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Strategies

    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Sales a tough swallow

HQ Inc. makes a high 'wow' quotient product, carries a starry client list and boasts top-notch testimonials. What it doesn't have - yet - is soaring revenues.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Two views of Coast bank fallout

Tramm Hudson and State Senator Mike Bennett present their contrasting opinions on Coast Bank's future.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Destroying the Destroyer

To grow a business, the naysayers must be negated, a national business consultant says. Start with being positive.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Generational Growth

The Toale family business generational gap is perfectly illustrated in a dank, musty room on the top floor of the company's downtown Sarasota headquarters.There are stacks upon stacks of rust-colored worn files and tattered manila folders. It's the lifeblood of the Toale Brothers Funeral Homes and Crematory, which has been continuously operating since 1912 and in the Toale family since 1948.Robert Toale, part of the second generation to run the business, smiles proudly when he swings the door open for a visitor to take a peek. To this Toale, the room is a paper reminder of the all the lives the business has help lay to rest with dignity.But to Jason Toale, Robert Toale's son and one half of the company's new leadership team after his father's retirement, the room is an important piece of history, but also represents the business' shortcomings. Jason Toale sees paper files and metal cabinets where he should be seeing digital folders and windows - of the Microsoft variety.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Saving the News

NewsBank is bridging the gap between newspapers and the Internet. It recently signed a deal with Google to give users access to newspaper archives.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Supply side Growth

Raymond Building Supply rode the residential-construction boom in Southwest Florida. In the midst of the downturn, it's planning for the rebound.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Royal Delight

Roy Yamaguchi built a successful chain of high-end restaurants called Roy's. Entrepreneurs can learn from his success.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Corporate Report

Verizon FiOs demand driving new local hiringTigris Pharmaceuticals gets $16 million in financing Consejo announces settlement with HMAGulf Coast Builders Exchange elects officers NeoMedia, Gavitec agree on acquisitionGlobal Imaging Systems buys California businessColdwell Banker Realtor heads FARQuality Distribution lowers 2007 projections

  • Industries
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 9, 2007
Lower taxes, higher density, less government!

One influential legislator predicts a steep fall in state revenue as the slump in Florida's housing markets continues. An increase in density will help revenue and affordable housing.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2007
Simply the Biggest

At MarineMax, all goals focus on growth, from spending on marketing to making daylong job interviews the norm.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2007
There's Something in the Water

A close-knit family has built a one-shop boat retailer into a $200 million Gulf Coast juggernaut. It helps to not be shy about spending money.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2007
Comic Reality

Lamar Berry and Dean Young spent more than $4 million to build a franchise support system for Dagwood's before the first sandwich was served. Ambitious plans call for 4,900 locations within five years.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2007
Spillover effect

Commercial real estate experts are looking over their shoulder at their residential cousins and worry whether a commercial downturn is around the corner.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2007
Free the 'Net

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales says the free online dictionary, written by volunteer editors, is a radical idea. It's part of a 'free culture movement' spreading through the Internet.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2007
Cell-ing the Future

T3 Communications, a Fort Myers-based telecommunications company, is growing at a rapid pace as it continues to add new business customers. Enter Adam Sewall, the company's new president and CEO.Sewall comes with impressive telecom credentials. Most recently, he was senior vice president of business development and operations for Fastmobile, a mobile-phone messaging provider. Previously, he was a venture partner at Comventures, a leading venture-capital firm in Silicon Valley, chief executive officer of Spectrum Wireless, and director of sales and strategic planning for Omnipoint, a cellular phone company that T-Mobile bought in 1999 for $11.6 billion.T3 Communications offers voice and data telecommunication services exclusively to business customers. The company provides services that include local and long-distance calling, toll-free lines, messaging, Internet and e-mail.The Review recently spoke with Sewall about his personal interests and his strategy for T3 Communications.

  • Entrepreneurs
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