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.

Co-founder and co-owner, Stevie & Fern

Bruce Rosenblatt, in building a successful senior housing consulting firm, picked up on a key lesson early: don't be afraid to change the payment model.

Jenny Alday Townsend was a Business Observer 40 under 40 winner in 2015.

Selling stuff at Walmart can change the fortunes of any business. But that kind of jump comes at a price.

John Nguyen worked his way up from a 7-Eleven night clerk to a franchisee with three stores. Success, he says, stems from systems — and a willingness to take out the trash.