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Florida Life

Stories, news and Florida stories from the community residents.

Awards Committee

Awards Committee

Awards Committee has not set their biography yet
Congratulations to Toula Kourtides for winning the Creating Pinellas Award!

The cities, towns and communities of Pinellas County are stabilized and expanded by commerce. Some individuals leap into entrepreneurship taking on risks, working long hours, and adding their creativity. These individuals and their businesses are the foundation of Pinellas County and are admired and commended for what they provide to others.

Toula is the owner and operator of Toula's Trailside Cafe in Tarpon Springs, Florida, providing restaurants with fine breakfasts, lunches and catering services.

Toula is from Greece and has been in the restaurant business most of her life. She serves authentic Greek food, her dressings are homemade, and service at the Trailside Cafe comes with a big smile. 

A love for what she does and a passion for providing valuable products and services to the community is one her secrets to success. One simply needs to read her online reviews to get the picture: "Crazy awesome soup!", "...Best bread pudding in the world!", "The freshest food made with love...", "Eggs Benedict was fabulous", "Best crab Bisque I've ever had", etc. 

Toula gives back to the local community by providing gift cards for school fund raisers and local charities.  

Support those that are making a difference in Pinellas - support Toula Kourtides

by giving Toula's Trailside Cafe an opportunity to win your business.

 CLICK HERE to visit Toula's Trailside Cafe on the web, or just go to 11 S. Safford Avenue, Tarpon Springs.

Toula Kourtides' actions are admired and she is highly commended.

Congratulations to Philip Alessondro for winning the Creating Pinellas Award!

The cities, towns and communities of Pinellas County are stabilized and expanded by commerce. Some individuals leap into entrepreneurship taking on risks, working long hours, and adding their creativity. These individuals and their businesses are the foundation of Pinellas County and are admired and commended for what they provide to others.

Philip Alessondro has been a resident of the Pinellas County area for some 25 years, graduating from Dunedin High School.

He's recently jumped into an adventure that services adventurous people - parasailing and jet skiing. Vacationers arrive at beaches, sit out in the sun, read, and then start looking for things to do. Not that all people on vacations parasail or jet ski, but knowing that these activities are available give the thrill seeking vacationers the relaxed feeling that they can find their adventurous strut.  

By being a "things to do" company, Phillip adds to the enticement of Clearwater and Clearwater Beach as well as spill over into the other Gulf Coast beach towns, thus his business not only services those that want to fly like a bird or move through the water like a dolphin, but he helps the entire tourism industry of Pinellas County. This is good for all the local merchants. 

Mr. Alessondro also participates in helping others, for example, supporting local Little Leagues.

Support those that are making a difference in Pinellas - support Philip Alessondro

by giving  Clearwater Parasailing an opportunity to win your business.

 CLICK HERE to visit Clearwater Parasailing on the web or call 727.441.1404.

The cities, towns and communities of Pinellas County are stabilized and expanded by commerce. Some individuals leap into entrepreneurship taking on risks, working long hours, and adding their creativity. These individuals and their businesses are the foundation of Pinellas County and are admired and commended for what they provide to others.

Doug is the owner and operator of Elite Transportation Solutions ("ETS"), based out of St. Petersburg, Florida. ETS provides shared-ride services in and throughout the Tampa region offering door-to-door services. Whether you are off to a theme park or Gulf coast beach with your family, a cruise ship departing one of Tampa's ports, downtown Tampa for that all-important business meeting, or just want a ride home from the airport, ETS provides affordable and reliable transportation solutions.

Their shuttles comfortably carry 12 passengers so bring the ball team with you on your next adventure. Need a limousine? ETS is happy to provide you with out standing drivers and limousine services when you need and want it.

Mr. Gutierrez considers their willingness to go above and beyond what is expected as a secret to their success, really focusing on satisfying one customer at a time. 

Support those that are making a difference in Pinellas - support Doug Gutierrez by giving Elite Transportation Solutions an opportunity to win your business.

 CLICK HERE to visit  them on the web, or buzz them at 813.421.4984 

 

The actions of Doug Gutierrez are admired and he is highly commended!

Congratulations to Margaret Rushington for winning the Creating Pinellas Award!

