Member Interviews
At CoWorkTampa, we like to highlight our members. We caught up with them to find out more about them and how they use the space.
Take a look below
If your business is interested in signing up please contact us. Please let us know if you’d like to be featured.
Ashley Blystone- Loopfund
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Ashley Blystone, Director of Operations and Compliance at Loop Fund
What is your job description?
As Director of Operations and Compliance, Iâm responsible for establishing high quality lending operations to promote customer satisfaction by working closely with our Service Provider and Vendors to best enhance the customer experience. I am also responsible for oversight internally and on our partners and vendors to ensure full compliance of applicable state and federal laws.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Boone County, Kentucky.
What is your best piece of advice?
Love what you do, but more importantly love who youâre doing it with.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
If Iâm not spending time with family and friends, you can find me working on DIY projects around the house.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself?
I have dual citizenship for the United States and Canada
Rob Kantor- On-it Facilities Management
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Co-Founder On-it Facilities Management
What is your job description?
CEO
Where did you grow up?
New York State (Catskill Mountains)
What is your best piece of advice?
Define your own success, travel, be kind, be original, and run your own race.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Spending time with my wife of 19 years and my three (3) boys enjoying each day.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself?
From September 2012-September 2014 I took a sabbatical from the company that I founded in 2000 and lived in Europe with my wife and three (3) boys with no car, no cell phone, and no watch.
Eric Ritter- Digital Neighbor
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Founder & CEO at Digital Neighbor
What is your job description?
By combining cutting-edge with compassion we are your friendly, full-service digital marketing agency that offers solutions for our local businesses to thrive.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Germany and moved to Florida after graduating from high-school.
What is your best piece of advice?
1. Always exceed expectations. 2. To quote Misters Rogers: “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Training for my next marathon, working on my golf game, and spending time with my family.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself?
I’ve been an instructor for Digital Media in the Advertising Department at USF since 2010.
Yovanis CĂĄceres- YCLonline Inc
What is your title and what company do you represent?
YCLonline Inc
What is your job description?
I’m the owner of this company but I work like Full Stack Software developer where the Web Applications are the hot plate for each day.
Where did you grow up?
In Cuba
What is your best piece of advice?
Focus on the goal you want to achieve
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
I am with my family and I often go fishing, it is my sport
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself?
I am very funny and friendly
Blake Harvey- Endeavor Business Media
What is your title and what company do you represent?
I am a Geographic Information Systems Technician for Endeavor Business Media.
What is your job description?
I manage a database of utility data. We sell licenses to energy companies to access this data, which they use for market analysis and map making.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Austin, but grew up in Atlantic Beach, FL, a suburb of Jacksonville.
What is your best piece of advice?
The only universally applicable advice I can think of is this: drink plenty of water, eat mostly vegetables, and get enough sleep!
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Watching movies, playing team trivia at my favorite bar, running, riding my bike, or deciding what to make for dinner.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself?
I’ve traveled to 33 foreign countries on five continents.
Tim Dunfey- CreditStacks
What is your title and what company do you represent?
My title is FCC Officer and Attorney for CreditStacks. CreditStacks is a credit card company that works with both young professionals and those moving the the US on a work visa. Our specialty is providing credit to those without a credit history looking for credit card that helps them build credit responsibly.
What is your job description?
I help credit stacks comply with federal banking regulations by meeting reporting requirements and maintaining an effective compliance program.
Where did you grow up?
St. Petersburg. Florida.
What is your best piece of advice?
Always be honest.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Playing baseball with my son or at the gym.
Andrew Shattuck
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Property Accountant & Short Term Rental Manager
What is your job description?
I handle accounting for a portfolio of apartment communities, and run a short term rental business as a side hustle.
Where did you grow up?
Born in Hampton, VA but Iâve spent most of my life in Tampa.
What is your best piece of advice?
Donât wait until the last minute to file your taxes.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Iâm most likely at the beach when not working.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
I went to high school in Sydney, Australia.
Nicholas Edwin- Cad Department
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Owner of Cad Department
What is your job description?
Software Consultant
Where did you grow up?
Virgin Islands
What is your best piece of advice?
Keep trying, don’t give up.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Spending time with friends and family.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
At 16, my first summer job, I was able to out lift most of the full time construction workers.
Erin Carey- Search2Close
What is your title and what company do you represent?
I am a Business Partner at Search2Close, a title insurance company.
What is your job description?
I work with realtors and lenders to ensure smooth transactions on the sale and purchases of homes. We strive to give each and every client the Ultimate Closing Experience.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Van Wert, OH, a small town in Northwest Ohio.
What is your best piece of advice?
If it wonât matter in 5 years, donât spend more than 5 minutes worrying about it!
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Hanging out with my fiance, snuggling my dog, reading true crime books, or going to the beach
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
I actually lived in Tampa in 2002-2003 and have always wanted to move back. When my youngest graduated in May, I booked it down as fast as I could! We love living here, and being so close to the water.
Lori Goldsmith- Heart of HR Shared Services, President
What do you do for your company?
Whatever services my small business clients need for operational success. I provide the same HR leadership and guidance of a large corporation while staying true to the small business culture.
Where did you grow up?
Philadelphia, PA
What is your best piece of advice?
Be honest, be kind.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
We rescued a âTotoâ from the Tampa Bay Humane Society in May. I take her for long walks every chance I get. At least twice a day. We are loving the cooler weather while it lasts!
Treasure hunting at consignment shops.
Iâm a news junkie.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself?
My husband tells people I was a Roller Derby girl. Not true. I was a competitive speed skater when I was a kid. Like Apollo Uno, just not ice skates â roller skates. After graduating college, I competed in figure skating and dance until I moved to Florida. Iâm an original member of the greatest COWORK space on the planet! (CoworkTampa)
Roy Heller- Nucleon Cyber
What is your title and what company do you represent?
