The Money Market Podcast

S5 E18 | Handshake Hustle: The Networking Playbook w/ Elevate, Inc. President & Founder Aakash Patel

Is networking really that beneficial? Owen gets a crash course on this week's episode of "Money" Market with Aakash Patel, Tampa's most prolific networker and founder of Elevate, Inc., a thriving business consulting firm. Aakash unpacks his signature approach to relationship building, from navigating crowded events with intention to turning quick introductions into long-term partnerships. Listeners get an inside look at his bar-side buddy system, sponsor-first approach, and the clever ways he recognizes the hard work of organizers and staff that lead to warm introductions. Aakash shares his sincere tactics for deepening business relationships, adding value without expectation, using your own network to unlock opportunities for others. Owen and Aakash discuss the unique openness of Tampa Bay's business community, the rise of emerging leaders, and the city's explosive transformation – from Gasworx to new corporate headquarters landing across the region. This episode is a must-listen for young professionals who want access but don't have the budget. With tips on how to volunteer strategically, show up consistently, and let generosity be your foot in the door, this conversation is a masterclass in making your mark in Tampa Bay. WATCH NEXT: AMPLIFY EVERYTHING: REINVENTING THE CHAMBER, REIMAGINING A CITY https://youtu.be/m0_EIsc0jI4 [https://youtu.be/m0_EIsc0jI4] SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ [https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ] Follow The "Money" Market Podcast here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17 [https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast] Website: https://moneymarketpodcast.com [https://moneymarketpodcast.com] The Bank of Tampa | FDIC

S5 E17 | Amplify Everything: Reinventing the Chamber, Reimagining a City

What does it take to merge two organizations, reshape a brand, and help redefine an entire city? In this week's episode of "Money" Market, Owen meets with Amanda Payne, President and CEO of AMPLIFY Clearwater, to unpack exactly that. From her roots in public office to leading one of the most innovative business organizations in Tampa Bay, Amanda shares her story of how she turned a traditional chamber model into something entirely new. They dive into the bold rebrand to "Amplify," and the challenge of blending two different cultures together. The conversation expands into Clearwater's evolving identity of tourist destination, entrepreneurial hotspot, and one of Florida's top markets. They also tackle the big topics of downtown redevelopment, the role of major stakeholders, and what it really takes to create a vibrant live-work-play environment. You'll hear behind the scenes hurricane recovery details, public-private partnerships, and the power of fast action when businesses are on the line. From the Phillies' massive development vision to the future of the Bluff and beyond, this episode is a masterclass in leadership and community impact. Want to know where Clearwater is headed? This is one you don't want to miss. WATCH NEXT: IS HOTEL ORA TAMPA'S BOLDEST INVESTMENT YET? https://youtu.be/MBN_xwT7xQ4 [https://youtu.be/MBN_xwT7xQ4] SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ [https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ] Follow The "Money" Market Podcast here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17 [https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast] Website: https://moneymarketpodcast.com [https://moneymarketpodcast.com] The Bank of Tampa | FDIC

S5 E16 | Is Hotel ORA Tampa's Boldest Investment Yet?

Tampa isn't just growing, it's exploding, and this episode proves why. Owen LaFave hosts visionary developer Luigi Novembre and real estate expert Regina Sotomayor to break down one of the most ambitious projects in the city: Hotel ORA. This isn't your typical development; it's a luxury condotel designed to generate serious income while redefining Tampa's skyline. Demand for hotel room nights in Tampa is surging, and with supply not able to keep up, this has become an investment opportunity. Hotel ORA gives investors and those looking for permanent residence to own a piece of one of Tampa's most iconic areas. Luigi shares how his model flips the script on traditional condo hotels by dramatically lowering operating expenses and maximizing investor returns. Regina brings boots-on-the-ground insight into buyer demand, out-of-state migration, and why Tampa is becoming a magnet for wealth. From pre-construction pricing strategies to long-term income potential, this episode discusses what makes this project so unique. If you're invested in real estate or just the future of Tampa Bay, this is one you don't want to miss. The takeaway? The right project, in the right market, at the right time, can change everything. WATCH NEXT: HOW JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT TAMPA BAY IS TRANSFORMING EDUCATION AND WHY IT MATTERS NOW https://youtu.be/TbrdoDCk8tM [https://youtu.be/TbrdoDCk8tM] SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ [https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ] Follow The "Money" Market Podcast here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17 [https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast] Website: https://moneymarketpodcast.com [https://moneymarketpodcast.com] The Bank of Tampa | FDIC

S5 E15 | How Junior Achievement Tampa Bay Is Transforming Education And Why It Matters Now

What if school actually prepared you for real life? On this week's episode of "Money" Market, Owen sits down with Olivier Millour, Vice President of Community & Government Affairs for Junior Achievement (JA) Tampa Bay, to unpack how education and workforce development opportunities are transforming the employment landscape. From immersive experiences like BizTown and Finance Park to game-changing 3DE high school model, JA is rewriting what it means to engage students, and the results are hard to ignore. Olivier shares how his personal experience as a JA student to community leader proves firsthand the power of mentorship and exposure at a young age. Owen and Olivier dive into the stark contrast between the U.S. and European work culture, the evolving role of AI in education, and why traditional classroom models are falling short. Learn how real businesses are shaping curriculum, why student engagement is skyrocketing, and how Tampa Bay is becoming a leader in workforce innovation. Plus, this conversation gets personal, touching on resilience, career pivots, and the unexpected moments that change your life. If you care about the future of employee talent, education, or this community, this episode will brighten your perspective on all three. WATCH NEXT: THE ROI OF RAISING YOUR HAND WITH MALLORY KUBA https://youtu.be/5gmuDMRSOf8 [https://youtu.be/5gmuDMRSOf8] SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ [https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ] Follow The "Money" Market Podcast here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17 [https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast] Website: https://moneymarketpodcast.com [https://moneymarketpodcast.com] The Bank of Tampa | FDIC

S5 E14 | The ROI of Raising Your Hand with Mallory Kuba

Today's episode of the "Money" Market Podcast is all about curiosity, courage, and carving your own path to go where's right for you. Owen sits down with Mallory Kuba, VP of Middle Market Banking at The Bank of Tampa, who proves that a marketing degree with a data analytics brain can evolve into a powerhouse banker. Mallory shares how saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities transformed her career and how it can do the same for young professionals and business owners alike. She breaks down what middle market banking really means, why being bankable starts with being prepared, and the financial metrics that matter most. From fraud protection to cash flow optimization, Mallory highlights the tools that every business should know but few actually use. They discuss leadership skills from how to listen to understand, why paying it forward fuels impact, and what young professionals can gain from organizations like Emerge. This conversation is packed with insight and actionable advice. Tune in, take notes, and stay curious. WATCH NEXT: FROM STARTUP GRIT TO PEAK PERFORMANCE: THE ATHLETICUS METHOD WITH OLYA SCHAEFER https://youtu.be/pnQ8G95i8b0 [https://youtu.be/pnQ8G95i8b0] SUBSCRIBE: https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ [https://youtube.com/@TheMoneyMarketPodcast?si=OEK5SZSBDNr6v0tZ] Follow The "Money" Market Podcast here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17 [https://open.spotify.com/show/6e7E0DaJZQkuw339G7nGI4?si=27d047641a1d4b17] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-money-market-podcast/id1733948143] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/moneymarketpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/moneymarketpodcast] Website: https://moneymarketpodcast.com [https://moneymarketpodcast.com] The Bank of Tampa | FDIC