He built a nightlife empire in Beirut…
lost everything…
and did it all over again in Miami.

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Tiger Saliba, the founder behind BeyBey Miami and Cafe Dubai, to break down one of the most powerful stories in hospitality right now.

Tiger’s journey isn’t typical.

From running some of the most successful bars and clubs in Lebanon during its peak nightlife era, to navigating economic collapse and relocating to Miami — this is a story about resilience, reinvention, and building from scratch… twice.

And in Miami, he didn’t just open a venue.

He built BeyBey — a space designed like a home, with different rooms, different energies, and a focus on community, culture, and experience.

This episode dives into what it really takes to create a concept that lasts — in one of the most competitive hospitality markets in the world.

• Tiger Saliba’s journey from Lebanon to Miami nightlife
• Building and losing a hospitality empire — and starting over
• The story behind BeyBey Miami and its community-driven concept
• How Cafe Dubai fits into his expansion vision
• Why design, layout, and “flow” matter more than people think
• The role of culture in creating unforgettable hospitality experiences
• Lessons on handling adversity, criticism, and growth

• The best hospitality concepts are built around experience + emotion
• Community-driven venues outperform transactional ones
• Design and spatial flow directly impact revenue and guest experience
• Resilience and adaptability are essential in hospitality
• Miami rewards bold, culturally distinct concepts

“Every door that closes leads to something bigger.”
“I built BeyBey like a home — different rooms, different experiences.”
“In Miami, I finally had space to breathe.”

🔥 In This Episode:🧠 Key Insights for Operators & Founders🗣️ Standout Quotes

If you’ve eaten at Eating House or Luca Osteria, you already know Giorgio Rapicavoli helped shape modern Miami dining.

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with one of Miami’s most respected chefs to break down what it really takes to build a lasting restaurant in a city that’s constantly evolving.

From his early days growing up in a multicultural household with Argentinian and Italian roots, to winning Chopped and launching one of Miami’s most creative concepts, Giorgio shares the real story behind his rise and why he chose to stay and build in Miami.

This conversation goes beyond food.

It’s about community, creativity, pressure, and what it actually means to succeed in hospitality long-term.

🔥 In This Episode:

• Giorgio Rapicavoli’s journey from line cook to award-winning chef
• How winning Chopped changed his career trajectory
• The story behind Eating House and its cult-following dishes
• Building Luca Osteria and expanding in Miami
• Why staying local was the best business decision he made
• The importance of team, culture, and taking care of staff
• Miami’s evolving restaurant scene — past, present, and future

🧠 Key Insights for Chefs & Operators

• Longevity in restaurants comes from community, not hype
• Creativity matters — but consistency keeps people coming back
• Investing in your team is one of the smartest business moves
• Miami’s food scene is stronger than ever — but more competitive
• Pressure isn’t a burden — it’s part of the opportunity

🗣️ Standout Quotes

“Pressure is a privilege.”
“Without the people before you, you don’t exist.”
“Cooking is my passion… but wine is my obsession.”

Miami nightlife wasn’t always what it is today… and according to Laurent Bourgade, we’ve lost some of what made it special.

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with one of the most influential figures behind Miami’s nightlife scene — from the legendary days of Nikki Beach, Mint, and the Delano Hotel to what’s happening now.

Laurent’s story is straight out of a movie.

He arrived in Miami in 1997 with just $400… and went on to become one of the most connected and respected names in hospitality, known for running the door, building networks, and shaping the social scene during Miami’s golden era.

This conversation dives into what made nightlife in Miami truly iconic — and why things are changing fast.

From the rise of “dinner party” nightlife concepts to the impact of social media on VIP culture, Laurent breaks down the evolution of hospitality, the challenges operators face today, and where the industry is heading next.

