When most St. Petersburg residents hear the words ‘green bench,’ they think of the city’s infamous brewery. However, this name was actually pulled from a marketing tool directed towards tourists in the 1900s. Back then, over 3,500 benches brimmed the sidewalks and stood before stores, all uniform in size and color. While St. Petersburg was commonly referred to as “The Sunshine City,” it also gained the title, “The City of Green Benches.” Although some saw the benches as a way to attract visitors, they remind others of segregation in the city.

Nathan Stonecipher, co-owner of Green Bench Brewing, explained the reason for the company’s name. “It was an unfortunate and ugly thing that we went through as a city here,” he said. “Our idea was to bring it back and take new ownership of the green benches and really show that there’s a place for all.” With this goal in mind, Nathan and his fellow owners settled on this piece of history for their brewery’s name. “We really wanted a name that would pay homage to our area, but would also challenge us too as we looked at our history,” he explained.

Green Bench Brewing began about seven years ago with co-owners Khris Johnson, Nathan Stonecipher and Steven Duffy. The three were raised in St. Petersburg and wanted to start a project that would add to their city. “For us, this was a labor of love for many years before we got to a point where we could open our doors,” Nathan told us. Over the years, each co-owner has inherited different tasks in order to make their company the best it can be. Khris, the “creative guru,” comes up with and tweaks the beer recipes. Nathan works primarily with management, accounting, and in his own words, “all the boring stuff.” Steven looks at the construction side of things, building and expanding as they see fit.

Recently, Green Bench Brewing opened an additional space called Webb’s City Cellar. The facility focuses on sour beers, saisons, Belgium and Northern French inspired beers, with production in mead and cider too. Unlike anything else in Florida, Webb’s City Cellar showcases their large scale aging process for beers and ciders. “We really wanted something that would give people in the state of Florida a different type of space to go see… and this is what we envisioned,” Nathan said.

“We’re never quite sure how these beers are going to end up, which is part of what makes it exciting for us.”

Along with the new space, Green Bench Brewing has begun to introduce new kinds of drinks and flavors. Among these is Alice, which is a new line of sours. With flavors like raspberry and peach, this take on golden sours is already becoming a huge hit. “We’re never quite sure how these beers are going to end up, which is part of what makes it exciting for us,” Nathan admitted. Green Bench Brewing is constantly tweaking recipes towards the taste of the changing market. “We’re always experimenting with something new around here, which is what makes it fun.” Stop by at Green Bench to see what’s brewing!

New to real estate or an experienced vet in the business? The Perfect Agent classes will help literally everyone! Offering comradery, shared experiences, suggestions about communication and organizational tips, Perfect Agent classes have industry ‘secrets’ for everyone.

These classes focus on eight pillars that are essential to building a successful business.

Marketing: From setting up and running your social media, to create an advanced marketing plan.
Execution: From tackling your task list and email inbox to effectively managing your time.
Finance: From tracking your expenses, to getting the best ROI.
Technology: From editing PDFs to becoming an Excel spreadsheet master.
Sales: From defining your value proposition to having the perfect listing presentation.
Real Estate: From a new spin on open houses to advanced contracts.
Systems: From learning how to create goals, to automating the systems that allow you to achieve them.
Leverage: From the beginnings of building your team to advanced lead generation.

After taking just a few classes, our agents notice a HUGE difference! In fact, one of our agents was able to use the knowledge from these classes to capture a $900k listing, go to market, and close within a couple of weeks!

These classes are designed to benefit you and your business. Our helpful videos and simple assignments will teach you how to put your best foot forward. Call today to refine your real estate skills today!

In St. Petersburg, local art is widely celebrated and promoted throughout the community. Exemplified in the murals that decorate countless buildings, big events like Localtopia and community based local markets, the city’s appreciation and celebration for local artists is easily recognized. Florida CraftArt, a statewide nonprofit organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida, works to engage with the community and promote its art. Along with providing mentorship and support for artists through galleries, shows and festivals, Florida CraftArt also offers educational lectures and activities to assist both children and adults. Additionally, support from the community is encouraged through free admission to galleries and Artlofts for all visitors.

Formally known as Florida Craftsmen, the organization originated in Deland, Florida in 1951. Professors Louis and Elsa Freund from Stetson University felt that Elsa’s homemade jewelry needed to be shown for the art that it was, so they organized annual exhibitions in galleries. In 1977, the organization became incorporated and later received its first home in 1986. However, the first space which truly looked and felt like a gallery was obtained in 1995. Florida Craftsmen officially bought the building in 2002, changing their name to Florida CraftArt in 2014. The establishment has since become the heart of the Central Arts District.

“… downtown, cornerstone, nonprofit organization.”

Tyler Jones, who is both a RE/MAX Metro agent and the president of Florida CraftArt, met with us to talk a bit about the establishment, describing it as a, “…downtown, cornerstone, nonprofit organization.” He explained that the facility only houses art from certain artists, putting the focus on both members of Florida CraftArt and Florida residents. As a membership-driven organization, Florida CraftArt offers its members discounts, perks, and exclusive looks into the company. Still, members are not the only ones who can enjoy the gallery. “The entire facility is opened to the public seven days a week,” Tyler explained.

