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Strategies

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • January 7, 2010
Family Fueled Hotel

How do you survive a recession in the hotel business? Spend millions to renovate your property and grab market share. That's what the Watkins family has done with The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, and it has worked for more than 60 years.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • January 7, 2010
Drive Through

Car dealers, especially ones selling luxury vehicles, are at the top of the list of recession victims. One Gulf Coast dealer, however, has risked more than $1 million to reverse the trend.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2010
2009 Financial Statements

GeoPharma Inc. net loss worse for second quarter; Inuvo quarter net loss falls to -$2 million.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2010
2009 Financial Statements

Gerdau Ameristeel loss driven by facility closure; WellCare profit grows to $29 million.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2010
Gulf Coast Stocks at a Glance

Last week's biggest Gulf Coast gainers were Paradise Inc. at $3.75 (26.32%), Alico Inc. at $2.21 (8.42%) and Kforce at $0.88 (7.57%). The biggest decliners were Walter Energy Inc. at $-3.83 (-4.84%), Wellcare Health Plans at $-1.39 (-3.64%) and Sun Hydraulics at $-1.23 (-4.48%).

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: More, Please

Steve Martin's chain of seven Tex-Mex restaurants on the Gulf Coast defied the recession in 2009. He is aiming for more of the same in 2010.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: Claw at development

Conservation groups are ratcheting up the pressure on landowners in Collier, Lee and Hendry counties, threatening to place 1.1 million acres off limits to large-scale development and choking economic growth.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2009
Not All Bad

Even in the roughest of economic times, entrepreneurs have drawn aces and full houses. This special issue updates us on a dozen cover stories from 2009. They're full of encouragement for 2010.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: Think Big

A $10 million biotechnology firm is counting on an ambitious expansion plan to come to fruition in 2010.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: It's a jungle out there

Corporations are starting to spend again on entertaining their best customers and employees. Now, government needs to stay out of the way.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Walsh
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: Merging isn't easy

Companies can often generate savings by merging with similar firms to benefit from economies of scale. But while cost savings are all well and good, Florida Blood Services has found that completing those beneficial mergers takes work.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: Shipping news

Within an inside line on the holiday season, Harvey Software is planning conservatively for growth.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: Partnership Power

A team of veteran insurance agents committed to an unusual cross-business partnership in the summer of 2009, despite knowing that many similar arrangements had collapsed. So far, this partnership is working.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Walsh
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: Brief, but Bountiful

Most folks think in terms of years when reviewing their career paths. Brian Albritton, a former defense lawyer now serving as U.S. Attorney, is taking on his job a few months at a time instead.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Alex Walsh
  • December 31, 2009
COVER UPDATE: LPGA bellwether?

Following Sheila Johnson's investment of $26 million in the renovations process, Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club appears to have bettered its image. But how have dire economic times impacted the game of golf?

  • Strategies
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