HE`S SO ORIGINALHE`S SO ORIGINAL
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, February 8, 2010, 0 comments
Marty Hauser helps people be their best selves.

When folks hear the term matchmaker, they may have a certain limited definition in mind but for Marty Hauser, he sees the title as much broader: helping people identify the best matches for them, personal or professional.
 


“I bring out the best in people and help them manage what they need to have their challenges met–from appearance to mindset to identifying goals or outcomes –  so they’re ready when the right opportunity, business or personal, comes along.

 


Marty grew up on Davis Islands and says he’s been doing this line of work his whole life – he simply didn’t have a name for it or charged for it back then. But he says he’s always had a natural talent for helping people achieve their best, whether as an image consultant, or personal trainer, and most recently, by helping people develop strategies to know what’s right and not right for them in their careers or love lives.

 


He refers to himself as a matchmaker and relationship coach and uses a number of assessments, personality profiles, his certified hypnosis training and other tools to bring greater clarity to his client through personalized solutions.

 

Fl spirited Tampa
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, December 21, 2009, 0 comments
Mark Moberg is preserving special moments.

Mark Moberg considers himself a Florida native. Sure, the South Tampa photographer hailed from Minnesota originally but he moved here at age three and says his friends would certainly call him a native because after all, “I do know every back way to a restaurant or shop there is.” 
 


Mark has been lugging around the cameras, extra flash bulbs and equipment since…well, since he was about seven years old. He’s a second generation photographer, helping out his dad as a young boy and watching him hard at work. He would serve as an extra set of hands (albeit smaller ones) and it helped introduce him to the business of photography. But it wasn’t until he started experimenting with making his own pinhole camera as a young Scout that he discovered a true passion for the art. “The process of photography and watching something just appear on your paper was such a fascinating process to me,” says the 46-year-old. “And photography is somewhat introspective since you’ve got to have an idea of what you want to do. You can’t just sit back and be uninvolved to get interesting photographs. You’ve got to find those photographs and be ready for them when you do.”

 

Fl spirited Tampa
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, October 5, 2009, 1 comments
Fred Meyer helps women by walking a mile in their shoes

Talking with Fred Meyer, one is struck by three things – his direct, matter-of-fact approach when discussing business, a passion for his family especially his two granddaughters, and an unbeatable sense of humor. Oh yes, and there’s the unwavering commitment to do whatever’s necessary for a good cause, even if it means risking the teasing of friends and family to don a shiny pink set of heels for the University Community Hospital Foundation’s annual breast cancer awareness event, Heroes N Heels. “I’ve never had a problem with people laughing at me,” he says with a chuckle. “If you’re doing something good by it, it’s fine.” And Fred is raring to go for this year’s event, which is being held Saturday, October 10 at 9am and starting out from the UCH parking lot.

Fl spirited Tampa
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, August 10, 2009, 1 comments
Brian Stephens Helps Entrepreneurs Find Their Way

Brian’s frequently found himself knee-deep in entrepreneurship for most of his life. When he was 15 years old, he was working in restaurants and soon after he was developing his own chain of Mexican restaurants. After getting his MBA and working with major gasoline corporations, Brian soon found himself with what he describes as “one foot in the corporate world and one foot in the entrepreneurial world at all times.” So the Washington DC native raised in Southeast Florida born with a knack for business ventured into a line of work revolving around entrepreneurship: business brokering. “My world was filled with entrepreneurs, amazing people who were innovative and creative,” he says. “As a business intermediary, I can help transition ownership of businesses, find banks for people to finance purchasing a company and educate people about owning a business.”

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 0 comments
Tommy Duncan Is... Encouraging Folks to Ask Questions

Tommy hasn’t lived the life of an urbanite. He admits to a typical childhood growing up in the Tampa suburbs and raises his own family now in the Brandon community where he and his wife reside. But he’s always had a soft spot for the city and took that passion to the Web in 2004 launching the Tampa web site Sticks of Fire (sticksoffire.com). Five years later, his love for the Bay area like the Web site has only grown. “I love it here in Tampa. You can’t live anywhere else that’s as beautiful as this, and each distinct area has its own unique vibe,” he says.

