After spending more than five years in South America, Jeremy Clubb decided that he needed to switch professions. He went from a French perfume company (Givenchy) to a large tour operator in South America. Clubb said that he made the move because he felt a need to do something that made people "happy" and that would "change lives." Clubb studied locally at Eckerd College, where he focused on International Business and Spanish. Jeremy Clubb owns and operates Rainforest Cruises together with his business partner, Miles Buesst, who lives in Peru. The duo met years ago and were even teammates on …

Lea Doyle was born in the United Kingdom. To be exact, Liverpool is his hometown. Doyle grew up like many others, where football (or soccer) was more than just a game. He played at all levels, including the most elite. Doyle played semi-pro for Flint and Holywell, what is now the Welch Premier League and he trained with the Everton Football Club Youth Team. Once his career as an athlete came to an end, Doyle became a businessman. He worked through the late 1980s and ‘90s as an IT specialist. By 2003, Doyle was ready for a change. He brought his family to the States where he would eventually …

As the 10th anniversary of Gulfport On The Rocks approaches, owner Sherrye Doucette is happy to still be a crucial piece of the city puzzle.  Doucette says that she has been in the hospitality industry "forever"– since she was 14 years old. Gulfport on the Rocks is Doucette's first venture as a bar owner.  Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts, Doucette says that Gulfport is somewhat like home. "It's got that small town charm, but yet still it's conveniently located- you're within an hour of everything," said Doucette.  Ten years ago, Doucette set out to find a property in Florida that …

“I grew up cooking,” said Pia Goff. “I was rolling pasta when I was four years old.” With her husband, Goff owns Pia’s Trattoria on Beach Boulevard in Gulfport. The homey Italian venue gives off a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can be in flip flops and a tee-shirt but at the same time you can also enjoy a meal worthy of a five-star rating. Goff and her husband, Tom, met in Venezuela and then relocated to Germany where they raised four children. The two spent nearly 15 years in Germany as Pia ran her own restaurant. Eventually the Goffs made their way back to …

Since they can remember, Carmen and Simone Frohne have been a part of the family business. “They have worked side by side with their parents since they were very young,” said La Cote Basque representative Pat Dunham.  Learning the tricks of the trade and mastering recipes from generations past, the girls became the ultimate team. La Cote Basque was the family business and they would eventually inherit the venue. Today, the family-owned and -operated restaurant draws a crowd. On holidays, reservations are a must because of the high demand for a La Cote Basque meal.The French cuisine that La …

Ron Sheppard knows what it's like to work with his hands, and to find artistry in everyday objects. He is a craftsman and cabinet maker who shows an Old World attention to quality and detail. He runs Cabinets by Sheppard Inc., making all types of cabinets, from bathroom to kitchen to garage. He also makes tables, chairs, entertainment centers, you name it. "If it can be built out of wood, I can build it," is the company motto. It was his father who started the family cabinet business many years ago.  Sheppard says he comes from a long line of creative handymen. His father had always toyed …

Barbara Banno and her partner Jeanne Kunkle always knew they wanted to open a business together. One question remained: what kind of business? They did their research and found that Gulfport was lacking a diner-type place. Finding a niche, the dynamic duo said they just “went for it.”Kunkle ran the restaurant while Banno kept her full time job working for American Express. Once the business grew large enough, Banno left her full time position to focus solely on Stella’s Deli and Gelato.Now, with 10 employees and an addition to the restaurant, Banno says things are going great for Stella’s. “…

On Oct. 17th, Joey Goodrich hosted a party to mark 20 years of good business. Goodrich, 64, owns The House of Renee Originals and has been designing custom clothing for decades. Skies weren't always so bright for Goodrich and her creative abilities. She started The House of Renee Originals with $80 in her pocket and a dream she wouldn't let die. Her first location was a 10x10-square-foot space, giving her just enough room to produce and sell. Goodrich opened the doors to her dream job in 1991, but by 1995 she was brought to a fork in the road. Cancer struck and she was given three to six …

Rick McChesney opened “The Bug Man” extermination business 33 years ago out of his home and opened the retail location in Gulfport in 1991. Florida has always been a paradise for pests and McChesney enjoys a thriving business doing battle with them every day. Originally from Knoxville, TN, McChesney has lived in St. Petersburg most of his life and as physically demanding as the job can be, he maintains a sense of humor and is as much into educating clients as he is doing the job himself. The “Bug Man” sign in front of his store is ingrained into the memories of passersby on Gulfport Blvd. and…

Suzanne King volunteered to help organize a local festival years ago and now finds herself doing it as a full-time gig as SIK Promotions, Inc. Event organization is something many think they can do and want to take part in but when it comes time for everyone to be where they're supposed to be on the big day it takes an experienced organizer to make it happen. She has made it happen for more than a decade and works from home, riding a constant wave of emails and phone calls each week in preparation for the next event. She began by helping set up a festival in John's Pass Village and gradually …

