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

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.

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S2 E34 | Artistry Unleashed with Shi: From Songwriting at Five to Finding Her Voice

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.

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S2 E33 | Alex Delgado Beyond the Uniform: A Marine’s Journey Through Entrepreneurship

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.
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.”

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Send Your Question

Got burning questions about business, entrepreneurship, or anything in between? We want to hear from you! Send us your queries, and hosts Manny and Sean Febre will answer them on an upcoming episode of Happy Hour Holidaze. Don’t miss this opportunity to get expert insights while having a great time. Simply drop us a message with your questions, and let’s dive into the world of business together!

E9 | Throwing Touchdowns in Business: Lessons from the Gridiron to Entrepreneurship with Stephen Garcia

Introduction

Welcome back to our blog, where we give you an inside look at the episodes that make Happy Hour Holidaze the podcast where business professionals and entrepreneurs collide in an atmosphere of laughter and learning. In our upcoming Episode 9, we had the privilege of hosting Stephen Garcia, a name that resounds in the history of the South Carolina Gamecocks. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into what makes this episode special and why you shouldn’t miss it.

Stephen Garcia: From Gridiron Glory with the South Carolina Gamecocks to Coaching Stardom

Stephen Garcia isn’t just another guest; he is a former collegiate American football quarterback for the University of South Carolina. With him at the helm, the Gamecocks went on to claim the SEC East title and even faced the eventual BCS national champion Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship Game. But his achievements don’t just end at the gridiron; Stephen is also an independent quarterback coach based in Tampa.

From Sports to Business: Lessons to Be Learned

One of the standout moments of this episode is when Stephen Garcia shares how his experiences as a quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks prepared him for his current role. Skills like leadership, strategy, and the importance of teamwork are as vital on the field as they are in the boardroom. Whether you’re a sports fan, an entrepreneur, or both, you’ll find some invaluable nuggets of wisdom in this episode.

A Balanced Mix of Laughter and Learning

Happy Hour Holidaze is not just about in-depth interviews; it’s also about enjoying a good laugh. Stephen Garcia was not just insightful but also incredibly entertaining. His anecdotes from his time with the South Carolina Gamecocks brought both humor and nostalgia to the episode, making it not just another business podcast but an experience that’s genuinely engaging and fun.

The South Carolina Gamecocks Spirit in Business

It’s rare to find someone who has succeeded in both sports and business, but Stephen Garcia is an exception. His fighting spirit, which was evident when he was part of the South Carolina Gamecocks, is now directed towards helping young athletes and contributing to the business world.

Why This Episode is a Must-Listen

Whether you’re familiar with Stephen Garcia’s remarkable career with the South Carolina Gamecocks or not, this episode of Happy Hour Holidaze offers listeners a one-of-a-kind blend of sports wisdom and business acumen. We delve into topics such as leadership, building a winning mindset, and the transition from sports to business.

Conclusion

Don’t miss Episode 9 of Happy Hour Holidaze with Stephen Garcia. Whether you’re a fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone looking for valuable life and business insights, this episode has something for everyone. So, grab a drink, sit back, and prepare for a rollercoaster ride of laughter, insights, and actionable advice.

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