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B Student Podcast

B Student Podcast

By: Betsy Gardner
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About this listen

 The B Student Podcast is hosted by Betsy Gardner, the President and CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. The podcast focuses on exploring the "B side" of influential and dynamic professionals.

Just like the B-side of a record, where deeper, more personal passions often live, this podcast highlights the less publicized yet deeply impactful aspects of these individuals' work and lives. Betsy brings her extensive experience as a CEO, speaker, consultant, and executive coach to dive into conversations with experts from diverse fields.

The goal is to provide listeners with actionable insights, strategies, and inspiration to help them succeed and create meaningful impact in their own careers and communities. Each episode introduces listeners to unique perspectives and lessons on topics like leadership, emotional intelligence, community building, and personal growth—empowering the audience to "be" more successful and impactful in their own lives.

About the host:
Betsy Gardner is a dynamic leader with a diverse professional background. Since January 2017, she has served as the President and CEO of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, where she has been instrumental in modernizing the organization and implementing innovative programs to support local businesses and the community.

Under her leadership, the chamber has received national recognition, including the North American Chamber Innovation Grand Prize, surpassing larger chambers such as Greater Boston and Vancouver. Before her tenure at the chamber, Gardner co-founded Longwave Apparel Ltd. in London, a company specializing in luxury UV-protective swimwear. She also served as the Director of Business Development for Mentore Consulting Ltd., focusing on mentoring programs for women in leadership roles.

A native of Winter Park, Florida, Gardner holds a degree in History from the University of Florida, where she was recognized for her leadership and academic achievements. She is passionate about community development and has been involved in various initiatives, such as "Relaunch: Career Re-entry for Professional Women," which assists women returning to the workforce. She is also known for advocating for important issues and her efforts to make the chamber's programming more inclusive and relevant.

Her leadership style is characterized by a strong bias toward action, strategic clarity, and a commitment to driving transformative revenue growth and innovation. She is dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and is recognized for her ability to energize cross-functional teams to consistently outperform targets.Copyright Hi Hello Labs Network Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 35. Luxury Isn't Expensive - It's Intentional with Guest Emily Williams

    35. Luxury Isn't Expensive - It's Intentional with Guest Emily Williams
    Jan 28 2026
    What is luxury really — and who gets to participate in it? In this episode of the B Student Podcast, we sit down with Emily Williams, entrepreneur, tastemaker, and owner of Be on Park and co-owner of Z Properties to explore a modern, more human definition of luxury — one rooted in belonging, craftsmanship, meaning, and personal milestones.

    Emily has built an extraordinary career spanning fine jewelry, interior design, and women’s apparel. Her work has been featured in national publications and admired far beyond Winter Park, yet her philosophy remains grounded: luxury isn’t about price tags — it’s about intention.

    In this conversation, we cover:
    -How Emily bridged real estate, design, and fine jewelry into one cohesive vision
    -Why luxury is a signal of belonging, not exclusivity
    -The difference between something being expensive vs luxurious
    -How to build a “jewelry wardrobe” at any stage of life
    -Meaningful ways to mark milestones, from engagements to personal victories
    -Why craftsmanship, weight, feel, and story matter more than trends
    -How to invite luxury into your life without spending a dollar

    Whether you’re early in your career, building a business, or simply rethinking how you celebrate life’s moments, this episode offers a refreshing, empowering lens on living beautifully — on your own terms.
    • Time Stamps: 00:00 – Welcome to the B Student Podcast
    • 01:05 – Meet Emily Williams: jewelry, real estate, and design
    • 03:10 – How her worlds of real estate, interior design and fine jewelry first connected
    • 05:45 – Self-belief over having a perfect entrepreneurial plan
    • 08:20 – Childhood roots of taste, style, and creative instinct
    • 11:00 – The pragmatism behind “pretty” luxury businesses
    • 13:30 – What luxury really means (and why it’s not about money)
    • 16:10 – Expensive vs luxurious: how to tell the difference
    • 18:45 – Luxury as belonging, identity, and personal meaning
    • 21:30 – Styling outside your comfort zone and breaking the rules
    • 24:10 – Building a jewelry wardrobe and marking milestones
    • 27:10 – Everyday luxury, rituals, and final reflections

    Connect with Emily at:
    Website: https://beonpark.com/ and www.zpropertiesinc.com

    ----------------------------------

    Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

    Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.
    -----------------------------------
    Connect with Betsy Gardner:
    Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/

    Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/

    --------------------------------
    Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • 34. The Long Game of Entrepreneurship: Loyalty, Ethics, and Sustainable Growth

    34. The Long Game of Entrepreneurship: Loyalty, Ethics, and Sustainable Growth
    Jan 21 2026
    Welcome back to the B-Student Podcast, where we sit down with Arnaldo Oliveras, CEO of 180 Commercial Real Estate Advisors, to unpack the real superpower behind sustainable success in business: relationships, family, and playing the long game. Recognized by the U.S. Congress as a distinguished leader during Hispanic Heritage Month, Arnaldo shares how loyalty, ethics, and service-first thinking turn clients into lifelong partners and referral-driven growth into the norm, not the exception.


