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Strategies

    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • December 29, 2017
In the Round

Maintaining consistency among far-flung locations is the holy grail of the franchise industry. One enterprising couple — think secret shoppers — has pursued the challenge with vigor.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Brian Hartz
  • December 15, 2017
Rubber Soul

Rent-to-own industry veteran Larry Sutton found success with an innovative approach to selling tires. Will his 'rent and roll' philosophy boost his company to national prominence?

  • Strategies
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 15, 2017
Easy Button

A power-packed team of financial executives sees big potential in what they consider an underserved homeowners insurance niche: people with outsized checkbooks.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • December 15, 2017
Tools for Retention

Hardware store entrepreneur Michael Wynn tackles the conundrum of employee retention with respect, recognition and rewards.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • December 15, 2017
Love to Teach

A passion for competition, and sales, has driven Shelley Broader to significant executive achievements. But her favorite part of her career comes from a different place.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2017
Change it up

An inventor with a never-quit attitude aims to find success in virtual realty. 'I want to create the technology to catch that wave,' he says.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 8, 2017
Glass Ceiling

Disrupting an industry, particularly one many try to avoid, is rife with obstacles. A novelist-turned-entrepreneur tackles it with heartfelt passion.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • December 1, 2017
Cast a Wide Net

Creating an online community — and constantly feeding it — allows a crafty entrepreneur to sell more fish in a bigger pond.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Brian Hartz
  • December 1, 2017
Sound Off

The sound of silence is music to the ears of a pair of entrepreneurs who seek traction in an unusual niche.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Ted Carter
  • December 1, 2017
Arm's Reach

A busy year for a Southwest Florida medical device firm — including a second multimillion-dollar investment round — bodes well for a potential exit strategy.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • November 24, 2017
Call to Arms

Jan Babiak avoided women's groups for 15 years. Now she leads a conversation on why women are underrepresented on boards and in high-powered leadership roles.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Grier Ferguson
  • November 10, 2017
Hit the Sauce

Robert Boyland went from sampling the Tijuana Flats sauce bar to building a business based on crafting sauces from scratch. He has big plans.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Brian Hartz
  • November 10, 2017
Sweet Home

A company with enough employees worldwide to fill a small city zeroes in on Tampa for expansion. How will it find top talent?

  • Strategies
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • November 10, 2017
Knock down obstacles

From growing up with a drug-addicted parent to building a $170 million business, Tony DiBenedetto has seen it all. Now at the top of the business world, he's searching for the next move.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Ted Carter
  • November 10, 2017
Star Search

An entrepreneur — barely of legal age to drink alcohol — hopes to nurture and grow the Southwest Florida tech scene.

  • Strategies
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