Steven Franco, CEO of Beachworx
Smart Growth in Destin
It’s impossible to have an issue focused on Finance and Entrepreneurship without mentioning Beachworx, Destin’s premiere community supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. The coworking space founded by Steven Franco in 2018 has been home to a number of the Emerald Coasts’ most successful entrepreneurs.
Beachworx is a flexible alternative to traditional commercial leasing - offering flexible terms on unique offerings, allowing members to scale and contract in real time as their business needs change. Beachworx is conveniently located in Destin Commerce Center on Hwy 98 and offers 19 private offices and 24 flex desks - all of which can be accessed on a day pass or monthly membership.
Beachworx’s unique offering to connect in a luxury communal space with professionals from various industries and experience has led to a number of successful collaborations. An introduction to Brandon & Crystal Hillenburg, owners of Harbour Village in Fort Walton Beach, left the owners of the office and warehouse complex so impressed with the Beachworx concept that they became the first Beachworx franchisee.
Public and private leaders meet at Beachworx, too. These relationships led to Franco joining Gary Jarvis, former Mayor of Destin and Shane Moody, CEO of Destin Chamber of Commerce, as a founding member of the Destin Economic Development Committee. The committee’s purpose is coalescing a cross-section of leaders who’ll provide consensus about redevelopment and growth of Destin. Other collaborations that sparked unique opportunities and mentorship stem from Franco’s deep commitment to supporting military veterans. Beachworx has been a grantee of Veterans Florida’s Veteran Entrepreneurship program since 2021. This program has supported six veteran entrepreneurs by providing a professional environment for working and meeting clients and the opportunity to collaborate with each other to grow their businesses within the community.
Assurance Security Advisors is one such collaboration. Veteran’s Florida grantee, Austin Moore, CEO of Special Operators Transition Foundation, introduced Derek Meyer, a SOTF fellow to Franco in 2022. While a Beachworx office supported Meyer’s remote work needs, it was his frequent conversations with Franco and Beachworx member, Trei McMullen (founder of Syotos Security and Syotos Technology), that led to founding Assurance Security Advisors, a company offering bespoke security services protecting assets, people and property.
Franco's experience as Destin Commerce Center owner and his commercial real estate leasing and development career in Atlanta has given him a deep understanding of the specific security requirements of landlords. His experience and expertise as Managing Partner of Rodos Realty Partners, a boutique real estate advisory firm, informed him that the current climate makes a solution like Assurance Security Advisors a slam dunk. Franco is a natural connector. Members can expect that he and his team will get to know you and your business and will make connections and referrals to Beachworx members - past and present. He attests that this unique mix of care and connection is unprecedented in traditional real estate and invites everyone to Beachworx’s Tuesday Complimentary Coworking days.
Austin Moore & Addison Moore
Austin Moore
Austin Moore, CEO & Managing Partner at Elias Capital Fund, is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in capital raising, executive leadership, and strategic growth. Austin retired as a Special Operations Pilot and Combat Aviation Advisor from Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, after 25 years of service. He held numerous leadership positions throughout his career and earned multiple awards for leadership, contributions to National Security, and airmanship. Austin was also presented the Lance P. Sijan award for exceptional leadership, JINSA’s Grateful Nation award for superior conduct in the War on Terrorism, and the AETC Well Done award for exceptional airmanship. He enlisted in 1997 and was later commissioned in 2001 before retiring as a Colonel with over 4,250 hours of flight time as a Command Pilot. Austin has an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University, a graduate degree from Trident University (Summa Cum Laude), and was Outstanding Graduate of Air War College. In addition, Austin graduated from Joint and Combined Warfighting School and served as a Joint Qualified Officer. He retired with numerous awards and medals, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal X 4, Aerial Achievement Medal with 16 devices, and Air Force Commendation Medal. With an extensive background in entrepreneurship and military service, Austin has built strong relationships with high-net-worth investors and institutional partners. His ability to foster trust and create meaningful connections allows Elias Capital Fund to access exclusive investment opportunities. Austin’s disciplined, results-driven approach ensures the firm remains focused on long-term value creation, mitigating risk while maximizing returns. His leadership sets the foundation for the fund’s growth, making him a key driver in its continued success.
