The District Magazine Vol. 2 Issue 3, Fall 2017

CHANNEL DISTRICT / DOWNTOWN / HARBOUR ISLAND / YBOR

Published by

mashedmediagroup.com

TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

FALL 2017

district, noun dis•trict \`dis-(,)trikt\ : an area or section that has some special characteristic or purpose : a region or locality marked by a distinguishing feature One of the greatest parts about my position is the number of people I’m able to meet and learn their story. The extraordinary wins, unsettling losses, and my favorite; the stories about a person struggles and adversity while climbing the upward hill that seems always to become higher with more obstacles. We all have wins and losses, but the people that choose never to quit pressing forward are real Movers and Shakers. In our annual Fall Movers and Shakers issue, we aim to celebrate and showcase individuals who continue to push forward. Some have been pushing forward for years, and others have just started. However, they are all Movers and Shakers. Take some time to learn a little more about all of them; some might even surprise you. On page 20 we kick it off with honoring some of the historical people that helped shape Tampa in many ways. We chose to highlight a few from the past that you might not have heard of before.

Managing Director Ed Suyak

The District Group Publisher Ed Suyak Creative Director Rob Stainback Editorial Controller Danielle Topper Associate Publisher CJ Cooper Fit District Contributor Coach John Forbes Suits & Sneaks Contributor Kristin Leigh Fashion Forward Contributor Kristin Wright Lifestyle Contributor Jon Michaels Startup Contributor Melanie Hicks PhD.

For most of the rest of the country, Fall means cooler weather, leaves changing colors and the start of wearing layers. In Tampa, none of that applies. We still have plenty of beach days and outdoor barbeques but occasionally a few cooler days sneak in. Check out Kristin's Fall Fashion Foward on page 14 for those cooler days but don't forget to read Fit District by Coach Forbes to stay fit for all the other days.

Cover Corrine Oliivia, George Hamilton, Matt Masifilo

You are going to want to spend a little extra time in this issue's Suits & Sneaks on page 16. Our other Kristin is giving you her roadmap on becoming a Rockstar, and it is interactive. Please welcome our newest contributor, Melanie Hicks Ph.D. Check out her brand new section titled STARTUP on page 8. This section will consist of content surrounding Tampa's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and the innovations that are happening in in our backyard.

Special Thank You To: Le Méridien Tampa Hotel, The Rialto Theater, Opes Health, The Tampa History Museum

Hope you enjoy this issue. Be part of the movement!

Cover Photo By: Romeo Duncombe-Clarke www.dunphotostudios.com

Photography by Lindsey Meyer

Cheers, Ed “eddy” Suyak Group Publisher

Interested in Advertising? Have a good idea for an article? publisher@ mashedmediagroup.com

The District magazine is always looking for new article ideas, upcoming events and overall readership feedback. We are currently seeking freelance contributors. Email all submissions, ideas and feedback to publisher@mashedmediagroup.com Mashed Media Group does not assume responsibility for the advertisements, nor any representation made therein, nor the quality or deliverability of the products themselves. Reproduction of articles and photographs, in whole or in part, contained herein is prohibited without expressed written consent of the publisher, with the exception of reprinting for news media use. Printed in the United States of America.

CHANNEL DISTRICT / DOWNTOWN / HARBOUR ISLAND / YBOR

TAMPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Contents

08 20 08 Startup:

Tampa Bay WaVE is Moving and Shaking

14 Fashion Forward: Don't Be Basic

16 Suits & Sneaks:

Create a Map to the Road You Were Meant to Travel

20 Historical Movers & Shakers 23 Bartender Mover & Shaker Spotlight

26 Movers & Shakers 43

Fit District

45 Rants & Raves: Cuba

T A

Tampa Bay WaVE is

Welcome to the inaugural release of STARTUP, a new section for The District where we shed light on Tampa’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and the groundbreaking innovations being homegrown right in our backyard.

MOVING & SHAKING By Melanie Hicks PhD.

“Entrepreneurship is not a part time job. Its not even a full time job. It’s a lifestyle.” - Carrie Layne One glance at their news page or their event calendar and you learn three things about the Tampa Bay WaVE - they are fun, they are busy and they are making real impact for Tampa. Hidden in a historic downtown brick building on Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa Bay WaVE, Inc. has been a mover and shaker, transforming the startup community since 2008. With ‘by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs’ as their motto, they support over 150 tech startups and over 250 entrepreneurs that call Tampa Bay home. The WaVE is a nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization hosting both a co-work space and a growth accelerator program. Unique in this industry, the WaVE takes no equity and has a low cost of entry. The WaVE focuses on technology entrepreneurial endeavors, and selection for their program consists of an application, interview and presentation of a solid business plan.

Tampa Bay WaVE launched its nationally recognized FirstWaVE Venture Center and tech business accelerator program in March 2013, thanks to the 2012 i6 Challenge Grant, awarded to a collaborative regional partnership including the University of South Florida (USF) and Tampa Bay WaVE, along with a network of universities, local businesses, nonprofits and public sector partners. FirstWaVE has been incredibly successful in connecting high-growth startups with mentorship, early stage capital and other critical resources to foster an innovation-driven economy for the region. To date, FirstWaVE has supported over 125 local startups who collectively have created and retained over 500 jobs, and raised over $20 million in outside CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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investment capital, making it one of the critical economic drivers for the region.* Once accepted, budding companies are immersed in a robust network of support; from Entrepreneurs in Residence sharing their success stories to business strategy mentors helping navigate the intricacies of the startup process. Known as the “great connector”, the WaVE President Linda Olsen makes sure each business in the accelerator is recognized for its unique selling proposition, including specialized focuses like women or Veteran run businesses. They strive to connect each business with people that can provide a variety of time, talents and treasures to help the businesses succeed. So let’s meet a few of the companies behind these success numbers.

Harness A small company with a big mission. Putting your spare change to a good cause, the Harness app allows you to customize charities or causes to donate to by simply rounding up purchases. Complete with real time reports and white label options for non-profits, these social change entrepreneurs are out to make change with change.

iTrekkers Unleash the outdoors. This outdoor adventure company takes the stress out of your next outdoor adventure. From fishing to camping; hiking to kayaking; their network of top industry guides from all across the state of Florida make sure you have nothing but the best experience. No equipment, experience or geographic location knowledge required. Just book, show up and have a good time.

Priatek Engaging consumers through fun experiences. This promotions company helps local & national advertisers create breakthrough strategies leveraging gamification & social networks. Priatek designs & manages prize promotions with interactive kiosks, mobile devices & other digital products. And who doesn’t like fun? 10 10

Beyond the great work happening inside the WaVE, they are striving to play an integral role in the external transformation currently underway in our region. The WaVE has a 5-year vision of “50 & 5 in 5” - at least 50 tech startups develop into successful fundable ventures and at least 5 tech startups reach the path to breakout success. A lofty goal but one in perfect harmony with the current downtown climate. It has been well documented that technology is an underrepresented industry and bringing the value of the tech industry to our City’s core is part of the WaVE’s community impact. The physical redevelopment of our downtown is a powerful symbol of growth but the synergies between those physical structures and the businesses needed to make our economy thrive is one way the WaVE is giving back to our community. Want to engage with the WaVE? Become a mentor or supporter. Have an idea for a tech focused start up? Apply for their incubator or inquire about Cowork space. All the information you need can be found at www.tampabaywave.org.

Special Thanks to Shane Needham, Tampa Bay WaVE Board Member and Peter Bedrosian from iTrekkers for their contributions to this article. *From the Tampa Bay WaVE website

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F A

N F

W A

Don't be

BASIC

By Kristin Wright

Fall fashion is everything but that! Color palettes shift towards warmer shades with bold accents — pop colors, metallics and mixed fabrics just to name a few. You will see a spin on common themes from earlier this year with similarities to 70’s and 80’s fashions.

Unfinished Business

Denim is back in focus with unfinished hems, ankle length styles and more distress than ever! For fall, you will see an added touch to destruction with inset details (lace and fishnet!). High-waist and relaxed boyfriend fits ease over from summer.

