If Susan Gulash seems at ease managing a business, a magazine, an Internet radio show and a Lutz Guv’na campaign at the same time, it’s because she’s done it all before.
“I actually ran last year,” Gulash said. “It was an amazing experience just to meet the different community businesses.”
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Suzin Carr won last year’s event to earn the ceremonial title of Lutz Guv’na, given to the candidate who raises the most money for local organizations. But Gulash enjoyed the experience so much, she decided to do it again.
And she didn’t wait for another Guv’na race to stay involved in the community. She used her design and marketing talents at Gulash Graphics to design the Old Lutz School website, and her Florida Creative Living Internet radio show will broadcast the community’s Fourth of July celebration.
Gulash was born in South America but moved to the United States when she was just 2. She settled into the Tampa Bay area just a few years later. Now she lives in Lutz with her husband, Brian, and her daughters, Madison and Makayla.
She enjoys the small-town feel of the area, and was interested in another campaign to raise more money for local groups.
“That’s what really drew me to run again,” Gulash said. “It’s really helping the local community here in Lutz, from the Boys & Girls Clubs to the Old Lutz School, and all the different organizations that really do need help and funding throughout the year.”
An extra year of experience also means being better prepared for the upcoming Fourth of July parade, she explained. Last year, Gulash participated in the parade by getting the family in the car and driving the parade route. But Gulash wasn’t expecting such an enthusiastic turnout. While she was impressed with the great community response, Gulash felt like they could have done more to be an active part of it.
This year, Gulash has plans that involve music and a stronger presence during the parade.
“This year we’re going to step it up a notch,” she said.
Gulash also is leveraging her existing businesses to raise money for her Guv’na campaign. By making a donation and joining her “cabinet,” individuals and businesses can get mentioned in Florida Creative Living magazine, as well as the Internet radio show that goes by the same name. She’s also planning to participate in a bowling event with other candidates and possibly a car wash.
The Guv’na’s race is also known for outlandish — and usually impossible — campaign promises, and Gulash has a special one for her contributors: Donate to her campaign, and she’ll erase your age so you don’t have to worry about celebrating birthdays or getting older.
Keeping busy is part of Gulash’s regular routine, and she enjoys having the independence that comes from running family businesses. But that wasn’t always part of her career plan.
Gulash worked in a pharmacy for several years, but was let go after suffering from epileptic seizures. While she was disappointed, Gulash used the opportunity to forge a new path and take more control over her career.
Her business ventures offer affordable advertising rates to give her fellow small business owners an opportunity to market themselves in a cost-effective way, she said.
And the Lutz Guv’na campaign gives her an opportunity to raise money for the community, which is in line with her own family philosophy.
“Growing up, my mom and my father taught me good values, to help others in need, so that’s what I try to teach my own girls,” Gulash said. “And my husband, his philosophy is the same. Help others.”
The Gulashes host their radio show together.
While Gulash has a strong game plan for her Guv’na candidacy, she already has the future in mind if she comes up short in the race for the title. Not only would she consider running a third time, but she might recruit, too.
“I may even bring some people in to run for Guv’na,” she said. “The more people who are putting the effort into raising money, the more money the community of Lutz receives.”
Florida Creative Living is available with the free iHeartRadio application for smartphones and tablets. It broadcasts Thursdays at noon.
The Gulashes also are part of a program that airs the same day at 11 a.m.
For more information about Gulash Graphics, visit GulashGraphics.com. For information about the Florida Creative Living magazine or broadcast, visit FloridaCreativeLiving.com.
Published June 18, 2014
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