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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Laura Lyon |
  • October 23, 2024
Tampa sweet shops reflect on two hurricanes

Owners recall preparation, the damage done and picking up where they left off.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 7, 2010
Drive Through

Car dealers, especially ones selling luxury vehicles, are at the top of the list of recession victims. One Gulf Coast dealer, however, has risked more than $1 million to reverse the trend.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • March 11, 2010
Flat Fee

One law firm in Fort Myers started charging some clients a flat fee instead of billing by the hour. Despite its initial success, the economic downturn has made it a tougher sell.

  • Law
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • June 25, 2010
Spill proof

No oil has washed up on the shores of Fort Myers Beach, but one property management company is prepared to fight for business. Technology is key.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 3, 2020
Trunk show brings products, entrepreneurs to area from around the world

The Souk was founded by Liz Gilbert.

  • News
  • By Jennifer Fowler-Hermes |
  • May 8, 2020
Back to Business: Handling Employees' Return to Work

Back to Business: Handling Employees' Return to Work

  • Williams Parker
Sponsored Content
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • October 25, 2018
Caroline Smith, 34

Caroline Smith, 34, is the founder of Smith Creative LLC in St. Petersburg, Florida.

  • Class of 2018
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • April 12, 2022
Tampa medical group to pay $24.5 million fine to settle DOJ claims

Physician Partners of America is accused of ordering and charging for unneeded tests and other violations.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 4, 2013
Sonika Fourie, 24

Interior Designer, The Schimberg Group Inc.

  • Class of 2013
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 10, 2014
Down on the farm

The construction industry struggles have walloped many executives with daily doses of stress. One industry leader discovered his Zen in an unlikely spot.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • August 5, 2016
In the zone

At London Bay Homes, every employee gets a Fitbit tracker and a free gym membership. CEO Mark Wilson says the focus on a healthy workplace is a great recruiting tool.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Anastasia Dawson |
  • November 26, 2025
Feds launch probe into Busch Gardens, SeaWorld for rollator walker ban

The investigation will determine if Busch Gardens, SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando discriminated against people with disabilities.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 1, 2026
Tickets on sale for Business Observer's flagship event: Top Entrepreneur Luncheon

The event is May 15 at The Ora in Sarasota.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • July 19, 2024
Speak up or keep quiet: When politics and business intersect

Business owners are often taught to not speak about politics and political beliefs or risk tuning customers away. Some ignore the advice and advocate openly.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 27, 2005
EO-Sara/Mana: A 'Mild' Correction

Home builders say the four-year period of hyper growth was unsustainable. For 2006, the pace of growth will be slower but still strong.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • June 9, 2006
Coffee Talk

Due concern: Carl Wise, president of Sarasota-based Preferred Commercial Inc. is eagerly anticipating June 15 as a sort-of D-Day for Sarasota Realtors.Best ever: The Bay Area Manufacturing Association is raving about the recent state legislative session: The group says the session was one of the best ever.Naples money managers to leave?: Coffee Talk hears that Bruce Sherman and Gregg Powers may split from Private Capital Management, the hugely successful Naples-based money management firm they oversee.Builders under pressure: When home sales were booming, investors favored builders that owned large tracts of land for future development.Fred Pezeshkan honored by Ellis Island: Fred Pezeshkan began his life in Naples in 1979 with nothing but his education. Hot Growth: Coffee Talk has long known that the Gulf Coast is a thriving business area, but it's always nice to get a little national recognition.FDIC still edgy: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. updated its most recent quarterly economic report for Florida last month.Furniture company turns 75: Larmon Furniture, Tampa's oldest furniture family, is celebrating its 75th anniversary the weekend of June 9 with an all-day party in Ybor City.'Shopping' up nicely: Stemming from its much-hyped Spring Convention in Las Vegas, the International Council of Shopping Centers released both its statewide retail statistics and its current listing of the biggest malls in the s

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • July 29, 2020
WIth an ample pipeline, Clover Investment Properties is rolling

Lyle Fogarty has worked for some big names in development, including Trammell Crow Co. and Redstone Commercial. But he's hit his stride with his own company, Clover Investment Properties.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 25, 2006
Running on Ego

Oscar Parsons openly admits that his ego is part of the fuel behind the Sarasota Bradenton International Convention Center. But he also fully believes he can make it work.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 7, 2004
Feuding Falkners

They're still at it. The Michigan transplants make millions growing cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes in Manatee and Hillsborough counties. After a year in court, their internecine squabble is far from patched up.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • June 7, 2019
Cooking up sweet local success for national doughnut brand

With no connections in Southwest Florida, the region's first Krispy Kreme franchisee turned to an established 'brand architecture' firm to hype its Fort Myers grand opening. Going local worked: it sold nearly 1 million doughnuts in week one.

  • Strategies
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