LionShareable

Issue #2 October 2025

Welcome to the October issue of LionShareable. This month, we sit down with Jon Brooks of Momentum Realty and Momentum Property Management to explore his journey from finance to entrepreneurship. We look back at Jacksonville’s naval legacy at Mayport, celebrate fall fun with Jags games, Oktoberfest, and the Zoo’s Spooktacular, and dive into the future of content creation with AI tools reshaping how businesses tell their stories. It’s a snapshot of the people, traditions, and innovations that make our community thrive.

Welcome to Issue #2 of LionShareable. Our goal with every edition is simple: to bring you stories, insights, and local connections that matter — whether you’re a member, a neighbor, or someone curious about Jacksonville’s growth.

In this issue, we turn our focus outward, showcasing voices and places that shape our city: a local real estate innovator, the heritage of Mayport and Jacksonville’s naval community, fall events that bring us together, and emerging tech that’s redefining how businesses engage their audience.

I hope as you read through these pages, you feel more connected to LionShare and to Jacksonville itself. And if any story sparks a question or idea, reach out — this is as much your magazine as it is ours.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

— Michael Januzzi
Founder, LionShare Cowork

Real Estate Brokers, Agents, Property Managers Oh My!

LionShare Cowork provides real estate brokers, agents, and property managers with the professional tools they need to succeed. Our private meeting rooms are ideal for client consultations and closings, while flexible day passes in our WorkDens give agents a productive space to write contracts, create content, and move deals forward. We also offer qualified business addresses that meet state licensing requirements, ensuring your brokerage maintains compliance with a professional image. For property managers, LionShare offers a secure location for renters to drop off rent checks and HOA fees, along with meeting space for homeowner associations to host community gatherings.

Spotlight Interview: Jon Brooks, Momentum Realty

“Real estate isn’t just about properties — it’s about people, community, and telling stories that connect.” — Jon Brooks

We sat down with Jon Brooks, co-founder of Momentum Realty and Momentum Property Management, to dig into his journey from finance to real estate and how his digital presence is pushing the boundaries of how people make decisions about homes.

Q1: Jon, tell us about your path — how did a finance degree lead you into real estate?
I studied finance at Virginia Tech, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and started my career in roles like quantitative tax policy and financial analysis. At Deutsche Bank’s Jacksonville office, I worked on underwriting for large single-family rental operators and small balance commercial loans. That experience exposed me to the back end of real estate — but also showed me how opaque and transactional the industry often is.

My wife, Brittany, transferred here for work, and when we bought our first home, the service we received was so poor we thought, “If this is how real estate is done, I can do better.” That sparked the leap into full-time real estate in 2015—with $80,000 in debt, little network, but full conviction. That leap eventually grew into what today is Momentum Realty and Momentum Property Management.

Q2: What were the biggest early challenges, and how did you push through?
In the beginning, it was hustle. Cold calls, door knocking, manning the front desk—whatever it took to earn trust and build a pipeline. My first deal was under $70,000, and it took viewing over 50 properties to make it happen. But beyond sales, the real challenge was scaling while maintaining service. I realized I couldn’t personally handle all roles of the business indefinitely. That’s when I leaned into systems, delegating, coaching, and building team culture — the same foundation that now supports both Momentum Realty and Momentum Property Management.

Q3: What made you decide to launch your own brokerage, Momentum Realty?
We saw agents working harder but earning less, thanks to high brokerage splits and little value in return. We also believed many brokerages taught outdated models, not the entrepreneurial side of business. So in January 2020, we launched Momentum Realty. We merged the best parts of a big brokerage — education, coaching, community — with a 100% agent commission approach. That entrepreneurial focus later expanded into Momentum Property Management to support investors and clients beyond just transactions.

