Massimiliano Nigri – Co-Owner, Café Amici

Massimiliano Nigri – Co-Owner, Café Amici

Massimiliano Nigri is a passionate restaurateur, hospitality professional, and entrepreneur whose story is deeply woven into the fabric of his community. His journey in the United States began on October 12, 1999, when he and his brother, Achille, opened Café Amici in downtown Bradenton. What started as a dream between two brothers has grown into one of the area’s most beloved dining destinations, built on authenticity, hard work, and a genuine love for serving people. More than two decades later, Massimiliano remains as passionate as ever about hospitality. His commitment to excellence, personal relationships, and creating memorable experiences for every guest has been a driving force behind Café Amici’s continued success. He believes that hospitality is more than a profession—it’s a way of life. That passion shines through in every interaction and has helped create a loyal following of customers who have become part of the Café Amici family. Hospitality runs deep in the Nigri family. Massimiliano often says it’s in their DNA, with family members throughout the hospitality industry sharing the same dedication to service and excellence. Long before opening Café Amici, he built an impressive international career with the prestigious Starwood Luxury Collection Hotels, working in some of the world’s most iconic destinations, including Venice, Italy; Gstaad, Switzerland; Paris, France; London, England; San Francisco, California; and Antigua in the Caribbean. Throughout his career, Massimiliano has had the privilege of serving countless celebrities, dignitaries, and high-profile guests from around the world. Yet among all those experiences, one stands above the rest: serving Princess Diana during her stay at the Ritz in Paris. It remains one of the most memorable moments of a remarkable hospitality career filled with incredible stories, unforgettable encounters, and lessons learned from serving people at the highest level. Today, Massimiliano continues to lead Café Amici with the same enthusiasm and dedication that inspired him over 25 years ago. His story is one of perseverance, passion, family, and service—a testament to what can be achieved when you love what you do. With a lifetime of experiences spanning continents, cultures, and extraordinary moments, he often jokes that one day he’ll write a book. Until then, he’s sharing some of those stories right here on the Suited Warrior Podcast.

Scott Perron - 24-7 Floors - The Floor Man

Scott D. Perron is the energetic Founder & President of Floors 4 Pros and 24-7 Floors, headquartered in sunny Sarasota, FL. He's also the charismatic host of the national podcast *Getting Down to Business* on Spotify/YouTube, where he dishes out wisdom on strategic planning and business growth with a side of humor. A proud Connecticut native, Scott has been rolling out flooring solutions and inspiring entrepreneurs across the country since 1994. Over a 30-year career, Scott has not only mastered the art of flooring but also the fine craft of mentoring. His travels have taken him coast-to-coast, where he's learned, taught, and sometimes just plain dazzled business owners. As a nationally published columnist for *Floor Covering News* and a speaker on the World Floor Covering Association's elite list, Scott has shared his insights with thousands. If you're in the flooring world, chances are, you've heard his name (or his jokes). Off the corporate stage, Scott has served on the boards of several organizations, including the CFCA and The PGA Tour-affiliated Kansas City Crusaders. He's also a former Chapter President of BNI Business Focus, where he probably left everyone laughing while learning. Scott has been married to his gorgeous best friend, Sally, for 28 action-packed years and is the proud dad to two wonderful adult kids, Zachary Scott and Morgan Taylor. Completing the family is Bella, his beloved dog and trusted sidekick, who ensures Scott’s life remains well-pawed and balanced. When he’s not running the show, Scott’s hobbies include hitting the greens (sometimes successfully), piloting planes (always successfully), and sharing unforgettable moments with family. Oh, and for a touch of superhero lore—he and a longtime friend once pulled an elderly priest from a burning car just before it exploded. True story.

