In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Maggie Montoya, the co-founder of Milagro Restaurant & Bar.

We talk about how Maggie and her husband Kevin (the head chef) got started in the business, how Kevin's Mexican heritage influences his food creations, and why they moved their restaurant from Big Pine Key, to Key West.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Brian Fields and Michelle Tafova (AKA B-Man & Mi-Shell).

We talk about how they both got their start in music, their love for Trop Rock, and how they are living their dream life down here in Key West.

*Intro and Outro music provided by B-Man & Mi-Shell.

This is a recap episode of my very first episode here in Key West talking about Fantasy Fest.  I wanted to release this episode for the last weekend of Fantasy Fest, so you all could learn more about this week long party that happens every year in Key West! In...

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Real Estate experts Angela McChesney and Jenny Pera (AKA the Key West Sisters).

We talk about everything from the 2020 boom to the rental market to how the market is doing now... to how they really aren't sisters :)

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Event & Brand Partner expert, Brandie Weaver.

We talk about how she started out in the event business in Oklahoma and how she took a career step backwards to take 10 steps forward.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Capucine Jenkins, Saatchi Art's Senior Manager of Digital Art & Curator of NFTs.  We talk about the emerging art world, what she looks for in an artists, and the direction of art in a digital world.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the new owner of the Key Lime Bike Tours, Maria Gonzalez.

We talk about when she first came to Key West, how we first met on podcast Episode 1, and why she decided to buy a business over a house :)

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with personal trainer and fitness buff, John "Shep" Sheppard.

We talk about how he began his fitness journey to help him overcome a childhood illness, why he stopped playing college football, and why Key West was always the perfect destination for him and his family.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with brew-master Jorge Quintana.  We talk about how a home brewing kit from his wife, started a multi-year passion that got him to where he is today.

This episode is packed with a ton of nuggets from passion to persistence.  

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Courtney Loercher, the Director of Sales & Marketing of Sebago Watersports.

We talk about how a 1 month trip turned into a 17 year stay in Key West with Sebago for Courtney.  We also get a behind the scenes on how this family business still keeps things feeling small, while growing leaps and bounds.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sites down with Mike Begg, the founder and CEO of AMZ Advisers, who helps manage and grow brands globally online.

We talk about using some of the big box companies to help you start your business, or leverage your existing local business.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Mila, the owner  of the Flamingo boutique & Mimosa Bar.

We talk about how she got started, made some much needed adjustments, and how Mimosas made it into the mix :)

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down again with Coley Faircloth to talk about his new retail venture, Shrimp Road Surf Co.

If you remember from a past episode, Coley is the founder of the lifestyle brand, The Grateful Diver (found here).

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with artist Rafael Antonio Medina.

We talk about his long history with Key West, how he found his passion for art when he was a kid, and how he finds himself ALWAYS creating.

In this episode, the tables are turned as Mark Baratto sits down with podcast host Kelly Hopkins on her show The Local Side of Key West. We talk about my art and how I got started, social media, and how I started my podcast.

This interview happened in the gallery right after I interviewed Kelly for my podcast (episode found here).

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Barefoot Billy's owner and creator, Billy Mosblech. We talk about how Billy got started as a suntan lotion salesman in 1988, how he made his way into watersports, and how some tragic business events helped catapult his business to the next level... with a ton of hard work.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down for a round two talk with Scott Gerke. We talk about his video projects, what direction he is going and what drives him to keep going.

If you missed our round 1 interview, you can listen here: https://backyardspodcast.com/scott-gerke-once-a-stranger

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Kelly Hopkins for a round two interview to discuss her thriving concierge business.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with rapper Mike Stack.

We talk about when he began singing, why he took a pause from rapping, and how he is laying down the foundation in his own backyard of Key West.

In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Wicked Lick creator, John Smotryski.

We talk about how he and his wife Amanda Velazquez made their way down to Key West and got into the ice cream business.