Our Story

For over a decade, Michele has helped navigate Tampa Bay families through the complexities of senior living decisions during emotionally stressful situations. Her approach is rooted in deep local expertise—having personally toured more than 300 communities and serving as a Florida S.H.I.N.E. Program Medicare Counselor and past president of Better Living for Seniors Hillsborough.

She founded Michelota to provide the compassionate, expert guidance every family deserves, ensuring they have the 'full picture' before making a life-changing decision. To her a community is more than its 'eye candy'—it’s about the quality of the staff, the AHCA survey history, and the daily dignity provided to residents. Her mission is to use her deep local knowledge to look past the marketing and find the environment where your loved one will truly thrive. Having seen the profound impact that high-quality, compassionate care had on her own father’s life, she treats every family's search with the same urgency and heart as if it were my own.

Behind every successful placement is a foundation of careful research and operational integrity. While Michele is in the field advocating for families, Mark manages the back-office functions that keep Michelota running smoothly.

With a career rooted in creative problem-solving and meticulous attention to detail, Mark brings a unique 'investigative eye' to the Michelota team. An accomplished artist and past recipient of the prestigious Salt & Pepper Outstanding Senior Award in the Arts  & Entertainment Category, Mark applies that same creative precision to senior living advocacy.

When he isn't advocating for seniors, Mark continues to contribute to the local arts community, bringing a sense of heart and craftsmanship to everything he does.