• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • September 20, 2024
Innovative Pasco landowner finds new revenue in eco-friendly burials

Landowner Laura Starkey embraces a "go for it and see what happens" spirit, which led her to an unusual land conservation strategy: green burials.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 20, 2024
Entrepreneur makes splash with pool company acquisition

The new owner of Nelson Pool Company says he is seeing notable increases in profitability just six months into his new venture.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 18, 2024
Hoffmann co-CEO on the art of buying 10 business in 8 months

Geoff Hoffmann has an unabashedly simple philosophy to the complicated world of buying businesses: "It's critical that all businesses have a pathway to growth."

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • September 17, 2024
Clearwater private air service firm nearly doubles revenue, to $40M

Keeping ultra-high-net-worth clients happy is what drives entrepreneur Barry Shevlin and his team at FlyUSA. A new enhanced membership program is a big aid in that effort.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • September 13, 2024
Sarasota entrepreneurs buy three Florida companies in six years

Gavin Broadfoot and Morne Hobson have learned a lot about buying established businesses, having done it three times in six years. One key: Be open for any opportunity.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • September 5, 2024
SWFL restaurant week turns into bustling month of revenue gains

Sizzle Dining has grown from a small event to a September celebration — a big impact on the Southwest Florida restaurant industry and one of the largest restaurant week events in the region.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • September 3, 2024
Tampa entrepreneur grows goat yoga business with grit, good times

How a small family and half a dozen goats jumped to new heights.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 2, 2024
Pinellas construction firm adds Sarasota office, nears $6M in revenue

Russell & Russell Construction builds everything from high-end condos to restaurants.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • August 29, 2024
Tampa doctor seeks tenants for $6.7 million medical office project

Dr. Seth Forman believes office space is on the verge of a comeback.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 23, 2024
Entrepreneur invests millions into 'no senior left behind' model

Not yet 40, Kris Chana has already been in the senior living industry for nearly 15 years. He has a lot more to offer.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 23, 2024
Transportation, logistics entrepreneur behind the wheel of 2 companies

The president and CEO of FleetForce and ParkPro is "being methodical" about growth as he looks to fill the pipeline with CDL drivers and empty parking lots with truckers in need of rest.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • August 23, 2024
Tech leader creates statewide women-empowering platform

Raechel Canipe is helping women find their way in technology — one Slack post at a time.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 23, 2024
Polk County education exec links employers, job seekers

Naomi Boyer is focused on how to change the way the world looks at skills.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 23, 2024
Developer pushes tiny homes as solution to affordable housing crisis

Dan Dobrowolski has been building small houses for two decades and believes they provide homeowners what they need and are more humane than traditional apartment blocks.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • August 23, 2024
Fort Myers Beach Chamber head leads complicated Ian recovery

Jacki Liszak balances many needs and wants in her role as the town’s chief business cheerleader.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
« 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 »
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest business and commercial real estate news from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
  • March 27, 2026
Property owner proposes 46 townhomes to replace Sarasota bowling alley
2
  • March 27, 2026
Three-building complex sells in Clearwater
3
  • March 27, 2026
Furniture store closing Sarasota location
4
  • March 27, 2026
DOJ sues Busch Gardens parent company for rollator walker ban
5
  • March 26, 2026
Athletic training franchise opens in Sarasota

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-362-4848

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Podcast
  • Big Book of Business

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Distribution Points
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Your Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
×
3 Articles Remaining!
Not a Subscriber?

Click here to Subscribe

Already a Subscriber?

Click here to Login

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Start your day with the top Gulf Coast business news you need to succeed.

Sign Up for CRE Central

Stay updated with a weekly roundup of big deals, market shifts and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Smart People Subscribe.

Turn headlines into game plans. The playbook’s right here.
Subscribe to the Business Observer today.

Subscribe Now