2022 Women To Watch logo
Across the Tampa Bay area, ladies are taking charge at companies big and small, including their own. The women featured here have conquered all kinds of industries, from construction, interior design and law to medical aesthetics, dentistry and retail. Learn the stories behind some of the women writing Tampa Bay’s next chapter.
Showing 1 - 20 of 127
Featured Listing

Melanee Eslamy: Founder of Melanee’s Hair Studio

Melanee Eslamy believes there’s no such thing as bad hair when you’re under the care of her team. Specializing in hair care for all textures, including curly, kinky and unmanageable locks, clients can expect nothing short of exceptional expertise at Melanee’s Hair Studio. Off... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 857-9050
Featured Listing

Lynn Dowdell: Founder of Vin Collective

A dedicated wine enthusiast, Lynn Dowdell’s vision is to share the wine and stories of lesser-known winemakers and producers. As founder and lead curator of Vin Collective, Lynn meticulously crafts luxury wine tasting experiences to engage, enhance, and “edutain” guests. Kno... Read More

(813) 406-2911
Featured Listing

Maria Upshaw, DMD: Founder, Upshaw Dental Studio

Dr. Maria Upshaw stands out not just as a dentist but as a multifaceted force to be reckoned with. With over two decades of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry, her newest state-of-the-art practice is setting the standard for crafting smiles and customer care. Yet, ... Read More

Tampa,
813-582-4006
Featured Listing

Dr. Brittany Peters, LCSW: Owner, Center for Wellness & Clinical Development

Dr. Brittany Peters, a dedicated advocate for mental well-being, is renowned for inspiring change as a mental health professional. As a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained practitioner, certifi... Read More

St. Petersburg,
(727) 373-6815
Featured Listing

Carmen Raterman and Sandra Moreno: Founders of Flor + Palma

Flor + Palma is more than a flower shop, it’s a brand bringing beauty and joy with every pretty petal. Sandra’s expertise in fashion design combined with Carmen’s background in science education and flower farming has elevated Flor + Palma as a trendsetter in Tampa Bay’s flo... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 586-2359
Featured Listing

Cheri Morales, APRN-BC: Founder of Viso Juvé 

Cheri Morales, a mother of three with nearly 30 years of experience in dermatology and aesthetics, is the owner of Viso Juvé, one of Tampa’s premier med spas. Certified and extensively trained in neurotoxins, dermal fillers, lasers, sclerotherapy, and PDO threads, she has be... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 374-1574 
Featured Listing

Michele Krohn: President of Full Circle PR

Michele Krohn is the owner and President of Full Circle PR, an award-winning public relations and marketing agency that specializes solely in the healthcare industry. Krohn and her team have assisted over 300 medical practices and centers across 17 states, from solo practiti... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 887-3277
Featured Listing

Ashley Guarcello: Real Estate Agent at Palermo Real Estate Professionals

Ashley Guarcello brings the work ethic and winning spirit of a college athlete to her role as a realtor at Palermo Real Estate Professionals. Specializing in the South Tampa Market, Guarcello’s extensive knowledge of the renovation process and passion for design make her an ... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 240-9894
Featured Listing

Tiffany Gilman: Real Estate Agent at Palermo Real Estate Professionals

Tiffany Gilman, a Tampa resident since age 5, is a fun-loving realtor with a passion for residential real estate. She has been an agent with Palermo Real Estate Professionals for six years and also acts as associate to broker Michael Palermo, touching nearly 170 transactions... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 817-2143
Featured Listing

Karley Gerbenskey: Owner of Blo Blow Dry Bar Tampa

After Karley Gerbenskey took over Blo Blow Dry Bar Tampa in 2020, the business has grown from two employees to a staff of 20. “Blo was created because everyone deserves to feel beautiful inside and out,” Gerbenskey says. “We believe blowouts have the power to uplift you and en... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 877-2639
Featured Listing

Cassandra Garvey: President and CEO of Career Focus, Inc.

Cassandra Garvey is the founder of Career Focus, a Supported Employment agency that supports individuals with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit is dedicated to helping Social Security Disability beneficiaries transition back into th... Read More

Wesley Chapel,
(813) 995-8473 | 1-877-995-WORK
Featured Listing

Joanie Corneil: Owner, CEO Bella’s Italian Café

Joanie Corneil wears many hats. She is the owner, CEO, executive chef and interior designer of Bella’s Italian Café, named the best Italian restaurant in Tampa since 1986. Corneil is known for her culinary talent and dedication to excellence. She even penned a cookbook for t... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 254-3355
Featured Listing

Brooke Brate: Realtor with Smith & Associates Real Estate

Brooke Brate comes from a real estate background, with both parents working in real estate for 35+ years in the Carolinas. “The industry is a part of my DNA,” says Brooke.  A real estate professional for seven years, Brooke balanced her clients while working in sports PR an... Read More

(843) 455-2917
Featured Listing

Tubanur Atak: Founder of Jasel Jewelry

Meet Tubanur, a corporate director turned jewelry designer and entrepreneur. Armed with dual Master’s degrees from USF’s College of Business and a wealth of experience, she embarked on a remarkable journey. Within two years, Tubanur expanded Jasel Jewelry to two thriving loc... Read More

1807 E. Winter Park Road, Winter Park
(813) 207-9882 | (689) 444-8199
Featured Listing

Coco and Mal Strong: Owners of goldplaited

Mal and Coco Strong are the sisterpreneurs behind goldplaited, a brick-and-mortar beauty brand dedicated to excellence in finishing services. The Strong sisters first arrived on the beauty scene with the launch of the original goldplaited location in Chicago in 2013. The int... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 820-1728
Featured Listing

Jenn Elizabeth Smith: Couture Collective Executive Director, Her Voice Advocacy, Wanderlust Properties

An inspiring businesswoman and mom, Jenn Smith is a true advocate for women’s health, safety, and well-being.  In 2013, she started Fit Couture Fitness offering virtual and in-person coaching.  To date,  she has helped more than 6,000 people become healthier.  Several years l... Read More

Featured Listing

ToniLynn McElreath: DripTide Wellness South Tampa

After seeing the amazing success she had with her health at the original DripTide Wellness in Safety Harbor, ToniLynn McElreath left her software career and took her passion for helping others and her business acumen and knowhow to open a location that would be a luxury wellne... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 687-8963
Featured Listing

Julianne Hendrickson: Owner & Principal Designer of Hendrickson Interiors

Julianne Hendrickson, founder of Hendrickson Interiors, established her full-service custom interior design firm in 2018. Based in Tampa Bay, with services extending to Ocala and Sarasota as well as Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina, Hendrickson Interiors boasts a six-p... Read More

(941) 726-1494
Featured Listing

Melissa Fickey, MD: Owner of Embracing Life Wellness Center

Dr. Melissa Fickey is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in addition to offering Adult Psychiatric services. A Tampa native, she is the founder of Embracing Life Wellness Center with an office in Riverview and a new South Tampa ... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 662-5919
Featured Listing

Alexzandra Exterkamp: Owner of Āyu Skin

The Āyu vision is to create a transformative and unforgettable client experience with a range of bespoke facials, sound healing, reiki, facial cupping, gua sha, and more. Owner Alexzandra Exterkamp is a certified sound healer and facial reflexologist whose core values are ro... Read More

Tampa,
(813) 563-1953