Small Business Basics in Fort Lauderdale

South Florida is full of people with big ideas and side hustles, but turning that into a real business is where a lot of locals get tripped up. In this episode, I’m joined by Coral Springs and Parkland business attorney Matthew Fornaro to talk about what it actually looks like to start, grow and protect a business in Broward County, Palm Beach and Miami‑Dade. We get into the good, the bad and the ugly of business formation, partnerships, contracts and commercial real estate in a market that never seems to stop building. Whether you’re working out of your spare bedroom in Fort Lauderdale or signing a lease on that storefront you’ve been eyeing, this conversation will give you some local perspective before you sign anything. Chapters 00:21 Welcome to Let's Talk Lauderdale 04:11 Nostalgic Memories of South Florida 10:52 Transitioning from Big Law 13:40 Starting Your Business Right 19:04 Common Business Mistakes 24:08 Partnership Challenges 26:23 Real Estate Disputes 28:14 South Florida's Changing Landscape 32:45 Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 40:27 Family Life and Community 44:30 Wrapping Up the Conversation Guest: Matthew Fornaro Website: https://fornarolegal.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewfornaro/ People, Places and Events Mentioned Who Song and Larry’s (restaurant chain history): https://www.facebook.com/whosongandlarrys/ Morgan & Morgan law firm: https://www.forthepeople.com TopDog Law: https://www.topdoglaw.com Cohen and Cohen (injury lawyers): https://www.cohenandcohen.net Rubenstein Law: https://www.rubensteinlaw.com Florida Bar: https://www.floridabar.org Coral Springs Charter School: https://www.coralspringscharter.org/ Galleria Mall (The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale): https://www.galleriamall-fl.com The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://wharfftl.com Coral Springs Center for the Arts: https://www.thecentercs.com Broward Center for the Performing Arts: https://www.browardcenter.org Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (West Palm Beach): https://www.kravis.org Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.