Entrepreneur | Panache Vue' Magazine

A Heart Bigger Than Its Weight In Gold

May 14, 2013 By Nina Stanley Leave a Comment

Steve and Julie Weintraub

Everyone in Tampa Bay is familiar with Steve and Julie Weintraub because of their family business, Gold & Diamond Source and the charity they founded, Hands Across the Bay. What some may not know about Steve is not only is he a very successful businessman, a father to five precious children, a doting grandfather, a loving husband to his beautiful sidekick Julie but has a huge heart and helps so many in the Tampa Bay area.

Steve Weintraub founded Gold & Diamond Source in June 1984 and serves as the President and CEO of the company today. Steve got involved in the jewelry business because he saw a need for a fine jewelry store that provided superior service while keeping quality high and prices below what was being offered almost 30 years ago and even today. During the past 30 years and still going strong, Steve and his staff have satisfied over 250,000 happy customers from all over the country! The Gold & Diamond Source is unlike many other jewelry stores, in Tampa Bay or anywhere else! The newly redesigned 10,000 sq. ft. building is like Disney World for those who love jewelry, and we’re not talking Mickey Mouse watches here! The Gold & Diamond Source carries the inventory of ten normal jewelry stores combined with some of the most experienced, professional and friendly staff in the jewelry industry. Their selection of diamonds is truly breathtaking and can be a bit overwhelming for the first time diamond buyer. That’s where Steve, Julie and their staff come in to assist you. You will find all cuts of diamonds such as Round, Princess, Radiant, Emerald, Pearl, Heart, Marquise and Trillion cut in various sizes, colors and clarities. They also carry pieces created by the top designers in the jewelry industry such as Sethi Couture, Natalie K, Peter Storm Chamilia in addition to a huge selection of Fancy Yellow Diamonds. The best part is, there is a diamond waiting for you at Gold & Diamond Source to fit every budget. Gold & Diamond Source also offers a lifetime trade in policy on diamond solitaries and diamond earrings.

In addition to the family business and the charity work, Steve is also a member of the Jewelers Board of Trade, Jewelers Vigilante Committee and the Better Business Bureau. We asked Steve what is his most memorable or interesting work related experience was. “Working with Domestic Violence victims and helping them start new lives” he stated.

Steve’s favorite part of owning the business is having his family work alongside him. The Weintraub family is an extremely close knit family, and that’s exactly how Steve and Julie like it. “We believe in family and spend as much time with each other as possible including at least one entire family vacation once a year. Also, our work through our non-profit Charity, Hands Across the Bay is our way of paying things forward to this great Community and all the wonderful things it has brought to us. We consider it an honor to be able to give back in any way we can.” Because Steve and his family have been blessed in so many ways, they continue to give back over and over again and have taught their children the same. Not only is family his number one priority, but the extended families he and Julie have adopted through all of their charity work. Three words that best describe Steve and his business are honest, caring & professional. His heart is forever overflowing with kindness and generosity, especially to those less fortunate. Steve told us he owes his success to his wife Julie and his family, the entire staff of Gold & Diamond Source, Hands Across the Bay & of course his dad, Norman Weintraub Sr.

Gold & Diamond Source is located at 3800 Ulmerton Road in Clearwater. 727.573.9351 www.GOLDANDDIAMOND.com.

Filed Under: 2013, Entrepreneur, May 2013, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Business, Entrepreneur, Gold and Diamond Source, Jewelry, South Tampa, Tampa Bay

Never Has There Been Such a Devoted Sister

April 19, 2013 By Nina Stanley Leave a Comment

Hailey Scheinman is eight years old and lives in Clearwater. She is a second grader at Leila G. Davis Elementary School and especially loves reading and science. Her twin sister, Olivia, is her favorite person in the world! Last summer, the girls’ story was featured in “The Best Sister” article in the Tampa Bay Times. Hailey has been playing soccer for five seasons in the Clearwater Chargers league. She plays acoustic guitar and recently performed a solo at her second grade play performance. Her love for art began at a very young age and she is always working on something creative.

In February of 2012, Hailey received the Pinellas County School Young Hero Award in recognition for the fundraising efforts she has done for Olivia. Hailey was chosen as a Bay News 9 Everyday Hero and was the recipient of the WEDU Be More Inspiring Rising Star Award. Most recently, she was nominated for the St. Joseph Hospital’s Kids Are Heroes Award.

Hailey plays an integral part in Livy’s Hope, her family’s organization, which brings hope to the lives of children with medical needs and their families. She presents the Livy’s Hope story with her family at schools and at The Family Café Conference. One day she would like to be a professional artist and musician, participate in the Olympics and write a book!

To find out more information about Livy’s Hope, please visit

www.livyshope.com.

Panache: Being so young, what drives you more than anything else?

Hailey: My sister, Olivia, because she is always inspiring me, reminds me to never give up and gives me the biggest smiles.

Panache: How do you decide what projects to work on for Livy’s Hope?

Hailey: I started making and selling paintings because I love art. I knew that Livy’s therapies were expensive and I wanted to help out any way that I could. I also really enjoy making jewelry and decided to start designing bracelets to sell. Now I am enjoying photography and will be putting my photos on note cards.

Panache: How much time do you spend on your projects and which is your favorite?

Hailey: Time? This is a difficult question. It depends on what I am making. Paintings have taken me from a few hours to a couple of weeks to do. I can string a bracelet very quickly but what takes time is picking out what to put together. My favorite painting is the Tuscan Landscape because I loved making the poppies and trees and blending the colors in the background. I can’t pick a favorite bracelet because I love almost all of them!

Panache: If you won a large amount of money, what would be the first thing you would do with it?

Hailey: Can I make a pie chart? 40% would go to Smile Train because I want to help children who need cleft palate surgery since seeing it in a magazine, 25% would go to Livy for therapies and medical things, 20% would go in the bank and 15% would go to something reasonable like a bike or book.

Panache: What do you and Olivia do for fun?

Hailey: We love to snuggle together on the couch or in bed. We watch Shark Tank and Dinosaur Train together. Just being together, reading to her and being close to her is fun.

Panache: A little secret about you that very few people know?

Hailey: I can’t tell you because it wouldn’t be a secret anymore!

Panache: What is your favorite motto?

Hailey: It only takes one person to change the world!

Panache: What would you like to achieve by age 16, 21 and as a grownup?

Hailey: At 16 I will have to learn to drive even though I don’t want to. At 21 I would like to have one of my paintings hanging in a museum and as a grownup, I would love to have a family.

Panache: You’re biggest accomplishment thus far?

Hailey: Winning the “Young Hero Award” for Pinellas County Schools because I received it for doing something for Livy.

Panache: If you could have one dream or wish granted, what would it be?

Hailey: I would wish for a cure for Epilepsy because Livy wouldn’t have shakies (seizures) anymore. I love her just the way she is, even in a wheelchair, because that is who she is but I get worried when Livy has the shakies and I would like them to go away forever.

Panache: What three words best describe you?

Hailey: Empathetic, Happy, and Friendly

Panache: Who and what is most important to you and why?

Hailey: Livy, because she is my inspiration and I have loved her and have known her longer than anyone else has, even before our mom and dad!

Filed Under: 2013, April 2013, Entrepreneur, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Entrepreneur, Livy’s Hope, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Bay

Beauty and Brains

March 18, 2013 By Nina Stanley 49 Comments

Dana Martinez - Photo: Don Shepherd XOPIXO

Dana Martinez is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Lecada Medical Artistry. In this role, Dana is responsible for managing all aspects of this highly-successful aesthetic practice, known as the “go-to” place in Tampa for affordable, results-driven services. A native Floridian and graduate of the University of South Florida, Dana combined an extensive background in the aesthetic industry, with her abundant business savvy and formidable sales skills, to open Lecada’s doors in March, 2010.

Dana recognized, through her particular experience and insight, that there were many people interested in receiving aesthetic services that did not pursue treatment, because they believed the procedures were cost-prohibitive. Understanding the difference, even a small change in one’s appearance, could make in one’s life, Dana was determined to make available the most effective, yet affordable aesthetic services possible, without compromising either ethics or integrity.

Lecada provides non-surgical, award-winning aesthetic, anti-aging, and wellness solutions designed to help you look and feel your best. Dana’s vision for Lecada remains a continuing commitment to exemplary customer service, and providing quality medical care and innovative treatments at an affordable price.

What makes Lecada unique in a large sea of competitors is the palpable difference patients immediately feel upon arriving for their initial, complimentary consultation. There is warmth, a personal touch with attention to the smallest detail, in a positive, welcoming environment. Patients receive the most advanced treatments available, delivered by an award-winning physician and professional staff, with outstanding results, and an incomparable level of customer service. Patient satisfaction is the #1 priority and is ensured by adherence to open communication and consistent follow-up. As a result, Lecada enjoys a phenomenally loyal patient base; an astounding 50% of new patients are referred by existing patients.

Lecada offers a full-menu of services and wellness treatments, including non-surgical facelifts, cosmetic lasers (including Fraxel), lip augmentation, Exilis body shaping/skin tightening, bio identical hormone replacement therapy, sclerotherapy, facials, Revision skin care, Latisse, and a customized, medically directed weight-loss program. Dermal fillers, including Radiesse, Sculptra, Juvederm, and Artefill are available, as well as, Botox.

Favorite Part of Owning the Business?

