St Pete Soul

Have you ever stopped to wonder how far that produce had to travel to get to your grocery store? Did you know that it likely traveled over 1600 miles to get there and exchanged hands 5 times before landing on the shelves? Mind blowing, right? Shannon O'Malley, CEO and Founder of Brick Street Farms, has been disrupting traditional ways of agriculture since she founded the urban farming company right here in our Sunshine City. Shannon's background as an electrical engineer and her husband's background in technology offered the perfect partnership to bring this dream to life. They use innovative technology to automate their large-scale, vertical farming in shipping containers, which provides a soil-less, climate controlled system, operating independently from land, climate or seasons. Their leafy greens are certified non-GMO, chemical free and wash-free, all grown sustainably using 90% less water and 30% less energy. With their unique "Hub" model, they can produce over 60 acres each month on less than a 1/3 acre city lot. That, my friends, is sustainability in action. They are farm to fork in less than 36 hours! I could go on forever with all the details that will blow your mind, but how about we just dive into the episode and hear it from Shannon herself? I promise it will have you thinking differently about where and how you buy your produce.

Have you ever wondered what it means to be truly joyful? What about finding joy and positivity in any area of your life, regardless of your mood or what's going on around you? When Ilene & Alli realized they had a unique approach & "zest" for life, their passions led them to launch The Zest Zone with a focus on health, wellness and the culinary arts using essential oils. Now they are ready to let everyone else in on the secret to their "zest" for the good life. With Joy Coaching, they are on a mission to help stressed out, overwhelmed entrepreneurs & "others-focused" people tap into the best versions of themselves and discover their "good life." Inside coaching, Ilene & Alli will guide you through a holistic approach to uncovering what truly brings you joy and living your life to the fullest.

To learn more about Joy Coaching, visit their website at:

Most people would agree that our health is of highest importance in life. That's why there are countless programs and diet options out there, promising you quick results. But like most things in life, good things take time and work, and good health is no different. Have you struggled with bad habits or unexplained health issues? Or maybe you've just been wanting to optimize your overall health, but can't find the best or safest ways to do it? Jennifer Gilman has been in the holistic healthcare space for over a decade. She recently re-launched her business as New Way Health Coach and now has a team of coaches ready to help you all over the world! What I love most about Jennifer's approach is that it's completely tailored to your wants and needs. She never makes you feel like there is only one way to achieve something, but instead provides a safe space to find the best path forward for you. In this episode, we dive more in depth into the importance of living a holistically healthy life and you may even find some tips and tricks you can start implementing today!

As you know by now, our small businesses are at the heart of what draws people to St Pete and keeps locals feeling so lucky we get to live here. Authors, Meredith Gaunce & Melanie Bowman captured that essence on the pages of their travel book, Traveling St Pete: A Girls Guide. Having done a similar guide for Savannah, Georgia, Meredith was approached by Melanie to create one for the city they had both fallen in love with after moving to St Pete. Add in a pandemic, and it was the perfect time to show our small businesses some extra love. Whether you are planning a girls weekend getaway or a staycation, you can easily craft the perfect outing with a little help from their guide! In this episode, you'll hear about their journey through publishing with a local company, the joys of seeing the finished project on the shelves and how they continue to champion our wonderful community.

Where to buy:

Book + Bottle

17 6th St N St Pete FL 33701

Tombolo Books

2153 1st Ave S St Pete FL 33712

Shop their website for the book and other fun themed merchandise!

In today's episode we hear from Valhalla Resale owner, Danielle Ferrari, on why sustainability in the fashion world is so important. In a world where we only wear 20% of the clothing in our closets (yikes!), waste abounds as we continue to buy new things and this perpetuates the cycle. Learning this stat sparked Danielle to create a space where all of the clothing in store comes from the community. She has a passion for helping create a circle or share economy in the Tampa Bay area, with hopes that this idea will spark others to think of ways they can contribute to this movement. She even hopes to spread the Valhalla love into other markets around the US in the future! How exciting would that be! You'll learn about the environmental and social impact that a concept like Valhalla offers with their clothing rental membership and even just by simply shopping in store. We can make a difference and look good all at the same! Now that sounds like a win to me :)

To learn more about Valhalla Resale, check out their website: 

Have you ever wondered why it’s so hard to get a nice portrait of your kid? Kids don’t naturally like to sit still and smile pretty for the camera. This is the dilemma that Alison Amick kept coming across when she did her family portrait sessions. Alison has been in the photography space for a long time and she loves creating a story around the family she is capturing. That led to the brilliant idea she had to capture the true personality of the children in those families by launching Little Llamas Portraits. Alison uses fun and interactive ways to get the kids engaged in the shoot and doesn’t worry about getting that traditional image. Instead she focuses on their personality shining through. In this episode, you’ll learn why Alison has a passion for this type of photography and how she is pioneering the space of family and children portraits. 

