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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 22, 2011
Bounce Back

A partner dispute cost Kristi Bonsack a lot, including control of the firm she founded. But Bonsack made a big comeback.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 22, 2011
Just Did It

Heather Hackett grew up 'hunky and chunky.' The experience is the driving force behind her entrepreneurial venture.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 22, 2011
A Wise Move

Courtney Wise left Florida for California, but she came back for the chance to run a business. Challenges abound, but she has no regrets.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • April 22, 2011
Client Driven

Samantha Howes says her entrepreneurial clients urged her to strike out on her own. She now has 50 clients six months after she formed her accounting firm.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • April 22, 2011
Heavenly Hair

When she was just 16, Christa Lemonakis watched her best friend lose all her hair to cancer. She started a company vowing to help cancer patients and others deal with hair loss.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • April 22, 2011
Creating Connections

Jessica Rivelli started Working Women of Tampa Bay as a networking group that has now expanded into a motivational and educational service, as well as a new job for herself.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • April 22, 2011
Diva Sisters

Sisters Shawnda Cook and Shannon Redden plan to open a hair-products store in Lehigh Acres, where the market is growing and competitors are limited. They plan to treat their customers like divas.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 15, 2011
Tower Time

David Grain parlayed a devoted data-driven approach to business decisions into some terrific triumphs. He foresees more success soon.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • April 15, 2011
Party On

A pair of entrepreneurs is betting that corporate entertainment is back, and they're launching a big-event catering company to capture the growing market.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • April 1, 2011
Shaped by Recession

Brian Lucas is one of several next-generation executives who will lead their family businesses out of the recession.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 1, 2011
Renewed Spirits

There really is life after real estate. One prominent Gulf Coast broker-entrepreneur recently discovered that fact, albeit through a painful process.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2011
Heavy Metal

The spend-to-grow philosophy resonates with Bill Soucie, a military man-turned entrepreneur. He's betting on a big return with his latest investment.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • March 18, 2011
Peachy Keen

Two budding restaurateurs took over a prominent breakfast-lunch chain on the verge of collapse. It's an oversized gamble.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • March 11, 2011
Biggest winners

Medical providers might learn a few things from the founders of a medical weight-loss clinic franchise who take the Ritz-Carlton approach to helping their patients.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 4, 2011
Surf's Up

The staid plumbing business is about to get a dose of sun and fun. But the entrepreneur behind the concept is in it for more than waves.

  • Entrepreneurs
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