“The patients, by far, are my favorite part of owning Lecada Medical Artistry. It may sound trite to say, “They’re like family”— but, it’s true! Always delivering what we’ve promised, has in turn, rewarded us with extraordinary patient loyalty. They really have become family and it’s gratifying to see the changes they achieve outwardly and inwardly. Their success is truly our success.”

Who Do You Owe Your Success To?

“I was fortunate to be raised in a close-knit family where I was encouraged to discover my own, unique strengths and gifts. Along with a ferocious work ethic, my mother instilled my sister and me with a profound confidence that we could achieve anything we set out to do. She would not accept excuses for imagined roadblocks or limitations, always encouraging us to aim high, and strive for excellence. That relentless striving, tenacity, and determination remains with me to this day. Further advancing my success is the benefit of having an amazing husband, Jay, who has helped me realize my dream with unconditional support and encouragement.” n

Lecada Medical Artistry is conveniently located at 3710 West Azeele St., Tampa 33606. Call 813.874.2332 to schedule an appointment or visit www.lecadatampa.com.

Filed Under: 2013, Entrepreneur, March 2013, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Beauty, Business, Cosmetic Surgery, Entrepreneur, Features, Lecada, Lecada Medical Artistry, skin, skin care, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Bay

A Match Made in Heaven

February 10, 2013 By Nina Stanley 9 Comments

Art and Diane Whitney - Photo: Don Shepherd XOPIXO

Art and Diane Whitney, owners of A-1 Custom Cabinets is truly a unique couple. Art is a rare bird as he is a lifelong resident of Pinellas County. His cabinet career started in 1976 at a small cabinet shop. The name of that shop was A-1 Custom Cabinets. After two years of perfecting the fundamentals, he went on to work in other high end cabinet shops, followed by working directly for building contractors in custom homes.

In 1980 he sought fame and fortune moonlighting as the drummer for “The Fanatics”, with a huge following throughout Florida. As the flame of fame began to dim, he again followed his passion for construction and worked as project manager for a local builder. Never one to be still, he entered the competitive world of off-road motorcycle sports earning class champion status. His competitive spirit fueled his desire to be his own boss, and there was no question as to what business he would pursue.

In 1994, he returned to A-1 Custom cabinets with a silent partner and an offer to buy out the company. His destiny seemed fulfilled once he bought the company where he started his career. However, there was a new buyer on the horizon, a not- so- silent partner who sparked a whole new fire within him. Two years later his partner became his wife and he never looked back.

Diane grew up in the small town of West Milton, Ohio. After graduating high school, she went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she majored in Interior Design. Upon graduation she promptly got married and followed her husband to New York. There she worked as an Interior Designer in a major furniture store. Realizing that marriage and the bitter cold were not for her, she migrated to Florida like so many Midwesterners do. Upon her arrival, she took a position in an area interior design studio before seeking her fortune in sales. Diane worked for 7 years as a regional manager for an automotive marketing company, after which she ignited her creative flair as a freelance designer. About this time, she was overseeing a major project when she happened upon a dashing cabinet maker named Art Whitney. Apparently she was so desperate for a date that she bought into his company. The two hit it off splendidly and within two years they were married. The rest is history!

As a husband and wife team, they bring both masterful cabinet making and exquisite design together under one roof. The original A-1 Cabinets was a small cabinet shop that built mostly laminate cabinets. Art and Diane moved the shop to a new location, four times the original size, upgraded to automated machinery, and dramatically increased the volume of business. They now focus primarily on wood cabinetry with intricate detailing. Their focus is building credibility of A-1 Custom Cabinets so that their name is synonymous with life-long quality. Art and Diane want to create a legacy. A-1 Custom Cabinets provides top quality workmanship to both residential and commercial markets, wood and laminate, indoor and outdoor. They always extend personal service and strive to exceed their clients’ expectations, each and every time. Their clients can choose from hundreds of styles and finishes, and have much more versatility in their design than other companies. A-1 also offers full remodeling services such as lighting, wall coverings, flooring, furniture, accessories and more!

Their goal is to be the premier remodeling resource center in Tampa Bay! When not working, Art and Diane devote much of their time to local organizations as sponsors and contributors; they have a very strong belief in giving back and are Members of NARI and an Allied Member of A.S.I.D. They both love the outdoors; are loving parents to their 24 year old daughter Ryan, their dog Roxie and cats Sam and Gato. Both feel they owe a large part of their success to their parents who were inspirations for them and always believed in them. They taught them the value of hard work, honesty, integrity and a belief in God. Without their constant guidance and support, they WOULDN’T be the people they are today! Art is fun-loving, compassionate and discriminating while Diane is intelligent, focused and very, very classy. Truly, a match Made in Heaven!

A-1 Custom Cabinets can be reached at 727.447.6815 or visit their website at www.A-1CustomCabinets.com. Showroom hours are by appointment.

Filed Under: 2013, Entrepreneur, February 2013, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Bathrooms, Business, Cabinets, Clearwater, Entrepreneur, Features, Green Living, Health, Home, Home Organization, Kitchens, Palm Harbor, Remodeling, South Tampa, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tampa Bay

Fun, Passionate, and Patient

December 18, 2012 By Laurie Talerico Leave a Comment

Jeffrey Thomas - Awesome Jewelry - Photo: Don Shepherd XOPIXO Photography

Jeffrey Thomas - Photo: Don Shepherd XOPIXO Photography

Awesome Jewelry. The name says it all. Jeffrey Thomas, master jeweler and custom jewelry designer, has been creating exquisite jewelry in the Tampa Bay area for nearly 20 years. When Panache Vue asked him why he chose this business, Jeffrey, a third generation jeweler, said he believes it is the business that chose him. At Awesome Jewelry, Jeffrey believes in staying true to what he was taught by those before him: that it is really about the people. He takes time to get to know his clients so he can design a piece specifically to suit the individual. Jeffrey will create a unique piece that will be cherished in a family for many generations. Heirlooms are created at Awesome Jewelry. When asked what sets Awesome Jewelry apart from the competition, Jeffrey said it is the personal service with special attention to the details. There are four jewelers on staff and each jeweler specializes in a different area. “There is nothing we cannot do and do right.”

Top of the line name brands are also available at Awesome Jewelry. The newest addition is the Scott Kay sterling silver and cobalt wedding rings for men. Awesome Jewelry is very proud to offer this line as there never seems to be enough choices for men in the jewelry industry. Other lines available are Galatea carved pearls (with award winning designs), Skagen watches, and Nancy B sterling, as well as Debbie Brooks purses.

The precious metals market is constantly changing, especially in today’s economy. When asked about his goals for Awesome Jewelry, Jeffrey stated that flexibility is the only option. “We set shorter goals so that we can stay relevant in our industry. Being able to change on the fly is our biggest asset. Our main focus is on being the best we can be every day.” Aside from designing masterpieces for his clients, Jeffrey’s other passion is contributing to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. He says helping the Shriner’s is what keeps him grounded. In his spare time, Jeffery enjoys live music, art, Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games and having dinner with friends.

Awesome Jewelry is located at 6305 South Dale Mabry, Tampa.

Filed Under: 2012, December 2012 / January 2013, Entrepreneur, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Awesome Jewelry, Entrepreneur, Jeffrey Thomas, Jewelry, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Bay

Bubbly, Bold, Stylish

November 18, 2012 By Laurie Talerico 299 Comments

Every little girl loves to play dress up with her mother’s clothes and jewelry. And many little girls pose in front of the mirror and dream about being a fashion model and walking the runways of Paris, Milan and NYC. Bobbie Y. Kingsbury was bitten by the fashion bug early on. Today she is known all over the area as The Fashion Authority. Bobbie is a fashion designer and wardrobe stylist. Bobbie started her business in the fall of 2006, but fashion has always been her passion!

Growing up, Bobbie spent hours scrutinizing Vogue and Glamour magazines, dreaming about traveling to the fashion capitals of Paris, Milan and NYC. As her talent developed, Bobbie gave style advice to friends and loved ones; she advised them on how to put together their wardrobes and as to what styles looked good on their body types. She’d been sewing for many years but became frustrated with commercial patterns. She knew she could create her own fashion designs and patterns so she enrolled in the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) for professional training. Bobbie has been sewing clothes for 17 years and designing clothes for six years.

Bobbie Kingsbury - Photo: Don Shepherd XOPIXO Photography

What sets Bobbie apart from other fashion designers is that she focuses on easy care, natural fibers ~ clothes that are universally flattering to every woman. Bobbie’s mission is to “make the world a more beautiful place, one woman at a time.” Just because something is in style doesn’t mean that it is flattering to each figure. Roughly, statistics for women’s bodies indicate that approximately 23% of women are pear shaped, 17% are apple shaped, 50% are rectangle shaped and 9% are hour glass shaped. Because of these different body types, not all clothes look the same on all women. And some styles are much more flattering to particular body types than others. It takes talent and skill to recognize what works for a woman and what doesn’t, and Bobbie takes great pleasure in helping women realize what is most flattering to their figures. Bobbie’s training in draping for design helps her to know a woman’s silhouette. If a client can’t find what she is looking for in the stores, Bobbie can design it. Bobbie can also do special occasion clothes, but she specializes in creating clothes that women will live in and love. Name brands that Bobbie compares her style to are Ella Moss, Banana Republic and 3 Dots. Some other brands she admires most are Free People, L.A.M.B., Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim. As a wardrobe stylist, Bobbie will go through a client’s closet with her professional eye, organize the wardrobe, and provide style advice to her client. Since Bobbie is a skilled seamstress, she can also make repairs and alterations to her clients’ items.

