E4 | Magic, Mayhem, and Laughter with Cory Van Valin

E65 | Davy Rolando’s Dynamic Dual Careers: From Radio Stardom to Tattoo Entrepreneurship, Nightclub Innovations, and Iconic Music Moments

September 5, 2024 No Comments

Davy’s story begins with his unexpected entry into the world of radio—a world he never imagined himself in. A chance encounter with a girl he met at Prana led him to a pivotal decision: pursue an unpaid internship at 94.1 or stay in his comfort zone. Choosing the former, Davy’s dedication saw him rise from street team intern to a beloved on-air personality on the Freak Show, captivating Tampa Bay listeners with his authentic, unfiltered voice for over a decade. His journey in radio wasn’t without its challenges, though. Davy shares candidly about the struggles of being the “fill-in guy,” always waiting for a permanent spot, and the patience it took to finally land a full-time position after years of grinding.

The Transition to Entrepreneurship

But radio was never Davy’s endgame. He always saw it as a stepping stone to something he could truly call his own. This episode dives deep into his transition from the airwaves to the tattoo business, where he co-founded Emphasis Tattoo in Tampa. Davy shares the calculated risks he took, starting the business two years before leaving radio and navigating the challenges of opening just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. His foresight in having six months of operating costs saved up ensured that Emphasis Tattoo survived and eventually thrived, even expanding its operations thanks to the good graces of a landlord impressed by Davy’s business acumen.

E64 | Christian Pena’s DJ Domination: From Teen Passion to Music Industry Icon, Radio Innovations, and Club DJing Challenges

August 29, 2024 No Comments

The Birth of a DJ: Christian takes us back to where it all began—his love for music sparked at age 16 when he discovered the art of DJing. He recounts his relentless pursuit to land a spot on WTMP’s urban radio lineup, battling challenges like performing live without modern tech aids and overcoming age-related setbacks in the club scene. His journey from mixing tapes in his room to becoming a sought-after DJ is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance.
Life on the Edge: Christian dives into the contrasting worlds of entrepreneurship and traditional jobs, exploring the leadership and sacrifices required to build a career from scratch. He shares his experiences of juggling the uncertainty of entrepreneurial life with the false security that often comes with a 9-to-5 job. Through his story, listeners gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to step out of the comfort zone and chase their dreams.

E63 | CJ Holland’s Golfing Greatness: From Baseball Beginnings, Junior Tour Dominance, to College Aspirations

August 23, 2024 No Comments

What does it take for a young athlete to transition seamlessly from one sport to another while becoming a dominant force in the world of junior golf? In this insightful and inspiring episode of *Happy Hour Holidaze*, hosts Sean and Manny Febre sit down with CJ Holland, a rising star who’s taking the junior golf scene by storm. At just 15 years old, CJ has already achieved remarkable success, ranking 31st on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and earning accolades as one of the top young golfers in his district.

CJ’s journey began at the age of two, when he first picked up a plastic club and started swinging away in his backyard. Supported by his family, particularly his father and grandfather, CJ’s passion for golf grew as he spent time on the putting greens and golf courses near his grandparents’ home. His story took a pivotal turn in eighth grade when he made the bold decision to leave baseball behind—despite excelling as a Little League All-Star—to focus entirely on golf. Since then, his game has evolved dramatically, earning him multiple top finishes in highly competitive tournaments.