Akerman’s Annual Real Estate Summit

Real estate deals rarely fit neatly into a standard template. Markets shift, lenders tighten, costs rise, and suddenly transactions that once worked simply don’t pencil. In this solo episode of Fried On Business, Jim Fried explains why flexibility and creativity have become essential tools for anyone operating in today’s real estate environment.

Jim walks listeners through the idea that great deals aren’t always found—they’re structured. Instead of relying solely on traditional bank loans or rigid financing models, he shares how smart operators use creative approaches to bridge gaps and keep momentum. From alternative capital sources to partnership structures, preferred equity, seller participation, and family office relationships, Jim highlights how adaptability often makes the difference between closing and walking away.

Throughout the episode, Jim emphasizes that creativity doesn’t mean recklessness. It means understanding risk, aligning incentives, and designing solutions that work for all stakeholders. He discusses how experienced sponsors think through capital stacks, negotiate flexible terms, and build trust with investors so they can structure deals that withstand changing conditions. He also shares how communication and transparency become even more critical when partnerships get more complex.

Listeners will learn how to evaluate problems differently, seeing obstacles as design challenges rather than dead ends. Jim explains why rigid thinking kills deals and how a collaborative mindset frequently unlocks value others miss. Whether it’s restructuring debt, bringing in equity partners, or finding unconventional paths to liquidity, the key is staying open and solution-oriented.

This episode is especially valuable for developers, investors, and brokers navigating tighter markets. If you want to keep deals moving when others stall, Jim’s practical framework shows how creativity, discipline, and relationships combine to create opportunity.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

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Retail real estate has changed—but it’s far from dead. In fact, according to retail expert Rod Castan, the sector is stronger and smarter than ever when approached strategically. In this episode of Fried On Business, Jim Fried sits down with Rod to break down what’s really happening in today’s retail market and why experience, not just square footage, now drives performance.

Rod explains how the old model of filling space with any tenant willing to sign a lease no longer works. Today’s successful retail centers are curated. Landlords must think like operators, not just owners—focusing on tenant mix, customer flow, and creating destinations that give people a reason to visit in person rather than shop online. Restaurants, fitness concepts, service businesses, and experiential retailers are now anchors just as much as traditional stores.

The conversation dives into how e-commerce didn’t kill retail—it forced it to evolve. Rod shares how omnichannel brands use physical space to build relationships and how brick-and-mortar locations increasingly function as marketing platforms, fulfillment hubs, and community gathering spaces. Jim and Rod also discuss the importance of understanding demographics, local demand, and foot traffic patterns when underwriting deals.

Listeners will learn how thoughtful leasing strategies, flexible deal structures, and long-term partnerships with tenants create resilience through market cycles. Rod highlights why landlords who invest in placemaking and customer experience consistently outperform those focused solely on rent per square foot.

Whether you’re an investor, developer, broker, or business owner, this episode provides a grounded look at how retail real estate is adapting—and why the right strategy can still generate strong, durable returns.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

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Capital stacks rarely come together perfectly. Between senior debt, mezzanine financing, and sponsor equity, there is often a gap that can stall or kill otherwise strong deals. In this episode of Fried On Business, Jim Fried breaks down how family office equity is increasingly being used to solve that problem.

Jim explains what a capital stack really is, why gaps form in today’s market, and how rising interest rates, tighter lending standards, and conservative underwriting have changed deal structures. He walks listeners through where family offices fit, how their expectations differ from institutional capital, and why their flexibility can be the difference between closing and walking away.

The episode covers how family offices evaluate risk, what they look for in sponsors, how they approach control and governance, and why alignment matters more than headline returns. Jim also discusses common mistakes developers make when pitching family offices and how to structure conversations around downside protection, transparency, and long-term relationships.

Listeners will learn when family office equity makes sense, how it compares to mezzanine debt or preferred equity, and how to avoid creating future conflicts inside the partnership. Jim shares practical guidance on sizing the gap, modeling dilution, and maintaining control while still attracting meaningful capital.

This episode is especially valuable for developers, operators, investors, and anyone navigating today’s tougher financing environment. As traditional capital becomes more selective, understanding how to work with family offices is no longer optional—it’s strategic.

