• 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

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 21, 2014
In the zone

Reality television shows are hot, and Chuck Ardezzone hopes his pilots will hit it big. The payoff could be huge.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 21, 2014
Travel pro

Wilma Boyd, president and CEO of Preferred Travel of Naples, is the doyenne of luxury travel. From hiring flight attendants for TWA in the 1970s to running a successful travel agency today, Boyd speaks about her entrepreneurial career and shares insights into the business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 14, 2014
A big cup

It took novice inventor William Merritt nearly a decade to get his product ready for the marketplace. He hopes sales success arrives much faster.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • January 31, 2014
Loans with a click

Online lender OnDeck is touring the country to pitch to small businesses that can't get loans from a bank. As the company approaches servicing $1 billion in loans, CEO Noah Breslow says building trust remains a challenge.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • January 17, 2014
Bet the farm

A group of entrepreneurs are creating an urban farm with the idea of feeding the world's hungry. First, they have to turn a profit.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • January 17, 2014
Caffeinated collaboration

A grassroots community organization in St. Pete spurs business ideas over cups of coffee. The growing meetup is gaining energy with the help of local entrepreneurs.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • January 17, 2014
Island roast

Bennett's Fresh Roast spent $3 million to open a coffee and doughnut shop on Sanibel Island. That's a lot of beans.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 20, 2013
Staff up

The temporary staffing industry is on the rise. A savvy Gulf Coast entrepreneur capitalized on the rebound.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 13, 2013
Startup Power

Women rank woefully behind men in receiving startup capital to fund a new company or idea. A Gulf Coast entrepreneur seeks to sack that dynamic.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • December 2, 2013
Entrepreneurial booster

Fusion Pointe plans to help young startups through the valley of death.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 22, 2013
Charged up girls

Three harried teenagers tackled an entrepreneurial project with startup zeal. They also deliver a message of young women empowerment.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 25, 2013
Laundry 2.0

An entrepreneurial couple has a dream-big plan to spin the laundry industry in Florida. Their vision will take at least $3 million.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 4, 2013
A Young Assist

A young couple, newly married, is in the business of helping the elderly. It's a perfect fit.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 4, 2013
Treat masters

Two sisters on divergent career paths came together in pursuit of entrepreneurial dreams. It's been a tasty ride.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • October 4, 2013
Bold and bright

Tracy Negoshian, 31, dreamed of affording the beautiful clothing created by Lilly Pulitzer, Trina Turk and Tory Burch. So she decided to make her own.

  • Entrepreneurs
« 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 »
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
  • March 27, 2026
Property owner proposes 46 townhomes to replace Sarasota bowling alley
2
  • March 27, 2026
Three-building complex sells in Clearwater
3
  • March 27, 2026
Furniture store closing Sarasota location
4
  • March 27, 2026
DOJ sues Busch Gardens parent company for rollator walker ban
5
  • March 26, 2026
Athletic training franchise opens in Sarasota

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