🔥 In This Episode:

• Laurent Bourgade’s journey from France to Miami nightlife legend
• The real story behind Nikki Beach Sundays and the Delano era

• What made Miami nightlife iconic in the late 90s and 2000s
• How VIP culture and the velvet rope have changed
• Why social media shifted the entire nightlife experience
• The rise of dinner party concepts blending dining + nightlife
• Inside the relaunch of the Delano Hotel
• The future of Miami hospitality — corporate vs independent operators

🧠 Key Insights

• Nightlife used to be about mystique — now it’s visibility
• Strong networks and relationships built the original Miami scene
• Hospitality is shifting toward lifestyle, wellness, and membership models
• Rising costs are changing how nightlife businesses operate
• The next era of Miami will look very different from its past

🗣️ Standout Moments

“The mystique of getting into the VIP room… that was everything.”
“Social media changed the entire experience.”
“Miami was becoming the place Europeans wanted to be.”

What actually makes a café work in Miami right now?

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Argnon Magal, the entrepreneur behind Novela, one of Miami’s most talked-about café concepts and a growing force in Wynwood’s next wave of hospitality.

Argnon’s story starts far from Miami. From growing up in Israel to navigating New York real estate, facing early setbacks, and eventually rebuilding in Miami — this is a story about resilience, reinvention, and understanding what people actually want. Because Novela isn’t just a coffee shop. It’s what Argnon calls a “third space”, a place built around community, consistency, and value in a city that’s becoming more expensive and more competitive by the day.

This episode dives into what it really takes to build a profitable hospitality concept in Miami — and why value, not hype, wins long term.

🔥 In This Episode:

Argnon Magal’s journey from Israel → NYC real estate → Miami hospitality

The real story behind Novela and why it worksWhat a “third space” means — and why it matters now

Why value for money is the most underrated strategy in Miami

The future of Wynwood’s restaurant and café scene

New concepts: Mediterranean taverna + butcher shop hybrid

Why experience alone isn’t scalable but product is

🧠 Key Insights for Operators & Founders

Community-driven concepts outperform trend-based ones

Pricing strategy is everything in today’s Miami market

Hospitality businesses must balance experience + efficiency

Wynwood is still evolving — but getting more competitive

The best operators adapt fast and stay hands-on

🗣️ Standout Quotes

“Value for money was always the most important thing.”

“The business of experience is not scalable — a product is.”

“I wanted to create a place people actually enjoy being in.”

🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the founders, operators, and investors shaping Miami’s next wave of hospitality.

👇 Comment below: What makes you come back to a café — the vibe or the value?

Everyone’s obsessed with coffee… but what if the real shift is happening quietly?

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Michael Ortiz, founder of Jojo Tea, to explore a side of Miami’s food and beverage scene most people aren’t paying attention to — yet.

Born and raised in Miami with Cuban roots, Michael’s journey is anything but typical. From amateur boxing and football to a deep interest in meditation, spirituality, and wellness, his path led him to tea — not just as a drink, but as a lifestyle.

And now, he’s building something different.

Not a “spa tea brand”… not a trend… but a culture-driven, authentic tea experience that challenges how Americans think about tea entirely.

This conversation dives into wellness, focus, entrepreneurship, and why tea might be the next big movement in hospitality.

🔥 In This Episode:

• Michael Ortiz’s journey from athlete to entrepreneur

• How Jojo Tea was built out of frustration with low-quality tea culture

• The connection between tea, meditation, and mental clarity

• Why tea offers a different kind of energy than coffee

• The science behind caffeine + L-theanine (focused but calm)

• Miami’s evolving food and beverage scene — and its rising local voices

• Why tea culture is “underground” — and what happens next

  🧠 Key Insights

• Tea isn’t just a drink — it’s a daily ritual and lifestyle

• The next wave of hospitality may be rooted in wellness, not alcohol

• Authenticity wins over trend-driven branding

• Miami’s local founders are shaping the future of F&B

• The best concepts often start quietly before they explode

🗣️ Standout Moments

“Tea moves quietly underground… champagne is loud.”
“You’re awake, but not jittery — relaxed, but not drowsy.”
“Tea is subtle… but that’s the power.”

🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the founders, operators, and creators shaping what’s next in Miami and beyond.

👇 Comment below: Are you team coffee… or team tea?

Little River didn’t just happen — people like Matt McKenna helped build it.

