Travis Alden’s Post

I attended the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County event on Wednesday, where they showcased the remarkable journey of four companies they've nurtured and supported in Sarasota County. The insights shared by these individuals were truly invaluable. 🚀 Owner of FleetForce, Tra Williams, had words that resonated deeply: "Move confidently forward." It's a reminder that in business, as in life, confidence is key. Embrace challenges and keep pushing forward. 🔨 Mike from Big Top Brewing Company had advice that was a game-changer: "If it’s a block wall, and a problem, find a way to make it a steel frame wall." This mindset shift is powerful. It's about transforming obstacles into opportunities, turning weaknesses into strengths. 🌱 Marcus Walfridson from Sarasota Paradise highlighted the importance of community: "Use the community as a starting point. Ask for help; don’t give up." Collaboration and support from the community can fuel incredible growth. It's a reminder that we're stronger together. 💡 Vladimir Durshpek's, from D-Trans, LLC, spoke on Sarasota County: "If you want to have a good life, this is the place to be." This is a testament to the thriving business environment and quality of life Sarasota offers. ✨ These quotes encapsulate the spirit of innovation, resilience, and community that defines Sarasota County. I am proud to be part of such a vibrant and supportive ecosystem! #SarasotaEDC #Community #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #Resilience #SarasotaCounty #Inspiration

Invest In Mitchell's Plain! Sixteen years ago, we embarked on the journey of creating the Mitchell's Plain Festival to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Mitchell's Plain as a vibrant and dynamic community. In 2008, it was far from conventional for major brands to partner with us, and large-scale events within this community were virtually unheard of. Yet, through perseverance and determination, we gradually persuaded brand managers, marketing executives, CEOs, and even board chairpersons that Mitchell's Plain is not an isolated enclave. The challenges faced by this community are no different from those encountered in Sandton, Constantia, Bishopscourt, or Camps Bay. The support of the corporate sector is crucial, and the media's role should extend beyond merely highlighting negative events; it must also celebrate the positive developments taking place within the community. Despite being beset by issues such as gangsterism, drug abuse, unemployment, and other social challenges, Mitchell's Plain is equally blessed with producing some of the finest doctors, attorneys, nurses, educators, business leaders, and vibrant community activists. The community proudly hosts four formal shopping precincts: the historic Mitchell's Plain Town Centre, Liberty Promenade Mall, Westgate Mall, and Watergate Mall, all offering hundreds of thousands of fully-let trading space. Additionally, there are ten smaller shopping complexes scattered across the area, including Strandfontein, as well as thousands of informal traders contributing to the local economy. Mitchell's Plain is not only a viable but also a powerful community in which to do business. With close to one million residents or potential consumers, it remains a cornerstone of the Western Cape's economy. The community also holds great promise as a potential hospitality hub, and homeowners should explore the feasibility of creating AirBNBs in their underutilized spaces. The future indeed looks bright for Mitchell's Plain. #InvestInMitchellsPlain

🌟 What an unexpected surprise! 🌟 Last week gave me a sweet reminder to share your gifts and trust they’ll land where they’re meant to be. The city of Ashland Virginia brought me in to give a talk on commercial real estate development. First, a big shoutout to the city for empowering local business owners to be the first to leverage city incentives and opportunities in their downtown corridor! But wait, it gets better! Just before the event started, I met an incredible woman who introduced herself as one of my “Wine & Real Estate” participants from way back in 2020! (She was also on last week’s Re-Launch call!) Since then, she’s built an impressive portfolio of income properties and is excited to dive into new areas of real estate investing. She shared that one of her favorite sessions focused on seller-financing, and that it sparked an idea that led to a sweet seller-financed deal for her! I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next! She also mentioned that I’d almost met her son at a talk that I gave in Kansas City a few years ago. So, our paths have been “almost” crossing for a while! Traveling 2 1/2 hours, to a city I’ve never visited before, to give a talk on a topic that I’m passionate about, led to such a serendipitous meeting! My takeaway: Never underestimate your impact and reach. You never know who might benefit from your shared gifts, so keep sharing away! 🚀✨ #AshlandVirginia #WineAndRealEstate #ShareYourGifts

Thanks for including us in this discussion - Healey-Driscoll Administration Meets with Business Leaders to Address Housing Challenges - learn more and find out what our chamber president had to say on this topic: https://lnkd.in/edZ6rVp4

It was a pleasure, as always, to join friends (old and new), industry peers, and a broad range of professionals for an event hosted by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. The convening consisted of a presentation and illuminating panel discussion, "Shaping the Future of Downtown: Catalysts to Ensure Success," both addressing Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation's recent research on economic disruption in Downtown Boston. As one of the region's leaders in building construction, civil and utility infrastructure construction, and general contracting, particularly for projects with public or commercial outcomes, it's imperative that BOND Brothers, Inc. keep our finger on the pulse of these ongoing issues and their implications. While Massachusetts, and specifically Boston, has experienced tremendous growth over the first part of this century, COVID fundamentally changed how people work and where people want to live and what worked for us for the first twenty years will not work for us for the next twenty years. Boston is not the only city that is facing this reality but we have to use this inflection point to reinvent ourselves by leveraging our strengths in education, health care and life sciences and finding new ways to ensure Boston and Massachusetts are affordable and family-friendly destinations for residents and tourists alike. The Mass Taxpayers Foundation's full report, which I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with, is here: https://lnkd.in/d3qxq8_H and you can watch the presentation here: https://lnkd.in/dWeRFVA4

IMPORTANT - Black People of High Incomes have FAILED the Black Under Class (as a group)! Hi Raymond McGuire (President of Lazard - Investment Bank) High income Black Americans are the ONLY group in America that judges it’s success by how successful it’s able to separate itself from its underclass (in the eyes of other racial groups in America). By the way, great photo of you and your “peers”. Yes, I agree high income Black people have been VERY successful in NYC (and across America). However the overwhelming majority of Black people in NYC are: 1 - on some sort of government welfare (food stamps, housing, vouchers, child care, healthcare, etc). 2 - working at low wage jobs (annual incomes of less than $40,000). 3 - high school dropouts. 4 - lack a college education. 5 - have children attending low performing public schools. 6 - have family members on probation/parole or in jail/prison. I think before [ high income Black people ] in NYC [ pat themself ] on the back, they should look down at the majority of the Black people in NYC. While looking down, ask yourself the question: What have I done to help FREE my people (i.e.: Black people) from economic despair? How have you every used your [ vast wealth ] to help create jobs for Black people in the under class? By the way, the answer is NOT financially supporting the Studio Museum in Harlem. We NEED more [ Black Republicans ] like YOU to invest in Black businesses in Black communities in America. Just my thoughts from the front lines of “Building Wealth and Creating Jobs for Black people in Black America”. All the best, Thomas Lopez-Pierre

Our October Newsletter is now live! Explore local events and gain insights into the housing market in SW Florida. This resource provides valuable information for both residents and investors, highlighting trends and opportunities in the area. Don't miss out on the latest updates. #SWFlorida #HousingMarket #LocalEvents #RealEstate #Newsletter

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