Open Educator with Dr. Steve Diasio

In today’s gripping episode, we welcomed Tiffany Kerr, a dynamic entrepreneur and social media influencer, to our podcast. Broadcasting from her current base, she took us on her remarkable journey from St. Pete to the star-studded streets of LA, sharing how she turned challenges into stepping stones during the pandemic lockdown. Tiffany highlighted the importance of consistency and discipline across her social platforms and her passion project, Truth Jewelry, which supports the fight against human trafficking. Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, Tiffany spoke candidly about the relentless pursuit of balance in her life and her disdain for restrictive titles. Despite the pressures of relocating to LA right before a global crisis, Tiffany's resilience shone through. She recounted the pivotal moments of working at Walmart and a chiropractor's office before diving into the world of social media purely for fun. It wasn’t long before her relatable content captured hearts, leading her into the influencer industry. A graduate of an entrepreneur and innovation program, Tiffany's main takeaway was the invaluable lesson of not fearing failure but seeing it as a pathway to success. She shared the complexities behind the influencer veneer, discussing the courage it takes to face public scrutiny and the importance of building a trustworthy community. She walked us through her daily routine and her ‘3 priority technique’ that helps manage her diverse projects. Tiffany also stressed the ever-evolving nature of social media and the need to remain adaptable, constantly testing new strategies to stay ahead. Acting, she explained, has bolstered her empathy, a trait crucial to both her personal growth and entrepreneurial ventures. When asked about her dream collaborations, names like Marvel and Rihanna's Fenty Brands came up, reflecting her ambitious vision. Scaling social media influence, Tiffany advocated for authenticity, especially on platforms like TikTok, where scripted content can often feel disingenuous. She also emphasized the importance of negotiation skills and building a supportive team for monetization efforts. Looking forward, Tiffany's personal goals include expanding her influencer business and championing the curly hair community. She offered advice to students and aspiring entrepreneurs, urging them to explore widely and find their true passion. Finally, Tiffany reflected on the evolving landscape of social media influence, the need for continuous learning, and the significance of having a robust support system. With a heartfelt message about self-acceptance and a mission to inspire, Tiffany left us with profound insights and her social media handles for anyone wishing to connect with her inspiring journey. #TiffanyOnPodcast #EntrepreneurJourney #SocialMediaInfluence #TruthJewelry #EmpoweringEntrepreneurs #BalanceInBusiness #InfluencerInsights #OvercomingAdversity #PersonalBranding #ContentCreationTips #MonetizationStrategies #CurlyHairCommunity #ActingAndEmpathy #DreamCollaborations #ContinuousLearning #SocialMediaStrategy #EmpowermentThroughSocialMedia #InnovationAndEntrepreneurship #SuccessMindset

🎙 Open Educator Podcast: Journey from Reflection to Reimagination Join Steve Diasio as he returns to the mic after a soul-searching break. Travel back to the pandemic's hush, where as a frontline educator in Florida, Steve felt the profound weight of the students' silent battles. Yet, in the darkest times, a spark was ignited, leading to the birth of the Open Educator Podcast. Celebrate our Tampa Bay heroes and global leaders from past seasons who’ve illuminated our way. But hold tight, as Season 5 is all about pushing boundaries! Dive into raw conversations, embrace fresh formats, and explore the limitless horizons of creativity and innovation. Be a part of this journey. Subscribe, engage, and let's co-create the future of education. 🚀 Learn more at stevediasio.com and https://linktr.ee/SchoolCreativityInnovation

In this episode with speak with Kam Reeds business owner and speaker. Kam shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the human struggles one makes when leaving a corporate job that no longer served her. Kam discusses the steps she took to overcome fear, deal with her past, and move forward in creating the career and life she wants. Kam offers practical tools for those looking to move from the corporate world, to venture into their own business.    The Youtube Video of these casts can be seen on the Finger Puppet Management TV Channel, part of the Finger Puppet Media Group. To learn more about the host check out: www.stevediasio.com #usf #usf #dtsp #muma #openeducator #innovation #kamreed

In this episode with speak with Nicole Pelaez-Dandrea - VP of Audience Engagement at ESPN. Nicole shares insight on why utilizing the skills of entrepreneurship is essential to career development and growth. Nicole discusses how ESPN innovates and their recent launch of the WNBA fantasy app. We dive into the soft and people skills needed to succeed in leading teams and advancing your career.   #espn #usf #usf #dtsp #muma #openeducator #innovation #sports The Youtube Video of these casts can be seen on the Finger Puppet Management TV Channel, part of the Finger Puppet Media Group. To learn more about the host check out: www.stevediasio.com