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with the founder of Imperial Moto, one of Miami’s most unique coffee and lifestyle concepts, to break down how a former DJ turned entrepreneur helped shape one of the city’s fastest-growing districts.

Matt’s story is anything but linear.

From DJing around the world as Matty Love to building a mobile marketing company (Redfish Media) and eventually launching Imperial Moto, he’s consistently been ahead of culture — not chasing it.

Now, he’s thinking even bigger.

This conversation dives into how community-first concepts win, why Little River is emerging as one of Miami’s most important neighborhoods, and how Matt is pushing into new territory with ventures like Revolt, blending luxury car storage with lifestyle experiences.

If you’re interested in Miami real estate, hospitality, branding, or building a business that actually creates culture, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode:

• Matt McKenna’s journey from DJ to entrepreneur

• The story behind Imperial Moto and its cult following

• How Little River became one of Miami’s hottest neighborhoods

• Why community-driven businesses outperform trend-based concepts

• Lessons from building multiple ventures across industries

• The role of partnerships in scaling creative ideas

• Inside Matt’s new concept Revolt (luxury car condo + lifestyle space)

  
  

  Key insights:

• The best businesses don’t just sell — they build community

• Neighborhood timing is everything in Miami real estate

• Lifestyle brands are outperforming traditional retail models

• Creative founders win by evolving, not staying static

• Culture is the real currency in today’s hospitality market

Miami’s cocktail scene didn’t just happen — people like Ben Potts helped build it.In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with one of the most influential figures in Miami’s bar industry. Ben Potts went from investment banking to becoming a driving force behind some of the city’s most respected cocktail programs.After working at legendary spots like Purdy Lounge, Blackbird Ordinary, and Broken Shaker, Ben went on to help open acclaimed venues like Beaker & Gray and The Sylvester, while co-founding Unfiltered Hospitality, a consultancy that designs beverage programs for major brands including Joe’s Stone Crab and Virgin Voyages.This conversation goes deep into how Miami’s cocktail culture evolved, the realities of running bars in a competitive hospitality market, and why community and team culture matter more than hype.If you’re in hospitality, nightlife, or curious about how cocktail programs and bar businesses actually operate, this episode is packed with real insight.🔥 In This Episode:Ben Potts’ career shift from Wall Street to bartendingThe early days of Miami nightlife at Purdy Lounge and Blackbird OrdinaryBuilding cocktail culture at Broken ShakerOpening standout concepts like Beaker & Gray and The SylvesterLaunching Unfiltered Hospitality during the COVID pandemicThe evolution of Miami’s cocktail scene and bar cultureWhy workplace culture determines whether hospitality teams stay or leaveHow technology and systems are reshaping beverage operations🧠 Key Insights for Hospitality OperatorsCommunity-driven hospitality creates lasting brandsA great team culture can outperform flashy new venuesCocktail programs are becoming more operationally strategicConsulting and beverage program design are growing sectors in hospitalityMiami remains one of the most dynamic bar markets in the country🗣️ Standout Quotes“The industry has given me ten times more than I’ve ever given it.”“If your team loves being there, the new place down the street doesn’t matter.”“I want people to walk in and feel like — this place is Miami.”🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the restaurateurs, bartenders, operators, and investors shaping Miami hospitality.👇 Comment below: What’s your favorite cocktail bar in Miami?

Miami’s restaurant scene is exploding but is the market becoming too crowded to survive?

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Alex Ringleb, the restaurateur behind Burgermeister in Miami Beach, to break down the real economics of operating a restaurant in one of the fastest-growing hospitality markets in the country.

Born in Germany and raised around family-run hospitality businesses in Europe, Alex built his foundation in restaurants before working at major hospitality institutions like Balthazar in New York and eventually launching successful concepts in Miami.

Now he’s speaking candidly about the challenges operators face today — from skyrocketing rents and gentrification to the oversaturation of restaurants competing for the same customers.

This episode dives into what makes a restaurant truly sustainable in Miami — and why community-driven hospitality might be the key to long-term success.

