Work, Time and Effort

Brian Gordon’s life story is a powerful testament to resilience, purpose and unwavering commitment. A US Marine veteran, Brian is no stranger to smoke – both on the battlefield and in business. His motivation to start Tactical Society Gear & Security Inc was born from personal tragedy: the murder of his brother, Vernon Gordon. This devastating loss fueled his mission to ensure that no one else would have to endure the pain he felt. He became a strong advocate for responsible gun ownership, believing every American should be equipped and empowered to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

Through his companies –Tactical Society and Guns & Gars – Brian has channeled that mission into action. Tactical society offers top-quality firearms and tactical gear to law-abiding citizens, while guns & gars represents his expansion into a different kind of smoke: premium cigars.

Guns & gars boldly entered the cigar industry with the 2nd amendment cigar collection, a distinctive line that fuses luxury with liberty. This unique brand and blend not only reflects Brian's bold personality, taste for refinement, and cool-under-fire demeanor, but also proudly celebrates the second amendment of the United States constitution.

Brian's ventures have brought him financial freedom, but more importantly, they’ve allowed him to honor his brother’s memory and advocate for the principles he holds dear – preparedness, patriotism, and personal responsibility.  

His teacher once said, “Cosimo, being dyslexic and having learning disabilities, you can’t go that far, you have to adapt!”

Now a world-renowned expert in advanced learning techniques, memory improvement, brain optimization, and accelerated learning, Cosimo has proved that learning difficulties are no constraint to becoming successful and that his teacher needs to improve his motivational skills. He has used his expertise as a brain coach to students, seniors, entrepreneurs, and educators for over twelve years.

Born and bred in the south of Italy, he moved to the US with his wife and never looked back. In fact, within four weeks of migrating, he held his first course on the techniques he used to learn English in just two weeks, drawing on his studies concerning learning styles and techniques that consisted of 6,000 words and grammar rules.

He is considered a learning expert in his field with master-level qualifications in Mind Maps, Speed Reading, Micro-Facial Expressions, Team-building, Public Speaking, Effective Communication, Goal Setting, Decision-making, Personal Development, Time Management, and Memory Techniques.

Co-Creator of the Genius in 21 Days course, available in 50+ countries with over 520 face-to-face and 600 virtual classes delivered every year, his impact on the student community has reached epic proportions.

In his free time, he enjoys the simple things in life; reading, meditating, traveling, spending quality time with family and playing hide-and-seek with his wonderful two-year-old daughter, providing both stimulation and relaxation to the mind – the most powerful tool in the world.

In this episode of Work, Time & Effort, Chris welcomes back friend and guest Patrick Highland, who not only brings the energy from the sports world but also offers critical insights into something even more personal for many: navigating Medicare.

With Medicare enrollment season right around the corner, Patrick breaks down what most people find confusing — Medicare Supplements, Advantage Plans (HMO & PPO), Part B premiums, and how to truly tailor your healthcare coverage to your life and budget. Whether you’re turning 65 soon, helping a loved one enroll, or just want to save hundreds per month on your current plan, this conversation delivers real value.

You’ll hear:

• The three tiers of Medicare coverage — from “Cadillac” plans to value-focused options

• Why choosing the right doctor network matters more than perks like free gym memberships

• How Patrick saved one client $100/month with a better-fit plan

• Why October 15 – December 7 is your golden window to make changes

• The risks of going uninsured — and why some decisions can cost you thousands

• Tips for staying healthy in retirement and how your plan can help

It’s an informative, eye-opening, and surprisingly entertaining look at the real cost of healthcare — and how to take control of it.

📌 Whether you’re in Sarasota, Bradenton, Tampa or anywhere in Florida — this episode is for you.

Kevin St. John is the founder of BOOMIN business solutions and brings over a decade of experience in consulting for the trades industry, with a strong passion for driving meaningful change. He is committed to helping business owners in the trades unlock their full potential and thrive in today’s dynamic economic landscape.

BOOMIN business solutions provides premier consulting services tailored to the unique needs of trade professionals – including HVAC specialists, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, contractors, roofers, and more. the company’s mission is to empower leaders in the trades by aligning people, priorities, and processes to achieve operational excellence.

It's comprehensive suite of services includes strategy facilitation, quality improvement programs, project management, and data analysis. every engagement begins with a deep understanding of the client’s goals and challenges, followed by a customized plan to drive sustainable growth and measurable results.

