Strategies

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Business Observer Staff
March 16, 2022

Area firms make list of Southeast’s fastest-growing companies

Companies from the Tampa Bay, Sarasota and Naples regions have been named to Inc. magazine's list of the Southeast’s fastest-growing companies.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

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Beth Luberecki
March 9, 2022

Healthy pet food firm chews on bigger market

After a pandemic-forced sales tumble, The K9 Kitchen considered shutting operations down. A customer-turned-investor helped give the startup new life.

Strategies

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Brian Hartz
March 3, 2022

Sauce is the secret for young entrepreneur with an 'old soul'

Starting out with just a dream in his parents' kitchen, David Habib's star has risen like a rocket in the food industry as his Clearwater, Florida-based company, Yo Mama's Foods, sees rapid growth.

Entrepreneurs

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Beth Luberecki
March 2, 2022

Shrewd moves early in the pandemic pay off for interior designer

More growth, including a new 60-employee location, is forthcoming for Clive Daniel Home.

Strategies

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Amanda Postma
February 20, 2022

One event-dependent entrepreneur’s secret to overcoming the pandemic? Perpetual motion.

A contract with a major sports association kept the business afloat while Rainer Scheer shifted his focus to SEO tactics. Now, the company's revenue has almost doubled.

Strategies

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Mark Gordon
February 17, 2022

CEO of Florida's largest daily newspaper looks ahead upon retirement

Venerable news organization, during an era of sweeping changes in how customers consume content, is about to get a new CEO.

Strategies

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Mark Gordon
February 17, 2022

Entrepreneurs respond quickly to unmet need in senior care

Pioneering a concept, even with investments well into the millions, requires a nifty and nimble approach, several enterprising business owners are learning.

Strategies

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Amanda Postma
February 11, 2022

Media company finds success by giving back to community

Finding, and then capturing, a growing audience in the rapidly changing broadcast radio business can be tricky. One enterprising couple has found a way.

Strategies

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Brian Hartz
February 8, 2022

Knock on wood: Sustainable cutlery maker gets big boost from national retailer

St. Petersburg, Florida-based Foodstiks has landed a deal with Target. The company believes the time is nigh for its brand of disposable wooden cutlery — if it can overcome supply-chain and industry awareness issues.

Entrepreneurs

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By Amanda Postma, Brian Hartz and Louis Llovio
February 3, 2022

Affordable housing crisis continues as many search for answers

The affordable housing predicament has reached crisis level for many in the region. Some creative leaders, in business and government, are on the front lines of delivering sustainable solutions.

Construction-Development

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Beth Luberecki
January 28, 2022

Naples firm discovers niche in helping health care providers keep medications from the wrong hands

First Jacqueline von Zwehl poured her 401(k) into her health care startup — going against prevailing wisdom. Now she’s on the cusp of a surge in business, and even a potential IPO.