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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 20, 2024
Norman Love Confections names new CEO; founder to stay with firm

While founder Norman Love aims to slow down, the company he founded nearly 25 years ago has big-growth goals in mind. "This company has been chomping at the bit to grow," says Love.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2024
Gigi Rogers' concept for high-end convenience stores is catching on

"My ideas were rather foreign to the management that was in place then. I would say I climbed Mount Everest in order to get my concept past the management that was in place. It was not an easy task." –Gigi Rogers, Rogers Market

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2024
Liz Dimmitt drives museum, auto dealership forward with continual change

“We had to decide ‘This too shall pass.’ That was a scary time, but we had faith that sooner or later the world would have to open back up.” –Liz Dimmitt, Dimmitt Chevrolet/Fairgrounds St. Pete

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • May 9, 2024
Daniel Lubner adapted to staff ideas and energy to build $100M firm

"When you're starting a new venture, the definition of success is survival. That’s all you’re trying to do in those early years. You're trying to make payroll and live to fight another two weeks." –Daniel Lubner, Clive Daniel Home

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • May 9, 2024
Katie Pemble found her entrepreneurial stride later in her career

“Let there be some frivolity. You did this because you wanted to, so enjoy it. And trust your instincts. Trust yourself and what you’re bringing.” –Katie Pemble, Adelphi Trust Co.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Laura Lyon
  • May 9, 2024
Mike Quillen's quest for constant improvement continues

“One of the things that drives my success is, every day you wake up there’s a different problem, and you just hope you can solve those problems.” –Mike Quillen, Gecko’s Hospitality Group, Watershed Hospitality Concepts

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 9, 2024
Syd Kitson: The dreamer behind solar-powered community Babcock Ranch

"People ask me, 'Gee, if you're an environmentalist, how can you be a developer?' I think it's the perfect combination. It's our responsibility to mitigate those impacts and do it in a sustainable way." –Syd Kitson, Kitson & Partners

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 2, 2024
The power of the power pose: How a software CEO became a better leader

Through an open mind, determination to learn from missteps and lots of repetition, Dean Guida has guided himself to become a better leader.

  • Florida
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 26, 2024
Global volleyball stars launch multisport facility in Venice

Business partners Donald Suxho and Yury Shakirov are building a dedicated training facility with volleyball and pickleball courts that they believe will draw both future pros and those looking for fun.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • April 12, 2024
Sarasota family printing business succeeds by maintaining mutual respect

Shared philosophies keep the presses rolling harmoniously at Serbin Printing. "You’ve got to have open lines of communication, and you just can’t be a right fighter," says Mark Serbin.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Jim Stinson
  • April 10, 2024
USF embraces opportunities to connect with more businesses

A 160-employee University of South Florida department serves as a front porch for the school's myriad opportunities to partner with startups, established companies and nonprofits.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • April 8, 2024
NY concert promoter, exec brings exclusive private gig club to Sarasota

Barry Weisblatt is using his decades of music business exocrine to jumpstart a new business idea: a private concert club.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Jim Stinson
  • April 5, 2024
Eager entrepreneurs aim to shake up the Tampa networking scene

Skip the chicken dinners. Pass on old-style meet-and-greets. An energetic group of young Tampa entrepreneurs are out to change the way networking is done.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • April 3, 2024
Ambitious group aims to bring children’s museum to Sarasota

With more and more families moving to the area, a group of women and moms aims to fill a gaping hole in the Sarasota-Bradenton market: a lack of a children’s museum.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 29, 2024
Exit interview: Key moments in 30-year transformation of University of Tampa

Ron Vaughn’s turnaround strategy at the University of Tampa nearly 30 years ago was straightforward: Stop overspending. Find the big problems and solve them fast. And prioritize constant improvement.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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