Micha Seal makes waves through swim school growth in Tampa Bay

Quirky, ambitious, tenacious, sweet.  If Micha Seal had a Webster’s Dictionary entry, these are the adjectives that would be used for her.  Her riverfront home, in New Port Richey, is decorated immaculately with flairs of her personality and a unique homage to her business. She even has a lap pool in her front yard, obscured … Read more

The founders of BKS Partners are empowering the next generation to take hold

Laura Sherman, Lowry Baldwin and Elizabeth Krystyn never thought they’d end up in the insurance industry, yet their unique paths brought them together to co-found Baldwin, Krystyn, Sherman (BKS) Partners, an agency that works outside the box cultivating long-haul relationships and partnerships with regional and national insurance companies, to ensure the best possible experience for … Read more

The Story of McKibbon: A father and son open up about their family ties

In 1926, a man named John “Jack” McKibbon Jr., along with his brother Marvin, teamed up and opened a franchise location of Piggly Wiggly in Gainesville, Georgia.  This was the start of the McKibbon enterprise, the springboard for McKibbon Hospitality, based in Tampa.  John McKibbon III is currently chair of the board of McKibbon and … Read more

The making of a good boss: Paula Woodring’s business love story

While most young people were preparing for their senior prom, Paula Woodring was preparing to buy her first home.  She says she didn’t know what she wanted to do when she grew up, and yet, this could have been a solid clue.  “I was just graduating high school when I, kind of, fell into what … Read more

Fred Lay built a full life from scratch, which has come full circle

There’s a unique quality to the story of Fred Lay. Often, the building blocks lead back to the beginning of his life.  His outlook, his grit, his giving heart, the way he behaves as a father…nearly every step he takes, on any given day, is paved by a slab that was poured for him before … Read more

Joe Lopano prepares to leave his legacy at TPA for his next great journey

It’s 8 a.m. on a Friday, at Tampa International Airport. It’s sunny and the weather is slowly warming up, hour by hour. It started out about 40 degrees, this February morning, and will hit almost 80 degrees later in the day. It’s one of those perfect Tampa Bay days that would have made Joe Lopano … Read more

How David Habib built Yo Mama’s Foods

Yo Mama’s Foods founder David Habib sits among pallets of packaged sauces inside the company’s Clearwater warehouse

From his family kitchen in Clearwater, David Habib built Yo Mama’s Foods into a national clean-label brand sold in 24,000 stores.

Five most-read TBBW cover stories of 2023

Here are the five most-read Tampa Bay Business and Wealth cover stories in 2023. 2. Jim Norman’s winding road of success 3. How Rick Brandt took his small-town, family business, and turned it into a global Powerhouse 4. Steve Frey created the ‘Airbnb for Business’ and his plans to bring the offering directly to consumers … Read more

Cover Update: Michael Lundy

In October 2019, when Michael Lundy graced the cover of Tampa Bay Business and Wealth, he shared big plans for OLDER LUNDY, including expanding into Pinellas County.  As founder and managing partner of the Tampa-based law firm, he had his sights set on growth and 2020 was going to be a big year.  Looking back … Read more