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Curated Collection Of The Best Interviews From Our Pensacola Studio





Pensacola Business Radio: Guests Pensacola Parade People and UWF Center for Performing Arts

Audrey Preston/Pensacola Parade People

We provide a wide variety of parade necessities including: throw beads, custom Krewe beads, plush toys, lit throws, squishy balls, boas, and masks. No need to spend hours on the road or pay a bundle in shipping. We have the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices…AND we’ll deliver to your Krewe’s float barn or float for free when you bundle group orders!

Joseph T. Spaniola  is a composer on a passionate quest to engage the hearts and minds of audiences and performers through the communicative powers of music.

Dr. Spaniola has composed works for band, orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo instruments, voice, choir, and electronic tape.  His musical efforts have been rewarded with competition wins such as the National Band Association/Revelli Memorial Composition Competition, the Global Music Awards, the Florida State Music Educators Commissioned Composer of 2016, numerous musical recordings, and scholarly investigation and reference of his works in publications and doctoral dissertations.  Compositions by the composer have been performed in concert halls and have been recorded by ensembles in the North America, Europe, Japan, South America, Australia, Israel, Singapore, Taiwan and China.  His works have been premiered or presented at conferences and festivals hosted by The College Music Society, The International Trumpet Guild, The American Bandmasters Association, The International Trombone Association, The International Clarinet Association, The Midwest Clinic, The Bowling Green State University New Music and Art Festival, The Tuba/Euphonium Conference and others.  Works by the composer are available through Musica Propria, Kagarice Brass Editions, Tuba Euphonium Press, and directly from the composer at www.josephspaniola.com.

Pensacola Business Radio- Women in Leadership Series brought to you by Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast-Guests: Jenny Muller and Kristine Rushing

Jenny Muller, owner of the Painting With a Twist Pensacola studio!

Jenny’s professional background is in accounting and small business management. She and her husband, Brad owned and operated an Electrical Wholesale Supply for 35 years in the New Orleans area. Jenny loves the beach and when an opportunity to showcase a fun side of her personality opened up in a beach town along with her knowledge of business operations, Jenny couldn’t let that pass by. Currently, Jenny and Brad split their time between Pensacola and their home in Louisiana.

Kristine Rushing/Beck Partners

Beck Partners Holdings provides Commercial Real Estate and Insurance services. It’s affiliates are Beck Partners Insurance and Beck Partners CRE. Beck Partners Insurance specializes in Commercial & Personal Lines products and Risk Management  Programs for various industries. Beck Partners CRE are specialists in Commercial Real Estate and Property Management services. We have offices in Pensacola, Tallahassee and Mobile.

Specialization in Commercial Insurance business analysis, risk management, contractual recommendations & requirements, program negotiations in all commercial industries and risk management implementation.

Developed and implemented organizational processes including organizational workflow, hiring practices and employee development programs that has a track record of efficiency and profitability with long term objectives in positioning the organization for growth and sustainability.

Kolleen Edwards Chesley has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and spent the majority of her career as a financial advisor. In that role, Kolleen was responsible for finding her own clients and quickly learned the value of networking, networking, and even more networking. It was in 2004 and during her sales career that she, along with two other professional business women met for lunch with the purpose of helping to motivate each other after Hurricane Ivan had blown through our area and changed not only the physical landscape of the area, but also impacted the business landscape as well. Out of that lunch was born what is now a thriving not-for-profit organization for business women.

Kolleen currently serves full-time as the Founding Director of what was originally called Women’s Business Lunch and is now known as Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast. The organization advocates a culture of confidence building, lifelong learning, collaboration, empowering others and a spirit of charitable giving. The mission of Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast is to promote, advance and improve women in business and the organization accomplishes these in a number of different ways.

–             Monthly networking meetings in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. These are open to all women and free to attend. We run a structured meeting with open networking, an educational segment, a sponsor presentation, an opportunity to hear about the businesses of all attendees, and a whole lot of fun. We frequently hear from attendees that these meeting are chock full of value and a great way to build new relationships to help support their businesses.

