Center stage

The new year-new you vibe to the first few weeks of a year is similar to the lifecycle of a startup. It's full of possibilities and promise. But there are obstacles, uncertainty and risk. Two Sarasota-based startups highlight the contrasts.

Lofitpop
A Florida transplant from Los Angeles and the movie industry, Rachel O'Neill started her business at home three years ago, when she created whimsical and hippie-esque wall prints. The prints were made mostly with soft colors, from rainbow trees to unicorns.

O'Neill, with help from her husband, Ryan O'Neill, sold some prints on peer-to-peer e-commerce site Etsy. Sales streamed in quickly, and the couple soon expanded to pillowcases and mugs. They named the business Loftipop.