Pair It. Wear It. • Head to your favorite happy hour spot in an ankle length jean with rugged hems paired with a puff sleeve blouse or cut-out off shoulder top. Accessorize with a trendy multi-layered necklace. o Add some personality with a printed bootie. Kate Spade and Charles David have some great options in their fall collections. • A boyfriend blazer is a great layering piece that can take you from work to play that is easily paired with your favorite denim.

Men, the Moto jean is an essential add to your wardrobe. This Balmain inspired style is seen across a myriad of brands in both basic and fashion styles featuring extra hardware, coated finishes and even athleisure fabrications. This style is easily dressed up or down to fit your agenda.

Pair It. Wear It. • Slide into your nightlife spot in a pair of denim Moto’s paired with a statement tee. Throw on a light fitted blazer to finish your look. Polish it off with a Givenchy Urban Knots Lo Sneaker in a pop color or a pair of Golden Goose Superstars. o Take it up a notch with the Saint Laurent Wyatt Chelsea Boot, which offers versatility. Pair them with a cropped ankle-length denim for day with a fitted short sleeve button up. Create a modern Euro style for any trendy event in Tampa Bay.

Statement denim is HUGE for both men and women. Patch work, embellishments and two-tone details are just a few of the additions to basic denim. Brands like Levi’s have exclusive capsules that encompass all of these trends.

14 14

WEAR a Statement

Show us how you really feel by wearing it! Statement tees have become a big trend expressing anything from guac being extra to politics. Add a tee instead of a button down under a blazer or jacket and express yo’self!

REDy or Not… You can be a showstopper in your RED not just at Raymond James! Against traditional fall shades, this pop color can be accented to bring life to any wardrobe. This hue is daring and is going to be seen in head-to-toe ensembles.

Pair It. Wear It. • Create a tonal look by mixing your reds. For example, pair a Crimson bottom or top with a Cabernet to create a color-block. Feel daring? Top it with another tone of red in your bag and shoe. o You can also finish this look with a bootie, boot or heel depending on your #mood.

Men, get REDy with new boldness in prints and fabrications. Ted Baker, Hugo Boss and Diesel have some great wovens that can be paired for day or night.

Pair It. Wear It. •P air a printed silk button down with clean tapered or slim straight denim. Transform this lax look to business dressy with a slack and blazer or sport coat.

Shine bright. Not just at night… Metallics are not just used for evening wear! Designers create tasteful masterpieces not just for party looks, but for your daytime adventures as well. • Add a touch of metallic to your look in a shoe or handbag • Rock IT! Pair a metallic mini skirt or pleated midi with a statement tee and flat bootie for day. Layer with a motorcycle jacket for a street chic look.

This season plays on numerous trends. Look out for mixed fabrications in outerwear, quilted details and velvet (YES! Velvet!) as we transition into fall and holiday.

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S & S

Create a Map to the Road You Were Meant to Travel By Kristin Leigh

Hi I’m Kristin. And I spent the last 10 years of my life working in a field that didn’t fulfill me. It didn’t make me happy. It merely supported me, financially. And when 2017 came knocking at my door with a heap of personal and health issues, I told myself that enough was enough. I had to start creating a life that I could enjoy. Except it wasn’t that easy. I’d say it took a solid six months of mass anxiety for me to figure out exactly which route to go. So, let me spare you the sleepless nights and mental breakdowns, and let’s fast forward to the last thing I did

So grab a pen and paper because you’re going to do some exercises. Oh, and pour yourself some wine. I need you to not overthink things. Don’t apply logic. Just answer these questions straight from your heart. Step 1: Shut your eyes and be still for a moment. Just breathe. Picture yourself at the highest point of your ideal life. What might you be doing? Who is standing next to you? If you were walking off the stage, taking the last bow of your career, what did you do that made everyone stand up and applaud? How do you want people to remember you?

Write these answers down on the right-most side your blank paper. This is your Point Z.

that finally answered the why and how I would change the trajectory of my career.

However, this article is going to be about YOU. 16 16

Point A Current State

ors ivat Mot

Step 2: Now, with your successful self still in mind, let’s start to move backwards. Imagine your ideal resume. What kinds of experiences would you have in the one-to-five years leading up to your shining moments in Point Z? Who were the people that surrounded you? What type of environment were you in? What skills did you have? What resources , i.e. time, tools, help, were you working with?

Step 5: Connect the dots. If you sit back and look at what you just wrote, you’ll likely see a gap between the job you’re in now, Point A, and the job that’s going to finish off your dream career, Point Z. You’ll most likely see a gap between your Point A and Points M-P. But pay close attention to the differences in the environments, the resources, and the people you’re currently surrounding yourself with. How do they compare to those you should be surrounding yourself with for your future success? Are you ok with these differences? Or is it time to get moving in a new direction?

Write these answers down in the middle of your paper. We’ll call these, say, points M – P. Step 3: Now, come back to your current state, where you actually have been and where you are right now. Where do you work? What type of environment are you currently in? What type of people are you surrounded by? What skills and resources do you currently have? What motivates you to go to work? What de-motivates you?

No need to panic. Your answers to Step 4 are the fuel to your tank to get you there. And they might be more aligned with your Points M through Z than you think.

Write these answers down on the left side of your paper. This is your Point A.

Point Z High-Point of Your Career

Step 4: Acknowledge your talents. Ignore everything you’ve already written down since it pertains to “work-life,” and just write down what you really enjoy doing. What are you super good at, and what would you love to learn?

M N EW

De -M ot iva to rs

TAL EN TS

BR ING IT H OM ER OC KS TAR !

SK IL LS Essentially what we did here was create your dream resume. BUT, we started with your end goals in mind rather than where you’re at now. Backwards is key in this exercise because it’s so easy to get distracted by your current occupation’s status quo. Right now, you know best what you know best. If you want to move in a different direction, ignore the noise that you’re familiar with and shift focus to learn what you really want. You can access and complete the full roadmap I created at www.suitsandsneaks.com. There, you can also see how I used my talents from Step 4 to create my own roadmap from Point A to Point Z. Best of luck to you! THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

Historical MOVERS & SHAKERS Submitted by the Tampa Bay History Center, 8/28/2017

George Mercer Brooke

Clara Frye

In 1980, construction workers in downtown Tampa made an unexpected discovery: As they dug the foundation of a new parking garage, they uncovered the remains of more than 100 U.S. soldiers and 42 Seminole Indians, dating from the 1830s and 1840s. They all once lived on or near Fort Brooke, arguably the genesis of modern-day Tampa.

Arriving in Tampa in 1901, Clara C. Frye committed her life to providing medical care to Tampa’s black citizens. She began caring for the sick and injured black population in her Tampa home. In 1923, she moved to a small 17-bed hospital on Lamar Avenue, relying on donations to alleviate financial struggles. In 1928, the City of Tampa purchased the hospital, then known as the Tampa Negro Hospital, renaming it the Clara Frye Memorial Hospital after her passing 1936.

That fort got its name from the man chosen to lead it – Lt. Col. George Mercer Brooke who, at the ripe old age of 37, headed up the Hillsborough River on behalf of U.S. Army to establish a fort “at Tampa Bay.” Though not here long, Brooke deserves credit for building and leading the encampment that would eventually become downtown Tampa.

Political and economic struggles, overcrowding and insufficient staffing led to the closing and demolition of the hospital in 1973. In her honor, Tampa General Hospital named a pavilion after her. In 2011, Ms. Frye was honored as one of the ten charter inductees into the Hillsborough County Women’s Hall of Fame. She is remembered as a great selfless servant, leader and visionary humanitarian.

