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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • August 6, 2010
Web leads

Randy Mitchelson is a former banker who saw the value of Internet marketing for the finance industry. He's glad he left banking in 2005.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • August 6, 2010
Built on a Hunch

Jay and Susan Weiss made plenty of mistakes when they launched their natural-products business for pets. But the entrepreneurial couple never gave up, even when corporate calamity nearly put them out of business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 6, 2010
Keep the Cool

Not even a highly successful, specialized medical technology company on the Gulf Coast has been spared from some recession woes. A new top executive hopes some transformative moves will pay off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 30, 2010
Contrary Moves

Rob Smithson redefined his personal fight against the recession through a serious of calculated, expensive, risks. Some of the gambles have started to pay off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • July 23, 2010
PBYes

Susan Howarth, the new president and CEO of WEDU, wants to open the way for more organizations to put programs on its various channels, including online. More opportunities for corporate support could result.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 16, 2010
A New Approach

The pawn industry is enjoying some good times. One risk-taking Gulf Coast entrepreneur hopes to cash in.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 16, 2010
Storage Test

Steve Wilson looked outside his own business for a recession fix. He hopes he found one in a high-risk venture.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 9, 2010
Protection Niche

A Gulf Coast entrepreneur has turned his fear of an intrusive government into a successful business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 2, 2010
40 UNDER 40 WINNER: The Kids Are All Right

With $50.1 million in 2009 revenues, Willis A. Smith is built around a workforce of people in their late 20s and early 30s.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • July 1, 2010
Beyond Numbers

40 UNDER 40 WINNER: Meredith Zdon, 34, St. Petersburg

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • July 1, 2010
Stepping Up

40 UNDER 40 WINNER: Andrew Wright, 29, Tampa

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 1, 2010
Meet the Morgans

40 UNDER 40 WINNER: Frank Morgan, 34, Michele Morgan, 39, Bradenton

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Carl Cronan
  • July 1, 2010
Paying Forward

40 UNDER 40 WINNER: Dave Harper, 39, Tampa

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 1, 2010
An eye for business

40 UNDER 40 WINNER: Farrell Tyson, 39, Cape Coral

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • July 1, 2010
A Risky Paint

40 UNDER 40 WINNER: Kevin Hanley, 37, Sarasota

  • Entrepreneurs
« 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 »
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