Nibbles & Bytes

So Much Building In Wesley Chapel!

In the past few weeks alone in Wesley Chapel — New Tampa’s neighbor just north of the Pasco County line — we have seen the opening of Florida Hospital Center Ice, the groundbreaking ceremony for the first Crystal Lagoon to be built in the U.S. and the green light given by Pasco County’s Board of County Commissioners for the 7,800-acre “Connected City”.

A couple of weeks before those big events, the Williams Automotive Group (which also owns Wesley Chapel Toyota, Wesley Chapel Honda and Tampa Honda on N. Florida Ave.) broke ground on its newest dealership — the 60,000-sq.-ft. Lexus of Wesley Chapel, located just south of Wesley Chapel Toyota, adjacent to I-75.

Brothers David and John Williams, honored as the WCCC’s Business Leaders of the Year for 2015, held a private groundbreaking ceremony for the Lexus dealership, which is being built quickly. We hope to have more information about when the dealership is expected to open in time for our next issue.

Very close to the Lexus dealership, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen was hiring its staff at our press time and could be open around the same time this issue reaches your mailbox. We also got word that a second Wesley Chapel Chick-fil-A was being built near the Walgreens on S.R. 54 at BBD. The land next to the pharmacy has been cleared for some time; we’ll let you know when it goes vertical.

Meanwhile, the pace of new businesses popping up is even faster and more furious along S.R. 56 — especially around the Tampa Premium Outlets — than it is on S.R. 54. The first buildings on the north side of 56 across from the outlet mall are getting very close, as Pollo Tropical is nearly as close to opening as is Popeye’s, Ford’s Garage is likely a few weeks behind those two and Panda Express  is at least 1-2 months behind those three.

Further east on S.R. 56, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, next to FHCI, is now taking reservations and another hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, has gone vertical on Silver Maple Pkwy. off 56, next to the TD Bank near Texas Roadhouse.

Creative Permanent Makeup By Pam Adds Salon Services & Suites!

Pam Edmonson says she loves coming to work every day. With each new customer, she finds the same joy and enthusiasm in perfecting her craft as a permanent makeup artist as, say, a young child grabbing a piece of paper and a fresh box of crayons.

She proudly scrolls through her phone, showing you the best of her previous work, turning barely visible eyebrows into the perfect complements for your eyes.

“I really do love what I do,’’ she says. “I’m passionate about this.”

While Pam’s passion is still eyebrows, she now offers a number of other services at her new location, off S.R. 54 in Suite 101 of the Brookfield Professional Park, west of Eiland Blvd., where Home Depot is located. Her Serenity Salon & Spa Suites also currently has three massage therapists, four hair stylists and two licensed aestheticians, as well as Edmonson’s Creative Permanent Makeup by Pam.

Pam has enough room in her new location to also offer space for rent for others who offer any number of salon services.

In the back corner of the suite, though, is where you’ll find Pam, in a meticulously clean room, ready to hopefully change yet another person’s life.

Raised in Tampa and currently living in Lake Bernadette in Zephyrhills, Pam has been a licensed cosmetologist in Florida since 2009. Formerly in the manufactured home business, she decided to make a career turn and studied to be a hair stylist. But, her eye quickly turned to permanent makeup.

In 2010, she studied permanent makeup at the Boca Ta-2 School for Permanent Makeup in Williston, FL, then began providing permanent makeup services in Zephyrhills in 2011, particularly for eyebrows. “Eyebrows completely frame the face,” Pam says. “They are so important.”

The Art Of Eyebrows

Having a set of eyebrows done by Pam takes about an hour and starts at $350, which includes a free touch-up after the first four weeks, to help deepen the color and make them more permanent. Once completed, clients sometimes don’t need to come back for a year or two, although everyone’s skin is different.


Pam encourages clients to set up an appointment for a free consultation.

And don’t worry, she says, she’ll be straight with you. Pam says she isn’t going to take on a client who wants her to do something she can’t, or something Pam doesn’t think should be done.