Fl spirited Tampa
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 0 comments
Maurice Vernon Brings Businesses and Charities Together

Maurice remembers exactly when the entrepreneurial bug bit him: he was 12 and earned $1500 one summer cutting grass. After years of running successful real estate companies and building a solid background in sales and marketing, he was itching to do more. “I wrote my vision on a piece of paper 10 years ago for how I could bring helpful information from the for-profit arena to non-profits to help them become self sufficient,” he says. Earlier this year, he launched that vision: the SafeZone Pass (safezonepass.com). Every time a non-profit sells the $45 business discount card or refers a vendor who enrolls, it receives a third or more of the proceeds. The self-described social entrepreneur calls it a win-win for businesses and non-profits. “Companies get extra exposure and charities get the opportunity to grow,” he says.

What does Maurice like most about skirt!?

“It’s such an informative resource, and I love what you’re doing to support women in business.”

Fl Tampa
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, February 23, 2009, 0 comments
Peter Banks coaches future champions.

**Please note: The article in this month’s issue incorrectly referenced Olympic Gold Medalist Brooke Bennett as Brooke Benton. We apologize for the error.

Fl Tampa
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Friday, January 23, 2009, 0 comments
Dusty Showers is carting away monsters and childhood fears.

Sure, Dusty Showers is in the pest and wildlife removal business (and yes, that is his real name). But what makes Dusty unique is his other highly specialized service he provides to Westchase parents and children: monster removal. Through Creepy Creatures (creepycreatures.net), Dusty will discuss with families what kind of pesky monsters are lurking under beds or in dark closets and then proceed to “remove” the frightening interloper, easing the minds of younger family members who can return to peaceful sleep. “When I was young, I was terrified by alligators and dinosaurs in my room,” the father of two says. “It’s tough if kids can’t get over their fears.” In his free time, Dusty can usually be found on a soccer field or taking part in breast cancer charity events for Viva Las Chicas (vivalaschicas.com) and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

What does Dusty like most about skirt!?

Tampa Bay
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 0 comments
The Green Armada is leading a community's efforts to save its seas.

In 2006, a family sat down to lunch. Still reeling from the loss of their sister, the Albanese brothers observed with concern large masses of trash floating in nearby Bay waters. That fall, they formed the Green Armada (greenarmada.org). “My older brother is a businessman, my younger brother is a great organizer, and I’m the creative one,” says Jeff (right) of brothers Vince (left) and John (center). “We knew we had to help the community own the issue and come up with a solution.”  Like modern day Huck Finns, the brothers set out on a boat cleaning up trash near the bridges and busiest waterways, attracting local followers and national media attention. Since its launch, volunteers have collected over 124,000 pounds of debris locally, and the group has expanded attention to key waterways in California and Arizona. “We need help and can’t do it alone,” Jeff says. “By many people coming together, we can do amazing things.”

What does the Green Armada like most about skirt!?

Tampa Bay
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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Friday, November 21, 2008, 1 comments
Bob Reina is using video technology to save lives.

It started in a North Carolina cabin. “I wanted to email a video file that AOL said was too big and thought ‘if only I could just paste it rather than attach it.’ I called up my IT buddy and we started brainstorming,” Bob says. The result, video email technology, is the core of TalkFusion (talkfusion.com), the company for which Bob is CEO and founder. As business grew and Bob continued to expand his family of rescued pets including Bindi (below left) and Shadow (right), Bob became concerned about the overwhelming overpopulation of unwanted animals. In 2008, Bob donated 325 assembled Kurinda dog beds which he hand-delivered to a Hillsborough County Commissioners meeting with a personal pledge to donate TalkFusion’s marketing technology and services to support Hillsborough’s efforts to reduce animal euthanasia. “Each year, 20,000 companion animals are put to sleep in the county, the highest percentage in Florida. It’s an awareness problem. We want to make a difference.”

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Friday, October 31, 2008, 1 comments
Greg Latch is painting his own unique perspective.

Greg Latch lives in two very different professional worlds as both a mental health nurse and artist. So how did the Mississippi native end up in nursing? “I was an artist first, but you get tired of eating peanut butter and crackers,” he laughs.  Greg became a nurse in 1989 and found this new line of work allowed him to go anywhere anytime and earn a living. “It can be a pretty stressful job. I work with a lot of psych patients and the homeless,” he says. . He describes his own style of art on display at his Ybor City gallery (latchart.com) as a blend of surrealism and cubism and participates in art shows most weekends, working closely with the Ybor Art Colony. “I enjoy the camaraderie of painting with other people,” he says.

As a kid, Greg was known to leave his artistic mark just about anywhere. “Mom had to replace all of the paneling because I would draw on everything,” he says. Now, the artist finds himself drawn to nature and lately capturing the beauty of trees. “My grandfather painted landscapes and sometimes I used to like to paint with him. Then I went through a period of time when all I wanted to do was draw comic books. Always changing!”

