The Last Page is dedicated to individuals who are making a positive impact on the LGBTQ community in Tampa Bay and Central Florida.
This issue, we check in with Leigh Fletcher, self-described “serial entrepreneur” and among other ventures, co-founder of the Rising Tide Innovation Center. Keep an eye on this space to learn more about the movers and shakers of your community.
Hometown: St. George Island, Florida
Identifies As: Lesbian
Out Year: 2006
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Profession: Rising Tide Innovation Center co-founder, Fletcher Fischer Pollack PL managing member, Ocean Systems Laboratory, Inc. president, Bioimpact, Inc. vice president and general counsel
Professional Role Model: Science: Shirley Ann Jackson; Business: Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx
Autobiography Title: “When One Door Closes, Create Another One”
Hobbies: Scuba Diving, Skiing, Hiking, Reading
What do you do professionally?
A variety of things because I own several types of businesses. As co-founder of Rising Tide Innovation Center, I work to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses; as a lawyer I represent clients in real estate, environmental and business matters; as owner of Ocean Systems Laboratory, I oversee the operation of two microbiological and chemical testing labs on St. Croix and St. Thomas that serve as the designated EPA public drinking water labs for the US Virgin Islands.
My role at Bioimpact involves environmental analysis and federal and local permitting work in the wider Caribbean Basin. On any given day I may be working on things for multiple businesses so I am never bored.
How do you champion for the local LGBTQ community?
At Rising Tide we provide workspace to LGBTQ organizations including Project No Labels and Equality Florida.
What is your favorite thing to read in Watermark?
I enjoy the whole thing, but Tampa Bay News is what I read first.
What is your favorite local virtual or in-person LGBTQ event?
I am looking forward to an in-person St Pete Pride happening again post-pandemic.
What is your favorite thing about the local LGBTQ community?
Its diversity.
What would you like to see improved in the local LGBTQ community?
I always advocate for increasing entrepreneurship and the visibility of LGBTQ-owned businesses.
What would you like our readers to know about you?
I love learning and I am a big believer in the potential of people to create their own opportunities, so whether I am working with entrepreneurs in the co-working space, representing business owners as an attorney, or working with business owners in the Caribbean to ensure their water supply is safe or helping them obtain the environmental permits for their operations, I am energized by others› excitement and passion for their work.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Trust your instincts about people and listen carefully to what is said and not said. You cannot take someone to a place they are not ready to go – so if their fear holds them back, move on without them but be kind while doing it.
How has Rising Tide navigated COVID-19 in these unprecedented times?
It has been a challenge. The first thing we did was create online content and socializing opportunities for members who could not physically be in the space during the shutdown. We also worked with our members whose businesses were financially impacted to allow them to maintain membership at reduced rates during the periods when they were shutdown.
As things began to open back up, we developed a COVID plan that emphasizes safety by spacing out work spaces, instituting strict cleaning protocols for daily use of shared spaces. We take temperatures at the door and provide free masks and gloves to members and visitors if requested. But I am an optimist when it comes to business opportunities so we also continued our expansion of the space on Central and started a new project at the Manhattan Casino on 22nd St. in South St. Petersburg focused on food entrepreneurship.
What else should readers know about Rising Tide Innovation Center?
At Rising Tide we believe that developing a professional network is critical to business success. So our goal is not only to provide attractive state of the art work resources in a co-working space for entrepreneurs and remote workers, but also to create networks among our members that connect them to people and skillsets that they need to grow their businesses.
We do that through mentoring, social events and online networks; members can decide how much or how little to participate. With our recent expansion we have more dedicated desks (offices without walls) and private offices available, so it is a good time to take a tour and see if we are a good home for your business.
Do you have an LGBTQ person you think should be the subject of a future Last Page? Send recommendations to Editor-in-Chief Jeremy Williams at Jeremy@WatermarkOnline.com or Tampa Bay Bureau Chief Ryan Williams-Jent at Ryan@WatermarkOnline.com.
