One of my favorite components of The Entrepreneur Social Club is my fellow Entrepreneurs and the things that come out of their mouths. We had several newbies tonight, Thursday March 24, 2016. They ranged from pre-start-up to successful business owners. Julia, a newcomer, was offering organic facials, 5 Dollar Facials, and the double entendre was enjoyed throughout the evening. We enjoyed it so much that after several drinks during dinner, we purchased the url http://5dollarfacials.com. Yes we risk takers and visionaries, those of us who create and lead and make the world a better place,we need to blow off a lot of steam and stress, and the ESC is a strong dose of that healing medicine. We need to laugh, and joke and be silly to rebalance our inner cores, from the ever present over-tilt of too much work, not enough play. So tonight I’m titling “Food Porn and 5 Dollar Facials.” Read on at your own risk!
entrepreneurs

Lucky Night at NOVA 535 with Dinner Drinks at Queens Head
Thursday March 17, 2016 aka St. Patrick’s Day, was, as these publicly celebrated holiday are, a meeting attendance wildcard. It’s uncertain how many people show up each week for the Entrepreneur Social Club, aka the ESC, as we don’t require any registration. Just show up to downtown St. Pete venue NOVA 535, and enjoy! With these ‘minor’ holidays (we’re closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, for example) you never can tell who’s gonna show up. I had just literally got off the plane from Las Vegas Catersource 2016, and it was a bit of a late start, then my fellow Entrepreneurs joined in for our weekly fix. And what an excellent night it was. I’m calling this story. A Lucky Night at NOVA 535 then Dinner and Drinks at The Queens Head. Yes I know the English and Irish aren’t historically pals, but Tracy the owner of the always fun and delicious The Queens Head was in attendance, so our restaurant choice tonight was easy peasy!

6 Websites Every Tampa Bay Entrepreneur Should Bookmark
Something new is popping up on the Internet every day. Whether it’s a tool or an app or a breakthrough in technology, there’s never a dull moment online. Modern entrepreneurs have to stay on their toes and remain fluid in their business ideologies in order to keep up with the ever-changing digital space. Most small business owners and operators have a few go-to websites that allow them to stay privy to industry news and trends, but modern self-starting entrepreneurs need to stop thinking of themselves as an entity separated from his or her ideas. Your ideas created your business. Your ideas run your business. You are your ideas. Therefore, you are your business.

Birthday Boy Bill a Brainstorm and Coastalyfe
Thursday June 18, 2015 brought another fun and productive evening networking and sharing and laughing with my fellow Entrepreneurs here at historic venue NOVA 535 Unique Event Space in downtown St. Pete, affectionately referred to as the ESC, aka the Entrepreneur Social Club. We were celebrating birthdays, of my personal long time amigo Ted Plaskon of Quantum Payroll Services (June 18), over in Tampa (Teddy and I were roommates at UF – TEDDY!!) and our long time ESC member Bill Cason. Bill is one of the nicest and funniest people you’ll ever meet, he was born on June 17th.
So if I had to sum up the Thursday June 18 2015 meeting of the Entrepreneur Social Club, it’d be Birthday Boy Bill a Brainstorm and Coastalyfe. Read on!

Wear a Condom when navigating the Internet of Things
On Thursday April 9, 2015 we gathered once again at my 1920 historic yet modern wedding and event venue NOVA 535 Unique Event Space, here in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Last Thursday April 2nd we took a break from the productive meeting side of the Entrepreneur Social Club, affectionately called the ESC, to enjoy a birthday party in honor of NOVA 535 which turned a lucky 7, myself turning 47 and my longtime pal Mario turned the big 50. We’ve been meeting weekly since 2009, to learn, laugh, listen, help, party, share, grow ourselves and our businesses, all while helping those around us AND avoiding religion and politics, which are both strictly forbidden by club rules. See that’s why even when we argue, we still get along. Genius!
A new member suggested we try SAZON for dinner, which about 10 of us did, and wow was the Spanish food delicious! We’ll definitely be back for more.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sazon-Restaurante/164642900398016 2924 5th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 321-7090

The BIG Pitch
The BIG Pitch
VIDEO SUBMISSIONS DUE APRIL 1, 2015 6 pm est.
The BIG Pitch top 10 will compete head-to-head on stage at The Straz on April 30th, 2015
Visit the website for all details: www.TheBigPitch.com

Legendary bartender Big Pete celebrates a mega magical 40th with ESC Business Makers
We gathered to celebrate the BIG 40 with legendary bartender Big Pete Quigley, bringing in 3 Time Best of the Bay DJ MEGA to ensure a proper groove all night while enjoying the fabulous magic and amazing card tricks of local magician Cory Van Valin. Here in gorgeous downtown St. Petersburg, Florida the ESC Business Makers gathered in the breathtaking main downstairs gallery at the historic venue NOVA 535 Unique Event Space, while Pete and company partied upstairs in NOVA’s swanky VIP Lounge. Later, much later, after the kiddies had gone home all birthday caked up, and full of the incredibly fresh and amazingly delicious tacos from none other than the lovely Colleen Travers aka “The Taco Lady” famous at our Saturday Morning Market, we adults merged into one big happy, dancing, corn-hole playing, partying family.

Powerful Graffiti, Amazing Murals and Sexy Street Art showcases today’s Medellin
Today, Saturday November 15, 2014 brings to me three words of beauty. No Mas Lluvia!. No more rain. I was up early with every intention to work for a few hours, exercise a bit then take a taxi down to the Museo de Arte Moderno, and spend a few hours enjoying Modern Art here in Medellin. I double checked with the gods of Google, and yup, the gallery is open today until 5:00 pm. Muy Bien. So I NYC whistle down a passing taxi, yes I’ve got a world-class whistle, and we are off to the Museo, about a brisk 20 minute ride.

Music, Comedy and Model Milk – Welcome to Calgary’s Sled Island Festival
When my vacation opportunity door opens, I quickly scramble to find somewhere to escape to. Running a 5 Star wedding and event venue, NOVA 535 Unique Event Space, means that every client and guest experience is critical. Just a bit of pressure. So with only a week or two available to roam, I touch base with my best pal Drew Edwards to collaborate. Drew, among other things, is President of Comedian Ron White’s business empire, and is always up for an adventure. He adds “check out their festivals” to my suggestion of visiting Canada. Stampede, Calgary’s most famous, isn’t until July…so

ESC takes the St. Pete Mural Tour
Every Thursday the ESC, aka Entrepreneur Social Club gathers, mostly at NOVA 535 Unique Event Space, though today, May 22, 2014, NOVA 535 was booked for another fabulous wedding.
The ESC is my gift to the community and the meetings are free to attend. NOVA 535 has bills to pay, and does so by hosting world-class wedding and events. (My pitch =D) So it’s up to me, Michael S. Novilla, the founder and leader of the ESC, to find another location. Sheri Kendrick, owner of (more…)