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Mark Baratto
Over 15 years of experience in marketing, sales, operations, & events. Backyards of Key West Gallery owner, Artist, brand creator and local Key West podcaster. NFT project, “Backyard Royals” minting soon. I am a 15 year Tony Robbins veteran, Social Media influencer, podcast creator, martial arts enthusiast, audiobook and podcast addict.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Alison Costello, the general manager at Old Town Manor in Key West.
We talk everything B&B, how they handled shutting down during the pandemic, and their sister property, Rose Lane Villas.
More on Old Town Manor
Old Town Manor is ideally located steps from Duval Street in the heart of Old Town Key West. Along with a perfect Key West location, the top-rated bed and breakfast offers lovely pet-friendly lodging, historic gardens, and a delicious daily breakfast.
Located in the heart of Old Town Key West, the Manor features modern amenities as well as beautiful historic gardens. Just a half block from famous Duval Street, Old Town Manor is within walking distance to all of your favorite Key West attractions, including Mallory Square, the Hemingway House and much more. We provide a delicious complimentary breakfast in our gardens each morning, including Belgian waffles, smoked salmon, and locally baked bagels and pastries. We are proud to be top-rated on TripAdvisor.
In today’s podcast, Mark Baratto sits down with general manager of Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant Key West, Ray La Placa.
We talk about the laidback surfer vibe, the new food menu, Ray’s journey in the restaurant world, and Lucy’s infamous scorpion tequila shot.
More on Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant
Lucy’s causal surfer-themed bar & restaurant serves up signature coastal bites in hearty portions to meet your appetite for flavor. Our menu features chef-crafted daily specials and longtime Lucy’s favorites using locally-sourced ingredients fresh from the Keys. Margaritas, frozen drinks, and killer specialty cocktails and shots (ask about the Shark Attack and Scorpion Shot!), overflow from three full-service bars. Soak in those good Key West vibes from our patios, walkup bar, or a cool spot on our 2nd floor gallery overlooking Duval St. No reservations required – just follow the fun to Lucy’s! We are also dog-friendly!
Outdoor seating is available, reservations are accepted but not required! Please call(305) 922-2616
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with co-owners and Ian Bires & Ana Tourino Bires.
We talk about how they met and lived a traveling lifestyle, how Ian met his other partners Ryan Shapiro and Matthew Cohen, and how long it took The Docks to finally open.
More on The Docks Restaurant & Raw Bar
Locally sourced seafood, curated by our chefs & inspired by Key West’s historical fishing culture. Sister restaurant: @thirstymermaidkeywest
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Laura Massey, the chef, and creator of LoveGrub Grazes.
We talk about how she got started as a chef, how she found her way to Key West, and the billionaire client she worked for 😉
More on LoveGrub Grazes
LoveGrub Grazes began back in 2014 in Laguna Beach Ca. as a small meal prep business and has expanded into a variety of services. Chef and owner Laura Massey eventually cooked her way to Key West and began creating beautiful pieces of art with meats and cheeses! Grazing platters are all the craze these days and here at LoveGrub Grazes we focus to bring you the best quality and most beautifully, hand-crafted platters as customer satisfaction is our number one priority. We also offer private chef services for all occasions, big or small.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Sam Jindra, the local Fourth & Pride rep. We talk about how the brand started, where they are going, and how they are giving back.
day’s podcast episode is brought to you by ReviewPush. At ReviewPush, their main goal is to streamline and simplify online review management for businesses and brands; regardless of size or industry. You shouldn’t have to jump through numerous hoops with countless logins just to catch a glimpse of what your customers are saying about their experience with your business. To get more information on ReviewPush, visit www.reviewpush.com
More on Fourth & Pride
Fourth & Pride was founded in recognition of the spirit, vitality, and camaraderie of the famous East Village Pride Bars and their patrons, which openly welcome like-minded people of all orientations seeking to come together and imbibe with pride.
Born less than one mile from the birthplace of Pride itself, Fourth & Pride is on a mission to change behaviors, conversations, and lives for the better, one sip at a time.
5% of all sales go to support our LGBTQ+ partner organizations which work tirelessly to advocate, strengthen, and advance the community.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with blonde & brunette specialist, Tori Shank. We talk about how she got into hair up in Michigan, how she found her way to Key West, and her new hair and makeup studio, Salty Roots.
Today’s podcast episode is brought to you by ReviewPush. At ReviewPush, their main goal is to streamline and simplify online review management for businesses and brands; regardless of size or industry. You shouldn’t have to jump through numerous hoops with countless logins just to catch a glimpse of what your customers are saying about their experience with your business. To get more information on ReviewPush, visit www.reviewpush.com
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the team from Bluesail to talk about their newest employee Brittany Jones. What’s great about this story is how Brittany and her husband quit their jobs, bought a boat, and moved to Key West.