Cesar and Adela Gonzmart Though it began in 1903 as a saloon at the dusty east end of Ybor City’s 7th Ave., the Columbia Restaurant has grown into one of Florida’s most iconic eateries, with six locations throughout the state. When family patriarch Casimiro Hernandez Jr.’s health began to falter, he turned to his daughter, Adela, and her husband, Cesar Gonzmart, to carry on the family business. Both classically trained 20 20

performers – Adela a concert pianist, Cesar a violinist – they returned to their native Tampa in 1953, operating the restaurant and raising their two sons, Casey and Richard. Adela and Cesar persevered through Ybor’s decline in the 1950s and ‘60s, when residents of the Latin Quarter fled for the suburbs. Despite economic uncertainty, the couple expanded the restaurant and, using their connections in the music business, attracted top Latin music performers to the Columbia. They also expanded geographically, opening what is now Sarasota’s oldest restaurant in 1959. More than restaurateurs, the duo breathed life into a past-its-peak Ybor City, both taking active roles in the community. Cesar was a tireless promoter of all things Ybor, and helped start the Krewe of

Best Hand Rolled Cigar

Ybor City

Sant’yago and the Ybor City Knight Parade, while Adela supported arts and culture, helping found Ballet Folklorico in the 1980s, a training ground for a new generation of dancers practicing Flamenco and other Spanish folk traditions. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

1728 E 7th Ave,Tampa, FL 33605 813.374.0346

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Kate Jackson If you’ve ever climbed on a set of monkey bars or gone for a run in one of Tampa’s dozens of parks, you might take a minute from your cross fit training to thank Kate Jackson. Jackson founded and led the all-female Tampa Civic Association in 1910. Even lacking the vote, the TCA women advanced their causes through determination and political finesse. They fought for and succeeded in the creation of the city’s first recreation department, the city’s first library, and Tampa’s first water sewage system. An astute businesswoman, philanthropist, and environmentalist, Jackson was instrumental in establishing the Academy of the Holy Names, in starting and leading the nation’s second Girl Scouts of America troop, and in advocating and contributing to the purchase and preservation of the initial acreage for what became Everglades National Park. She penned essays and the title of one, “If I Can, I Will,” epitomizes her legacy: She Could and She Did. Or, in the words of former Tampa Mayor D.B. MacKay: “…she would not be denied.”

Robert Saunders Jr. In 1952, Robert Saunders Jr. got a job offer most people would never have accepted. The Tampa native and Bethune Cookman graduate put law school on hold and returned to his hometown as the Florida field 22 22

director for the NAACP after the state's first field director was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Assuming a difficult and dangerous leadership role, Saunders guided the state through the civil rights era and landmark legal decisions on voting rights, school desegregation, the integration of public beaches, facilities and housing, and equal pay for Black teachers. After a decade-long stint at the U.S. Office of Equal Opportunity, he returned to Tampa in 1976 and directed the Office of Equal Opportunity for the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners until his retirement in 1988. From that time until his death in 2003, he remained an active and outspoken community leader, and was named "Twenty-five Who Mattered" over the last 100 years in Florida by the Tampa Bay Times.

Charlie Wall Unlike the others on this list, Charlie Wall was famous for all the wrong reasons. From the 1880s through the 1930s, Wall was the unquestioned king of Tampa’s underworld. Running gambling houses, prostitution rings and worse, the former Tampa blue blood preferred to run with a rougher crowd, fighting Cuban and Italian criminal groups for control of Tampa’s lucrative –and illegal – bolita racket. It all caught up to him one night in 1955, when police found him dead in his home, his throat slit ear-to-ear in what looked to investigators like an inside job. Wall’s killer was never found, and the crime remains one of Tampa’s greatest unsolved mysteries.

Bartender MOVER & SHAKER

SPOTLIGHT Ashley “Erin” Trivet

Bartender - District Tavern, Bad Monkey Ashley is a Colorado girl, who has been living in the Tampa area for about five years. She started bartending in downtown Denver back in 2009 and was able to take a job with a corporate bar giving her the opportunity to travel. The job took her from Denver to San Diego and eventually landed her in Tampa. You can currently find Ashley between Channelside and Ybor whipping up your favorite drinks at District Tavern and Bad Monkey. What is your favorite cocktail to make and what is your personal favorite to drink? In the last two years, I’ve started to appreciate the craft cocktail side of drinks. My favorite cocktail to make is the Holbrook Sour. It’s an original you can only get at District Tavern and includes bacon-washed bourbon and homemade lemon maple foam prepared in-house. Favorite Drink: Whatever you’re buying!! Haha, just kidding. I’ve recently become a huge fan of the classic Old Fashioned. What is the best/worst pickup line you’ve overheard while bartending? 'You’re a 9 and I am the 1 you need.” It was corny, but it made me laugh! What is the funniest story a stranger has shared with you? A customer once told me about how he blacked out while drinking and when he woke up it was from the flight attendant telling him to put his tray table up and prepare for landing. Apparently, when he was drunk, he decided to make reservations at a Sushi restaurant in New Orleans, and he was still in his work clothes from the night before. If you were only allowed three bottles of alcohol behind your bar, which three would you choose and why? Don Julio Anejo is my go-to tequila right now, Tito’s, OBVIOUSLY, to keep all the ladies “thirsty” and Basil Hayden Bourbon to make a mean old-fashioned. Where is your favorite Tampa Bay hideout? Bad Monkey because I love good local low-key spots and there are a lot of enjoyable games to play. I’m a

sucker for great local “low-key” bars so Bad Monkey and the Retreat are two of my favs. What is one thing most people do not know about you? I played football from the time I was 6 years old to 12, and I was the only girl on the team! I was a total tomboy growing up. What makes you the happiest? All outdoor activities including water. The beach is definitely my happy place! What is your best Tampa moment? Honestly, being recognized in this magazine is pretty cool! Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? I could give her advice, but I already know that girl wouldn’t listen!! Haha. But I would tell myself not to let anyone else’s doubts affect my ambitions and to just go for it! Also… don’t overwax your eyebrows!!!!! THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

From left to right: Ryan Maxey, Richard Gansvort, Michael Cincunegui, Rosey Williams, Cleland Ayison, Nicholas Buchannan, Dylan Lawernce, Ed Suyak, George Hamilton, Dr. Cathleen Gerenger, Matthew Masifilo, Ryan Sullivan, Nicolas Catania, Corinne Oliivia

MOVERS & SHAKERS We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers And sitting by desolate streams; World losers and world forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the Movers and Shakers Of the world for ever, it seems. - Arthur O'Shaughnessy 26 26

Corrine Oliviia Singer/Songwriter It may sound a little cliché, but if you have ever heard her sing, then you would know why the following statement is so far from the definition. When Corrine Oliviia sings it is as if you had been granted three wishes and all of them were you asking to listen to one of the most unique and talented singers sing for you and you alone. She makes every person feel as if you are the only one in the room. When asked her favorite quote it explained it all… Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in your weakness." Do yourself a life favor and witness greatness in the making. Corrine Oliviia’s musical taste was defined early in life when she fell in love with the jazz-singing greats; Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Nina Simone, among many others. Corrine credits her early exposure to jazz as a crucial beginning, but it was around the age of 15 she began gravitating toward R&B. This had a tremendous influence on her singing style and introduced soulfulness to her tone that is rare to hear in a young artist today. Years later, as Corrine explored different artists; she credits Anita Baker, Lauren Hill, Jill Scott, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson for her love of R&B. Today, her musical influences come from artists such as Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, Sade, Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Jazmine Sullivan. What is the one thing most people do not know about you? I have Vitiligo. It's an incurable autoimmune disease. I was diagnosed at a pretty young age and singing really helped me through that time. I didn't know what was going on or how to fix my body but music was always a constant and I felt secure in that. What makes you the happiest? When I'm singing and people are vibing with me. I can feel the positive energy, it's unreal. I love that music has a way of connecting people like nothing else can. What would be your best advice to a new entrepreneur? • Stop waiting to be ready • Surround yourself with positive people. A solid support team is extremely necessary • Ask for help. Look to those who are succeeding in your area and connect

• Watch, listen and research everything • Push yourself. If I'm not uncomfortable at least once a day, I'm not growing

This 24-year-old has developed a unique sound reminiscent to an old-school vibe with a modern urban feel. Filled with emotional truth and committed to originality and the artistic process, Corrine makes a lasting impression. Her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence delivers excitement and enthusiasm to every performance, captivating music audiences everywhere. CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

