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Entrepreneurs

    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 4, 2011
Roll With It

Bob Dean never liked his stockbroker career. But he settled on a business with just as many ups and downs.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 25, 2011
Out of sight

Got a great idea? Rush it to market or get ready to spend big bucks to protect yourself from cheap copycats. One Naples couple found that out the hard way.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 25, 2011
Home Improvement

As the regional director for 15 Decorating Den Interiors franchisees in South Florida, Cliff Welles gets an inside look at upscale consumers. They're spending again, he reports.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • February 18, 2011
Power Player

John Ramil stays plenty busy these days in leadership positions with TECO Energy and the University of South Florida. He has never avoided challenges, which has led him to where he is today.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 18, 2011
Island Trader

Advances in technology may make it easier to export goods around the world, but nothing beats knowing your customers by visiting them personally.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 11, 2011
Sock it to Them

A clothing product that has changed little over the years, socks, is ripe for a rebirth. A global company hopes it has the right recipe.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • February 11, 2011
A New Goal

The Gramatica brothers, who are still widely recognized by football fans, are applying their family name to a modern building system. Part of their mission is to rebuild homes in Haiti.

  • Entrepreneurs
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