• 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
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 10, 2013
Sea legs

Irene Seaman was a woman executive who had it all, long before having it all was a hot issue.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 10, 2013
In a Venice minute

Entrepreneur Joe La Raviere deftly mixes commerce with entertainment. His constant challenge: Don't slow down.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 3, 2013
The A Team

A security firm with fast-growth ambitions has refined a detailed system to help solve one of a business owner's biggest dilemmas: How to recruit and retain top employees.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 12, 2013
Shooting stars

The founders of a new Gulf Coast business says the 'sell' job of their mission is a cinch. Now they have to prove it.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 5, 2013
C'mon and jump

The trampoline industry isn't just for circus types anymore. Two local business owners seek to pounce on the trend.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • April 5, 2013
Internet office

Having a showroom helps to sell office furniture online.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 5, 2013
Let's get physical

An entrepreneur with a stellar track record in franchising targets a new industry for creative destruction. His plan is to move fast, and be bold.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 29, 2013
Suck It

Talk about building a better mousetrap. Local inventor Chuck Casagrande discovered a way to improve the standard bike rack.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 29, 2013
Flower Power

A.P. Hollingsworth initially sought to grow a barbecue-sauce business. But he instead combined a passion for orchids with a fearless entrepreneurial spirit to build a longstanding flower company.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 15, 2013
A Fresh Scent

A group of Naples entrepreneurs take their first step in a new trend for dry cleaning.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 15, 2013
Rise Above

The head of one of the largest pro-business counseling groups in the country delivers a message of hope to the Gulf Coast. 'The great thing about entrepreneurs is they are so resilient,' says W. Kenneth Yancey.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 8, 2013
Ringleader of fun

Scott Robertson gave up a career as a teacher and a commercial real estate broker to pursue his passion as an auctioneer for charities. He raised $15 million last year at 62 events.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 22, 2013
Surround Sound

A corporate executive turned entrepreneur once thought success was all about fast growth. But he discovered that's not always true.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 1, 2013
Mom and the entrepreneur

What happens when your child is an entrepreneurial prodigy? Just ask Patricia Crawford.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • January 11, 2013
Seize the Opportunity

How did the owners of an air-conditioning contracting company become successful software developers? They were trying to improve their own operations.

  • Entrepreneurs
« 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 »
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 30, 2026
Sarasota printing company merges with print, mail business
2
  • March 30, 2026
Tampa health tech company hires new CEO
3
  • March 27, 2026
Property owner proposes 46 townhomes to replace Sarasota bowling alley
4
  • March 27, 2026
Three-building complex sells in Clearwater
5
  • March 27, 2026
Furniture store closing Sarasota location

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