But, she says she is all about keeping her clients happy.

Recently, a 90-year-old woman visiting from Tallahassee made an appointment to see Pam. When she was finished, Pam says the woman left looking 20 years younger.

“I’m so passionate about what I do because of how people feel afterwards,’’ Pam says, adding, “I get so excited doing eyebrows, I sometimes forget to get their money when they leave.”

Pam treats clients of all ages, and eyebrows of all sorts, from those that need to be reconstructed to some — on blonde- and red-haired people in particular — that tend to fade from view. Young clients come in for the convenience of not having to draw in their own eyebrows, while older ones come in to fill in plucked-over patches or the highlight brows that have faded with age and exposure to the sun.

In May 2014, she attended a class called “Browmasters,” when a newer process called microblading was just beginning to take off. With microblading, Pam uses a small blade and ink to create each individual hair. Pam’s penchant for detail serves her well, as her steady hands help draw on an eyebrow which she then microblades, with each stroke adding a more natural look to the eyebrow.

“Microblading is a big thing right now,’’ says Pam, who is licensed through the Florida Department of Health for permanent makeup, which is under tattooing.


But, she says not all microbladers are created equal. Pam has run into a number of clients hoping she could repair a previous job done somewhere else that did not turn out well. She adds that sometimes she can’t help them, due to the amount of scar tissue.

Mostly, though, Pam finds a way. Her knowledge of color theory, or the way colors work together, and knowing how to apply the right amount in the right places comes in handy.

“You have to get the ink in that sweet part of the skin or it’s just not going to stay,’’ she says. “It’s just not.”

No set of eyebrows are exactly alike, which is another reason Pam freely admits that they are her favorite — despite the other services she offers — because it allows her the most creativity. “I have to remind myself that (eyebrows) are sisters, not twins,’’ Pam says. “You can’t (always) make two exactly alike, but I try my darndest.”

Pam also says that some people come to her for permanent eyeliner and although she does both, she often advocates for brows instead, because she believes eyebrows will have a greater impact on the way a person looks.

Before the permanent makeup application begins, Pam says she draws the shape with a pencil to be sure that the customer gets the shape they want and the right eyebrow color for their skin. If a customer has enough hair to see a pattern, she tries to follow that pattern so that it looks natural.

High Praise…

Pam is proud that she gets a lot of word-of-mouth referrals from happy customers, such as her recent clients, Lydia and Linda.

Lydia is a Pebble Creek resident who saw Pam’s ad in the Neighborhood News and decided to take advantage of the free consultation offer.

“I had been thinking about having my eyebrows done, so when I saw her ad, I called her,” Lydia says. “I am very happy with the results. It was not painful or even uncomfortable, and I am completely satisfied. It looks very natural.”

Linda, also a New Tampa resident, says, “I had wanted to get my eyebrows done for a long time,” but she couldn’t find someone who specialized in it. Then, she says she saw the ad for Pam’s services and went to her website to learn more. “She had a lot of pictures, and I got really excited,” Linda says. “I called her and went in for the free consultation, and she verified that I was a good candidate for the procedure. She answered all of my questions and explained exactly what was going to happen.”

Linda adds, “When it was time for the actual procedure, she took a lot of time leading up to it to prepare, especially in choosing the color. She was in no rush and took a lot of care (with me).”

Linda also says that once Pam started the actual procedure, it actually was very quick and painless. “It felt like she was applying makeup, and I would even say it was relaxing,” Linda explains. “It wasn’t at all like getting a tattoo. I have one of those — and that was painful!”

Linda says that Pam met all of her expectations, and that not only is Pam personable, but she also is extremely detail-oriented, talented and aware of exactly what Linda wanted from the first consultation.

“The before-and-after is a dramatic change,” Linda says. “It’s nice to be able to go outside without a full face of makeup and still feel comfortable. And, the microblade technique really looks like hair and not just a drawn line.”

