PB + Jax

Randall Thomas

Pioneers. Builders. Jacksonville. PB + Jacksonville is a podcast dedicated to spotlighting the entrepreneurs and business leaders who are driving innovation in Jacksonville. We delve into the stories behind the city's growth, offering insights and inspiration for current and aspiring business owners. Visit PBJax.com to learn more.

  1. 5d ago

    #64 - How Tim Ager Built Community in Jacksonville

    Some people network to collect contacts. Tim Ager focuses on creating places where people form real relationships.In this episode of PB & JAX, I sit down with Tim to talk about his journey from military service to entrepreneurship and the role community has played along the way.After moving around the country and abroad, Tim eventually found his way to Jacksonville. What started as a desire to meet people grew into something much larger. Meetups, Taco Tuesdays, volleyball leagues, dinners, and other gatherings became opportunities for people to connect, build friendships, exchange ideas, and support one another.We talk about what Tim has learned from becoming the person who brings people together, including why hosting changes the way you network, why consistency matters more than collecting business cards, and how meaningful relationships often start when you create a reason for people to gather.Tim also shares his perspective on turning community building into a business, growing his volleyball leagues, creating social experiences that do not revolve around alcohol, and building environments where deeper conversations happen naturally.This conversation explores a simple idea: meaningful connections rarely happen by accident. Someone has to create the opportunity for people to meet.We discuss:• Tim’s transition from military life to entrepreneurship• Why he started hosting events in Jacksonville• His best advice for building a meaningful network• Turning social events into a sustainable business• Why showing up consistently matters• Creating community without making alcohol the centerpiece• What Tim has learned from connecting people across Jacksonville• Why being a great host changes how people remember youIf you are trying to grow your network, build community, or become more intentional about the relationships around you, this conversation offers a different way to think about connection.PB & JAX: Pioneers. Builders. Jacksonville.

  2. Jul 19

    Inside the Brand: How Charlotte Built the Retail Side of Olive My Pickle

    This episode is sponsored by Olive My Pickle: Probiotic Fermented Foods for Gut Health. For more information, visit their website here: https://www.olivemypickle.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoruevMF0Zhy8qzhFTCVkLA2FrxQHFlusRTKY5bGRrHeyBZG9efYWhat does it take to turn a great product into a brand people recognize, trust, and want to bring into their homes?In this episode of PB & Jax, Randall sits down with Charlotte Tzabari, co-founder of Olive My Pickle, to explore a different side of the business: retail, merchandising, and the work behind building a brand that stands out.Charlotte shares her perspective on growing Olive My Pickle beyond the product itself. We talk about the decisions behind how products are presented, how customers experience the brand, and what goes into creating a retail presence that feels authentic to the company they have built.In this conversation, we discuss:• The retail side of building Olive My Pickle• Creating a recognizable and consistent brand• The role merchandising plays in the customer experience• Understanding what customers want• Growing a product-based business while staying true to your identity• The lessons learned from years of entrepreneurship• Building a business alongside your spouse• The evolution of Olive My Pickle from its early days to where the company is todayShai’s story gave us a look at the entrepreneurial journey behind Olive My Pickle. My conversation with Charlotte takes us inside another critical piece of the business and shows how thoughtful retail, merchandising, and brand decisions help turn a product into something much bigger.Watch the full conversation and hear Charlotte’s perspective on the business behind the brand.

  3. Jun 23

    Together, We Gave Away a Roof - Episode 62 with Pastor Gerald Williams of Make It Happen Foundation

    This episode is about service, faith, and what happens when a community decides to show up for someone who needs help. Pastor Gerald Williams has spent decades serving Jacksonville as the pastor of Word of Faith Church and Executive Director of the Make It Happen Foundation. His mission is simple: help seniors and families who have fallen through the cracks. In this conversation, we discuss: • Growing up in poverty in Jacksonville and how those experiences shaped his life • Nearly 30 years of ministry and community impact • The creation of the Make It Happen Foundation • The growing need among Jacksonville's elderly population • Why service matters more than recognition • The partnership between the Make It Happen Foundation and the PB & JAX Foundation to identify and support local seniors in need • The story of Emma Jean Wootson and how a community-wide effort generated more than $60,000 in donated home repairs, services, and support • How local businesses stepped up to make a lasting difference • What Jacksonville gains when people stop waiting for someone else to solve a problem This conversation highlights what becomes possible when nonprofits, business leaders, faith leaders, and community partners work toward a common goal. If you believe strong communities are built by people who care enough to act, this episode is for you. Guest: Pastor Gerald WilliamsExecutive Director, Make It Happen FoundationPastor, Word of Faith Church Subscribe for more conversations with the pioneers and builders shaping Jacksonville's future. #PBandJax #Jacksonville #CommunityImpact #Leadership #Nonprofit #GivingBack #FaithInAction #MakeItHappenFoundation #JacksonvilleFlorida #Podcast

