loader from loading.io

Michelle Parvinrouh, Director of Nassar Gymnastics Academy

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

Release Date: 03/12/2025

Navigating Life's Turns: Joe Carlisle's Story of Comedy, Adventure, and Business show art Navigating Life's Turns: Joe Carlisle's Story of Comedy, Adventure, and Business

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

In this podcast episode, Joe Carlisle, founder of Vision Handyman and Window Tinting, shares his life story and entrepreneurial journey. Born in Oxford, Mississippi and raised partly in Dallas, Joe worked in his dad’s restaurants, then spent years with Best Buy in retail and home theater installation, learning hands-on skills that later shaped his career.  After his younger brother died, he moved to Mobile to be near family, later bouncing between Hattiesburg, New Orleans, Dallas, and even New Zealand. He pursued standup comedy seriously in Austin before returning to Mississippi later...

info_outline
Water, Work, and Wisdom: A Conversation with Thomas Irving show art Water, Work, and Wisdom: A Conversation with Thomas Irving

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

Thomas Irving, owner of Pool and Spa Superstore, joins the podcast to share his background and how he entered the pool industry, helped grow a distribution/retail business, bought the retail business, and built a customer-focused company centered on education and stress-free pool ownership.    He discusses treating “sales” as educating customers, and emphasizes building relationships because Mobile runs on word-of-mouth. He also highlights the importance of a strong team, consistency, and shares personal interests like cooking and travel. 

info_outline
Art, History, and Life Lessons with Trey Oliver of Lupercalia Art Society show art Art, History, and Life Lessons with Trey Oliver of Lupercalia Art Society

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

Trey Oliver, co-owner with his wife Laura Kennedy of the Lupercalia Art Society, shares his background growing up in Jackson and Mobile, serving four years in the Coast Guard in North Carolina during marijuana-smuggling days, and completing a 47-year public safety career culminating as warden of the Mobile Metro Jail before retiring three years ago. He recounts early jobs, joining the junior volunteer fire department, and working nights as a dispatcher and jailer in high school. Oliver explains how walking the beach Dauphin Island and seeing the driftwood inspired him to create driftwood...

info_outline
Behind the Scenes with Sock Cop: A Decade of Puppetry and Creativity show art Behind the Scenes with Sock Cop: A Decade of Puppetry and Creativity

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

Jason Cooper, is the Mobile native behind the sock-puppet character “Sock Cop.” Jason shares his background growing up in Saraland, graduating with a degree in communications, earning a master’s in digital marketing during the pandemic, and working in local news and marketing.   Now a stay-at-home dad to a six-year-old, he explains how Sock Cop began as a solo creative outlet using a sock, police hat, sunglasses, and green screen, evolving into a live, community-driven act focused on “catching speeders.” as Sock Cop likes to put it.   Jason discusses perfectionism, the...

info_outline
Success Behind the Lens: A Conversation with Jon Jeffress show art Success Behind the Lens: A Conversation with Jon Jeffress

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

Jon Jeffress, owner of Deep South Focus Photography, shares his background from Tampa to Mobile, attending Davidson High School, starting college with plans for architecture, and choosing entrepreneurship instead. He reflects on his first job at Little Caesars, and discusses lessons about leadership and client service. Jon explains how Deep South Focus began in 2012 with automotive photography at car shows using an on-site mobile print and framing setup, then expanded into real estate media in 2019 and commercial work. He emphasizes the power of professional photos and video in home marketing,...

info_outline
Entrepreneurial Journey: A talk with OpenTruck's Founders Cole Howard and Camp Campbell show art Entrepreneurial Journey: A talk with OpenTruck's Founders Cole Howard and Camp Campbell

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

In this podcast episode, Cole Howard and Camp Campbell, co-founders of Open Truck, share their backgrounds and how they came to start OpenTruck. Cole and Camp discuss early job lessons, and reflect on entrepreneurship as a discipline built through effort and failure. They explain Open Truck’s origin: a need for one place to find any food truck that is located near you. It will also tell you their hours, menus, and specials and you won't have to rely on scattered Facebook posts. The iOS app launched January 27 and reached nearly 800 local users in about a week, with an Android version...

info_outline
Building Dreams: A Conversation with Chris Cockrell of Cockrell Contracting show art Building Dreams: A Conversation with Chris Cockrell of Cockrell Contracting

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

This week on the podcast, we sit down with Chris Cockrell, owner of Cockrell Contracting, LLC, to hear how a Mobile, Alabama native went from studying civil engineering at Auburn to finding his passion in construction through insurance restoration work. Chris shares lessons from early mentors, why fighting insurance estimates pushed him toward home building, and what he believes new entrepreneurs need most—bulletproof contracts and a strong team (including bankers and attorneys) before problems arise.  He also talks about the importance of disconnecting from work to prioritize family,...

info_outline
From Kuwait to Mobile: Mohannad Sahyouni - Owner of Jerusalem Cafe show art From Kuwait to Mobile: Mohannad Sahyouni - Owner of Jerusalem Cafe

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Mohannad Sahyouni, the owner of Jerusalem Cafe in Mobile, Alabama. Mohannad shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Kuwait to becoming a successful restaurant owner in the United States. He discusses his educational background in graphic design, his initial jobs, and the influential lessons he learned in the hospitality industry. Mohannad also reflects on the challenges and rewards of running a restaurant, emphasizing the importance of customer service and a supportive team. Tune in to hear about his personal life, business philosophies, and the...

info_outline
Building a Business with Heart: Chad Jones of Your Choice Senior Care show art Building a Business with Heart: Chad Jones of Your Choice Senior Care

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

Get to know Chad Jones, owner of Your Choice Senior Care in Mobile, as he shares his journey from a small town in Texas to running a senior care franchise. In this episode, Chad talks about his background, including his high school and college experiences, and how a life-changing injury inspired him to help others. He discusses the hard work and dedication required to build his business from the ground up, the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the emotional rewards of providing care for families. Learn about Chad's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, his favorite books, and...

info_outline
Scott Tindle Talks AI, Changing Careers, and Finding Balance show art Scott Tindle Talks AI, Changing Careers, and Finding Balance

The Mobile Alabama Business Podcast

In this engaging episode, Scott Tindle, co-founder of Meducate AI, joins the podcast once again. He shares insights on his evolving career and his current ventures in AI healthcare. Scott discusses the importance of curiosity, meditation, and personal growth. The conversation also explores the implications of AI on future jobs and society, providing a thought-provoking glimpse into the rapid changes ahead. Tune in for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, technology, and balancing life’s many facets.

info_outline
 
More Episodes
In this episode of the Mobile Alabama Business Podcast, Michelle Parburner, the director of Nassar Gymnastics Academy, discusses her journey in the world of gymnastics and business. Michelle talks about her father's legacy, an Olympic gymnast who founded the academy, and her own path from Mobile to Colorado and back. She highlights the challenges and joys of running the gym, focusing on the intrinsic motivation of young gymnasts, her innovative business strategies, and the importance of community and mentorship. Michelle also shares personal anecdotes and tips on balancing business with personal well-being, emphasizing the significance of seeking help and continuously learning from peers.