Thomas Paterek, 32

Stevie & Fern, by way of explanation, is a St. Petersburg-based ad agency that specializes in creative branding for clients ranging from Red Stripe beer and the Women’s Tennis Association to commercial property developer Sembler and St. Pete fintech startup Intrinio.

The company’s unusual name is indicative of the unique outlook of co-founder Thomas Paterek, a surfer dude who says “purpose and passion are the highest priority when it comes to pursuing anything.”

Paterek grew up riding the waves of Long Island and the Jersey Shore, and even now travels the world to find the best breaks. Surfing in developing countries like Costa Rica, he says, “exposed me to a lot of things I had never seen here in the First World. It fueled a passion for wanting to make an impact.”