Laura Maita’s passions led to her entrepreneurial endeavors, launching Emerald Events & Catering in 2018 and ROQ Boxing in 2022.

Laura has been in hospitality for 18 years, working up to restaurant general manager. Raised in an Italian family with her father and uncle in the restaurant business, food and events have been important parts of her life. Laura also has a natural eye for design. She combined those talents to start Emerald Events & Catering, whose sales tripled monthly since October.

Repeat clients and referrals fill Laura’s calendar. Her specialty is private, in-home events and weddings. Laura teamed up with Cody Tiner (chef & partner at District Tavern South) to provide restaurant-quality food.

As for her other business, two years ago, Laura started boxing for exercise and decided to turn it into a new investment.

“The desire to open ROQ Boxing came from the desire to put money into something else that I enjoy,” she says. “I think it’s extremely important to choose a career you’re passionate about because you really have to work around the clock if you want to be successful.”

She partnered with co-owner and head coach Demetrius Roquemore, an amateur boxer who holds multiple regional and state championship titles. Demetrius has been coaching adults and children for eight years within Tampa’s most popular boxing gyms. ROQ Boxing will offer instructional boxing, small group fitness, personal training and private events when it opens this summer in Town and Country.

When Laura’s not running her businesses, she’s attending her two sons’ sporting events.

ROQ Boxing
roqboxing.com