In this episode with speak with Kathy Greif, Chief Operation Officer of The Dali Museum. Kathy shares about her career and how different industries and experiences led her to her current position. Kathy discusses the challenges of managing and leading the demands of a creative organization. We dive into how the Dali Museum innovates and how the innovation process is embedded culturally, organizationally, and socially at her organization.   @thedalimuseum @usf #usf #dali #dtsp #muma #openeducator #innovation To learn more about Kathy and her work check out: LinkedIn The Youtube Video of these casts can be seen on the Finger Puppet Management TV Channel, part of the Finger Puppet Media Group. To learn more about the host check out: www.stevediasio.com #usf #usfp #innovation #muma #openeducator #fingerpuppetmedia #stevediasio #thedalimuseum #dalimuseum #gala

In this episode with speak with Olivia Mansion, CoFounder and Director of Fairgrounds St Pete.  Olivia shares her background and journey of launching her venture. Olivia discusses how her team went from ideation to implementation. We dive into the challenges and opportunities that have emerged in leading her team and in executing strategy. The Youtube Video of these casts can be seen on the Finger Puppet Management TV Channel, part of the Finger Puppet Media Group. To learn more about the host check out: www.stevediasio.com #fairgroundsstpete #usf #usfp #innovation #muma #openeducator

In this episode with speak with Steven Tamaroglio, Director at United Airlines.  Steven is charged with transforming the airport experience. We discuss Steven's approach to crafting his career and the steps he took to land jobs at firms he set out to work for. Steven talks about the role of being an internal champion to implement large innovation projects at United. We dive into the gratitude project Steven launched and its impact on people and corporate culture.    The Youtube Video of these casts can be seen on the Finger Puppet Management TV Channel, part of the Finger Puppet Media Group. To learn more about the host check out: www.stevediasio.com #ua #united #usf #usfp #innovation #muma #openeducator #fingerpuppetmedia #stevediasio

In this episode, we speak with Joe Russ, creator of the hit video game @JennyLeClue. We discuss how Jenny LeClue got started and the methods he used to get funding to build an audience. Jenny LeClue has expanded from a niche indie video game to Nintendo, Apple, and Steam platforms. Joe talks about the different experiences he had in various roles that helped him in business building. We dive into the creative process and creative environment Joe uses to maintain his creative skills. The Youtube Video of these casts can be seen on the Finger Puppet Management TV Channel, part of the Finger Puppet Media Group. To learn more about the host check out: www.stevediasio.com #jennyleclue #joeruss #usf #usfp #innovation #muma #openeducator #stevediasio #fingerpuppetmediagroup

In this episode with speak with Tim Carty a USF Entrepreneurship and Innovation Alumni. We discuss the different experiences one can have when working at a startup.  We dive into the skills Tim learned in the USF entrepreneurship program and how they apply to Knowbe4.  We talk about the local Tampa Bay entrepreneurial ecosystem and how it differs from the West coast ecosystem he has experience with.   To learn more check out www.knowbe4.com #knowbe4 #usf #usfp #innovation #muma #openeducator This content is published by FingerPuppetManagementTV. Check out the Open Educator podcast on any streaming platform--available now!

In this episode with speak with the Founder and CEO of Intrinio Rachel Carpenter. We discuss the role of creativity as a leader and its role in startup building. The limitation of frameworks for startups and the role theater, acting and public speaking plays in developing into a well-rounded leader. We end with advice from Rachel on riding the rollercoasters of being a business owner. Check out www.intrinio.com to learn how to have your data powered by Intrinio. This content is published by FingerPuppetManagementTV. Check out the Open Educator podcast on any streaming platform--available now!

Riley is a University of South Florida graduate and earned his MBA from the USFSP campus. He has 10 years of experience in commercial real estate, and some of his previous job titles include Senior Leasing Director, Leasing Manager, and even District Director for Westfield mall. Over the last two years, Riley has worked as a Senior Solution Engineer and Team Lead for Salesforce. Riley answers the infamous question--what is a Solution Engineer? He replies, "We support the pre-sales process by working alongside the sales representative to identify the customer’s needs and generate customized business software solutions. Our role is to be the technical expert while demonstrating and articulating the value of the software solutions best suited for the customer."  This content is published by FingerPuppetManagementTV. 

Last Tuesday, we spoke with the Owner and Chief Curator of Ethnic Origin Company, Petra Gurin. Petra transformed her love for anthropology and indigenous cultures into an import and export business. Petra explains that her goal is to connect communities, she says, "we are all the same people, though we share different stories." Thus, Petra works with artisans to share their tribal arts, antiques, and other artifacts to share their stories with people globally. Petra explains part of being an entrepreneur is being a storyteller. One of her popular pieces is a Zimbabwe mortar. One side of the artifact is used for grinding wheat, although once flipped over, it becomes a beautiful nightstand. Now, the artifact is home to a couple across the world, in Alaska. This content has been published by FingerPuppetManagementTV.

