Hartfield Plaza Celebrates 5 Years of Helping Businesses Thrive

“Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – Michelle Obama

Gary Hartfield is celebrating a milestone. This year marks five successful years of Hartfield Plaza. Located on South Dale Mabry Highway, the 5,380 square-foot building is home to four booming businesses: Thai 5, Flawless Skin Wax Studio, The Perfect Image Barbershop, and Gary’s company, Serenity Village Insurance and Consulting.

Amanda Pillot, owner and founder of Flawless Skin Wax Studio, says Hartfield Plaza has had a tremendous impact on her business. Amanda has been a licensed esthetician for nearly ten years, specializing in waxing and overall skin health. Upon moving to Tampa in 2015, Amanda quickly noticed a need for local wax parlors that focus on the continued health and quality of the skin.

Amanda and her growing team of two are fulfilling the needs of Tampa’s locals by building long-lasting, professional relationships. “Gary has been a great advocate in my business’ success,” states Amanda. “The location is great and has caused many growth opportunities.” The wax studio was awarded “Best Waxing” company by Best of South Tampa in 2021 and 2022.

Just a few steps away sits The Perfect Image Barbershop where owner Pablo Rodriguez creates a sense of community one cut at a time. “Growing up, the barbershop was a community staple,” says Pablo. “I wanted to recreate that in my community, giving people a place to go, connect, and receive quality services at a reasonable price.”

Pablo has been a licensed barber for over 20 years, but the road to owning his own business was far from linear. Pablo admits that he “sort of fell into” barbering. As a first-generation child to immigrant parents, he recalls his mother cutting his hair to save money. “Kids can be cruel. I endured a lot of teasing because of my haircuts growing up,” Pablo recalls. “I started cutting my younger brother’s hair so he could feel confident.” Eventually, with a little push from those around him, Pablo decided to take barbering seriously and attend school.

Today, Pablo operates The Perfect Image Barbershop inside the Hartfield Plaza. With one loyal teammate, he is seeking to hire two additional employees soon to expand the services and capacity of the shop.

Thai 5 Fast Food is a staple to the Tampa Bay community and was one of the first tenants at Hartfield Plaza. Since its launch in 2018, the restaurant has expanded its location to Largo, FL.

Gary Hartfield has created more than an incubator, but instead, a place for businesses to thrive and a diverse community of entrepreneurs. “Upon reflecting on my own experiences as an entrepreneur, I knew our community needed a safe space for local entrepreneurs to thrive,” the serial entrepreneur and philanthropist said. 

Gary invested in this plaza to provide Tampa Bay’s entrepreneurs with affordable brick-and-mortar spaces. “I remember the time it took to learn the hard lessons of being a business owner, and I knew this space would be vital to up-and-coming entrepreneurs,” said Gary.

Hartfield Plaza is located on South Dale Mabry, a busy main road in South Tampa, making the incubator even more appealing for those looking to grow their brands. However, anyone looking for a home in Hartfield Plaza will have to join the waiting list as the building is at capacity. 

Regarding what’s next, Gary is already thinking five years ahead. “I only see this project getting bigger and better,” states Gary. “In the next five years, I hope to connect tenants with additional resources vital in helping businesses grow. These resources include legal, banking, and marketing services for current and future tenants.”

As Gary continues to make considerable strides forward, he continues to give back. Gary has created another incubator space in his hometown of Defuniak Springs, FL. Named after his mother, the Norma J. Hartfield Plaza is home to Tiny Tots Day Care, one of the most reputable childcare centers in the area.

It’s clear to see the many ways that Gary’s success spills onto others. The unique stories of each business owner are clear examples of “lifting as we climb.” So what’s the secret to successful entrepreneurship? 

Pablo would say, “think, but don’t overthink. Sometimes you just need to take that leap of faith.” Amanda added, “create a unique business edge, educate, and find a loyal client base.” 

When asked the secret to success, Gary states, “The number one piece of advice that I have taken is the story of being three feet from gold, shared in ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. The story tells of a gold miner that unknowingly gave up just three feet before striking gold. It taught me never to quit – Even when times are tough, keep pushing.” 

To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the building, Gary had a mural commissioned by Artist Esh, a local muralist whose work is on display throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. The lion pride represents his love for family and community. He wanted the image to stand as a symbol of hope and a reminder of his journey.

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