Sarasota Stories

Sunshine and beaches. That’s what we tell all our friends up north. Of course, this is a beautiful place to live, that’s why we moved here. 

Unfortunately, there's a “soft underbelly” we don't often see — those who are most vulnerable to attacks from domestic abuse.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from one caring woman who leads an amazing organization whose mission is to “stop domestic and sexual violence in our communities."

Her name is Jessica Hays, CEO & President of the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, or SPARCC as it's more commonly known.

For the past 15 years, Jessica has worked tirelessly at SPARCC and you’ll hear her share ...

• The crucial services SPARCC provides to the most vulnerable in our community
• Why Jessica chose to serve at SPARCC for so many years
• Misconceptions that people may have about domestic abuse
• How the recent pandemic has impacted the services they provide
• Several locations where women can get help
• Success stories that will warm your heart
• Upcoming events and the best ways to volunteer

…. and much, much more!

I’m so glad you stopped by today. And it is my hope that you will listen… learn… and connect!

Learn more about SPARCC below.

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The Florida economy is built on small, family-owned businesses. The Greater Sarasota Area is no different. Drive around town and you'll see all the mom and pop stores that offer products and services from A-Z.

For example, there is one amazing cake business that has been a mainstay in Sarasota for years. And now the next generation is coming on strong to put their mark on what their father started over 25 years ago.

Today, my guests are brother and sister team Nathan and Sarah Zammit from Cakes By Ron on Fruitville Road. Their father started this Sarasota bakery but now they are taking the lead to build their family business for the future.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• Why their father Ron, decided to change professions from Cobbler to Master Cake Maker
• What it was like growing up in the family business
• Why they both changed their opinions towards "working for Dad."
• How their business skills actually complement each other
• Where they hope to take Cakes by Ron in the future

.... And much much more!

Thank you for joining us today and it is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect

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If there's one thing a pandemic and the current war in Ukraine are teaching us, it's that we need to produce more food locally. But a critical part of that effort is to not waste what we already grow. One community group of dedicated volunteers is making big strides by gathering up the overproduction from local farmers and giving it to those most susceptible to hunger.

Today I'm very pleased to welcome Joyce Norris, Executive Director of Transition Sarasota. Joyce and all her volunteers are dedicated to building resilience through community, especially in the area of food security.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• What Transition Sarasota is and how they got started.
• How Joyce's parents and childhood garden gave her a love for growing food.
• The four initiatives of Transition Sarasota that bring about greater food security for the most vulnerable in our town.
• Upcoming events you can attend
• How you can get in involved.

.... and much, much more!

Thank you for stopping by today. And as always it is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Joyce was raised in western Massachusetts. Her passion for vegetables and healthy eating originates from growing up with a large family garden. Fertilizer came from the farm down the street and crops were shared with family and neighbors. Her parents composted, canned, and made their own applesauce and baked goods.

Having relocated to Florida in 1971, she is a long-time Florida resident. She believes strongly that a clean environment and healthy food should be accessible to all. She loves hiking and cycling and has volunteered for Tidewell Hospice.

Joyce has a work background in accounting and has been a manager for many years. She brings to Transition Sarasota her organizational skills, energy, drive, and passion for health and the environment.

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Ever wonder what a US soldier fighting in Iraq does during their downtime? You study up on quality wines of course! Sound strange to you? Sounded strange to me too until I met one former soldier who decided to educate himself on all things wine as he prepared to join his fiancé in the California wine culture after his tour was up. 

Years later and after a move to the Sarasota Area with his now-wife, he continues “first-hand research” on the local wine culture and shares his findings with a very cool blog he and a friend started two years ago.

Today, I am very pleased to welcome Eric “Vigo” Onstad of The Unassuming Wine Bros blog.

Vigo and his good friend, Patrick started writing their blog in 2020 in order to be a local resource and provide a fun way to learn and discover new wines. Each month they feature a wine that could be from anywhere in the world then share their findings with their readers. They also share the price they paid and where to buy these wines locally. If you want to increase your wine knowledge then you won’t want to miss today’s episode.

