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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
    By
  • Dan Ping
  • July 1, 2011
Beer Buzz

Tom Moench began brewing beer in his garage. In 2012, he'll open a 15,000-square-foot commercial brewery with the aim of making world-class beer.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 1, 2011
Up on the Roof

A mortgage broker with an entrepreneurial mindset recently traded his industry for a new venture. It could be a gusty ride.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Dan Ping
  • July 1, 2011
No more Corporate Climbing

Brian Baird used his sales skills and a bit of Hollywood theatrics to finance his escape from a corporate job. It's a move he's glad he made.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 1, 2011
Perfect Pastime

A cop-turned-private investigator seeks another line of work. But he still aims to settle arguments.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 24, 2011
Guitar Hero

Kurt Kiehnle is turning his passion for music into a business selling custom-designed electric guitars. He's finding customers at the bar and online.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 24, 2011
Raise the Roof

Ken Kelly says new investors from outside the area are buying foreclosed homes and spending money to fix roofs. He's eyeing an expansion to Sarasota.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 17, 2011
Make a Match

A married couple with a fervor for romance turned their passion into a business. Now things are getting steamy.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 17, 2011
Positive Accent

Daniel Robbins and Paul Caruso are two entrepreneurs who took over a struggling Naples electronics company during the boom and posted strong growth in the recession.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • June 17, 2011
Two-Sport Star

Local football legend Lee Roy Selmon has found success running a sports restaurant chain during the past decade. He recently opened his seventh location but is taking a conservative approach to further expansion.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 10, 2011
Radio Days

Entrepreneur Phil Grande believes the standard way of investing on Wall Street is a standard for failure. He built a successful business off his way.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 10, 2011
Banker's Wish

The recession-forced shrinkage of the Gulf Coast banking industry pushed many bankers out of work. The solo route was one banker's redemption.

  • Entrepreneurs
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