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Matt Masifilo Founder of Kavafied LLC www.getkavafied.com Matt has been living and working in Tampa for the last five years. Originally from Hawaii, Matt studied Product Design engineering at Stanford University while starting on the football team. Midway through his 2012 rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers, Matt was picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has been living in the Tampa area ever since. While with the Buccaneers Matt shared Kava, a relaxing root beverage from his Polynesian culture, with his teammates. He soon saw a need to develop a quick and easy way to make Kava after years of struggling to prepare it in the locker room. “A messy and tedious manual process”, says Matt. With an opportunity to finally put his Stanford engineering degree to work, he invented the world's first kava maker that now serves as the foundation to his Kavafied business. What is your favorite quote? “The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”-Vince Lombardi What would the closest person in your life say if we asked them, what is the one characteristic that they totally dig about you, and the one that drives them insane? I think my fiancé would say that overall I’m an easy going kind hearted person. The one thing that I know drives her insane is that I get really impatient when it comes to doing anything. What time does a normal day start for you and what are the first three things you do every day? I’m a night owl and the furthest thing from a morning person so I usually start my day around 10am. Then it’s Coffee, coffee, and more coffee. What are your top five attributes to success? Persistence, adaptability, empathy, sacrifice, integrity Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your success? Why and how did this person impact your life? David Kelley, one of my advisors back at Stanford, had a huge impact on my entrepreneur pathway. When he first introduced Product Design to me I immediately knew that creating new products and experiences was what I was meant to do.

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George Hamilton AVP, Financial Analyst at First Home Bank Owner and lead creative/product design at Hollywood Hamilton Clothing www.hollywoodhamiltonclothing.com Hamilton is a driven, self-motivated individual. Having worked in several different corporate and entrepreneurial settings taking on several different roles and responsibilities, he has the understanding of what it takes to be successful on a global level. George is the definition of a mover and shaker. He works 100% toward his passion and goals. Half days to him is not an option. George got his start in Tampa after pursuing and earning his Master's degree in Business Administration from the John Sykes School of Business at The University of Tampa. Prior to moving to Tampa, George studied international business and earned his Bachelor degree from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey where he was an also a member of the men’s collegiate soccer program. What are your top five attributes to success? 1. Hard Work. When I talk about my personal business, I always say, if I don’t do it, who will? Running your own business, there’s no one there telling you to clock in. There’s no paycheck unless you make the deal. 2. Staying motivated. I continue to find things I’m passionate about and ways I can incorporate them into my brand. 3. Networking and remaining social. Whether you like it or not, get out and network. Even if someone doesn’t like you, your business, or your product, if you make it a point to be seen, they can’t forget you. 4. Lead but remain team player. I’m all about collaborations. I want to see others succeed as well and I love opportunities where it’s not just beneficial for one side. 5. Continue to learn. You can never learn enough. How do you juggle two full-time careers? It can definitely be tough. Long days and even longer nights are easy to put it. I’ve definitely had to sacrifice from time to time. My corporate job always comes first. In a way I think its strength. I can apply so many things from my role as a Financial Analyst to benefit my business. It all helps me tighten my management and 30 30

leadership role as owner of my brand. My creativity gets to flow working in fashion where you typically have to do the complete opposite. Design or create something others are not. I think for me, I’m definitely lucky to be working so closely with the Executive team at the bank. I have some great mentors to look up to and it’s really great to have influence at such an important time for the bank. At the end of the day (even if it’s a 2AM) it’s all worth it. I’m doing things I love. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your success? Why and how did this person impact your life? This one is a no brainer; my dad. Growing up, my dad ran his own company and I know he put in a lot of long nights. One thing that stuck out to me as a kid was that I remembered when other kid’s parents talked about having a boss, I always thought, “My dad is his own boss”. That mentality stuck with me as I got older and more involved in business. I didn’t want to build someone else’s dream or have to rely on someone else for my own success or failures. Most people won’t know this but I lost my dad four years ago to cancer. It was one of the toughest moments of my life. I moved away from my family, enrolled in grad school, took on a full time job at the same time, and had to pretend like everything was fine on a day to day basis all the

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time while I knew my dad’s health was deteriorating. I remember having a conversation over the phone with my dad contemplating of moving back home to be with my family. My dad said that this is where I was supposed to be in my life and that I was meant to be doing what I was doing. What is your best Tampa moment? Tampa has been really good to me over the last few years. I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one moment and when I get a chance to really sit and think about it, that’s a really cool thing. Professionally, a great moment was when I and three of my classmates from UT won the ACG (Association of Corporate Growth) Cup. We went on to win the business valuation competition for the first time in school history, beating out some of the top schools in Florida and breaking UF’s 7 time win streak. Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? Just to enjoy live life. You only get one. And during that time it’s okay to make mistakes and usually from those mistakes you get more out of it than you think. I wish I would have told my younger self the things I would become passionate about sooner, that way I could have devoted more time to them. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

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Richard Gonzmart

Columbia Restaurant Group A fourth-generation CEO or what we would call “Chief Visionary Officer” of the Columbia Restaurant Group, Richard Gonzmart has been placing Tampa Bay a priority for years. His vision, compassion, and tenacity have earned him and the CRG team more than 100 awards in the Bay area. He has been officially named a Luminary, a Visionary and a Philanthropist of the Year as well as the Father of the year, Hispanic Man of the Year, Businessman of the Year, Alumni of the Year and Outstanding Citizen of the Year. A true Mover and Shaker in Tampa Bay! Richard has been inducted into four Hall of Fames and selected as Entrepreneur of the Year by the USF Alumni Society of Entrepreneurs. He currently serves and serves on many non-profit boards and organizations. He is passionate about the education of our youth and in finding a cure for cancer. One of his famous quotes to a reporter was, “I’m not just a person that walks around in a suit, shaking hands. I wake up at 1:30 a.m., wear blue jeans and start working". What is your favorite quote? “I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” – George Bernard Shaw What would the closest person in your life say if we asked them, what is the one characteristic that they totally dig about you, and the one that drives them insane? I hope my wife Melanie would say she loves how much I love her. She’s the love of my life. Last year I 32 32

named a private label wine for her. We’ve been married for 43 years. I met her when I was 15 and she was 13 (although we didn’t marry then!). I work a lot. I’m ADD and dyslexic. So Melanie and others might see that as frustrating. I consider it an advantage to help me keep so many simultaneous projects in the works, as well as being forced to see things differently. As for the hours, I’m trying to be better at that – even if it’s just working after Melanie goes to sleep. I go to sleep earlier and wake up about the time she’s going to bed. What time does a normal day start for you and what are the first three things you do every day? I don’t sleep much, maybe three to four hours nightly. I normally wake up at 2 a.m. or so. I try to spend those first few quiet hours thinking, considering … preparing for the day. I’ll post something on Facebook or Instagram. Then I start answering the hundreds of emails I get daily. After that, I’m still usually the first one in the office pretty early in the morning.

What are your top five attributes to success? 1. Learn from your parents (and everyone and everywhere). 2. Believe in yourself. 3. Work hard every day. 4. Share your vision relentlessly and frequently. 5. Surround yourself with good people. What would be your best advice to a new business owner? Don’t worry about how many hours you work. If it’s not fun, you’re in the wrong business. How do you decide your restaurant concepts? Well, my family started the 112-year-old Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. So I seem drawn to concepts that are tied to history and heritage and family, such as buying and bringing back Goody Goody. It was the first drive-in east of the Mississippi. It opened in 1925 and closed in 2005. We reopened it to great success in Hyde Park Village in August 2016. Do you have any new concepts coming to Tampa Bay soon?

