Women in Business

Photos by Steven Le/Thee Photo Ninja

In this issue we salute the business women of St. Petersburg. These community leaders and business owners/entrepreneurs exude the focus and vision that it takes to persevere and succeed, even in a trying year. We celebrate their successes and contributions to our city, our economy, and the countless causes they support.

Women in Rotary Club of St. Petersburg

Back Row Left To Right

Devika Srivastava: Owner, Inspiring Quests Travel Agency Devika.sr@Gmail.com Cruises@Inspiringquest.net

Sherri Crouse: St. Petersburg Rotary Membership Chair Sherrid33@Aol.com

Danyelle Paul: VX Virtual Reality Arcade www.vxreality.com Located In John’s Pass 727-422-5969

Front Row Left To Right

Liz Heinkel: Luxury Realtor with Coastal Properties Group President 2020-2021 - Rotary Club Of St Petersburg Fl www.lizheinkel.com

Susan Mittermayr: Managing Principal, Sabal Trust Company Past Rotary President 2002-2003 www.Sabaltrust.com

Women in Rotary Club of St. Petersburg

Back row left to right

Julie Burch: Owner and Client Services, Grand Kitchen and Bath www.grandkitchen.com

Melissa J Rutland, CCIM: Rutland Florida Gulf Group, LLC A Licensed Real Estate Brokerage Company 727-631-1268

Carol O'Bryon: Jewelry Designer, O'Bryon Designs, www.Obryondesigns.com

Valarie Nussbaum-Harris: Vice President/SBA Lender Seacoast National Bank

Front Row Left To Right

Beth A Houghton,CEO: Juvenile Welfare Board Of Pinellas County www.jwbpinellas.org Rotary Club Of St Petersburg Past President 2000-2001

Jill Van Middlesworth-Banks: Vanmiddlesworth & Company, PA CPA’s www.vanmiddlesworth-cpa.com Treasurer, 2020-2021 Rotary Club Of St Petersburg, FL

Cynthia Lake Farrell: Executive Director Children’s Dream Fund Clake@Childrensdreamfund.org www.childrensdreamfund.org Rotary Club Of St Petersburg Past President

Dr. Jaime Kulaga

Dr. Jaime, Inc.

Dr. Jaime Kulaga is The Bay Area’s Life Coach! She is a licensed mental health counselor, entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, wife and mother.

Dr. Jaime empowers people to overcome barriers, discover their own greatness, and in turn, achieve success. She educates, guides and holds accountable, women, men, adolescents and families to make better lifestyle decisions and provides practical tools for overall health and success.

Dr. Jaime is the International Author of The SuperWoman’s Guide to Super Fulfillment: Step by Step Strategies to Create Work-Life Balance. Her book was named one of the best work life balance books of all time according to Book Authority. The SuperWoman’s Guide to Super Fulfillment has been translated and published in over 15 countries over 4 continents.

When it comes to balance and happiness, Dr. Jaime is the go-to motivational speaker for companies. With her engaging personality and sense of humor, audiences are inspired to use the content in order to enhance their personal and professional lives.

Dr. Jaime is a frequent mental health expert on national TV and radio. She was featured as the lead interviewer on CNBC’s The Job Interview, as well as the spokeswoman for Wendy’s, British Airways and LaLa Yogurt Smoothies.

www.drjaimek.com jaime@mindfulrehab.com

Carolyn McNulty

McNulty Counseling and Wellness

For over 30 years, Carolyn McNulty has helped encourage and change the lives of so many residents in our St. Petersburg community. Carolyn is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at McNulty Counseling and Wellness, a family-owned counseling and wellness center. As a therapist, Carolyn is passionate about promoting emotional and personal growth for each client. She specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, self-injurious behavior, trauma, parent-child relationships, divorce/ separation issues, and grief counseling. Carolyn is also certified as a Clinical Anxiety Treatment professional (CCATP).

