Young Guns

Job: Owner and president of Dynamic Creations, based in Tampa. Started as a web design company and has evolved into an interactive marketing firm.

Education: "With me, it was more the cart came before the horse. I didn't finish my degree until I already owned a business." He took a break from work in 2003 to finish an associate's degree in communications at Hillsborough Community College and is now running his business while studying political science and public relations at USF.

Grew up in: Long Island, N.Y., moving to Tampa at age 14.

Community involvement: President of Ad 2 Tampa Bay, an advertising industry association for professionals 32 and under; secretary of the national Ad 2 board of directors; member of Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, Carrollwood Area Business Association and Exchange Club of Tampa; board member of Kids and Canines; board of advisers member for Create Magazine.

First job: Worked summers doing landscaping, starting when he was 14.

10 years from now: He'd like to be self-employed and consulting. Wants to grow his agency's client base and stay active in the community. "A trip back to corporate America would be extremely difficult and unlikely. I like to keep things on my schedule and do things on my own terms."

Turning point: Starting his business during the internet bubble. He didn't have time to ponder for long whether to make the move. "For me, it was a combination of being young and inexperienced with a market that would support someone going into business like that. If I looked at it today, I probably would not go into business myself. It seems like it made perfect sense."

Advice for young professionals: "Get involved. You're only going to get what you put into it. The younger you understand it's up to you to make the connections, the better off you are."

Tags: Around Florida