10: Leading with Heart: Gary Hartfield on Service, Entrepreneurship, and Social Justice

In this episode, award-winning serial entrepreneur, leader, author, and philanthropist Gary Hartfield joins Dr. Tonjua Williams as they delve into his commitment to standing in the gap for the elderly, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and his employees. As the president and CEO of six residential group homes across Florida and the founder of Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting, Gary has made significant strides in multiple industries, including healthcare, real estate, and insurance. He also shares his passion for community involvement, emphasizing the balance between business and social impact. Gary delves into his journey of self-discovery, highlighting his dedication to standing in the gap for the elderly and individuals with intellectual disabilities. He discusses his leadership initiatives, such as the TOBA Leadership Institute and the All Hart Foundation, emphasizing the importance of serving others, understanding policies' impacts, and addressing community needs.  Tune in to hear how Gary's commitment to integrity and empowerment has shaped his impactful career with a purpose today. KEY POINTS:  [01:48] - Finding balance in community involvement and entrepreneurship [09:05] - The importance of standing in the gap for employees and clients  [12:02] - Leading by example and serving others [16:39] - The vital role of business plan and dedication for aspiring entrepreneurs [22:28] - Overcoming adversity and leading with integrity  [26:15] - Gary’s journey of self-discovery and desire to serve the community [28:16] - The vital role of understanding policies' impact on family [29:49] - The importance of addressing the needs of families and educators QUOTABLES:  “It has to be something that's called: beyond just that moment. It has to be something that resonates with your heart. One of the things that resonates with our heart is social justice.” – Gary Hartfield “It's important for me to be able to understand the implications of policies from our different county and state agencies, but also our local agencies that directly impact my family, my staff, as well as my fellow community members.” – Gary Hartfield GUEST RESOURCES Gary Hartfield Website | https://garyhartfield.com/  RESOURCES St. Petersburg College Website | St. Petersburg College Facebook | @stpetecollege  IG | @stpetersburgcollege YouTube | @SPC  LinkedIn | @st-petersburg-college  X | @spcnews  Standing In The Gap is produced by EPYC Media Network | Visit at https://www.epyc.co/