–             Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast Magazine. We are in our third year of production of the magazine and our goal is for this to be a quarterly publication. Each edition features interviewees of local successful leaders in business who share their honest thoughts on leadership, success, obstacles, and inspiration as it relates to women in business. We also include other articles on leadership, networking, and other skill development. It is geared for anyone in business or looking for business motivation and tips.

–             Annual Pursue Your Passion Women’s conference. To help celebrate National Business Women’s Week, we hold a full day conference during the third week of October along with several other events leading up to the conference. We feature a national keynote speaker, several local successful leaders in business, along with Speed Networking, an Experience Hall, structured and unstructured networking exercises and plenty of laughter, relationship building and excitement. Our attendees are not only motivated by the conference but they leave with tangible tips they can take back and implement in their businesses to lead them to success.

–             Power Up Challenge is a 12 week educational series where we hold classes once a week for an hour and a half focused around four main areas of business: Networking, Marketing, Business Efficiency, and Sales Skills. Open to men and women and all classmates (whether they attend in person or not) receive the full audio recording of each class along with class notes, expanded notes, and extra resources. Classes are affordable and attendees are elated with the amount and quality of the information that is shared.

–             Women in Leadership radio podcast show – sponsored by Pensacola Business Radio X. We hold shows twice a month and bring in mostly women but some men for in-depth interviews. Interviewees share their advice on topics such as mentoring, keys to success, time management tools, personal mantras and favorite inspirations, and what men can do to help support women in business.

Membership in Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast is also available. Contact kolleen@powerfulwomengulfcoast.com for more information or visit our website at powerfulwomengulfcoast.com or Facebook at Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast.

Pensacola Business Radio: Booyah Mortgage / Shane Johnson and Tel Staffing / David Pasqualone

Shane Johnson / Booyah Mortgage

As a United States Marine, Owner of Booyah Mortgage and Founder of Booyah Veteran Bus Project, Shane offers over thirteen years of VA mortgage experience helping borrowers, Active Duty military, and Veterans with the most important transaction of their lives. With demonstrated knowledge of VA mortgage loans, he provides meticulous attention to detail to ensure your loan approval. He is known for excellent follow-through with borrowers, loan processors, and underwriters along with Realtors to ensure your loan closes on time.

Ensuring that you make the right choice for you and your family is his team’s ultimate goal. They are committed to providing their veteran brothers and sisters with VA mortgage services that exceed their expectations. Take the time to browse their website, check out the different loan programs, use their decision-making tools and calculators, and use their secure online application to get started.  It is quick and easy.

After you’ve applied, a member of the Booyah Batallion will call you to discuss the details of your VA loan, or you may choose to set up an appointment using their online form. As always, you may contact them anytime by phone, or email for personalized service and expert advice. Thank you so much for your service to this country!  The Booyah family looks forward to the opportunity to serve you and your mortgage needs.

Semper Fi!

 

Dave Pasqualone / TEL Staffing

TEL Staffing & HR exists to provide our customers, employees and partners with a level of professional service and care that continually exceeds their expectations, contributes to their happiness, and adds value and benefit to their lives in a way that positively affects their bottom line.

TEL Staffing & HR (pronounced “tell”) is the leading full-service Professional Employer Organization (PEO) on the Gulf Coast today. For more than fifteen years we’ve helped hundreds of hard-working business owners simplify their lives and maximize their profits by providing them with the very best in human resource solutions, workers’ compensation coverage, insurance protection, as well as payroll and tax processing services.

The Resources of a Fortune 500 Company on a Small Business Budget!
Companies partnering with TEL enjoy immediate access to administrative resources and benefits typically reserved for large, multinational corporations.

Our Friends are Your Friends
TEL’s personalized care and world-class strategic partnerships enable us to provide you with the “right fit” when it comes to health care, employee benefits, life insurance, supplemental insurances, financial investment strategies, and professional staffing solutions.

The Personal Difference
Commitment to personal interaction with our clients means TEL Staffing & HR is able to accurately assess and determine your company’s unique needs. Our clients trust us to provide them with the very best value and service in the industry today.  Call us today!

