Strategies

Jean Gruss
April 18, 2014

Good Business

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is the second-largest vending-machine operator in the region. It's the latest venture as it diversifies beyond its traditional retail stores.

Strategies

Jean Gruss
April 11, 2014

Ride On

Chrome Capital leases pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles through more than 300 dealers. Customers rarely miss a payment.

Strategies

Business Observer Staff
April 11, 2014

Corporate Report

Front Burner Brands hires Fish Consulting for Melting Pot franchise development; DataMentors hires new regional director; William Merill III elected president of Argus Foundation

Strategies

Cheryl O'Neill
April 11, 2014

Seven must-haves for a successful business

Successful businesses shared some common characteristics. Below are some of the traits and must-haves that made these businesses thrive.

Strategies

Jean Gruss
April 4, 2014

A bellwether project

A 300-unit condominium project in downtown Naples is a bellwether real estate project for the region. Its success may usher in a new era for condo development in Southwest Florida.

Strategies

Mark Gordon
April 4, 2014

Sweet Lou

Buying insurance can be confusing, if not maddening. One executive aims to take away the pain, an approach that clearly works: Annual premiums at his firm are up almost 60% since 2011.

Strategies

Traci McMillan Beach
April 4, 2014

Testing nature

Julie Rochman's job involves starting things on fire and pelting homes with hailstones. At the end of the day, it's all for the insurance industry.

Strategies

Mark Gordon
April 4, 2014

It's Electric

A business owner with a fast-growth story faces an obstacle many executives are familiar with: where to spend marketing dollars.

Strategies

Jean Gruss
April 4, 2014

A wider lens

Paradise Coast TV is expanding its hotel-room programming to visitors in Sarasota by building on its success in the Naples area.

Strategies

Mark Gordon
April 4, 2014

Outsourced laboratory

Celeste Dockery sought an edge when she re-entered the employee leasing industry. She discovered one in a place few peers have dared to try.

Strategies

Denise Federer
April 4, 2014

Planning for the next generation

Don't leave a successful business to an unprepared successor. Picking the right person — and creating the right environment for them to lead — should be the most important parts of your plan.