It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Tampa.
Sue Graef
There isn’t really a hard line between when I wasn’t an artist and when I was. There was no single spark of inspiration that made me decide to become one — only the moment I realized I already was one, and that I wanted to keep going. Read more>>
Shamika Askew
In 2016, I started my law firm in my one-bedroom apartment with a laptop and an outdated iPhone. I genuinely believed that God was calling me to start my own firm although I had no previous experience owning a business and had only been a licensed attorney for several months. Read more>>
Daniel Powell II
My story began in Miami, Florida then eventually went to Georgia. Raised in a loving home by both my parents. However, my journey took a turn and I got involved in the streets. What started as good intentions turned into pursuing something I thought was greater. I became a top gang banger. And was known across various states. Read more>>
Kelly Sues
If someone would have told me in my twenties that I would become a massage therapist, I would not have believed them a bit! It’s funny how life has a way of unfolding especially when one is open to that experience of unfolding. My journey really began in 2006, when I decided to attend yoga school and Reiki school. Read more>>
andrea norton
I used to be an English teacher, and today I’m a mom of two and an astrologer. My interest in astrology actually started when I was really young. I remember looking for the horoscope section in the back of magazines and newspapers and always being fascinated by it. But for a long time, it was simply something I was curious about. Read more>>
Zach Turner
I began my marketing career at Pure Fishing, where I had the opportunity to work across five major fishing brands and see firsthand how established companies approach everything from product launches and endorsements to advertising and content. That experience gave me a foundation in branding that I carried throughout my career. From there, I worked across very different industries and types of marketing. Read more>>
Jenny Rodriguez
My journey in mental health really began with a passion for human connection and helping people navigate life’s most pivotal transitions. I started my career working hands-on in community and educational settings as a home and school-based therapist. Supporting children, teens, and families through systemic challenges gave me a deep appreciation for intergenerational dynamics and the ripple effect of emotional wellness. Read more>>
Bula Barua
My story has always been rooted in creativity. From an early age, I found myself drawn to art, music, and the freedom of expressing what I felt through different forms of creativity. Creating was never just a hobby for me—it became a way of understanding myself and connecting with other people. Over the years, my creative journey has taken different directions. Read more>>
John Lozano
My story really began long before Davinchi Art Studio ever existed. I’ve been creating art for more than 20 years, and for me, being an artist has never simply meant choosing a profession. Art has always been the way I communicate, solve problems, get through difficult moments, and give shape to the ideas I carry inside me. Read more>>
Mathew Henderson Gage Black
Our friendship started in 2016 through a shared love of music and barbering. In 2021, alongside our creative partner, Sead, we founded MH BLVCK. We wanted to create a space that reflected who we were, where people could feel comfortable being themselves and enjoy spending time. Since opening, a big part of our journey has been learning and growing as business owners and leaders. Read more>>
Melih Polat
My relationship with art goes back as far as I can remember. From a very young age, I was constantly drawing, creating my own characters, and finding ways to make things. Over time, I realized that this wasn’t simply a childhood interest; it was a natural part of who I was. Read more>>
Landkiss
Being an east coast baby I’ve always had a touch for creativity since I was very young, and all the stuff I was exposed to then definitely sculpted my love for the culture as a whole now. Read more>>
Ale Pacheco
For many years I lived among mountains, in a small village of German tradition, where I grew up surrounded by a culture deeply connected to the land, family, and respect for food. There, cold cuts were made artisanally, from fresh, authentic meats, coming from animals raised on the local pastures. Read more>>
Sunny Alexader
I’m originally from Texas, and if you had told me when I was younger that I’d end up owning a real estate brokerage in Tampa, I probably would have laughed. I went to West Point on a soccer scholarship, and that experience changed the entire direction of my life. Read more>>
Hetal Kanani
Since childhood, art has been my deepest passion and the most natural way of expressing myself. Drawing and painting have always given me peace, positivity, and a beautiful escape from everyday stress. For me, creating art is a form of meditation—a way to relax, recharge, and express what I feel. My journey took an unexpected path. Read more>>
ART BEATZ
My story really starts in Baghdad, Iraq, where I grew up surrounded by music. My older brother played the organ at a church in Baghdad and taught me how to play piano by ear, so music was part of my life from a very young age. Read more>>
Jada Anastasia
