When envisioning the Tampa Bay area, images of sun soaked, sandy beaches and often come to mind; paired with small businesses, startups, and an entrepreneurial, up and coming population. What’s that, you say? Pirates, Sun, sand, and startups? Absolutely! While most consider this area to be a sleepy region filled with retirees and the occasional thrill seeking Spring breakers, rapid growth is quickly transforming this antiquated perception of our hometowns into a bustling metropolitan area. This leaves our beloved Tampa Bay ripe for invasion for those interested in entrepreneurial ventures, hoping to strike it rich.

The most recent US census shows that the Tampa Bay area is leading the nation as the region with the fifth largest population growth. With this growth comes an influx of diverse individuals looking to manifest their talents and creativity into tangible successes. Additionally, lifelong residents of these cities are feeling inspired to venture out on their own in the communities in which they have been raised. Fortunately for these individuals, the tools to do so are quite literally at their fingertips. The current administration within the City of Tampa has created favorable conditions for business creation and growth under Mayor Bob Buckhorn, and the City of Saint Petersburg offers a new tool that helps would be business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the process of establishing their place within their communities. These are only a small number of examples of how our region favors new business establishment, development, and growth.

Is all of this growth sustainable? Will it continue? Is the Tampa Bay area the next BIG thing? We believe so. As long as creativity, determination, and entrepreneurship exist, we believe that those looking to find success will chart their path by water, land leaving “footprints in the sand.”