The Florida Forge

Gavin Elliot
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Florida Forge is the podcast spotlighting Florida entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who are building legacy-driven companies. We dive into real stories of growth, grit, and generational impact, highlighting what it takes to lead with purpose and build a lasting business in the Sunshine State.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    From Immigrant at 18 to Doctor and Successful Entrepreneur with Dr. Ty Richardson

    Dr. Ty Richardson joins us to talk about finding success on a winding path of ups and downs as an immigrant to the US. His path to success was forged doing things that fit HIS vision, not the vision or advice of the society around him. From growing up as a child of entrepreneurs to rapid advancement in the corporate world, to a doctorate and various entrepreneurial ventures, to being a mayor-appointed commissioner locally, Dr. Richardson's journey has been unique and he brings an incredible wealth of positivity and wisdom to our episode. Unpack the secret to success without all the stress in this episode. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 1:45 Ty's First Taste of Grit 8:02 How To Take Action 10:45 From Entrepreneurship to Big Corporation 15:16 Choosing Opportunities 19:23 Thriving as a First Generation Immigrant 25:29 Fathers 33:12 Education 36:55 Housing Authority Commissioner 46:26 Why Fort Lauderdale? 48:07 Evangelist 51:46 Sacred beliefs 55:27 70 Countries 1:01:08 Getting Knocked Down 1:05:02 Legacy Resources: Dr. Ty Richardson: https://drtyrichardson.com/

    1h 9m

  2. 12/17/2025

    What It Really Takes To Achieve "Overnight Success" with Dr. Gil Vega

    Dr. Gil Vega put his intense focus to work for YEARS, only to change courses, go to medical school, and become a doctor. He finally got the job he wanted, with great benefits, no call, weekends off...DREAM job for a doctor. But then he got the itch. After years of grinding...is this what I really want? So he did something crazy, and left to start his own clinic. In this conversation, Dr. Gil and Gavin talk about discipline, work ethic, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to succeed. Join us to get started building YOUR legacy. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 0:37 Evolve Aesthetics 3:27 Becoming a doctor while having a full time job 9:12 Discipline 13:43 Perspective on parents 22:00 Work vs Business Ownership 29:26 Getting back up after getting hit 33:55 Faith in business 38:39 Expansion 45:07 Treatment vs. Cure 52:43 Legacy Resources: Evolve Aesthetics: https://www.evolveaw.com/

    59 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    From False Start To Successful AC Business with Josh Roberts

    Josh Roberts started a business that he initially thought failed. He launched it, realized people wouldn't come just because you exist, and went back to get a job. Then a big life change gave him the push he needed to prove himself, and this time he never looked back. Now he owns a successful AC business in Florida, but it wasn't an easy path to get there. In this conversation, we talk about the pitfalls, the trials, and the legacy Josh wants to leave behind as he forges his own path to success. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 1:35 The journey into entrepreneurship 5:09 From failure to success 9:09 Technical school vs. University? 16:03 All-in on the business 18:52 Consistency 20:07 Community Service 23:03 Getting leads for a new business 25:32 Faith in business 27:17 Business changes you 30:08 AI in AC? 32:54 Josh's Legacy 40:15 Work Life Balance Resources: Air Docs: https://airdocsac.com/ Josh on FB: https://www.facebook.com/josh.roberts.18278/

    46 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    From Broken Neck and Losing 8 Figures to Top 10 Disruptor ft. John Baxter

    John Baxter broke his neck. Then healed it on his own...without surgery. He lost tens of millions of dollars in his 30s. Then decided to respond with goodness anyway. John is a true Renaissance Man, and we're blessed to have him on the podcast today. He's a patent-holding inventor, natural health enthusiast, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author. In this episode we dive into his background, what drives him to keep building and be successful and push further into the frontiers of technology to benefit humanity, his most crushing business story, his mission to save honey bees, and more. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 0:52 Top 10 Disruptor 2:42 Speaking at the NY Bar Association 4:36 Grounding mattresses 11:42 How did anti-aging become John's passion and drive? 14:22 Unusual background 19:25 From esoteric origins to hard science 24:48 Tai Chi 34:46 Philanthropy 43:45 How to tell who to stay away from 51:17 Catastrophe 1:00:12 Legacy Resources: Anti Aging Bed: https://antiagingbed.com/ Operation Honeybee: https://operationhoneybee.com/ I Heart Bees: https://iheartbeeshoney.com/ The Med Bed Story: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9S56YJZ 333 Benefits of Grounding: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLD33V5Y/

