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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
  • 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
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