 

 

 

Pensacola Business Radio: Guests Mike Hodges and Angel Pomales

Meet Our Owner

The founder of our company is Mike Hodges. Mike is a Thinking Into Results (TIR) consultant, who is affiliated with the Proctor Gallagher Institute (PGI). The TIR program has helped him combine his experience in contract administration, employee training, sales, and business administration with his passion for personal growth and development.

Mike uses the same tools used by Bob Proctor, an industry leader in personal development. These techniques assist clients with improving their performance in all aspects of life. He customizes his program to fit each client’s unique needs, so they can achieve the results they desire. Individuals will also be able to answer several key questions, such as

Why can’t I achieve my goals?
Why do I progress for short periods of time and then revert to my previous behaviors?
How can I meet and exceed my goals and make lasting, permanent, and positive changes in my life?

 

 

 

Angel started working for Mr. Gonzales in the back of the store doing inventory. Within a few days, he was promoted to sales selling high end men’s apparel and quickly became a top salesman. Mr. Gonzales not only taught Angel the fundamentals of sales, but also how to treat customers with the outmost respect while providing the best customer service. Angel quickly realized that sales and good customer service was the life blood of any company. This started him on a journey to become one of the world’s greatest salesman.

Angel has had an extensive career in sales and has helped numerous companies achieve record breaking years. He also served 22 years in the Navy and retired as Navy Chief. Recently, he played a key role in launching a new company in the medical equipment field with former NBA star Jonathan Bender. He also achieved the top sales position with one of the largest companies in the world, which exceeds over 18 billion dollars annually and employs nearly 60,000 people.

Today, Angel Pomales has been mentoring under some of the top industry leaders and entrepreneurs in the country and is currently an executive leader in a company that is projected to hit over $800 million this year and has earned over $7 billion since its inception in 1992.

 He now not only has financial freedom, but is learning to have time freedom and devotes his life to helping others gain the tools and opportunity necessary to gain financial independence. Angel is dedicated to several charities, which find real solutions to monumental problems that interfere with daily, worldwide issues. Out of all of his achievements, his biggest success is being a man of faith and being a loving husband to his wife Maribel, and a proud father to his children Alexander and Nathalie.

Pensacola Business Radio: Guests David Clark / Zeekee, Ana Meeker / ACN

David Clark / Zeekee

Today, Zeekee has grown
into a full-fledged internet marketing firm with services including website development, graphic design, internet marketing and website support. We have developed and supported over 2,000 websites and countless campaigns for our clients in all industries from local startups to international Fortune 500 companies.

Ana Meeker / ACN

Your Service Can Be Free!

Strive for Five

Your monthly bills can be a thing of the past with Strive for 5! Simply refer 5 eligible customers of the same service and your service can be free!

Project Feeding Kids

When you become an ACN customer, a child gets fed. And when you pay your select ACN bills each month, another child gets fed. It doesn’t get simpler or more powerful than that.

play Watch the Video | Learn more

Pensacola Business Radio: The Net Effect / Glenda Snodgrass-Assessing Cyber Security Risk: You Can’t Secure It If

The Net Effect, L.L.C. was founded in Mobile, Alabama (US) in 1996.

View my profile on LinkedIn Follow me on Twitter Google+ Glenda R. Snodgrass has been lead consultant and project manager at The Net Effect since the company’s inception in 1996. She is primarily engaged in network security assessments & training, software implementations and technology project management.Glenda is experienced in managing database applications (litigation support, POS, accounting, ecommerce, CRM/ERP) in the US and in France, and has developed browser-based applications in PHP and mySQL. Her extensive hands-on software background gives her unique insight into the user’s perspective and the challenges of securing data while preserving functionality.

A popular speaker on the Gulf Coast, Glenda enjoys giving presentations on information security to civic and professional organizations. You will find her current schedule of public presentations on our Resources page.

She holds a B.A. from the University of South Alabama (1986) and a maîtrise from Université de Paris I – Panthéon-Sorbonne in Paris, France (1989).