My journey into creative entrepreneurship happened pretty organically. I’ve always been a creative person with an eye for design, marketing and visual storytelling. I love taking an idea that may only exist in someone’s head and turning it into something they can actually see, use and share with the world. Read more>>
Brittany Meyer
I’ve been dyslexic for as long as I can’t read, and school often felt overwhelming — full of rigid guidelines and ways of doing things that never quite fit how my brain worked. But when we got to art class, those rules disappeared. Suddenly my mind came alive. Everything felt easy, relaxing, and natural. Read more>>
Alexandra Quintos
This question — definitely a battle to answer. I started when I was a kid and never really stopped. After my parents had 5 kids already, and me being the sixth, they just threw every hobby or skill at me and see what stuck. Well, arts stuck. From building makeshift houses for my toys, drawing Looney tunes character or even making dresses for my barbies. Read more>>
Nadia Weekes
Top Knot Swim really grew organically from something I loved doing into a business I never expected to build. I started by making swimwear for myself and experimenting with different prints, fits, and ways of wearing each piece. Over time, people started asking where my suits were from, and that interest gave me the push to turn the idea into a real brand. Read more>>
Lisa Wilkes
I’m Lisa Wilkes, a licensed social worker (LMSW), flight attendant, animal rescuer, and published author living in Tampa Bay, Florida. My travels have taken me all over the world, providing endless inspiration for my writing as well as my vivid hopes for a more just, compassionate, and inclusive society. Read more>>
Roxy Kerr
I am a 3rd generation vocal coach and 3rd generation professional singer. My grandmother’s name was Amanda Ambrose. She was a child prodigy, was playing concert piano when she was 3 years old. And was signed to a record label by the time she was 18. She was a Jazz and Gospel singer and pianist. Read more>>
Chef Miguel Martinez
I’ve always had an interest in cooking, primarily because, of course, we all have to eat! I was raised by my grandmother, and although we didn’t have much, there was always a hot meal on the table. As I got older, I realized how important that tradition was to me. Read more>>
Mizeyesis
I started raving in the mid 90s and fell in love with jungle. I was a good kid that got mixed up in a bad crowd. My ways out of that mess was my family moving us to Connecticut but also the music. Read more>>
Gina Fortino
I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. My mom saw that in me early and signed me up for every kids’ clay and art class she could find. Read more>>
Crystal Wharton
I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to Florida with my family as a teenager. One of the defining moments of my life came during my senior year of high school when I became pregnant with my son. Read more>>
Nichole Maturo
My story truly began as a child. As far back as I can remember I’ve always loved using a camera. Growing up in the 90s when film was big, I loved snapping pictures with our families film camera. I loved to pick up an album and flip through pictures from time to time just for fun. Read more>>
Craig Woodard Sr
In 2014, my wife Christine and I had our son Craig Woodard, Jr. who was blessed with Down syndrome. This blessing made me want to get involved in advocating and spreading awareness. In 2015, I was voted in as the Vice President of a local Down syndrome organization. My main responsibility was to organize a Buddy Walk fundraiser for the Tampa Bay area. Read more>>
Amanda Baar
I was born at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital and raised in Manatee County, and I’m incredibly proud to call Florida home. I am 31 years old and have a degree in Business Administration. I have an amazing family and have been blessed with a strong, supportive extended family as well. I currently live in Downtown Sarasota and love to play pickleball! Read more>>
Zsuzsanna Szantosi
I grew up in Hungary and have always been drawn to creativity, people, and community. Dance became a big part of my life at a young age, and what started as a personal passion eventually became a way to connect with others. When I moved to the United States, I had to rebuild many things from the ground up. Read more>>
Ama Appiah
I was as a graphic design major in college but eventually went to law school after my undergrad studies. I have been an attorney in FL for over 22 years, but I have had the opportunity to re-engage with my creative side over the past 6 years. Read more>>
Blake C. Hollaway
The best stories don’t end when the final word is read, the credits roll, or the telling has concluded. They ripple. They resonate. They illuminate. They reveal. Because the best stories do more than just entertain or express. Read more>>
Paul LeRoy Gehres
Lucky LeRoy is an Aries. we love disco and chicken fingers. we have a New York City backstory & moved to Florida some years ago. we make Art constantly and try to sell it at The Factory St Pete. you can visit my studio LEROYLAND at The Factory St Pete whenever you feel like it. Please bring alot of money and your opinion. Read more>>
Troy Fredric
I grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and for most of my childhood I thought basketball was going to be my life. I was extremely dedicated to it—early morning workouts, riding my bike to the gym, staying late after practice, whatever it took. When that chapter of my life ended after high school, I had to figure out who I was without basketball. Read more>>
Dr. Kerlyn (aka Dr. Kerleen) Joseph