Other Services

Pam also offers scalp therapy, a treatment for women who have thinning hair. She says that the scalp therapy doesn’t seem to work well on male pattern baldness — it’s more effective on thinning hair — but women tend to respond well to it.

She also offers microneedling, which improves the skin by producing a slight injury to the face with a tiny needle. The body naturally grows new collagen at the “injury” site, which plumps the skin in the treated area and produces cell turnover, reducing scarring, fine lines and wrinkles on the face.

“I love how people feel because of what I do (for them),” says Pam. “I’m excited to hear their stories and hear how happy they are. I’m very passionate about what I do.”

Pam Edmonson is available for free consultations and procedures by appointment. For more info, visit CreativePermanentMakeupByPam.com, or call 997-6302.

You Can Shop At Home For Great Flooring With Ronnie’s Carpets

Wesley Chapel resident Johnny Vandervlis of Ronnie’s Carpets in Lakeland will come to you with tons of samples to help you pick out the perfect flooring for your home.

If it’s time to replace or upgrade the flooring in your home, Johnny Vandervlis wants to come to you to help you with your project.

Johnny is a Wesley Chapel resident who is a sales and design consultant for Ronnie’s Carpets, which is located in Lakeland.

“Ronnie’s Carpets has been around for 45 years, in the same location, with the original owner,” explains Johnny. “There really is a ‘Ronnie’ in Ronnie’s Carpets.”

He says being backed by the largest retail flooring store in Polk County actually gives customers in Wesley Chapel an advantage.

“We are competitive in price, and we give a three-year warranty on installation,” says Johnny. “Most places only give one year. Plus, we’ve been around 45 years, so that warranty actually means something.”

Want an estimate on what new flooring would cost in your home? Johnny says there’s no need to trek out to Ronnie’s or any other flooring store, because he will come to you with lots and lots of samples and give you a free, no-obligation estimate.

“You call me and give me an idea of what you’re looking for,” says Johnny. “I set an appointment and come out to you. I bring samples and take all the measurements, and then give you an all-inclusive, bottom-line installed price.”

He says you won’t have to worry about extra charges for trim or transition pieces for laminate flooring, for example, or carpet padding. Sales tax on materials is included, as is all labor. Even the cost of moving large furniture pieces around is included.

Johnny says he’s been in the business for 25 years. He first heard of Ronnie’s Carpets when he moved to Dade City 13 years ago, before moving to Wesley Chapel four years ago.

“When I moved here and was setting up my house, so many people recommended Ronnie’s to me that when I went to look for a job, I went there,” he says. “I was impressed with the store, got lucky enough to get a job, and have been with Ronnie’s ever since.”

Design Help, Too

Johnny says most often, he works with homeowners who have been in their homes for several years, “when the carpet is starting to look nasty,” he says. “I like helping people work everything through, from ‘kind of’ having an idea of what they want to do to sharpening that idea and then making it a reality.”

While the idea of replacing the flooring in your home can be a bit daunting, Johnny is there to help his customers throughout the process.

“I have the knowledge of the products to walk you through what you need for your situation,” Johnny explains. “You might not have to spend as much money as you think, because there might be another option available that might save you money and be a better solution.”

He adds, “There are a lot of options on flooring that people might not know about. The flooring industry just blew up in terms of available options.”

For example, he says floating luxury vinyl is an option many people might be just hearing about for the first time.

“Vinyl is put together like laminate, but it’s waterproof,” he says. “It can look like wood or tile. Right now, there are a lot more wood choices, but vinyl is the fastest-growing segment in the industry, so every month we’re getting new product.”

Johnny says his many years of experience allow him to bring a seasoned and knowledgeable perspective to your project.

“I’m not a decorator, but I’ve been in this industry a long time,” he says. “I have an eye for color and nuance to help you figure out what will look best in your home.”