Copyright 1996-2017 The Net Effect, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Read our privacy policy

Cyber Self Defense workshops every 3 months, and the next one is Feb 3 ( http://www.theneteffect.com/courses/ ).  These workshops are open to the public and designed for non-technical people to learn basic security practices, and of course I’d like to plug it on the show. You can ask me questions about any of the topics in the workshop.  Also, my workshops meet the requirements for the “New Technology Requirement” the Florida Bar is now requiring of its members.  You can read about this at http://www.floridabar.org/tfb/TFBMember.nsf/ED6E4BCB92A8FE1B852567090069F3C2/EF275B8B68D1C99F85256B2F006CA497?OpenDocument and I expect more bar associations (and other professional orgs) to follow suit.

Cyber Security Risk: You Can’t Secure It If
https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/risk-based-security-for-executives/risk-management/cyber-security-risk-cant-secure/

Defeating Cybercrime with Awareness & Good Habits http://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/security-data-protection/cyber-security/defeating-cybercrime-with-awareness-and-good-habits/

 

 

Pensacola Business Radio: Heart Centered Digital Domination Series Ep. 1-Zeekee, Appriver, G-Media Interactive and Lead Grasp-Sharing The Expertise

Calvin Bonifacio / Lead Grasp

EMPOWER WITH INTENSITY

Around here it’s a two-way street. We empower you and you empower us. It’s the way relationships should be.
Our greatest satisfaction is the success that we can bring to your small business. It’s why we come to work every day. Imagine headbands, coffee and keyboards. We work with intensity to deliver the results that you expect.
We know the clock is ticking. Running a small business is stressful. You don’t have money to waste,
which is why we work with intensity day in and day out.

 INTENTIONAL & ACCOUNTABLE

We do everything with intentionality. It keeps us focused. Intentionally means that we have purpose,
and our purpose is you. We don’t cry over spilled milk. We clean it up and get back to work.
Bad days happen, but it’s how you respond to them that matters most.

 VALUE

As innovators, it’s our responsibility to see additional opportunities for your business.
Our digital marketing services continually evolve, so there’s always more that can be done.
We’ll figuratively bend over backwards to bring more opportunity to your business.
The foundation of any relationship is effective communication. You can call us whenever you’d like.
We have plenty of minutes. We’ll tell you exactly what we’re doing for your business. It’s part of our transparency.

 

Beth McClean

Digital Marketing Professional | Web Analytics Specialist for SaaS | Paid Search Strategy | Marketing Chair @ ITEN Wired

I enjoy challenging, innovative work environments and believe in producing only high quality results. From extensive experience in online research, web analytics, SEO, advanced digital marketing strategy, CRM implementation and data mining -I have acquired knowledge and skill sets that parlay into many business arenas.

Currently thriving as a Search Engine Marketer + Web Analytics Specialist providing data reporting (via Google platforms) and digital marketing insights for a SaaS provider for email and Web security solutions in the SMB / SME marketplace.

Formerly served as a business development and digital marketing analyst for a top-rated demolition firm with a special emphasis on identifying active large-scale infrastructure projects within the energy sector from industry analysis, SEM and database research. Marketing manager for the company’s digital marketing strategy including PPC, Organic, SEO, email marketing and CMS optimization-including site redesign for mobile search.

Digital Marketing Strategy (PPC, CMS & SEO)
Google Platforms: AdWords, Analytics, Console + Tag Manager
Web Analytics, Data Capture, Attribution Modeling Reporting
Market Research + Online Research
Sales, BD + CRM
Tech Marketing + MaaS

I am available for consulting in the area of digital marketing, paid search strategy and search engine marketing advanced strategy. I’ve worked in many sectors and am happy to provide key insights to build your online presence in the marketplace. Please reach out at mccleanb@gmail.com for more information.

David Clark / Zeekee

We Are Here to Help

Zeekee Interactive is an internet marketing firm headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. We are dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes grow on the internet. Through responsive websites, custom logo design and marketing collateral creation, we help our clients stand out from the crowd.
Our internet marketing department develops and implements strategies with white hat best practices in content development, SEO, SEM, email marketing and social media to help expand your brand’s reach online. No matter your needs or company size, our team has the experience and skills necessary to meet your needs.

