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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 1, 2014
'Shoot for the Top'

Craig Rapihana sought a fun and different way to relax on the water. Instead he found a rapidly growing business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 25, 2014
Pie High

Erin Mullins never took a fancy marketing class. But she serves up some hearty lessons in how to sell the same product to diverse audiences in different locations.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 18, 2014
Step Up

Randy Turkovics is in the luxury homebuilding spotlight, with a leadership role at one of the region's biggest builders. His timing could be near perfect.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 18, 2014
Web Printer

A printer makes a big push into the online world and scores a contract for a high profile economic development website to promote the Southwest Florida region.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 11, 2014
Busy Leader

A chamber of commerce executive — and Ayn Rand fan — has maintained the passion for her job after nearly 20 years. 'I love working for the chamber,' she says.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 4, 2014
Data Destructors

A Gulf Coast firm has had some early success in a $10 billion industry built around destroying outdated data and computers. That's led to some lofty projections.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • June 27, 2014
Dream Job

Michelle McKenna-Doyle is the NFL's first CIO and first female executive. Now she's bringing her entertainment background to leverage technology to improve the fan experience.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Cheryl O'Neill
  • June 20, 2014
Five competencies required for rapid business growth

The five things every business looking to grow needs to have.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 20, 2014
Knead for Speed

Rene DeGuia doesn't just toss dough. He turns making pizza into a fast-paced passion. It's made him a better businessman.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 12, 2014
Bash Brothers

Succession challenges have a unique meaning at Tanner Tees, which recently shifted from a grandfather to his grandsons. The new owners have infused startup energy into a 22-year-old business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • June 5, 2014
Designing Doom

Jay Kamhi works with a famous toy designer to bring their cute and creepy baby dolls to market. With a potential movie or television deal, the duo believes Vamplets will make it big.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 5, 2014
A Better Box

Donald Avery designed a better box for shippers who complain their goods get damaged in transit.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • May 30, 2014
Well Connected

Former bankruptcy lawyer Kelly Hoey is known as one of the top women in the tech entrepreneurial world. She credits good networking with her success.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 30, 2014
Skin in the Game

Naples dermatologist Srdjan Prodanovich created an electronic medical health program that helps doctors manage patient records more efficiently. So far, it cost $3 million to develop.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 23, 2014
Car Queen

Pam Oakes does more than fix cars. She's a radio host, author and inventor.

  • Entrepreneurs
« 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 »
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