On top of her busy work schedule, Bobbie is very involved in giving back to the community. She volunteered on the planning board of the Florida Fashionistas, which is the group that brought Wine, Women and Shoes to Tampa to benefit the Children’s Dream Fund in 2010 and 2011. Bobbie was the corporate sponsorship chair in 2010 and the official spokesperson in 2011, appearing on television to promote the event. Since 2007, she has been on the Passion Committee for the American Heart Association after losing her mother to heart disease. In 2008, she was a chosen designer in the Red Dress Project and her original design was featured at the annual heart association luncheon. Bobbie’s most memorable experience as a designer is her involvement with the Red Dress Project, where she was paired with a “survivor” who served as inspiration for the design. Bobbie loved the entire process and said, “I got to meet women who are still friends of mine to this day.”

Bobbie is a single mother of three beautiful children, Seth, 25, Dalia, 16, and Charlie, 13. Dalia and Charlie are both on the principal’s honor roll and are very involved in their school. Of her many accomplishments, Bobbie was recognized this year as one of the Best Mom’s of the Bay by the Ryan Nece Foundation. Bobbie’s hobbies include sewing, reading and volunteering in the community. As a Massachusetts native, she is a huge New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan. Bobbie owes her success to her mother, who loved fashion, had style and was full of grace. When she passed away, Bobbie made a vow to herself that she would live her dreams and make every day count. “There are no second chances and this life isn’t a dress rehearsal. I want to see my dreams become a reality.”

For more information email bobbie@thefashionauthority.com or call 813-312-6322

Filed Under: 2012, Entrepreneur, November 2012 - Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Bobbie Kingsbury, Bobbie Y. Kingsbury, Entrepreneur, Features, South Tampa, Tampa, The Fashion Authority

Genuine, Caring, Unique

October 22, 2012 By Laurie Talerico 1,008 Comments

Julie Halifax

Consignment boutiques are all the rage these days. Hidden treasures are waiting for savvy shoppers. And the great news is that they aren’t your grandmother’s consignment shops anymore. According to the National Association of Resale Professionals, consignment boutiques have become shopping destinations. As much as 15% of shoppers have discovered the magic of consignment boutiques compared to 21% of shoppers who patronize the major department stores. Today’s consignment boutiques offer conscientious shoppers gently used designer clothing and other fabulous finds at very reasonable prices that are far below retail costs.

Fresh Threads Designer Consignment Boutique in south Tampa, established in 2009, offers ladies’ high quality designer clothing and accessories. Juli Halifax, from the New York City area, which is, of course, the fashion capital of the world, is the owner. While living in Brooklyn, Juli roamed the shopping districts of SoHo, Tribeca, Park Slope and Greenwich Village, admiring the styles and collecting ideas for the boutique she would own one day. That day finally arrived when she acquired Fresh Threads in 2010. Juli and her staff provide personalized service to their customers. Each customer and consignor is truly appreciated. There are many consignment shop choices available, and Juli and her staff take it to heart when Fresh Threads is chosen over all others.

Juli’s focus is to provide the financially conscious woman with quality, contemporary designer couture, shoes, jewelry and handbags way below retail prices. Some of the famous brands available in this boutique are Anthropologie, Burberry, Tory Burch, Chanel, Coach, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Frye, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Prada and Roberto Cavalli, but there are many, many more treasures hidden in this trendy boutique. Hidden treasures indeed, and it’s all about the thrill of the hunt; nothing can match the excitement a savvy, urban huntress experiences when she finds that one of a kind piece that will make her look and feel like a million bucks, especially when it is actually the bargain of the year. Juli understands that women love pretty things in all price ranges, and she offers items for everyone’s budget. At Fresh Threads, conscientious shoppers from all economic levels buy fabulous, high-quality clothing for a fraction of the retail price. When developing the inventory, Juli and her staff carefully select only the best contemporary styles and designer items that are in excellent condition.

Besides all the hottest designer goods, personal touches and carefully selected merchandise, Fresh Threads’ staff can provide closet organization, personal styling and fashion design by one of their referrals or their full time employee, stylist and fashion designer Bobbie Y Kingsbury (aka The Fashion Authority).

Fresh Threads has grown significantly since Juli took it over. Initially starting with 150 registered consignors, the number has increased to 600 consignors in less than two years. This is in part due to the dedication to personalized service. Close attention is paid to their clients’ style preferences and they even keep a wish list of customers’ “wants.”

In addition to designer merchandise, Fresh Threads offers unique items by local artists. It is important to Juli to build relationships and strong ties to the community. She also conducts a prom dress drive every spring. One of Juli’s most memorable experiences was when she received a photograph and handwritten note from a high school girl who received one of the gowns for her prom. Juli was deeply moved by this girl’s gratitude. Helping the community is something that drives Juli every day. She also supports local charities including Alpha House, The Spring of Tampa Bay, Kimberly Home and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, just to name a few.

Juli has always had a flair for fashion and owning her own boutique has been a dream that has finally come true. She owes her success to every entrepreneur and business associate she has met along her path, every business seminar she has attended and every business book she has ever read; Juli has learned something valuable from every experience. Juli also credits family and friends for her success. One very special person who has taught her the precious lesson of how to be strong and persevere, regardless of circumstances, is her infant son, Gavin, who was born premature, only weighing one pound, five ounces at birth. “I start my day with gratitude for him, for life, and the power of prayer.”

Fresh Threads designer consignment boutique is located in South Tampa at 4230 S. MacDill Avenue. They also have a “pop up” shop is inside The Emporium, an eclectic shop offering clothing, furniture, shabby chic treasures and gifts. The Emporium is in Largo at 904 Clearwater Largo Road. Both locations are open Tuesday through Saturday.

Please visit Fresh Threads on Facebook or the website for specific hours. For more information go to www.ShopFreshThreads.com or call 813.449.3578.

Filed Under: 2012, Entrepreneur, October 2012 - Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Consignment, Entrepreneur, Features, Fresh Threads, Julie Halifax, South Tampa, Tampa

Honest, Current, Visionary

September 19, 2012 By Nina Stanley 1,184 Comments

Jennifer and Kevin Richards

Location, location, location is the cardinal rule of real estate, but in today’s tricky market, location, timing and talent are what define this successful real estate team. Kevin and Jennifer Richards are the visionaries behind Homefront Realty.

They met in 1991 in St. Louis, MO. and married in 2004. Both sharing a common interest in real estate, they decided to purchase a few apartment buildings as investment properties. Using their knowledge from maintaining these buildings, they then decided to purchase and renovate a house in need of some TLC…and the rest, as they say, is history.

The satisfaction of transforming a run-down property into a home that a new family would love and grow in was extremely motivating.
They decided to quit their jobs in 1995 and went full time into real estate as investors.

Kevin and Jennifer would purchase the worst house on a street. They invested time and money and applied some good old fashioned elbow grease. Hearing gratitude and appreciation from so many neighbors while they were renovating these homes, made it even more rewarding. They knew they were making a difference in the community. They have bought and sold countless houses over the years.

When Kevin’s Dad learned he had lung cancer, this prompted them to sell everything and settle in Dunedin Florida in 2001.

During the major decline in the housing market, they saw a lot of their colleagues getting out of the profession. Knowing only the strongest and experienced realtors remained, they saw this as an opportunity to recruit them to their team by starting their own real estate brokerage firm. Homefront Realty is now a thriving local business currently offering professional agents multiple revenue options.

Homefront Realty offers realtors something that is unheard of with other brokerages… In addition to extensive training and warm leads for all “traditional” real estate, they have an in house bank negotiation company dedicated to handling all the time consuming bank contacts for their short sale listings.

There’s no charge to the agent or their clients for this service. Agents receive their FULL commission. This means the brokerage will handle all the “dirty work” and agents don’t have to be afraid of accepting short sale listings any longer. Kevin and Jennifer don’t want their agents bogged down on the phones with banks when they could be out building their own personal businesses.

Kevin and Jennifer “get transactions closed and help clients in a most beneficial way.” Clients appreciate the fact that they never give up and successfully tackle even the most challenging situations. Another philosophy followed by Kevin and Jennifer is that they always place the homeowners’ and agents’ best interest ahead of their own. They truly care about the individuals they serve and leaving a positive impact on the community. Homefront Realty strives to keep on the cutting edge of technology and a number one priority is to keep up with the constant changes that occur in the real estate industry. They fight for their clients and realtors when they get in to a challenging situation.

One story from Kevin and Jennifer that seemed to sum things up was a situation regarding an abandoned house in terrible condition in their neighborhood. Kevin contacted the owner and she said she fell behind on payments not knowing what to do. The bank would not work with her. Their in-house company ended up negotiating a complete satisfaction with her lender allowing them to sell it at today’s market value. Within 1 month they were able to sell the house to a person that fixed it up to be one of the nicest houses on the street.

The result; The homeowner avoided having a foreclosure on her credit and the potential for the bank to pursue her for any amount in the future. The person that purchased the house got a great deal on a fixer upper.

All realtors received their full commission.The community now has a beautiful home in their subdivision with a tax paying citizen maintaining it. This helps increase property values for the neighborhood.

