In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Captain Brad of Restless Native Charters.
We talk about exploring Key West by sea, all of its offerings, and why a week-long trip at sea will be an unforgettable experience.
If you have ever wondered what people do around here or wanted to know the story behind a restaurant, bar or local business, this is exactly why I created the Backyards of Key West Podcast.
So sit back, relax and enjoy as you learn the stories behind what makes Key West so magical. To listen from your computer, click on any of the episodes you want, or click on your favorite app below!
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Captain Brad of Restless Native Charters.
We talk about exploring Key West by sea, all of its offerings, and why a week-long trip at sea will be an unforgettable experience.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with the creator of Wild Function Fitness, Trenton Bennett.
We talk about how his fitness journey began, his time in the Navy, and how he almost died cleaning the inside of water towers.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Len Johnson, the co-owner of Better Than Sex - A Dessert Restaurant, to talk about where Len's wife Dani gets her inspiration as head baker, and how she "tested" her recipes on all their dinner guests.
We talk about the genius behind the restaurant's name (it was all Dani's idea), how they had the "guts" to even start this business after the recession, and how changing their client focus catapulted the brand.
Be on the lookout for the Better Than Sex podcast, and don't forget to visit any one of their many locations to try, "Cookie Nookie Pie," Between My Red Velvet Sheets Cheesecake," "Peanut Butter Perversion," "The Morning After," just to name a few.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with Pier One Yacht owner, Mike Mullinger and Scott, the owner of Bluesail Vacation Yachts & Sailing Academy (previous episode here).
We talk about the benefits of having a Yacht brocker and the partnership between them and Bluesail.
In this episode, Mark Baratto sits down with brand creator and soul searcher, Tyler Steigelman.
We talk about how Tyler sold everything he owned to travel around the country to meet interesting people and build his brand, WorthWhile.
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.
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 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 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).