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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • February 4, 2011
Power Fixers

Repairing and maintaining large gas and steam turbines isn't a glamorous business, but it's what keeps the lights on. Turbine Generator Maintenance is outmaneuvering its union-driven competitors.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 4, 2011
Dollar Design

Luxury interior design has long been out of reach for many. One entrepreneur aims to change that.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 4, 2011
Reinvent Rewards

The recession still forces entrepreneurs to find a better way. Advertising industry veteran Steve Smith seems to have found one, and it turned around his entire outlook.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • January 28, 2011
Shipping magnate

Sarasota entrepreneur Eric Baird is the Review's Entrepreneur of the Decade. He speaks candidly about his upbringing, his drive and his successes.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 28, 2011
Sole Success

Diana Kelly turned a childhood fascination with brooches into a trendy shoe line. Now her task is to turn trendy into a sustainable business.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 14, 2011
Link Up

Facebook and Twitter grab the social media headlines. But an entrepreneur in the recession trenches contends there's a better outlet for executives.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • December 10, 2010
No-fly zone

Pamela Templeton did more than halt the construction of a road overpass in front of her Toyota dealership. She stopped a $1 billion road project that was going to be one of the biggest in Lee County's history.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 10, 2010
Daring Dude

A Gulf Coast boat builder discovered a far-out opportunity in his recession-forced heartbreak. 'Don't be afraid to try something different,' he says.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 3, 2010
High Hopes

A Gulf Coast inventor has learned many lessons in a two-decade effort to turn his creations into mass-market triumphs. He hopes 2011 will be a breakout year.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 3, 2010
Found in Translation

Alina Mugford has lived in countries where businesses are an arm of the state. She readily embraced the ability to run her own company in America.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • November 26, 2010
Back on Camera

Eric Seidel spent nearly 20 years as a consumer lawyer for a Tampa TV station. Now he is taking his talents to the Internet and wants to bring small businesses along.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • November 26, 2010
Back to School

Entrepreneur Sandra King Kauanui runs the Institute of Entrepreneurship at Florida Gulf Coast University.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 19, 2010
Coal Miner's Daughter

Debra Curtiss' devotion to her two passions — technology and management — rubs off on others. The company she runs, for instance, is in growth mode.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 19, 2010
Hard knocks MBA

Joe Buckheit's journey through the tech boom and bust holds lessons for entrepreneurs going through tough times today in other industries.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • November 19, 2010
The Gate Keeper

As tech chief at Tampa General Hospital, Balaji Ramadoss is working to improve patient care. His experience with helping hurricane victims five years ago applies to the current e-conversion.

  • Entrepreneurs
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