CONQUERING ADVERSITY | Joey Coco & Michael Calamaras
Fri Jan 02 2026
In this episode of Leaders + Legends, host Michael Calamaras sits down with Joey Coco, a Sarasota-based business owner and Budget Blinds franchise owner, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and perspective.
Joey shares his journey into franchise ownership in the home-services industry, along with how personal adversity reshaped the way he approaches business, leadership, and life.
Joey opens up about surviving a serious car accident that changed his life - how it tested him physically, mentally, and emotionally. Rather than defining him, the experience became a catalyst—sharpening his focus, gratitude, and commitment to building something meaningful.
This episode explores:
What it’s really like running a service-based business in a local marketHow adversity can change your relationship with work and successLessons learned from sales, systems, and customer experienceThe difference between chasing growth and building something sustainableThis conversation is equal parts business strategy and human story—valuable for anyone building a company, facing setbacks, or recalibrating what success truly means.
Topics Covered
Budget Blinds franchise ownershipHome services entrepreneurshipSarasota small business landscapeOvercoming adversity as a business ownerSales systems and local reputationLeadership through hardship About Leaders + Legends
Leaders + Legends is a podcast featuring candid conversations with business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs navigating growth, risk, and real-world challenges. Hosted by Michael Calamaras, the show highlights the stories behind the success.
Joey Coco Sarasota
Budget Blinds Sarasota
Budget Blinds franchise owner
Home services business owner
Entrepreneur resilience story
Small business podcast
Franchise ownership podcast
Leaders and Legends podcast
More
In this episode of Leaders + Legends, host Michael Calamaras sits down with Joey Coco, a Sarasota-based business owner and Budget Blinds franchise owner, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and perspective. Joey shares his journey into franchise ownership in the home-services industry, along with how personal adversity reshaped the way he approaches business, leadership, and life. Joey opens up about surviving a serious car accident that changed his life - how it tested him physically, mentally, and emotionally. Rather than defining him, the experience became a catalyst—sharpening his focus, gratitude, and commitment to building something meaningful. This episode explores: What it’s really like running a service-based business in a local marketHow adversity can change your relationship with work and successLessons learned from sales, systems, and customer experienceThe difference between chasing growth and building something sustainableThis conversation is equal parts business strategy and human story—valuable for anyone building a company, facing setbacks, or recalibrating what success truly means. Topics Covered Budget Blinds franchise ownershipHome services entrepreneurshipSarasota small business landscapeOvercoming adversity as a business ownerSales systems and local reputationLeadership through hardship About Leaders + Legends Leaders + Legends is a podcast featuring candid conversations with business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs navigating growth, risk, and real-world challenges. Hosted by Michael Calamaras, the show highlights the stories behind the success. Joey Coco Sarasota Budget Blinds Sarasota Budget Blinds franchise owner Home services business owner Entrepreneur resilience story Small business podcast Franchise ownership podcast Leaders and Legends podcast