FloridaSmart is all about Florida and bringing compelling, factual, interesting and compelling content to our readers while focusing on showcasing the small businesses in Florida that are the heart of the sunshine state.
From the Founder & CEO – Patti Jewel
I was born here. I belong here. And I believe in Florida.
Florida isn’t just where I live, it’s who I am. I grew up with salt in my hair, sun on my skin, and a deep love for the wild, diverse, endlessly surprising beauty of this state. From turquoise springs to quiet pine forests, from warm beaches to vibrant cities, Florida has its own rhythm, one full of color, culture, nature, creativity, and community.
Florida is home.
And FloridaSmart is how I give back to it.
I created FloridaSmart to support and celebrate the people who make Florida what it is, the small business owners, the makers, the growers, the dreamers, the doers, the innovators, and the families building something of their own here.
Because Florida isn’t just palm trees and sunshine.
It’s resilience, reinvention, and community.
And when we support each other, we build a Florida that thrives.
A Florida State of Mind
Florida teaches you about balance.
The heat slows you down just enough to remember to breathe.
The ocean reminds you to surrender sometimes.
The storms teach you to rebuild and rise again.
Florida is not a place you simply live in.
Florida lives in you.
Helping Local Businesses Grow
I believe in small businesses. I believe in entrepreneurs. I believe in people who are creating something from scratch with heart, purpose, and grit.
FloridaSmart exists to amplify these voices, to connect communities, to share local resources, and to give Floridians and visitors alike a way to discover the authentic, meaningful, real side of this state.
I want to see Florida businesses thrive, not just survive.
Because when local succeeds, we all succeed.
Sustainability and Our Natural Places
Florida’s natural environment is precious. Our beaches, our rivers, our springs, our wetlands, our wildlife, they are worth protecting.
Climate change is real. Sea levels are rising. Natural ecosystems are fragile. We all share responsibility.
I choose to live simply. I try to reduce waste, avoid plastic whenever possible, reuse and recycle, and stay mindful of my footprint. I believe clean water, clean air, and wild natural spaces are not luxuries — they are essential.
And Florida is too beautiful to lose.
Community and Collaboration
I believe in shared growth. I believe in working together.
When one Florida business wins, we all feel that ripple.
Collaboration is a kind of exchange.
Sometimes it’s resources.
Sometimes it’s knowledge.
Sometimes it’s encouragement, mentorship, or simply showing up.
This is how we build community… by helping each other move forward.
I am always open to collaboration, partnership, and supporting visionaries who care about Florida’s people and places as deeply as I do.
The Future for Florida’s Children
I want a Florida where children can swim in clean water, paddle clear springs, explore forests, watch wildlife, learn from nature, and feel connected to the land beneath their feet.
Every choice I make is with them in mind.
Their future matters more than convenience today.
Reinvention
Florida is a place of reinvention.
People come here to begin again.
And I believe in that.
Every day is another chance to learn, grow, shift, and try again.
Joy, Love, and Peace
I try to lead with love and kindness. To stay present. To laugh.
To find joy in small things like warm sand, blue skies, citrus trees, and sunsets that set the whole state on fire with color.
This is what Florida gives us.
All we have to do is slow down long enough to feel it.
Keeping It Real
I’m not perfect. I’m passionate. I’m learning. I’m human.
I fall, I rebuild, I reflect, I keep going.
That’s Florida.
Storm, sunlight, repeat.
FloridaSmart is my way of honoring the place that raised me.
It’s my reminder to nurture community, support those building their dreams, and love this state deeply and deliberately.
Florida shaped me.
Now, I hope to help shape a better Florida in return.
– Patti Jewel, Founder, FloridaSmart
LIVE, VISIT, WORK, PLAY, SHARE, CONNECT….
FloridaSmart.com’s goal is to provide the most informative and useful platform for Florida that connects Floridians and Visitors through engagement, self-promotion, sharing of knowledge, experiences, and expertise. We want to promote small businesses in Florida and provide a platform for sharing their stories and what makes them unique to help people find and connect.
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