Q4: You’ve built a strong digital presence, particularly on YouTube. How do you see that influencing real estate?
Video gives us a way to show homes dynamically, highlight neighborhoods visually, and tell stories that static photos can’t. I’ve applied content strategy, SEO thinking, and consistency to create a brand people remember. On YouTube, we publish market commentary and educational content — while also developing services for our agents such as editing, thumbnails, and titles. These tools not only strengthen Momentum Realty’s presence but also provide value to our property management clients. It turns audiences into leads by building trust before someone ever picks up the phone.

Q5: What advice would you give to someone launching a business (or real estate career) today?

Focus relentlessly on systems, process, and repeatability rather than reinventing everything.

Invest in your personal development — mindset, communication, leadership — because your business will mirror your growth.

Be patient. Compounding growth is real — consistency beats bursts.

Use content and branding to differentiate. The marketplace is crowded, your voice matters.

About Momentum Realty & Momentum Property Mangement
Momentum Realty is a real estate brokerage focused on agent success through a 100% commission model, comprehensive training, and mentorship, all while emphasizing a supportive community and client-focused service for buyers and sellers. The company offers benefits like leadership access, exclusive automation tools, and a robust online learning library to help its professionals grow their businesses. In the Northeast Florida and Gainesville markets, Momentum Realty has achieved significant growth, becoming a Top 10 brokerage by volume and units sold since its founding in January 2020. Momentum Property Management was built as a complementary service, helping investors and landlords manage properties efficiently while keeping tenants supported. Together, the two companies deliver a complete ecosystem for real estate professionals, homeowners, and investors. https://movewithmomentum.com/

Mayport Naval Station & LionShare Cowork

Two Naval Station Mayport has been an anchor for Jacksonville since the Second World War. The idea of establishing a naval facility at the mouth of the St. Johns River was first considered in the late 1930s, but it wasn’t until December 1942 that Mayport was officially commissioned as a U.S. Naval Section Base. Just two years later, in April 1944, it had grown into the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, supporting flight operations and training. After a brief deactivation following the war, the base was reactivated in 1948, beginning a steady expansion that has never slowed.

The 1950s marked a turning point. Mayport’s basin was dredged to handle capital ships, and in 1952 the carrier USS Tarawa became the first to dock there. Just three years later, the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt relocated to Mayport, bringing not only the ship but the families of its sailors. That moment transformed Mayport from a purely operational outpost into a true community hub, where service members and their families began to integrate into the fabric of Jacksonville.

Today, Naval Station Mayport is one of the largest fleet concentration areas in the U.S. Navy. Its deep-water harbor can berth up to 34 ships, while its 8,000-foot runway accommodates a wide spectrum of military aircraft. The base is home to more than 55 tenant commands and has served as headquarters for the U.S. Fourth Fleet since its reactivation in 2008, overseeing naval operations and maritime security throughout the region. Mayport averages more than 2,100 ship movements and 84,000 flight operations each year, supported by a workforce of over 11,000 active duty, reserve, and civilian personnel. It plays a vital role not only in U.S. national defense but also in Jacksonville’s economy, culture, and identity.

The station is also full of remarkable stories. In 1959, it briefly became the world’s first “missile post office” when a Regulus I missile delivered more than 3,000 pieces of mail directly to Mayport — a Cold War publicity stunt that made headlines around the world. That same year, Mayport was connected to the Navy’s automatic teletype system, which improved communication efficiency by 70 percent. Over the decades, the base has hosted famous conventionally powered carriers including the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, the USS Coral Sea, and the USS Enterprise. Amphibious groups such as the Iwo Jima and Fort McHenry have also called Mayport home, reinforcing its strategic versatility.

Even its landscape tells a story. On base sits the Old St. Johns River Light, built in 1858, one of the oldest surviving structures in the area. Though it was decommissioned decades ago, it remains a symbol of Jacksonville’s maritime past. A newer beacon, the St. Johns Light, was built in 1954 to continue guiding ships at the mouth of the river. Looking ahead, Congress has already authorized tens of millions of dollars in upgrades and dredging to make Mayport capable of supporting nuclear-powered aircraft carriers — ensuring its relevance for decades to come.

