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Entrepreneurs

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Walsh
  • September 17, 2009
An emerging builder

Ripa & Associates created a rainy day fund during the boom and is now seeing the fruit of that caution with surprising growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • September 3, 2009
Rich Repo

Keith Hanson isn't your typical repo man. He specializes in high-end toys and equipment. And he's built an army of lawyers to back him up.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • September 3, 2009
Her Own Style

A super-sized gamble is paying off for a gutsy entrepreneur who left a six-figure salary to go solo. 'I haven't given up on this economy yet,' she says.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • August 20, 2009
Metal Moxie

The Weber family has always run its recycling business conservatively, paying cash for new equipment and never taking debt. It's paying off now.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 20, 2009
Emerald Opportunity

Two executives, one from technology and one from the construction field, are betting they will turn the latest go-green concept into gold.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 13, 2009
Savvy Security

For a duo behind a company that protects others from risk, Shannon Logsdon and Steve Paley sure took a gamble with their latest business venture. But despite launching in a recession, the future looks good.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2009
Little Feet, Big Feat

Leigh Peters has found a successful retail niche by offering hard-to-find, high-quality children's shoes.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 6, 2009
Leather Innovation

Entrepreneur Ron Simkins has had his sights on the multi-billion dollar leather industry for nearly a decade. He is finally moving in with what he hopes is a big bang.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • August 6, 2009
Barter is smarter

A lack of cash is pushing some business owners to look elsewhere for services. One Gulf Coast entrepreneur is hoping to cash in.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2009
The Home Team

Maryann Ferenc helped found a local group of business operators to promote independent businesses, and they learned a lot about their own jobs as a result.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 23, 2009
Cleaned Fuel

Wout Lisseveld has created an ingenious way to keep fuel sludge from clogging up marine engines. It's the kind of technology that solves problems for all sorts of companies that can't afford engine malfunctions.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 23, 2009
Creative Construction

Chaos in the construction industry has created opportunities for small and nimble firms to take market share away from the larger, well-established companies. Synergy Contractors in Fort Myers is one beneficiary.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • July 16, 2009
Love of Law

Marcy Shaw, 35 Wright & Shaw

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2009
A Successful Climb

Joe Disanti, 39 Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • July 16, 2009
Bend it Like Braden

Braden Chandler, 24 MVP Sports Arena

  • Strategies
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