This week, we speak with Taylor Villegas, founder of Twelve Tables and Sunny Collabs, angel investor, podcaster, keynote speaker, and influencer. Taylor’s companies work with growth-stage startups and established brands on anything from strategic advice to one-off projects to longer marketing campaigns and more. Prior to these companies Taylor worked for a variety of other entities, including one of the largest contractors in the region and a real estate brokerage.

Together, we talk about Taylor’s unusual career path and how, and why, she changed directions. We also discuss Taylor’s “un-hustling” philosophy, how to build a business and career with the right balance between professional achievement and a fulfilling life and her advice for budding entrepreneurs.

3 Takeaways:

1. (17:00) Don’t allow hustle to ruin harmony in your life
2. (23:45) Feedback is the strongest form of care
3. (27:30) You have to continually validate others

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Taylor Villeagas and Twelve Tables

(02:40) The creation of Twelve Tables

(04:15) Transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship

(06:30) Getting started with breathwork

(13:00) The creation and meaning behind Unhustled

(18:30) Unhustled book, inspiration, and intentionality

(21:20) How to collaborate more effectively

(23:30) Giving good feedback

(28:15) Where do you get your inspiration?

(31:30) What can we expect from Twelve Tables in 2024?

(33:00) Rapid fire questions

This week, we speak with Veronica Swiatek, founder and owner of Massage Studio. Veronica owns Massage Studio, with one location in downtown St. Petersburg and another location in South Tampa. She also owns retail stores in the Tampa International Airport and commercial real estate properties in the region.

Together, we talk about Veronica’s career in restaurants and hospitality and how she took those customer service and work ethic lessons to launch her own businesses. We also discuss the importance of being a transparent leader and clear communicator with both employees and customers

3 Takeaways:

1. (01:44) Get involved in the community and take advantage of you contacts
2. (04:50) Just ask, what is the worst that can happen?
3. (09:30) It is important for employees to understand the “why” behind decisions

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Veronica Swiatek, serial entrepreneur

(02:44) How did you start becoming a business owner?

(06:20) Leadership lessons from learned experience

(08:40) What do you look for when hiring employees?

(11:45) Setbacks that you overcame and asking for help

(13:35) Who are some mentors and what you learned from them?

(15:50) What does the day-to-day look like for you?

(17:20) What can we expect from you in 2024?

(19:34) Rapid Fire Questions

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

This week, we speak with John Miles, author, podcaster, keynote speaker and entrepreneur. John is the author of “Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life.” Prior to the book, John had a successful career in the U.S. Navy and Corporate America, with Dell and Lowe’s, among others.

Together, we speak about what drove John to leave his high-paying C-suite role to become an author and keynote speaker working with people on what it means to live a life fueled by passion and purpose. We also discuss the early morning encounter — it involved a gunman who broke into his house — that led to his life epiphany.

3 Takeaways:

1. (01:50) “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation”
2. (14:00) Successful individuals have a consistent pursuit of reinvention
3. (19:45) Great leaders speak with their feet

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing John Miles and Passion Struck

(03:50) Climbing the corporate ladder to Fortune 500 C-Suite Executive

(06:45) Major life events that lead to Passion Struck

(13:10) Leadership advice from Passion Struck interviews

(18:20) Work-life balance

(19:18) What makes a good leader?

(23:55) Ski or be skied

(25:55) Passion Struck in 2024

(28:00) Rapid fire questions

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.