On this episode of Bottled Up, Andrew Allen sits down with Savannah Caldwell and Danny Caldwell, co-owners of Tony's Brick Oven Pizzeria in downtown Gulfport. They share their backgrounds in hospitality, how they became involved with Tony's, and what it's like to run a busy restaurant while juggling other careers and family life. The Caldwells talk about employee retention, creating a family-like atmosphere, upgrades to the restaurant, and starting their own food truck. They also discuss booking events at Tony's, what makes their space unique, and their passion for fostering great experiences for customers and staff. Whether it's classic pizza, a revamped sidebar, or supporting local events, Savannah and Danny give a behind-the-scenes look at building community through good food and genuine care.

3 Episode Key Takeaways


1. Employee-Centered Management Creates a Strong Team Culture


Both Savannah Caldwell and Danny Caldwell emphasized the importance of treating their staff like family, rather than just employees. They prioritize respecting schedules, valuing feedback, and fostering a supportive environment. This approach helps with employee retention, encouraging team members to stay and even return if they leave.


2. Continuing and Honoring a Local Legacy


Taking over Tony's Brick Oven Pizzeria was about more than business for Savannah Caldwell and Danny Caldwell. They were motivated by respect for Mr. Tony and his long-standing commitment to the community. Their goal was to maintain Tony's legacy, serving loyal customers and building on the restaurant's reputation as a cornerstone of Gulfport.


3. Adaptability and Continuous Improvement as Core Values


The new owners are committed to learning and evolving. Whether it's tweaking the menu, renovating the space, or optimizing event offerings, Savannah Caldwell and Danny Caldwell demonstrate flexibility and a growth mindset. They actively seek feedback, reflect on their daily operations, and aren't afraid to make changes that benefit both their customers and their business.


In this episode of Bottled Up, host Andrew Allen sits down with Paul Loomis, founder of The Loomis Agency and partner at Luminous Sound Studios. Paul Loomis shares his journey from growing up in Washington, D.C., with a musical family to writing iconic jingles, such as "Stanley Steemer." He discusses his switch from dreaming of film composition to building a successful career in advertising music, working fast under tight deadlines, and creating memorable brand music for companies. Andrew Allen and Paul Loomis also discuss how jingles are crafted, the impact of AI on the industry, and offer advice for young musicians. Plus, listeners get to hear the debut of a new jingle for Allen Beverages.

3 Key Takeaways

1.The Evolution and Impact of Jingle Writing: Paul Loomis offers fascinating insight into the craft of jingle writing, discussing its evolution into "brand music" and how catchy, memorable tunes paired with effective brand positioning can drive remarkable business success. He shares notable examples, like the Stanley Steemer jingle, explaining how such work requires both creativity and an understanding of marketing psychology.

2. Adapting to Changes in the Music Industry: The conversation dives into how technology and artificial intelligence are changing the music and advertising landscape. Paul Loomis acknowledges using AI as a tool but warns about its potential to replace traditional human creativity in the future. He also touches on the challenges modern artists face with revenue due to streaming platforms, and the shift away from traditional band instruments toward computer-assisted music.

3. Music as a Multifaceted Career: Paul Loomis's journey demonstrates how a strong musical foundation can lead to diverse opportunities, from writing for jazz ensembles and collaborating with legends like Gil Evans to producing jingles and working on projects like Barney and Vanilla Ice. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both the creative and business sides of the industry, highlighting his experience building a successful agency and launching a record label that's finding success with new acts.