In today's episode. you’ll learn

• What prompted Vigo to learn about wines in the most inhospitable surrounding
• How he met his co-writer and why they started decided to start a wine blog
• How they choose wines to write about
• What you'll learn from reading their blog.
• And much, much more …

I’m so glad you joined us today and as always it is my hope that you will listen, learn and connect!

The Unassuming Wine Bros(UWB) (Patrick Duggan and Vigo Onstad) are two regular guys who love everything about wine, including writing about it. Our goal is to explore the nuances of wine and share our adventures and having fun along the way.

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What do you do with your life when you’re young, smart, and talented? Simple. You get a job, try to make a lot of money, or start a business to do the same thing. Or if you’re a free spirit maybe you budget travel the world for a few years.

But none of these options fit for one very determined young woman who is making a big difference taking on the homeless problem in the Greater Sarasota Area.

Today I am very pleased to welcome Megan Howell. She’s the Founder and Executive Director of Second Heart Homes. It's a non-profit organization that provides “mental health housing that empowers by helping people off the streets into the lives they deserve.”

Two years ago while Megan was working on Main Street in Sarasota, she met a man who changed her life. He shared his story of how he became homeless and Megan realized that it could happen to anyone. It was then she decided to do her part to help solve Sarasota’s homeless problem. 

In this episode, you’ll hear Megan’s story of...

• Why she became involved in Sarasota’s homeless problem
• The process her team uses to help people get back on their feet
• Success stories that will warm your heart
• How you can get involved

and much, much more…

I’m so glad you joined us today and as always it is my hope that you will listen, learn and connect!”

Frankly, I love doing all these interviews. I get to meet really creative people doing amazing work. Plus, I always feel I grow as a person after hearing their wonderful stories.

My latest interview is no exception. She is smart, dynamic, and building an award-winning marketing/advertising firm that would make any community proud.

Today I'm very pleased to introduce President/CEO & Owner, Allison Imre of Grapevine Communications.

After buying this Lakewood Ranch firm in 2017 Allison continues to build upon the 20-year legacy of the previous owners by being CREATIVE. STRATEGIC. ACCOUNTABLE®

In this episode, you'll learn ...

• One thing most people don’t know about Allison
• What led her to buy Grapevine over 5 years ago
• What type of work they do for their customers
• Why it's OK to be authentic and unvarnished on social media
• Who should reach out to Grapevine
• ... and much ... much ... more!

Thank you for stopping by today. It is my hope you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

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ALLISON IMRE

President/CEO/Owner

Born and raised in Kansas City, KS by a mother from LA and a father from NJ • Often regaled by stories of her parents’ bi-coastal upbringing that created a hard-to-suppress wanderlust • Discovered her destiny for a career in communications at an early age, playing “radio” with family friend and veteran broadcaster Pete Gabriel • Landed a coveted position with the KC Royals Radio Network, combining her two loves: broadcasting and sports • Became the Owner/President of Grapevine in April 2017 • Lived in the Virgin Islands, on the Baja Peninsula, San Diego, New Orleans, Lake Tahoe and Colorado before settling in SRQ in 2004 • Married to a slightly above average fella named David • Mother to a toddler aptly named “Rip” • Paddleboarder, cancer survivor, snappy dresser and fantasy football champion.

Business guru John Maxwell once said, "Everything rises and falls on leadership."

It is safe to say a major reason why Sarasota Memorial Health Care Systems (SMH) keeps rising is its incredible leader who was recently and severely tested via a worldwide pandemic and a Cat-4 hurricane.

I'm very pleased to welcome David Verinder, CEO of Sarasota Medical Health Systems (SMHCS).

In today's episode, you learn...

• One thing most people don't know about David.
• Why he chose a career in healthcare administration.
• How incredibly difficult it was for him to lead a 9,000-employee healthcare organization during Covid.
• What David learned from Hurricane Irma that prepared him and his team for Hurricane Ian.
• ... and much much more!