Food trucks have become very popular in recent years. Well, you might be surprised to know of a St Pete native that had his grandfather inspire him to start a food truck way before it was cool! Fast forward several years later, Keegan Climo finally makes that dream a reality by taking up the mantle of his grandfather, Joe Gagliardo, and opening a food truck in honor of Joe's old restaurant with the same name. Introducing Huggers Food Truck! After Joe passed away a couple years ago, Keegan took the pain of that loss and turned it into something beautiful by continuing on the legacy of his grandfather's restaurant that was a community staple. I really enjoyed hearing the passion behind all the family recipes and how Keegan is infusing his own spirit into everything they're doing. He had always wanted to start his own business and I think Huggers Food Truck was the perfect way for him to do it. I'm sure Joe is smiling down on him from heaven every day. Be sure to follow them on social media so you can see where they'll be parked next serving up deliciousness!

A good sandwich shop is an essential in any great town, right? Well, St Pete has a gem in Lonni's Sandwiches, located right in the heart of Downtown St Pete! I've been eating there for quite a good bit (because they have gluten-free bread, yay!) and I've gotten to know the new owner, Phillip Ingram, the past couple years with both of our involvement in the St Pete Chamber. Phillip is passionate about good food, good community and giving back to those around him, and all that is evident in our conversation together. In this episode, you'll hear how he came to take over one of St Pete's beloved staples and how he's striving to keep that same spirit alive, while rejuvenating the small business community here in St Pete. If you haven't stopped in before or lately, be sure to go see what Lonni's is serving up! 

In today's episode, I'm sitting down with one of my favorite people, Nicole Choate of Nicole Lynn Interiors. Nicole started her interior design business as a side hustle a couple years ago and then in 2022 she decided to take a leap of faith and leave the corporate world behind to pursue her true passion full-time. That move has definitely paid off! Not only does Nicole have a great eye for beautiful aesthetics, but she's equally skilled with the budget side of things. She prides herself on being able to watch her client's budget carefully and navigate through challenges to make sure you aren't sacrificing on quality and finding creative solutions where needed. She also has a great process for new construction and loves taking a project from the ground up, literally! In this episode, we'll peel back the curtain so you can see Nicole's mindset on business and taking those necessary steps to build her business and be financially sound all at the same time. Now she's making her design dreams a reality. 

I'm excited to introduce you to the owners of Sol Bistro, Debbie & Ron O'Neil! You'd be hard-pressed to find a more passionate pair of restauranteurs in St Pete. Debbie started her health-focused food journey many years ago when she discovered her own food allergies and sensitivities that were wrecking havoc on her health. With a background as a private chef, nutritionist and health coach, it was a natural next step to open her own restaurant alongside her husband Ron. They lovingly refer to Sol as a Conscious Culinary Experience and a part of the "slow food movement." They pride themselves on using locally sourced, organic foods, all while cultivating a luxurious, yet cozy dining experience for patrons. Their entire kitchen is allergen free, catering to special diets like gluten free, vegan and much more! But even if you don't have to worry about allergens, it wouldn't matter because the food is that good!! Everything is scratch-made, thoughtful and absolutely delicious. Be sure to make your reservation today! 

Who doesn't love a good rooftop bar? Well that was Gabrielle's thought when she created her lifestyle blog, Rooftop Collective. She quickly discovered St Pete is full of wonderful fun things to do and her blog and social media following has grown to cover so many other amazing things our Sunshine City has to offer! I have to say, I feel like Gabrielle and I are kindred spirits with our love for St Pete :) In our sit down together, you hear why she chose to move here from Sarasota with her husband and how she's helped make other new 'Burgers feel just as welcome! She's embraced the importance of showing up as your true self on social media and being comfortable with who you are, which I think we can all learn from. St Pete has so many cool new spots I'm sure she'll have fun things to share for a long time to come. Be sure to follow her on her journey of discovery! 

A cozy coffee shop in the Warehouse Arts District! Well, The Chelsea is so much more than that! It's a place to find community. A meeting spot. A place to read, write, be creative, co-work or just hang out with friends and family. If you've lived in St Pete for a while, you've seen how much the Warehouse Arts District has grown with local breweries and distilleries, alongside our art studios. When The Chelsea opened up a year ago, it was the perfect addition to the area. Teresa has such a kind heart and you can feel the love she has for her local community in every cup of coffee she makes. On top of the cozy atmosphere, there is shopping as well with fun gift items, journals, jewelry and all kinds of fun things to buy. She has also introduced a happy hour with wine and beer in the evenings, which provides a fabulous spot to go grab a drink before your night out on the town. She's also doing movie nights and other special events in the space. If you haven't stopped by, be sure to plan your next breakfast meeting, work day or happy hour at The Chelsea! 

In our second episode of 2022, I sit down with Gina DeFord, founder of Babe Crafted. Gina comes from a background of marketing and events and took her expertise to create a space where women entrepreneurs can connect, learn and be a resource to each other! In the membership, you get access to tons of in person and virtual events where you can hone your entrepreneurial skills and making lasting friendships and partnerships with other women owned businesses in the area (and the world!). Being a member of Babe Crafted myself, I can attest to the value I've gotten out of the group and I can assure you there is no shortage of passion from the founder, Gina. She truly is a "cheerleader" in your corner!

