We know that Tampa Bay is special and a big part of what makes this area an amazing place to live is the people. We’re introducing you to kids and adults whose stories you should know. This is not a ‘pay for play’ list like those published by some other sites and magazines. We are simply featuring people who are doing incredible things in our community and deserve the recognition. Let’s dive in and meet your extraordinary Tampa Bay neighbors!
Meet Daniel Rodriguez, a 5-year-old with a heart for people and a knack for brightening days at Elite Body Cryotherapy in St. Petersburg, FL. His eagerness to connect and help in his family’s business is inspiring, proving it’s never too early to make a difference.
With schedules that are packed with playdates, sports, school, and the many other ways we socialize our kids, what, then, is left for us parents who also dream of a Monica to our Rachel? This is where a Friendship Coach comes in.
Meet Emaline, my friend who attended the Wee Macree Giveback Spectacular last fall. As she learned about different local youth populations in need and participated in activities to serve on the spot, she felt like something was missing. At 5 years old, with a heart bigger than her whole self, she looked lovingly at her…
When Gorrie Elementary School mother Haylie Katz discovered Bess the Book Bus, she immediately thought of her children’s school community. With a committed PTA team that partners with nonprofits monthly to teachers who encourage students’ kindness potential, this neighborhood school has nurtured many standout kids to know. How did collecting for Bess the Book…
Our local youth are at the very core of all we do, of how and why we make decisions, and why we give back and serve. Yet, there is a population of children among us that we do not speak nearly enough about. We notice them, but we do not see them. We hear them,…
Tori Penso, the first American to referee a FIFA Women’s World Cup final, has much to celebrate. The St. Petersburg-based mom of three, believes soccer has been a unifying gift for her family.
YMKG’s captain, Truett Gardner, will lead the legendary invasion. Truett shares treasured Gasparilla memories, extending from his childhood to ones made with his children, along with what he’s looking forward to for the 2024 Gasparilla season.
Long before Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt were hosts of the popular HGTV series “100 Day Dream Home,” they were classmates at Riverview High School. Now married for eight years, living in their own dream home in Ruskin, and raising Mika’s 14-year-old daughter, Jade, together, they’re reflecting on their journey and looking ahead to an exciting new year.
Every fall at Bayshore Christian School, the fourth grade classes gather to plan for a market. The products, packaging and prices are determined individually by each nine and ten year old student. However, they decide collectively how the profits from the project will be used. While they learned how to execute a successful business, they…
Have you ever heard the saying “in a world full of Kardashians, be an Audrey (Hepburn)?” When it comes to raising girls in today’s world, I am reassured that there are women in the aesthetics field that promote a graceful approach to aging that enhances natural inner and outer beauty—much like the iconic faces before…
As we get ready to step into a new year, a time when many of us look to reset, we’re introducing you to a local mom who has been right where you are—smack dab in the middle of burnout. Jess Massey not only found her way out, but she developed a planner and system to help other women find their path to a more “peacefully productive” life.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is roaring back to life in an ALL-NEW reimagined show and we’re chatting with Juliette Feld Grossman, who teamed up with her father to produce The Greatest Show on Earth, to talk about the evolution of the show.
Through the Children’s Dream Fund, I have had the incredible honor of connecting with a family that has endured so much. When the chances of survival were statistically low, where the critical number of perfectly matched stem cells were extraordinarily high, Sadie can say today that her battle is won. Because of the grace of…
From a challenging childhood in New York City to troubled teen years marked by resilience and survival, Giselle McNab’s path to motherhood has taken her from darkness to enlightenment. With a remarkable account of breaking a cycle of abuse, the inspiration behind her book, and her mission to empower women and teen girls through her…
Jason Licht, renowned Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ General Manager (a position he’s held since 2014), is, foremost, a dad and husband. With wife Blair, he navigates the peaks, valleys and predominantly uncertain terrain of parenting. They met during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, when she lived in Manhattan working in finance. Over six years, they…
How did local teen, Dev Shah, really win the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee? He was focused and ready. But even more than that, he went into the competition to enjoy every part of the experience.
