What is the biggest limitation to growing your business? Is it access to capital? If it is…. I’m working with a socially conscious investor that will back startups, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations & growth plans for businesses that are creating jobs in Florida (sorry, not interested in any other states or countries at this point). We are looking to allocate capital to experienced [...]

A few years back my brother, Jared Repka, moved from Clearwater Beach to the big city… actually, the Old Northeast Section of St. Petersburg, FL. Early one Saturday morning in 2002 he was running errands along Central Avenue in Downtown St. Pete when something stopped him cold… where there were people actually sitting  at a bar at 8am drinking beer? [...]

The best way to destroy the recovering Florida economy is to vote “YES” on Amendment 4 this November. Amendment 4 will cost jobs, raise taxes and devastate Florida’s economy. The term “Hometown Democracy” is a brilliant marketing and branding move that will have the exact opposite result. Local governments will be crippled by the rules, regulations and litigation and the [...]

By: Jon Reno La Budde This collection is the Crown Jewel of St. Pete’s already fine and numerous galleries and museums. Many of us, including myself, had pre-conceived notions of what blown glass artwork would look like. I say hold on to that thought, and then go for a tour of the gallery. The pleasant shock & amazement will carry [...]