Founder/Owner Emillions, Naples

A health scare prompted a successful executive to rethink his priorities — and what he wants his next business to represent. One key: empathy for customers.

Cornerstone Builders founder and owner Tony Leopardi has always wanted his own Italian restaurant. All it took was seeing a sign — and convincing his wife.

A lesson learned from a prior business model, Peter Wasmer designed Fuel Capital, a pre-owned Harley-Davidson lease servicing company, to separate funding from operations. The result was a $100 million investment.

After 40 years in commercial aviation, Sanford Rederer decided he wanted an airline of his own. How will he make this business take off?

Jackson made his first mark in Tampa on the football field. His next mark is coming in the boardroom.

Founder and owner, Bavaro Hospitality Inc.