She met up with the Bluesail team when she signed up to take Captain lessons, which turned into a lot more than she expected!
Today’s podcast episode is brought to you by ReviewPush. At ReviewPush, their main goal is to streamline and simplify online review management for businesses and brands; regardless of size or industry. You shouldn’t have to jump through numerous hoops with countless logins just to catch a glimpse of what your customers are saying about their experience with your business. To get more information on ReviewPush, visit www.reviewpush.com
As you watch dolphins and sea turtles swimming in turquoise blue waters at the bow or sip cocktails off a secluded sandbar, you’ll feel a million miles away without ever leaving the United States.
Set sail on a custom adventure and enjoy the peaceful sound of the ocean along the hull, snorkel the world’s third-largest barrier reef, or just admire one of the Florida Keys most incredible sunsets. Choose from our top day trip destinations, then sit back and relax on your own private Fountaine Pajot luxury yacht charter.
Amenities at your fingertips include A/C, fully stocked kitchen and appliances, showers, television, three cabins, and so much more.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with jewelry creator Karen Moore of Zen by Karen Moore.
We talk about her past corporate life, when she began designing her jewelry, her inspiration, and of course her husband’s blue eyes 🙂
Today’s podcast episode is brought to you by ReviewPush. At ReviewPush, their main goal is to streamline and simplify online review management for businesses and brands; regardless of size or industry. You shouldn’t have to jump through numerous hoops with countless logins just to catch a glimpse of what your customers are saying about their experience with your business. To get more information on ReviewPush, visit www.reviewpush.com
More on Zen by Karen Moore
Nature surrounds in the Florida Keys – where the sun, breezes, shifting skies, and turquoise water combine into something like a second skin. Life is saltier and brighter in this part of the world. You feel more intuitive and vibrant here. It’s a way of being that infuses ZEN by Karen Moore jewelry. Zen is what you see and experience in each piece. ZEN by Karen Moore jewelry settles the soul, like warm sand on bare feet.
Karen Moore creates her jewelry pieces by hand, inspired by her life on the ocean and her travels. Her jewelry works alone or in layers, depending on the weather of your mood. It tells a story in gemstones, whether a speck of Amazonite on a suede cord that adorned your neck the day you needed a bit of good luck; the chunks of Labradorite anchoring a ZEN Wrap® Necklace chosen for its transformative power the day you started a new job; or a mala bracelet strung with conch shells and freshwater pearls worn to feel close to the ocean. Formed deep in the earth’s layers, in volcanoes, and by the tides, gemstones hold concentrated energy and beauty that magnify when worn on the body. Try on. Tune in. Find your ZEN.
KAREN’S STORY
From Corporate to The Conch Republic
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Karen Moore felt a connection to nature as far back as she can remember. The first phase of her professional life took place in the corporate world, where she worked in software and accounting and traveled frequently. She lived many places, including Spain and the Florida Keys (where she met her future husband, Clint). Karen savored the landscapes of wherever she landed – be it the sun sinking down behind a rugged mountain line, lush green trees swaying in the breeze, or the fluid ebb and flow of the coastline. In quite the same way, she found herself irresistibly drawn to gemstones, collecting strings of beads from various markets, without a full sense of why.
The first piece of jewelry she made, a prototype of her signature ZEN Wrap, was inspired by a necklace she inherited from a beloved aunt. In 2008, work landed her in Arizona, where her connection to nature resonated. She attended her first Tucson Gem Show, meeting suppliers she has maintained to this day.
Karen’s first trunk shows took place in windowless conference rooms, where she sold to coworkers and word-of-mouth clients attracted to her creations. Soon, this work became her “real job,” and she and her husband moved back to the Florida Keys to live in the sun and salty air. Now, the way Karen lives is inextricable from work, whether it’s living with positive intentions, free diving in the shallows of Florida Bay, working with aromatherapy, or making smoothies from local mangoes. The balance in her jewelry reflects the balance in the way she lives.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Conch Coin’s co-founder Scott Harkness.
We talk about how and why Conch Coin started, what the heck is a cryptocurrency even is, and how Scott and Andrew Norton (his business partner) are building a virtual Key West in the Metaverse.
More on Conch Coin
Conch Coin is a cryptocurrency designed for payments at shops, restaurants, bars, hotels, water sport rentals, excursions, merchandise, and many more businesses that are located in the Florida Keys and the Key West metaverse (coming Soon). The token is built on the polygon blockchain network and listed on Quickswap Exchange for purchasing and swapping. Lower fees than most credit cards and Conch Coin rewards Merchants for accepting Conch and we reward our Loyal Holders with passive income and Support Local Charities.
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