Junior Achievement of South Florida Recipe for Success

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! It's Entrepreneurship Month! We welcome three women entrepreneurs.

Lyn Clark is the President & CEO of Tinytown Cookies - unique, delicious, gourmet cookies made using Lyn’s exclusive heirloom recipe and fresh, high quality ingredients. Tinytown Cookies are baked to order, made with love and can be designed to complement any special event or gift giving need. 

There is a Tinytown Cookie for every occasion and everyone. Lyn has been baking these sweet little cookies by popular request for friends, family and cookie lovers for more than 25 years. 

Vicky Garcia is COO & Co-Owner of Cruise Planners She always knew she was meant for the travel industry, and her fierce drive and philanthropic spirit help keep Cruise Planners at the top.

Vicky has spent more than 25 years in the cruise industry and is now one of the most respected women in travel. Vicky learned the travel industry from the ground up, starting in high school as a cruise line reservation sales agent before moving on to leadership positions at Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Cruise Planners.

Vicky’s leadership as well as her role as an advocate and volunteer for many causes including The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have secured her the recognition of being one of South Florida’s Top 25 Influential Business Women, The Boys & Girls Clubs 100 Outstanding Women of Broward County, and the godmother of Viking Cruises’ Viking Magni. Vicky also sits on the board for Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line, American Express Travel, Special Needs Group, DEPARTURES Magazine Advisory Board, Regent Seven Seas Council and The Travel Corporation.

Christine Madsen is founder and president of Mad 4 Marketing, a highly creative integrated marketing, advertising and interactive agency celebrating 28 successful years in South Florida.

Mad 4 Marketing manages clients ranging from entrepreneurial ventures to big businesses, and specializes in effectively marketing products, services and organizations from a variety of industries including: Retail, Education, Healthcare, Financial and Marine. 

The agency’s award-winning work, and Chris’s leadership role in the community have not gone unnoticed, being recognized with many prestigious awards, including the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEO Award, the Jim Moran Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, the South Florida Good to Great Award, Symphony Style and Substance Award and March of Dimes Women of Distinction, among others.

Chris has served as the Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and as President of the Fort Lauderdale Executives’ Association; the Historic Stranahan House; The Tower Forum and many other leadership roles in South Florida.

Learn more about these amazing companies:

https://tinytowncookies.com/

https://www.cruiseplanners.com/ 

https://mad4marketing.com/ 

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! It's Entrepreneurship Month! We welcome these four young entrepreneurs, all who graduated from the JA Fellows Entrepreneurship Program.

Stefano Selorio, founder of Carevocacy: https://carevocacy.com/

Romy Peretz with Germ Genie: https://germgenie.com/

Isaac Hetzroni, founder of Imprint Genius: https://www.imprintgenius.com/

Shatasia Daniels, who runs her own hairdressing business

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! It's Entrepreneurship Month! We welcome these four young entrepreneurs, all who graduated from the JA Fellows Entrepreneurship Program.

Stefano Selorio, founder of Carevocacy: https://carevocacy.com/

Romy Peretz with Germ Genie: https://germgenie.com/

Isaac Hetzroni, founder of Imprint Genius: https://www.imprintgenius.com/

Shatasia Daniels, who runs her own hairdressing business

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Luke Freeman a.k.a. “The Wizard, aka "The SwagFather," describes himself as a Marketer, Hustler, Philanthropist, and Serial Entrepreneur.  

He is the Founder & President of Fort Lauderdale-based Wizard Creations, a brand-merchandising solutions company that has been named by ASI's Counselor Magazine as one of Top 25 fastest growing Promotional Products distributors and "Best Places to Work" for many years.  

Wizard Creations likes to push the boundaries as it relates to traditional marketing in the promotional products industry.  From wrapped vehicles to billboard campaigns and reality TV, the “SwagFather” always makes sure his brands are front-and-center. 

For a millennial-run company, their client lists read like a "who's who of blue-chip brands," creating products for well-known brands such as Coca-Cola, Ford Motor Company, and Carnival Cruise Lines, just to name a few.  Luke attributes his company’s success to "Living by the Golden Rule" and a willingness to take risks.

In addition to Wizard Creations, Luke is also the Co-Founder of Wizard Digital Marketing with his partner Seth Rand.  Wizard Digitial specializes in web development, SEO, Ad Content and delivering an amazing ROI on their clients digital marketing. 

Mr. Freeman also serves as an investor/partner in four other companies outside of the marketing industry, all of which are profitable endeavors.

Luke was honored by the South Florida Business Journal as a 40 under 40 honoree.  He is also a member of the Entrepreneur Organization, Leadership Broward Class 34 graduate, serves on six non-profit Boards, and supports dozens of other organizations throughout the South Florida region.  

He and his wife Mara currently reside in Parkland, FL with their two children and two rescue dogs.  