The arrival of an aircraft carrier at Mayport is a spectacle in itself. A single carrier can bring thousands of sailors, with uniformed men and women spilling into local restaurants, stores, and neighborhoods. On the pier, hundreds of support personnel orchestrate the complex ballet of docking, resupply, and crew rotations. In those moments, Jacksonville and Mayport feel inseparable — the rhythms of the city moving in sync with the rhythm of the fleet.

Did You Know?

In 1959, Mayport made history as the world’s first “missile post office” when a Regulus I missile delivered more than 3,000 letters straight to the base.

The Old St. Johns River Light, built in 1858, still stands on Mayport’s grounds — one of Jacksonville’s oldest surviving landmarks.

Today, Mayport averages more than 2,100 ship movements and 84,000 flight operations every year, making it one of the busiest Navy stations in the country.

How LionShare Supports Contractors & Families

Because Mayport draws such a significant number of contractors, service firms, and relocating families, LionShare’s proximity and flexibility provide unique advantages. Contractors working on defense projects — from design firms and HVAC specialists to electrical engineers and subcontractors — use our workspace and meeting rooms without the burden of long-term leases. With on-demand access to offices, conference rooms, and technology resources, they can scale their presence around shifting project schedules.

For military families, LionShare offers stability during times of transition. A spouse with a remote career can set up in a professional environment rather than at the kitchen table, and families moving into Jacksonville find a community and business hub ready to welcome them. For contractors hosting clients, LionShare provides a polished space just minutes from the base, creating a professional impression while reducing commute friction. Our environment also encourages networking, building synergy between defense contractors, logistics professionals, and government partners.

Many contractors also take advantage of LionShare’s role as a Commercial Mail Receiving Agent (CMRA), federally approved with the U.S. Postal Service. This allows both business and personal addresses to be established through LionShare, providing security, package reception, and a permanent point of contact — a valuable resource for contractors, shipmen, and even visiting relatives who need a trusted local address.

For LionShare Cowork, this connection is more than symbolic. Contractors supporting defense projects often need professional space close to the gate but without the burden of a long lease, and LionShare offers them a flexible base of operations. Families relocating with service members find stability in our spaces too — a professional hub for a spouse’s remote job, or a meeting place to stay grounded during a move. In short, as Mayport continues its historic mission of defending the nation, LionShare plays a small but meaningful role in supporting the people and businesses who make that mission possible.

Oktoberfest 2025

Whether it’s cheering on the Jags, raising a glass at Oktoberfest, or getting spooky at the Zoo, Jacksonville has something for everyone this October.

The Jacksonville Zoo

Spooktacular at the Jacksonville ZooEach October, the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens transforms into a Halloween-themed wonderland. Expect lantern-lit paths, immersive displays, safe trick-or-treat stations, and lots of family fun. This year, the zoo is also hosting a sensory-friendly night on October 12, where sounds and flashing lights are toned down to make the experience more comfortable for all visitors. Jacksonville Zoo

Fall Festivals

As the leaves shift, Jacksonville’s neighborhoods and nearby areas host a number of Oktoberfest celebrations and fall festivals. For 2025, look out for:

Beaches Oktoberfest at Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach on October 10–11. Visit Jacksonville
Orange Park Fall Festival (October 18–19) — one of Clay County’s biggest arts & crafts fairs, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Pumpkin Palooza, St. Paul’s UMC Fall Festival, and Farmtastic Pumpkin Festivals also dot the calendar around mid-October. Fun 4 First Coast Kids

These events often run on weekend afternoons into early evening — expect food trucks, live music, family activities, and local artisan vendors.

Wasabicon

WasabiCon (October 11–13) at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center — a pop culture convention with cosplay, panels, music, and more.

