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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • May 16, 2025
Four-decade restaurant industry veteran ready for her next portion

A high school job at Taco Bell has turned into a high-level restaurant career for Kelia Bazile. Her latest gig? Running $700 million brand Carrabba's.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • May 9, 2025
Entrepreneurial chemist creates winning business formula with speed, focus

A natural flair for invention and a passion for R&D power Pasco County-based burn care brand KeriCure.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 8, 2025
Grit, goals and going for it: The 2025 Top Entrepreneurs

Blending grit with a go-for-it attitude has proved to be the right mix for the Business Observer's 2025 Top Entrepreneurs.

  • Florida
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • May 8, 2025
Beck Besecker scaled $20M 3D software firm through grit, perseverance

"The reason we do this is we like to build things. That's pretty intoxicating, getting to kind of build stuff all the time." –Beck Besecker, 3D Cloud

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • May 8, 2025
Kristy Craig Anderson went from home staging out of a garage to a $10M firm

"There are so many things about being a business founder entrepreneur that are rewarding. The biggest for me … is this idea that you're creating something from nothing." –Kristy Craig Anderson, Dwell & Co.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 8, 2025
Henry Detwiler: From a 10x20 egg tent to a thriving, 6-store grocery business

“Every thing, every square foot matters.” –Henry Detwiler, Detwiler’s Farm Market

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 8, 2025
Anthony Solomon: Walking away from a deal is often the smartest move

“Your job is to solve puzzle. That’s how I look at what we do. Putting the puzzle together.” –Anthony Solomon, The Ronto Group

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • May 8, 2025
Elizabeth Dosoretz has built a statewide network of mental health practices

"Don't be afraid to try something or to fail or to innovate in a way that's different. … You can try it, and you can always innovate and change or pivot if you need to." –Elizabeth Dosoretz, Elite DNA Behavioral Health

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 8, 2025
Kim Githler grew media company by connecting, constantly evolving

"Experience is everything — and learning from mentors. … I found mentors, I listened to them, and they helped me get to where I am. They are still helping me to this day." –Kim Githler, MoneyShow

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 2, 2025
Fast-casual franchisee grows to four SoFresh stores in region

"I like the challenge," says entrepreneur William Wolf, who started out as a professional gamer and recently turned around an underperforming restaurant in a matter of months. One lesson? Put customer service first.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • April 18, 2025
No show dogs: Cybersecurity CEO talks $3B valuation, potential IPO

Brian Murphy details the hows and whys of getting to $3 billion in valuation.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 17, 2025
Realty team helps shape condos across the region

Simon Bacon, executive director of Development Services for Michael Saunders & Co., says variation is ahead in the condo market.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 15, 2025
Former Navy Seal's Tampa firm brings solar power to Manatee arts school

Manatee School for the Arts' planned solar project includes 3,000 panels and was drawn up by former U.S. Navy Seal Steve Rutherford, who used technology to protect soldiers in Afghanistan.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • April 4, 2025
Tampa duo gives longtime theater new life despite industry challenges

The movie theater business has taken some hits. But Shana David-Massett and Tim Massett are undeterred and optimistic — counting an investment of $2 million — on the industry's future.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • April 1, 2025
Tickets available for the Business Observer’s Top Entrepreneur luncheon

The event includes a panel discussion among three highly-accomplished entrepreneurs.

  • Florida
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