The cities, towns and communities of Pinellas County are stabilized and expanded by commerce. Some individuals leap into entrepreneurship taking on risks, working long hours, and adding their creativity. These individuals and their businesses are the foundation of Pinellas County and are admired and commended for what they provide to others.

Margaret is the owner and operator of Advanced Plumbing Commercial and Residential Services. With years of experience in the plumbing industry and a stable, long-term staff, Mrs. Rushington is present at her business which can make all the difference in service industries. Using a consultative approach in working with their clients, Advanced Plumbing prides itself on ensure customers' questions are answered and they fully understand the processes and expenses involved throughout the scope of work.

Ms. Rushington has been active in many social causes, including a not-for-profit Bay Area Apartment Association which assists in rebuilding and/or improving 100,000 apartments in Tampa. Margaret has also been involved in and supported Habitat for Humanity, Sweat Equity, and Wounded Warriors. Ms. Rushington has conjured up and delivered items for battered women's shelters. She is truly involved! 

Support those that are making a difference in Pinellas - support Margaret Rushington

by giving Advanced Plumbing Commercial and Residential Services an opportunity to win your business.

 

 CLICK HERE to visit  them on the web, or call 727.800.5069.

Margaret Rushington's actions are admired and she is highly commended. 

Congratulations to Ron and Tracie Hennings for winning the Creating Pinellas Award!

The cities, towns and communities of Pinellas County are stabilized and expanded by commerce. Some individuals leap into entrepreneurship taking on risks, working long hours, and adding their creativity. These individuals and their businesses are the foundation of Pinellas County and are admired and commended for what they provide to others.

Ron and Tracie are two of the owners and they are the operators of American Garage of Tampa Bay, located in Largo, Florida. Residents of the local area for about 20 years, Ron and Tracie took their years of related experience in 2010 and started American Garage, which specializes in commercial and residential epoxy flooring, garage cabinets, and organizing challenges. American Garage has provided solutions to warehouses, airport hangers, commercial buildings, residential garages, and many, many more types of commercial and residential customers.

Ron and Tracie utilize a consultative sales approach to help educate their clients on available options, advising them and ensuring all questions get answered. They may not always get the business, but prospective clients appreciate having all the data to make informed decisions.

Businesses usually run better when those in charge like what they are doing. The owners of American Garage consider their "passion" a real competitive advantage. As owner operators, customers get support from those that are ultimately responsible. 

As a growing business, American Garage employs a staff of local people. Its evident that when one has a job, their morale is increased and they have expanded stability in life. By employing local people, Ron and Tracie are adding to the local economy and quality of life of Pinellas residents.

Support those that are making a difference in Pinellas - support Ron and Tracie Hennings American Garage of Tampa Bay an opportunity to win your business.

 

 CLICK HERE to visit  them on the web, or buzz them at 727.386.4000 

Ron and Tracie's actions are admired and they are highly commended. 

Congratulations to Robb Larson and Lisa Colburn for winning the Creating Pinellas Award!

The cities, towns and communities of Pinellas County are stabilized and expanded by commerce. Some individuals leap into entrepreneurship taking on risks, working long hours, and adding their creativity. These individuals and their businesses are the foundation of Pinellas County and are admired and commended for what they provide to others.

Robb and Lisa are the owners and operators of Hifi Homebrew and BBQ Supplies, headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. The mission of their firm is to revolutionize homebrewing and BBQ. These two spices of life go hand-in-hand for those that truly enjoy life, enjoy having fun, and like to add their own personality to the adventures groups can have.

Hailing from the Twin Cities of Minnesota, these entrepreneurs have studied and practiced their craft and are now two of the leading authority figures in their industry. Robb is helping to educate the local region through an enterprise called the Tampa Bay Beer Syndicate and Lisa founded the Bay Area Barley Angels, where she educates women on the adventures of being a brewmaster.

Creating a business is one thing, these two are creating an industry catering to the social side of life and they are doing it in Pinellas, County. With a dedicated staff and big ambitions, these guys are giving a face-lift to the usual back yard bar-b-ques, camping, and even having friends over for a fun evening. 

Support those that are making a difference in Pinellas - support Robb Larson and Lisa Colburn of Hifi Homebrew and BBQ Supplies by giving them an opportunity to win your business.

 

 CLICK HERE to visit  them on the web, or buzz them at 727.240.0804 

Robb and Lisa's actions are admired and they are highly commended.