I’m working on the menu for Casa Santo Stefano, opening in Ybor City in the first half of 2018. 60 percent of the Sicilian immigrants to Tampa came from this one small town. I’m also working on a new concept for a property we own on Longboat Key, likely opening in 2019. What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy spending time with my family. I like to play electric guitar (although I say play at it perhaps is more like it). I like to run. I’ve completed more than 26 full marathons, although I’m taking a bit of a break right now. And I love to travel because I get so many ideas. Where do you see Tampa ten years from now? I’m hopeful we’ll be well on the way to a better regional transportation network. More and more people will move downtown, creating even more need for a walkable city. Water Street Tampa, the 50-acre, mixeduse project of Jeff Vinik and Bill Gates, will be nearing completion. Our residents and guests will expect to move easily around the city from SoHo to Ybor and from the Heights to Harbour Island. The Tampa Riverwalk will be even more active. The food and craft beer scene will have been long established in national awareness. The Bucs will have won another Super Bowl, the Lightning a Stanley Cup. The Rays, playing in a new stadium in Tampa, will have won a World Series. And the Columbia and all our restaurants still will be serving great food and at great value, just as we did when we began 112 years ago. How important is it for leaders to be involved with their communities and how important is it to you personally? It’s vital for business leaders to give back to the communities that have supported them. That’s why we do Community Harvest every September and give five percent of every guest check to local non-profits in that community. Over 20 years, that’s meant $2 million to those charities. We also have donated millions more to Moffitt Cancer Center, the Academy of Holy Names, the University of South Florida and Jesuit High School. It’s equally important to donate time and ideas. That’s why I have been privileged to serve on more than 50 area boards and leadership groups, including Visit Florida, Visit Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Regional Partnership and the Straz Center. Right now, my focus is on transportation and how we can encourage functional, practical and affordable mass transit in this region. At some point soon, our progress will stop because of our shortcomings. Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? “Don’t worry. It will all work out.” Times were hard there for a while, especially in the 90s, and I worried constantly about preserving this family business. Fortunately, we’re now thriving with all of our restaurants. Also, “Always address problems immediately. You have to be honest and not be afraid to confront issues face to face.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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Dr. Gerenger is Chiropractic National Board Certified in Part I, II, III and IV, Physiological Therapeutics and Acupuncture. She also is certified by the Florida Board of Chiropractic and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture. By the age of 27, Dr. Gerenger opened her first private practice in Orange City, Florida. After 12 years of private practice she became part of a group practice, SaJune Medical Institute in Orlando, Florida.

Dr. Cathleen L. Gerenger, D.C., F.I.A.M.A., B.SC. Executive Director / Owner of RaJeunir Medical Center www.rmcwellness.space

Having the vision of changing the healthcare of America, she decided to put together a team of like-minded providers. In 2014 she opened RaJeunir Medical Center in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Gerenger developed a systematic protocol that addresses all aspects of health and wellness. She teaches injury prevention, how to manage stress and how to maintain peak performance. She combines Hormonal Balancing, Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Nutrition and Genetic Testing to achieve maximum results for her patients. What is your favorite quote? "One act of kindness can change the world" What time does a normal day start for you and what are the first three things you do every day? My alarm is set for 6:30 AM 1. The first 9 seconds when I wake up I mediate for 9 minutes. I see and feel the 9 mantras I recite daily. 2. Plan my day - write a To Do List for myself and my team 3. Work out What are your top five attributes to success? 1. Plan 2. Discipline 3. Integrity 4. Compassion 5. Authentic Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your success? Why and how did this person impact your life? My Father did not have a formal education but he was able to learn how to read and write Chinese and speak three additional languages. He also built a successful business empire in Vietnam. When the communist took over my family became refugees. We immigrated to the US. I am very proud to say all 12 of my siblings are successful business owners. My Father had taught us great work ethics and most importantly, RESILIENCE. What would be your best advice to a new entrepreneur? There is no short cut to success. It is pure DISCIPLINE and just be AUTHENTIC. "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." -Henry David Thoreau What is one thing most people do not know about you? I am allergic to alcohol. Genetically I have a deficiency 34 34

in an enzyme called Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase. That genetic mutation kept me out of trouble. Maybe that's why I was able to receive my doctorate at age of 24. What makes you the happiest? When I touch and transform my patient's lives. I love practicing. It is part of who I am. My patients are part of my life. What is your favorite Tampa moment? When I walk down the street and some random local social media friend comes up and gives me a hug because we're Facebook friends. Thank you Mark Zuckerberg! Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? "Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows."

Rosey Williams Founder Indie Collective Company theindieflea.com The Indie Collective Company includes the Tampa Indie Flea and St. Pete Indie Market. Rosey Williams brings together local vendors - independent businesses and artists, ranging from start-ups to experienced merchants - to curate monthly markets that are a vital weekend destination for those in search of local flavor and the indie spirit. Rosey knows what it takes to go against the grain, offering retail alternatives that strengthen the community by cultivating success. She has garnered support from the Tampa Bay community and beyond, as well as local brick and mortar shops, restaurants, breweries, and other neighborhood establishments who appreciate the traffic and business that the markets bring to their community. Beyond community support and engagement, environmentalism is a top priority for Rosey, who recently teamed up with Suncoast Surfrider and Suncoast Compost to ensure that all of her markets are zero waste events in which 90% of waste is diverted from the landfill. The Indie markets started organically through events she would have to engage the community that surrounded her brick and mortar vintage store located on an arts-centric block in Downtown St. Pete. What began as just a sidewalk market featuring a handful of friends and family who were artists, musicians, and makers became a business in itself. Rosey's success is a direct reflection of her beliefs; keeping a healthy perspective, maintaining loyalty to her cause, not giving up when things fall apart, community support and ability to adjust. Rosey said, "When my daughter was born, I felt an entirely different sense of drive. I think motherhood was and continues to be the most challenging, but has had such an impact on my motivation to take everything I was doing to the next level, in a more empowered, grounded, patient and determined way."

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Dylan Lawrence

Touch Bodywork, LLC CEO/Owner

Nick is a Florida resident and has lived in Tampa for over a decade. He grew up in Fort Walton Beach Florida and moved to Tampa to attend USF. Nick has a BA from the University of South Florida in environmental science. With continuing success in the real estate market, he has created the Buchanan Portfolio Group to provide the utmost customer service to all his clients across the Tampa Bay area. When he’s not running the team, he is planning community events, chairing on various foundations and community boards. What is your favorite quote? “If you don’t value your time, neither will others. Stop giving away your time and talents. Value what you know & start charging for it.”– Kim Garst

Nicolas Buchanan Founder and Team Lead Agent Buchanan Portfolio Group www.buchananportfolio.com

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What time does a normal day start for you and what are the first three things you do every day? 7:00 am…ish. I walk our dog Rosewell first, check email and make breakfast. What are your top five attributes to success? Passion, patience, work ethic, vision, and balance Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your success? Why and how did this person impact your life? My partner Jeff Gibson, we have been together for 12 years, and he has seen me grow from a crazy 20-year-

Dylan was born and raised in Georgia but moved to Tampa with her family 12 years ago. Her dad was a Tampa native and always considered it his home. She attended college at USF with full academic scholarships. While attending USF she decided to go to school for massage therapy in 2010. After finishing her schooling for massage, she completed her degree as well. Dylan has been licensed for seven years and has owned her own business in South Tampa for three. Her decision to branch out on her own gave herself the freedom to spend more time with her nine-year-old son and travel and see the world. During the seven years of massage therapy, she discovered that her skill set was very much tactile. She mastered woodwork and welding to design and create custom furniture. On the other end of the spectrum, she also blends her own body butters, massage oils, and beauty products. Currently, Dylan is working on writing a book on massage therapy. She enjoys cooking, traveling, hiking, Muay Thai, live music, salsa and bachata dancing, and fishing. Having a balanced but active and healthy lifestyle is very important to her as well as being fearless in learning new things and pursuing goals.

old to where I am at today. Jeff has helped me all along the way to become the person I am today. He is always willing to give advice and connect me to positive and impactful people. What would be your best advice to a new Realtor? Success is earned, and patience is key, slow down and focus on your client’s needs. It is about them not you. Where is your favorite Tampa Bay place to unwind? Bradley’s or the Bern’s Bar depending on my mood. What is one thing most people do not know about you? I’m fascinated by dinosaurs. What makes you the happiest? Entertaining for friends and having dinner parties at our place. What is your best Tampa moment? It just happened recently, being featured on HGTV Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? I don't regret anything, all my experiences have made me the person I am, but if there were advice, it would be to keep reaching for your goals you will make it before you know it.

