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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
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