Powering Dreams, One Bourbon, One Business, and Broadcast at a Time.

  Rick didn’t just work in radio—he lived it.
It started in 1998 at WEBN in Cincinnati, where he jumped from intern to on-air talent with the kind of electric presence that gets nicknames like “The Dude” whispered in studio hallways. He didn’t just play music—he built communities around it. Hosting The Rubber Room nationally, curating local music with Native Noise, and giving brands like Budweiser and Harley-Davidson a voice, Rick’s style wasn’t scripted—it was felt.

When his career brought him to Southwest Florida, he took that same energy and used it to shape stations, launch new formats, and even win a Shark Tank-style event with a custom business radio network for Zoom Tan that played across 200+ locations.
For Rick, radio has never been about just “filling airtime.” It’s about making people feel something—whether they’re in a car at rush hour or on a beach at sunset.

In 2010, a new calling began to hum in the background—a brighter kind of energy. Rick dove into the solar industry with the same enthusiasm that drove his radio success.
He wasn’t content to just sell solar systems... he mastered them, becoming NABCEP certified as both a PV Installer and Sales Professional. Then he went a step further—writing the book (literally) on how to pass the NABCEP exam, rewriting Florida’s state curriculum, and founding the Solar Energy Institute, where he trains the next generation of solar installers.

Through his companies, including Positive Energy Solar and Positive Energy Belize, Rick has designed everything from sleek residential net-zero homes to off-grid, battery-backed paradises. His work has earned “Green Home of the Year,” “Best Solar Company,” and “Off-Grid Home of the Year” honors—not because awards were the goal, but because excellence was the standard.

  Behind all the ventures is a deeply personal journey. Through Positive Energy Living, Rick has led seminars, retreats, and workshops designed to help people rewire their mindset, reconnect with themselves, and chart a new course.

Whether it’s a corporate group seeking more purposeful leadership or an individual ready for personal transformation, Rick blends real-world business lessons with practical spirituality—grounded, actionable, and life-changing.

  While most dream of tropical escape, Rick built one... literally.
On Ambergris Caye in Belize, he designed and constructed an off-grid home powered entirely by the sun and surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

Now, through Positive Energy Belize, he’s helping others bring their own island living dreams to life, complete with sustainable design, modern comfort, and a footprint that leaves paradise intact.

Most people think bourbon is just a drink. Rick thinks it’s a story in a glass. With Bourbon & Brushes, he’s crafted an entire experience around his own smoked Old Fashioned recipes—each inspired by a different U.S. city or state.
Guests at his events don’t just learn to make cocktails—they leave with their own smoking kit, a deeper appreciation for bourbon’s history, and maybe a little swagger in their step.
The accompanying retail shop blends barware, art, and curated finds, a place where craft meets culture.

 At the Solar Energy Institute, we don’t just teach solar—we empower careers, elevate industry standards, and prepare our students to lead the renewable energy movement. 

Founded by NABCEP-certified professional Rick Vaske with years of real-world installation and sales experience, SEI offers hands-on training, in-depth coursework, and proven exam preparation designed to help you pass your NABCEP certification and thrive in the field. Whether you’re an installer looking to sharpen your technical skills, a sales professional aiming to better serve your clients, or someone brand new to the industry, our programs combine practical knowledge with cutting-edge best practices to get you job-ready.

We’ve even contributed to rewriting Florida’s state solar curriculum, ensuring our students learn at the highest level of industry excellence. From residential rooftops to large-scale commercial systems, we give you the tools, confidence, and credentials to succeed in one of the fastest-growing careers in the world. 

Entrepreneurship for Rick isn’t a buzzword... it’s a lifestyle.
Over the years, he’s built an eclectic portfolio of ventures, each reflecting a different part of his creativity:

• The Dude Cereal & Energy Bar – A playful nod to his radio persona, mixing breakfast and brand personality.
• The Studio in Downtown Fort Myers – A creative space where ideas could be tested, launched, and lived.

No matter the industry, Rick approaches business like an artist approaches a canvas, start with a vision, and bring it to life with style.

 From 2006 to 2014, TD Productions was Rick Vaske’s all-access pass to bringing unforgettable experiences to life across Southwest Florida. As the founder and creative force behind the company, Rick didn’t just organize events—he crafted them from the ground up. For the City of Fort Myers, Gulf Coast Town Center, Mercato Mall, and the City of Cape Coral, he dreamed up unique, custom events that became community highlights. Rick wore every hat—booking the bands, designing and printing event shirts, writing and producing radio ads, setting up and running full-scale audio production, and then stepping on stage to emcee or DJ the show himself. Whether it was a family festival, a high-energy concert, or a one-of-a-kind themed gathering, Rick’s signature blend of creativity, precision, and pure enthusiasm turned every event into a memory people still talk about. With TD Productions, the goal was simple: make the community feel the music, the moment, and the magic.