Bold business

The motivation for Tricia Bolds to start her own business out of her garage in 2007 couldn't be more altruistic.

“I wanted to be able to provide something for my son,” says Bolds, whose child was a toddler back then.

Bolds still aims to provide for her son, but now, six years later, she has additional motivations with her business, Sarasota-based Gulf Coast Pet Supplies. The firm sells and ships an array of pet products, from beds and bark collars to hound heaters and treats. Many of the items are hard-to-find products, sometimes from overseas.