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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • June 20, 2024
Accidental Tampa area wedding venue owner embraces new gig

What started as a pandemic fill-in has become a thriving business for Toni Miller and her family.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • June 19, 2024
Resilient bar owner celebrates 25 years of success — and grit

Two-plus decades running bars and nightclubs have taught Joanna Olsen a lot about resilience and persistence. “Never quit," she says. "Just get back in there and conquer."

  • Florida
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • June 14, 2024
New president of high-end builder grapples with high cost challenges

Recently named president of Kurtz Homes Naples, David Gordon will keep building on his father-in-law’s legacy while adding some new touches.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • June 5, 2024
Bankruptcy judge OKs Hoffmann's $21.25M purchase of Midwest dairy

The Hoffmann Family of Cos. won a bankruptcy auction last week for the Illinois dairy company.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 5, 2024
The Factory in St. Pete sells, anchor tenant rebrands

A building sale in St. Petersburg resulted in the expansion and rebranding of an immersive art experience.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Laura Lyon
  • June 4, 2024
Manatee sheet metal manufacturer buys seven machines to boost efficiency

Gator Stamping CEO lives by one his business mantras: ‘You can never rest on what you do. You've always got to be reinventing yourself.’

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • June 2, 2024
AeroVanti founder's lawyer walks away from $30M contempt case

A federal judge has granted permission for Patrick Britton-Harr's attorney to withdraw from the case.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • By Laura Lyon
  • May 29, 2024
Lakeland startup makes tech-driven advances in publishing field

A husband-and-wife team seeks to help authors and publishers come together quicker — and with markedly improved books that will sell more copies.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 27, 2024
Anna Maria Oyster Bar founder to slow down, names next CEO

Restaurateur John Horne found a succession plan in the office next door to his, with up-and-coming executive Eleni Sokos.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 24, 2024
AeroVanti founder's brother says life, finances in tatters from company collapse

After futile efforts to help his brother's floundering private air service company, debts and pressure mount for Todd Britton-Harr.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 23, 2024
Venice construction company founder to sell firm to 3 employees

Owner Jeff Charlotte has partnered with three of his employees to take over his construction business.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 20, 2024
Norman Love Confections names new CEO; founder to stay with firm

While founder Norman Love aims to slow down, the company he founded nearly 25 years ago has big-growth goals in mind. "This company has been chomping at the bit to grow," says Love.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2024
Gigi Rogers' concept for high-end convenience stores is catching on

"My ideas were rather foreign to the management that was in place then. I would say I climbed Mount Everest in order to get my concept past the management that was in place. It was not an easy task." –Gigi Rogers, Rogers Market

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 9, 2024
Liz Dimmitt drives museum, auto dealership forward with continual change

“We had to decide ‘This too shall pass.’ That was a scary time, but we had faith that sooner or later the world would have to open back up.” –Liz Dimmitt, Dimmitt Chevrolet/Fairgrounds St. Pete

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • May 9, 2024
Daniel Lubner adapted to staff ideas and energy to build $100M firm

"When you're starting a new venture, the definition of success is survival. That’s all you’re trying to do in those early years. You're trying to make payroll and live to fight another two weeks." –Daniel Lubner, Clive Daniel Home

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
« 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 »
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