🔥 In This Episode:

• Alex’s journey from Europe to building restaurants in Miami

• The story behind Burgermeister Miami Beach

• Why Miami’s restaurant boom is creating intense competition

• The impact of rising rents and real estate pressure on operators

• How neighborhoods like Brickell and Miami Beach are evolving

• Why authentic, community-focused restaurants outperform trend-driven concepts

• The importance of landlord relationships in the restaurant business

  
  

  🧠 Key Industry Insights

• Miami’s hospitality growth is creating both opportunity and risk

• Restaurants relying only on tourism face long-term challenges

• Strong local communities drive sustainable restaurant success

• Real estate dynamics play a major role in restaurant survival

• Authenticity and transparency are becoming more important to diners

🗣️ Standout Quotes

“It’s a marriage with your landlord.”
“We’re cannibalizing each other for the same clientele.”
“Restaurants that push locals away won’t survive.”

🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the chefs, restaurateurs, investors, and operators shaping the future of Miami hospitality.

👇 Comment below: Do you think Miami has too many restaurants — or is the market still growing?

If you’ve experienced Queen, Marion, El Tucan, or Lafayette Steakhouse, you’ve seen Mathieu Massa’s vision in action.

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with Mathieu Massa, founder of Mr. Hospitality, to break down how he helped redefine the luxury nightlife experience in Miami Beach.

From growing up in the south of France to studying at Babson College and HEC Paris, Mathieu brought a European lens to Miami — blending real estate strategy, high-touch service, and theatrical dining concepts into some of the city’s most recognizable venues.

But this isn’t just about velvet ropes and VIP tables.

This conversation goes deep into:

• The real business behind luxury hospitality

• Why real estate ownership changes everything

• How COVID forced reflection and reinvention

• The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership

• Building a team culture that actually lasts

If you’re in hospitality, nightlife, restaurant ownership, or investing in Miami real estate — this episode is packed with insight.

🔥 In This Episode:

• The origin story of Mr. Hospitality

• The strategy behind Queen and Miami’s new era of luxury dining

• How European hospitality differs from American nightlife culture

• Why making guests feel “recognized” is the real VIP experience

• Lessons from operating high-end venues during COVID

• Why owning the real estate creates long-term stability

• The mindset shift that changed Mathieu’s leadership style

  
  

  🧠 Key Takeaways for Operators & Investor:

• Luxury is about personalization, not price point

• Team culture determines long-term brand success

• Miami’s hospitality market rewards bold but strategic operators

• Real estate control reduces risk in high-rent environments

• Emotional intelligence is a competitive advantage in nightlife

🗣️ Standout Quotes

“The key was to make people feel special and recognized.”
“My time is my most valuable asset.”
“COVID was an opportunity to reflect and reset.”

🎧 Subscribe to Just the Tip for real conversations with the operators, investors, and visionaries shaping Miami’s hospitality scene.

👇 Comment below: What makes a luxury experience actually feel worth it?

If you’ve ever eaten at Kush, LoKal, or anywhere inside the Kush Hospitality universe — you’ve felt Matt "Kush" Kuscher’s impact on Miami’s food scene.

In this episode of Just the Tip, Felix Bendersky of F+B Hospitality Brokerage sits down with third-generation restaurateur Kush to break down what it really takes to survive — and win — in today’s Miami restaurant market.

From growing up inside his father’s Dunkin’ Donuts to revitalizing neighborhoods like Wynwood and Coconut Grove, Kush shares how his family legacy shaped his entrepreneurial mindset… and why he’s now betting big on owning the real estate beneath his restaurants.

Because in Miami today, the rent might be your biggest competitor.

This conversation dives into the realities operators face right now — rising costs, national groups entering the market, sustainability challenges, and why supporting local concepts matters more than ever.

🔥 In This Episode, We Get Into:

• Kush's journey from Dunkin’ Donuts kid to Miami restaurant powerhouse

• Building iconic local brands like Kush and LoKal

• How restaurants helped reshape Wynwood & Coconut Grove

• Why skyrocketing rents are changing hospitality forever

• The strategic shift toward restaurant real estate ownership

• Competing against large national hospitality groups

• Sustainability challenges in Miami’s infrastructure

• Teaching the next generation at Florida International University (FIU)