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Strategies

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Go Anywhere

Lynn Murtagh's airplane lets him travel from one job to another anywhere east of the Mississippi River. It's given him a broad range as the economic downturn takes hold.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Positive Thoughts

George Rauch still holds out hope that his$3 million bet on beachfront tourism pays off. He is keeping his 'fingers crossed.'

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
The Hard Part

A mixed-use project revolving around condos is near completion, despitethe market turmoil. The next challenge: Landing buyers and tenants.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Making Progress

Greg Sembler is repositioning The Sembler Company during a tough time for the retail industry.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Sun still shines

No matter the economy, Realtors need a presence onthe Web because that's where most buyers begin their search for property. CyberSunshine sticks to the top firms.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Still on Fire

A Bradenton manufacturer of super tough fire trucks keeps on motoring. It's fueled partially by Army contracts.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
BIG Moves

A corporate executive who gave up a globetrotting careerfor something more entrepreneurial likes the transition so far.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Adjusting Care

Dr. Jon Hemstreet, a St. Petersburg doctor, expands the services of his concierge medical practice.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Bank This

Despite the financial turmoil, two longtime Naples bankers raised millions of dollars to start a new bank that will open its doors in January. Their last endeavor was hugely successful.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • January 5, 2009
Changeup

Scout Advisor Corp. has improved its software products forprofessional scouts and looks forward to branching into other sports.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2008
The Flower Guru

A Gulf Coast florist, known to dozens of florists nationwide as a "never ending machine of ideas," is competing against - and beating - industry heavyweights.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2008
Money Poor, Problem Rich

Commercial real estate faces an array of problems,from a lengthy housing slowdown, a credit freeze and consumer recession worries. Is it really time to buy?

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2008
Fees in free fall

Local governments are reducing impact fees to spur development and boost the tax base.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2008
Crab hedge

As Tony Phelan grew hisseafood restaurant business, he needed to get a handle onvolatile seafood prices. So his son bought Island Crab as a hedge on crustaceans.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2008
Chemical ROMANCE

A $100 million Gulf Coast family-run business that revolves around chlorine continues to clean up - despite economic uncertainty and other looming challenges.

  • Entrepreneurs
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