Larry Starr, Sarasota area resident, brings the ultimate fun to vacationers in Southwest Florida and beyond through AutoXotic, a new exotic and luxury vehicle rental and ownership company. In an interview with Presentation Solutions, Larry Starr, Sarasota vacation rental expert and entrepreneur, discusses this exciting new company.
Presentation Solutions: AutoXotic, now that name implies a lot! Tell us about the company.
Larry Starr, Sarasota, FL: Yes, it sure does! AutoXotic combines the thrill of fast, gorgeous exotic and luxury cars offer, but with affordability. Larry Starr, Sarasota area vacationers now have the opportunity to drive cars that normally only the rich and famous can through renting or owning part-time.
Presentation Solutions: Owning part-time – what does that mean?
Larry Starr, Sarasota, FL: This is an ideal set-up for someone looking to drive an exotic car without being encumbered with a year-round price tag. Through this innovative ownership model, Sarasota-area seasonal residents can own and have access to a luxury car for 90 days each year. AutoXotic takes care of storage and maintenance. While Sarasota is our Headquarters, we provide cars on a nationwide basis.
Presentation Solutions: How long a period of time can someone rent an AutoXotic vehicle?
Larry Starr, Sarasota, FL: People can rent cars for a day, a week, or months; it’s really up to the customer.
Presentation Solutions: Does AutoXotic rent to just anyone?
Larry Starr, Sarasota, FL: No, there are several rental criteria. Drivers should be ready to provide proof of age 25, proof of insurance, and should be ready to put down a credit card or cash as a damage deposit.
Presentation Solutions: Tell readers about the types of cars they can rent or own through AutoXotic.
Larry Starr, Sarasota, FL: These are the exotic cars seen in movies, and include Aston Martins, just like James Bond drives, Lamborghinis similar to the one featured in the latest Batman movie, as well as Ferraris, Bentley, and McLarens, to name a few.
Presentation Solutions: Sounds thrilling! What types of customers has AutoXotic attracted?
Larry Starr, Sarasota, FL: This is a tremendously fun business, and vacationers, seasonal guests, business people, and professional sports stars are all customers. For people that live in areas with cold-weather climates, owning an exotic car part-time is appealing and our innovative ownership provides any thrill-seeker with a jolt, but not to the wallet.
Presentation Solutions: It sounds like AutoXotic serves people outside of the Sarasota, Florida area, too. Explain how that works.
Larry Starr, Sarasota, FL: While AutoXotic is a Sarasota based business; the company will deliver vehicles outside of the 25-mile radius of Sarasota for an additional fee.
Larry Starr, Sarasota area resident and businessman, is the owner of AutoXotic and President of Rental Vacation Accomodations. Larry Starr ’s Sarasota properties and businesses have been pleasing southwest Florida vacationers and seasonal guests for 25 years.
Peter Spittler Architectural Services, founded by Ohio architect Peter Spittler, focuses on providing clients with the highest quality services possible. The team at Peter Spittler Architectural Services believes in the importance of careful planning to get a job done well and offers the following information about programming services, the foundation for exemplary building and development projects.
Q: What is architectural programming?
Peter Spittler Architectural Services: To begin, programming lays the solid foundation for building design. Programming takes place before the actual design work happens and identifies the goals, objectives, and values of the client or builder, the facility users, and community impacted by the infrastructure. Programming promotes good planning early in the process and allows for a more smooth and successful project design and implementation.
Q: What are the major components of programming?
Peter Spittler Architectural Services: First, the Peter Spittler Architectural Services team will research the project type to get a good grasp on what is typical for projects of the proposed nature. They will look at everything from the common square footage of rooms to regional issues that need consideration. Our team will then work with the client to determine the goals and objectives of the proposed project. As the project progresses, we implement information gathering and research, identify strategies to achieve goals and objectives, compare budget to actual project needs and make adjustments, and finally, put the program in a finalized, written format.
Q: Programming sounds like a lot of work for just one architect on the Peter Spittler Architectural Services team.
Peter Spittler Architectural Services: You’re absolutely correct. While our team members are extremely efficient and talented, yes, it typically requires more than one person. Peter Spittler Architectural Services collaborates with programming committee members made up of the client/builder, building users, and project stakeholders and other outside experts when needed.
Q: Why is programming important to builders?