When Kevin and Jennifer have some down time, they spend their time with friends in their Dunedin community. They found a lot of great friends in their neighborhood, sharing common interests. “Our friends have pretty much been our family over the years.”

Jennifer enjoys everything about cooking, and Kevin…well…likes everything about eating her cooking.
Kevin’s also likes playing music and collecting / restoring pinball games.

Kevin and Jennifer owe their success to the people they’ve surrounded themselves with: their outstanding staff. We also owe a good amount of gratitude to our happy home sellers, buyers & attorneys for their continued referrals.

You can hear some of their testimonials on their YouTube channel.. www.YouTube.com/HomefrontRealty

For additional information, go to www.HomfrontRealty.net or call 727-641-4444. The office is located at 29901 US Highway 19 North in Clearwater.

Filed Under: 2012, Entrepreneur, September 2012 – Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Business, Clearwater, Credit Report, Credit Score, Entrepreneur, Features, Florida, Forclosure, Homefront Realty, Jennifer Richards, Kevin Richards, Palm Harbor, Real Estate, Realtor, Short Sale, South Tampa, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tampa Bay

Commitment to Fitness

July 18, 2012 By Laurie Talerico Leave a Comment

John Kent

Admit it, sometimes working out can be a bore. For some women it’s one more thing on the daily to-do list that’s as thrilling as doing the dishes. But thanks to the creative mind of John Kent, the North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp for Women is here putting an exciting new spin on fitness training. His motto is a commitment to fitness, fun and friendship. And if you are ready for an exciting change to the average workout routine, then this is the program for you. Boot camps aren’t just for soldiers anymore.

John Kent, owner and fitness coach, has been a certified personal trainer for 10 years and was a stage performer before that. He started the boot camp in October 2007, combining his experience as a personal trainer and stage performer to transform the rudimentary workout into a fun fitness experience that takes the drudgery out of exercise and makes working out an adventure to look forward to.

The boot camp concept came from California, and it provides two key elements that personal training at a traditional gym cannot do. One element is the boot camp makes time fly and it puts the adventure into a workout. When you are mentally engaged in an energizing activity, there is no chance for boredom to set in. Secondly, it is also affordable. Five days of boot camp training costs the same as one session with a personal trainer and the results are amazing. John’s philosophy is that exercise shouldn’t be what one lives for, but what helps one to live better.

Behind all of the fun, there is a scientific theory to this fitness program. This is life changing, science-based fitness and nutrition coaching exclusively for women. The training is different every day. Time in boot camp moves so fast then BAM! it’s over before you know it. Expert fitness instruction is provided so clients can be assured they are doing purposeful workouts, not just random exercises. Every day is an adventure and every day is different. Since the body is efficient and designed to become conditioned to routine, John’s training activities change every five to seven minutes during each session so the body won’t have a chance to become complacent. John uses a combination of resistance training and interval training to “blast fat off the body.” Training is offered three times a day, 5:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m., to fit into everyone’s schedule. The boot camp meets outside in the open air so clients workout in a natural setting instead of inside a gym. During the summer months, the 9:00 a.m. boot camp meets indoors to avoid the intense Florida heat.

John’s program also includes habit-based nutrition coaching to teach clients how to develop habits and rituals to aid in weight loss and maintain long term success. He is committed to a program with proven results. He realizes there are many diet and exercise programs on the market that claim “quick fixes and magic bullets.” But, there isn’t a fix-all pill, fad diet or pixie dust anyone can use to transform themselves. John accentuates the positive and likes to focus on what clients can do, not on what they can’t do. The combination of John’s science-based exercise program and habit-based nutrition coaching is his recipe for long term success. “This way the weight loss effort is not like the movie Groundhog Day where you’re always starting over with the next new diet, new exercise program, new pills or gadgets.”

This boot camp positively impacts the women who commit to the program, but there is one instance that touched John and remains in his thoughts. One day he noticed one of his clients off to the side, crying. He approached her with concern and asked if she was alright. She told him that she felt silly, but that she was crying tears of joy because she’d finally found a program she could stick with. John realized at that moment what a huge impact he could have on the ladies in the boot camp and in the community. John is able to inspire his clients and keep them enthusiastic, which motivates them and keeps them moving in a healthy direction. John, in turn, owes his success to God and is motivated and inspired by his wife, a/k/a “Super Assistant Extraordinaire.” He says her support allows him to be a better trainer and coach while she keeps everything running smoothly in the office and their home with their four young children.

The home base for the North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp for Women is north Pinellas county and is easily accessible to clients in Pinellas, Pasco and east Hillsborough counties. For more information go to www.BootCampRocks.com or call 727-420-8139.

Filed Under: 2012, Entrepreneur, July/August 2012 - Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Entrepreneur, Features, Fitness, Health, John Kent, North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp for Women, Tampa Bay, Weight loss

Commitment to Excellence

May 19, 2012 By Nina Stanley 1,268 Comments

Dr. Seema Amin - Photo: Lisa Sibley

If you have been putting off going to the dentist for years, you are not alone. Ninety million people in the US do not see a dentist because of fear. Dr. Amin and her team have completed a comprehensive and rigorous training program in sedation dentistry through the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation Educational Course. Anxiety free dentistry not only creates a relaxing and anxiety free experience for you but it allows Dr. Amin to accomplish more dentistry in a single visit. Comfortable and relaxing visits to a dentist are no longer a dream… now you can dream away while we help take care of your dental needs. Along with being an affiliate of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry she feels it is important to continue education constantly and has attended many lectures and courses.

Dr. Seema Amin has a unique style of working with you to develop a personal dental plan to help you resolve whatever dental needs you may have. After finishing her dental education at the University of Florida, she continued her training by completing a General practice residency in Dayton, OH at the VA Medical Center. She has been a practicing dentist for over 13 years and purchased her own private practice in July 2011.

Dr. Amin has a great interest in all aspects of dentistry and offers a wide variety of dental services including composite fillings, crowns, veneers, root canals, dentures, partials, tooth extractions, implants, Invisalign, 6 Month Smiles, and more.

Her office in Tarpon Springs offers state of the art dental technology such as digital x-rays intraoral cameras with cavity detection, TVs in every room, and dental software that makes the office paperless. Tarpon Dental is conveniently located on the border of Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs servicing both Pinellas and Pasco County. Her commitment to excellence allows her to utilize the newest techniques and materials available in modern dentistry to maintain the highest quality of care for her patients.

Dr. Amin is dedicated to making your dental experience an enjoyable one. She genuinely loves dentistry and believes in preventative measures as well as patient education. Her goal is to help every patient obtain a beautiful and healthy smile for a lifetime.

One of the most rewarding experiences in the dental field is when there is a personal transformation within a patient. It is very fulfilling to know you made a difference in their appearance and dental health, making it possible for them to smile confidently once again.

Dr. Amin treats every patient as if they were a member in her family. Family is important to her and her goal is to meet all of your dental needs as she would her own family.
In addition to her passion for dentistry, Dr. Amin loves spending time with her two beautiful daughters, Riana and Reyna. Dr. Amin owes her continuing success to her parents and husband, Sanjiv. They are extremely supportive of her passion for dentistry.

Dr. Seema Amin - Tarpon Dental - Open House - Photos: Lisa Sibley

Tarpon Dental’s Open House Ribbon Cutting Was A Huge Success. Dr. Amin, her family and her staff were grateful that the Tarpon Springs vice mayor, Chris Alahouzos and Commisioner, Jeff Larsen honored them with the chamber in this memorable event. It was a nice opportunity for the community to tour our office and visualize the relaxing environment we have created for our patients.

Filed Under: 2012, Entrepreneur, May/June 2012 - Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Dentist, Dentistry, Dr. Seema Amin, Entrepreneur, Features, Green, Health, Palm Harbor, Tampa Bay, Tarpon Dental, Tarpon Springs

Gene McDonald – Green Interior Artist Extraordinaire

April 16, 2012 By Nina Stanley 22 Comments

Gene McDonald - Photo: Lisa Sibley

PV: Why did you choose this business or line of work?
Gene: I love art and woodworking, especially fixing things.

PV: What is your primary role or duty in your company?
Gene: ALL phases, mainly project management and researching design trends.

PV: What sets you apart from your competition?
Gene: I personalize kitchens, baths and furniture. While many sell the most popular, I tend to attract those who want something which is not as popular. Recycled Glass, precious stone slab, and Paperstone; My own blend of Crystal top that customers can put whatever they want into the tops as well as backlight.

PV: What would you be doing now if it weren’t for your business, taking money out of the equation?
Gene: Helping people who need a chance in life, I don’t like to give hungry people fish too much; I’m one of those who would rather teach them how to fish.

PV: What do you do for fun?
Gene: WORK and Dance!

PV: Who or what is most important to you, personally or professionally?
Gene: Personally it is my mom who passed away too young of Leukemia. I can actually feel my heart swell up as if she says, Keep doing the next right thing. She always told me to be kind, but not a doormat and make as many friends as possible (she would have loved Facebook). Professionally I want to always be able to give back, many of my heroes in Tampa Bay give back. They welcomed me to help out even though I did not have much money, I was able to offer my hands, my smile, my countertop scraps, and my shop to help inspire the Children of CASA, Boys and Girls Clubs and countless others. It feels like my Mom swells up my heart when I am around these people…It’s my own personal awesomistic feeling. I love life like crazy!

