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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 23, 2011
Acceleration Machine

The idea people behind a technology startup sometimes lack two key elements: cash and know-how. A trio of Gulf Coast business veterans is here to help.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • September 23, 2011
Changes in Latitude

Independent homebuilders who survived the recession had to drastically change their business model. Raymond and Robin Scalero are among the survivors.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 16, 2011
Pump it Up

The fitness club industry was certainly weakened by the recession. A cop-turned-fitness entrepreneur, however, has latched on to a big growth plan, with the Gulf Coast in the lead position.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 25, 2011
Better than Perfect

The struggles inherent in running a restaurant normally consume one local entrepreneur. She found a release in her favorite sport.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 19, 2011
Hack Attack

A specialist in cyber security for businesses says protection against sophisticated hackers is the new frontier. He hopes to capitalize quickly on the niche.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 19, 2011
Zen Bears

Deb Canham's hobby-focused business is down more than 50%, courtesy of the recession. Her story of career transformation, and now, business survival, is nonetheless stirring.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 19, 2011
A Heap of Freedom

A Sarasota Internet firm prides itself on its eclectic and laid back work environment. Yet its biggest challenge is finding the right people who want in on the fun.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2011
Off the Couch

Larry Norris got out of the furniture business more than a decade ago, but he's confident there's opportunity today.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 5, 2011
Vroom with a View

A laid off executive-turned-entrepreneur is on a mission. His aim: to bring class, decorum and respectability to the auto and tire repair business.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 29, 2011
Masters of Their Atoll

A father-and-son team finds success in the movies and on the Naples waterfront. It pays to be diversified in the marine business.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 29, 2011
Fore Ahead

The golf business has been on a shank for a few years. Marilyn Stenten defies the trend.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 15, 2011
The Big Idea

John Rorer built a small natural foods empire on the Gulf Coast during the past decade. His lynchpin is a lesson for all entrepreneurs: He isn't afraid of new ideas.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 15, 2011
Everywhere Fast

With social networking sites mushrooming on the Internet, tech entrepreneur Aaron Shepherd helps small businesses manage it all from one place.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 8, 2011
Creative Destruction

Most of us spend millions trying to protect and save our data. Roger Hutchison destroys it, and Fort Myers will be better off for it.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 8, 2011
Get Back Up

A businessman who has seen success and failure has a message for all would-be entrepreneurs: Now's the time to live the dream.

  • Entrepreneurs
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