Due to its central location and some of the largest storefront windows in the downtown corridor, the store gets significant foot traffic. Ryan, RE/MAX Metro’s media representative, described the popularity of the location, saying, “If you’re a St. Petersburg native and you walk past this intersection with the big mural in the ground, you know exactly where you are because you see all the art in the windows,” then added, “It’s a beautiful place to visit.” The gallery houses numerous kinds of mediums, including glass, ceramics, fiber and wood. Wooden pieces of art have different styles featured in the gallery, such as sculpted, carved, and turned, which is created through the use of a lathe.

“We have two sections of Florida CraftArt,” Tyler explained. The gallery consists of both a store, where everything is available to the public to be purchased and a rotating exhibit. The exhibition space has artworks that are curated and judged throughout the year, with about 8 or 9 annually. There are many different kinds of exhibits hosted in this space, such as fiber, pottery and even a pet exhibit coming soon, which highlights pets and is sponsored by both SPCA and AARP. Programming is available with usually 7 to 9 programs surrounding the current exhibits. These include artist talks, meet and greets, collector circle events and private VIP dinners for the openings.

As a nonprofit organization, Florida CraftArt relies on the support of the community and local artists. Membership is available in individual, family and corporate packages, and donations are always accepted. Stop by on 5th and Central to encourage St. Petersburg’s artistic community through Florida CraftArt!

ST. PETERSBURG, Fl. (May 10, 2019) – RE/MAX Metro has announced that Realtor® Clay Glover is the latest addition of the growing real estate franchise. The Glover Group brings to the office more than 20 years of local real estate experience and specializes in home site redevelopment, luxury waterfront homes, condominiums, downtown living and historical renovations.

“I’m excited to join one of the most productive real estate networks in the U.S. and heighten the buying and selling experience for our clients,” Glover said. “With the economy improving, it’s a great time to buy real estate, but you need every tool in this dynamic real estate market. Waterfront homes in the Northeast St. Pete market are in high demand, homes are selling quickly and I’m here to help guide members of the community through the exciting and sometimes overwhelming process.”

Glover understands the importance of providing his clients with the latest market information and industry expertise. The Pinellas Board of Realtors® has recognized Clay for being in the Top 100 agents in Pinellas County and together he, along with a team of other successful realtors and assistants, sold over $60 Million in real estate sales in 2018 and were recognized with the Coldwell Banker Legends Society Award.

In addition to helping community members find the right home, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife, 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. He also enjoys boating, spearfishing, triathlons and remodeling homes to their previous glory.

For more information about Glover or RE/MAX Metro, please visit metroagents.com or contact (727) 896-1800. 

Derrick Silvers started Team Silvers as a way to help people sell and buy their homes. As someone who enjoys playing both tennis and pickleball, Derrick understands the importance of passion and dedication. He always strives to surround himself with people who will push him towards greatness, hoping to do the same for others. In this episode, Derrick Silvers sat down with Tracey Strube to talk about his team and the passion they share for their business.

At 18 years old, Derrick was in the top 60 tennis players in Florida. He would practice before and after school for hours and continues to play consistently in his adult life. More recently, Derrick became introduced to pickleball, a game which shares many similarities with tennis. Picking up on the level of commitment and skills he cultivated from these activities, Tracey questioned how they reflect upon his business.

Derrick referred to the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, which discusses the idea of failure. “You can fail to plan or plan to fail,” Derrick stated. But maintaining a plan can only be practiced when you have someone to help you along the way. Like a coach holds their players accountable, real estate agents need someone in their lives to help them remain consistent. For Derrick, that person is his wife, Bianca. “If you don’t have someone speaking into your life, I don’t think you can really push the limits,” he explained.

Concerning passion, Derrick referenced another Realtor that actively pursued new clients both out of devotion to the neighborhood and the people in it. Going door to door, he would knock and say, “Just your local Realtor sweating on your doorstep again this month,” and then proceed to hand them the sales from the last month. The Realtor was an exceptionally successful person, both in his business and with people. “He was passionate about it, he loved the neighborhood, and he went out and did it no matter what it looked like,” Derrick explained.

Another passionate person Derrick takes inspiration from is the chairman of VaynerX, Gary Vanderchuck. After watching just one of his videos, Derrick was enticed by the argument to move towards the things you’re passionate about instead of what makes you money. This philosophy is one that Derrick believes firmly in, constantly saying, “If you have to fail, fail forward.” To Derrick, following your passions, regardless of the possible outcomes, is better than simply giving up.

“If you have to fail, fail forward.”

Team Silvers excels at remaining open and candid with their clients. For example, Derrick has something in his car that holds his phone up while he’s driving. Whenever he thinks about something that motivates him, he hits the record button and uploads it for his audience to see. “People want to do business with people that they like,” Derrick explained. For this reason, sharing their passion and excitement is a priority. Just as they draw from the sources that inspire them, Team Silvers seeks to motivate their clients to pursue the things that they are enthusiastic about.