Outside of the office, Carolyn volunteers as a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem for the 6th Judicial Circuit Court system, has served on Pinellas County Crisis Team, and belongs to numerous professional memberships including the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. She and her family volunteer in several local charities, and she’s often featured on News Channel 8 Bloom series presenting mental health topics.

Every therapeutic relationship is unique and individualized. Carolyn is a trusted St. Petersburg holistic therapist who believes that mental wellness doesn’t mean absence of problems. She strives with her clients to adapt to their challenges in a healthy and meaningful way to foster a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

727-344-9867 mcnultycounseling.com

Suzan Decker Ross, ASID Designer

Decker Ross Interiors CEO

French fashionista Coco Chanel once said, “A girl should be two things… who and what she wants.” Suzan Decker Ross took that advice and ran with it. The HGTV Designer’s Challenge winner who always wanted to be her own boss, is still running the successful design firm she founded twenty-eight years ago.

If you’ve been to Ruth Eckerd Hall recently, you probably stood among the crowd admiring the new Decker Ross-designed lobby with its massive Glass Donor Wall of stained and leaded glass. Suzan’s influence can also be seen in the highly acclaimed Capitol Theatre renovation. Clearwater’s busiest designing woman also finds time for Charity Works, the Homeless Empowerment Project, Habitat for Humanity, the Children’s Dream Fund, Clearwater Jazz Holiday and the Police Athletic League.

It may seem paradoxical that someone so engaged in beautifying and enriching her corner of the world, would have a passion for exploring the rest of it. But that paradox is essential in defining Suzan Decker Ross, having spent time in Madagascar, Israel, Italy, Portugal, France, and Spain. And hoofing it a hundred miles on the Camino Santiago walk.

Suzan will tell you, if she were meant to stay in one place, she’d have roots instead of feet.

Decker Ross Interiors 1445 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 727-442-9996 www.DeckerRoss.com

Veronica Swiatek

Founder/Owner Massage Studio

Working in restaurants to pay for her education, Veronica learned skills that she uses to this day as a business owner - customer service, sales and leadership. She then invested in the company to have a share of ownership, which was her first taste of entrepreneurship...and she loved it.

Her future career in media sales taught her how to develop and nurture relationships, accept rejection and not to give up. And she saw the passion her clients had for owning their own business, which reinforced her dreams of owning one herself.

She decided to combine her passions and learnings into a business she felt could make a difference. That’s how Massage Studio was born. Massage therapy brings together art, science, psychology, and hospitality in a very unique way, and helps countless people.

Constantly seeking out opportunities to grow and expand her portfolio, Veronica partnered with a global airport concessions company and now owns 10 specialty retail stores at Tampa International Airport.

She also recently purchased 2 properties in Tampa—the building that Massage Studio currently occupies and the adjacent property. That second property will become a home office and training facility, making it a critical hub as her team and business grows.

Veronica@MassageStudioSpa.com www.MassagStudioSpa.com

Bula Barua

The Bula Barua Gallery

A lifelong artist, Bula Barua is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed Master Artist. She is inspired by the free movements of blown glass and incorporates it into her mixed-media artworks. Bula combined her talents as a glass blower and oil painter, marrying the two mediums to create her own luxurious style of fine art, known as Blown Glass on Canvas.

Bula creates multi-dimensional beauty and depth by combining luxury elements, such as Swarovski crystals, 24 karat gold, genuine silver, raw floral pigments, crushed mica, precious gems, agate, and high-end resins onto the canvas. Her artworks dramatically evolve with dynamic motion, as the light changes from sunrise to sunset.

From morning to evening, her artworks are never the same. Her art has been included in many private and public collections and galleries around the world, and is collected by art lovers worldwide. Notable collectors include the late Prince Unathi, grandson of Nelson Mandela, and China’s 9th richest billionaire, Huang Ming. In February of 2020, Bula opened her own solo gallery, The Bula Barua Gallery in downtown St. Petersburg.