Johnny’s customers seem to like the fact that he’s willing to share his experience and opinion. “I’ll tell you if I think you’re going to do something you won’t be happy with,” he says, “I don’t want to see people spend good money on a mistake.”

Janet Epperson, a Realtor with Elite Brokers in Dade City, says that not only has she recommended Johnny to clients, but she also worked with him when her mother’s home needed new flooring.

It was easy, she says. “You can call him and he comes to your home,” explains Janet. “He has everything together, so you don’t have to go to the store. He’s a great listener and his customer service is excellent.”

She adds, “I think anyone who would work with him would be extremely happy.”

That’s what Johnny wants most. “I really like the idea of helping people make a change that’s going to make them happy,” he says.

While Ronnie’s Carpets is competitive on price, Johnny warns against shopping on price only.

“With the big box stores, for example, you buy the material, then who knows who they’ll send to do the work? You might get a good [installer], but you might not. If you’re shopping on price alone, unfortunately, you’ll probably get what you pay for. We handle everything from A to Z.”

While Ronnie’s Carpets is located in Polk County, the company routinely does jobs in Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties, including Wesley Chapel and New Tampa. Because of the company’s free shop-at-home service, there’s no need for customers to visit the store. If you do decide to visit, “It’s a bit of a ride,” says Johnny, “but it’s worth it.”

Ronnie’s Carpets is located at 12348 US Hwy 98 N. in Lakeland. To schedule your free in-home consultation, call Johnny at 312-6853. See the ad for Ronnie’s Carpets on page 24.

Olympus Pools Can Add Value To Your Home & Create Family Memories

This pool was created by Olympus Pools, which will custom-design your pool, spa and deck, too.

Backyard pools in Florida are pretty common, but Olympus Pools has helped hundreds of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel homeowners make a uniquely personal statement with theirs.

“We take pride in giving people the most bang for their buck,” says James Staten, who owns Olympus Pools with his wife, Alexis.

The options available to homeowners who want to build a pool are extensive with Olympus, ranging from traditional models that tend to be linear in shape, to blends of rustic and contemporary styles that combine the basic elements of fire, stone and water into a backyard oasis.

Designs can accommodate features such as a dry, sunken living room, swim-up bar and a cozy grotto illuminated with LED lighting and fire bowls. Water and lighting features can be managed from anywhere there’s a phone signal, via a smartphone app.

While the pool design will be one of a kind, Staten says the level of customer service also  is uniformly high.

“We build them the same way for our customers that we build them for ourselves,” he says.

Olympus Pools is licensed for commercial as well as residential pool construction, but Staten says creating the perfect backyard water wonderland for each customer’s needs is the heart of the business. In fact, he added, his company built 240 pools last year and he attributes this success to focusing on three key elements: design, construction and service.

“We try to make sure we’re the best in each of these three,” he says.

The Design Of Your Dreams

Making a splash (pun intended) with a great backyard pool starts with design and Staten says meeting each customer’s individual needs, interests and construction requirements are always considered in that process.

“Every design we do is custom,” he says.“ “Every single one. We don’t have any templates or cookie-cutter designs.”

Olympus Pools designer Santiago Serna develops a computerized design of a pool for a customer.

Staten says the goal is creating a pool that’s well-designed, meets your budget considerations and suits your lifestyle.

Olympus is staffed with pool designers like Toni Masse, who combines a background in construction with interior design experience in her swimming pool creations. She says creating a sunken living room for a pool has similarities to designing one inside a house.

“I enjoy the process of meeting new people and designing their pools,” she says, adding that paying attention to what  customers want as important in meeting their expectations. “Part of being a designer is listening to the customers.” 

Olympus designers can take your ideas and turn them into construction projects that Staten says will usually take six-to-eight weeks.

“We’re known for building pools very quickly,” he says.

Whether you want to add a spa to an existing pool or get a complete backyard makeover, Olympus pool designers stay connected with you throughout the process.

