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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 4, 2026
Waldorf Astoria developer says sales 'remarkable,' likens city to Monaco

A developer with three active residential projects in Sarasota shares how the Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota came to be, why Sarasota is in its own class and what his next development won't be.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2026
The Business Observer Top Entrepreneur luncheon — the event in photos

Over 200 people attended the annual event.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 20, 2026
From Publix to Costco, St. Pete CRE exec is go-to hire for retail giants

Rachel Wein's unique approach to consulting for commercial real estate has led her to some of the world's most known brands. "I sincerely hope I’m with Costco until the end of time," she says.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 19, 2026
The ‘Queen of pitch’ dishes on the secrets to her $2.5B success

Forbes Riley’s success in pitching billions of dollars of stuff, from ab rockers to Zoobooks, has led to a lifetime of hard-earned lessons.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth Djinis
  • May 15, 2026
Mark Vengroff: Hyperfocusing on an in-demand niche pays big dividends

"We went through a lot of struggles on a lot of things, … but every big mistake we had, we had some huge reward come out of it in the end." –Mark Vengroff, One Stop Housing

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • May 15, 2026
David Diamond: High school dream turns into a business on the cusp of $1B

"We've never borrowed money and never asked for investors, and it's worked out really well for us." –David Diamond, CEO, co-founder, DeAngelis Diamond

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2026
Roberta Beranek: Turns Naples Fashion Week into a must-go event

"I'm constantly competing with myself, reflecting on what went wrong, what went right." –Roberta Beranek

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 15, 2026
Eric Foster: Cybersecurity startup CEO targets IPO

“Startup life in general is a constant knife-edge between everything is amazing and 'oh, my God, we're all gonna die.'" –Tenex CEO Eric Foster

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • May 15, 2026
Joy Gendusa: How a high school dropout built a $120M business

"The most important thing about starting a business is choosing something you are passionate about. Do something that truly makes you want to get up in the morning and push through any barrier." –Joy Gendusa, PostcardMania

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 15, 2026
Natalia Levey: Hospitality-centric leader has a soft spot for 3D printing

"If there's an error that happened, then we look at it, and we address it. … I like to sort of reframe that as opportunities." –Natalia Levey, Hi Hospitality Group

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2026
Path to success starts with guts: The 2026 Top Entrepreneurs

The 2026 Top Entrepreneurs, combined, form a billion-dollar economic engine with thousands of employees. One thing this group isn't? Timid.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • May 1, 2026
Vegas exec brings big bet mentality to new Tampa gig

Travis Lunn led some of Las Vegas’ most recognizable properties before taking on the role of president of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • April 29, 2026
Former industry regulators lead group launching new Tampa bank

New South Bank would be the second de novo bank to launch in the region in the past year.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 27, 2026
Exclusive club complements developer's Sarasota evolution vision

Already expanding before it opens, 1000 North augments the vision of developer Kevin Daves to make Sarasota among the country's "most refined" cities.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 7, 2026
Naples Realtor tackles $271 million listing

Tim Savage has been tasked to sell one of the most expensive residential properties in the nation. He's confident he'll find the right buyer.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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