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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 25, 2008
Bold Bet on Florida

With the acquisition of Kraft Construction and a substantial stake in Bank of Florida, Francis Rooney makes a bold statement about what he thinks of Florida's future.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 25, 2008
Built to own

John Westfall's wants to expandhis strategy of building small one-story detached office buildings from Tampa to Orlando and Sarasota.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 25, 2008
Total Transformation

A successful technology entrepreneur wants to keepcomplacency at bay. He's hoping a new business model - and a large international expansion - does the trick.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Custom Made

Charley Hannah and Mike Bartoletta have struggled like all homebuilders, but their conservative approach is helping them prepare for a stronger market.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Come Together

A resort properties guru and a respected commercial Realtor are out to reinvent how deals get done in the real estate industry. They might be on to something.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Shades of Green

A onetime designer of $4,000 suits and his partner, abeachfront homes Realtor, are turning green for a new business venture. They hope to turn some greenbacks, too.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Recovery 2010

A few developers are forging ahead with plans for new residential communities on the Gulf Coast. They're counting on a rebound they say will begin to take hold in 2010.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Stacking the deck

Larry Golden and Dave Tropf have made RSVP Publications a successful direct mail business with a niche: the affluent.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Duel on the Economy

McCain calls Wall Street reckless while Obama attacks McCain.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
ARM Pains

Washington Mutual is hobbled by increasing defaultson the one-time popular payment option ARMs.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Value Mail

Valpak finds itself at a crossroadswith a likely new owner, a new plant and the impact of online coupons.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2008
Dear Linda

A Gulf Coast advertising guru is expanding her horizons. Now, Linda Gross is allabout giving advice to other businesses.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2008
Fed Followers

A Wall Street investment banker with ties to the Gulf Coast aims to be a leader in a strategy based on following.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2008
Call Happy

For one entrepreneur, proving hisproduct can work has been easy. The challenge is getting people to buy into it.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2008
It takes a biker village

Motorcycle dealer Scott Fischer is planning to build a biker mall that will bring together brands such as Harley Davidson, Buell and Kawasaki. The economic downturn brings new opportunities.

  • Entrepreneurs
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