Pat Dunham learned early in life that if she wanted anything she could go make the money herself to get what she wanted. She also knew when she started a family that she would be there to watch them grow up. She has stuck to those two values and has been operating home-based businesses ever since and now operates Pat Dunham Consulting out of her Gulfport home. Originally from East Hampton, Connecticut she and her husband, Frank, moved to Gulfport decades ago. Her consulting business caters to those looking to create home-based businesses and she has hundreds of options for clients and spends …

Jane Ogilvie founded Senior Solutions of Pinellas County, based in Gulfport, 13 years ago to answer the demand for a much-needed service. The business assists individuals and families in need of geriatric care by arranging for assisted living, medical care and being there to assure the well-being of loved ones. With the number of elderly residents in Florida and the fact that many of their family members are out of state, it is a service much needed and appreciated. She describes her position as care coordinator and consultant and will speak with anyone regarding issues pertaining to the …

Lori Rosso stumbled upon a gem of an opportunity nine years ago in acquiring the Sea Breeze Manor Bed & Breakfast. She didn't have much time to ponder the opportunity but took it and ran with it and continues on a fast pace, getting more involved with her community as she goes. Originally from Long Island, New York, Rosso worked hard to develop a successful career arranging delegation tours for Washington diplomats throughout the 1980s and 90s, ascending to the level of arranging trips for President George Bush (senior). In that role she acquired one of the all-time intricate titles bestowed …

It all started in 1974 when John P. Gallagher and Bob Skidmore, two broadcast veterans in New York, came to Florida to sell in-room, closed-circuit movie systems to local hotels. The idea was a hit and eventually led to renting movie videos, which led to a video production facility, and the business continues to evolve to this day. Media Concepts is now owned by Scott Richardson and Rick Smith, who both worked for the original owners and continue to roll with the punches in the media business. Located at 559 49th St. the building is well marked but but well hidden at the same time. Few …

Golf professional Rick Yarrington has owned and operated The Golf Shop on Gulfport Boulevard since 1985 selling a complete line of equipment with professional golf instruction and a full-service equipment repair facility. Centrally located among a slew of golf courses, his shop is the only place in the area where a golfer can bring in a broken club or a loose grip and have it repaired and make his or her tee time within the hour. Yarrington shoots straight with a no-nonsense personality and a powerful presence behind the desk at the back of his shop. He doesn't hesitate to suggest a repair …

What is your website doing for you today? That is the question Rob Fowler of 007 Computer Services poses at the top of the home page of his website, rooted in Gulfport. Mr. Fowler is a professional web developer, which is to say he provides web development, search engine optimization (SEO), digital photography, marketing, web administration, hosting, troubleshooting, security and all things Internet to form a powerful marketing tool for any business that seeks to expand its business. “When I start working with a client I become very involved in their marketing and measuring and testing what's…

Linda Craig has the best seat in the Art Village, perched above the main walkway while still somehow hidden among all the activity. She worked hard to get there and five years after opening she's right where she wants to be. The Perfect Ten (A Salon for Nails) is a title as precise as her services, which include foot care, hand care and a specialization in medical pedicures. She provides natural nail care (manicures), is an acrylic nail specialist and works to teach her clients to take care of themselves as much as she does. She works by appointment only and has built a loyal following in …

To step inside Marta Woodhead's Salon M on Beach Blvd. is to feel at home. The proprietor is the stylist and the only employee, yet with a gentle nature she has created a space that has become a destination for many in the area since she opened in August 2009. Originally from California, she moved to New York and by 22 was trained as a hair dresser and working in the hair and makeup union for commercials, television, industrial videos, film and print advertising. “I had a lot of friends that worked in the film business as scenic artists, writers, electricians and they inspired me to test to …

Visitors to Gulfport's Art Village have become used to Yummy's, the three year-old luncheonette in the colorful 86 year-old bungalow in the center of the courtyard, known for its all-American treats and setting. Lori Luczak purchased Yummy's last October from original owners Bonnie and Richard Reale after being a loyal customer since the restaurant opened. She had experience in the restaurant industry but wasn't planning on returning to the business until she walked into the Reale's establishment. “I fell in love with it the minute I walked in and I've always wanted to do something like this…

Mary O'Malley has been grooming and caring for dogs for a long time but it took a wrong turn to bring her to Gulfport. The owner of Reef Dog on Beach Boulevard doesn't hide her love for dogs or the fact that she owns a local business, as evidenced by the bright blue “Reef Dog” pickup truck she drives around town emblazoned with the name of her store and painted blue flowers. Reef Dog has been a Gulfport business for seven years now with more than 3,000 customers in its database. They come from as far as Gainesville and know their little family members are in good hands with Mary and her two …