Entrepreneurs

For Subscribers Only

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

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

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

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

Jean Gruss
July 23, 2009

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

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.