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BLOG POST SPOTLIGHT
Tori didn’t just find her way back to St. Pete, she plotted it with the determination of a homesick teenager and the charm of a future entrepreneur. This is the story of how that chaos turned into clarity, and how one woman’s hometown pride became The Welcome Standard.
Featured Blog Posts
Making friends as an adult can be hard but in St. Pete, it doesn’t have to be. From garden dinners at 15th Street Farm to Friday night shuffleboard and book clubs with a glass of wine at Book + Bottle, this guide highlights the best local spots to connect with new people and feel at home in the Sunshine City.
After years consulting for some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, Tommy has returned home to Florida to bring his signature blend of hospitality and heart to the long awaited St. Pete Athletic, the city’s newest luxury pickleball and social club. As General Manager, he’s helping shape a space that celebrates connection, comfort, and community
St. Pete is full of charm and some of its most beautiful corners are still flying under the radar. From the storybook streets of Driftwood to the historic character of Roser Park and the coastal calm of the Pink Streets, these neighborhoods capture what makes the St Petersburg, Florida area so special: laid-back, local, and full of heart.
St Pete Story - Tori of The Welcome Standard
From college football recruiting to creating St. Pete’s first “Talent Concierge,” Tori Smith has made a career out of helping people feel at home. Discover how her journey led to founding The Welcome Standard, a company redefining how employers recruit and welcome talent to the Tampa Bay region with a focus on connection, community, and genuine local insight.
St Pete Story - Maureen Horan Graphic Designer
This month’s St. Pete Story highlights Maureen Horan: the designer who gave The Welcome Standard its visual heartbeat. After leaving the corporate design world to pursue her own creative path, Maureen has built a career that shines as brightly as the city she calls home. Her branding and storytelling capture the warmth, authenticity, and sunshine that define St. Pete’s creative community.
St Pete Story - Tommy of the St Pete Athletic
After years consulting for some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, Tommy has returned home to Florida to bring his signature blend of hospitality and heart to the long awaited St. Pete Athletic, the city’s newest luxury pickleball and social club. As General Manager, he’s helping shape a space that celebrates connection, comfort, and community