Get Back Up

Sarasota entrepreneur Andrew Neitlich took a blow in his last big business venture, an admittedly foolish failure. The endeavor, Bonecrunch Fighting, cost Neitlich at least $150,000. The concept, back in 2007, was to build a regional franchise-based sports league for Mixed Martial Arts, a cross between boxing and karate. (See Business Review, July 27, 2007.)

The business model, however, didn't mesh with the recession. Says Neitlich: “If I were going to do that again ... I wouldn't do it.”

Neitlich, a Harvard M.B.A. grad, quickly refocused his energy on his other business, the Center for Executive Coaching. The center trains management consultants on executive coaching techniques.