• 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
    • Healthcare
    • 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
    • Healthcare
    • 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
  • Janet Leiser
  • May 17, 2013
Full speed ahead

While the recession could have put Bobby Harris out of business, he shifted gears to a new idea that came with some serious growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 17, 2013
The chef executive

Sam Klepfish is guiding the growth of gourmet-food purveyor Innovative Food Holdings with a team of trained chefs.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 17, 2013
Work it

Doubters and disbelievers beware: Mark Pentecost has proven everyone wrong before. He plans to do it again, real soon.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 17, 2013
Ghost buster

The son of Cuban immigrants, Carlos Beruff overcame a poor childhood to find long-term success in homebuilding. Annual sales, near $60 million, are at an all-time high.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 17, 2013
Watch this

A trio of entrepreneurs weathered the downturn by making strategic acquisitions and targeting customers in another part of the country.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • May 17, 2013
Third time's a charm

It took Steve MacDonald more than one try to get it right. But in the world of entrepreneurs, persistence is a prerequisite.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 17, 2013
Perfect timing

Brian Stock has been prescient about the economic cycle, timing the new-home market with uncanny success on the downside — and the upside.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • May 17, 2013
IT biz wiz

When Matt Nachtrab realized other IT systems managers had an interest in his homegrown remote management software, he knew he had a market. Now he pulls business from the big boys.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 17, 2013
Open the shutters

Brian Rist didn't let the housing recession slow him down. When things got tough, he went to Cancun.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 17, 2013
Fit to grow

A father-son business partnership started small, but has since found its stride. They have ambitious growth targets.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 17, 2013
Bold business

Startup struggles are so 2007 for Tricia Bolds. Now, with a company nearing $5 million in annual sales, she has other pressing challenges.

  • 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
« 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
  • May 17, 2026
$203B wealth management firm expands in state with Naples debut
2
  • May 17, 2026
Fort Myers land zoned for single-family houses sold
3
  • May 16, 2026
Naples retail building sold by Hoffmann in 2023 is sold, again
4
  • May 15, 2026
Fort Myers memorial to veterans to be done by America 250 celebration
5
  • May 15, 2026
Watersports business relocates in Sarasota County

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