In this episode of In The Hype Seat, Holly sits down with Erika Ramos, former model and actress (you might recognize her from MTV's Wild n Out!), mom of two daughters, and wife of retired MLB All-star pitcher AJ Ramos. Erika and Holly have an incredibly real, authentic, and layered conversation about identity, career pivots, and what it looks like to fully walk away from something when it no longer serves you.

Erika shares her story of growing up in Maryland, moving to LA at 21 to become a model, and chasing auditions, casting calls, reality show appearances, Hollywood clubs, and all the behind-the-scenes chatter about what it was like for Erika working and living in LA in the mid-2010s. Erika was part of the LA scene for over a decade, and she and Holly unpack what it looked like during that era, including early influencer campaigns, model burnout, and the subtle shifts that told Erika it was time to evolve.

Now, Erika is in a completely different chapter – raising her daughters, supporting AJ through his career pivot, and building her life in a way that feels more grounded and aligned. She talks about what motherhood has taught her, why she values being present, and how she approaches each new season of life with clarity and intention.

This episode is about more than career change. It’s about intuition, boundaries, reinvention, and doing what feels right – even if it means letting go of something you once loved.

🔗 CONNECT WITH US AND THE GUEST

📸 Instagram:

Erika Ramos – https://www.instagram.com/erikathom

Erika’s Bakehouse – https://www.instagram.com/erikas_bakehouse

Holly Meyer Lucas – https://www.instagram.com/holly.meyer.lucas

PodPlus Studios – https://www.instagram.com/podplus.studios

🌐 Websites:

In The Hype Seat – https://www.inthehypeseat.com

Holly Meyer Lucas – https://www.hollymeyerlucas.com

PodPlus Studios – https://www.podplusstudios.com

🎧 Listen to Part 1 now wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2 — coming soon.

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#inthehypeseat #erikaramos #erikathom #erikasbakehouse #ajramos #hollymeyerlucas #careerchange #laactress #momlife #podplusstudios #hypeboss #realtalkpodcast #womeninmedia #pivotstory #motherhoodjourney #influencerculture #southfloridamoms #careerreinvention #podcastinterviews

Kerri Paizzi is the go-to marketing foodie of South Florida, and also the owner of Flavor South Florida, the biggest restaurant month in the country by area covered.

In this episode of In The Hype Seat, Holly Meyer Lucas sits down with Kerri to unpack how she went from music booking and brand strategy to owning and scaling one of Florida’s most beloved culinary events.

Shot inside the brand-new PodPlus Studios in Jupiter, Florida, this is a masterclass in business strategy, marketing, influencer relationships, and what it actually takes to preserve (and grow) a legacy brand in real life.

From navigating the handoff from original founder Briana Beaty, to rebranding from Flavor Palm Beach to Flavor South Florida, to going viral on TikTok, this conversation pulls back the curtain on every step of Kerri’s journey.

This one’s for the founders, foodies, and future brand builders.

✨ LISTEN IF YOU’RE INTO • Bold female leadership in South Florida • Rebranding with strategy and integrity • Restaurant culture, foodie events, and community building • How to go viral and still stay grounded

⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction to Kerri and Her Ventures 02:01 – The Journey into Music Booking 06:16 – Navigating the Music Business 14:41 – Taking Over Flavor Palm Beach and Its Impact 23:52 – The Power of TikTok's Algorithm 24:55 – Building Relationships in the Restaurant Industry 27:43 – The Journey to Acquiring Flavor 30:53 – Growing Flavor: A Community Effort 33:35 – The Role of Influencers and Community Support 39:49 – The Challenge of Tasting Every Flavor Restaurant 46:59 – Challenges in the Restaurant Business 49:21 – Competition and Collaboration in Restaurant Events 51:37 – Finding Participating Restaurants 58:36 – Creative Marketing and Unique Promotions

🔗 CONNECT WITH US AND THE GUEST

🌐 Websites: In The Hype Seat – https://www.inthehypeseat.com Flavor South Florida – https://www.flavorsouthflorida.com Holly Meyer Lucas – https://www.hollymeyerlucas.com PodPlus Studios – https://www.podplusstudios.com

📸 Instagram: @flavorsouthflorida – https://www.instagram.com/flavorsouthflorida @kerrip316 – https://www.instagram.com/kerrip316 @holly.meyer.lucas – https://www.instagram.com/holly.meyer.lucas @podplus.studios – https://www.instagram.com/podplus.studios

FAQs

who is kerri paizzi? Kerri Paizzi is a marketing agency owner and entrepreneur based in South Florida. She owns Monarch Marketing and Flavor South Florida.

what is flavor south florida? Flavor South Florida is the region’s premier restaurant month, spotlighting 100+ restaurants across four counties with curated dining experiences at set prices.

🎥 Recorded at https://www.podplusstudios.com

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In this high-energy episode of In The Hype Seat, Holly Meyer Lucas is joined by Steven Fondu, the dynamic restaurateur behind Ara - Jupiter, Florida's hottest new restaurant on Cypress Drive ("Cy Dri"). Ara has rapidly become the destination for foodies and trendsetters, fueled by Steven’s passion, authenticity, and fresh approach to hospitality.

From playing college baseball at Furman University to creating Jupiter’s vibrant dining scene, Steven’s journey is marked by hustle, heart, and bold risks. He shares the inside story of leaving NYC to launch Ara in South Florida during the pandemic, turning the former Crosby Kitchen into a sleek spot that combines big-city dining flair with small-town warmth.

A key highlight is Steven’s discovery of Chef Kayla, whose culinary creativity became central to Ara’s Mediterranean-inspired menu. Steven vividly recalls tasting her food for the first time and knowing he’d found the perfect chef for his vision.

Steven’s leadership style, emphasizing genuine gratitude, team unity, and collaboration, sets Ara apart. His vision for Cy Dri is a thriving culinary hub, built on cooperation rather than competition, believing neighboring successes boost everyone.

🎥 Episode Highlights:

• Steven’s path from baseball to restaurant success
• Transforming Crosby Kitchen into Ara
• Finding Chef Kayla and crafting the standout menu
• Unique leadership and team-building insights
• Future vision for Ara and Cypress Drive

📖 Full blog: inthehypeseat.com

🌐 Connect:

• Ara: arajupiter.com | IG: @arajupiter
• Holly: hollymeyerlucas.com | IG: @holly.meyer.lucas

🎙️ Produced by PodPlus, Jupiter, FL: podplusstudios.com

🔎 Tags: Steven Fondu, Ara Jupiter, entrepreneurship, hospitality, leadership, business advice, Cypress Drive, Palm Beach dining

#InTheHypeSeat #StevenFondu #AraJupiter #Entrepreneurship #FineDining #Leadership #RestaurantSuccess #Hospitality #JupiterFlorida