Gary Hartfield Featured on Bank of Tampa’s Money Market Podcast with Owen LaFave

Award-winning entrepreneur, author, and community leader Gary Hartfield sits down with host Owen LaFave for a powerful and moving conversation on The Bank of Tampa’s Money Market Podcast. In this episode, Gary opens up about his unconventional career journey—from his humble beginnings in small-town Florida to becoming a respected business owner and published author.

Rooted in the values his parents instilled early on, Gary’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. Though he earned both an engineering degree and an MBA, he found himself unfulfilled in corporate America. That sense of discontent sparked a search for deeper meaning—ultimately leading him to entrepreneurship.

Gary shares how his first business venture into assisted living facilities began as a collaboration with his sister. After her unexpected passing, he made the courageous decision to carry on her vision, scaling the business with intention and integrity. His experiences inspired him to write The Journey to Success, a guide for aspiring leaders looking to leave their own legacy.

Throughout the interview, Gary unpacks the strategies that have driven his success: mastering compliance, scaling with systems, and building strong relationships through social capital. He also reveals his “secret sauce”—investing in inelastic businesses that remain steady even in times of crisis, such as economic downturns and global pandemics.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and heartfelt reflection. Watch the episode below.

Presented by The Bank of Tampa | Member FDIC