Peter Spittler Architectural Services: The programming process results in clear plans for design work that incorporates and anticipates future use, issues, and considerations. The final written program offers Peter Spittler Architectural Services clients a solid decision making tool as they move forward with design and building. As Peter Spittler Architectural Services explains to our clients, programming can save a lot of time, money and hassle in the future by avoiding re-designs and making future decisions easier.
Q: What are some of the benefits of having Peter Spittler Architectural Services complete the programming phase?
Peter Spittler Architectural Services: By having the Peter Spittler Architectural Services team lead the program development, clients will have an expert at the helm with experience in developing all types of buildings for myriad uses who is able to offer the best options for any program.
Peter Spittler Architectural Services is located in the Cleveland/Akron area of Ohio.
In 1989, Stephen R. Covey wrote The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, a highly influential volume in the world of business management. The book has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide. Covey starts from the position of “abundance mindset,” fostering teamwork in an organization through the belief that there are enough resources to be able to collaborate and share success with others in the group. This is, says Covey, as opposed to a “scarcity mindset,” where there’s an unnecessary, destructive, stressful competition going on that can be counterproductive to the group’s goals.
Now, for a brief rundown of the Seven Habits:
Be proactive – Take the reins for your own decisions and outcomes, and don’t wait for someone else. Remember that you’re the one accountable for your moves, for better or worse.
Begin with the end in mind – In business, this long-game approach might involve creating a mission statement, to help keep your eyes on the goal and not just the short run.
Put first things first – Prioritize your days, your weeks and your quarters, and stick with this priority schedule. Be mindful of whether your efforts get you closer to your goals and are in keeping with the first two Habits.
Think win/win – Remember that a “win” for a group is a win for everyone, and is almost always going to play out as a better resolution than if one person alone is driving the decisions and insists on getting things his or her way.
Seek first to understand, then to be understood – Keep your ears open and try to identify in an empathetic way with the challenges that others on your team are facing. This approach will help them be much more receptive to your own input.
Synergize – Remember that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and teamwork should combine the strengths of everyone in your group. The result is a goal that no one person could do on his or her own.
Sharpen the saw – Don’t let work overrun your life to the point of burnout. Balance your working life with whatever it takes to renew your physical and emotional energy, whether it’s prayer, meditation, exercise, good reading or service back to your community.
While much of Covey’s gospel seems intuitive, but many managers and individuals don’t grasp it and have paid the price in performance and results. Presentation Solutions suggests our readers revisit this book, or read it for the first time. Nearly a quarter of a century later, it is still considered to be a touchstone for not only managers, but also people looking for self-help advice in their personal lives.
Gregory Fake, assistant producer for the award-winning Lifetime television program, Balancing Act, shares his personal side through talking with Community Blog Online about prison ministries.
Community Blog Online: Thank you for joining us. Please tell our readers how you got involved with prison ministries.
Gregory Fake: I am a deacon at my church and prison ministry is a big part of our church mission.
Community Blog Online: Prison ministry must be difficult; can you describe a bit about your first impressions of the prison environment and the inmates?
Gregory Fake: Prison is a very different world. For anyone who has never been on the inside, it can be startling. The inmates were intimidating at first, but this changed as I became better at my counseling and better at understanding their needs.
Community Blog Online: What services do you and your partners provide to inmates?
Gregory Fake: Mainly, we do a lot of listening and reminding inmates that they are loved and there is hope.
Community Blog Online: Talk more about the counseling provided to inmates…
Gregory Fake: The people I meet in jail and prison have suffered tremendous hardships in their lives; I am there to help them deal with their demons, while creating a path to a brighter day through spiritual work.
Community Blog Online: What do you do for the families of inmates?
Gregory Fake: I am in the prison regularly and am available to families who might need advice and reassurance.
Community Blog Online: Is it difficult for prisoners to see the brighter side of life?
Gregory Fake: Of course. Some of these men are wracked with guilt for the pain they have caused in others and don’t believe they are worthy of forgiveness. I remind them that forgiveness is for everyone.
Community Blog Online: What have you learned about yourself since becoming involved with prison ministry?
Gregory Fake: The men I have met in jails and prisons are so honest and open about their challenges. They have taught me to face challenges in my own life with more honesty.
Community Blog Online: How does this ministry help inmates deal with their criminal past?
Gregory Fake: Forgiveness is a huge first step for inmates. Once they accept that they are forgiven, they begin to move forward.
Community Blog Online: Do inmates always continue on that path forward?
Gregory Fake: Unfortunately, no. I wish it were that easy. It is painful to watch someone who has come so far, someone I have come to know and care about, fall back into addiction or criminal behavior. But we are all human and setbacks are part of the plan, so I cannot let that deter me from my passion to serve the other inmates.
