• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Industries

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss
  • October 20, 2006
Behind the Shower Door

Mr. ShowerDoor is successful by staying focused on meeting a tiny but profitable market niche.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2006
The Beall's Curve

For Beall's, low profile doesn't mean low results. Despite its quiet approach, the company's made some bold calls, such as eliminating outlet advertising and doubling the size of its department stores.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2006
Rent Spike

Falling vacancy rates and construction costs are driving up rents for retailers along Florida's Gulf Coast. How much higher can they go?

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2006
Blueprint for financial success

An entrepreneur who sounds more like a psychologist and philosopher than CEO explains why people are poor. To change your outer world, he says, you must change your inner world.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 20, 2006
Persistence Payoff

Marty Schaffel took AVI from nothing to $225 million by reinventing his company regularly, creating one of the fastest-growing businesses in the audio-visual industry.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
Meet the Bold Prediction Maker

A business consultant built a reputation on economic forecasts tied to demographic trends. He says his predictions are usually right, though timing may vary.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
King of the City

An engineering and planning firm overcomes expansion anxiety. Its antidote is success, such as a 126% revenue jump since 2003, to more than $32 million in 2005.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
Little Pharma, Big Drugs

A group of former Eli Lilly executives hopes to build a blockbuster pharmaceutical company in Southwest Florida.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
Out of the Purse

Kristy Sobel sells more than handbags at her startup, LaNeige Purse. 'I want LaNeige to become a life link to other people ... We're all given that one opportunity to save others."

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
Krafting the Company

Kraft's Robert Carsello built the largest commercial-construction company on Florida's Gulf Coast by being loyal to his customers, subcontractors and employees. But he's not so sanguine about the company's recent growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
Raise the Roof

A willingness to do work others won't has been a catalyst for consistent and stellar growth for a century-old family run roofing company.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
How Low will it Go?

Bonita Bay Group Chairman David Lucas says homebuilders and developers should be prepared to weather a downturn that could last two years.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 13, 2006
Quay project moves forward

The developer still plans to build a $1 billion mixed-use complex on 14.5 acres in downtown Sarasota.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2006
Let the Competition Begin

Sweetbay Supermarket CEO Shelley Broader says Kash n' Karry was "an aging beauty that was never really beautiful." Sweetbay will go head-to-head with Florida's largest supermarket chain, Publix, on its home turf.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2006
Corporate Report

Gevity opens new Chicago officeTIB Financial Splitting StockHillcrest Bank Florida starts retirement branch expansionCarbiz plans store expansion, targets FloridaFort Myers site for new GMC dealershipProgress Energy pushing for efficiency programsSarasota Memorial tops healthcare consumer choiceSchifino Lee Advertising produces Networking ViewsIA Global appeals de-listing from AMEXNeoGenomics introduces new Genetic Pathology servicesSarasota Ritz to host government healthcare conference

  • Industries
« 787 788 789 790 791 792 793 794 795 796 »
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest business and commercial real estate news from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Sign Up

Latest News Business Observer

1
  • February 14, 2026
National homebuilder buys 130 lots in Lakeland
2
  • February 13, 2026
AeroVanti's Britton-Harr looks to squash evidence as May trial approaches
3
  • February 13, 2026
7 in region make Forbes’ Best Large Employers list
4
  • February 13, 2026
Suncoast Credit Union announces merger, would grow to over $21B
5
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota cybersecurity firm raises $20M, plans to scale

More Industries

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Residential Real Estate
  • Business Support
  • Advertising-Marketing
  • Agriculture
  • Development
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Finance
  • Government
  • Food-Beverage
  • Health Care
  • Insurance
  • Law
  • Manufacturing
  • Philanthropy-Nonprofits
  • Retail
  • Sports-Entertainment
  • Technology
  • Transportation
  • Travel-Tourism

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-362-4848

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Podcast
  • Big Book of Business

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Distribution Points
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Your Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
×
3 Articles Remaining!
Not a Subscriber?

Click here to Subscribe

Already a Subscriber?

Click here to Login

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Start your day with the top Gulf Coast business news you need to succeed.

Sign Up for CRE Central

Stay updated with a weekly roundup of big deals, market shifts and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples.


Smart People Subscribe.

Turn headlines into game plans. The playbook’s right here.
Subscribe to the Business Observer today.

Subscribe Now