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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • August 15, 2024
SWFL contractor expands services, nears $50M in revenue

The rapid expansion of Duane and Jennifer Lopez's contracting business is made easier with the firm's core hiring philosophy: It recruits people it knows "would run it like (they) would run it as owners."

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 13, 2024
Fairgrounds operator seeks appreciation, less 'poking fun' from officials

The Sarasota County Fairgrounds operator calls the open space and civic buildings a community asset that runs "on its own dime."

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • August 5, 2024
SWFL potato-infused food truck owners relish quick success

Jonathon Simpson and Hunter Busch are looking into expansion as word spreads of their unique menu items.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • August 2, 2024
Art of building a $300M beverage-flavoring business requires nimble approach

French beverage-flavoring company Monin moved into the United States for the weather and proximity to a key supplier. It's now here going on 30 years — with $300 million in revenue.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • July 31, 2024
Tampa deli owner reflects on five decades of lessons

Jeff Mount never saw himself as "just" a sandwich guy. "If we’re selling sandwiches, we’re in trouble because a lot of people sell sandwiches. We’re in the experience business."

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 25, 2024
Italian restaurant chain founder slows down with latest venture

Bar Italia, founder Ricky Doody says, won't get as big as Bravo! Cucina Italiana or Brio Tuscan Grille.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • July 24, 2024
Tampa councilwoman writes her next chapter, opens bookstore

Gwen Henderson, seeing an unmet need for a community-driven niche bookstore, adds business owner to her resume.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 12, 2024
'Customer is always right' attitude fosters growth at Sarasota metal store

Stanley and Natalie Kinnett own two Metal Supermarkets retail businesses in Florida, including one with a 93% customer satisfaction rating.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 11, 2024
Artist behind $1,800 mailboxes delivers on ambitious expansion plans

Forced to move by redevelopment, pipe-bending entrepreneurial artist Scott Gerber finds a new home.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 10, 2024
No American left behind: The life of Tampa rescue guru Bryan Stern

Bryan Stern leads an A-team of global operators on life-and-death missions to get Americans out of harm's way. His leadership mantra: Don't be a spectator.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • July 8, 2024
Sarasota coffee shop doubles in size, adds yarn business

A family of German immigrants musters up a rare match, in opening a yarn store inside their Sarasota European-style cafe.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • July 2, 2024
With skin in the game, entrepreneur looks to expand product line

Jackie Rogers, who had careers in a variety of industries, takes an opportunistic approach to her latest venture: skincare.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 27, 2024
Naples couple builds $65M animal handling facility at JFK airport

The ARK at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City has handled all kinds of animals, from horses to snakes. Its success — including more than $7 million in annual revenue — stems from a determined and dogged Naples couple.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • June 25, 2024
Niche Fort Myers wrap packaging firm celebrates steady wins

The packaging executive at a family-run business with five decades of success says a key lesson along the way is simple yet can be scary at first: Over-communicate with customers, especially when things go south.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • June 21, 2024
The business of crane safety: From skyscrapers to zoos to toilet paper

The boom in construction over the past several decades has led to a boom in cranes operating across Florida. That, in turn, has boosted a company dedicated to training people how to use cranes safely.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
« 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 »
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