Self-made style

Executive: Leisa Weintraub, vice president of marketing and creative director for Lakewood Ranch-based homebuilder Neal Communities.

Diversion: Designing and making her own clothing.

Like mother, like daughter: Weintraub's mother made clothes for her during her childhood. When she was 17, she decided to learn how to do it herself, choosing a velvet evening gown as her initial endeavor. “It was sort of interesting for a first project,” she admits. “But I like a challenge, and I had my mother's supervision. It turned out great, thank goodness.”