Reborn

REVIEW SUMMARY
Business. Biolife, Sarasota
Industry. Medical products
Key. Company hopes to grow sales after a management shakeup.

Sam Shake had little to celebrate in late 2008 when Sarasota-based Biolife promoted him from director of operations to president and chief executive.

The recession was on full blast. Sales of the company's core product — a powder that can stop bleeding and control wounds — were in the dumps. Morale at the 30-employee company was suffering.