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Fried friends tackle branding, marijuana and online security in one show

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We had a veritable smörgåsbord of content on the latest Fried On Business program. All of it providing tasty morsels of information you can use.

Convey your brand

Our good friend and branding guru, Bruce Turkel, brought a friend of his own into the studio to provide a first-hand illustration of the principles he teaches.

Andres Cardona founded Elite Basketball Academy to train kids how to play basketball well, also providing them with a sense of teamwork and accomplishment.

Andres trades his basketball knowledge for money, Bruce explained. But what he “sells” is something far different.

The parents are the real customers, Andres said, and the No. 1 thing they want is deceptively simple: Most of them, by far, want to keep their kids away from the screens – the games, the smartphones, the tablets, the computers.

“So remember what we talked about. What he trades for money is safe, quality basketball training. But what he’s selling is the opportunity for the parents to keep their kids off-screens. For parents to get what they want. And there’s a huge difference there,” Bruce said.

As Bruce says, when everything is important, nothing is important. By selling something very specific and valuable to the parents, Andres is successful.

“Studies continue to prove that multitasking does not work. We all like to say we do it. We all like to say we’re good at it. But it does not work,” he said.

“So if you’re going to build a brand that will build your business, that has a compelling reason why people should interact with you, you need to hone it down to one thing that people can remember and respond to.”

And if that one thing is about you, they’re probably not going to care, Bruce added. But if that one thing is about them, chances are they’re going to care a lot.

This is a must-listen conversation. Click here to enjoy the full interview with Bruce Turkel of Turkel Brands and Andres Cardona of Elite Basketball Academy.

Medical marijuana update

Next up, Nicole “Nikki” Fried of Igniting Florida LLC and Jake Bergmann of Surterra Wellness came on the air to talk about Surterra’s new medical marijuana dispensary that opened on Miami Beach on April 20.

Jake said Surterra focuses on “effects-driven” products. The emphasis is on consistency. What you buy will be a known quantity and quality.

Now, don’t think you can just waltz into Surterra Wellness and pick up a little something for the weekend. You must have a doctor’s note stating that you are undergoing treatment for a specific condition.

The company’s website – surterra.com – has a list to help you find a doctor qualified to write such a prescription.

Now, the process of obtaining and renewing a medical marijuana card is – how should I say it – “clunky” at best. The industry is well aware of this, Nikki said, and is working to remove the roadblocks.

“This should not be more difficult than our opiates, and it is at this current moment. We need to spent a lot of time in Tallahassee making sure our legislature understands that our patients are in need of these products,” she said.

Jake said Surterra products are available for pickup at the retail stores or through online ordering. Secure delivery is performed by Surterra itself, not by third-party services. The company has 25 delivery vehicles on the road every day, he said.

“We are creating an all-natural, organic alternative to opioids, to Xanax, to Ambien, to a wide range of pharmaceutical products,” he said.

Click here to listen to the full interview with Nikki Fried of Igniting Florida LLC and Jake Bergmann of Surterra Wellness.

Protecting your financial data

To wrap things up, Jim Angleton of AEGIS FinServ Corp. stopped by to refresh our memories about online security.

With the recent revelations about how Facebook is handling the information that we post, I wanted to ask Jim about what steps we can take to protect ourselves.

A good place to start, he said, is your login. The username should be long, and your password should be at least 25 characters. Change the password every month.

Store the username and password information offline, he said. Don’t trust cloud-based services anymore. Keep things on secure flash drives or external hard drives, not just on your main hard drive.

AEGIS has a new program called Cyber Eyes. It handles “social media reconnaissance,” and through it AEGIS has discovered that your personal information is probably on the so-called Dark Web already. Credit card numbers go for $50 each. Driver license info is $100 usually.

People use social media stupidly, Jim said. They post their vacation plans in advance, and then wonder why their house was broken into and how their accounts got compromised.

The best advice is to be proactive, not reactive. Change those passwords. Get your credit report several times a year. Google your name every so often to make sure there’s not a duplicate you out there.

“You have to be really careful today,” he said.

Click here to listen to the full interview with Jim Angleton of AEGIS FinServ Corp.

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In Episode 827 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried is joined by capital markets expert Michael Cohen, founding partner of Brighton Capital Advisors, to talk about where the money is—and how to get it—in today’s evolving real estate environment.

With interest rates elevated and banks pulling back on commercial lending, many investors and developers are facing a new challenge: how to secure capital for deals in a shifting, risk-conscious market. Michael offers real-time insights into how Brighton Capital Advisors helps clients bridge that gap with creative financing strategies, tailored debt solutions, and targeted equity partnerships.