If you’re structuring deals, raising capital, or facing funding shortfalls, this episode provides a clear, real-world framework for using family office equity intelligently and responsibly.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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Success in business is rarely about what you know alone—it’s about who you know, how you show up, and how consistently you build trust. In this episode of Fried On Business, I sit down with Jeffrey Meshel, founder of Candor Capital Partners, master networker, and author of four books, to explore how relationships become real assets when cultivated intentionally.

Jeffrey shares how networking shaped every stage of his career—from sourcing opportunities to building credibility in competitive rooms. We talk about why most people misunderstand networking, focusing on transactions instead of long-term connection, and how that mindset limits growth. Jeffrey explains his personal framework for building authentic relationships at scale without losing sincerity or burning bridges.

We also discuss how his experience as an author sharpened his thinking on influence, communication, and positioning. Jeffrey walks through how writing books forced him to clarify his ideas, define his principles, and articulate what separates shallow contact from meaningful connection. He explains why generosity, consistency, and follow-through quietly compound over time.

Listeners will learn how disciplined networking creates optionality—new partnerships, capital access, mentorship, and credibility that money alone can’t buy. Jeffrey shares stories from his career that highlight how trust accelerates deals, rescues stalled negotiations, and opens doors that formal credentials never could.

This episode is practical, candid, and immediately useful for entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and anyone who wants to expand opportunity without compromising integrity. Whether you’re early in your career or building at scale, Jeffrey’s approach reframes networking from a chore into a long-term strategy.

If you believe relationships shape outcomes, this conversation will sharpen how you build yours.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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Personal branding isn’t about logos, social media tricks, or chasing attention—it’s about clarity and direction. In this solo episode of Fried On Business, Jim Fried asks a simple but powerful question that frames the entire conversation: Who are you in 2026? Jim challenges listeners to stop drifting through their careers and start intentionally designing the identity they want others to experience.

Drawing directly from his own work with professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders, Jim explains why most people struggle with personal branding. They define themselves by where they’ve been instead of where they’re going. In this episode, Jim walks through how reputation is built over time through consistent decisions, behavior, and communication—not slogans or self-promotion.

Jim breaks down how to audit your current personal brand honestly, identify the gaps between intention and perception, and decide what you want to be known for over the next several years. He discusses why discomfort is often a signal of growth, how avoiding clarity creates stagnation, and why waiting for permission to evolve is one of the biggest career mistakes people make.

Listeners will learn how personal branding applies across roles and industries—from executives and founders to professionals considering reinvention. Jim emphasizes that this process isn’t about becoming someone you’re not; it’s about aligning your actions with the future version of yourself you’re already moving toward.

This episode is a practical reset for anyone thinking about their next chapter. If you don’t define who you are becoming, the world will do it for you. Jim’s goal is to help listeners move into 2026 with intention, confidence, and a personal brand that actually works.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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Wynwood didn’t become a global destination by accident—it was built through vision, coordination, and long-term commitment. In this episode of Fried On Business, I sit down with David Lombardi, Chairman of the Wynwood Business Improvement District and founder of Lombardi Properties, to unpack how one of Miami’s most recognizable neighborhoods was intentionally shaped.

David shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building Wynwood: the early risks, the role of private investment, and the importance of public-private collaboration. We discuss how the Business Improvement District model helps maintain safety, cleanliness, infrastructure, and brand identity—while allowing creativity and culture to thrive. David explains why governance matters just as much as design and why successful districts require constant stewardship.

We also explore the evolution of Wynwood from an industrial area into a mixed-use hub for art, dining, offices, and experiential retail. David breaks down the balance between growth and authenticity, how zoning and land use decisions influence outcomes, and what developers must consider when working in culturally sensitive neighborhoods.

Listeners will gain insight into how Lombardi Properties approaches development with a long-term lens—focusing not just on buildings, but on creating places where businesses, residents, and visitors coexist. David also shares lessons for investors and city leaders on managing rapid success without losing the character that made a neighborhood special in the first place.

