From termites and city permits to a global pandemic that nearly shut everything down, Michael Tronn & Paul Brown spent more than six years building Timbr — now one of Fort Lauderdale’s most talked-about restaurants.

This episode is a behind-the-scenes journey into what it really takes to create a world-class hospitality venue. From their roots in South Florida nightlife to managing every detail of construction and design, Michael and Paul share how they turned setbacks into resilience and vision into reality.

✨They discuss:

👉 The near “quit moments” during Timbr’s 6-year build.

👉 How the pandemic forced a redesign and may have saved them.

👉 The obsessive design details (like Starfire glass & firefly trees) that set Timber apart.

👉 The emotional moment of opening night with city leaders, friends, and family.

👉 Why authenticity and atmosphere matter more than trends in hospitality.

👉 Lessons from decades in nightlife, from crobar to Pawn Shop.

👉 What hospitality needs more of — and less of — today.

👉 The future of restaurants, community, and human connection in a digital world.

🎯 Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:02 The 6-Year Journey of Building Timbr

04:15 Pandemic Delays & How They Adapted

07:48 Structural Issues & Termite Surprises

11:33 Why Every Design Detail Matters

15:20 Creating Authentic Atmosphere (Not Disneyfied)

19:44 Role of Partner Max & Staying the Course

23:18 Emotional Opening Night & Community Support

28:06 The “Why” Behind Timbr’s Vision

32:50 Defining Vineyard Cuisine & Food Philosophy

37:22 Finding the Right Chef After Many Failures

42:15 Lessons from South Florida Nightlife (Pawn Shop, crobar, Liquid)

48:40 Legendary Marketing Stunts & DJ Culture

54:12 Nightlife Then vs. Now – Creativity vs. Bottle Service

59:36 Mentors, Inspirations & Rivalries

1:05:08 Leadership Lessons: “We” Over “I”

1:09:44 What Hospitality Needs More & Less Of Today

1:14:03 The Future of Restaurants & Human Touch in the AI Era

1:19:25 Celebrity Stories: Madonna, Rihanna, Denzel Washington

1:24:57 Defining Success Beyond Money in Hospitality

1:29:30 Closing Thoughts & Gratitude

Connect with me on my instagram:

🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiguerra99/

Connect with Michael Tronn:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeltronn/

Connect with Paul Brown:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbrown370

Listen to my podcasts on:

🍎Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-talks-hospitality-podcast/id1790526837

🍏Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Qqf1YkCmKKL0nEH9J5rAv

Check out my hospitality businesses on Instagram:

🏨 Breakwater Hospitality Group: https://www.instagram.com/breakwaterhg/

🏨The Wharf Miami: https://www.instagram.com/wharfmiami/

🏨The Wharf Fort Lauderdale: https://www.instagram.com/wharfftl/

🏨PIER 5: https://www.instagram.com/pier5bayside/

🏨JohnMartin’s: https://www.instagram.com/johnmartinsmiami/

🏨Carousel Club: https://www.instagram.com/carouselclb/

🏨Regatta Grove: https://www.instagram.com/regattagrove/

🏨Riverside Wharf: https://www.instagram.com/riversidewharf/

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