Check out Wizard Creations at https://www.wizardcreations.com/.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Bob Swindell was named President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance in November 2009, having joined in 2003. A lifelong Broward resident, he has served in several business and community leadership roles. Florida Governors Martinez, Chiles, Bush and Scott have appointed Bob to lead statewide boards. He has served as a Board of Pilot Commissioner, on the Boards of Enterprise Florida, and NAIOP.  He currently serves on the Boards of CareerSource Broward, JA of South Florida, United Way of Broward County, FARDA, Winterfest and is Past Chairman of FEDC. 

Bob is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Florida Class XXXI, a 1986 alumnus of Leadership Broward–Class V and was recognized as a 2011 Business Leader of the Year by the Leadership Broward Foundation. In June of 2013, Governor Rick Scott presented Bob with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award at the Annual meeting of Leadership Florida. 

In October of 2018, Bob was inducted into the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame and was recognized as an Ultimate CEO by the South Florida Business Journal.  He was recognized by the Seafarers’ House as the Business Leader of the Year in 2017.  In 2016, Bob was honored by the Florida Economic Development Council as Florida’s economic development professional of the year.  

The American Red Cross honored Bob with their 2015 Humanitarian Award. He was recognized by the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Community Service in February 2014 and was also named a 2011 Business Leader of the Year by the Leadership Broward Foundation.

Learn more about the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance: https://www.gflalliance.org/

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Heiko Dobrikow is a seasoned hotelier of over 30 years and a business professional with extensive experience in all areas of the property & asset management.  He is an expert in providing advisory support and solutions, such as developing successful management teams, ensuring revenue optimization, implementing service excellence and employee satisfaction. Assets may range from a boutique hotel to a major convention resort, from commercial buildings to residential communities.  Further Heiko is known for taking companies with vertical cultures and flatten them by implementing a Servant Leadership Ideology. 

Currently Heiko is the Executive Vice President at the Las Olas Company and the General Manager of the Riverside Hotel, which both are owned and operated by the Wells Family of Fort Lauderdale.  Heiko has worked at beautiful resorts such as the Fisher Island Hotel & Resort in Miami, the Casa Marina Resort in Key West, the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove and the Hilton Palm Beach Oceanfront Resort.  Heiko believes in community involvement and is the Past Board Chair / current board director of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Past President / current board director of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association – Broward Chapter, current Board Member of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Board Member of the Winterfest Boat Parade, Board Member of the Broward Workforce Development Board, Member of the Broward County Tourism Coalition, Founder & Past Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale General Manager’s Council, Founding Member of the South Florida Business Council and past Executive Committee Member of the Greater Miami & Beaches Hotel Association. 

Heiko has also been recognized as Top 500 most influential leaders in Florida (Florida Trend), South Florida Business Leader of the Year (Florida Atlantic University) and as a South Florida Power Leader (South Florida Business Journal). Heiko has received numerous awards such as South Florida General Manager of the Year (HSMAI), Chairman’s Award (Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce), Broward’s Best Leaders Award (South Florida Executive magazine), Gay & Lesbian Business Exchange Ally of the Year (GLBX), South Florida’s Tourism Legend of the Year (HSMAI), Tourism Icon of the Year (TravelHost), Homeless Champion of the Year (Broward Partnership of the Homeless), Rotary Cheerleader of the Year (Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale), Top 3 Florida Hotel General Manager of the Year (FRLA), Men of Style Award (Galleria Fort Lauderdale) and most recently Downtowner of the Year (GFLCC).

Heiko grew up in Germany and came to the U.S. at the age of 17 years old.  He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor in Arts with the desire to becoming Sports Psychologist. However, while studying at KU, he fell in love with the hospitality industry and never looked back. 

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Jack Kosakowski is the President & CEO of Junior Achievement USA. He has more than 45 years of leadership experience in a federated organizational structure. Jack's specialties include nonprofit management, board development, fundraising, event management, financial literacy education, workforce readiness education, entrepreneurship education and public speaking.

For JA USA, he oversees the operation of a federated organization with 106 offices located across the United States reaching over 4.8 million K-12 students through over 220,000 volunteers. Total funds raised exceed $165 million.

Junior Achievement USA is at https://jausa.ja.org/.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Ben Sorensen was sworn in as the Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner of District 4 on March 20, 2018. Ben was then named Vice Mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale and served as Vice Mayor from April 3, 2018 to April 2, 2019. Ben was unopposed at the end of qualifying on June 12, 2020 and is automatically elected Commissioner District on November 3, 2020 for a 4 years term.  

A third-generation Presbyterian minister, Ben is a former volunteer Chaplain for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department and a current volunteer Chaplain for the Hollywood Police Department. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Leadership Broward Foundation and is a former member of the Broward County Human Rights Board, a former Guardian Ad Litem First Responder and served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Council Board of Governors. Ben is a founding member of Mission United, a program of the United Way of Broward County that focuses on ending veteran homelessness. 