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Michael comes from a long line of cigar makers and aficionados. He is a fifth-generation Floridian, fourth generation Tampa born, who has inherited a long history of blending his Tampa background with Ybor City's rich heritage of fine cigars. After all, Tampa is the "Cigar City."

Mike Cincunegui

President, Long Ash Cigars www.thelongashcigars.com

In the late 1800's, Michael's great, great grandparents came from Cuba and Spain to work in the cigar factories, which at the time located in Key West, Florida. In the 1800's, the cigar factories were destroyed by a series of hurricanes, fires and a labor strike. The famous cigar industry magnet, Vicente Martinez Ybor, decided to relocate his cigar factories to Ybor City, Florida, he felt the region was less susceptible to hurricanes. Michael's great-grandparents, Manuel and Aurora Cermeno, and Manuel and Josephina Fabregas Gonzalez, all worked in Tampa's historic cigar factories. In the 1940's, Michael's great-grandfather, Manuel Cermeno, opened up a buckeye on 7th Avenue in Ybor City, called Chinchal Habanero. That buckeye cigar shop employed seven cigar makers and a sales clerk and provided income to Manuel Cermeno's family. Chinchal Habanero was in business about seven years when it closed due to the demise of cigars in general and the boom in cigarette popularity during the 1950's. Today Michael and his mother Sandra Cincunegui own and operate Long Ash Cigars. Sandra has plenty of experience in the cigar industry, having worked at cigar shops for some years. She also worked as a greeter in Ybor City, going shop to shop and restaurant to restaurant, as a goodwill ambassador for Ybor City's Chamber of Commerce.

“Cleve” Cleland Ayison

CEO, Blackjack, www.theeblackjack.com

How did you become involved in the clothing business? Fashion has always been a part of my life. I grew up in a Household with my mom being a fashion designer and a seamstress and I got a lot of that from her. I started designing at the age of 8years old and 37 years later had an opportunity to get involved with urban body clothing where I was a General Manager and ended up buying the business. What is your favorite quote? “Success is not an Epic achievement or a destination, but rather a lifestyle rewarded you by the universe for solving problems.” - Cleland Ayison What would the closest person in your life say if we asked them, what is the one characteristic that they totally dig about you, and the one that drives them insane? He is the most positive person I have ever known. And for what drives them crazy, it will be my obsession with my opinion and mentality. What are your top five attributes to success? I always avoid people with no goals because they cost time, which is very expensive. I spend one hour a day studying an industry that is on my list for investment and I try to learn everything I need to know about that industry. I listen to very successful people and their views on life and take notes.

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Long Ash Cigars specializes in premium handmade cigars aimed at appealing to a variety of tastes and qualities. Their cigars are locally handmade, and each one is a work of art in and of itself.

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What is your favorite quote? “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts”- Winston Churchill What time does a normal day start for you and what are the first three things you do every day? Normal day starts at 8-8:30 am. I try to eat breakfast, make a daily "to do" list and then drink my cafe con leche to get me going. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your success? Why and how did this person impact your life? My mother. I work with her every day. She has taught me how to be a good hardworking man, not only in business but in life. I would not be able to do what I have done without her. I owe her everything!!! What would be your best advice to a new entrepreneur? Don't expect things to come easy in this world. The more you put into something, the more you can expect to get out of it.

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Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? Don't sweat the small stuff. There are things that are out of our control, so there is no reason to stress over them. I still have to remind myself to this day. I am always intense and I always take massive action on whatever i am doing, because it’s the only way i know to guarantee success. I don’t like to compete; I prefer to take over an industry. This is why in less than three years in active fashion I have created six lines. What would be your best advice to a new entrepreneur? The world will respect you and pay you for taking action every single day for your dreams. Money is a reward for taking action on your dreams and solving the problems for the people you are creating for. Don’t give up and ignore everyone that makes you feel like you are not qualified to accomplish your goals. Where is your favorite tampa bay place to unwind? Davidoff of geneva What makes you the happiest? When people tell me they love something they bought from my design line. What is your best tampa moment? Opening the black jack store in international plaza mall. Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? Avoid the wrong type of friends, and guard your life and work your ass off because you are the only one that can make your dreams come true. CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

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Ryan Sullivan and Nicolas Catania Never Have I Ever (NHIE) Guys www.nhieguys.com Ryan became a co-owner and CEO of TRUHAIR and a founding partner in The Beauty Groupe, a management company for brands looking to develop an on-air sales business, in 2014. Since working with TBG and TRUHAIR, he has helped to bring on board additional brands that have the potential for television sales, and further honed the TRUHAIR growth and marketing plans. Ryan teaches entrepreneurship practices and skills to fellow members of the Tampa Bay business community. He launched the local chapter of Startup Weekend — events held for entrepreneurs looking to develop, pitch and get guidance on their ideas—and currently serves as its advisor and global facilitator. He is also a founder of and contributor for what a lot of Tampa may already know him as the Never Have I Ever (NHIE) Guys, a popular blog about the mashup of cultural and food experiences to be found in the Tampa area. 40 40

Ryan earned a B.S. degree in 2009 from Syracuse University, with a focus on entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises. Following his move from New York to Florida in 2009, he earned his Master’s in entrepreneurship in applied technologies from the University of South Florida in 2010. Nicholas grew up in Long Island, New York. He moved to Tampa back in 2006 to attend college at the University of Tampa (UT). Nicolas graduated with an undergraduate degree in elementary education and began teaching at a local elementary school. For years, he taught students of varying exceptionalities before deciding to venture back to school to obtain his master’s degree at UT. He was later hired as an adjunct professor at UT, sparking his interest in higher education. In 2015, he decided to go back to school full-time in pursuit of his doctoral degree in special education at the University of South Florida (USF). Currently, he teaches classes at USF and works with soon-to-be teachers to help improve their abilities. After completing his degree, he hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of people with special needs. As the second half of the NHIE Guys, Nicholas enjoys exploring new experiences with his husband, Ryan, as they uncover the unique things throughout their travels.

Julie Curry is the Founder of Bake’n Babes, a bakery in Tampa, Florida and resident in Channelside. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications.

Julie Curry Founder and Owner, Bake’n Babes www.bakenbabes.com

Julie’s passion and love for food led her to enter a cupcake contest in Ybor City, where she took home 1st place with her French Toast Bacon Cupcake. Her bakery has been satisfying Tampa’s sweet tooth since 2013. Bake’n Babes just recently opened their first storefront in The Hall on Franklin, which is Tampa’s first chef-driven food hall. Julie is excited for the growth and development of both her business and her city. She is eager to introduce some new and interesting foods to the Tampa market. What is your favorite quote? “People who love to eat are always the best people.” -Julia Child What would the closest person in your life say if we asked them, what is the one characteristic that they totally dig about you, and the one that drives them insane? My husband Jesse would probably say that he loves my attention to detail, but that it can also drive him crazy because things are just never good enough for me. What time does a normal day start for you and what are the first three things you do every day? My day starts at 5am. I strive for that work/life balance. I make myself a couple shots of espresso, pack the kid’s lunches, and eat breakfast with the family. What are your top five attributes to success? Strong work ethic, self-reliance, competitive spirit, attention to detail, and a strong desire for improvement. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on your success? Why and how did this person impact your life? My Grandfather was one of the hardest working people I have ever met. He grew up very poor in Tennessee and lied about his age at 16 to join the Navy to send money back to his family. He started letting me work for him as a young child (about 9 years old). He owned his own roofing business and I would answer the phone and take the address down for the house that needed repairs. He let me type the invoices on his typewriter and help plan his day, based on where he needed to drive to do estimates. He taught me basic business skills, and how to interact and treat people. He showed me that no job was beneath me and that I could do anything I wanted as long as I was willing to work hard, and put forth the effort. Where is your favorite Tampa Bay place to unwind? Hattrick’s Tavern with an ice cold beer and shake and bake wings.