Addison Moore
Addison Moore, Founder & Fund Manager at Elias Capital Fund, is a visionary in real estate investment and financial structuring. With expertise in capital markets and a sharp analytical mindset, Addison has overseen over $50 million in real estate transactions, skillfully structuring deals that balance risk and reward. His hands-on experience in asset acquisition, capital stacking, and investor relations ensures that each investment aligns with Elias Capital Fund’s commitment to delivering superior returns. Addison’s deep understanding of market trends and financial modeling makes him an invaluable strategist, driving the firm’s investment thesis and positioning it for sustained growth.
The Perfect Team: Vision & Execution
Together, Austin and Addison Moore bring a rare blend of relationship-building expertise and financial acumen that sets Elias Capital Fund apart. Austin’s ability to cultivate investor trust and secure high-level partnerships complements Addison’s precision in structuring deals and optimizing investment strategies. Their synergy creates a balanced and dynamic leadership team—Austin opens doors to exclusive opportunities, while Addison ensures each deal is financially sound and strategically positioned. This powerful combination of vision and execution has propelled Elias Capital Fund to the forefront of the investment world, offering investors a unique advantage in wealth creation through disciplined, high-value investments.
Matthew Weinberg
Cheap Talk, Big Gains
Professor Matthew Weinberg is changing the way we think about learning with The Barrett School in Destin. He is an entrepreneur and educator with expertise in many fields, including Egyptology, medicine, and game theory. By combining his business skills with creative ideas in education, he is creating a new kind of school.
At The Barrett School, Professor Weinberg uses a hands-on, project-based approach to learning. This means that students don’t just sit in classrooms reading books—they get to work on real projects and solve problems. This helps them develop important skills like teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. The goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders, problem-solvers, and entrepreneurs. Students learn by doing, which makes education exciting and meaningful.
Dr. Weinberg is also passionate about making education accessible for everyone. He believes that learning should be available to all, no matter who you are or where you come from. His school blends science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with the arts, giving students a well-rounded education. By combining these fields, students can see how different subjects connect and how they can use knowledge to create opportunities in the real world.
The Barrett School is not just about learning facts—it’s about giving students the tools they need to succeed in the future. Dr. Weinberg’s goal is to build a school that helps students grow, think critically, and be prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead. This exciting new project is sure to have a big impact, and we can’t wait to see how it shapes the future of education. Stay tuned for more updates on this game-changing venture!
Greg Fisher
Greg Fisher, the mastermind behind Tripshock, is revolutionizing vacation planning. Since its 2009 launch, Tripshock has simplified booking tours and activities, offering a one-stop platform. Covering 25 markets, with Destin as its core, Tripshock ensures the best prices and quality experiences. Greg also leads WaveRez, a reservation software for watersport and boat tour operators, recently expanding his team with Zach Eischen to grow its market reach.
Greg shares his boating industry insights on his podcast, “The Awkward Watersport Guys”. His new book, Mastering OTAs, launched on February 18, 2025, guides tour operators in using Online Travel Agencies without losing direct bookings. Greg will be doing a book signing at the Tourpreneur Connect event in New York City. Featuring a foreword by industry leader Douglas Quinby, the book is available on Amazon https://a.co/d/0sp27sG.
Brandon Hillenburg
Brandon and Crystal Hillenburg are bringing their entrepreneurial vision to life with the launch of Beachworx Fort Walton Beach, a dynamic co-working space designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Recognizing the demand for flexible workspaces, especially among government contractors and veteran-owned businesses near Eglin Air Force Base, they’ve created a professional environment where entrepreneurs and small businesses can thrive. Their dedication to building a meaningful community hub is a testament to their hard work and passion. Located near the stunning beaches of Fort Walton Beach, Beachworx offers a range of workspace options, from shared desks to private offices, along with high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and printing services. More than just a workspace, it’s a place where professionals can network, exchange ideas, and find support. Beachworx is the ideal setting for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers looking for productivity and community in one inspiring location.