PV: A little secret about you that would shock those who don’t know you!
Gene: I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t do Drugs, I don’t smoke Cigarettes and I love Hardcore Thrash Punk rock as well as Motown music. People always think I am on something because I enjoy wherever I am at. They spend big money on booze to act like me…LOL

PV: What are your personal and professional mottos?
Gene: Personal~ you cannot make a plant grow by pulling on it! Professional~ you cannot discover new oceans unless you have courage to lose sight of the shore.

PV: When you were five, what was your dream to be when you grew up?
Gene: Bruce Lee and a cartoonist

PV: Have you achieved all or most of your dreams thus far?
Gene: Yes, I am so glad I didn’t sign a contract because I achieved that dream 5 years ago. I am also grateful for all the friends and business I got. I feel that if my life doesn’t get any better than it is right now. I am ok with that. But I am Gene, Gene the dancing machine. Life is getting better by the minute…

About the President

Gene McDonald, President of Refresh Interiors Inc., is an active member of the Tampa Bay U.S. Green Building Council Chapter, the Florida Green Building Coalition, and the International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA). As a countertop fabricator specializing in green products, McDonald has worked on many LEED-certified projects in the area. He has recently earned Master Fabricator status from Vetrazzo Recycled Glass Surfaces, a status reserved for fabricators who have fabricated 50 Vetrazzo jobs that have demonstrated superior craftsmanship. Since then McDonald has quadrupled that number! He also won the International Surface Design Expo’s Best Commercial Application Award in 2006 for his illuminated cobalt glass bar. In 2009, he won the Best Green Residential Kitchen award. He also won Best Green Small Application for his recycled paper toilet seat that glows in the dark. His top employee Hugh Simon won the Best Green Kitchen in 2010 and Best Design in Green Application in 2011. The newest edition of the Refresh Family, to lead the cabinet division is Chris Kessler. Master Cabinetmaker. Gene McDonald has spoken at The National Association of Home Builders and numerous Green Expos from Orlando to Las Vegas. Gene McDonald is proud to be what some call a Green Interior Artist. He shares his green projects with the world to smash the misconception that green design is bland and boring. His very own creation called Crystal Top was used in the upcoming film Step Up 4 from Touchstone Pictures.

Filed Under: 2012, 2012, April 2012 - South Tampa, April 2012 – Tampa Bay, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - ST, South Tampa, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Artist, Bars, Bathroom, Counters, Countertop Fabricator, Designer, Entrepreneur, Features, Gene McDonald, Green, Green Interior Artist, Kitchen, Master Fabricator, Recycled, Recycled Glass, Refresh Interiors Inc, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Bay

Commitment, Pride & Experience – S.T. Anthony Contracting

March 18, 2012 By Nina Stanley 25 Comments

Julia Anthony, Benjamin Anthony, and Stephen T. Anthony - Photo: Nicole Geller

Steven T. Anthony literally has business in his blood having grown up spending his summers working with his father who is a general contractor and his uncle, a custom home builder. In the summer of 1997, he decided to branch out by starting S.T. Anthony Contracting, Inc., a full service home improvement and building company based in the Tampa Bay Area.

He chose this business because of a fascination with the process of transforming something that is considered at the end of its usefulness into a thing of beauty and ready for people to enjoy. It was a natural fit for him to carry on the family business while helping people improve their homes through providing quality construction services. With the economy the way it is today, clients are happy with the affordability of their services.

The difference from other contractors and their competition is that Steven has a strong desire to provide his lifelong expertise with a high level of professionalism during the build/remodel process. They strive to make the customers home improvement project experience a pleasant one without the worries that may occur when beginning a renovation or improvement project. It is his priority to be present on every job site and to personally lead the project.

In five years, it is the hope that the company be recognized, respected and trusted in the South Tampa community as well as continually developing their reputation for high quality home improvements and superior service. They want to be the first one a client thinks of as a referral to a future customer. In the long run like any other successful business, being able to employ and serve more customers is a goal.

Steven volunteered recently alongside other general contractors using donated construction materials to assist a homeowner who would not have been able to do necessary repairs. Giving back is a big part of their business. The company belongs to Tampa Bay Business Builders and the Better Business Bureau.

The success of the business is a direct result of the planning and dedication that their family puts into ensuring that each of their clients has a positive, memorable experience working with us. He is married to his childhood sweetheart and biggest fan, Julia, and is father to son, Benjamin. Also in the family are two ShihTzus, Max and Bailey.

Filed Under: 2012, 2012, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - ST, March 2012 - South Tampa, March 2012 – Tampa Bay, South Tampa, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Construction, Entrepreneur, Features, General Contractor, Home, Home Improvement, S.T. Anthony Contracting, South Tampa, Steven T. Anthony, Tampa, Tampa Bay

Patient Satisfaction – Florida Joint Care Institute

March 18, 2012 By Nina Stanley 30 Comments

Henry William Hanff, MD; Jennifer Lynne Cooke, MD; and Stephen Anthony Hanff, MD

In November 2011, Florida Joint Care Institute was cofounded by Henry William Hanff, M.D., Jennifer Lynne Cook, M.D. and Stephen Anthony Hanff, M.D. Among the three, they have a combined experience approaching 50 years. Together they are committed to providing exceptional orthopaedic care to the community in an efficient and compassionate manner. They bring with them a diverse and comprehensive knowledge of bone and joint pathology to deliver gold standard care that is unrivaled. They have affirmed their commitment to their vocation by building their new state of the art facility in Trinity.

Although the partners have diverse backgrounds, they unite with the one common goal to provide comprehensive and unparalleled orthopaedic care. Dr. Henry Hanff has been serving the community as an orthopaedic surgeon since 1973. He started working in an operating room as an orderly at age 17 and never looked back. The depth of his experience with joint replacement is unparalleled. Having performed more than 8,000 joint replacements, he brings a practical fund of knowledge to the group that is invaluable. He also is a world-renowned lecturer in fracture care as faculty for the AO foundation and travels to Europe every year to teach surgeons from around the world.

Dr. Jennifer Cook has been practicing in the community since 2006 and has already made tremendous contributions. After completing both her medical and orthopaedic training at M.I.T. and Harvard, she spent an additional year at the Insall Scott Kelly Institute in New York where she mastered knee and shoulder reconstructive surgery. She is also an expert in fracture care as an alumnus of the AO Foundation. Here in the community she has volunteered her expertise at the Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco and has poured her heart and soul into the organization WOGO that she cofounded. WOGO, or Women Orthopaedist Global Outreach Program, is a nonprofit organization that performs joint reconstructive surgery in third world countries. Having recently performed dozens of knee replacements in Nepal and Guatemala sets her apart as a true humanitarian.

Dr. Stephen Hanff has been in practice for nearly three years after completing five years of orthopaedic residency at the University of Florida. There he had the privilege to work with some of the finest surgeons for the Gators, and additionally focused his time mastering joint replacement and revision reconstruction. As an alumnus of the AO Foundation, he brings a level of expertise in fracture care to a community beset with fractures secondary to osteoporosis. Having been born and reared in the community, he is privileged to live here with his wife and two daughters to serve those who shaped and inspired him.

They stand apart from the rest by being able to provide necessary comprehensive joint care within the community. In addition to offering a wide array of orthopaedic services including fracture care, sports medicine, arthroscopy and joint replacement, they routinely perform revision joint replacements and complex deformity reconstructions. With a growing need for revision reconstruction in the community, they look forward to address the problems the community will face in the future.

Their new facility in Trinity was built to meet these growing needs. A new and beautiful state of the art building with over 13,000 sq ft provides the serene atmosphere for patients to meet the experts. Within the building they can perform X-rays, physical exams, injections, schedule surgery and perform physical therapy. With most insurances accepted, they are able to see almost anyone. Although they work exclusively out of their new location in Trinity, they routinely see patients from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus counties. They are proud to be small business owners where they have the autonomy to put patient care first and not be beholden to a parent corporation and its profits.

Although their collective experience is diverse, they present with one common goal- to provide exceptional orthopaedic care to the community. Their humanitarian efforts extend far beyond the office walls and transcend the confines of the workweek. They are proud to continue the tradition of volunteering their services pro bono to the high school athletes by performing annual physicals. They continue to be an educational resource to the community on topics such as arthritis and osteoporosis. All three share the same gratitude for their blessings and are grateful for every opportunity they have to give back. They exemplify everything it means to truly be a physician.
Florida Joint Care Institute… diligent, efficient and compassionate.

Filed Under: 2012, 2012, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - NP / P, March 2012 – Tampa Bay, March/April 2012 - North Pinellas/Pasco, North Pinellas / Pasco, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Dr. Henry William Hanff, Dr. Jennifer Cook, Dr. Stephen Hanff, Entrepreneur, Features, Florida Joint Care Institute, Health, Medicine, Orthopedic Services, Tampa Bay, Trinity

Passionate About Food & People

February 22, 2012 By Nina Stanley 264 Comments

Patrick and Linda Baldwin

Founder and CEO of Intelligent Gourmet, a “clean” lifestyle food company, Linda Baldwin started in the business 15 years ago with Amore Catering. Since then, she has worn many hats as a Manager, Chef, and Managing Partner. In 2010, the company’s focus shifted to preparing prepackaged “clean” meals and “clean” food products under the brand name, Intelligent Gourmet.