What is one thing most people do not know about you? I know every lyric to pretty much every rap song. What makes you the happiest? I think I’m happiest at my in-law’s cattle ranch, just eating, drinking, and laughing with the family. Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? I would definitely tell my younger self don’t be afraid of failure, and to stop collecting beanie babies because we will not get rich. CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

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Ryan Maxey

If you have had the honor to meet Attorney and Founder, Ryan Maxey Law Ryan Maxey, then your gratitude to www.ryanmaxeylaw.com the universe is owed indefinitely. One of Tampa’s brillant business litigation attorneys’ but if you’re Prior to joining Morgan & fortunate enough to meet him on a personal Morgan, he spent several level; consider life gave you real justice. No point years at the international intended. law firm Greenberg Traurig, Ryan Maxey has served the community as an P.A., one of the largest law attorney for Morgan & Morgan Business Trial firms in the world, where Group, where he focused on complex commercial he developed significant litigation. Ryan has successfully represented experience working on highclients in a variety of business matters, including dollar complex commercial contract disputes, shareholder derivative actions, litigation matters. He was partnership disputes, and business torts, among also a law clerk to the United others. He has substantial experience handling States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Jenkins in the Middle District cases from inception through trial, including both of Florida, during which time he gained substantial experience jury and bench trials. related to federal practice and procedure. Mr. Maxey was named a “Rising Star” in 2015 and 2016 by Florida Super Lawyers magazine Today, Ryan has become a real Mover and Shaker - an annual publication that recognizes the top 2.5% of the state’s by leaping faith in him as an attorney and an young lawyers. entrepreneur with the opening of Ryan Maxey Law. He is a native of Tampa, where he attended Plant High School and received his B.S. in Computer Science and his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of South Florida. He received his J.D. with honors from the University Of Florida Levin College Of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.

What most people do not know about Ryan is before attending law school, he designed and wrote source code for custom software and developed and managed relational databases for an international industrial manufacturing and distribution company. Among other things, he prepared and managed both the user interface and the back-end database of an e-commerce system that serviced customers throughout the world.

Josh Raff Sports Performance Expert Former Pro MMA Fighter Certified Personal Trainer Black Belt in three Martial Arts Brown Belt Brazilian Jiujutsu

Do you believe adversity builds excellence and why? Yes absolutely 100%! I believe in order to really find yourself and experience personal growth you need to face some serious adversity in your life. What is your favorite quote? “He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat” -Napoleon What time does a normal day start for you and what are the first three things you do every day? My normal day starts at 6:00 am First thank God for another day. Second drink coffee. Third work on my breathing exercises.

“Train for go not for show, there is no gain without pain, there is no strength without struggle, there is no success without sacrifice!” - Josh Raff A true Mover and Shaker understands and conquers adversity. And Josh has done just that. After being seriously hurt and adversity staring him in the face he never gave up. When medical professionals told him he would never be able to continue with his passion he chose to find a different medical opinion. After many years, surgeries and perseverance he is back doing what he loves. 42 42

What are your top five attributes to success? 1. Don't be scared 2. Show up 3. Don't quit 4. Gain as much knowledge as possible 5. Give back Knowing yourself, if you could go back in time and provide your younger self advice, what would it be? Keep doing what you're doing and keep the F ups to a minimum.

Fit

By Coach John Forbes

Be Busy, Brawny, Badasses Good Morning, good afternoon, good evening beloved reader of my ongoing compilation of fitness expertise rants. (And for that I love you by the way) As we enter the fourth quarter of people in the movers and shakers’ world its bound to get real busy I’m sure. Fall sports are starting up or getting hot, money businesses and companies have reports to send in and crunch time to explode, and don’t let me mention the holidays are literally around the corner. It’s no wonder why people have trouble sticking to a fitness routine especially around this period. However, that is not a valid reason, at least to “Rich Individuals” (people who have an annual income of or more than $160K per year or have a liquid net worth of $3.2 million or more) according to Thomas C. Corley’s 5 years of studying rich people. "Seventy-six percent of the rich aerobically exercise 30 minutes or more every day," Corley reports in his book, "Change Your Habits, Change Your Life." That’s just straight cardio, and it doesn’t account

for those that do anaerobic (resistance) training. Also, here’s a short list of top CEO’s and leaders that have a weekly workout regimen: • Richard Bran – Virgin • Warren Buffet – Birkshire Hathaway • Oprah Winfrey – Oprah/Harpo • Cory Booker – US Senator • Ann Wintour – American Vogue • Ron Shaich – Panera Bread • Nick Woodman – Go Pro • Nancy Pelosi – Congresswoman Obviously there are numerous benefits to manifesting a workout programs for your busy schedule. I would list those benefits too, but I’m willing to wager my expensive pair of shoes I have on right now that more that 90% of the readers have already heard the list of benefits at some point in their professional live, so I won’t list them because you already know. However, having good reason, wanting and needing to, is not the problem. It’s actually implementing it, doing it. You need a plan of action that you can stick to and feel good about. This is very important, because if you feel good about it you’re three times more likely to stick with it for more than 6 months and continue the benefits for yourself.

1. Identify the simplest or most fun thing about exercise This step is mandatory because if you’re struggling to get something going and you don’t do this, you’ll end up failing for reason of the opposites of this instruction. Identifying what’s easiest to do is a no brainer for those CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

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• Order single meats, your sides cooked without butter and oil, water to drink

just trying to get something going. Maybe that’s a walk/jog in the evening or spinning in a class. If it is simple you can determine how long you’ll be able to perform these easy acts; a 10 minute jog, spinning class once or twice a week or calisthenics for 100 reps. Either way, in spite of not liking it, if you’re serious the easiness perk will outweigh the nonmotivation factor. Conversely, if you really enjoy something, naturally it’s easier to continue it for a set amount of time.

2. Determine your workout days, INCLUDING a weekend day The number of workout days has to makes sense to you and your current engagement in fitness. Don’t say 6 days if you don’t even have a time you can always train every day of the week or you’re a beginner. Whatever works, its always a good idea to train on a Saturday or Sunday. The weekends have either the most energetic classes or the most simplistic, usually Saturday and Sunday respectively. These put a great start or finish to your week of training (since I believe you should never miss a Monday workout) and psychologically will make you feel like you’re handing in extra credit points to your internal motivation professor. You’ll feel like you’re getting ahead with your goals and making progress towards them. It’s an ingredient I always prescribed to new business professional clients.

3. Commit to a form of training investment If you haven’t committed to anything that will keep you on track, you haven’t tried everything and there is still room for improvement, if you’re serious. A training investment is anything that forces you to have “skin in the game,” you’ve departed with cash, you have sworn off eating or drinking certain items, there is a reward to completing your task but a (slight) consequence if you don’t. For instance, hiring a personal 44 44

• Sit alone at a table, booth if possible, so you don’t have to converse with anyone and you won’t be tempted by the alcohol behind the bar • SLEEP; at least 7.5 hours especially on the road

trainer/coach, paying extra for a specialty class at a gym, buying a fitness product (physical or digital) that is meant to overcome the “I’m busy” obstacle. Examples of the last would be a nutrition eBook on eating on the go or purchasing a TRX where you can confirm their slogan of “Fitness anywhere.” And when you do, it comes with a database and a program for you to train so you don’t have to think. That’s something we all like.

4. Be a food & training minimalist It’s easier to list these so… • Follow or create a workout regimen that lasts no more than 30 minutes per workout; do it and then get the hell outta there no matter what • Always have a post training meal or snack, no matter what • Plan out your restaurants based on where your travel is, healthier and more flexible is

5. Watch a gym motivation video on YouTube the very minute you are finished with work So I don’t know about you, but anytime I’ve watch a gym motivation short on YouTube, it makes me want to train even harder, or gets me back into a get-it-done mentality. It is one of the simplest, most effective things you can do for your goals if you’re struggling with discipline. Its helps remind you why you started and why you are doing what you’re doing. Just go to the webs, type in “Gym Motivation” and an endless amount of videos will pop up. I guarantee you that one of them will hit home and you’ll instantly be revitalized with fitness fervor. And as always, I must leave you with a short workout for to try, since I know it’s the only reason you even open up this page (insert laughing and sunglasses emoji) I’m out! - Coach You can find this workout on YouTube. Just type in “Fit with Forbes Episode”:

30/45/60 Challenge!