Bula is also an actress, pianist, singer and composer, and a published author of short stories and poetry. She believes in giving back, and regularly donates artwork to Heels to Heal locally, as well as Miracles Outreach.

www.bulagallery.com • 727-900-1063 Instagram: @theRealBula 212 Second St. North St. Petersburg

Maggie Davidson Ory and Judy Smith

The Bungaleaux

This powerhouse mother/ daughter team has created a community like no other. Newcomers to the Bungaleaux on Central immediately feel like family, and you can feel the vibrant spirit of their dream the moment you enter. Louisiana native Maggie and her mother Judy have carefully crafted a village of artists, builders and creators that fill the walls and space with handpicked home furnishings and designs for every taste. Their legacy is a character-filled three floor 1920’s bungalow in the up and coming Grand Central District just down the street from downtown St. Pete.

Together, they fulfilled a vision and created a community of over eighteen vendors that provide one of a kind home décor items and artwork to enliven and enchant any space. Looking for something specific? Just ask Maggie and she will source something incredible.

After opening the Bungaleaux in 2015 to rave reviews, Maggie had the opportunity to purchase the building in 2019, and stepped up to solidify their place in the market. They now own this historic space, where numerous artists have played music and read poetry over the years. Many stories and much history surround this 1920’s bungalow, which Maggie and Judy are happy to share if you ask them.

www.thebungaleaux.com 727-317-5667

Samantha Marti

Bseen Creative Agency

Bseen Creative Agency, founded in 2015, has assisted a multitude of emerging businesses into well established brands. While all her clients are diverse in size and industry, they all share one commonality and that is, challenging the status quo by elevating their digital presence. Bseen’s journey began a little over 6 years ago when the founder, Samantha Marti, graduated from the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). Although her primary focus has been deeply rooted in luxury and real estate, the agency continues to deliver fresh perspectives and effective marketing strategies within many verticals.

Some of their most notable projects include the brand transition of Douglas Elliman, who acquired the leading luxury real estate boutique in downtown St.Petersburg. In addition, Samantha was the force behind the brand creation and execution of State Drug Testing, a nationwide occupational therapy and drug testing company. Most recently, Bseen was appointed the marketing strategist for Windstar Homes, a nationally recognized and award-winning, design-build firm headquartered in Tampa.

Located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Bseen specializes in guiding entrepreneurs, large and small, to grow to their full potential. Whether it’s a rebrand, a start-up seeking direction or empowering an emerging business with effective strategy; their work truly embodies the defining principles of a uniquely cultivated luxury experience.

912.755.0442 sam@bseensolutions.com www.bseensolutions.com

Jackie Zumba

Jackie Z Style Co

Six years ago Jackie Z relocated her successful Sarasota boutique to Sundial in St. Pete. This year she expanded her square footage in Sundial to accommodate a broader line of offerings. Jackie Z Style Co is a luxury oasis featuring everything from Birkin Bags to Gucci sunglasses and everything in between. Shop curated selections for women and men, or select from gifts under $100. Jackie’s passion is providing a one stop shop with exceptional customer service. In addition to her own clothing line featuring lounge wear and dresses, she recently launched her own jewelry line, the Z Stack. These stackable enamel tile bracelets are available in her St. Pete store and nationally as well.

Jackie and her husband Brian are St. Pete residents, along with their six year old daughter. Giving back is part of their business model, and Jackie Z Style Co regularly participates in charity fashion shows, and supported local charities such as Joshua House, CASA, Lamplighters, Easter Seals, Stuart Society and Alpha House.

www.jackiezstyle.com 727-258-4849

Lora L. Brown, MD

TruWell Health

Dr. Brown, a St. Petersburg native, is fellowship-trained at the worldrenowned Cleveland Clinic. She has practiced for 20 years in the Tampa Bay area and is triple board certified in pain management and regenerative medicine. She specializes in the minimally invasive interventional treatments of spine and joint pain.