She had the good fortune of growing up watching her mother, father, grandmother and aunt prepare weekend and holiday meals. The care and effort they put into their cooking ignited a spark in her. She says, “Sometimes I think this profession is just in your blood.” She began her culinary career managing fine dining restaurants in the North East training and working with some of the top Chefs from around the country.

Intelligent Gourmet’s, Linda’s brain child, uses food that is all-natural, low-sodium, low-fat, gluten-free, and low-glycemic-carbohydrate. Their “clean” food line includes snacks, salad dressings, sauces, and individually prepackaged gourmet quality meals and “clean living” meal plans. Traditionally, consumers wanting to eat healthy had to put up with low quality, small portion, and bland meals. Now everyone can eat healthier and make changes that will improve the quality of their lives. Liz Keiffer, Certified Holistic Health and Nutrition Counselor, describes it as “Solving a problem created by food with food.”

The biggest difference in Intelligent Gourmet’s food is not a weight loss specific diet; weight loss is merely a byproduct of eating “clean.” Eating “clean” is also not about fueling your body; it’s about satisfying your taste buds, it’s about learning to eat well, and most importantly it’s about an eating/dietary lifestyle change. The company changes the menu every week with a large variety of items that include wild caught and fresh fish, prime beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin, all natural chicken breast, as well as vegan and vegetarian options. Nothing gets served or put on one of the menu unless it meets her expectations.

The restaurant is a fun upscale environment where one can always find an expert to talk about meals, allergies, and specific likes and dislikes so customers can build a custom meal plan. Everything is made onsite from scratch so it is easy to adapt a recipe as necessary for sensitivities to allergies with family and kid friendly meals under the Intelligent Gourmet and Amore Catering (Amore ToGo) brands.

Linda plans that within the next five years that the company will expand throughout Florida and regionally to satisfy the growing demand for high-quality healthy food products and prepackaged meals. She is actively seeking strategic investors who share the same vision. Her long term goal is to see Intelligent Gourmet products distributed nationally through retailers. For now, service is offered to Tampa, St. Petersburg, New Tampa and Lutz and they also can ship overnight anywhere in a 400 mile radius of their current store.

A member of the Culitvar Team, a group of chef’s hand selected to help support recipe development within the online community for Kraft Foods, Linda keeps busy. She is the community blogger in the neighborhood for WTSP and writes the dining out series for Panache Vue’, South Tampa. She holds a C.P.C.E designation from the National Catering Association and is a member of the American Association of Nutrition Consultants and is in the process of finalizing her C.N.C. designation. Amore’s Intelligent Gourmet was selected by Fit Kids Playground to provide the nutritional and educational component for the grant they received from WE CAN. Amore is recognized as a leader in the field of healthy cooking through Intelligent Gourmet and have written a curriculum that is used to educate pre-school and elementary children in Hillsborough County about the benefits of eating “clean” healthy.

In her personal life, Linda is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is blessed to be married to her best friend. Their shared love of the water gives them an escape to run around in the bay on their Boston Whaler whenever there is free time. Her children live in Gainesville and when she gets the opportunity to sneak out of town, she loves spending family time her children and grandchildren. She loves cooking in her kitchen for family and friends as well as at work.

She owes her success to God, her family and parents. Her Faith provided the confidence to pursue her passion. Her family never questions Linda’s dedication to them despite long work hours and her parents set the example for hard work. Her mentors, Dr. Joseph Guggino and His Son Joseph Guggino gave her the necessary “hand up.”

Being passionate about food and people, she owns a business that allows her to combine both. “Every day I get the satisfaction of helping customers to achieve their goal of taking a proactive approach to their own health by eating “clean” healthy meals!” says Linda with pride.

Filed Under: 2012, 2012, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - ST, February 2012 - South Tampa, February 2012 – Tampa Bay, South Tampa, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Amore, Amore To-Go, Catering, Dining, Entrepreneur, Features, Gourmet, Green, Health, Intelligent Gourmet, Linda Baldwin, Organic, Patrick Baldwin, Restaurant, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Wine & Dine

Dreams Do Come True

January 21, 2012 By Nina Stanley 28 Comments

Jim and Elaine Trotter

Jim and Elaine Trotter own and operate Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa, a custom window covering company that offers a convenient shop-at-home experience for window coverings and home décor accessories. The Trotter’s became involved with custom window treatments for a number of reasons. Jim worked as an executive in the apparel industry for almost 20 years and the Trotters moved to Tampa about ten years ago when the company where Jim worked relocated them yet again. But after giving the new location and management approx. 6 years, he decided to leave the company and the corporate world behind. On the flip side, Elaine had been out of the work force for over 20 years raising a family, managing the household and finances, and serving on charity boards. “We took almost 9 months off and decided that after 27 years of marriage we still liked being around each other, wanted to stay in Tampa, and eliminate Jim’s extensive travel schedule. We decided to pursue a life-long dream of owning a business together. Through a local career transition company, called Right Management, Jim met Rick Bisio with FranChoice. We both went through extensive personality profiling and interviews with Rick at FranChoice and based on our skill sets, goals, management backgrounds etc.; Rick recommended three franchises for consideration. We did extensive due diligence, and found that a gentleman and his wife, who were Budget Blinds pioneers in the state of Florida, wanted to sell their three Budget Blinds territories. Their storefront was conveniently located 10 minutes from our house.”

The Trotter’s chose Budget Blinds because of their strong business model, quality products and outstanding corporate support. Even in a downward economy Budget Blinds, Inc. has been ranked in the top 20 for financial strength 3 years in a row- #2 in 2011. Budget Blinds has also been ranked #1 in the window covering industry since 1996. “We pride ourselves on customer service- from the time you make an appointment to the professionalism of our design consultants, who are extremely knowledgeable and educated, all the way to our experienced installers. Really for us it’s all about customer service and our staff really makes it happen.”

What sets them apart from the competition? They are locally owned and operated but are proud to be affiliated with the #1 window covering franchise in North America. Having over 860 franchises in the US and Canada gives Budget Blinds great buying power. They have partnered with leading manufacturers to bring their clients quality window coverings at great prices. “We can then pass along those savings and exclusive warranties to our customers. We offer a very personalized shopping experience by bringing all of our samples to our clients’ home”. There’s no better place to shop for window coverings than in the rooms where the treatments will reside. They offer free in-home consultations and provide expert measuring and installation. They also offer peace of mind by eliminating all of the guesswork and answer all of your questions. In addition to manufacturers warranties, Budget Blinds stands by their products by offering an industry anomaly, a 5- year “no questions asked” warranty up to a lifetime warranty that is exclusive to Budget Blinds’ customers from their select manufacturers such as Hunter Douglas, private label Enlightened Style and Signature Series window treatments. Budget Blinds, through these select manufacturers, will replace your window treatments for any reason as well as any crazy scenario that happens to damage your product.

One of their most memorable experiences is their latest partnership with Ravinia Luxury Courtyard Villas as their preferred window covering provider, working with their wonderful sales and construction team and designing the window coverings for their models and new residents has been both fun and rewarding. They recently completed a project where they provided window treatments for 350 apartments at The Preserve at Alafia in Riverview and provided window coverings for the new Florida Medical Clinic building on State Road 54 in Land O’Lakes.

Their favorite part of owning a business is working together. Jim and Elaine are active members of Van Dyke Church. Jim loves to relax on the golf course, Elaine is an avid lover of all things organic, and enjoys writing for various publications. Both can be found working out together at LA Fitness. Panache asked Jim and Elaine who they feel they owe their success to. “First and foremost we owe our success to God. Secondly to an incredible team of experienced, caring individuals – true professionals who give the personalized design, service and quality our customers deserve. We have owned our Budget Blinds franchise for over 3 years now and in looking back, all the reasons we bought the franchise have come true. It has been a good fit for us and we could not be happier”.

Filed Under: 2012, 2012, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - NP / P, January/February 2012 - North Pinellas/Pasco, January/February 2012 - Tampa Bay, North Pinellas / Pasco, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Budget Blinds, Budget Blinds of Greater Tampa, Elaine Trotter, Entrepreneur, Features, Jim Trotter, Land O' Lakes, Window Covering

The Midas Touch

December 14, 2011 By Nina Stanley 18 Comments

Matthew and Jori Zarra

When it comes to water, how does someone go about choosing the right water treatment company for their family, home and business? Our options are plentiful but can also be very confusing for the consumer. Florida Water Treatment is the answer!

Florida Water Treatment and its President, Matthew Zarra is a family owned and operated business serving the Tampa Bay area since 1951. Florida Water Treatment was originally established by Matt’s father-in-law, Herb Bloom. Matt took over the company in 2004 when Herb was nearing retirement and contemplating selling the well established water treatment business, located in Dunedin on Main Street.

Although Matt had no previous experience in the water treatment industry, he did have great success in sales as a top producer with a very large pharmaceutical company; he holds an MBA and has the Midas touch when it comes to building longterm relationships with his customers.

Matt is the driving force behind Florida Water Treatment. He is the sales force, runs the day-to-day operations, and a Certifi ed Water Specialist after having learned everything about the business from his father-in-law. Herb taught Matt everything from the ground up, Matt had to learn every aspect of the business from delivering salt, servicing equipment and installing equipment.

Matt and Florida Water Treatment continue to offer the best customer service in the water treatment industry. The equipment is designed to handle the harsh water of the West Coast of Florida. The water here is consistently some of the hardest and most heavily chlorinated in the United States.