Brass Bowl is an original St. Petersburg brand, located exclusively in the Downtown area. Jason Gordon, the Executive Chef of the restaurant, described it as having

“…all the elements of fine dining brought to a more casual, relaxed atmosphere.” The food is 100% organic and gluten-free, with t-shirts sporting the phrase “Straight Outta Gluten.” Gordon expressed the desire to accommodate customers with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, without compromising the flavor or presentation.

A substantial focus of the eatery is the sourcing of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Doubling as a juicery, Brass Bowl has an onsite cold press that allows for daily juicing. Every morning, different combinations of fruits and vegetables are mixed together to be bottled and sold. Gordon explained the process as, “A little bit of science [and] local vegetables put into a flavor combination that’s a little bit easier to drink than some of your regular juices that are on the market today.”

“…all the elements of fine dining brought to a more casual, relaxed atmosphere.”

Many of the agents at RE/MAX Metro are excellent at maintaining expertise with the local community. Ryan and Tracey continued with this theme by visiting Central Avenue’s Brass Bowl, hoping to explore the visions and goals of the new restaurant. Gordan took the time to sit down with the team and go into detail about the company.

The business philosophy for both the employees and consumers is creating a culture of wellness. Ensuring the staff feels valued and has room to flourish in the given environment is essential to Gordon. Starting in the industry at age 14, the chef is familiar with the difficulty of the job. One way this doctrine is carried out is through tipping. By eliminating the use of servers, Brass Bowl returns all tips to the line cooks. As a result, the appreciation of the customers and management is tangibly represented as a result of the cook’s hard work. Ultimately, the goal is to create an atmosphere of inclusion by making everyone feel like a part of the operation.

The restaurant’s sayings, “check your ego at the door,” paired with “passion and positivity” represent the desire of Brass Bowl. Promoting wellness through dedication and modesty is indicated by the artistry demonstrated in their food. Gordon commented on this ability, noting the time and effort placed on sourcing ingredients to create amazing dishes.

As Gordon stated, “Wellness [is] about how we could give the public and our guests the best lifestyle for themselves through our organic food [and] healthier eating choices.”

Opening as early as 9 a.m. with numerous juices and options for eating, Brass Bowl is a wonderful choice for dining. The high quality, quickly prepared food, accompanied by a freshly squeezed drink, brings a unique flavor to St. Petersburg, leaving its customers hungry for more. Ryan and Tracey recommend taking the time to meet Jason Gordon and his team, conveniently providing the opportunity to sample a taste of the Brass Bowl.

There are many ways to succeed in the current real estate market. Here are just a few of the ways our amazing Managing Broker, Tracey Strube, has found success in this always changing industry. 

#1. Start Your Morning With A Great Cup Of Coffee

Let’s face it, the life of a real estate agent/broker never ends. This is a job that requires most people to be on the clock all day, every day. There’s no way you can negotiate sales and keep positive relationships with your clients if you’re not energized in the morning. So, start your day with a delicious cup of a coffee to give you that time to unwind in the morning as well as a burst of energy for the rest of the day. If coffee isn’t your thing, try caffeinated tea or an energy drink. Something this simple can really help you get in the right mood to conquer the day. 

#2. Keep To Your Goals and Commitments

Setting goals for yourself is very important. This is something that everyone should get in the habit of doing. What’s more important though, is staying committed to meeting those goals. There are things that will continuously get in the way of us attaining our goals. It’s important to do everything in your power to stay the course and see these goals to the end. The best part is when we are so focused on fulfilling the commitments we’ve made, it becomes easier to say no to other things that would make your day less productive. 

#3. Identify What Your Purpose Is

Going hand in hand with committing to your goals, understanding your purpose for why you’re doing what you’re doing will give you a clear direction with your efforts going further. This also helps you make the right decisions and recommit to the promise that you made to yourself. 

#4. Remember Your Friends and Family

Familiar with the term “blood is thicker than water?” This is so true when it comes to what we do. Your main motivation should be to do everything to benefit yourself and those around you. Your family and friends usually have your best interest in mind.

#5. Accountability

One of the most important things to do to keep your priorities straight and your mind focused on the goals you’re committed to is to have an accountability partner. This can come in the form of a peer you talk to on a weekly basis or a consultant or coach you check in with every once in a while. The point of this is to have someone who has your best interests in mind that can help you along the way of what you are trying to accomplish.

For more information, visit us at https://www.metroagents.com/join-the-tribe

Or call us at 1 (800) 881-8729

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAahwUpr0Zk

The Best Performing Realtors December 2018

Top By Office

Downtown St Petersburg Florida

Treasure Island Florida

Tierra Verde Florida

Seminole Florida

The Best Performing Realtors November 2018

Top By Office

Downtown St Petersburg Florida

Treasure Island Florida

Tierra Verde Florida

Seminole Florida