• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 28, 2006
Bruising Broker

The competitive field of commercial real estate in Greater Sarasota can now count a true fighter among its ranks: Former national boxing writer - and long-ago retired amateur boxer - Joe Bruno.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2006
Mass Mergers

Community banks continue to capitalize on missteps made by banks going through regional and national consolidations. A good marketing strategy, backed up by being the anti-big bank, helps.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2006
Immokalee Money

Diversifying and expanding to the Gulf Coast fuels Florida Community Bank's growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2006
'All About the People'

Last year was a banner year for new community banks in Florida, with 25 de novo applications filed with state regulators. This year might come close.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2006
New regulations could hurt banks

Gulf Coast community bankers protest federal regulators' proposal to limit commercial real estate loans.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2006
Coaster Ride

With a dozen new branch openings in the last two years - but three CEOs over six years - Coast Bank executives hope their story becomes one of successful growth, not management turmoil.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 22, 2006
A Buyers' Market

Jim Gillespie, Coldwell Banker's president and CEO, says there are plenty of homebuyers shopping for a home. They'll start buying again when sellers realize the market has changed.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2006
Rooms to Grow

Room rates at Gulf Coast hotel rooms have been steadily rising, spurring construction of new hotels from Tampa to Naples. But high land and materials costs could undercut the boom.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2006
Wake-Up Call

As Kathleen Shanahan transforms an environmental remediation company into a market leader, the CEO is on the hunt for acquisitions - backed by one of the nation's largest equity firms.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2006
Pub Crawl

After 15 years of deliberate growth, a pair of lifelong friends running a bar and grill chain are about to pass $11 million in annual revenues. Expansion throughout the Gulf Coast is up next.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2006
Independent Streak

The Watkins family has steered the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club for 60 years by continually renovating and upgrading.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2006
Robust Restaurants

Sales at Peach's and First Watch restaurants average $1 million per store. But growth plans for both lie in opening new stores nationwide.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2006
Jaza Delivery

An important sales meeting for a startup coffee business has led to other opportunities.Perseverance and confidence are essential.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 7, 2006
Gulf Coast Tech Push

Enthusiasm was rampant at a Sarasota tech conference filled with A-list speakers. Among the unique tips:Create an enemy to combat complacency.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • September 7, 2006
'The Sky's the Limit'

Entrepreneurs Chuck Miller and Lynette Bohanan created a PR firm that they hope to grow into a powerhouse, and they're having fun in the process.

  • Entrepreneurs
« 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 »
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest business and commercial real estate news from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
  • February 5, 2026
After changes, Boar’s Head reopens plant tied to listeria outbreak
2
  • February 5, 2026
Naples' David Hoffmann takes over Iowa newspaper chain
3
  • February 5, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays unveil stadium designs, plan to woo public
4
  • February 5, 2026
Lakeland man to pay $12.9M, go to prison for filing 450 fake tax returns
5
  • February 5, 2026
TGH-anchored development moves forward in east Ybor City

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-362-4848

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Podcast
  • Big Book of Business

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Distribution Points
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Your Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
×
3 Articles Remaining!
Not a Subscriber?

Click here to Subscribe

Already a Subscriber?

Click here to Login

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Start your day with the top Gulf Coast business news you need to succeed.

Sign Up for CRE Central

Stay updated with a weekly roundup of big deals, market shifts and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Smart People Subscribe.

Turn headlines into game plans. The playbook’s right here.
Subscribe to the Business Observer today.

Subscribe Now