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Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Blades of platinum

A new cultivar of grass with roots in the slave ships from Africa may prove lucrative for a Gulf Coast turf company, especially if it ends up on your front lawn.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Bankruptcy Conflicts

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. negotiates to avoid Masonite bankruptcy as both the company's owner and a major creditor. More such situations from private equity firms are expected.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Meet the New Man

Relative unknown Neel Kashkari leaps from obscurity to lead role in rescue.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Outside its Box

A Gulf Coast unit of an international behemoth succeeded in dominating sales of a niche market. Now it has to figure out how to grow in other ways.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Elephant in the room

The winter tourism season was looking OK until the financialturmoil became a most unwelcome guest. The Super Bowl in Tampa may help take the edge off.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Hard Road

Chuck O'Neill has made inroads with Avalon Healthcare, but has a tough road to travel against industry health insurance giants.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Dear Diary

The 2008 journal entry for one ofthe largest insurance firms on the Gulf Coast is all about survival. Revival could be on the horizon by 2010.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 16, 2008
Surprise!

Insurance premiums for commercial buildings havebeen falling as competition increases in Florida. It's a good lesson in free markets for regulation-happy legislators.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2008
Restaurant Risk

A retired hospitality industry executive knows he should know better than to open a restaurant during a severe industry slump. But the chanceto do it with his sons was too good to pass up.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2008
Let's Get Personal

A for-profit company that helps nonprofits raise money is sure to be challenged by the current economic climate. Utilizing a new Internet marketing technique is a big help.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2008
Brave Builder

It takes a brave man to become president of the Florida Home Builders Association this year. There aren't any signs of improvement for 2009, yet Punta Gorda builder Jay Carlson says now's the best opportunity to push for lower taxes and fewer regulations.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2008
School's In

Competing against the $33.5 billion Florida public schools system is a Herculean task. One national charter school company is doing some heavy lifting on the Gulf Coast.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2008
Economic Booster

Rod Casto works to attract startup and veteran companies to an officeand research park at the University of South Florida. It may be the most effective way to boost economic development in a downturn.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2008
College Crush

Bachelors' degrees were once the province of universities. But that's changing ascommunity colleges start offering them, prompting questions about their mission.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 9, 2008
Real World Dreams

Engineering professor Stephen Sundarrao works with USFstudents to develop and patent stronger, better products for people with disabilities. Solving real problems is the key.

  • Entrepreneurs
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