Aimee Bushway - Dimitri Thomaidis - Proof Title

Meet Aimee Bushway, a seasoned Closer with over a decade of experience in the title industry. Her journey began as a Summer Intern at Berlin Patten Ebling Law Firm in 2011, gradually rising to the roll of Closer in 2015. With a remarkable track record of handling over 30 active files a month Aimee’s expertise spans across various closing software, showcasing her adeptness in navigating diverse platforms. Her strengths lie in consistent, effective communication and a knack from problem-solving, always crafting solutions to ensure seamless closings. Beyond her professional prowess, Aimee’s passion for dance shines as she Zumba’s her way through Sarasota. A well-traveled spirit, she finds joy in exploring new destinations and experiencing diverse cultures. A proud Sarasota native and a graduate of Riverview High School and Stetson University, Aimee truly calls Florida home. Meet Dimitrios “Dimitri” Thomaidis, the face behind The Dimitri Difference—a concierge-level closing and client experience built on high standards, calm leadership, and clear communication. With 25+ years of practical, hands-on experience in the title and real estate closing world, Dimitri is known for making complex transactions feel simple, organized, and stress-free. He brings a solutions-first mindset to every file—proactively spotting issues, coordinating the right people early, and keeping everyone informed from contract to keys. What sets Dimitri apart is the way he shows up: professional, prepared, and genuinely invested in the people behind the paperwork. Whether it’s a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or a high-stakes transaction with tight timelines, Dimitri’s goal is always the same—deliver a smooth closing and a memorable experience that clients and agents actually enjoy. Outside of closings, Dimitri is a relationship-builder at heart—someone who believes business is personal and that trust is earned through consistency. He’s proudly based in the Sarasota–Lakewood Ranch area, where he’s known for his service mindset, strong local network, and commitment to doing things the right way—every time.Proof Title handles properties from contract to closing, providing Owner’s Title Insurance Policies, Lender Title Insurance Policies, clearing title requirements, and conducting the physical signing and recording of the final documents. We work with all parties of the transaction to ensure a smooth and successful closing. We work to provide signing options and locations, providing mobile notary options when needed to try and meet client's needs t the best of our ability.

Adrian Tolentino - DryPro Inc.

Adrian Tolentino, a true local who has called this area home since 1996. Originally hailing from Puerto Rico, Adrian is a proud graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School and the University of Central Florida. He’s not just an accomplished businessman but also a dedicated father to his adorable three-year-old daughter, Bria. In 2016, Adrian founded DryPro, a company that has made a significant impact in the property damage restoration industry. With over 1,000 property damage claims under his belt, he brings a wealth of experience to the table, tackling everything from leaks and vandalism to fires and the aftermath of five major hurricanes. Join us as we dive into Adrian’s journey, explore the challenges he’s faced in his career, and learn about the valuable lessons he’s picked up along the way. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, disaster recovery, or simply looking for some inspirational stories, you won’t want to miss this episode. Let’s get started!

James D. Kotick, M.D., M.B.A - Envision Plastic Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery

As a Florida native, Dr. Kotick understands the specific challenges and expectations of this diverse population and is proud to support the Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery needs of Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Bradenton, and Manatee County. Music and Painting served as motivation for Dr. Kotick during his time growing up in Orlando, Florida and allowed him to attend the University of South Florida on a Full Music Scholarship during which time his passion for science led him to complete Bachelors Degrees in Microbiology and Chemistry. During this time the bench research he completed in Alzheimer's Disease created a desire to provide more direct care and cure.  To this end, James elected to attend the prestigious University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Beautiful Miami, Florida.   After earning his Medical Doctorate with Research Distinction for advancements in heart valve development he trained in general and trauma surgery for 5 years at Orlando Health.    During his final days at this institution Dr. Kotick was most humbled and honored to serve the community as a trauma surgeon the night of the Pulse Massacre in Orlando, Florida. Following this, Dr. Kotick moved to Boston to combine his loves of science, surgery, and the arts in Plastic Surgery.   As an Instructor of Surgery at Tufts University Dr. Kotick received advanced training in reconstructive and microsurgery at the Lahey Clinic and Harvard Hospitals as well as functioning as a teacher for the medical students at these prestigious medical schools. With a strong desire to bring this advanced skillset to his home of Florida, Dr. Kotick is now proud to serve as a Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgeon for Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Bradenton and Manatee county Florida.   Dr. Kotick is Proud to offer all aspects of Plastic surgery including non-surgical facial rejuvenation with toxins and fillers, Breast lift and augmentation, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), hand surgery, microsurgery, transgender surgery and all forms of Breast Reconstruction after cancer including immediate above the muscle implants to allow patients to return to their life sooner. Dr. Kotick Continues to foster a learning environment as an instructor of surgery for local medical students, and as a reviewer for two prestigious medical journals.