This week on the Open Educator, we spoke with USF grad and local entrepreneur, Jarrett. He started his career by opening a "prototype" or pop-up cafe in St Petersburg. FL. Now, he is the owner and founder of Intermezzo Cafe and Cocktails, a business that specializes in uniqueness. Since Intermezzo's grand opening a few years ago, Jarrett has incorporated other pop-ups, including an oyster bar, a 5-course chef, and offering a place for local vendors to sell fruit, produce, and more.  This content has been published by fingerpuppetmanagementTV. 

Fred Steube holds an MBA from USF and completed additional coursework at Harvard Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  Fred has maintained his marketing leadership position in the digital space for over 23 years. Meanwhile, working with brands like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Target, Walmart, and Kodak. Throughout his career, Fred led the digital efforts across marketing firms, Cox Target Media, and Valpak brands, where he specialized in digital product strategy and eCommerce. Some of which included Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Fred also played a role in marketing disruptive technology. Such as augmented reality, wearable technology, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, Internet of Things (IoT), & even card-linked offers. The live interview is also available on the YouTube channel, Finger Puppet Management TV.

Last week on the Open Educator, we spoke with USF grad, Maranda. While in college, Maranda landed an internship with a nonprofit organization. After only working there a year, she is now the executive director. She helped lead a community of over 250 residents to engage in a mural beautification project. Together, they painted 14 storm drain murals, an intersection, and a wall mural in an underserved Clearwater neighborhood--Lake Belleview. Maranda transformed her passion for helping others and interest in the marine industry into a business opportunity. Maranda is the Founder and Lead Ambassador of Top Nauts, once a small yacht charter concierge business, now is a growing premier marine network. Listen to learn more, and as always, tune in next Tuesday!

Last week on the Open Educator, we had our very own USF alumn Chris Packett. Chris started his career as a software engineer, where he learned what it takes to make a product, and develop it in the real world. Now, Chris is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and co-founded two companies, Mr. Automation and Platform Pioneers. Chris humbly chalks up his businesses' success to leveraging coding and content to scale the companies.  "Essentially, the time that you put into your work should reflect exponentially in output." Chris says, "for example, we will have a programmer work for one hour, who will help 100 people save one minute of their time." Listen to learn more, and as always, tune in next Tuesday!

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 1--the inaugural episode of 2021. Today, we discussed why we created this platform and what to expect throughout this new season.  This platform was created to provide creatives alike with an outlet of support throughout these challenging times. In spite of this lingering pandemic, Open Educator is a place to break from isolation for one hour to learn, focus, and grow with like-minded peers. We are here to become better professionals, practicing our craft.    Tune into this new season to build upon your creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial skills so we can be prepared for game-time as we leave school. This episode has been published can be viewed via Finger Puppet Management TV on YouTube, or heard everywhere your podcast is available.

In this episode, we talk with Lindsey Velde, a USF alum and Regional Director of Operations - Gianco Companies about her journey scaling the co-working space Station House and Hyde House. Lindsey shares her optics on the entrepreneurship ecosystem in St. Pete and Tampa. Lindsey will share her approach to building your resume story and the importance of building unique experiences, personally and professionally.  Video can be seen here (with visuals) on the Finger Puppet Management TV Show part of Finger Puppet Media Group.  #usf #usfsp #highered #innovation #university #openness #stationhouse #hydehouse #openinnovation #stpete #coworkspace #cowork #remote #jobs #highered

In this episode, we talk with Andy Bustamante, founder of Everyday Spy, former CIA agent, and USF MBA alum about his journey from agent to entrepreneur.  Andy shares how being a spy has helped him be an entrepreneur and how the tools and techniques from espionage can help those looking to start or grow their own business. Check out more at www.everydayspy.com  Video can be seen here (with visuals) on the Finger Puppet Management TV Show part of Finger Puppet Media Group. #usf #usfsp #highered #innovation #university #openness #everydayspy #openinnovation #spy #espionage

What’s going to put us on the map, isn’t our great beaches. It isn’t our St. Pete heat and sunshine! It isn’t the booming downtown (minus the Sundial). Nope, it’s not even the costly pier or public art. It’s not Tom Brady and let’s hope it isn’t our wild west approach to wearing masks. To learn more listen to this cast.  Dr. Steve Diasio is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of South Florida.  #usf #usfsp #university #stpetersburg #stpete #tampa #tampabay #rodwave #rap #music The Youtube Video of this cast RANT can be seen here on the Finger Puppet Management TV Show part of Finger Puppet Media Group. www.stevediasio.com