Meet Mandy Schulis, a certified trauma-informed story coach and a driving force behind inspiring female entrepreneurs to dismantle their own barriers and harness the power of their unique stories for both income and impact.
As Super League Tampa Bay prepares to make its mark on the world of women’s soccer, the appointment of Christina Unkel as President represents an important moment in the sport’s history.
There’s something extraordinary about a life-comes-full-circle moment. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader Shay Garcia had such a moment when her daughter, Johanna, stepped onto the Raymond James turf as a Bucs Junior Cheerleader. Shay and Johanna share their TBBC experiences. Kaylee Strobel, a former Junior Cheerleader and current Buccaneers’ Cheerleading and Mascot Coordinator, also knows full-circle moments with the Bucs. Before firing the canons, read their firsthand accounts about TBBC’s lasting impacts.
Jewelry icon, Kendra Scott, shares her new collection along with fall trends, style advice for moms, and discusses her passion for giving back to others.
With a remarkable mission to brighten the lives of pediatric cancer patients through the therapeutic art of fishing, Angling For Relief has served families in Tampa Bay for five years. While his heart-warming initiative has made a lasting difference in so many lives around him, it is Jake who has been changed by the kids he gets to take fishing.
90s Con is a wrap! We caught up with some of the event’s celebrity guests to see how they felt going back in time with old and new fans.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Tampa is rich with Hispanic Heritage. Two Tampa moms, originally from Puerto Rico, share details about their roots and raising their own children with Hispanic heritage in Tampa Bay.
Meet Dominique Richardson, local author and founder of Tampa Bay’s first book festival, YA By the Bay, which aims to promote a love for literacy and leadership among local students.
Feeling the lack of community in this new season of motherhood, the more they talked with other moms, the more they realized they were not alone. That’s when two St. Pete moms hatched an idea that is now a reality: The EverMom Collective.
Meet 7-year-old Emersyn, a remarkable little girl who bravely confronts medulloblastoma with her family, the community, and the Children’s Cancer Center by her side.
The Tampa Bay Fashion Experience is a three-day event that showcases Tampa’s most unique and luxurious styles, highlighting the work of local designers, with appearances by Tampa Bay Buccaneer players and celebrities, all while supporting local organizations.
Denis talks to us about hurricane season, how you can prepare and ease your kids’ minds, and his famous catchphrase, “Rule #7.”
At The Sunflower Patch, Eileen Esposito combines her talents as a music therapist, recording artist and songwriter to create enchanting experiences for children. With a deep-rooted passion for music ingrained in her DNA (her great-great-uncle composed “Silent Night”), Esposito’s own musical journey began at a young age. Today, with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy…
Mason Hawk may be a great student, a strong athlete and a gifted pianist, but his passion and advocacy for children battling life-threatening illnesses is what truly makes him stand out. Inspired by his brother’s liver transplant journey, Mason found purpose through volunteering with Children’s Dream Fund at the age of 13. This past spring,…
Driven by a cross-country opportunity to combine her passions and make a difference, Dr. Cynthia Stringfield embarked on a new chapter in her life when she moved from California to Florida in 2019. Today at ZooTampa, driven by a deep-rooted belief in the power of education, Dr. Stringfield dedicates her work to instilling a sense…
In a world where young dreams hold infinite possibilities, an 8-year-old girl who loved to skate found her way to the Tampa Bay Lightning Girls Hockey League to leave her mark on the ice. Alyson Hobbs, a focused and flourishing young player, is among other skillful teammates who showcase the boundless potential of girls in…
Katie Krimitsos knows what moms need to hear to relax. Her podcasts (recorded in her closet) have been downloaded more than 100 million times.