With a client-centric approach and proven industry expertise, BOOMIN business solutions delivers tangible value and lasting success.

Ray Hall is the President and Chief Appraiser of Ray Hall Appraisals, a residential and commercial real estate appraisal and consulting firm. He is a Certified General Appraiser in the state of Florida. He also performs court testimony as an expert witness in various local courts.

Ray began his appraisal career in 2004 after spending several years as a financial advisor, following his graduation from the University of South Florida. He began his career with one of the largest residential appraisal firms on the west coast of Florida. After several years of residential appraising, Ray decided it was time to broaden his knowledge base of the appraisal profession and accepted a position with a commercial appraisal firm. It was there that Ray was fortunate to work on various property types such as retail, industrial, and agricultural properties, as well as more unique assignments including easements and conservation lands.

In 2011, Ray was offered a position as a Review Appraiser with JP Morgan Chase. The position provided Ray with experience in completing national reviews as well as working directly with FNMA in discussions regarding appraisal issues.

In 2017, Ray decided once again to return to field appraising and start his own company. His goal with Ray Hall Appraisals is not only to provide lenders with quality appraisals and competitive turn times, but also to educate people on real estate valuation and how an appraiser can help them make decisions when buying real estate or renovating their homes and investments.

Ray’s fast turnaround times and in-depth knowledge of the real estate market have made him one of Tampa Bay’s leading experts in real estate. He quickly became known as “Ray the Appraiser” and has thousands of followers across multiple social media channels.

In 2018, he began working on “Ask #RayTheAppraiser,” an online advice Q&A show. This led to the development of “Driving with #RayTheAppraiser,” which documents his life on the road while performing work as an appraiser.

When not on the road, Ray spends his time with his two daughters at his home in New Tampa.

Valerie graduated from the University of Akron School of Law where she enjoyed writing cartoons and crossword puzzles for the school’s newspaper, The Sidebar.

She began her undergraduate studies as a music major at Baldwin Wallace University and eventually graduated from Ashland University with a Public Communication degree.

Valerie began her legal career in 2005 and owned the Ohio-based Law Office of Valerie A. Lang, LLC before relocating to Florida in 2016. She continues to serve clients in Ohio as well as in Florida.

When she is not serving law clients, Valerie stays busy as a soccer mom, kazoo player, certified life coach, and wildly curious researcher of all things.

David Dahmer is a licensed Chiropractor serving the Brooksville community.Dr. David Dahmer has been freeing people from pain in the clinic in Brooksville, FL. As a Chiropractor with experience, Dr. Dahmer is committed to promoting optimal health and well being of patients.

Dr. Dahmer uses a "whole person approach". This approach to wellness means looking for underlying causes of any disturbance or disruption (which may or may not be causing symptoms at the time) and make whatever interventions and lifestyle adjustments that would optimize the conditions for normal function. Using this unique approach, Dr. Dahmer is able to help you to accelerate and/or maintain your journey to good health.

Will Smith is the Principal Owner of Will Smith Aviation, where he has provided high-quality flight training and pilot services for over 11 years. A certified pilot and instructor, Will brings a deep passion for aviation and an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence. Over the years, he has trained and flown with hundreds of students and clients—from hobbyists to professionals—across a wide range of aircraft and locations.

In addition to running his own aviation business, Will also serves as a Pilot and Captain at Charter Manager, a premier private air taxi service catering to CEOs of major law firms and their teams. His role includes overseeing marketing and sales, managing client relationships, and ensuring operational safety. Notably, he has successfully managed complex missions, including transporting legal teams to remote destinations for high-stakes trials.

Will is also the Chief Flight Instructor at Will Smith Aviation, where he leads the career pilot training program, helping aspiring pilots launch and grow their aviation careers. Beyond his work in the cockpit and classroom, he is the author of two aviation memoirs—Falling from the Sky and Ditches to Riches—which chronicle his personal journey and experiences in the world of aviation.

In this episode of Work Time & Effort, Chris Markowski sits down with Leo Alabovitz, Senior Project Manager at JMI Windows & Doors. With a sharp mind for team building and a heart for service, Leo brings a wealth of experience managing multi-unit projects, leading teams, and keeping Florida homes protected and energy-efficient.