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Whether you're a developer, investor, broker, or family office executive, this episode will give you clear insights on navigating capital markets in 2025 and beyond.

🎧 Tune in and discover how smart capital strategy is still possible—even in a tight financial environment.

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

In Episode 827 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried is joined by capital markets expert Michael Cohen, founding partner of Brighton Capital Advisors, to talk about where the money is—and how to get it—in today’s evolving real estate environment.

With interest rates elevated and banks pulling back on commercial lending, many investors and developers are facing a new challenge: how to secure capital for deals in a shifting, risk-conscious market. Michael offers real-time insights into how Brighton Capital Advisors helps clients bridge that gap with creative financing strategies, tailored debt solutions, and targeted equity partnerships.

The conversation covers:

How capital markets are reacting to rate pressure

The role of private credit and alternative lenders

Which asset classes are getting funded—and which are stalled

How to position deals to attract institutional interest

Trends in debt restructuring, refinancing, and construction lending

Michael also shares lessons from working across market cycles, emphasizing transparency, speed, and strategic alignment as the new pillars of deal-making.

Whether you're a developer, investor, broker, or family office executive, this episode will give you clear insights on navigating capital markets in 2025 and beyond.

🎧 Tune in and discover how smart capital strategy is still possible—even in a tight financial environment.

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

In Episode 824 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried welcomes Ed Cairo, founder and principal of American Home Finance Group, for a timely and strategic conversation about the state of the mortgage market in 2025.

As homebuyers, investors, and real estate professionals navigate the uncertainty of rising interest rates, tighter lending conditions, and shifting credit strategies, Ed brings clarity and practical advice from the front lines of financing.

Drawing on decades of experience in residential and investment property lending, Ed shares:

What interest rate movements mean for first-time buyers and investors

How banks are changing their underwriting in today’s market

The biggest mortgage mistakes buyers are making right now

When refinancing makes sense—and when it doesn’t

How brokers can better educate and guide their clients

Whether you're trying to secure a home loan, advising clients, or investing in income property, this episode delivers the financial insights you need to make smart, confident decisions.

Ed also discusses how private lenders and smaller firms are stepping up as big banks tighten credit, and why personalized service is more important than ever in today’s lending landscape.

🎧 Tune in now for a real-world look at what’s happening behind the mortgage curtain—and how to use it to your advantage.



🎙️ 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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🎧 Tune in to hear the truth behind the trends—only on Fried on Business.

🎙️ 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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With inventory rising and interest rate pressures reshaping buyer behavior, Peter gives a candid and research-backed look into what’s really happening in South Florida’s most dynamic property segment. The conversation explores pricing correction signals, stalled absorption rates, and how developers and brokers are reacting—or not reacting—to shifting conditions.

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Which neighborhoods are oversupplied or overheated

Why cash buyers are hesitating despite opportunity

The real impact of interest rates on resale inventory

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Whether you’re considering a purchase, managing client portfolios, or trying to understand Miami’s evolving condo landscape, this episode offers the clarity you need.

🎧 Tune in to hear the truth behind the trends—only on Fried on Business.

🎙️ 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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🎙️ 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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Whether you’re an aspiring professional, a current student, or someone looking to mentor the next generation of talent, this episode offers a front-row seat to how academic institutions can shape the future of industries through opportunity, community, and education.

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🎙️ 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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🎧 Tune in now to learn how Warren Henry is putting young talent in the driver’s seat of their futures.

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

In Episode 820 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried welcomes Larry Zinn, Executive General Manager of Warren Henry Automotive, to talk about the company’s groundbreaking automotive vocational training program—a paid, two-year opportunity aimed at helping high school students launch careers in the auto industry.

Warren Henry Automotive is a sponsor of Fried on Business. This episode features a discussion of their training program as part of that ongoing relationship.

As the automotive world continues to evolve with technology and electrification, the demand for skilled technicians and service advisors is growing rapidly. Zinn shares how Warren Henry is addressing that gap by reaching out to students who want more than a classroom education. Through this program, participants gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and a real paycheck—all while developing valuable skills that can lead to full-time roles in one of Florida’s most respected dealership networks.

This episode covers how the initiative works, what students can expect to learn, and why supporting workforce development in trades is not just good business—it’s a smart investment in the future.

Whether you're an educator, parent, student, or someone curious about alternative career paths beyond college, this episode delivers real insight into how local businesses can drive impact and opportunity from the ground up.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how Warren Henry is putting young talent in the driver’s seat of their futures.

🎙️ 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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