My title is Chief Operating Officer and my company is Nucleon Cyber
What is your job description?
I am in charge of the Global operations and I manage the company’s sales channels worldwide.
Where did you grow up?
Israel
What is your best piece of advice?
Always be proactive
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Working from home or traveling worldwide for work.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
I moved to Tampa in 2018.
Patricia Diaz- Secretary at FGE Construction
What do you do for your company?
Secretary
Where did you grow up?
Tampa
What is your best piece of advice?
Always say good morning, it can change someone’s attitude for the rest of the day.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Busy with my girls.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself?
I love to dance!
Tomica Beauchene- Beauchene Financial Services, Inc
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Beauchene Financial Services, Inc DBA Tampa Tax Ninja – President
What is your job description?
I am an Enrolled Agent that helps individuals and business owners with their tax and accounting needs.
Where did you grow up?
I am a military brat – I have lived all over the country. I was born in Florida and moved back here 18 years ago.
What is your best piece of advice?
Trust your instincts – even with they don’t make sense, the little voice in your head usually has the right idea.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Right now, working on tax returns for clients (tis the season) out of my home.
Renee Thompson- Spartan Group Realty, INC
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Spartan Group Realty, INC, Broker and Owner
What is your job description?
Consult with customers on their purchase and sale of Commercial and Residential Real Estate
Where did you grow up?
Germany
What is your best piece of advice?
Listen to people, their verbal and non verbal words.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Out showing a home, or at home cooking or playing with my pups.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
Hmmmm, I served in the Army for 10 years.
Matt Hall- HR Soul
What is your title and what company do you represent?
CXO â HR Soul
What is your job description?
Our solutions amplify the performance of your people and the soul of your company culture. My job is to work with clients to determine opportunities for growth and development in Talent, Leadership, Strategy and Culture.
Where did you grow up?
England!
What is your best piece of advice?
Never neglect your network
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Running
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
I was once (literally just once) a hair model for a hair dye brand and had to walk a catwalk.
Carrah White- Genesis Accounting
What is your title and what company do you represent?
I am better known as Dawn and I am the CEO of Genesis Accountancy Group. We provide budget and overhead control expertise to dental practices so that they can free up time and engage in activities that are important to them
What is your job description?
I am an Enrolled Agent otherwise known as an accountant. We provide an array of services that help our clients make sure they are maximizing their bottom line by checking their current systems.
ex rates (possible raises), vendors and making sure they are getting the right prices, etc.
Where did you grow up?
I am a Tampanian. I grew up in the Temple Terrace Area.
What is your best piece of advice?
Slow is smooth, Smooth is fast. Always remember to enjoy the journey and trust the process.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy the restaurants and all the developments Tampa is creating. I have my hand in everything.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
Have you ever found out that something you believed was true wasnât true at all? I recently found out that you actually don’t have to wait 30 min after eating to go swimming. Mind was blown and I instantly wanted those lost hours of childhood back.
Nicole Snodgrass- My Lash Fetish LLC
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Owner at My Lash Fetish, LLC
What is your job description?
Independent Master Lash Artist
Where did you grow up?
Tampa, FL
What is your best piece of advice?
Always think before you speak!
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Relaxing and enjoying some down time at home.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
Iâm an ex ballerina of 15 years.
Toby Martini- TobyMartini.com
What is your title and what company do you represent?
I am a speaker and workshop leader working under my own name @ TobyMartini.com.
What is your job description?
I help teams communicate and work better using Improv games & skills with a grounding in Neuroscience.
Where did you grow up?
Early on, upstate New York. Tweens and teens in Tampa Bay.
What is your best piece of advice?
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. All growth comes from change, so learn to handle it with aplomb.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Traveling – 90% for work, 10% for fun and family, reading, or mindlessly playing video games
Karla Perez -Boost Servicing
What is your title and what company do you represent?
( Boost ) Senior Customer Support Specialist
What is your job description?
Senior Customer Support Specialist is responsible for overseeing all customer interactions including but not limited: security of customer information, answering questions about products and services, maintaining records, processing adjustments, assisting with customer workout plans, and customer notifications.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Cuba and came to the U.S when I was 9 years old.
What is your best piece of advice?
Be kind and patient with people. Sometimes a nice smile and a âgood morningâ can change a personâs day. Think of it as a domino effect: if you are nice to a person they will be nice to the next person and so on.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
I am at home with my son. I am a working mom so any time that I am not working I try to spend it with him.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
I get scared really easily
Dan Soschin- WordPress.org @ Automattic, Inc
What is your title and what company do you represent?
Director of Strategic Initiatives, WordPress.org @ Automattic, Inc.
What is your job description?
Nearly half of the worldâs websites run on WordPress. My role is to introduce, inspire, and help the other half discover its power.
Where did you grow up?
The suburbs of Washington, D.C. (Northern Virginia)
What is your best piece of advice?
Find joy in everything you do, even the little stuff.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
Being a dad to two littles, aged 3 and 8; and a husband to my lovely wife who owns a Pilates studio in South Tampa.
Name a fun bit of trivia about yourself.
I once played the role of Grover (yes, that blue furry monster from Sesame Street) while lighting the Christmas tree at San Franciscoâs Union Square with then Mayor, Gavin Newsom.
Alejandra MĂĄrquez- Solo Practitioner Attorney
What is your title and what company do you represent?
I am a solo practitioner Attorney, licensed in the state of New York.
What is your job description?
I work only with immigration and naturalization cases.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Venezuela
What is your best piece of advice?
My piece of advice is this: Donât take anything so seriously, have fun!!.
When youâre not at CWT what are you most likely doing?
When I am not at CWT I am working from home.