Whether you’re a developer, investor, urban planner, or simply fascinated by Wynwood’s rise, this episode offers a practical look at how thoughtful leadership and structure can turn vision into reality.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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Great companies don’t happen by accident—they’re built intentionally, one person at a time. In this episode of Fried On Business, I sit down with Lindsey Willis from Publix for a deep conversation about leadership, culture, and what it takes to build an organization that people are proud to be part of. Publix has long been recognized as one of the most respected companies in America, and Lindsey offers a firsthand look at why its people-first philosophy continues to work.

We talk about how Publix develops leaders internally, creates real career pathways, and maintains consistency while operating at massive scale. Lindsey shares insights into how trust, accountability, and service shape day-to-day decision-making—and why investing in employees ultimately delivers better outcomes for customers. This episode highlights how culture is not a slogan, but a set of behaviors reinforced every day.

Listeners will hear how Publix empowers associates, encourages long-term growth, and balances performance with humanity. Lindsey explains how strong leadership shows up during challenging moments, how mentorship plays a critical role in career development, and why alignment between values and actions is essential for sustainable success.

We also discuss what professionals at every stage of their career can learn from Publix’s model: take ownership of your development, seek environments that value people, and understand that consistency compounds over time. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or navigating your own career, there are lessons here that translate far beyond retail.

This conversation is a reminder that the strongest brands are built from the inside out—and that when people feel valued, performance follows.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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The holidays are supposed to be joyful—but for many people, they bring stress, exhaustion, complicated family dynamics, and unrealistic expectations. In this solo episode of Fried On Business, Jim Fried shares his personal guide to surviving the holidays with clarity, balance, and intention.

Jim talks honestly about why the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially for entrepreneurs, professionals, parents, and anyone carrying responsibility for others. He breaks down the pressure to “do it all,” the emotional weight of family gatherings, and the exhaustion that comes from trying to meet everyone else’s expectations while ignoring your own limits.

In this episode, Jim offers practical strategies to help listeners navigate the season without burning out. He discusses the importance of setting boundaries, managing time realistically, and recognizing when to step back instead of pushing harder. Jim also explores how gratitude, perspective, and self-awareness can transform holiday stress into moments of connection and meaning.

Listeners will hear Jim’s advice on handling difficult conversations, protecting mental and emotional health, and staying present instead of reactive. He emphasizes that surviving the holidays doesn’t require perfection—it requires intention. Jim encourages listeners to redefine success during the season, focusing on what truly matters rather than what looks good on the surface.

Whether you’re juggling family obligations, work deadlines, financial pressure, or emotional triggers, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone—and that it’s okay to slow down. Jim’s goal is simple: help listeners enter the holidays with a plan, exit with their sanity intact, and carry forward lessons that last beyond the season.

If you’re looking for a grounded, honest, and compassionate approach to the holidays, this episode delivers guidance you can actually use.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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Seventeen years ago, Fried On Business began as a simple idea: create a platform where leaders, innovators, and everyday entrepreneurs could share their stories, offer insights, and open doors for others. In this special retrospective episode, Jim Fried reflects on nearly two decades of broadcasting—revisiting the moments, relationships, and lessons that shaped the show into what it is today. From early radio days to full-scale digital podcasting, Jim walks listeners through the evolution of the brand and the community built around it.

Jim shares personal stories about the people who believed in the show long before it had an audience, including mentors, business partners, recurring guests, and listeners who tuned in faithfully each week. He talks about the breakthroughs, the unexpected twists, the on-air magic, and the behind-the-scenes grit required to keep a program going for 17 years. Throughout the episode, Jim emphasizes the importance of authenticity, curiosity, and resilience—qualities that have allowed Fried On Business to remain relevant while the media landscape changed around it.

Listeners will hear how the show impacted Jim’s professional path, expanded his network, and deepened his commitment to helping others build meaningful businesses and lives. He also shares the lessons learned from interviewing hundreds of top leaders, industry experts, innovators, and community changemakers.

This anniversary episode serves as both a celebration and a thank-you—to the audience, the supporters, the sponsors, and every guest who shared their wisdom. Jim closes with a look at the future of the show, what excites him about the next chapter, and why the mission today feels more important than ever.

This episode of Fried on Business is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Warren Henry Auto Group.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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