They dive into what it takes to manage large-scale operations, build trust within teams, and deliver consistent, high-quality service in a competitive industry. From leadership tips to flood protection insights, Leo shares lessons that go beyond construction — this one’s packed with wisdom for anyone in business, management, or just trying to get stuff done the right way.

JMI proudly serves homeowners across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Pasco, Manatee, and Polk counties with expert installation of impact windows, doors, and flood protection solutions. Learn more at 👉 jmiwindows.com

Florida Firearms Academy, a trusted name in firearms retail, education, and custom-built firearms, has been shaped under the leadership of Thomas A King Jr. With a focus on firearms handling, venture capital, and retail operations, the organization offers a robust academy featuring 40 distinct firearm educational classes, catering to both enthusiasts and professionals alike. Thomas has worked with teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences and operational efficiency, contributing to the growth of the academy and its offerings. by fostering a culture of safety, precision, and education, they aim to support clients and the community with reliable resources and training. their dedication to innovation and collaboration reinforces the company’s mission to empower responsible firearm use.  Thomas has teamed up with many of the local businesses, charities, city leaders, VFW, and he currently sits on the board with the chamber. A few accomplishments for Thomas and the FFA team include, purchasing a tiny home for a homeless veteran. Operation Fund the Police $250K donation. Kiwanis Special needs Kids trip to the zoo. Kids Safety Academy 501c3 and in 2021 the city and Mayor awarded Thomas King Jr. with the Citizen of the Year award.

At AC Today, we are a team of dedicated professionals committed to caring for your air conditioning needs. Our mission is to deliver a 5-star service and maintenance experience where every client feels like our top priority.

As a locally owned and operated business, we treat you like the neighbor you are—because you are! We understand what it's like to endure the Florida heat, and we know how to keep you cool with exceptional service year-round.

We pledge to clearly communicate all possible solutions to any problem, empowering you to make informed and confident decisions that are best for your home and family.

No matter the situation, our promise remains the same:
You’ll receive “Red Carpet” treatment with every visit—top-tier AC and heating services at a fair and reasonable price you can trust.

Sarasota Pet Crematory was founded November 2011 and it is a locally owned and operated business by Scott and Priscilla Myers. Our modern, state of the art, pet crematory is located upon our premises. Once we receive your beloved friend from you or your veterinary clinic, they remain in our gentle care until they are returned to you or your veterinarian. 

​We are loving pet owners and care deeply about the well being of other pets and their families. We decided to create an aftercare service designed for pet owners that provided emotional support as well as an open door welcoming environment. We also understand that many pet owners are faced with the difficult decision of how to properly say goodbye to their companions and the need to give our beloved pets one last gift for all the love and loyalty they gave to us. 

Tom Carollo started in the custom apparel industry at just 16 years old, printing t-shirts in his parents’ basement in Chicago. After moving to Florida in 1989, he built his company, Windy City Apparel, into a successful, family-run business known for top-tier screen-printing and embroidery services. Over the years, his wife, children, and extended family all played a role in helping the business thrive.

Now, with over three decades in the industry, Tom has launched Salty Bonz—a fresh, fast-growing outdoor lifestyle brand inspired by sun, surf, boating, and fishing. With bold designs and an adventurous spirit, Salty Bonz is gaining momentum on Pinterest, TikTok, and Amazon, connecting with people who live for sunshine, saltwater, and fun.

Zach Hammond is a seasoned epoxy flooring specialist with eight years of hands-on experience, delivering durable and high-quality flooring solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. Known for his attention to detail and commitment to excellence, Zach takes pride in transforming floors with precision and artistry.

Beyond his expertise in flooring, Zach is also passionate about coaching football in his free time. His leadership skills and dedication to teamwork extend from the field to his business, where he emphasizes reliability, hard work, and customer satisfaction. Whether he’s strategizing for the next big game or perfecting an epoxy finish, Zach brings the same level of commitment and enthusiasm to everything he does.

Born and raised in Ohio, played football, basketball and baseball in high school went to college at Muskingum College and played football there as well, becoming an All American tight end .  Was then drafted to play football in Tampa for the Tampa Bay outlaws in the PSFL.

Owner operator of numerous businesses over the last 30 years, including owner/operator of four golds gyms in Sarasota/Bradenton.  Coached local pop Warner football to a national championship and coached high school football at Bradenton Southeast and Bradenton prep.