    From his entrepreneurial roots in Puerto Rico to building a bicultural, multinational advisory practice across Central Florida, Puerto Rico, Mexico City, and Madrid, Arnaldo explains why listening with empathy, hiring for values, and creating an elegant client experience matter more than quick wins. He dives into community building, mentorship, and why you “can’t microwave your way to the top,” offering practical wisdom for young professionals eager to move from transactional work to transformational impact.

    This conversation is packed with stories, laughs, and actionable insight for entrepreneurs, service professionals, and leaders who want business to walk in on its own two feet—built on trust, patience, and genuine human connection.

    Time Stamps:
    • 0:00 – Welcome to the B-Student Podcast + Guest Introduction
    • 3:10 – Why Relationships and Family Are Arnaldo’s Business Superpower
    • 6:05 – From Transactional to Transformational Work
    • 9:15 – Listening With Empathy and Playing the Long Game
    • 12:25 – Bicultural Leadership Across Global Markets
    • 15:40 – Why You Can’t “Microwave” Your Way to the Top
    • 18:50 – Hiring for Values Over Skills
    • 22:05 – Elegance, Brand Consistency, and Client Experience
    • 25:10 – Early Entrepreneurship Stories From Puerto Rico
    • 28:20 – Family, Time, and Flying Home for What Matters Most
    • 31:35 – Community Building and Giving Before Getting
    • 35:10 – Final Reflections on Relationships, Loyalty, and Legacy

    Connect with Arnaldo at:
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnaldo-oliveras-fernandez-mba-cls-0a5ba439/

    -----------------------------------
    Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

    Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.
    -----------------------------------
    Connect with Betsy Gardner:
    Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/

    Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/
    --------------------------------
    Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • 33. How Strategic Partnerships Create Exponential Impact with Jill Vaughan

    33. How Strategic Partnerships Create Exponential Impact with Jill Vaughan
    Jan 14 2026
    Collaboration isn’t a soft skill. It’s a growth strategy.


    In this episode of the B-Student Podcast, Betsy sits down with Jill Vaughan, President & CEO of the Downtown Orlando Partnership, for a powerful conversation about partnership, leadership, and why choosing collaboration over competition changes everything.

    What begins as a discussion about working across organizations becomes a masterclass in playing the long game, building trust, and creating exponential impact without duplicating effort. Jill shares how intentional partnerships helped fuel the revitalization of Downtown Orlando and why saying “yes and” instead of guarding territory leads to stronger businesses, stronger nonprofits, and stronger communities.

    In this episode, we explore:
    • Why collaboration is a smarter strategy than competition
    • How partnerships help you scale without burning out
    • Letting go of credit and focusing on collective impact
    • Playing the long game in business and relationships
    • Why mentorship, presence, and trust matter more than ever
    • How to identify partnership opportunities hiding in plain sight
    • Downtown revitalization, place-making, and community leadership
    • Turning disruption into opportunity after COVID
    You’ll also hear about the newly announced partnership between the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Orlando Partnership, designed to give small businesses and nonprofits expanded reach, visibility, and SEO value across Central Florida.

    Time Stamps:
    • 00:00 – Intro and why collaboration beats competition
    • 02:07 – First impressions, presence, and approachability
    • 04:01 – Playing the long game in business relationships
    • 06:03 – Letting go of credit to create greater impact
    • 08:05 – Partnership as a growth strategy, not a risk
    • 10:12 – Redefining community beyond geography
    • 12:18 – Overcoming fear, intimidation, and territorial thinking
    • 14:21 – Downtown revitalization and leading through disruption
    • 16:36 – Trust, mentorship, and exponential growth through partnership
    • 18:42 – The Winter Park + Downtown Orlando partnership announcement
    • 21:04 – What small businesses and nonprofits gain from collaboration
    • 23:02 – Final takeaways and invitation to lead collaboratively


    Connect with Jill at:
    Linkedin: @jill-vaughan

    -----------------------------------
    Listen to more episodes of The B-Student Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

    Like this video, subscribe, and comment your favorite London spot or what city has most transformed you.
    -----------------------------------
    Connect with Betsy Gardner:
    Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/

    Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/
    --------------------------------
    Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
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