Each exercise is 30 seconds, 45 seconds or 60 seconds. Repeat the round and then move on to the next series. A 30s bicycle crunches 45s ball taps 60s X-Plank x 2 rounds

B 30s russian twists 45s simulated jump rope 60s separated sit ups x 2 rounds

C 30s jack rabbits 45s plank + wide knee tuck 60s reverse bridge on single leg x 2 rounds

D 30s grasshoppers 45s renegades 60s in & outs x 2 rounds

CUBA R

S & R

A V E

A place I’ll never forget and yearn to return. By Jon Michaels

It took me a little while to remember the origin of my Cuba fascination. Wim Wenders’ 1999 documentary “Buena Vista Social Club” was where it began. The sounds and images never left me. Since then, photographs of the ocean crashing over the iconic Malecon seawall, shining classic cars against a backdrop of grand old buildings of unimaginable colors, barefoot kids playing stickball in city streets, and the sultry addictive rhythms of the island’s music, kept Cuba ever in my subconscious. As I sit here anticipating the trip, I realize why… Having grown up in inner-city Brooklyn, something about Havana resonated. It struck me from afar as raw, gritty, unabashedly itself. Colorful, ethnic, proud and masterful at adapting to hardship, I knew Havana would strike familiar chords. Those time-worn urban streetscapes and the selfconfident, roguish faces reminded me of home while hinting at something exotic. It turned out to

be a matter of time and politics before this Brooklyn boy would roam those Havana streets. American travel to post-Castro Cuba is a relatively new proposition and still not a well-worn trail; giving a host of concerns and questions. How difficult will Immigration and Customs be? How do I choose the right visa “category”? Is toilet paper available? Will I encounter anti-American sentiment? Which cigar is my Publisher going to like? Most important can I order a Mojito without worrying about contracting dysentery? With an unusual combination of trepidation and excitement, I pack, choosing to let go my concerns. My first clue this was not to be an ordinary excursion came directly after the short flight. Things started the usual way with a walk down the modern air-conditioned jetway, the usual trappings of a short international flight. Peanuts and a cocktail? Sure, it’s 7 am why not. When the plane door opened onto Jose Marti Airport, CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 THE DISTRICT - TAMPA’S URBAN DWELLING MAGAZINE

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it became suddenly obvious we’d left Tampa behind. No jetway, no air-conditioned monorail whisking us to a modern terminal. I looked out at the steps down to the tarmac like you’d see in a 60’s movie and a view to a primary, aging terminal building. Sure, I felt a little Sean Connery-era 007 descending those stairs as I single-handed my sunglasses into place. A couple of care-free mutts relieving themselves on the tarmac outside the terminal killed that vibe pretty quick. After one short hour flying I’d stepped into a place profoundly outside of time, and worlds apart. Havana is a difficult place but yet captivating and magical. A study in contrasts; beauty and decay, subtle and brash, light and dark, old and new, swirling in a slow tropical hurricane. Havana is a riot of sounds and colors and smells and geometries, with intense tropical heat intense that’s somehow not oppressive. It simultaneously overwhelms you and embraces you. I found it difficult to fit Havana into a paradigm that felt familiar, comfortable. Getting into the flow of everyday life felt harder for me. Usually, I’ll walk out the door and just wander until the rhythm and rhyme of things click into place. Havana had me me feeling a little disconcerting and a little refreshing. That exhilarating sense of being slightly lost, rudderless, foreign, is a reason I travel. Havana delivers in spades.

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It is quickly seen that a magnificent beauty is woven into the fabric of Havana. In the architecture, boulevards, monuments, and physical environment. It’s like the city was born of Eden, designed by Renaissance artists and built by master artisans. With the ocean breeze in the air and an avalanche of sensory input it sometimes feels mythic and surreal, like the magical realism of a Garcia Marquez novel. And often, sadly in varying states of deterioration. The city feels arrested in time. Rather than halted, it seems that history, modernity, beauty, and decay occupy the same spaces simultaneously. Invisible tropical gods seem to be reclaiming the city back to the jungle while deciding if a truce may be in order. The reason: this place is too beautiful, too grand to destroy utterly. So they pause to give

Havana a chance to remember what it was, what it essentially still is. The thing is, once you’ve fallen in love with this place you root for it. Havana is bigger, more sprawling than I anticipated, with a diversity of well-spread-out neighborhoods. 281.2 square miles and 2.1M inhabitants. By contrast, Tampa is 175.2 square miles. Mostly on foot, we explored Havana neighborhoods such as Vedado, Centro Habana, Miramar, and of course Habana Vieja or Old Havana. If your plans include just a few days in Cuba you’ll want to focus on Old Havana; it’s the heart of the city much like mid-town Manhattan is for NYC. Walking the tree-lined side streets of neighborhoods like Vedado and Miramar gave glimpses into the daily life of everyday Cubans. Moms taking kids to school, people scurrying here and there, in line at mercados. A peculiar sight in residential areas are the many make-shift micro-businesses run out of yards and garages. Cubans have to get creative to make ends meet. Havana is bordered on its northern edge by the famous Malecon seawall, a hugely popular scenic and social gathering spot. The Malecon was hopping on Friday and Saturday nights. Couples and larger groups enjoyed the sea breeze and convenient seating provided by the low wall. There was

music and dancing, laughter, teenage horseplay, and plenty of romance, which Cubans somehow distill into a more concentrated form. As far as must-see tourist destinations, I present El Morro. An impressive fortress perched on a high promontory across the harbor. El Morro was built in the 1500’s to protect Havana’s valuable trade routes. Besides a fascinating history, we enjoyed jaw-dropping views of Havana. Havana’s nightlife and food scenes were far better than I expected. I had one of the best meals of my life in Havana, and the best Mojito. But you have to do your homework because I also had some disappointing, overpriced meals. In the nightlife category do not miss trendy Fabrica de Arte Cubano. A labyrinthine mash-up of buildings containing randomly encountered bars, cafes, art installations, tiny fashion shops, performance venues, hidden VIP lounges and outdoor spaces. FAC attracts a mostly young, hip, urban crowd. It reminded me of unusual, trendy spots back in Brooklyn. To me, Fabrica represented the new Havana, a Havana of possibilities. The unexpected sleeper of the trip for me ended up being the people. I can’t recall traveling anywhere urban where people seemed so relaxed, warm and tolerant of tourists. In spite of pervasive poverty, the Cuban people generally seem content, accepting, and often just simply happy.

The family in whose Casa Particular I stayed was more than I could have hoped for. My hosts made the freshest, most delicious breakfasts I’ve ever had. Incredibly helpful, the son, Alex, invited me along to fantastic bars and restaurants that I would never have found on my own. Mom and Dad were lovely and sincerely interested in me having a positive experience; it was in itself a highlight of the trip. Havana is compelling on so many levels, and also sad. It deserves better, as do the people. Tossed carelessly on stormy seas of political contests, economically strongarmed, and caught amidst the ebb and flow of powerful allies and neighbors. You can feel the resign to this state of affairs, a collective 50-year-long-sigh, but also the response. Cubans keep going, applying their unique brand of Cuban ingenuity to getting by while sustaining the complex values and culture that distinguish the island’s people. For their part Cubans seem to be enjoying the new influx of people, trying to untangle the enigma that is America and Americans, cautiously seeking opportunity. Although they were always taught we were the enemy they were near-perfect hosts. In the end, this is what travel is about at its best. Havana did not disappoint. I challenge you to experience Cuba with indifference; I don’t think it’s possible; Cuba inspires a passionate response. Havana won my heart.

In sweltering heat Cubans of all ages can be found taking in the goings-on from open doorways and balconies, conversing on street corners, going about their business at an unrushed pace. Asking for directions in very broken Spanish never resulted in attitude, just sincere attempts to send the gringo along in the right direction. For people with so little resources and wealth, they seem to have an abundance of perseverance, tolerance, and wisdom.

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