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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 13, 2012
The Winding Road

A large-scale hotel renovation, one without the support of a global brand, is a bold move. Paul Martin hopes it pays off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 13, 2012
One of a Kind

Nathan Benderson turned a hardscrabble childhood into a lifetime of success and philanthropy. He died April 7.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • April 11, 2012
Power Lunch: Divino Restaurant & Bar

Divino Restaurant & Bar in Sarasota provides an authentic Italian menu.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 7, 2012
One on One

With some help from a basketball hall-of-famer, Beck Besecker plans to revolutionize print media advertising.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 30, 2012
Queue It Up

Modernizing an industry can be tricky. A young and ambitious entrepreneur is giving it a shot.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 24, 2012
Underpants Empire

Ink Life Tour is a tattoo and music festival that travels to seven cities this year. Ragen St. Peter bootstrapped it into existence.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 24, 2012
Driving to Work

Gulf Coast construction companies that survived the downturn have had to expand geographically. Brooks & Freund is one that did it well.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 24, 2012
Limber Lumber

The Alsums turned their labor of love into a thriving woodwork construction business — until the recession nearly squashed it.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 8, 2012
Mr. Comeback

John Pierce was diagnosed with cancer. He successfully beat it, and he's growing his business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 8, 2012
Population Forecaster

Paul Van Buskirk helps municipalities and developers accurately forecast long-term population growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • February 23, 2012
The Next Shah

Punit Shah expected to jump into the boardroom of his father's business after college. Raxit Shah had dirtier plans for his eldest son.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 16, 2012
Brew Master

The business of beer manufacturing drafts an element of amusement, but achieving success isn't all fun and games.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 16, 2012
The Full Deck

Brian Lewis turned a hobby designing playing cards that lampoon left-wing politicians into a business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 16, 2012
Stop Giving Free Stuff

Companies can do more to help alleviate poverty by helping poor people become self-reliant.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 10, 2012
Boots Up

Finding a client base for a niche product can be an entrepreneur's greatest challenge. One Gulf Coast business hopes it has stepped in the right direction.

  • Entrepreneurs
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