Florida Water Treatment employees no sales personal which means no pushy, high pressure scare tactics, or long in-home demonstrations. You will get one of the owners of the company or a factory trained service technician to help you size the right water treatment equipment for your home. Their equipment is custom built for your homes water. This means the equipment will have a long life and give your family the quality water you expect. At Florida Water Treatment their goal remains that following every sale service is provided second-to-none. Their pricing is half the price of the majority of water treatment companies out there. Florida Water Treatment is an OEM. They build all of their own equipment; this gives them the ability to use only the highest quality products to treat the water at the home it is being installed at, and the flexibility to build a variety of different water treatment units. No two homes water is a like.

Matt along with his wife Jori continues the family legacy that Jori’s dad started in the water treatment business. Their goal is to continue to build Florida Water Treatment as the dominant water treatment brand in the Bay area, and making it a household name, building upon their reputation as the most trusted name in the water treatment industry. Florida Water Treatment services Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Citrus and Hernando counties. They have won the Angie’s List Super Service award for the last two years; they are a proud member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating for WQA (Water Quality Association); a Pentair residential fi ltration platinum dealer and a GE platinum dealer. They also contribute to many local organizations; Jori is also a member of the Clearwater/Dunedin Junior League.

Having both grown up in Dunedin, Matt and Jori, along with their two kids, furry kids, Bailey and Zane who are also the offi cial greeters at the offi ces of Florida Water Treatment, love the outdoors and the water. They enjoy all types of water sports, boating, fi shing, wakeboarding, skiing and anything else having to do with water! They also spend a lot of time with family and friends and love going in search of new restaurants.

Matt’s success comes from two of the most infl uential people in his life. He learned a very strong work ethic at a young age from his dad who has successfully run a small business for over 30 years. His dad instilled the values and morals that Matt uses every day to run his own business now. His huge success in the water treatment industry he owes to his father-in-law, Herb for teaching him the right way is the only way. This is a company people love to do business with.

Filed Under: 2011, 2011, December 2011 - South Tampa, December 2011 – Tampa Bay, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - ST, South Tampa, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Dunedin, Entrepreneur, Features, Florida Water Treatment, Green Living, Home, Jori Zarra, Matthew Zarra, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Bay

César Lara – Creative, Passionate and Purposeful

November 15, 2011 By Nina Stanley 715 Comments

Dr. César Lara

“Creative, Passionate and Purposeful” – These three words describe Dr. César Lara best! For more than 20 years now, it has been his passion to become one of the most powerful forces in America’s ever growing obesity crisis…one patient at a time.

Dr. César Lara is a Board Certified Family Physician and a leading expert in the treatment of obesity and weight loss management. Dr. Lara’s dream of helping men and women overcome diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions related to obesity was realized with the emergence of the César A. Lara, MD Center for Weight Management as a premier weight loss center in Tampa Bay.

Although Dr. Lara has been treating obesity for over 20 years now, dating back to the day he first hung his shingle, it was about seven years ago that he changed the focus of his medical practice to tackle obesity head on! His main focus and his philosophy that drives him and his practice are to help people change their lifestyle, not to just lose weight. The only true way to do that is to make real adjustments, to change behavior. Diet by itself is not the answer to the true problem. We asked Dr. Lara what sets him apart from the competition, his reply was very humble. “I try not to compare myself to other people; a lot can be learned from many in our community and world. My main focus is to treat each and every patient individually; I don’t use a cookie – cutter program. I address their problem that will be a lifelong change for them, not temporary. At all of my clinics, we first recognize that it is a spiritual journey, how you think, how you react. We utilize hypnosis, nutritional supplements and the newest technology available, that’s how we do it”.

Dr. Lara treats patients from all over, not just the Tampa Bay area. Some come from as far as California and Latin America. Currently, there are 3 locations to serve you, Clearwater, Palm Harbor and St. Pete. Soon Dr. Lara will be expanding to Hillsborough County as well.

Dr. Lara is also a member of many, many organizations, is known for his strong personal faith and his many generous contributions to the Tampa Bay community. He also regularly appears on television as a medical contributor to Bay News 9 en Español.

Each and every patient is memorable to him, he feels they are a gift to him, they are allowing him to take care of them. Dr. Lara feels blessed by all his patients, but one in particular stands out just a little bit more that the others, his mom. Dr. Lara began treating her about five or six years ago. She was a diabetic, over weight and insulin dependent. He first told her to stop taking the insulin. She said to him “are you trying kill me?” Of course he wasn’t, he loved his mother, but he knew there were other ways to treat her diabetes. She questioned her own son, who was a doctor and a good one at that! He was right. Today, Mrs. Lara is 50 lbs. lighter and not on insulin.

When not treating patients, Dr. Lara is a family man, first and foremost. With his beautiful wife Penelope by his side and their three beautiful kids; Julian, Marcus and Zoe, his home is where his heart is. Zoe, who is fourteen, is the only child still at home, and she is daddy’s girl. Dr. Lara tries to spend as much time with her as possible and makes it a point to have a family dinner, each and every night, with his two favorite girls, Penelope and Zoe.

As much as he is out and about in our community, attending many events, César Lara is a very private man with only a very few close friends. He cherishes his friendships just the way he cherishes his family and all of his patients. He loves to relax with them in his home, enjoy a good glass of wine and philosophize about life. Panache Vue’ also asked Dr. Lara if there was something special he wanted to share with our readers, something that only those very close to him knew. His answer, he loves to dance and let his feet do the talking!

César Lara is someone you will never forget, if and when you are fortunate to meet him. Extremely handsome and very humble. Soft spoken, smart and exudes kindness and sincerity. He is also the founder of St. Michael’s Free Clinic and Weight Away Tampa Bay, his charitable organizations that provide free medical treatment to those who cannot afford it. His heart is bigger and heavier than its weight in gold!

Filed Under: 2011, 2011, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - NP / P, North Pinellas / Pasco, November/December 2011 - North Pinellas/Pasco, November/December 2011 - Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Bay News 9 en Español, Center for Weight Management, Clearwater, Diet, Dr. César A. Lara, Entrepreneur, Features, Health, Palm Harbor, Physician, South Tampa, St. Michael’s Free Clinic, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Weight Away Tampa Bay, Weight loss, Weight Management

DATZ DUET

November 15, 2011 By Nina Stanley 31 Comments

Suzanne and Roger Perry

Everybody’s had those dreams. You know the ones – giving up the corporate life and opening a bed-and-breakfast in an old mansion. Launching a restaurant and spending your days surrounded by great food and drink.

Everybody dreams it. But what’s it like to actually do it? “Absolutely insane,” says Suzanne Perry with a tired, but genuine laugh. And as the co-owner of Datz, she should know. “It’s completely different than what we had imagined,” she adds. The reality of running a restaurant is a lot grubbier than expected, especially one as wildly successful and community-embraced as Datz.

“There’s a ton of work that goes on behind the scenes that has absolutely nothing to do with food,” adds Roger Perry, the other half of the dynamic Datz duo. Of course, that reality has been especially hard for Roger, the foodie of the entrepreneurial couple, who dreamed of a kitchen where all of his ideas could come to life. Unfortunately, sometimes those ideas just don’t translate, whether its food cost, manageability or simply that the customers don’t like it.

Indeed, Suzanne likes to joke that the restaurant is actually all Roger’s fault, but that’s just the good-natured ribbing that goes in the Perry household. In truth, her business and marketing acumen is as integral to the genesis of Datz as Roger’s passion for food and entrepreneurial spirit. And after three years, the couple can honestly say that starting Datz has been a spicy blend of an enterprise that feeds their spirit and a blur of unexpected 20-hour days.

Not that either is afraid of hard work. In his first go ‘round, Roger purchased a small pet food and supply company in Columbus in 1984 and, over the next decade, turned it into the largest chain of pet food superstores in the Midwest. When Roger sold the company in 1994 to Petsmart (you know the one), he had a total of 31 superstores, more than 1,000 employees. In his second career, his long days were spent at the barn and the track breeding, racing and selling quarter horses. Similarly, Suzanne spent more than a decade as a high-level retail executive before transitioning into her second career as a magazine contributor, philanthropist and community activist.

That said they both credit their success to their combined ability to roll up their sleeves and attack the issues head on – even if means giving up some of their rose(mary)-colored expectations about how the business ought to run.

“Our success has definitely been in our ability to adapt,” says Suzanne. “We really listen to our customers and respond to their needs, and that has totally guided the changes in the restaurant.”

In fact, part of Datz’s charm has been its constant evolution. What started as a deli has now morphed into a charmingly vivacious, if eclectic, restaurant where overstuffed sandwiches are served comfortably beside bone-in ribeyes, beer-butt chicken and $1,500 bottles of scotch.
Which, if you know the Perrys, is exactly like they are – the kind of couple who likes to kick off their shoes, nosh on good ol’ comfort food while sipping extraordinary wines and hard-to-find bourbon.

Indeed, that might just be the favorite part of this whole experience, that they’ve created the very kind of casually upscale restaurant they were always searching for. “We joke that we never leave the restaurant, but even if we weren’t the owners, this would be exactly the kind of place where we would want to come,” says Suzanne.