Chris LaFace, president and CEO at RIPA & Associates, along with his wife, Angela (a critical care surgeon who recently paused her career for increased family time), made a groundbreaking donation and support the Big John exhibit as presenting sponsors.
We’re getting to know Quin Brewington, creator of Sister Lady Girl and Second Act Summit.
We’re getting to know Kat Stickler, a Tampa mom and one of TikTok’s most popular influencers.
At 11 years old, every breath Madden Sheridan takes is a miracle. Diagnosed with Jeune’s Syndrome in utero, Madden may have special needs and accommodations, but his passion for sports, making people laugh and building with Legos is just like any other kid his age.
We’re introducing you to the family who bought Big John the Triceratops and how the record-setting fossil ended up in Tampa.
We’re getting to know the mother-daughter duo behind Seventh Avenue Apothecary, Phala Pesano and Jessica Reisner, as they share how they’re letting their own little light shine and using it to ignite others’ lights.
Procure is not your typical boutique. The unique retail concept sells products exclusively from women-owned businesses—most of them from Tampa and we’re getting to know the woman who brought it here to Tampa.
We’re getting to know Alicia Schulhof, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital’s first female president.
We’re getting to know Sorboni Banerjee, a former television anchor who is not only a published author, but is inspiring others to dream big.
Meet Ansley Kins, a kid author, designer and more!
Get to know Melanie Humenansky, head of school at Bayshore Christian School in South Tampa.
Meet the 5th grade recipient of Hillsborough County’s 2022 Anti-Bullying Recognition Award and find out how you can nominate a child or teen who has gone above and beyond to battle bullying.
Bianca Burrows, @itsbbart Did you know that local students get less than one hour of art instruction in school each week? For children that express themselves through a more creative approach or kids that struggle in school because they do not meet traditional academic standards, that’s not enough time in the school year for them to…
Lowry Park Zoo’s old Fairyland figurine restoration is underway, thanks to Richard Gonzmart of the 1905 Family Of Restaurants. See them at Ulele.
Meet Rylee Miller: Academy of the Holy Names fifth-grader, twin sister and a professional kid-DJ who’s spun for the Tampa Bay Lightning and more!
Meet Alyssa Rhoads, producer of show-stopping events and creator of joy, wonder and enchantment in everything she creates.
Tampa native and celebrity chef Richard Hales invites us into his home with his flagship restaurant, Black Brick, and talks family life in his hometown.
Tampa Pickleball Crew founders dish about the easy-to-learn sport with a newly minted Major League that’s taking over Tampa Bay!
It’s incredible how a magic show can bring out the kid in all of us. Visit Zubrick Magic Theatre for a night your family will never forget!
One year ago, flamenco dancer Irene Rodriguez took the biggest leap of her life, not on the dance floor—in real life. She left her home country of Cuba, where she was the principal dancer and director of the country’s most recognized flamenco company, and moved to Tampa with nothing more than the desire and drive…
Meet Jordan Parramore, kid on a mission: gamer, foodie, autism advocate, and founder of Jordan’s Juice Bar when he was only 8 years old.
Meet Kiva Williams, the @thefunfoodiemama and founder of Mahogany Kids Fine Arts Foundation benefitting children in Tampa Bay.
Keith and Jill Sedita, of Florish Pizza in South Tampa, set out to recreate the pizza they grew up eating—with one distinction—it’s vegan.
Winner of Apple’s prestigious Swift Student Challenge, Lexline taught herself coding, and then created her own app on quantum physics.
What if we approached the “tough” seasons of parenting differently? Dr. Amy Patenaude is helping families make lasting positive changes.
Karrie Mueller has successful businesses, three happy children and a soulmate husband. Beyond Super Mom, she’s a Mom to KNOW!
At a time of year when so much is celebrated with the holidays, it’s important to remember that so much can change in a short time…and honoring and cherishing the people- every person- around us is what makes December truly special. This is precisely why we get to know Noah Cheong, someone who has always put others first.
