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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 10, 2012
See Food

Longtime hospitality franchise executive Dave Ulgenalp sees tasty times ahead in seafood. He might even get back into franchising.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 31, 2012
Batter up!

When collegiate sports announced a new standard for aluminum baseball bats, a major league pitcher and his sister stepped up to the plate.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 27, 2012
Dive In

Thomas Contreras's life was in shatters. But his patented invention, a tool for fishermen and divers, could be his salvation.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 13, 2012
Data Driven

A business-coaching program run by a prominent nationwide entrepreneurial foundation has expanded to Florida. The Gulf Coast is the first stop.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Heidi Kurpiela
  • July 6, 2012
Bright New Start

With her new line of sailcloth totes, Emily Stroud is hoping to change the way women go to the beach. The up-and-coming designer explains why she bagged her job in the name of fashion.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Lindsay Downey
  • July 6, 2012
Visual Victory

Home makeovers have a seen a recession-era lift in popularity. A forward-thinking entrepreneur hopes to capitalize on the trend, with technology leading the way.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 29, 2012
Instant Entrepreneur

Jason Fry was tending bar when he won the Florida Lottery in late 2007. Unlike lucky people who spent all their winnings, Fry parlayed his millions into successful businesses.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 15, 2012
Snap Success

Rejecting naysayers can be the toughest part of turning an invention into commercial success. One determined entrepreneur pulled it off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 15, 2012
Smooth Moves

A recession might not be the best time to open two smoothie stores. But one entrepreneurial couple has defied the economy.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 15, 2012
Game On

Sam Vrinios is a decidedly unordinary teenager. For one, his business is approaching $500,000 in total sales — and he's only 15.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Rod Thomson
  • June 1, 2012
Marketing Like Crazy

PostcardMania never let up on the marketing gas, even when the economy tanked and revenues fell. It paid off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 1, 2012
Farming for New Business

Economic turmoil forces people to become entrepreneurial. Economic growth will be powered by new entrepreneurs born in incubators.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 25, 2012
Scott Fischer

The CEO of Scott Fischer Enterprises, owner and operator of five Harley-Davidson motorcycle stores, opened his Fort Myers office for a peek into his world.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 25, 2012
Pet Luxuries

Turning old spaces into new success stories is a powerful antidote to the downturn. Bob Huff, an ambitious entrepreneur, intends to pull it off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • May 25, 2012
Money Bugs

How hard could it be to sell insect-repellent in Florida? It's not as easy as you think, but one entrepreneur is undeterred.

  • Entrepreneurs
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