Welcome to Season 3 of the podcast! This first episode of the new year is a special one for me! I have both founders of Love St Pete on the mic to get an update on how their business has grown the past 2 years! One of the founders, Elizabeth, was my very first podcast episode in 2020! So it's a full circle moment! We learn all the ups and downs of starting a business and navigating the changes that came along the way, all while honing their craft. It's so exciting to hear about the brand awareness they now have in the community and their dreams for future. We all love St Pete, right? Well, if you want to fall in love a little more, go take a listen and I can promise that you'll fall in love with Elizabeth and Cillian too :)

Where are all my yogis!? In today's episode I sit down and learn all things yoga with SunState Yoga owner, Carrington Kilgroe. SunState is not just another yoga studio. They offer a baptiste style yoga which focuses on power and flow of movement but more importantly, Carrington firmly believes in the power of community. Her hope is that everyone who practices at her studio would form a unique bond with the community of people around them, thus promoting empowerment, friendship, inspiration, and growth in their individual yoga journey. I personally was moved by her heart for the community that she calls home here in St Pete. Whether you are a yogi for life or a newcomer wanting to learn, SunState Yoga is the perfect place for you! You will fall in love with the energy of the place and Carrington herself.  Namaste, y'all! 

In today's episode I sit down with the owner of Bunch of Sunshine and local artist, Merritt Horan Capurro. She has a passion for art and building that artist community in our beloved city. With Bunch of Sunshine, she curates items that are yellow in hopes of bringing a little "sunshine" someone's way with these sunny-themed gifts! Additionally, she does commission work for murals and is currently working on some amazing pieces to showcase her love for our beautiful beaches, among many items with her "sunny positive art." :) She is also an On-Air Host for HSN. You're gonna love her big personality and her passion!

Hi friends! I'm excited to share the 6th episode of my podcast this season! In this episode I sit down with the owner of Spring Green Handbags, Danni LeTendre! She is a passionate local craftsman in St Pete and her items have a special quality to them - they are all upcycled! I personally have used many of her products and bought them as gifts for others. Hey hey, Christmas is right around the corner! :) Take a listen and learn her story and how she comes up with such unique and gorgeous items sourced from materials she finds all over the country. She is often at local markets around St Pete so be sure to find her or shop online at her Etsy store. I promise you won't be disappointed! 

**BONUS EPISODE** If you are a podcast nerd like me, you love it when you get to be the guest instead of the host! I had the privilege of being featured on my friend Stacy's podcast, Meet Us On Main Street. She and her co-host Tia have a similar format to St Pete Soul, where they feature Dunedin's local businesses. This is a fun little interview because you can get to know more about yours truly :) Happy Listening! 

In Episode 4 of Season 2, I sit down with the owner of Neptune Flood, Jim Albert. Jim takes me through the process of how he started his business, his biggest challenges and talks about his passion for St. Pete! Who knew St Pete was a great spot for business start-ups?! Because Jim took the leap to build a business, it's now a fast-growing, nationally recognized company, offering flood coverage in 48 states including DC! And this was all born out of St Pete. 

At the time of this recording, it was earlier in the year and as you know the covid landscape keeps changing rapidly. You'll hear Jim talk about their new building which is now open for their employees and the restaurant concept on the bottom floor is officially open as well. I'll include a link to it below so you can also check it out. Be sure to listen to Jim's podcast too! 

In Episode 3 of Season 2, I sit down with one of the owners of Cellarmasters Wine Bar & Bottle Shop, Ryan Rugg. Ryan and his business partner, Kory, have a passion for helping people discover natural wines, or minimal intervention wines. Ryan used to be a winemaker so he is great at educating people on the process and what natural wine really means. Their spot in the Edge District is super cozy and it makes you feel like you are chilling in someone's living room. You can go sit down and try wines you've probably never had before, and before you leave, go buy some bottles to take home for your next night in. I know you'll love it so go check it out! 

In the 2nd episode of Season 2, I interview the founder of Keep St Pete Lit, Maureen McDole. This woman has an amazing spirit and her passion for the literary arts and St Pete shines bright in this episode! She offers so many great insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and how to have a great mindset in your daily life. I know I felt inspired and encouraged after speaking with her and I think you will too! Visit their website today to learn how you can donate, and participate in online writing classes and special events!

What happens when a savvy business woman finally opens up her dream store and cafe? It quickly becomes a local favorite! The Merchant is the perfect name for her shop as she features all local Tampa Bay artisans with a whole array of items from artwork to handmade soaps. She and her husband also opened up the Crislip Cafe earlier this year as a nod to the historic Crislip Arcade the store lives in.  The Merchant is practically oozing with classic St Pete charm! Shop local and go stop by today! 

Introducing the fabulous owner of the best wine and bookstore in town, Terra Dunham. Book + Bottle is an ingenious concept! I mean who doesn't love wine and books! Put 'em together it just make sense! (Ha, sorry for the Frozen reference)! Terra carefully curates her shop to create a unique experience for her customers. She wants her customers to feel like they have found a sense of community there, and I can vouch for the fact that she has achieved just that. If you haven't been, you simply must check it out!