Greg Guzman / G-Media 

I served as an Army medic during the Reagan years. My public media career now spans more than 20 years. Most of my broadcast career was spent on air and being a corporate marketing representative. At the core, I helped raise money from the business sector to support public radio and television.

As technology changed the delivery of content, I took great interest in all things internet including social media and search engine optimization. After speaking with many of my radio clients, I noticed there was a real need to assist small businesses with navigating the information superhighway.

Many of my clients became my mentors and they encouraged me to start my own business. That business became Greg Guzman Media, LLC which is now doing business as G-Media Interactive.

Greg Guzman Media, LLC began in January 1, 2012 with the idea to help businesses successfully negotiate the ever evolving landscape of digital media.

 

 

 

 

 

Pensacola Business Radio: Vybe Cafe and Compassionate Capital and Trader Jon’s Documentary with Trace Reddick, Frank Broughton and Greg Ammon

 

Trace Reddick / Compassionate Capital

Results oriented, business-savvy entrepreneur who specializes in logistics, streamlining processes, improving systems/organizational communication, and productivity. My passion is business and driving growth through product innovation, superior customer service, and honest relationships.

I have a taste for the macabre. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my German Shepherd dogs, going on food adventures, observing carnivorous plants in the wild, and participating in high-adrenaline activities such as sailboat racing and skydiving.

BUILDING TRUST | ENGINEERING WINNING TEAMS:
Currently facilitates business development for IRIS and its partners by uncovering creative and outside-of-the-box revenue channels that align with goals of its strategic partnerships. By encouraging productive, thought-engaging dialogue I actively convert ideas into deliverables on a consistent basis by effective project management.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Successfully launched two businesses, MetaSpace Designs and Superior Custom Pins with nationwide clientbases. Each specializes in high quality custom cloisonné and soft enamel lapel pins, coins, key chains, belt buckles, and much more. Superior Custom Pins is positioned operate in B2B markets as a source for low cost promotional items and high margin souvenirs.

Co-authored a paper on MetaSpace Designs that was published in the fall 2014 edition of the American Journal of Management, a Cabels rated academic journal.

In 2008 and 2010, I also opened two restaurants in upper management positions. By streamlining all the workflow operations and focusing on effective inventory management and variable cost controls, I ensured a successful debut of the restaurants.

 

Frank Broughton / Vybe Cafe

Owner

vybe Cafe LLC

September 2016 – Present (5 months)

Sound Solutions for almost anything. Dj and sound services www.vybecafedjs.com

Chief Executive Officer

www.rbumanagement.com

January 2015 – Present (2 years 1 month)Pensacola, Florida

To manage the finest artist that are not afraid to push for better music. While keeping up with the latest trends in marketing and social media. To make a bigger impact for self and the music!

Consulting, Installs, and Talent

Freelance Actor, Dj, Pro Audio Consulting.

August 1994 – Present (22 years 6 months)Nation Wide

If its background work or a leading roll. A Dj, or someone to design your DJ Booth or Studio. Maybe just some information on any of it. Im your guy. I have worked worked in all budgets and on every scale from a Mobile set up for a personal DJ to a Former NBA players personal Studio and sound rooms. Consulting and Talent.

 

Greg Ammon / Catalyst Group – Cinematic Sensei

DESCRIPTION

TRADER JON’S THE EVENT

Vintage Flick Productions (http://www.vintageflick.com) would like to cordially invite you to our official kickoff party for our new documentary:

TRADER JON’S – THE MAN THE ICON.

WHERE: Wings (http://www.flywings.com)
WHEN: Thursday January 19th from 5 pm until 7 pm
Wine, beer and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Please join us to hear about this exciting new project!

