Host Nicole Alicea sits down with Nelcy Baltz, a community leader, entrepreneur, and breast cancer survivor turned nonprofit founder. Nelcy shares her powerful journey—from a shocking breast cancer diagnosis to founding Believe Cancer Foundation (believecf.org), a nonprofit that provides emotional and physical support to cancer patients and caregiv…

Nicole Alicea, President and CEO of Brand NV, an integrated digital marketing, branding and advertising agency, discusses the integration of AI in marketing, emphasizing its benefits and limitations. She shares insights on how AI can enhance marketing strategies while highlighting the importance of human creativity and expertise. The discussion als…

Dottie Groover-Skipper, founder of the Heart Dance Foundation and a relentless advocate against human trafficking, substance abuse, and exploitation, shares her journey from corporate wellness to building a mission-driven nonprofit that supports vulnerable individuals in the adult entertainment industry. She offers insights into the challenges, str…

We’re thrilled to welcome back retired commercial banker, Cynthia Weiss, for a candid and insightful discussion about protecting your business from fraud. Cynthia shares five key practices that every small business owner should implement to safeguard their company, including tips on handling vendors, monitoring cash flow, and establishing clear fin…

Anthony Koffman, Mission and Ethics Director at BayCare Health System, discusses BayCare’s rich history and legacy, and how Mission and Values guide daily operations—from business decisions to community programs. We also discuss ethics in healthcare, sharing stories of tough decisions regarding patient care, such as organ donation and end-of-life m…

We had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible Linda Hurtado-Bond—an Emmy Award-winning journalist, best-selling author, breast cancer survivor, and mother of five! Linda opened up about how she juggles her high-profile career at Fox 13, writing thrilling novels, and raising a family, all while staying true to her passions. In this episod…

In this captivating episode, Shane Combs, Ph.D., MBA, opens up about his transformation from running a million-dollar ad agency to guiding students at the University of South Florida. Host Nicole Valentin Alicea explores Shane’s journey of reinvention, leadership, and the new generation’s approach to values and work. Join us for an insightful conve…

In this episode of Create Brand NV, host Nicole Alicea welcomes back employment law attorney Charlotte Fernee Kelly for an insightful discussion on women’s rights in the workplace, particularly surrounding pregnancy and lactation. Charlotte sheds light on critical laws like the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act (PWFA), an…

James Neely, SVP of KUDUCOM™, joins me to explore the intricacies of growing your company in a tech-centric environment with a remote and hybrid workforce. In this episode, we delve into three main areas: Adapting and Scaling Your Business: Discover best practices for adapting to remote work, scaling your business, and implementing effective hybrid…

Michael Budensiek, owner of The Fit Effect, and Nicole Alicea of Brand NV discuss the business of gyms and fitness. They explore how prioritizing self-care can have a profound impact on all aspects of life, leading to greater success.By Nicole Valentin Alicea

Sit down with Eric Parker, a Special Operations Combat Veteran with nearly 30 years of experience in the security industry. Eric's impressive career includes military service, private security, high-threat contracting with Blackwater in Iraq and Afghanistan, and federal service with the Diplomatic Security Service as a Subject Matter Expert on High…

In this episode, Nicole interviews Dave and Alex Trudeau of Clear Armor. Dave, the founder and CEO, shares his journey of creating the strongest protective glass laminate after a personal break-in experience. Alex, the COO, discusses the operational side, detailing installations in schools, police departments, businesses, and homes. The Trudeaus ex…

Geek out with us on the future of AI in SEO! In this episode, we welcome Greg Brooks, partner and Chief Marketing Officer at Search Tides. Hear the latest in AI-driven SEO strategies and learn the "secret sauce" to ensure your business ranks well on Google, Bing and other search engines.By Nicole Valentin Alicea

In this episode of the Create Brand NV Podcast, host Nicole Alicea sits down with JP Lebel, the driven and visionary founder of Lebel Landscaping. Starting from humble beginnings as a college student mowing residential lawns, JP has transformed his side gig into a flourishing landscaping empire. Discover how his natural business acumen, determinati…

Not everyone is qualified to make accurate valuations, so don't let someone tell you you're too expensive. Know your worth. Price yourself correctly. Effectively tell the story of the value you bring to the table. Join me as I share my thoughts on pricing, worth, and value.By Nicole Valentin Alicea

After a brief hiatus, Nicole is back! Learn the difference between B2B and B2C marketing, marketing and advertising, and bias in marketing advice. If you have 20 minutes and love talking shop, join me!By Nicole Valentin Alicea

Licensed Psychologist Dr. Carlos Garcia, owner and founder of Tampa Counseling and Wellness, shares the 5 Major Psychological Shifts business owners need to make if they want to blossom into successful business leaders: Broadening your vision (i.e., how to go from working "in" your business to working "on" your business, seeing opportunity, how to …

Meet the team behind the Create Brand NV Podcast. Listen to Fingers and Nicole reminisce about their 20-year friendship, traffic reports done from airplanes back in the day, but most of all, celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the Create Brand NV podcast. Easy listening for a change with a few laughs in between!…

