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Strategies

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 14, 2006
Lenders First

Bradenton-based First Priority made a point to grow through its employees first. Now it plans on growing to other parts of the Gulf Coast.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 14, 2006
Corporate Report & Third Quarter

First Advantage buys U.K. computer company Progress Energy, Seminole Electric pen energy sharing dealFamily-owned Congress Jewelers sold to national public companyRoskamp Institute running MS drug studyMichael Saunders & Co. takes three awards in LondonWalters Industries' Natural Resources faces tough road

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 14, 2006
Inter-national Flavor

A diverse group of India-born hotel owners want in on the Gulf Coast community banking game.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 14, 2006
Colonial-ism

Colonial Bank is snapping up real estate as it plans to double its presence from Tampa to Naples. It aims to take market share from regional and national banks.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 14, 2006
Rolling in work

The office furniture at Architecture Inc. is all on wheels, encouraging collaboration and teamwork. The principal architect explains how it works.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2006
Steak and Sizzle

Ruth's Chris Steak House will soon have more restaurants in Florida than any other state. How the company grows its business is a lesson in restaurant management.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2006
Growth's Anatomy

Sure, Alan Zirkelbach, founder of a $48 million-dollar construction firm, knew he had to delegate to keep growing. The hard part: How?

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2006
After the Sweet Spot

NorthStar Bank will target businesses with less than $50 million in annual revenue. It will be a full-service bank for business people and their families.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2006
Corporate Report & Third Quarter

Global Imaging Systems buys N.J.'s Copy DynamicsWalter Industries settles shareholder lawsuitsTampa Electric wins $134 million in tax creditsE Solutions sells exchange hosting to Elephant OutlookThailand company hires Syniverse TechnologiesSigns Now reporting record 2006 sales, franchise growthWilsonMiller sponsors calendar promoting land stewardship Chico's FAS Third Quarter

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2006
Poultry Prosperity

Dan Cathy, president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A, gives a candid look at how his unique fast-food chain doubled its revenues in five years without borrowing a penny - and the strategy that makes it family-friendly to run a franchise.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2006
Detour Direct

An aspiring star chef took a colossal risk 20 years ago when he took over a tiny Asian-style furniture business. The payoff has been as big as the risk, both in multimillion-dollar revenues and in the introduction to his business partner and future wife.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2006
A wonderful day in the neighborhood

Want to complain to transportation officials about that clogged interstate or talk back to a news anchor? Neighborhood America creates and manages sophisticated Web sites that let you do just that.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2006
Corporate Report

DNAPrint Genomics partner starts migraine drug studyCrescent Resources new joint parent improves capital pictureTampa company essential to tracking Katrina cleanupHoveround Corp. lays off 66Pop's Material Girl hits Home Shopping NetworkAmacore Group's Vision Plan gets deal with insurance firm

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2006
Building Blocks

A builder with 20 years experience in both Sarasota and Naples takes his views to Tallahassee.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2006
Match Up

Jula, 34, never thought his business calling would be using the Internet and technology as a way of connecting the right businesses with each other - a sort of a behind-the-scenes matchmaker. Jula prefers the term "networking evangelist."Still, there's Jula, telling a recent visitor to his Sarasota office that his startup operation is "all about creating something that allows you to be found."

  • Entrepreneurs
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