St. Pete is a great place to start or grow
a business. That’s the message that the
St. Petersburg Economic Development
Corporation, the city’s civic and business
leaders, and several of the ‘Burg’s entrepreneurial
rising stars are delivering to targeted communities
around the country.
Rachel Carpenter of Intrinio; Chad Nuss of InsideOut;
Ashby Green of Gazelle Capital; Reuben Pressman,
of Presence; and Kyle Taylor of The Penny Hoarder;
are among the Sunshine City entrepreneurs who are
sharing their story of how St. Pete's “inclusive” business
community supported them on their journey to
success.
It’s part of a well-planned “Growth Smart” strategy
to raise awareness of the city’s business climate and to
invite business owners and entrepreneurs to relocate
here to see for themselves.
In 2018, a St. Pete team attended the popular 36/38
Entrepreneurial Festival in Nashville, a two-day event
bringing together the nation’s leading innovative and
“difference-makers.” The goal was to connect, network
and share. “We were able to connect with other
small business owners and entrepreneurs and tell them
what’s so amazing about St. Pete that they should
come here to build their businesses,” said Pressman.
Carpenter echoed that sentiment. "We met a lot of
startup owners who feel like they are getting lost in
their cities," said Carpenter. "When these companies
meet us and see the family we really are, they realize it
is something they want to be a part of."
The Penny Hoarder’s Kyle Taylor served as the key-
a St. Pete-sponsored Sunshine City Happy Hour at The
Bobby, one of Nashville’s newest hot spots. Surrounded
by a Florida-themed décor of palm trees, and a menu
of craft cocktails and fresh Florida grouper, Taylor presented
a TedTalk style describing the community support
that helped propel him to the top as CEO of one
of America's fastest-growing media companies. "We
are a community of entrepreneurs that invests in each
other and that honestly believes that when one succeeds
we all succeed," Taylor said.
This year, the EDC and City teams were at it again,
with a trip to the Big Apple in September for a business
development mission that included meetings with
companies considering expansions or relocation to St.
Pete. In addition to prospect meetings, the St. Pete
cohort sponsored a media initiative hosted by Dynasty
Financial Partners, featuring a panel discussion with
Dynasty Founder and CEO Shirl Penney, and President
INNOVATION IN BUSINESS
Investors of the St. Petersburg EDC join the St. Pete cohort in NYC to
Entrepreneurial
Explosion
TAKING THE SUNSHINE CITY VIBE ON
THE ROAD.
10 'BURGLIFE | Living, Working and Playing in St. Petersburg, FL