Bridgette Bello

Madeira Beach

CEO and Publisher at Tampa Bay Business and Wealth

CEO & Publisher - Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

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Articles

Letter from the Publisher: The power of the pause

1 month ago | tbbwmag.com | Bridgette Bello |Jason Baker

It might just be the title of that book I’ve been promising myself—and others—that I will write. The Power of the Pause has a nice ring to it, don’t you think? A quick Google search reveals similar titles, but none seem to focus on “the” pause. Said another way, my husband, Jose Bello, often reminds me, to “learn to be still.” Being still isn’t something I’ve ever been good at, nor have I enjoyed. He and I often joke that he’s better than anyone I’ve ever met at doing absolutely nothing.
Gerene Keesler fights disabilities by fighting for others - Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

2 months ago | tbbwmag.com | David Krakow |Bridgette Bello |Jo-Lynn Brown |J.C. Barrott

Gerene Keesler’s parents were told she would not live past the age of two. She grew up having seizures and her parents were told it meant there was a 98 percent chance she had epilepsy. But, for most of her childhood, she was shepherded along the standard path. “They could not handle having a differently wired kid,” says Keesler. She did her K-12 education and was taken off anti-seizure medications when she was around 12.
Letter from the Publisher: What’s Love Got to Do With It?

2 months ago | tbbwmag.com | Bridgette Bello |Jason Baker

It’s February, and that means Valentine’s Day. While some refer to it as a manufactured Hallmark holiday—created only to increase retail sales post-Christmas and make those who are single feel worse about it—I don’t see it that way. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent nearly $26 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts in 2023.
The love story of Mike and Leigh Harting of 3 Daughters Brewing - Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

2 months ago | tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |Bridgette Bello

It’s a tale as old as the 2000s: boy meets girl, boy likes girl, girl likes boy, and circumstances keep them apart—but only temporarily. Much like a Valentine’s Day Hallmark movie, the pair grows up, reunites and finds their forever with each other. Together, they build a St. Petersburg-based beer empire—one the entire community falls in love with. 3 Daughters Brewing stands as a testament not only to entrepreneurial grit but also to the endearing love story of its founders, Mike and Leigh Harting.
Women’s Conference of Florida 2024: Inspiring Leadership, Empowering Change

Dec 4, 2024 | tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |Bridgette Bello |Kiran Malik-Khan

The Women’s Conference of Florida returns for its eighth annual event on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Tampa Convention Center. Since its inception, in 2015, the conference has provided a platform to empower women, across Florida, through impactful speakers, workshops and networking opportunities. This year’s event promises to inspire even more with trailblazing keynotes and festive holiday cheer. You can find the full lineup here.
Tampa Business Icon: The Life and Legacy of Oscar Horton

Dec 2, 2024 | tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |Bridgette Bello

It’s been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul and that feels intensely true for one of Tampa’s business legends, Oscar Horton. His eyes twinkle as if they know secrets you’re eager to hear. And, after listening to his story, it’s easy to understand why. He’s seen a lot in his lifetime, and the world around him, in 2024’s Tampa Bay, feels miles away from the one he lived, growing up outside segregated, Little Rock, Arkansas, in the early 1950s.
The Good Life: Tampa Bay Strong Edition

Nov 13, 2024 | tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |Bridgette Bello

Maddie MaeAn online clothing boutique, based out of Winston, North Carolina, is selling merchandise showing support for victims of Hurricane Helene, which impacted both Florida and the Carolinas, in September. Fifty percent of sales of 2024 Hurricane Support items will be donated to the American Red Cross. Items range from $7.25 for a Florida Strong sticker to $61.62 for a Florida Strong UPF +50 hoodie. missmaddiemae.com (Code)wordOne hat = 21 meals.
The unsung ripple effect of back-to-back hurricane disasters in the SBA world

Nov 12, 2024 | tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |Jim Marshall |Bridgette Bello

By Brooke Mirenda, CEO of SEDCO As a Small Business Administration lender, I received notice on Oct. 15, at 5:30 p.m., that the SBA has already exhausted its disaster funding for small businesses. This occurred just six days after Hurricane Milton devastated Florida’s Gulf Coast. To be clear, this isn’t the fault of the SBA.
Tampa Bay Charities Guide 2024: Here’s how you can support local giving this season - Tampa Bay Business & Wealth

Nov 12, 2024 | tbbwmag.com | Jo-Lynn Brown |Bridgette Bello

Every year, the team at Tampa Bay Business and Wealth gathers for an afternoon and plans what they think the next year of issues will look like. From who will be on the cover, to special sections. The meeting takes hours, and we walk away with a plan. A plan that never goes as planned. When we began working on the November issue, we had just wrapped up the Apogee Awards, and no storms were heading toward Florida.
Letter from the Publisher: Still shining

Nov 11, 2024 | tbbwmag.com | Bridgette Bello |Jo-Lynn Brown

Before a hurricane hits, it’s the most beautiful weather seen, in some time. “The calm before the storm,” as they say. After Hurricane Helene, there was so much destruction. Never did I think I’d live to see the day where it was as widespread as it was on Sept. 27, 2024. And then it happened again, just 12, somber days later. What separated the two storms were distance, storm surge versus wind and expectations. Yet, we still shine.