This week on Everybody Loves Naples, we sit down with Matt Poland, the Head Coach and Sporting Director of FC Naples — Southwest Florida's first professional soccer club.

Matt's journey to leading FC Naples is anything but ordinary. A former professional player in Finland and longtime local coach, he has spent years developing talent both in Europe and right here in Southwest Florida. Before joining FC Naples, he served as Head Coach and Technical Director for Chicago House AC and previously led Naples United FC, building a reputation for developing players, building winning cultures, and creating pathways to the professional game.

In this episode, we dive into what it takes to build a professional soccer club from the ground up, how FC Naples exceeded expectations in its inaugural season, the growth of soccer in America, youth development opportunities in Southwest Florida, and Matt's vision for the future of the club. Under his leadership, FC Naples became the first USL League One expansion club to host and win a playoff match in its inaugural season, helping put Naples on the professional soccer map.

Whether you're a lifelong soccer fan, a parent with a young athlete, or simply curious about the future of professional sports in Southwest Florida, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Learn more about FC Naples and get tickets:
FC Naples Official Website

Tickets:
FC Naples Ticket Hub

Follow FC Naples:
FC Naples Instagram

Listen now and let us know: Have you been to an FC Naples match yet?

https://www.instagram.com/fc.naples/

Before Sugarshack Sessions became a global music brand with over hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, it was just a backyard in Bonita Springs. Today, it's one of Southwest Florida's most unique live music experiences.

This week on Everybody Loves Naples, we're joined by Julia Szilagyi, Events & Operations Coordinator for Sugarshack Sessions, and Bryce Ivie, VP of Sugarshack Experience & Venue Manager of Sugarshack Downtown, to share the story behind the brand that put Bonita Springs on the map for music lovers around the world.

We dive into the origins of Sugarshack Sessions, how a passion project evolved into a globally recognized music channel, and what makes the Sugarshack Experience so special. From intimate acoustic performances and behind-the-scenes artist access to unforgettable nights under the palms, Sugarshack has created something that's difficult to explain until you've experienced it yourself.

Whether you've been following Sugarshack online for years or you've driven past Sugarshack Downtown and wondered what all the buzz is about, this episode is your inside look at one of Bonita Springs' greatest success stories.

🎶 Upcoming events include nationally touring artists and special ticketed performances throughout the year, including shows from artists like KBong & Johnny Cosmic and other fan favorites.

🎟️ Learn more about the Sugarshack Experience and purchase tickets:
https://sugarshacksessions.com/collections/sugarshack-session-experiences

🎤 Upcoming concerts and events:
https://www.sugarshackdowntown.com

📲 Follow Sugarshack Sessions:
https://www.instagram.com/sugarshacksessions/

📍 Sugarshack Downtown
Bonita Springs, Florida

If you're looking for a unique date night, a memorable night out with friends, or one of the coolest live music experiences in Southwest Florida, this episode is for you.

This week on Everybody Loves Naples, we sit down with brothers Ben and Alex Voss — the founders of Alligator Bay Distillers and the team behind the highly anticipated new cocktail concept, Hide-a-Wai, coming soon to Downtown Bonita Springs.

What started as a small family-run distillery has grown into one of Southwest Florida’s most unique craft spirit brands. Founded by the Voss brothers, Alligator Bay Distillers built a loyal following through their handcrafted “cane-to-bottle” rum production, using traditional copper stills and Florida-inspired flavors.

Now, Ben and Alex are bringing that same energy to Downtown Bonita with Hide-a-Wai — a rum hideaway and mojito bar located at 27306 Old 41 Rd, Unit A, Bonita Springs, FL 34135. The concept blends tropical cocktails, Old Florida vibes, and craft distilling into what’s shaping up to be one of the coolest new additions to the downtown scene.

In this episode, we talk about entrepreneurship, building a family business from scratch, surviving Hurricane Ian, Florida rum culture, and what locals can expect from Hide-a-Wai when the doors officially open.

Follow along:

Instagram:

@alligatorbaydistillers

@hide.a.wai

@hey_alligatorbenni —

Website:

www.alligatorbaydistillers.com

If you love local business stories, good drinks, and hearing from people building cool things in SWFL, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.