    1h 7m

  5. 11/05/2025

    Building A Swimming Business, Raising 9 Kids, and Focusing On What Matters with Donna Lewis

    Donna Lewis is a mother of 9, grandmother of 1, and owns Guppies 2 Groupers, a business dedicated to ending accidental child drownings. We talk about her business, life, and faith journey, from wanting to be a fighter pilot, to becoming a mother, to being able to teach kids to navigate water safely (even when they're as young as 1!). In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 0:44 Guppies2Groupers 5:10 Why focus on teaching water safety 12:38 Donna's teaching background 14:54 The ability to parent is being eroded 18:33 Mother at 17 22:51 Pompano thoughts 26:09 Learning solutions, not just information 27:02 Air Force 34:09 Becoming a teacher 38:12 Learning hard lessons 41:22 Business and family 50:15 Donna's legacy 52:40 Faith in business Resources: Guppies 2 Groupers: https://www.guppies2groupers.com/

    1 hr

  6. 10/14/2025

    From Hustling College Kid To Faith-Driven VC Building Florida's Future ft. Spencer Elliott

    What drives a man to build startups, fund innovation, and still keep faith and family at the center of it all? Gavin sits down with Spencer Elliott - venture capitalist, founder, and Director at Plug and Play Tech Center - to explore purpose, perseverance, and the power of gratitude. From humble beginnings in Orlando to leading one of the world's most active VC networks, Spencer opens up about the childhood experiences that forged his character, the faith that grounds him, and the family that fuels his ambition. Together, they dive deep into entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and Florida's emerging role as the "Silicon Swamp." This is more than a success story. It's a masterclass in purpose-driven living. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 0:41 Success at a young age 2:20 New projects 11:20 What drives Spencer 16:34 Raising kids who are still hungry even if life has been "easy" 19:00 Appreciate everything 22:54 Marriage blessings 25:23 Faith 35:55 UCF experience 40:17 Entrepreneurship 46:02 Investment in Florida 56:10 US Tech 58:36 Huge challenges 1:00:56 Legacy Resources: Spencer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerelliott1/ Plug and Play Tech Center: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/locations/orlando-fl Future Funders VC: https://futurefunders.framer.website/ ViewStub: https://viewstub.com/

    1h 6m

  7. 10/07/2025

    From Food Stamps To $100M+ Companies Amidst Grief, Loss, and Fatherhood ft. John Chiorando

    Entrepreneur and philanthropist John Chiorando shares his raw and remarkable journey from growing up in violence and poverty to building multi-million-dollar companies, all while keeping one title closest to his heart: Dad. John opens up about the heartbreak and faith that shaped his life, from losing his daughter to cancer, to raising a son with Down syndrome, to rebuilding his relationship with God after years of anger and loss. His story is one of redemption, resilience, and relentless love. You'll hear how he went from welfare and paper routes to moving billions of dollars, and why he's now on a mission to bring manufacturing - and hope - back to America. This episode will make you cry, think, and believe in the power of purpose all over again. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 1:52 Son with Down Syndrome 9:26 Faith That Endures 16:50 Hate the sin, not the sinner 16:12 Humble beginnings 22:16 What lit the entrepreneurial spark? 27:21 Q1 30:36 Aspiring for greatness 35:44 Moving to Florida 43:54 Huge business challenges 46:37 Improving life for Americans 49:56 How to get good at business 56:44 John's Legacy Resources: John Chiorando: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chiorando-856a16b/ Greatitude Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DHQNFLSJ/ The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida: https://dsfflorida.org/ Nina Strong Foundation: https://ninastrongfoundation.org/

