At Tampa Magazines, we spend much of our time spotlighting local businesses — from our annual contests like Best of the City and our Best Restaurants List to this issue’s Best of South Tampa and Best of St. Pete. Across industries including health and beauty, dining, entertainment, retail and more, these businesses help our community thrive and continue to grow.

Of course, a business is never just a standalone entity. Behind every brand are the people who shape its vision and drive its success. In this feature, we introduce you to the faces behind some of your favorite local establishments — the founders, CEOs and owners who built their companies from the ground up or continue to expand and evolve them. They are often working behind the scenes, keeping their brands running like well-oiled machines.

Below we invite you to meet the owners behind some of your favorite Tampa Bay businesses. 

 

Chris Field | Owner of Studio Physique
Chris Field, Owner of Studio Physique

Studio Physique is the first studio in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County to feature revolutionary Lagree Fitness group classes, as well as the only studio in Tampa Bay and the Southeast with VersaClimber classes. Run by Tampa Bay broadcasting pioneer Chris Field, Studio Physique offers not “just another pilates class,” but an evolution of the method. Its high-intensity, low-impact classes combine strength training, cardio, core engagement, balance and endurance. Plus, instructors provide personal trainer guidance in every class.

Before opening Studio Physique, Chris Field cemented her legacy as the first female sports anchor in the market, working at FOX 13 from 1997 to 2014. She has always been passionate about fitness, especially while supporting her three children’s athletic pursuits, and she found inspiration by taking her first Lagree Fitness class during her travels.

Field started Studio Physique in 2015 to introduce Lagree to the community, adding VersaClimber classes in 2019. “Studio Physique emphasizes welcoming all fitness levels, embracing and building our local community,” Field says. More than a decade later, Studio Physique remains a fitness industry leader as high intensity Pilates continues to grow in popularity. The team most recently won Tampa Magazine St. Pete’s Best Pilates Studio & Best Personal Trainers for 2026.

 

Studio Physique
1941 34th St. N., St. Petersburg
@StudioPhysiqueSP | StudioPhysique.com

 

Kat and Nate Wade | Owners of The Tox 
Kat and Nate Wade, Owners of The Tox

Kat and Nate, owners of The Tox  Tampa, knew they didn’t want to be in the corporate world forever. Desiring to grow something in their own neighborhood, both were always drawn to the transformative approach of wellness. When they discovered The Tox, a proprietary approach that combines lymphatic drainage and body sculpting techniques, they knew there was nothing like it in the area. Tampa influencers and wellness addicts alike flock to their location for a sculpted, lean look and expert detoxification.

The Tox Tampa
1534 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
(813) 422-4519 | thetoxtechnique.com