• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Topics
    • Mergers–Acquisitions
    • Crime
    • Job Cuts
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • Influencers & Innovators
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • 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
    • Healthcare
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Topics
    • Topics
    • Mergers–Acquisitions
    • Crime
    • Job Cuts
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • Influencers & Innovators
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Industries

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
The Swedish Maestro

Starting a hurricane-shutter business during a housing downturn is not for the faint of heart. But one Swedish entrepreneur is betting on a new business model for the industry.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Impact resistant?

Market realities have forced PGT Industries, one of the oldest, and largest, window and door manufacturers on the Gulf Coast, to make some big changes.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
'A Gideon Moment'

What would drive a successful entrepreneur to drop a six-figure advertising budget to buy 10,000 TV spots urging people to find God? Anthony Leeber Sr. is certain he'll reap the rewards.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Growin' Gecko's

Restaurants are closing on the Gulf Coast at a breakneck pace. A pair of longtime restaurateurs is trying to buck the trend.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Collier to develop San Carlos retail, storage areasHadge & Associates buys final interest in Summerlin landPrimerica will develop new retail, office centerCedars Tennis Club's new owners plan renovationKaplan Bennett auctioning a pair of landmarksSarasota's Atco buys U.S. 301 BP stationGeorgia auto dealers buy Wesley Chapel ToyotaBlackhawk Realty Advisors buys Hidden Lake ApartmentsClearwater firm buys and plans makeover of St. James Place

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Corporate Report

Clockwork Home Services buys plumbing, electric companynFinanSe plans $15 million credit lineOdyssey Marine protects new shipwreck sitesStinger Systems Band-It orders already beat 2007Source Interlink doubling Kentucky warehouse spaceAdministrative Concepts expands into California

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Gulf Coast Week

Finalists narrowed: The contract to run advertising campaigns for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention & Visitors Bureau valued at nearly $10 million will be up for grabs later this year.Executive sells home: The chief executive officer and president of Clearwater-based boat dealer MarineMax made a big sale late last month. But it wasn't a boat.New scholarship created: The charitable foundation behind Beall's, the Bradenton-based department store chain, has teamed up with the Foundation for Manatee Community College to form a new scholarshipAward nominations sought: The Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County is seeking nominations for its 2008 Hall of Fame Awards.It only took two years: Sarasota-based developer Billy Springer has finally received long-awaited approvalWhat credit crunch?: Health Management Associates raised $275 million in a convertible-bond offering on May 21.Alligator Alley privatization: The Florida Department of Transportation is exploring the possibility of privatizing Alligator Alley,Lee permits find bottom: Lee County issued construction permits for 80 single-family homes in May, a 73% decline from the 301 issued in May 2007.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • June 6, 2008
Storage of Hope

Cryo-Cell stores umbilical cord blood. Its chief executive, Mercedes Walton, is hoping the company's investments and repositioning pay off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2008
Corporate Report

Survey: Investors confident in S&P 500Fox electronics expands XpressO line in EuropeTigris reaches development deal with Cancer InstituteClearwater's Sunsail adds yachts to MartiniqueWellCare cuts 208 jobs, mostly in Florida, New YorkTech Data buying Scribona AB assets7-Eleven expands franchising of local storesPPi opens marketing office, technical training showroomDayJet Corp. adds Sarasota, Jacksonville hubs

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2008
Stabilized Success

All it took was two years - and a crafty $20 million risk - for Ken Sanborn to turn his company from a $5 million small business to a $150 million-plus juggernaut. Up next: Managing it.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2008
Patient Money

In this real estate downturn, developers need two things: patience and money. The Kuttemperoor familyhas both and they're out to prove it with engineered precision.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2008
Senior Market

Allen McMurtry sells senior housing developments across the country and says demographic changes favor this industry.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2008
Everyman CEO

Marty Miller leads Melitta USA into an increasingly competitive future, but he has a good brand name on his side.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2008
Young Achievers

There is reason to be optimistic about the future workforce of America. A group of spunky, yet savvy fifth-graders can prove it.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff
  • May 30, 2008
Data that Works

Some of the biggest names in the hotel industry use DataWorks' software to manage their retail operations.Now, the company has set its sights on international markets and other parts of hotel operations.

  • Entrepreneurs
« 797 798 799 800 801 802 803 804 805 806 »
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
  • September 24, 2026
St. Pete insurance firm brings AI-powered risk platform to wider market
2
  • September 24, 2026
SMH to lease 54K-square-foot building, bring cancer services to Venice
3
  • September 24, 2026
USF researchers’ discovery could advance malaria vaccine development
4
  • September 24, 2026
Asian street food coming to UTC
5
  • September 24, 2026
Clearwater buyer picks up Lee County commercial property

More Industries

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Residential Real Estate
  • Business Support
  • Advertising-Marketing
  • Agriculture
  • Construction-Development
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Finance
  • Food-Beverage
  • Government
  • Healthcare
  • 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
  • [email protected]
  • Phone: 877-231-8834

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