Gregory Fake lives with his wife and children in Florida. Prior to becoming a television producer, Gregory Fake worked as a business consultant for Fortune 500 companies and as a banking attorney.
Aldo Todini, an Italian businessman and consultant, answers questions about the corporate finance and why the European financial crisis means businesses must look away from banks to fund operations.
Q. Why do companies seek external funding?
Aldo Todini: As a means to inject money into their product lines. This may be to research new revenue streams or to fill a deficit caused by recession across the continent.
Q. What funding options are available?
Aldo Todini: The most common is borrowing from banks but bonds are another solid way to finance.
Q. What benefits do selling corporate bonds have over taking out a loan?
Aldo Todini: The main benefit is they do not restrict the company from trying new things to create revenue.
Q. How are bank loans restrictive?
Aldo Todini: Banks have a set risk level they are willing to take. They may not allow for the funding of new product lines, which is a major risk but also has the most potential reward for a company or its investors.
Q. What exactly is a bond?
Aldo Todini: A bond is essentially a piece of debt that a company owes. The debt is repaid by investors, which frees the company up to use liquid funds for other purposes.
Q. How much do bonds cost?
Aldo Todini: Bonds are typically sold in units of $1,000 – this can vary, however, from company to company. Bonds are held for a set time period then repaid with interest.
Q. Do bonds carry risk?
Aldo Todini: Each bond opportunity will afford certain benefits and risks. Bonds are graded according to the seller’s anticipated ability to repay the borrowed money.
Q. If a company selling bonds goes out of business, how to investors recoup their losses.
Aldo Todini: If the company liquidates its assets, which is common among failing businesses, the monies raised will be recovered for investors. Bond holders take priority over stockholders.
Q. Why should a business employ a third party consultant prior to selling bonds?
Aldo Todini: A consultant, specifically one familiar with business process reengineering, can first identity area of waste and help plan for more efficient manufacturing. This offers the potential bond investors more piece of mind, thus encouraging more sales and ultimately more funds.
About Aldo Todini
A native of Turkey, Aldo Todini moved to Italy early in his life and has been active in the country’s business and commerce for over 20 years. As a 1997 graduate of the University of Rome, Aldo Todini has both the education and experience to guide companies to success.Aldo Todini has worked with the Italian Parliament and countless corporations in the areas of technology and business reprocess reengineering. He is an independent consultant with expertise in industrial promotion, finance, marketing, and international staff training.
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Le nuove opportunità nel Corporate Finance | Botta e risposta con Aldo Todini Aldo Todini, imprenditore italiano e consulente di management, risponde alle domande sulla corporate finance e sul perché la crisi finanziaria europea vuole dire che le aziende devono dimenticarsi delle banche per finanziare le proprie operazioni.
Perché le aziende cercano finanziamenti esterni?
Aldo Todini: Cercano finanziamento come mezzo per iniettare denaro nelle loro linee di prodotto. Questo può essere per ricercare nuovi opportunità di reddito o per colmare un deficit causato dalla recessione in tutto il continente.
Quali opzioni di finanziamento sono disponibili?
Aldo Todini: Il più comune è rivolgendosi alle banche ma le obbligazioni sono un modo in crescita per finanziare le proprie operazioni.
Quali sono i vantaggi delle obbligazioni rispetto al chiedere un prestito al mercato bancario?
Aldo Todini: Il vantaggio principale è che con le obbligazioni non c’è vincolo sull’utilizzo dei fondi e quindi le aziende possono utilizzarli per “scommettere” su nuove strade per generare reddito.
In che modo i prestiti bancari sono restrittivi?
Aldo Todini: Le banche operano sulla base di un determinato livello di rischio che sono disposte ad assumersi. In questa fase economica non possono consentire ad esempio a finanziamenti di nuove linee di prodotto – che sono un grande rischio ma anche il sistema principale per le aziende per trovare nuovo business.
Che cosa è esattamente un Bond?
Aldo Todini: Un bond/obbligazione è essenzialmente un “pezzo” di debito che una società ha nei confronti di terzi. Il debito viene venduto agli investitori dall’azienda che quindi può utilizzare i fondi derivanti da questa vendita per crescere, svilupparsi, creare nuove opportunità di business.
Quanto costano le obbligazioni?