Datz doesn’t really have a five or ten year goal other than to continue to grow and to innovate. And, well, it is a business, so being profitable is ideal. “Datz is so busy all the time that people think we’re landing our helicopter on the roof, but that’s far from the truth,” Suzanne says. “As a restaurant in this economic environment we are grateful to be doing as well as we are, but we are a new business, paying off start-up costs and investments like anyone else. I’d like to think that the helipad might come some day, but it’s not today’s reality,” she says with a laugh.

Roger, perhaps, sums it best: “When Suz and I look back over the last few years, the menu might have changed 1,000 times, but our mission is still the same: to be an everyday oasis from the bland and mundane. Which we are. We deliver amazing hand-crafted food and specialty products in a warm-hearted, fun-loving atmosphere and we still strive to serve every guest with a nice-to-see-you and thanks-for-coming attitude. And, of course, to invigorate the neighborhood and give back to those in need. Datz has definitely supported the community, giving generously to charities and school and families. And I believe that has come back to us tenfold. Even when we make mistakes – which we definitely have – we can still look back at this and see that we’re still living up to our mission. Somehow that makes all the blood, sweat and sleepless nights worthwhile.”

Filed Under: 2011, 2011, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - ST, November 2011 - South Tampa, November 2011 – Tampa Bay, South Tampa, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Datz, Dining, Entrepreneur, Features, Gourmet, MacDill Avenue, Restaurant, Roger Perry, South Tampa, Suzanne Perry, Tampa, Tampa Bay

Ultra Custom Group – Tampa Bay’s Only Premier Resource for the Home, Pool, and Outdoor Living Design and Build

October 14, 2011 By Nina Stanley 28 Comments

Panache Vue' Magazine - Entrepreneur - South Tampa - 10-2011 - Ultra Custom Group

Jay Puig and Zac Pease - Ultra Custom Group

Ultra Custom Group has been designing and building some of the Bay area’s finest home finishing’s for more than 25 years combined. Jay and Zac first met on a mutual project and impressed with one another’s attention to detail, forged what is today considered by many as the Bay area’s only premier resource for the Home, Pool and Outdoor Living Design and Build. Jay, having been part of many award winning design accomplishments throughout the Bay area and having worked on some of the most prestigious homes built in the Tri counties for the past twenty years. Zac, having been applauded in several design magazines for his impressive attention to detail in pool building and outdoor living spaces, well, it was obvious to both, that a mutual partnership was in the works. It was only a matter of time before they realized that it only made sense to unite the industries and offer a full spectrum of services that is Ultra Custom group today.

In an interview with Zac and Jay, Zac said, “It’s truly rewarding to see Jay’s ideas start on a piece of paper and to have the opportunity to materialize those ideas into the execution of the project.” Jay says, “The home is the most important aspect of the family structure. It is the foundation to which families are forged.” Zac says, “My home is exactly the way I want it. A certain amount of power comes with knowing that every finish detail, room by room, is a representation of who I am. I feel this makes me a better businessman and a better person.” Jay says, “A certain amount of comfort comes from living in an area that truly reflects who you are. I want to pass that feeling on to as many people as I can.”

The main focus of Ultra Custom Group is: Individual client wants and needs, custom design, and client satisfaction is a standard. “We are focused on building it faster and with a higher standard of quality!” Panache Vue’ asked Zac and Jay what sets them apart from their competition. “What competition? We are a one of a kind company. We offer the opportunity for our clients to set up a long term relationship with a single company for all of their home improvement needs. We want people to know that they can get everything they want from one place. That construction has changed because we changed it.”

Ultra Custom Group carries quality and well-known brands such as :Lloyd & Flanders, Pentair Pool Products, TrendUSA, Onyx, Mohawk, Jeffrey Court, Inner Styles, Calise Grills to name a few. Catering to those with a palette for taste and distinction!

Their long term goals, to continue to prove to their clients that this process can, and should be, an enjoyable experience. That they have to look no further on projects present and future. Ultra Custom Group services areas all over Tampa Bay and beyond! Although their main showroom, located at 1416 W. Kennedy Blvd. in South Tampa showcases a huge sampling of tile, granite, stone, flooring, cabinetry, hardware, pool & spa products, closet systems, pavers, and hardscape needs. Ultra Custom service areas include the following: The Tampa Bay Area, South Tampa, Davis Island, Tierra Verde, Snell Isle, Hyde Park, Orlando, Boca Grande, and all surrounding areas.

The most memorable or interesting work related experience they can remember was their first collective job. “The first time we were ever asked to do a finish package, pool remodel, outdoor kitchen and structure all as part of one job on a very impressive South Tampa home. It seems like forever ago, but I remember the feeling of gratitude I felt towards our client for believing in us and allowing us to show them they can get it all in one place. We are still friends with this client today, and have worked with him on the remodeling of his beach condo as well as the design and construction of several of his doctor’s offices. Today he is a member of a long list of people that can tell you, we are the last company you will ever need for your Home, Pool, and Outdoor Living Spaces!”

Their favorite part of owning the business is simple and very humble! “We cherish the thrill of the design process and the satisfaction of constructing the quality we design and knowing that no one can do it better!”

When you hear the name Ultra Custom Group, remember Home, Pool and Outdoor Living, custom without question!

Filed Under: 2011, 2011, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - ST, October 2011 - South Tampa, October 2011 – Tampa Bay, South Tampa, Tampa Bay Tagged With: Entrepreneur, Home, Outdoor Living, Pools, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Ultra Custom Group

David King – The Master Creator Behind DOMA Home Furnishings

September 18, 2011 By Nina Stanley 33 Comments

David King

What does DOMA stand for? The name is of Slavic origin and means “at home” which is exactly what you’ll feel like when you visit one of two exclusive designer showrooms and meet Mr. David King, the Master Mind behind DOMA!

After 20 years in the corporate world, with experience in Commercial & Interior design, Sales, and Human Resources in the Wholesale and Retail sectors, David made the decision to become his own boss and start a company that both fulfilled his passions for design and creativity. David was recruited out of college by a Furniture and Design firm called Scandinavian Design Gallery based in Natick, Massachusetts. They were a powerhouse in the industry in the 70s and 80s with over 200 locations. David quickly moved up the ranks to regional VP of Sales and Design in New York City and the surrounding tri- state area. Over the next 20 years and a few companies later, he found himself drifting away from what he enjoyed most – Home Furnishings and Design. “Subsequently, in my search to determine what way I’d accomplish this, I realized there was a void in the local marketplace for a full line contemporary home furnishings retailer that offered full customization and supported with design services. Hence, DOMA was born”!

David and his highly trained staff of professionals focus on providing a full line of contemporary and transitional furnishings with a concentration on quality build standards, customization and sourcing in a consultative, friendly, relaxed atmosphere. High quality construction and an ongoing focus on supporting American made products where possible.

DOMA Home Furnishings is unlike many other furniture stores, this is not a chain store but a family owned and operated business with a knowledgeable sales staff who will treat like family, not just a customer! David and his staff work hard to customize and provide you the piece you’re looking for, by listening to and getting to know all their customers on a personal level, because furniture is extremely personal and your home is a reflection of your personality.

David is involved in the community through many different ways, all coming from his heart. DOMA’s community outreach focused on the Arts – from 10 local artists whose work they display throughout their showrooms to their partnerships with various local organizations such as Pepin Heart Hospital and Pet Pal Rescue.

DOMA has an extensive line card that includes manufacturers that are synomous with quality such as API, Ekornes, BDI, Carter, Weiman, Dinec, Elite, Schillig, Lazar, Jaymar, Johnston Casual, Calligaris, Rossetto, Younger plus many lighting, Accessories, Rug and Art lines.

David’s five and ten year goals for DOMA are to grow in the local market with additional showrooms as well as develop a web presence. DOMA provides white glove delivery and set up locally from Ocala to Orlando and south to Naples. They also ship anywhere in the Continental US.

Panache asked David what his most memorable or interesting work related experience was and his favorite part of owning a business. “I’d have to say, it was the Grand Opening of the 1st store in St Pete. Seeing your vision and plan, from an idea to its inception, come to fruition through the support and help of family and friends was a very rewarding. There are several things I enjoy greatly, the independence of your decision making, seeing your ideas help transform the lives of others and the ability to provide for my family”.

In David’s spare time, he spends quality time with family and friends. “I’ve been with my partner for over 25 years, while not directly involved in the daily operations; he is actively involved and provides ongoing inspiration. Our dog, Darby, is the store greeter and the DOMA mascot with an ongoing following. Our home in St Petersburg is our ‘hobby’ as we are never ever finished with making it a reflection of us … it’s a constant work in progress. Many of my clients ask … ‘Your home must look beautiful’ … based on what we’ve been able to do for them, I reply that it’s like the cobbler that had no shoes … our home is never done”.

Three words that best describe David King and DOMA are Unique, Committed, and Evolving. David feels he owes his success to his family, especially his mother Lynn and his partner Ed and his core staff, Connie, Barbara and of course Darby!

If you’ve been searching for that one extra special piece to complete a room or are ready to redo and entire house, visit DOMA Home Furnishings today! 1916 South Dale Mabry, Tampa, 813-258-4500; 2540 22nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, 727-327-9400. www.DomaHomeFurnishings.com

Filed Under: 2011, 2011, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur - ST, September 2011 - South Tampa, September 2011 – Tampa Bay, South Tampa, Tampa Bay Tagged With: David King, DOMA, Entrepreneur, Furniture, Home, Home Furnishings, South Tampa, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tampa Bay

PanacheVue' May 2013