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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • January 1, 2012
Move the Furniture

Larry Norris says customers are buying more furniture today than they did during the downturn, in some cases furnishing entire homes instead of just one room.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • December 16, 2011
Water Cleaner

A couple of entrepreneurs say an exotic plant called the water hyacinth could alleviate pollution in Florida's rivers and canals. And, they can make money doing it.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • December 9, 2011
Pump Up

Strong College Students, a Tampa-based moving company, has hit record revenue figures and plans to branch out into franchising.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • December 2, 2011
Call the Nurse

Caring for a loved one drove a mother-and-son team to build a successful business around nursing.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 2, 2011
A New World

An entrepreneur who built a $200 million business has started over in a different industry. It's a gamble that could test his patience — and his wallet.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 2, 2011
Transatlantic Triumph

The recession is all about perspective, say a pair of British siblings who recently moved to the Gulf Coast. Now they aim to make a go of American entrepreneurialism.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 25, 2011
Tour Time

A golfer who discovered his entrepreneurial swing, mostly by accident, now hopes to prove his business acumen. His sport will be the driving force.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • November 25, 2011
Queen of Style

Marina Zelner says department stores and many boutiques ignore the full-figured women's fashion market. She is seizing the opportunity.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 18, 2011
Reality Bites

Technology that allows users to transform themselves to another place often has a high cool quotient. An entrepreneur aims to turn the buzz into sales.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 18, 2011
House of Pain

The death of a beloved parent, and mentor, could cripple a small business owner. But tech entrepreneur Kathy Durfee found a way to battle back to success.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • November 11, 2011
Banzai Boomers

One Naples entrepreneur is betting baby boomers want to earn a black belt in martial arts. It's on their bucket list.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 11, 2011
Roll This

A cigar aficionado has returned to his passion. It's a perilous move.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 11, 2011
Rags to Roaches

Bruce Barry developed a wild imagination while living under a New Jersey boardwalk. His vision has helped his firm defy the downturn.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • November 4, 2011
Sky High

An economic downturn grounded Colette Eddy in the late 1980s. She's hoping regulatory uncertainty in 2012 doesn't do the same.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • November 4, 2011
Fountain of Work

Entrepreneurial engineer Josh Evans gives prospective clients a heads up on future government regulations. It's paying off for his newly formed company.

  • Entrepreneurs
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