About Our Nominee
Joseph LaDuca is a wonderful man who has been in the Gulf Breeze area for about 9 years, and he’s loved every part of it. He developed a love for computers and realized there was a market niche that wasn’t being fulfilled. He spent many years working for Microsoft, but eventually decided to be his own boss. Joseph founded What The Tech as a storefront for computer repair, as well as selling computer parts and computers.
As a business owner, he is dedicated to customer service. Speaking from a personal level, he adores our wonderful community and does everything he can to improve it. We got this inside look into his life!
Q & A
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career/owning your business?
A: When I first moved to Gulf Breeze, I would go to the computer stores that are here, and most of them were never open. They were usually out of the office. I knew that really wasn’t how you run a business. Basically, there was a market niche that wasn’t being filled. The stores that were open, also had a habit of overcharging.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Gulf Breeze/Navarre?
A: I have been here about 9 years now.
Q: Who is the most interesting person/business owner you’ve met here in Gulf Breeze/Navarre? Who would you like to see nominated as a Face of Gulf Breeze/Navarre?
A: I would say the Mail’s a Breeze people. They do a really good job.
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people? (Or someone starting their own business?)
A: First thing would be to have plenty of capitol on hand and don’t borrow it. You can put yourself in a hole right off the bat, and I’ve seen businesses fail because of that within a month. I actually didn’t stop working for Microsoft until 3 years after I opened this business. Support local business, schools, and community activities.
Q: What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about (or what is most iconic in) Gulf Breeze/Navarre?
A: Probably Sidelines Sports Bar.
Q: Where do you see yourself (and your career/business) in 5 or 10 years?
A: I hope ready for retirement. If not, as long as I can keep doing this, I’m going to keep doing it.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Gulf Breeze/Navarre?
A: Sidelines is my favorite restaurant in the area.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I think I’m where I want to be. I worked as a consultant. I used to travel every week.
Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: I think Jaws is my first movie I ever saw in theaters.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: I’m pretty simple. I’m happy with my life and where I am.
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Gulf Breeze/Navarre would you have lunch?
A: I would go to lunch with my grandmother. We would have to go to an Italian place, probably Lillo’s, because they are authentic.
Q: What is your favorite music/ 3 bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I’m a 70s and 80s rock guy. I would love to see Journey again, but before 1985. I would also like to see Led Zepplin.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: Probably the thing I don’t really tell a lot of people is that computers weren’t my first love.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Relaxation, peacefulness, and sanctuary
Q: If you were cast into a major motion picture and had your choice of anyone to be your co-star, who would you choose?
A: I would have to say Adam Sandler.
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose?
Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: I would like to have a physical fitness trainer.
Check out Joseph’s website, shop, and social media!
Address: 3487 Gulf Breeze Pkwy,
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
Phone: (850) 932-0523
Website: http://www.whatthetechhelp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatthetechllc/