Dr. Brown is the owner of TruWell Health, a nonsurgical orthopedic pain medical practice in St. Petersburg. She and her team pride themselves on being at the forefront of medicine, combining traditional therapies with some of the most innovative treatments available.

Their team utilizes a comprehensive multi-disciplinary treatment approach, which may include hyaluronic acid injections, in-house PT with eccentric strengthening, off -loading braces, radiofrequency ablations, infrared laser light therapy, IV infusions, regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy.

“There are so many proven options that are really underutilized, and these treatments are helping patients avoid surgery, including joint replacements.” -Dr. Brown.

In addition to speaking and teaching around the world, Dr. Brown served as lead investigator on numerous published trials, is a past-president of the Florida chapter of American Society for Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) and served on many boards including as a governor appointed member of the Florida Drug Abuse Task Force.

727-440-5410 info@truwell.health Website: Truwell.Health

Susanne Van Selow

Van Selow Design Build LLC

Susanne Van Selow believes that a truly successful home renovation starts with the relationship that develops between the homeowner and the contractor. Knowing that a home is the largest investment anyone can make, she has set out to change the overall perspective of how homeowners perceive the remodeling industry.

After hearing endless stories about substandard construction work in the Tampa Bay area, Susanne made it her mission to change the narrative by creating Van Selow Design Build LLC in 2004. She has utilized her passion and experience in design and construction to provide a specialized approach to home renovation. She is able to take part in a project from the design concept all the way through final construction. She takes pride in her team’s ability to listen to a client, earn their trust, and bring their vision to life.

As president and owner of Van Selow Design Build LLC, Susanne is a member of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Susanne’s success in the industry has led to numerous accolades including the NARI Remodeler of the Year award in 2011. Her projects have also been recognized each year during the NARI Tampa Bay Contractor of the Year awards.

727.391.2959 www.vanselowdesign.com

Libby Salamone

The Salamone Group, RE/MAX Metro

Libby Salamone says she has the best job in the world. “Where else do you find a job that is different every day and at the end of every transaction you get hugs, gratitude, and a check? The money comes and goes, but the hugs and appreciation stay in your heart and spur you on forever.”

Libby has achieved top designations from The National Association of Realtors, along with numerous sales awards, and continues to publish articles about real estate, sharing invaluable advice and insights from her 40 years of real estate experience.

Libby works closely with her husband Ron, a retired attorney, and together they make up half of The Salamone Group at RE/MAX Metro, one of the topproducing real estate teams in the Tampa Bay area. Libby and Ron are joined by Angela Mathias, a popular top-producer in her own right, along with their son, Andrew, who grew up in the real estate business and who specializes in marketing luxury properties.

“It is very exciting,” Libby says, “to be able to put our over 90 years of combined experience together with the cutting-edge marketing techniques and bring them to bear on the needs of our customers. It’s the combination of those two irreplicable components that make the magic happen.”

727-560-6676 http://stpete.pro libbysoldit@me.com

Photo courtesy Denise Antonewitz

Denise Antonewitz

Keller Williams

One of Pinellas County’s leading Realtors, Denise caters to buyers and sellers with a total of over $200 million in sales and over 550 homes sold in the Tampa Bay Area in the past 8 years. She continues to be the top 1% of all licensed Realtors in the area year after year.

Denise is a 4th generation native Floridian, born and raised in St. Petersburg. As her career in real estate took off, she says “Being a leader, a mentor, and a coach was something I had to learn how to do. Building a successful business requires learning how to help other people succeed in their goals.”

Recognizing the value of team building, she says “All of a sudden I realized I have a business, and I’m not just a Realtor anymore. I’m now responsible for others and holding them accountable. We are all a part of something bigger.”

Denise is a certified luxury marketing specialist, and a member of KW Luxury International. Whether selling houses or mentoring others, she enjoys a sense of pride that comes from an honest day’s work. “It’s about serving others and assisting them in achieving their dreams.” For Denise, it is the greatest gift.

www.antonewitzhometeam.com 727-204-3138