Plus, Rays leadership changes
 
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74º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:49 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:16 a.m. + 10:01 p.m. | Low: 2:58 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 6:59 a.m. + 6:21 p.m. | Low: 12:16 p.m.
 

What makes a business successful... really?
Derrick Roberts, owner of Stan Weaver and Company, smiles for the camera.
Stan Weaver and Company boasts over 40 years of local history. Founded here Tampa in 1977, the company was bought by Derrick Roberts in 2004. | Photo provided by Bank of Central Florida, Member FDIC
Pop quiz, TBAY: What makes a business successful?
  • Product quality
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Service
  • Cutting innovation
  • Marketing tactics
  • The people
While all of these apply, for one Tampa Bay business owner, “Success is all about people helping people.”

Derrick Roberts, owner of Stan Weaver and Company — the premier manufacturers’ representative for HVAC products in Florida — pushes this belief into everything he does.

Roberts’ journey from a young, ambitious newcomer in the HVAC industry to being the proud owner of a thriving business is a testament to the power of collaboration and trust.

“Our success is about our people,” Roberts emphasized. “I have a tremendous team and they get out and spread the word and talk about, you know, our company and what we offer as a service. People buy things not because of the cheap price of the product, but because it’s the service that you give, knowing that we’ll be there at the end of the day.”

Growing success through the people around you doesn’t stop at your clients or team — but those you work with as well.

Keep reading to hear about the other business decisions Roberts has made to get him where he is today.
See how else Roberts found success
Asked

What do you think makes a business successful?
A. The quality of your product and service
B. Customer satisfaction
C. Cutting edge innovation
D. Marketing tactics
E. Investing in the people around you
Share your business best practice
 
Events
Tuesday, Nov. 7
  • Tampa Bay Symphony: Passion & Power | Tuesday, Nov. 7, Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $25 | Join for Frerer’s “On-Again, Off-Again,” Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43,” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67.”
  • Marcus King Band | Tuesday Nov. 7 | 6 p.m. | Jannus Live, 200 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $74-$115 | The bluesman and his band + Joshua Ray Walker take the stage at the outdoor St. Pete venue.
Wednesday, Nov. 8
  • “Lizard People” | Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Florida author Ryan Rivas talks about his “darkly comic and deeply strange novella.”
Thursday, Nov. 9
  • Vegan Exchange Night Market | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 5-9 p.m. | Common Dialect Beerworks, 5023 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | Free | Sample an array of vegan dishes from local spots + discover new plant-based creations.
  • The Junior League of Tampa Holiday Gift Market 2023 | Thursday, Nov. 9-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center, 4802 US 301 N., Tampa | $10-$100 | Shop for holiday gifts, decor, and more from 200+ vendors, and utilize on-site gift wrapping services.
Friday, Nov. 10
  • One-Year Anniversary Celebration | Friday, Nov. 10 | 11 a.m.-11:59 p.m. | The Living Room at Wiregrass, 2001 Piazza Ave., Unit 100, Wesley Chapel | Free | Celebrate the restaurant’s first birthday with live music from violinist LeMay O’James, enter a raffle to win prizes, and enjoy happy hour specials from open to close.
  • Fall Desserts Cookie Decorating Class | Friday, Nov. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Hostess, 2635 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $65 | A certified pastry chef from Ellie Mae’s Bakery guides you in adorning cookies with pumpkin pie slice, cinnamon roll, and carrot cake designs — all materials included.
  • Raise The Flags Friday | Friday, Nov. 10 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Midtown Tampa, 3659 Midtown Dr., Tampa | Free | Enjoy tunes from a live DJ, plus a bar, merch, games (like the Quarterback Challenge), and prepare for Sunday’s Bucs versus Titans game.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Eat
  • Bring on the fluffy pancakes. Kichi Taiyaki, a new Japanese Dessert Cafe, just opened in Brandon. Located at 2020 W. Brandon Blvd., the eatery serves taiyaki, soufflé pancakes, bingsu, boba, and more. Take a peek at the offerings. (That’s So Tampa)
Announced
  • Time is running out to enjoy Tampa Bay Burger Week. The annual beef-heavy (no worries, there’s vegan options, too) week runs through Sunday, Nov. 12. Use our guide to make your plan of attack.
Sports
  • Tampa Bay Rays General Manager Peter Bendix is making a move to the Miami Marlins, where he will serve as the head of baseball operations. Bendix began with the Rays as an intern in 2009 + was named general manager in late 2021. The team has not announced who will fill the position. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Open
  • You might’ve spotted this news on Instagram. St. Pete’s Flatbread & Butter just finished its expansion into the space next door. The Round Lake eatery and drinkery now boasts its own wine room, more seating for chillaxing + plans to add even more menu options. (I Love the Burg)
Ranked
  • No. 8. That’s where the Tampa Riverwalk ranked on TimeOut’s list, “Best riverwalks in the US for scenic strolls.” The team lauded our Riverwalk’s close proximity to some of the Cigar City’s best dining, shopping, and drinking. TimeOut also noted the Riverwalk’s “lush parks, top-notch museums, and entertainment.”
Community
  • Lots of folks are looking to make the move to the Big Guava. A new Redfin report ranked Tampa No. 7 on its top 10 places in the US people are moving to. Between July and September of this year, 3,400 people were looking to move to the area within a three-month span. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Closing
  • We’re spilling the beans. Downtown St. Pete’s Beans & Barlour is shutting its doors. The milkshake and dessert spot will serve its final sweets this Friday, Nov. 10. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Holiday
  • #TerraceTabletop: Give thanks this Thanksgiving by not cooking. Indulge a bountiful, all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet at The Terrace Grille and feast on turkey, herb roast beef, snow crab, and more — plus an elevated array of sides and desserts. See the menu + be ready to go back for seconds (and thirds).*
Health
  • Discover unparalleled speech clarity with this advanced, state-of-the-art hearing aid. With crystal-clear sound and a sleek, discreet German design, those experiencing hearing impairment can enjoy clear speech with minimum background distractions, even in the noisiest environments. Try the 45-day, no-risk trial.*
 
Sports

☀️ Meet Tampa Bay Sun FC

Meet Tampa Bay Sun Football Club
Leaders clap onstage at the Tampa Bay Sun FC release party celebration.
Tampa’s leadership celebrated at the logo and name release party last year. | Photo via Tampa Bay Sun FC
It’s a “Good Day Sunshine,” indeed.

Over the weekend, the incoming USL Super League team celebrated their new name + logo with a massive party in Ybor City. The area’s first women’s professional soccer team will take the field next fall as Tampa Bay Sun Football Club.

The organization received 2,500+ name submissions — with nine people writing in to suggest the Tampa Bay Sun. One of folks wrote in, “you can have Sun, and within an hour you can touch the beach, the city, and the country.”

“We wanted to capture part of what we all love about the Tampa Bay Area and find a symbol that’s full of energy, with the power to connect us all together,” Club President Christina Unkel said in a press release.

The team also launched navy and golden yellow merch on its site for sale.

It’s the latest move for the team, which also recently set up plans to transform Blake High School’s stadium into its temporary home.
The Buy

The Buy 11.07.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The Stanley perfect brew pour-over and camp mug. It’s non-breakable, doesn’t require paper filters, and all of Stanley’s stainless steel products use 23% recycled materials.
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The Wrap
 
Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

Today’s edition by:
Bailey
From the editor
Last week, we asked you what your favorite small businesses are for an upcoming story. Here’s another opportunity to share your local heroes — tag your suggestions on our Instagram post.
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