Ben is the third generation in his family to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Ben’s grandfather served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army during World War II from 1941 to 1945. Ben’s father served in the Army as a Chaplain from 1960 to 1969, rising to the rank of Captain. Ben proudly serves in the Navy Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander specializing in intelligence where his responsibilities include identifying, analyzing, and disseminating real-time intelligence in support of operational warfare. 

In 2007, Ben co-founded and currently serves as Vice President of Optimum Associates, LLC, which provides leadership, sales and management training to large corporations, small businesses and non-profit organizations. Ben has earned six degrees: a Master of Science of Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University, a Doctor of Ministry from Amridge University, a Master of Divinity from Amridge University, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, a Master of Arts of Leadership and Liberal Studies from Duquesne University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University. While at Georgetown Law, Ben studied International Trade Law under current United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. 

Ben is married to Anna Sorensen, who works at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, and they are proud parents of Alexandra and Louise. 

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Marcell D. Haywood is an entrepreneur and business executive.  He is currently the CEO of Thesis Holdings, a diversified holding company with equity interests in a range of SaaS and traditional service businesses.

He studied at Florida State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Masters degree in Information Technology in addition to receiving continuing executive education at London Business School.

Marcell’s core business and investment strategy centers on scalable ventures that specifically target the intersection of technology and age-old service industries.

Through his role as CEO of Thesis Holdings, Marcell is a Board Member and investor in a number of its portfolio companies including:  Kodo (Boulder, CO), Combine Athletics (Miami, FL) and BuyChain (Austin, TX), all US based software technology companies.

Marcell is also the Founder & CEO of Encompass, a leading provider of facility maintenance software and services founded while earning his graduate degree in college.  In his role as Founder & CEO, Marcell has made it a point to provide better opportunities to service professionals in the South Florida community.

Marcell’s community involvement reaches beyond the entrepreneurship arena.  A graduate of Leadership Broward Class XXVIII, Marcell volunteers his time to mentor young entrepreneurs as a former board member of Entrepreneurs Organization and FAU Tech Runway.  Marcell is currently a board member of Holy Cross Hospital, Broward Workshop, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and the Community Foundation of Broward in addition to participating regularly as a guest speaker in local and national business conferences.

In his free time, Marcell loves travelling with his son, Lincoln, and wife, Natalie.  He also thoroughly enjoys team sports and is an avid scuba diver.

Marcell believes that the key to living a meaningful life is to aim high in purpose, doing something that you truly love, with incredible people who share your same values.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida

Just as there are no two recipes that contain the exact same ingredients or measurements, there are no two success stories exactly the same. Recipe For Success features entrepreneurs, visionary leaders and innovators of all ages who will share their ingredients that make them successful – personally and professionally.

Let's get cooking! Georgia Lehoczky is a Region Healthcare Pharmacy Director for Walgreen Co., the nationwide drugstore chain headquartered in Deerfield, IL. She is responsible for leading Walgreens pharmacy operations for 550 locations representing over 6000 team members in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, South West Florida, Tampa, Palm Beach, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico markets.

Georgia joined Walgreens as a Pharmacy Intern in 1987. During her tenure, she has held various leadership positions, starting as a Pharmacy Manager in Deerfield Beach, FL., to Pharmacy Supervisor in Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, FL. 

She transitioned to her current position as Regional Healthcare Director from 2009 to 2013 overseeing the South Florida and Puerto Rico markets. From 2013 to present Georgia is leading specialty and retail pharmacies in South Florida, South West Florida and Puerto Rico in pharmacy operations. In this role she works closely with government entities, healthcare systems and is involved with various projects that potentially impact the community and the company.

She has mentored many pharmacy interns since 1999 and in February 2017 was recognized as National Preceptor of the Month in Drug Store News. Georgia has also been recognized as one of The Most Influential Business Women in South Florida in 2016. She serves on the boards of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Diabetes Association, Extraordinary Women Leading Change, the Ronald McDonald House, Muscular Sclerosis Society, the Larkin Pharmacy School Advisory Committee and NSU Palm Beach Advisory Committee. She is actively involved with such charities as the Diabetes Research Institute, Cystic Fibrosis, Gilda’s Club, Dolphins Cancer Challenge and various HIV/AIDS organizations among many others. Georgia is a staunch advocate for patient care, giving back to the community and is the Corporate Social Responsibility Champion for Walgreens in her Region. 

Georgia was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. She attended Albany College of Pharmacy- Union University in New York where she received her Bachelor Degree in science.  She is certified and has active licenses with the Florida Board of Pharmacy, New York Board of Pharmacy, and Illinois Board of Pharmacy. In addition, she serves as an adjunct faculty preceptor for various schools such as Larkin University, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy, and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, College of Pharmacy. 

Personally, Georgia enjoys spending time with her family, supporting sports, dance and academic events with her three children. Professionally, her mission is to advance the role of the community pharmacy.  

Walgreens is at https://www.walgreens.com/.

For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit  https://www.jasouthflorida.org.

Follow us on social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasouthflorida

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-of-south-florida/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasouthflorida

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JASouthFlorida