    1h 2m

  8. 09/24/2025

    From Alcoholic To Faithful $9M CEO ft. Matt Mishler

    From bailing hay in small-town Michigan to building a multimillion-dollar company in Florida, Matt Mishler's journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this powerful conversation, Matt opens up about overcoming alcoholism, leaving behind the corporate grind, and discovering a new path through faith, discipline, and entrepreneurship. He shares how his rock bottom moment turned into the launchpad for Lion Rock Financial Services, and why he's determined to leave a legacy of abundance without the hustle-and-grind mentality. With raw honesty and a message of hope, Matt reveals the habits, mindset, and faith that transformed his life. If you've ever wondered how to turn pain into purpose, this is an episode you can't miss. In this episode: 0:00 Intro 2:51 Growing up in small-town Michigan 7:34 Family struggles and breaking cycles 10:42 Stepping into entrepreneurship 12:49 Rock bottom and the path to sobriety 18:13 Lessons from the Marines and discipline 21:47 Fitness, routine, and business success 26:45 Visualization, coaching, and new opportunities 31:21 Developing Into a CEO 33:11 Launching Lion Rock and early sacrifices 36:31 Faith, prayer, and trusting God's plan 47:14 Legacy, family, and reshaping hustle culture 54:06 Closing reflections and gratitude Resources: LionRock Financial Services: https://lionrockfinancial.jobs/ Matt on FB: https://www.facebook.com/matt.mishler.2025/ How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671027034

    55 min

  9. 09/23/2025

    From Pregnant in Jail to Gospel-Spreading Lawyer ft. Kaysia Earley

    She went from a college student in handcuffs to a trial lawyer who prays with clients, and the moment that changed everything happened in a jail cell. In this episode Kaysia Early tells the raw story of pleading guilty, being sentenced while four months pregnant, and how a solitary night lit a fire that ultimately put her in court as an advocate for others. You'll hear how one honest letter from the son she carried helped sway a bar committee, why faith reshaped her career, and how she balances law, ministry, family and fashion. Expect courtroom war stories, spiritual candor, and practical lessons about mercy, grit, and speaking up when the system fails. Tune in to learn how one woman turned a worst day into a lifelong mission to fight for the vulnerable. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 1:33 Where Kaysia's passion comes from 2:30 Arrest, plea & sentencing shock 11:15 Love, marriage, and support 13:59 Father abandonment 18:49 Paralegal years & law school leap 26:05 How faith Kaysia's work as a lawyer 31:24 Ministry work 35:23 Luke 12:48 37:14 Fashion, identity & court style 42:37 Courtroom war stories 50:28 Shutting off "attorney brain" 52:38 The best part of a trial 59:13 Legacy & final reflections Resources Mentioned: Earley Law Firm: https://www.earleylawfirm.com/ Kaysia's Website: https://www.kaysiaearley.com/

    1h 6m

  10. 09/22/2025

    From Rock & Roll To Faith-Driven Purpose and Family Legacy with Jordan Goodfellow

    Jordan Goodfellow was sick of being told he was "non-essential" by the state of Colorado, so packed up his family and moved to Florida, where his business has expanded and his faith has impacted a ton of lives. It's been just one of many chapters of his life where an adventure has brought him the chance to learn, grow, and share his faith. From touring with Linkin Park (and being the only guy not drinking and partying) to surviving COVID while running a business that relied on in-person events, this episode is packed with stories of real resilience, and a life forged by overcoming challenge. This is what it means to be a business owner in Florida, a father, a man of faith, and someone who makes every day of their life count toward a dream and vision bigger than themselves. In This Episode: 0:00 Intro 2:11 The start of GigRent 11:52 Rock concerts, temptation, and faith 22:46 How Jordan found his way into AV Tech 30:43 The role Jordan's wife played in his success 40:23 Anger and forgiveness 48:36 How faith impacts leadership 59:22 The hit that nearly knocked him out... 1:08:29 Surviving COVID as a live-event business owner 1:11:48 Legacy Mentioned: GigRent: https://gigrent.com/ The Big Ass Calendar by Jesse Itzler: https://thebigasscalendar.com/ Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0739PYQSS/ Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593418573/

    1h 26m
  • 10 Episodes

About

The Florida Forge is the podcast spotlighting Florida entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who are building legacy-driven companies. We dive into real stories of growth, grit, and generational impact, highlighting what it takes to lead with purpose and build a lasting business in the Sunshine State.

Information

  • Creator
    Gavin Elliot
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Florida Forge