THE DOCUMENTARY

We are telling the story of TRADER JON’S and how he managed to collect the largest single collection of Military memorabilia through the patrons words. Trader Jon affected millions of lives with his generosity and thirst for life. From the military service members who were patron’s in his bar, to the families all around the world who got to hear their stories. It is our turn to give back, by helping us create this documentary. We want to share your stories and we need your help. This is an integral part of military history and a story that NEEDS to be told!

PROJECTS PRODUCTION COMPANY

The project will be produced by VINTAGE FLICK, an award-winning company that has created numerous film and video projects including documentaries, music videos, commercials, and narrative works. The CEO of the company, Flick Wiltshire, is a Pensacola native son, and his father was Naval Officer and Aviator Commander WHF “Bill” Wiltshire;

 

 

Pensacola Business Radio: Guests Jack Jacobs /  Coastal Moving and Storage and Pensacola Moving and Storage

Jack M Jacobs / Coastal Moving and Storage and Pensacola Moving and Storage

I have been in the moving industry since 1978. In my career, I have been a packer, a loader, a driver and Sales. Most recently I accepted a position as Business Development Director for Coastal moving and Storage / Pensacola Moving and Storage. My position is to help grow our business, work with our sales people to improve their abilities and provide quality service to the moving public. Over the last 38 years, I have worked for most major van lines.  I thoroughly enjoy helping people move and feel I am a big part of people changing their lives and moving on to bigger and better opportunities.  

YOUR EXPERIENCED PENSACOLA MOVING COMPANY

Since 1969, Coastal Moving & Storage has been committed to the moving and storage needs of families and businesses in Pensacola and the greater Gulf Coast area. Including relocation services for members of the Armed Services community, commercial facilities, and families, you can trust our Pensacola Moving Company for packing, loading, storing, and transporting professionals to care for your household goods or commercial property.

Pensacola Business Radio: Working From The Heart Series-Making Changes in Culture and Consciousness, Improving your Community, Mind, Body and Soul

From Left

Arvind Mani / Founder & President
MODE Mind & Body

Rethinking health and the human experience through float therapy, whole body sonic vibration, far infrared, and magnetic resonance therapy.

 

Kolleen Edwards Chesley / Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast

Kolleen Edwards Chesley has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and spent the majority of her career as a financial advisor. In that role, Kolleen was responsible for finding her own clients and quickly learned the value of networking, networking, and even more networking. It was in 2004 and during her sales career that she, along with two other professional business women met for lunch with the purpose of helping to motivate each other after Hurricane Ivan had blown through our area and changed not only the physical landscape of the area, but also impacted the business landscape as well. Out of that lunch was born what is now a thriving not-for-profit organization for business women.

 

Kolleen currently serves full-time as the Founding Director of what was originally called Women’s Business Lunch and is now known as Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast. The organization advocates a culture of confidence building, lifelong learning, collaboration, empowering others and a spirit of charitable giving. The mission of Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast is to promote, advance and improve women in business and the organization accomplishes these in a number of different ways.

–             Monthly networking meetings in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze. These are open to all women and free to attend. We run a structured meeting with open networking, an educational segment, a sponsor presentation, an opportunity to hear about the businesses of all attendees, and a whole lot of fun. We frequently hear from attendees that these meeting are chock full of value and a great way to build new relationships to help support their businesses.

–             Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast Magazine. We are in our third year of production of the magazine and our goal is for this to be a quarterly publication. Each edition features interviewees of local successful leaders in business who share their honest thoughts on leadership, success, obstacles, and inspiration as it relates to women in business. We also include other articles on leadership, networking, and other skill development. It is geared for anyone in business or looking for business motivation and tips.

–             Annual Pursue Your Passion Women’s conference. To help celebrate National Business Women’s Week, we hold a full day conference during the third week of October along with several other events leading up to the conference. We feature a national keynote speaker, several local successful leaders in business, along with Speed Networking, an Experience Hall, structured and unstructured networking exercises and plenty of laughter, relationship building and excitement. Our attendees are not only motivated by the conference but they leave with tangible tips they can take back and implement in their businesses to lead them to success.