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 0 comments
Matthew Bistok strums along to his own tune.

Matthew has always considered himself an entertainer. “I was the one to make the class laugh and distract others,” he says. Twenty years later, the St. Pete native still loves performing as a solo artist, frontman for bands Fall on Purpose and Polka Cowboyz, actor, stand-up comedic performer and children’s songwriter. Why so many creative outlets? “It gives me a lot of freedom, and I didn’t really know how to pick just one way to express myself,” he says. Matthew also can be spotted locally on his UPS route, even turning the job into a catchy tribute, “Man in Brown.”  As Fall on Purpose launches a new album this fall, Matthew looks ahead to a future ripe with possibilities including more live concert appearances and further exploration of the movie industry. “I love being able to perform,” he says. “I’m keeping an open mind to all opportunities.”

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 0 comments
Ray Paul expresses himself in flashes of color.

Ray Paul (raypaulart.com) recalls one of his earliest memories as a young artist. “I’ll never forget my second grade teacher. She recognized my talent and put me in the ‘special chair’ as class artist,” he says.

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, July 28, 2008, 0 comments
The Bullioneers | Offering Up Their Party House for a Good Cause

Tampa businessman Greg Todd (center) knows his talents. “I’m a social butterfly and good at bringing people together,” he says. He, along with colleagues Fernando Juan (left), Rich Mize (right) and nearly 40 other local professionals, make up the Bullioneers (bullioneers.com), comprised of men from across the Tampa Bay area who came together because of a shared passion for sports.

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Tuesday, July 8, 2008, 0 comments
Rolyn Lewis | Making Us Laugh and Challenging Expectations

The moment Rolyn Lewis takes the stage he defies expectations. “This tough-looking presence comes up and immediately the audience expects a hard edge,” says the soft-spoken 6’3” stand-up comedian. “I don’t use profanity and I’m not aggressive on stage. I’m just myself.”  Rolyn’s been actively appearing in local comedy clubs for four years and also owns a moving company, Howard Moving Systems. He participates in a weekly St. Petersburg basketball league and enjoys working out.

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, June 30, 2008, 0 comments
Dave Nemeth | TV Personality, Daytime

I am a male Feminist because ...

“... I am the son, father, husband, and co-host to five of the most influential people in my life. All are magnificent women. To underestimate the power, drive or intelligence of anyone, and what they can teach you, is simply foolish.”

 

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, June 30, 2008, 0 comments
Dr. Andrew McAlister | Film Professor, UT

I am a male Feminist because ... 

“... it says “liberty and justice for all,” not “all men;” because I know history, and how quickly everyone’s rights can be lost; because I love strong, smart women; and because my daughter kicks ass, and the thought of her being denied opportunity because she’s female makes me want to vomit.”

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, June 30, 2008, 0 comments
Marc Rockquemore | Owner, New Identities Studio

I am a male Feminist because ...

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Monday, June 30, 2008, 0 comments
Paul Wilborn | Executive Director, Palladium

I am a male Feminist because ...

“... I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by amazing women my entire life. From my feisty Italian grandmother who went to school even though her parents didn’t believe girls needed book-learning to my former boss at the city of Tampa, Mayor Pam Iorio. I’ve seen the power of womanhood from a front-row seat.”

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Friday, May 30, 2008, 0 comments
13 Ugly Men's Patrick Smith & Michael Stewart | Having Fun and Raising Funds

Fifteen years ago, it started as a baker’s dozen of successful men hosting parties to mingle. But 13 Ugly Men (13uglymen.com) has evolved into a foundation comprised of 27 members that has donated more than $400,000 to local charities since 2000. The group hosts six major fundraisers a year including signature events such as the Original White Party and New Year’s Eve Resolution Ball, and consists of members spanning a variety of ages and professions.

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Tuesday, April 29, 2008, 0 comments
Doug Turner | Empowering Through Information

Doug moved to South Tampa 10 years ago to continue his successful corporate law career. But by late 2006, the Atlanta native and father of a 7-year-old son decided to retire and pursue a lifelong interest in performance vehicles. This pursuit soon grew into a partnership and development of an independent auto repair and maintenance facility, Vortex Motorsport (vortexmotorsport.com).

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He`s So Original
By Chris.Kuhn, Friday, March 28, 2008, 1 comments
Bob Parrinello is whipping up solutions

The kitchen is a busy place in the Parrinello house for Bob, his wife and two teenage sons, but this is nothing new for the Tampa personal chef. “Food was all around me growing up,” Bob says.

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Featured Artist Pep Montserrat