Aldo Todini: Le obbligazioni sono in genere vendute in unità di $ 1.000 – questo valore può variare, tuttavia, da azienda ad azienda. Le obbligazioni sono detenute per un periodo di tempo impostato poi ripagato con gli interessi.
Questi titoli presentano dei rischi?
Aldo Todini: Ogni opportunità obbligazione offrirà alcuni vantaggi e alcuni rischi. Le obbligazioni sono classificate in base alla capacità prevista del venditore di restituire il denaro preso in prestito.
Se una società che ha emesso obbligazioni cessa l’attività, come faranno gli investitori a recuperare il loro investimento?
Aldo Todini: Se la società liquida il suo patrimonio, cosa comune tra le imprese in difficoltà, i fondi raccolti saranno distribuiti agli investitori. I detentori di obbligazioni hanno la priorità rispetto agli azionisti.
Perché un’azienda ha bisogno di un consulente esterno prima dell’emissione di obbligazioni?
Aldo Todini: Un consulente, nello specifico con familiarità con business process reengineering, può identificare e risolvere inefficienze nella produzione e quindi migliorare l’efficienza. Questa maggiore efficienza permette un maggiore appeal aziendale e quindi una maggiore appetibilità delle obbligazioni. In ultima analisi può incidere positivamente nella fase di collocazione del debito obbligazionario.
Nato in Turchia da genitori italiani, Aldo Todini si trasferisce in Italia nei primi anni della sua vita e dopo il suo percorso scolastico e accademico è attivo nel mondo economico industriale e commerciale da oltre 20 anni. Diplomati nel 1997 all’Università di Roma, Aldo Todini ha il mix giusto tra competenze ed esperienza per guidare le aziende verso il successo. Aldo Todini ha lavorato con il Parlamento Italiano e con innumerevoli società nei settori della tecnologia e del BPR. E ‘un consulente indipendente con esperienza nella promozione industriale, finanza, marketing e la formazione del personale.
Developer Scott Sohr lives in the greater Nashville, Tennessee area, where he has been an integral part of some major land development projects. The property acquisitions of Scott Sohr aren’t limited to the middle Tennessee area, however. The developer has properties throughout the Southeastern U.S.
Among these are two properties in Knoxville, a city in East Tennessee known for both industry and the popular University of Tennessee. Knoxville is in a beautiful part of the country, Scott Sohr points out, with close proximity to the Smoky Mountains. Scott Sohr says that the area provides convenient access to a range of shops, restaurants, and other amenities, making it a great place to live.
Scott Sohr and his partners most recently purchased property in the Farragut area just outside of Knoxville. As Scott Sohr explains, his firm acquired lots in a residential community called Cabot Ridge. The plans are to place homes on these lots within the next two years, says Scott Sohr. The subdivision is currently called Homes of Rockford Lane, which was originally planned as a full development. However, when the real estate market experienced troubles in 2008, development was halted with ten lots remaining.
Scott Sohr believes his firm can complete development of the final ten lots quickly, thanks to a partnership with McCamy Construction, a local company that overlaps designing and building to save time. McCamy Construction is recognized for beautifully designed houses, so Scott Sohr and his team are excited about the partnership.
According to Scott Sohr, the Homes of Rockford Lane will be similar in style to the adjacent Villas of Ridgepath Lane, but with smaller floor plans. Scott Sohr stresses that each floor plan will be over 2600 square feet with all of the luxuries homeowners expect in a Cabot Ridge home. The homes will feature stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, Scott Sohr describes, with open floor plans and hardwood floors.
The Knoxville real estate market has been hit by hard times like the rest of the nation, Scott Sohr reports, although lately building permit requests in the area have increased—a sign things are beginning to improve. In fact, says Scott Sohr, the first Cabot Ridge home completed and sold already with another completing recently. Starting prices for the homes begin at $350,000.
Scott Sohr is a Nashville-based developer with a breadth of experience in healthcare solutions and development. Currently, Scott Sohr owns an interest in several Nashville residential developments, including Courtside at Southern Woods and Arrington Retreat. Scott Sohr is also the co-founder of Health Cost Solutions, a third party provider of health insurance products for businesses seeking benefits for employees. HCS partners with some of the biggest names in healthcare, including BCBS of Arkansas, Healthcare Alliance, Inc., and Cigna. In addition to HCS, Scott Sohr holds ownership in Correct Care Solutions, a leading provider of health care services to the prison system.
Scott Sohr is married with four children by his wife of 22 years, Lyn, who he credits with helping him remain focused on each of his ventures.
Solutions 