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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • August 8, 2014
Burger Branch

Army veterans Emily and Jack Kemp always wanted to own a business. After buying 10 Hardee's, they're leveraging military principles to prepare the company for growth.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • October 7, 2016
Tool time

From the company's humble beginnings in his garage, Michael Shaluly has built Pinellas County's Mastercut Tool Corp. into an international company with 100 employees.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Michael Hinman |
  • March 20, 2015
Luxury Max

Some spot a multifamily bubble forming. If it pops, it could catch luxury apartment developers in its wake.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Michael Hinman |
  • April 17, 2015
Family roots

Wish Farms has a rich history. But it hardly lives in the past. The agriculture firm's future lies in technology advances.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 23, 2022
Sarasota architecture firm increases retention, grows into top workplace

The path to creating a top place to work at one architecture firm starts long before an employee’s first day.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Anastasia Dawson |
  • August 21, 2025
Despite closures, some community orchestras in region find ways to thrive

Musicians throughout Southwest Florida have had to take their final bow in recent months as their community orchestras ceased operations. But others are playing a different tune.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 19, 2024
Resilient bar owner celebrates 25 years of success — and grit

Two-plus decades running bars and nightclubs have taught Joanna Olsen a lot about resilience and persistence. “Never quit," she says. "Just get back in there and conquer."

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 24, 2024
Fort Myers Beach mayor says change is inevitable but balance possible

Hurricane Ian was devastating, but Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers has also seen the town's resilience, remaining true to the island's spirit.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 17, 2025
Tampa universities name sports leaders amid national disruption

University of South Florida and University of Tampa have confidence Rob Higgins and E.J. Brophy, respectively, will stack up the wins — even amid the uncertainty of big-money college athletics.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • August 30, 2022
Airport executives race to keep up with post-pandemic travel demand

Amid construction at RSW and SRQ, execs navigate rising material costs and a shortage of workers in expectation of handling the rush of passengers better.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 21, 2004
Higher Calling (Tampa edition)

Former Congressman Sam M. Gibbons challenges young lawyers to get involved.

  • Law
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 4, 2009
Resolution: Conflict

A 15-year-old company with a proven record of success — nearly $50 million in sales by 2008 — decided the recession would be a great time to purposely pit executives against each other. The experiment is working.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • April 22, 2011
Client Driven

Samantha Howes says her entrepreneurial clients urged her to strike out on her own. She now has 50 clients six months after she formed her accounting firm.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • August 31, 2012
Comfy Profits

David Jennings retired to Fort Myers after building a successful manufacturing operation. Now, he's at it again with a mission.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • January 1, 2021
Economic Forecast: Head of leading residential real estate firm bullish on 2021

The coming year looks to be a big one for Smith & Associates because the bulk of its business comes from high-end, luxury condos — a class that has boomed recently and shows no signs of slowing down.

  • Construction-Development
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Ted Carter |
  • March 2, 2018
Learn by Doing

Teaching would-be entrepreneurs at Florida Gulf Coast University revolves around a do-it-differently strategy.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 31, 2017
Golf Guy

After a decade of searching, a PGA pro finally finds a golf course to buy. Now comes the hard part.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • June 16, 2017
Smile File

Some unlikely entrepreneurs transformed the ordinary toothbrush with an environmentally friendly bamboo handle. Against many odds, they are on the brink of successes.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • December 1, 2017
Force is Strong

Bruce Schlee is building his beverage company by focusing on a key demographic — members of the military — and their need for energy.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 4, 2013
Justin Davis, 33

Founder and User Experience Designer, Madera Labs

  • Class of 2013
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