Green Planet is among the leading solar companies in Florida, committed to helping families reduce their energy costs.  With a team bringing years of combined expertise, we focus on delivering exceptional customer service and offering cost-effective energy solutions to eligible homeowners. 

From solar consultation to custom design, engineering, permitting, installation, and activation, we manage every step to ensure a smooth and hassle-free switch to renewable energy.

Aqua Clear Innovative Water Solutions’ team has been providing residential and commercial water treatment solutions for Southwest Florida for more than 20 years and is locally owned and operated.

Today it continues to offer unsurpassed service, expanding beyond basic water softeners and water conditioners to state-of-the-art water refiners, reverse osmosis drinking water systems, alkaline water filters, carbon filtration, de-chlorination, and a host of water purifiers for residential and commercial usage.

Aqua Clear also provides highly effective air filtration systems.​

If you didn't know there is a little coin and jewelry craze going on around the globe. With the price of gold right now it makes perfect sense. Some people are emptying out their old jewelry boxes, coin collections even things found on the beach and getting thousands of dollars. So, today Mark talks with John Maben of Pegasus Coin and Jewelry to find out what the big deal is. 

The Pegasus Coin and Jewelry Team consists of John Maben and his staff of 9 other professionals.

Maben, the owner of the company, entered the coin business full time in 1978 and now is in his fourth decade as a distinguished professional numismatist and precious metals expert.

His experience includes eight years at Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as Executive Vice President and a Grading Finalizer. Additionally, he was a part-time grader at Professional Coin Grading Service in the 1980s.

More recently, he owned and was CEO of ModernCoinMart, which he sold in 2015.

In 2015, he formed John Maben LLC. Pegasus Coin and Jewelry is a DBA under John Maben LLC.

Maben is a Life Member of the American Numismatic Association. He has been a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild since 1986, where he served as a board member from 2013 through 2017. He also is an Accredited Precious Metals Dealer (APMD) and holds Life Memberships with the Florida United Numismatists, Central States Numismatic Society, and Garden State Numismatic Society. Pegasus is a member of both the BBB and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

While most of our customers come from north of Tampa to South of Ft Myers, we also get customers from Ocala, Gainesville, Sun City, Orlando, and The Villages. Some have even come from as far away as Miami / Fort Lauderdale / Boca Raton, Jacksonville and Tallahassee because they like the way we do business and treat our customers with respect – in our safe and secure modern store. They realize that integrity matters, and experience pays.

Faulkner Electric began serving the west coast of Florida in 1973. Bill and Valerie Faulkner founded the family-owned business in Port Richey, Florida while serving the surrounding communities. The couple, having young children at the time, endured the difficulties of starting a new business while raising a family.

The Faulkners quickly became the premier electrical contractors for the communities they served. Honest work and integrity kept the business thriving, and Bill and Valerie were one of the first couples to work together in the field as a team. With much pride, Faulkner Electric, Inc remained a family owned and operated business with the addition of their son, Billy. Having worked with his parents for many summers and after graduation, Billy is now the second-generation master electrician and owner.

Today, Bill and Valerie are content to be behind the scenes in their retirement, cheering on the next generations of Faulkner Electric. Billy’s daughter, Abbie, joined the business as the office manager and electrician in training to continue the business for generations to come. As a team, Billy and Abbie continue to maintain the same level of commitment of service to the community as Bill and Valerie have provided through the years. Our family is thankful for over 50 years of continued service to our satisfied customers.

As a Radio/TV Show host with Salem Media and Cox Media and TOP 1 % Realtor in Tampa Bay (KW), Now adding Movie Producer to his vast skill set (Falling From The Sky) Brandon Rimes is committed to the highest level of standards! The Real Estate Quarterback is owner of Platinum MVP Team at Keller Williams Realty and takes the same hard work ethic into his show and other businesses.  Also the Founder of The Business Growth Celebrity Academy and Host of The Consumer Quarterback Show serving as a consumer advocate in broadcasting.

Brandon has been involved in the Real-Estate and mortgage lending industry for over 18 years, delivering a positive message and empowering listeners with the winning strategies of today's best experts from related fields including Real Estate, Mortgage, Tax & Estate Planning, Credit and over 80 other categories!

The Consumer Quarterback Show serves as a consumer advocate platform, Brandon shares his passion for helping others succeed through his extensive knowledge of marketing, business and real estate. He prides himself on being a force for good and helping his sellers profit more on the sale of their real estate properties!