create brand nv logo

#41 What Can Government Learn from Business? A Conversation with Bill Carlson

In this episode, Nicole Alicea sits down with Tampa City Councilmember and Tucker Hall president Bill Carlson to explore the lessons government can draw from the business world. They discuss the importance of mentorship, the differences in financial management between the two sectors, the adversarial nature of politics, and the significance of relationships in governance. Carlson emphasizes the need for efficient government spending, the challenges of serving diverse communities, and the impact of rapid urban development on affordable housing. The discussion also highlights the role of entrepreneurship in empowering communities and the importance of the arts in economic development. Carlson shares insights from his transition from business to government and reflects on the future of artists in a changing economy.

Keywords: Bill Carlson, government, business, entrepreneurship, Tampa, public service, community, economic development, affordable housing, mentorship

Here are some other episodes you might like

#43 Is SEO Dead in the Age of AI? The Real Question Business Owners Should Be Asking

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI Overviews are changing how people find information online. Instead of clicking through multiple websites, users increasingly receive summarized answers instantly. This has led many business owners to ask an important question: Is SEO dead? But the real issue isn’t whether search engine optimization still works. The real question is: If AI summarizes your expertise without sending users to your website, how does your business still win? In this episode of the Create Brand NV Podcast, Nicole Alicea, founder of Brand NV, addresses the elephant in the room that many marketers are avoiding. She explains why the future of visibility online is about building recognized authority. Nicole breaks down how artificial intelligence systems evaluate sources, why generic content is becoming less valuable, and how businesses can ensure their expertise remains tied to their identity as a trusted authority. She also shares a real-world case study from

Read More »
March 16, 2026

#4 From Office Supplies to a Multi-Million Office Furniture Operation | Joni Adams

What does it take to transform a small office supply business into a 120,000 sq ft operation serving major national companies?In this episode, Nicole Alicea sits down with Joni Adams, CEO of Reimagine Office Furnishings (ROF), to unpack the journey behind one of the few full-scale office furniture remanufacturers in the United States.From humble beginnings selling office supplies to building a highly specialized operation that outfits large corporate environments, Joni shares how innovation, adaptability, and strong partnership fueled their growth.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How ROF transitioned from office supplies to large-scale furniture solutions• What “remanufacturing” really means—and why it’s a competitive advantage• The concept of “blended design” and how it saves companies money• How they survived economic downturns like 2008• The realities of running a business with your spouse• Why sustainability and ESG became a natural part of their modelIf you’re a business owner looking to grow, pivot, or build a competitive

Read More »
November 22, 2022