“I continue with you throughout the construction, because I’m committed to the customer from beginning to the end,” says Santiago Serna, who has 28 years of experience designing pools. Serna adds that he gets a great sense of satisfaction when he visits for a follow-up check of the construction and sees families having a barbecue around their pool.

Building a backyard pool means plunging into the deep end of home construction permitting that ensures the work conforms to legal standards. Staten says Olympus Pools manages that process, which is one way the company provides a high level of service to its customers.

“We handle all of the permits and engineering so the customer can sit back,” he says. “We do all the hard work.”

Customers can keep track of the progress on their project with construction updates they can receive as text messages.

“It keeps the customers involved and helps keep us on schedule,” says Staten.

Satisfied Customers

Receiving text updates is a feature that Dan Carroll says he appreciates about his customer experience with Olympus Pools.

“They tell you what’s going on,” says Carroll. “The quality,, I think, is outstanding. I got exactly what I wanted.”

Another thing that Staten emphasizes in his company’s pools is safety, from using unblockable channel drains to the screens and fences enclosing them.

“I have five children myself,” says the Live Oak Preserve resident. “So, it’s extremely important to me that you have the safest possible pool.”

Once your pool is completed, Staten says it will add value and “salability” to your home, although the big payoff to pool ownership isn’t necessarily financial. “You automatically have plans for every weekend,’’ he says. “My favorite memories are hanging out in a backyard pool with family and friends.”

Staten started his company after working in the pool construction industry for more than a decade.

“I’ve worked every job in the field,” says Staten, who manages the operation from the company offices located just off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., near Tampa International Airport (west of Dale Mabry Hwy.)

Staten attributes a lot of the growth of Olympus Pools to referrals from customers. He also uses social media to generate interest from customers and people in the pool construction industry.

He also says his company’s page on Facebook (search: OlympusPools ) is a primary source for the most up-to-date information, photos and videos about pool design, construction trends and other information.

In addition to the Facebook page, you can visit OlympusPoolsFL.com, call 983-7854 or see the ad on page 28.  The Olympus Pools office & design center is located at 4422 N. Lauber Way in Tampa.

SPOTLIGHT ON… Back To Wellness Center!

Esperansa Nino, D.C.

Back To Wellness Center Chiropractic & Physical Therapy emphasizes the importance of integrated care to help people dealing with pain.

“By combining chiropractic care with physical therapy and massage therapy, we’re not just going to get you out of pain,” says owner Jonathan Hancock, D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic). “Our goal is to rehabilitate you so the condition doesn’t become chronic.”

Dr. Hancock opened the Back To Wellness Center in 2012 and he says he was pleased to recently welcome a new associate, Esperansa Nino, D.C., to the office.

Patients who visit Back To Wellness will see Dr. Hancock or Dr. Nino for their chiropractic care, and can also see physical therapist Justin Spiegel, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy).

“We work closely together and even sit down and brainstorm specific conditions,” says Dr. Hancock. “We give patients a higher level of care because we are all right under the same roof. Patients get better quicker because we’re all on the same page.”

While every treatment plan is tailored to the individual, Dr. Hancock says the Back To Wellness Center often offers shorter treatment plans than patients might expect, because of this integration.

“I would say we average three to five visits to get out of pain for non-traumatic injuries,” he says.

The Back To Wellness Center treats a wide variety of musculoskeletal pains and conditions.

“We cater to all walks of life,” says Dr. Hancock. “From workers comp injuries to auto accidents to athletes.”

He adds that the office accepts all insurance plans and is “in network” for the vast majority of those plans.

“We also offer flexible, affordable cash pay plans, and work with CareCredit financing, too,” he says.

The Back To Wellness Center Chiropractic & Physical Therapy is located at 27454 Cashford Cir., in the Summergate Professional Center, behind Sam’s Club off S.R. 56. The office is open Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 3 p.m.-7 p.m. on Thursday; and 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Friday. For more information, visit WesleyChapelChiropractor.com, or call 973-4747 to make an appointment.