Justin Papadakis has spent his career in real estate development and soccer, with his most recent position being a bit of both: deputy CEO and chief real estate officer of the United Soccer League, based in Tampa. On this episode Justin and Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon talk about what he learned about leadership from playing soccer — he was a goalie — and the steps the USL is taking to build its brand.

3 Takeaways:

1. (09:20) Be aware of the external issues
2. (11:00) Great leadership is the ability to innovate and execute on an idea
3. (15:00) Limit your unforced errors

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Justin Papadakis, Deputy CEO & Chief Real Estate Officer, United Soccer League

(05:00) Justin before joining USL

(07:30) Favorite part of working at USL

(08:45) Challenging aspects of working at USL

(10:20) Characteristics of good leadership?

(12:35) Mentors

(13:50) Overcoming setbacks

(17:30) USL in 2025 and beyond

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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

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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.