Join me in my conversation with Sarah Cole, the President and CEO of the Glazer Children's Museum in Tampa, Florida, as we discuss the business of fun and play. If you're involved in strategic leadership, we hope this episode inspires you!By Nicole Valentin Alicea

Lori Goldsmith is an experienced HR professional with a wealth of knowledge in global HR practices. We delve into the common mistakes business owners make when expanding their team, which can lead to high turnover rates and potentially jeopardize the business. Lori shares advice on creating and maintaining company culture and the difference between…

Banks look at both personal and business finances when giving business loans. Cynthia Weiss, a retired banker, offers guidance on how business owners can clean up their personal credit to get themselves in the best position to be offered favorable lending terms and lower interest rates. This episode is also full of juicy money stories that'll make …

In this episode, I sit down with Jim Marshall of Sandler (Sales) Training of Tampa Bay. Join us to unpack the stigma of the sleazy salesperson and learn best practices for identifying the top 10% of professional salespeople.By Nicole Valentin Alicea

In this episode, we sit down with the accomplished Sheldon Ramkisson—a self-made businessman with an uncanny knack for turning struggling businesses into prosperous ventures. With a consolidated operating revenue of $9 million across six businesses, Sheldon offers unparalleled insights into the science of business and its intricate dance between nu…

Bring pen and paper to my conversation with Tony Miller, a seasoned entrepreneur from Tampa, Florida, where we discuss the importance of thorough due diligence in any business endeavor. With five diverse business ventures under his belt in just 17 years, Tony has a keen eye for business and a wealth of hard-knock wisdom. He has owned a marketing an…

Kevin Citarella, the owner and founder of Citarella Pest Control gives us a peek under the hood of his service-based business model. In this episode, Kevin breaks down what it takes to start a pest control business, including licenses, degrees, experience and certifications. We talk about how he trains his team, the logistics of covering a large te…

Dive into the world of Jack Daniels with Brenda Terry, the brand's one and only Brand Ambassador for the state of Florida, as she reveals the secrets behind the Master Distiller, Distributor, and Supplier side of the business. In this eye-opening episode, Brenda shares her unique role in educating and inspiring the bartending community to explore J…

Sue Trecasse is a force to be reckoned with in the radio industry. For a decade, she served as the Operations Manager of News Radio 970 WFLA-AM, The Sports Animal 620 WDAE-AM, and the Devil Rays Radio Network, with immediate oversight of 970 WFLA as Program Director. Under her leadership, 970 WFLA consistently ranked in the top 5 in the Tampa Metro…

In this episode of Create Brand NV, Nicole Alicea sits down with Dr. Jerry Copeland, a pediatric dentist based out of Tampa, FL, to discuss the essential elements of running a successful pediatric dentistry practice. Dr. Copeland shares his experience purchasing an existing practice and integrating into the existing team while creating a new cultur…

Today's guest is Isabel Norton. This episode will reveal the story behind the Robert Norton Foundation, a 501(c)(3) providing communication devices for families with non-verbal autistic children. You'll hear how Robert Norton's mom, Isabel Norton, came up with the idea and put a plan into action to help her son Robert and other families that also n…

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Pilar Ortiz, a highly accomplished communications expert and coach who has helped countless individuals and businesses improve their communication skills. Pilar shares her personal journey of transitioning from an employee mindset after losing her steady news anchor job of 11 years, to becoming …

Sit in with me and my conversation with Tim Moore. Tim has built two successful video production companies with his partner Jonathan Davila. The first half of our discussion explores his companies from a business owner and entrepreneurial perspective. The second half dives headfirst into speculating about the future of virtual environments, simulat…

My guest, Matt Loder, owns and operates multiple restaurants, but he is most well-known for being the son of Crabby Bill and Dolores, who founded The Original Crabby Bill's in 1983. In this episode, we explore how and why Crabby Bill's family brand of restaurants has consistently been able to nail the perfect customer experience for over 40 years. …

Today's guest is Cynthia Weiss, a commercial banking and lending expert who evaluates businesses' financials to determine whether that business can repay a loan, should one be granted. This interview features advice on handling your business financials correctly and discusses the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977 and what that means for smal…

My guest today is Joni Adams, the CEO of Reimagine Office Furnishings. ROF is one of less than a small handful of office furniture dealers in the United States with full-scale remanufacturing capabilities. Hear the story of how she and her husband started their company selling simple office supplies and how they grew their business into a massive 1…

My guest today is Anthony Perrone, who is in his 34th year at the helm of the Pin Chasers Bowling Family Center empire, which has run thriving bowling centers in the Tampa Bay area for over 65 years! Hear the family business stories and learn about the lessons and values that the father, Bill Morris, instilled in his children. Learn about the histo…

Listen in on my conversation with Matt Lentz, the new owner of The Roofing Company. This business was established by a completely different person and purchased by Matt, even though Matt had zero experience in the roofing industry. We'll discuss his process for evaluating businesses for sale, contract negotiations on non-compete clauses, and how he…

Today’s guest is Charlotte Fernee Kelly of Fernee Kelly Law with offices in Tampa and Jacksonville Florida. She is an employment and labor law attorney who represents both the employee or the employer – but never at the same time, of course. We’re going to discuss the new employment landscape and what employers need to be doing to ensure they can c…