–             Power Up Challenge is a 12 week educational series where we hold classes once a week for an hour and a half focused around four main areas of business: Networking, Marketing, Business Efficiency, and Sales Skills. Open to men and women and all classmates (whether they attend in person or not) receive the full audio recording of each class along with class notes, expanded notes, and extra resources. Classes are affordable and attendees are elated with the amount and quality of the information that is shared.

–             Women in Leadership radio podcast show – sponsored by Pensacola Business Radio X. We hold shows twice a month and bring in mostly women but some men for in-depth interviews. Interviewees share their advice on topics such as mentoring, keys to success, time management tools, personal mantras and favorite inspirations, and what men can do to help support women in business.

Membership in Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast is also available. Contact kolleen@powerfulwomengulfcoast.com for more information or visit our website at powerfulwomengulfcoast.com or Facebook at Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast.

 

Jon Shell / Upward Intuition

In the spring of 2015, Upward Intuition was created with the purpose of facilitating positive change in Pensacola. The three-word phrase that we center our work upon is simple: Thoughts Create Reality.

Taking the time to assess the needs of our community, led us to the realization that there is a great need for a bridge between the young innovative people with great ideas, and the local leaders who have the ability to help effect change. Today’s youth are important; they are our future, and should be part of a vibrant and growing Pensacola. We strive to lead by example in an effort to inspire and empower them to live with a sense of purpose, and to show the value of giving back the community. Through youth-driven programs we provide opportunities for young people to make good decisions. They are encouraged to be innovators by identifying problems and crafting solutions, and we support their goals by offering them ways to become involved in projects with lasting significance.

Upward Intuition is committed to creating positive change in Pensacola and we greatly value the support of those who share our vision. With openness to new ideas, effective partnerships, and collaborations with community stakeholders, we are confident in our city’s future as we act today to make a difference.

After nearly two years of hard work, The Blake Doyle Community Park is ready to move forward! Upward Intuition will be responsible for design and construction and recently, in October 2016, the City of Pensacola formally agreed to assume responsibility for operations and maintenance once the park is completed.

With that critical approval by the City secured, we at Upward Intuition are now able to begin Phase I of the skatepark project: Fundraising for soft costs (design/development, engineering, surveying, geotechnical, and architectural). Our fundraising goal for Phase I is $100,000.

The core of the project will be an iconic, destination skatepark that will serve, among others, the ‘Forgotten Youth’ of our community, the non-traditional athletes. (i.e. skateboarders, BMXers, rollerbladers). This top-notch public facility will even be suitable for professional skateboarding events. However, with additional areas in the park focused on such elements as general health, early learning, art and music, there will be activities and amenities for people of all ages and interests, from children to seniors.

 

Meghan McCarthy / Baptist Health

Meghan McCarthy has a vision to turn Pensacola Blue. “We are almost the least healthy county in Florida,” she said. “At what point are we going to get angry.”

A Blue Zone is a place where people live a measurably longer, more healthy life. Cities that have gone Blue have experienced dramatic health changes as a result.

Meghan’s plan involves starts with a shared vision of what a healthier Pensacola looks and feels like, and having Blue “pockets” throughout our community. We are working with Meghan and Baptist Hospital to make the skatepark one of these pockets.

What makes the Blue Zones so healthy? There are many factors.  They are called the Power 9:

  1. Move Naturally- Don’t think marathons, think gardening and walking.
  2. Have a Purpose- It is the reason you wake up every day.
  3. Down Shift – This requires the ability to manage our stress.
  4. 80% Rule – Eat until you are 80% full.
  5. Plant Slant – Make plants the center of your diet.
  6. Wine at 5 – One serving of alcohol daily with food and friends.
  7. Belong – Being part of a faith-based community.
  8. Loved Ones First – Invest in family with time and love.
  9. Right Tribe – Have social circles that support healthy behaviors.

What they all center on is that our environment is very powerful. If the healthy choice is the easiest choice, we are accidently healthier.

Some people think that the major factor of how long you live is your genes, but research has shown that genes only account for 20%. The other 80% is lifestyle.

To learn more about Blue Zones visit www.bluezones.com