About Live Work Play - Guides to Tampa Bay and Pennsylvania Small Business

Philosophy & Origin Story

 

Before the internet, business was done face-to-face and with a handshake. That belief - building trust and real relationships is what I'm all about, and it's the foundation of how I do business.

 

For nearly 20 years, I opened and operated restaurants for small business owners. Every customer connection, every successful dinner service, was built on trust. That experience taught me what truly drives success in small business: personal relationships, consistency, and heart

 

Why Live Work Play Was Created

 

After years of being the decision-maker on advertising spend, I saw a big problem: most marketing opportunities were out of reach for small businesses I cared about to benefit. I wanted to create something beautiful, targeted, affordable, and built specifically for mom-and-pop businesses, something with the biggest reach but without the big-business price tag.

 

So in October 2016, I launched Live Work Play Guides to Tampa Bay and Pennsylvania Small Business.​

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Mission Statement

 

Mission: To give small businesses the same voice and visibility as those with large marketing budgets, but in a more targeted way. It's all about leveling the playing field.

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What We do 

 

Live Work Play is a dynamic multimedia platform dedicated to bridging the gap between customers and exceptional independent businesses. ​

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More than 200 small businesses have found value and affordability in our targeted, local to national distribution. Through the Ultimate Pennsylvania Guide ,the Tampa Bay Guide and our National Small Business Directory, we combine real-time dynamic digital listings with collectible "Discover Small Business" art cards to give independent brands visibility they deserve.

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Our Distribution Model

 

We partner with realtors, builders, HOA communities, property managers, and hospitality hosts to place our media directly into the hands of new residents, homeowners, and travelers. It's about being where people need trusted local insight the most.

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Our Digital Reach

 

Our website attracts local, regional, national, and international visitors - with visitors from every major market in the U.S. 

Top traffic from Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, and New York, and cities like Philadelphia, Tampa, Orlando and Harrisburg.

Over a decade we've had many people from more than 350 states and countries and more than 5,000 cities visit our website.

 

Monthly reach updates are shared on my personal Facebook

And yes  - I'm still running all of this as a one-woman business.

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About Me

 

I was born on an Army base in Fort Ord, California, and raised in a military family that lived in Germany, France, and seven U.S. states. We eventually settled in Central Pennsylvania after my father retired and began working at the Mechanicsburg Naval Support Center.

 

I have three sons, Matthew, Mark, and John - and three beautiful grandsons.

 

While it may seem random that I launched my business in Tampa Bay, the connection runs deep. I lived there for 17 years and have been visiting Tarpon Springs since childhood. My grandparents opened one of the oldest restaurants in Center City Philadelphia in 1920 - and it's still operating today!

 

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Still Rolling Up My Sleeves

 

As of June 2026, I'm making tens of thousands of calls across the United States to connect with realtors, HOA communities, property managers, short-term rentals and bed and breakfast owners that will all gift our media the same way we've done for a decade, to travelers, homeowners, current and new residents.

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A Final Word

 

If there’s one thing I’ve proven, it’s that you can absolutely start a new chapter - even in your 50s. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and Live Work Play

 

 Christine Vasiliades

Founder, Live Work Play Media