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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 3, 2011
Out of the Trap

Entrepreneurs often have to reinvent themselves and their companies to survive and grow, but Everett 'Buzz' Waid took it a step further by switching to a new industry.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 3, 2011
Big Fix

Owners of yachts more than 60 feet long now have to travel to Miami or Fort Lauderdale for maintenance. The Levi family hopes they'll change course for Fort Myers Beach.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • June 3, 2011
Snap to it

Cheryl Bourque knows how to dress up the flip-flop with fun accessories. She's hoping young girls will snap them up.

  • Entrepreneurs
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