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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2005
Retire? Too Many Opportunities

Peninsula Bank CEO Simon Portnoy keeps a low profile on the Gulf Coast. But this experienced Gold Coast banker knows what he's doing. Keep your eye on Peninsula.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2005
How to Raise Capital

Three Florida CEOs, who collectively raised $24 million in venture capital within the past year, provide an insider's view on financing growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2005
Provisional Situation

Gulf Coast banks lowered their loss reserves during the real estate boom. Watch this bookkeeping entry going forward. It will say a lot about the economy - and quality of a bank's loans.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2005
Fifth Third Regroups

The Cincinnati-based bank recently split Florida into three regions so top executives can better focus on smaller territories. Former Citibank veteran Thomas Quinn Jr. takes over the South Florida region.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2005
Laying Down the Law

Veteran attorney Albert M. Salem switched careers to invigorate First Commercial Bank of Tampa Bay. Not all of the employees liked it.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 16, 2005
THE ECONOMY

Florida tourism activity hit $4.3 billion in September, 12.9% more than the same month a year earlier, but the west coast cities of Sarasota, Fort Myers and Naples lagged by comparison, according to statistics released by the Florida Department of Revenue.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2005
The Deal Maker

Mayor Joseph Riley made Charleston's center city a vibrant attraction for tourists, business and residents. All it took was a lot of deal making. You do 'whatever works.'

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2005
In Hot Pursuit

Now that Palm Beach environmentalists have blocked construction of a Scripps Research Institute development, state Sen. Mike Bennett is trying to bring it to the Babcock Ranch.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2005
The No-Planning Commission

A cross-section of Hillsborough County expresses disappointment in the political leadership of a growing community.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2005
Family Jewels

After Hurricane Charley destroyed one of the jewelry stores of Scot Congress, left, and brother Doug onSanibel Island, the Congresses had $10 million of jewelry sitting in an uninsured safe. "Until you take your policy for a test drive, you really don't know what's going to be covered," Scot says.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2005
The Persystent Fixer

Persystent Technology's Ray Weadock believes he has software that will transform the computer world. It fixes your PC every time you boot up. Techies beware.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 9, 2005
Laser Sharp

CEO Dean Akers focused Ideal Image Development on one niche - laser hair removal - and the whole customer experience. The results: explosive growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2005
Fixer

Persystent Technology's Ray Weadock believes he has software that will transform the computer world. It fixes your PC every time you boot up. Techies beware.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2005
HOW A 37-YEAR-OLD BECAME OTC's PRESIDENT

John Pollock really didn't want to work for Oswald Trippe when he graduated from Eckerd College with a B.A. in business administration in 1990.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 5, 2005
Second Act

After Leonard Garner's personal life and sprawling development-contracting business collapsed in the '80s real estate blowout, he decided to stay small. But some entrepreneurs just can't hold back.

  • Entrepreneurs
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