Yes, of course. Born in America to immigrant parents from Haiti, I was raised at the intersection of two worlds, rooted in the richness, resilience, and traditions of Haitian culture while embracing the possibility, ambition, and optimism of the American experience. That duality has shaped the way I see the world and informs everything I create. Read more>>
Michael Whitcomb
Since the age of three, Michael has been aware of his psychic and healing abilities. He has always been interested in magic and metaphysics. By eleven-years-old, Michael bought his first tarot deck and some books on astrology, Wicca and metaphysics. By fourteen he met his first Wiccan High Priest teacher, James M. Read more>>
Alicia Tran
I founded AD | Atelier + Design in Sarasota, Florida, with a singular, uncompromising vision: to establish the region’s very first Tier 1 Ultra-Luxury Design House. As the founder and sole owner, I wanted to curate a space that completely dissolves the boundaries between art and architecture. Read more>>
Terra Tominelli
Since launching Pink Sebastian Boutique 8 years ago, the vision has continued to evolve. What began as a mobile and online boutique has grown into a broader fashion and styling experience, and in 2026, I’m intentionally taking Pink Sebastian in an exciting new direction. I’m shifting my focus beyond traditional retail and moving deeper into fashion styling, closet edits, personal shopping, and fashion production. Read more>>
Aubrey Wollett
I grew up in a very musical home. My parents led worship at church, my brother and I sang at open mics around our hometown, and I was always involved in school musicals, talent shows, and singing the National Anthem at sporting events. Music was always a huge part of my life. Read more>>
Waide Riddle
I am an award-winning author, writer and filmmaker. 1978: I won my first award in writing (Journalism) at the age of 12 for penning movie reviews for my junior high school paper. I knew I would always be a writer. Today, my titles are available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble Press, IngramSpark Books, Village Well/Culver City, Borderlands/San Francisco, and Waterstones/UK. Read more>>
Crystal Scherer
I grew up visiting Bradenton, and almost 20 years ago, I packed everything I owned into my car and moved here. I was drawn to the area’s small-town pride and its unique sense of community. Read more>>
Timo Kisyeri
I was born in 2005 in Tanzania and my family moved around a lot until we eventually settled down in 2013 in Eswatini, a small landlocked country in southern Africa, where we’ve lived since. When I was younger, I was always drawn to the arts but more than that, I loved technology as a whole. Read more>>
Tosin Somade
My passion for serving others started long before I became a hairstylist. I was raised in a hardworking Nigerian household by parents who are entrepreneurs in the healthcare industry. Watching them care for people with compassion, dedication, and excellence shaped who I am today. Read more>>
Keshia Butler
Hey Tampa! My name is Keshia Butler. I’m a Certified Financial Education Instructor ℠ and the founder of Scraped Knee Finance. My company helps Black and Brown communities heal their relationship with money and build financial stability using realistic, behavior-focused strategies. Read more>>
Thomas and Catherine Hampton
This is really a WE story. My wife and I have always been hard-working and a bit ambitious. We met in college and you know the story. Boy meets girl, girl likes boy and before you know it, they’re married. We graduated from college and began searching for what comes next. He had an accounting degree, and I had a degree in liberal arts. Read more>>
Sharon Laflamme
Meet Sharon Laflamme an extraordinary force of compassion and resilience, who, as the visionary Founder and Facilitator of Creating Serenity Now, LLC, empowers individuals to transcend the shackles of childhood trauma, fostering profound healing and transformation while embodying a beacon of hope for all who seek to break free from destructive cycles and embrace a life of serenity and self-acceptance. Read more>>
Lynn Principe
I am often asked how I became an End of Practitioner and Grief Coach, mostly because it’s a very uncommon career path! Like most of us, I don’t remember death or dying being normal topics of conversation when I was growing up and any grieving that I’m sure was happening, was done behind closed doors. It wasn’t until I was an adult and had relocated to Florida that I had my first intimate experience with death. My father’s aunt and uncle, both in their late 80’s lived in Florida and had no children or other family to look out for them. I became that person. As my great aunt’s health declined, I spent a lot of time at her bedside and served as a liaison to the rest of our family up north. She was very generous in sharing what was happening for her physically and emotionally. There was both beauty and sadness to the entire process. She was a beautiful teacher for me. After our visits, I would go home and write down all of my impressions into my journal. Read more>>
Amarilys Morales
My business story begins in January 2018. After being with a company for 5 years, my values for my career and life shifted and I set out to find something different. When I didn’t find this in another company, I embarked on the journey to create the company that I dreamed to work for. 5 years later, AMA Behavioral Consulting does that! I’ve created not only a quality ABA program but a company that’s compassionate and caring and has tons of fun doing so! Read more>>
