• 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
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 26, 2005
Know When to Hold, When to Fold

Entrepreneur Michael Lepore has had a knack for getting in and out of businesses at the right time. At this point, though, it looks like he may be hooked on hotel and real estate development for a long time.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 26, 2005
Top 30 Deals

Here's a sampling of some of the biggest real estate deals of the year - from Tampa Bay to Naples.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 26, 2005
From Great to Good

2005 was called the Super Bowl of commercial real estate years. For 2006, brokers and developers are forecasting a more moderate pace but still robust by historical standards.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 26, 2005
A Fine Dilemma

That's not what the 'FD' in Reg FD stands for. But that's what public companies can face with the rule.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 26, 2005
DREAMTIME Hits Big Time

Former TV reporter John Biffar started his film production company by borrowing equipment from his employer. Now he's shooting for the History Channel and National Geographic.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 26, 2005
Harsh Climate

Value-added jobs rose 0.5% in Sarasota between 2003 and 2004, and average wages improved 1%. This hasn't helped businesses much in finding and keeping qualified employees.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
Young but Tested

Successful startup financial institutions along the Gulf Coast have one thing in common: They hire people who've done it before.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
Bllind Faith

AmSouth loaned $3.2 million mostly on the word of a convicted felon masquerading as clergy. Should the bank have seen a problem sooner?

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
The Wal-Mart Challenge

Lesson for developers: How Henry Rodriguez convinced a town the time was right for Wal-Mart.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
Ideas to Money

Are the pieces falling into place for the Tampa Bay area's technology sector? One former Silicon Valley player thinks so.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
Stayin' Alive

A cutting-edge biotechnology company learns there is more to building a successful company than science. Now, it's looking to grow by buying other companies.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
Cancer Trackers

Naples financier Steven Jones wants to turn a small genetics lab in Fort Myers into a cancer-testing powerhouse. He's hired veteran lab director Robert Gasparini to turn it into a profitable venture.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
Business Links

Former Kraft Foods executive David Kakkuri wants Florida Gulf Coast University to become a resource for Southwest Florida businesses.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
BusTracker

Sarasota serial tech-entrepreneur Brad Baker is back again with a new company that monitors the whereabouts of school buses.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • November 21, 2005
Calendar of Events

The Calendar of Events is avaialble free of charge.

  • Entrepreneurs
« 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 »
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