The Greenhouse had the pleasure of meeting Leslie Wilson, owner of Funky Fyre, at Maximo Marina during National Women’s Small Business Month. Her pop-up tent was filled with T-shirts, bursting with color inside and out. From bold sayings to bright graphics, Funky Fyre brings Leslie’s fun, lighthearted spirit to life through every design. Whether you’re after something casual, colorful, or unique, you’ll find it at Funky Fyre!
Leslie has been a proud St. Pete local for 15 years, and her roots in the community shine through her work. After years in a traditional 9–5 corporate job, she decided to take a leap of faith and embrace her creative side. With encouragement from her husband, Charlie Wilson, who is also a local small business owner of St. Pete Elite Pool Cleaning, Leslie turned her artistic spark into a full-blown flame after launching Funky Fyre in 2023.
Leslie’s creative process starts with her designs. Using graphic design tools, she puts her own spin on animated images and playful concepts, transforming them into something uniquely hers. The catchy sayings that bring a smile to your face all come from her quick wit and sense of humor. Once a design is ready, Leslie applies it to shirts using direct-to-garment or direct-to-film printing, resulting in vivid, detailed, and bold designs. She also offers embroidery as an option for small businesses.
While not every design begins as her original drawing, she proudly features one that’s completely her own, a copyrighted illustration of a pelican flipping a coin. This design was inspired by the story of how St. Pete got its name. When the city was founded in the late 1800s, pioneers John Constantine Williams and Peter Demens couldn’t agree on what to call it, so they flipped a coin. Demens won and named the city after his hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia, while Williams chose the name for the first hotel, the Detroit, after his own birthplace.
Just like those early settlers who took a chance and shaped the foundation of St. Pete, Leslie is part of the city’s modern-day creative movement that keeps its local spirit alive. When we asked Leslie what she loves most about running Funky Fyre, she smiled and said,
“I just love putting a smile on people’s faces and making them laugh.”
That joy radiates through every design. Beyond her own brand, Leslie also collaborates with local businesses like Largo Plumbing, @TheSkywayMarinaDistrict, and @St. Pete Elite Pool Cleaning. If you’re looking for custom shirts or just want to celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month with something funky and local, check out Funky Fyre! You can find Leslie weekly at the Gulfport Fresh Market every Tuesday, 9 am-2 pm, or follow her on social media to stay updated on new designs and deals.
Follow Funky Fyre
Shop in person
@ Gulfport’s Fresh Market | Tuesdays 9 am – 2 pm
Talking Business with the Greenhouse
GH: What's the best part of being a woman small business owner?
LW: I love being my own boss, having the freedom, and being able to build a company on my own terms. I enjoy connecting with other female business owners in a supportive environment where you’re comfortable sharing challenges, knowledge, and advice.
GH: Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women?
LW: I have a couple of successful female business owners who have been incredible resources for me. Dana Gordon owns a successful marketing company in Tampa called Pirate Marketing. Meghan Hogan Tauber is the owner of Hogan Made, a Tampa-based creative studio that designs apparel and home goods inspired by the surrounding local neighborhoods.
GH: What mistakes have you made along the way, and what did you learn from them?
LW: One of my biggest mistakes was buying too much inventory before seeing what would sell. I’ve since learned to test new designs at markets first, gauging interest before committing to a large order.
GH: What have you learned about yourself through the process of starting a business?
LW: I’ve learned that I’m capable of much more than I once thought. My confidence grows with each success, whether it’s patenting my own design, connecting with people on social media, or simply making someone smile with my creations.