The City Playbook

UCF Student Built a Global Brand from a Kitchen Sink in Orlando

Episode 1

In this episode of The City Playbook, Tim sits down with Rob Starkman, founder and CEO of Rock ’Em Socks, the Orlando company behind the viral MCO carpet socks, in-park Disney and Star Wars designs, and performance gear for NCAA and pro athletes.

Rob shares how a dorm-room side hustle turned into a 30,000 sq. ft. design-to-delivery operation in Orlando. We talk talent, manufacturing, licensing, and why Orlando’s connectivity and partnerships help founders scale globally.

Inside Orlando’s Creative Village

Building a Walkable, Vibrant Downtown

Episode 2

Curious about what is next for Orlando and Central Florida’s urban core? In this episode, host Tim sits down with Brooke Myers, founder of Velocity Red, an Orlando-based urban developer instrumental in the Creative Village project.

Brooke shares lessons from a decade at Disney working on land strategy and real estate, how the Great Recession sparked her entrepreneurial path, and what it really takes to build walkable, vibrant, mixed-use places that work for residents, students, and employers.

We unpack post-COVID trends, why residential density drives everything, the role of placemaking and safety, and what is coming in Creative Village Phase Two including restaurants and ground-floor activation, new apartments, a multi-tenant office building, a hotel, and the adaptive reuse of the Bob Carr as an innovation hub.

If you care about how cities grow, this one is for you.

From Startup to $1 Billion

How Sal Rehmatullah Built Stax and Worth AI in Orlando

Episode 3

In this episode of The City Playbook, Tim sits down with Sal Rehmetullah — co-founder of Stax and now president/cofounder at Worth AI — to unpack a decade-long “overnight success,” a billion-dollar exit, and why he’s building company number two right here in Central Florida. We cover scaling from startup to unicorn, creating 500+ jobs, making 70 new millionaires, and how Orlando’s talent, connectivity, and quality of life factor into founder decisions, investment, and retention.

Building Orlando’s Future

Real Estate, Community, and Growth

Episode 4

Orlando is more than theme parks. In this episode of The City Playbook, host Tim Giuliani sits down with real estate creator and community builder Ken Pozek (The Orlando Real) to unpack Orlando’s growth story, what residents and newcomers really want, and how smart development can strengthen community.

Ken shares his journey from Detroit to Central Florida, how content marketing helped him scale a 55-person real estate company, and why neighborhoods like SoDo, Mills 50, and Winter Garden are setting the pace. We compare takeaways from Orlando’s learning trips to Nashville and Charlotte including light rail, infill, 15-minute districts, and policies that fast-track high-quality development. Plus, we talk food scene surprises, the power of third places, and why “amenities and access” often matter more than bed-bath counts.

How Placemaking and Storytelling Are Powering Orlando’s Economic Revolution

Episode 5

In this episode of The City Playbook, Orlando Economic Partnership President & CEO Tim Giuliani sits down with Steven Pedigo, renowned urban strategist and faculty at the University of Texas at Austin, to explore what truly makes a city world-class.

From placemaking and destination branding to economic development, innovation ecosystems, and the bold Vision 2045 plan — discover how Orlando is positioning itself alongside global creative capitals like Barcelona, Tokyo, and Montreal.

You’ll hear why Orlando’s story is about more than tourism — it’s about the fusion of creativity, research, and opportunity that’s redefining the future of work, life, and community in Central Florida.

Inside Travel + Leisure Co.’s Bold Move to Downtown Orlando

Episode 6

In this episode of The City Playbook, Orlando Economic Partnership President & CEO Tim Giuliani sits down with Michael Brown, President & CEO of Travel + Leisure Co. (Fortune 1000), to talk about the company’s evolving strategy, why they’re moving their headquarters into Downtown Orlando, and how civic leadership can shape neighborhoods and futures.

Designing a City People Love

Orlando’s Playbook with Dan Kirby

Episode 7

In this episode, Tim sits down with architect and urban planner Dan Kirby of Jacobs to talk about what it takes to build a people-first city that attracts talent, investment, and opportunity.

From converting one-way streets to designing great “third places,” Tim and Dan dig into how policy, placemaking, and smart growth can elevate downtown Orlando and surrounding main streets across Central Florida.