Longtime Pinellas County resident Kevin Harrington has a stellar resume. Among the highlights: inventor of the infomercial, shark on the first year of the TV show “Shark Tank,” Fortune 100 investor, philanthropist and author. Kevin has launched over 1,000 products in 100 countries, creating some $6 billion in sales. On this episode Kevin and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about his rich history in the product sales business, his must-dos for startups — and don’t dos — and what he looks for in leaders.

3 Takeaways:

1. (07:45) Good leaders need to surround themselves with good people
2. (11:30) Success is being able to go from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm
3. (12:55) Fail fast, fail cheap

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Kevin Harrington, Inventor of the infomercial and original Shark on “Shark Tank”

(04:45) Becoming an entrepreneur

(07:35) What are good leadership characteristics?

(09:40) How do you deal with failure?

(13:00) The rest of 2025 for Kevin Harrington

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.

Joe Dodd’s restaurant and hospitality career has taken a lot of twists and turns, overcoming some missteps, in locations and partnerships, among others. But now his award-winning King of the Coop, specializing in Nashville hot chicken, is a hit in Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. On this episode Joe and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon chatted about the keys to building a strong culture in hospitality — holidays off! — how Joe has overcome setbacks and more.

3 Takeaways:

1. (08:35) Appeal to what your team wants and you’ll get the best from them
2. (15:10) Communication, honesty, and humility are key leadership characteristics
3. (18:10) Don’t listen to the noise, make your own music

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Joe Dodd, founder of King of the Coop

(06:50) Mentors and what Joe learned

(10:50) Retaining talent

(11:45) Starting King of the Coop

(15:10) What makes good leaders?

(16:20) Coming back from setbacks

(22:20) What is coming for King of the Coop?

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.

Ashley has been in the nonprofit sector in Florida for a decade or so, working for the United Way Suncoast and the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, among other entities. She was named president and CEO of the Florida Philanthropic Network, which works with foundations statewide in research, education and public policy, in 2020. On this episode Ashley talks about how she got into nonprofits, why she puts an emphasis on collaborative leadership and what she looks for in leaders. And listen for her stories about working and earning a master’s degree in Australia.

3 Takeaways:

1. (11:40) What is the “why” of the people you serve?
2. (14:40) Lead with humor, leave your ego at the door
3. (15:50) Collaboration moves at the speed of trust

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Ashley Dietz, President and CEO, Florida Philanthropic Network

(07:00) What is the Florida Philanthropic Network?

(09:10) Ashley’s career before FPN

(11:25) Knowing your “why”

(13:25) What do you look for in leaders?

(15:50) Collaboration moves at the speed of trust

(18:15) Learning from mentors

(20:30) Dealing with setbacks

(22:10) What is coming up the rest of 2025?

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.