The Story

Hear from Central Florida’s top entrepreneurs as they take on the hot seat and tell their story about building a successful business. We’ll provide the lunch, you provide (some of) the questions.

What’s In It For You?

Typically, advice from the leaders of multi-million dollar companies would not come cheap, but now you have the opportunity to glean valuable knowledge and lessons for the price of a sandwich. Featured entrepreneurs will be “grilled” about their story on growing a company, developing their brand and sales, growing a culture, staffing well, money matters and how they adapted along their journey to success.

For more information, contact Tiffany Cahill at tcahill@winterpark.org.

Hot Seat Alumni:

• Anna & Nathan Bond, Owners, Rifle Paper Co.
• Jon & Betsy Hughes, Co-Owners, Track Shack
• Gregg Pollack, Founder, Code School, Envy Labs & Starter Studio
• John Rivers, Founder, Owner & Head Chef, 4 Rivers Smokehouse
• Ben Hewitt, Co-Founder/CEO, Corkcicle
• Ted Murphy, Founder, CEO & Chairman, IZEA, Inc.
• John Arie, Sr. & John Arie, Jr., Owner & CEO, Fun Spot America Theme Parks
• Paul Twyford, Co-Founder, Winter Park Distilling Company
• Eddie Trujillo, VP of Opperation, uBreakiFix
• Malia Dreyer, CEO, Lettermade
• Clyde Moore, Social Media Influencer/Creator, I LUV Winter Park
• Ansley Schrimsher, Founder & Owner, Dora Mae Jewelry 

Testimonials From Hot Seat Academy

"It was great to meet other members and ambassadors, and I left feeling excited about being a part of the chamber!"

"The Speed Networking was a great chance to connect with lots of people in a short period of time. I've already heard from two people I met in my two minute convos to get together, so I'd say it was very personally rewarding."

All programs will be held at the Winter Park Welcome Center from 11:30 am-1:00 pm.