NASJAX AIR SHOW

One of Jacksonville’s premier annual events, the NAS Jacksonville Air Show, is scheduled for October 17–18, 2025. Gates open at 9:00 am, and the aerial performances begin around 11:00 am, with headliners like the Blue Angels often flying in mid-afternoon.

Parking and admission are typically free. The static aircraft display allows you to get up close with military jets and helicopters, and kids’ zones offer hands-on exhibits, face-painting, and more. Plan to arrive early — traffic near the base can get congested.

This air show tradition dates back decades. The very first official Navy show at the station was held on October 15, 1945, just after WWII. Over time, attendance has exploded, with recent estimates putting the crowd at nearly half a million people across event days. Mayport remains one of the few naval air stations where the Blue Angels have flown in every aircraft model they’ve used.

Jacksonville Jaguars

If you’re a football fan, October’s got a couple of big matchups for us at EverBank Stadium:

Monday, October 6, 2025 — Jaguars host Kansas City Chiefs, kickoff at 8:15 pm ET
Sunday, October 12, 2025 — Jaguars host the Seattle Seahawks, kickoff at 1:00 pm ET

AI for Business Growth

Artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of business communication. In just a few years, we’ve gone from relying on static photos and lengthy text posts to having the ability to create professional-quality videos, tailored messages, and even animated characters — all with a few clicks. What once required a production team, a studio, and a big budget can now be done in minutes on a laptop.

At the forefront of this transformation is Google VEO 3, one of the most advanced AI video tools available today. With VEO 3, a business owner can type a short prompt and watch as the system generates a dynamic, polished video. Want a futuristic product demo? A neighborhood walk-through? Or even a playful Yeti character to promote your brand? AI now makes it possible — quickly, affordably, and at a quality that was unimaginable just a few years ago.

You can see Google VEO 3 in action here: Watch the demo.

How AI Is Changing the Game

Automated video creation
AI-powered tools allow businesses to instantly generate professional-looking content. A local realtor could launch a new listing with a 30-second video the same day it hits the market, while a restaurant could promote a seasonal dish with a short cinematic clip — no cameras required.

Personalization at scale
AI doesn’t just produce content; it tailors it. Campaigns can be localized by zip code, industry, or customer segment. Imagine promoting a “New Homeowner Special in 32225” with visuals that actually reflect the neighborhood.

Faster iteration
Marketing once took weeks to produce, approve, and launch. Now, small businesses can adapt messaging overnight, testing new approaches with minimal cost or delay.

Cost efficiency
For many small companies, hiring a video agency or social media team isn’t realistic. AI tools lower the barrier, putting polished production within reach of startups, contractors, and local shops alike.

Real-World Impact Across Industries

Real Estate: Realtors can create walk-through tours, neighborhood previews, or highlight reels the moment a property goes live.
Service industries: Painters, roofers, and contractors can showcase before-and-after transformations, create visual mockups, or produce testimonial reels.
Product-based businesses: From showcasing new fishing tackle to building short clips for restaurant specials or auto inventory, AI makes product storytelling fast and visually engaging.
Local brands: Targeted AI video campaigns allow businesses to hyper-localize their message, reaching exactly the customers who matter most.

The LionShareable AI Video Challenge

At LionShare, we believe in learning by doing — and now it’s your turn to get creative with the future of business content.

We’re challenging all LionShare members and customers to create their own AI-generated video using tools like Google VEO 3. But here’s the catch — your video must include a shout-out to LionShare Cowork. Say it, show it, animate it — how you do it is up to you. The more creative, the better.

Why join?

Showcase your creativity and put your brand in front of our community
Get hands-on with the same cutting-edge tools shaping the future of marketing
Compete for the top prize: $100 LionShare gift card plus $100 in cash

Deadline: All submissions are due by October 31.

The most creative entries will not only win but also be featured across LionShare’s official social media channels — giving your business even more exposure to the Jacksonville community and beyond.

Remember: You must include “LionShare Cowork” somewhere in your video to qualify.