Thank you for stopping by today it's my hope you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

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After a stellar academic career, graduating Magna-cum-laud from Lafayette College and later completing the Women’s Leadership Forum at the Harvard Business School, she has worked in key leadership positions at The Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Opera, and the New York Botanical Gardens. 

In 2015 she came to Sarasota to spearhead the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens master plan. Upon completion, its aim is to become: “A world-class destination for plant research, conservation, and environmental education” all while preserving the wonderful 49-year history of this beloved institution.

My guest today is Jennifer Rominiecki, President & CEO of The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

In this episode, Jennifer shares …

• How Jennifer heard about the Selby opening from her home in New York and what most intrigued her about the position
• How she leads the much-needed renovations at Selby while managing the inevitable conflict it causes
• Why the Historic Spanish Point was brought under the Selby umbrella
• A great exhibit running from July to September you really should attend

… and much … much … more

I’m so glad you stopped by today as it is my hope that you will listen, learn and connect!

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Making the transition from tourist to full-time Sarasota resident has taught me one thing: Sarasota has many, many very cool hidden gems and more people need to find them. 

So I highly recommend you get off the water and the beaches and take a trip to find some of these little treasures inland, especially the one you’re going to hear about today.

My guest today is Kim Livengood of The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.

While Kim is a serial entrepreneur having owned a local hotel and a community magazine, she got quite the surprise when her mother called to say she bought a warehouse.

Today, they run one of the coolest and artiest markets in Sarasota.

In this episode, you’ll learn …

• How they got national recognition on Good Morning America during the pandemic
• What Kim believes is so special about The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.
• How two antique cars became recognized, bazaar art pieces.
• Cool stuff you can find there.
• What you’ll experience when you go.

… and much much more!

I’m so glad you joined us today and as always it is my hope that you will listen, learn and connect!

(Find out more below)

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One of the anchors of any community is of course the community bank.

With so much consolidation in the financial industry, it's hard to know who's who anymore.

1-800 numbers are commonplace but one local banker doesn't use them since he's fully committed to making the banking relationship genuinely personal.

Hi I'm your host Bob Williams, and I'm very pleased to welcome Dennis Murphy President & CEO of Gulfside Bank.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• One thing most people don't know about Dennis
• How starting a bank is different from other businesses.
• Why all business owners should have a Board of Directors
• What really happened to two California banks that recently failed
• Why Dennis believes our banking system is safe & sound.
• ... and much ... much... more!

Thank you for stopping today as it is my hope you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Dennis Murphy

Dennis B. Murphy, Jr., the President and CEO of Gulfside Bank has over 19 years of banking experience starting his banking career in 2002 with AmSouth Bank as a member of its Management Associate program. During his tenure with AmSouth Bank, Mr. Murphy held various roles including Branch Manager and Commercial Credit Analyst. In 2008, Dennis left Regions Bank (which acquired AmSouth Bank) to become a founding shareholder with Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida, a community bank being formed in the Sarasota/Manatee County market. Before its ultimate sale to CenterState Bank, NA in May of 2017, Mr. Murphy held various leadership positions with Gateway including roles such as Commercial Lender, Commercial Banking Manager and ultimately Senior Lending Officer. As Executive Vice President and Senior Lender of the Bank for the last six years of its existence, he was responsible for all aspects of the Bank’s lending function including loan production, credit administration, loan operations and loan compliance. Dennis was retained after Gateway’s merger with CenterState Bank and became the Area Executive for Sarasota and Manatee Counties. He left CenterState in October of 2017 to form Gulfside Bank.

Awards and recognition include being recognized as a member of the Business Observer’s “40 under 40” and “Rising Stars in Banking” articles as well as Scene Magazine’s “Men on the Scene” series. At its annual conference in June 2019, the Florida Bankers Association named Mr. Murphy “Florida Banker of the Year” and in October of 2019 the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce awarded him its prestigious “Chair’s Cup Award.”

Gulfside Bank

333 N. Orange Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34236

941.303.4200

Fax: 941.330.1636

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM

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