By Clayton Park
USA Today Network - Florida, October 1, 2026. Tallahassee Democrat, Florida Times Union, Palm Beach Post, Sarasota Herald Tribune, Daytona Beach News Journal, Naples News, Marco Eagle, Treasure Coast News, more
... In Tampa, Danielle Ferrari runs Valhalla Resale, a shop where customers can borrow as well as purchase clothing. A vocal advocate of increasing the Florida minimum wage, she has one part-time employee.
"I'm excited," she said. "When regular people have more money to spend in their neighborhood, it's better for everyone. It's resulted in an increase in sales for me, definitely."
Leigh Anne Balzekas and her sister Kristine Ownley co-own The Disco Dolls Studio in Tampa, a combination hair salon, boutique, art gallery and design workspace. The studio employs nine people, including four on an hourly wage who "will be receiving a $1.50 raise as the $15 goes into effect," Balzekas told USA TODAY Network-Florida. "Our other employees are on commission as hairstylists and make well above already.
"We hope this uplifts wages all over Florida. ..."
Ownley added, "I don't understand why any business would not want to pay a living wage. Costs are high, but so are living expenses."
As co-owners, Ownley said it is her and her sister's responsibility to make their business profitable. "It's not my employees' responsibility to work for less," she said.