  4. Jun 15

    Jacksonville's Youngest Tech Founder: Episode 61 with Sean Scott of UniDesk

    What were you doing at 18?For Sean Scott, the answer wasn't college parties or figuring out what came next.He was building a software company.In this episode of PB & Jax, we sit down with Sean Scott, founder of UniDesk, an AI-powered ticketing and asset management platform designed to help organizations solve IT problems faster and more efficiently.Sean shares how he went from a high school IT intern to launching a venture-backed startup, landing his first customers, pitching in Jacksonville and San Francisco, and building a company before turning 19.We discuss:• Why he chose entrepreneurship over a traditional path• How UniDesk evolved from a school project into a software company• Using AI to eliminate repetitive IT support work• What it was like pitching startups in Jacksonville and Silicon Valley• The future of AI and its impact on jobs• Why Jacksonville's startup ecosystem is gaining momentum• Lessons learned from Accelerate PV and local startup leaders• The challenges of building a company as a teenager• Why founders should stop waiting for permission and start buildingSean also shares his perspective on AI, innovation, startup culture, fundraising, and why he believes Jacksonville has the potential to become one of the country's leading startup communities.At just 18 years old, Sean represents a new generation of builders who are leveraging technology, community, and curiosity to create businesses earlier than ever before."If you have an idea, nobody is stopping you. Don't wait for permission. Just start."Whether you're an entrepreneur, student, founder, investor, technology professional, or someone interested in the future of innovation, this conversation offers valuable insights into where business and technology are headed.Subscribe for more conversations with the pioneers and builders shaping Jacksonville's future.#PBandJax #Jacksonville #Startup #Entrepreneurship #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Founder #TechStartup #GenZ #Innovation #JacksonvilleTech #BusinessLeadership

  5. Jun 15

    How a Jacksonville Founder Disrupted an Industry: Episode 60 with Bob Dahlstrom of Apellix

    What does it take to build a technology company in Jacksonville? In this episode of PB & Jax, we sit down with Bob Dahlstrom, Founder and CEO of Appellix, to discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, drones, and the future of Jacksonville's startup ecosystem. Bob shares his journey from software development to creating one of the most innovative drone companies in the country. What started as an idea to improve safety and efficiency has evolved into a business transforming how commercial cleaning and pressure washing are performed. In this conversation, we discuss: • Why Jacksonville presents unique opportunities for entrepreneurs • The challenges of launching and scaling a startup• How Appellix created autonomous solutions for commercial cleaning • The importance of finding product-market fit• Lessons learned from adapting business strategies in real time • Building a company around safety, innovation, and customer needs • What Jacksonville needs to become a startup and technology hub • The future of drones and automation in commercial industries Bob also shares candid insights on leadership, resource management, resilience, and the realities of entrepreneurship that many founders face but few discuss openly. Whether you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, technology enthusiast, business leader, or someone interested in Jacksonville's growth, this conversation offers practical lessons from someone who has built, pivoted, and continued pushing forward. About Appellix: Appellix develops autonomous drone solutions that help companies perform commercial cleaning and pressure washing more safely and efficiently. Their technology reduces risk, improves productivity, and creates new possibilities for industries that rely on work at height.Learn more by going to www dot Apellix dot com. Subscribe for more conversations with Jacksonville's builders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. #PBandJax #Jacksonville #Entrepreneurship #Startup #Technology #Drones #Innovation #SmallBusiness #FounderStory #BusinessLeadership #JacksonvilleBusiness #Appellix

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Pioneers. Builders. Jacksonville. PB + Jacksonville is a podcast dedicated to spotlighting the entrepreneurs and business leaders who are driving innovation in Jacksonville. We delve into the stories behind the city's growth, offering insights and inspiration for current and aspiring business owners. Visit PBJax.com to learn more.