Literature and Music. Mark grew up in Tallahassee, learned discipline in the Leon High School band and was elected student body president.

At the beginning of his career, Mark said he had three life goals: be an attorney, teach and write a book. While he would eventually accomplish all three, he also would serve 10 years on the City Commission, get appointed as Tallahassee Chamber Board Chair and be instrumental in the creation of Cascades Park, turning a decades-long eyesore into a community treasure.

Mark recently published his third book, receiving great reviews and literary awards. But it is the impact of Word of South for which he is perhaps best known locally. Now more than 10 years old, the festival attracts national attention and talent, held appropriately in the park he helped make a reality.

Mark is already working on his next novel but wanted to keep the details under wraps – at least for now.

Learn More About Mark Mustian

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mustian-17066776
• Website: https://markmustian.com/

Books

• "The Return:" https://markmustian.com/the-return
• "The Gendarme:" https://markmustian.com/the-gendarme
• "Boy With Wings:" https://markmustian.com/boy-with-wings

Word of South: https://wordofsouthfestival.com/

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 17 Guest Tom Derzypolski.

At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years?

Tom and Dave listen to his answer from 2020, and he thoughtfully shares how his predictions compare to life today.

If you have not already, please also listen to Tom's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into his journey.

Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Debra Harris, founder of Making Miracles Haven, a provider of faith-based housing for mothers experiencing homelessness. Debra's journey includes years of physical and emotional abuse as a child and adult, having been let down by almost everyone she ever trusted or depended on. As a young mom, she worked to provide a better life for her children and break the cycles of abuse and financial dependence on a system that penalizes the working poor. Today, the New Orleans native is fulfilling her personal mission to help women with nowhere to turn move toward self-sufficiency with support and confidence. She is grateful for God's provision in her life and her ministry and for those who continue to come alongside her to ensure Making Miracles does just that for years to come.

Warning to listeners: This episode includes explicit discussion of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Please listen with care.

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Dan Campbell, owner of Wash Around the Clock. Dan's journey into the laundry business began in Jacksonville as the youngest of five brothers. After exceling in multiple sports, including being a state champion discus thrower, Dan was invited to walk-on at Florida State and play football for legendary coach Bobby Bowden. His time on the FSU campus included being part of FSU's first national championship team in 1993, but more importantly it was where he met his wife, Collette.

After college, Dan had great success selling ads in the Yellow Pages, which helped the couple make a series of smart investments in real estate and small business, which eventually led to building their clothes-cleaning empire one quarter at a time.

Dan loves football, travel and adventure, but his priorities and clear and strong – faith, family and making a difference in the community. Much like the slogan of the Sunrise Rotary Club he recently served as president, Dan likes to Do Good and Have Fun!

Host Dave Fiore speaks with Sally Bradshaw, owner of Midtown Reader, Tallahassee's neighborhood independent bookstore. Sally is a Mississippi native who fell in love with books and grassroots politics at an early age. The latter would guide a career that included running gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, serving as political director for the Republican Party of Florida and returning to The White House, where she was a college intern, as President George H.W. Bush's associate director of political affairs. But in 2016, Sally walked away from politics, and the Republican Party, and opened up a bookstore on Thomasville Road.

They talk about Sally's love of lifelong learning, her role as Chair of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital's Board of Directors, the future of local healthcare in our community and why having a thriving independent bookstore is vital for a healthy community ecosystem.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 16 Guest Talethia Edwards.

At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years?

Talethia and Dave listen to her answer from 2020, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today.

Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned!

If you have not already, please also listen to Talethia's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into her journey.

Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.

Host Dave Fiore talks with Matt Thompson, co-founder of For the Table Hospitality, which includes the brands Charlie Park, Social Catering, Township, Social Kitchen and Madison Social—the heart and soul of College Town. Matt's path from collecting baseball cards as a kid near Orlando to a restaurant entrepreneur has taken a number of unexpected turns. Matt came to Tallahassee on a trombone performance scholarship to Florida State, eventually earning a degree in public relations and then his master's. He would teach public speaking back home before returning to Tallahassee to take a digital marketing position at The Zimmerman Agency. But when a college buddy offered him a chance to be part of a new concept in an undeveloped industrial area in the shadow of Doak Campbell Stadium, Matt jumped at the chance. The rest is history—with a side of BLT dip.

On this mini-episode of How I Got Here: 5 Years Later, host Dave Fiore catches up with Episode 15 Guest Rachel Pienta.

At the end of each original episode, Dave asks his guests the same question: Where do you think "here" will be for you in three to five years?

Rachel and Dave listen to her answer from 2020, and she thoughtfully shares how her predictions compare to life today.

Spoiler alert: Things rarely go exactly as planned!

If you have not already, please also listen to Rachel's original episode. It will put some context to this conversation and add additional insight into her journey.

Thank you for supporting this podcast and connecting with your community.