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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Janet Leiser |
  • July 19, 2013
Betting on Bob

Outback Steakhouse's story is legendary in Tampa: Three friends, with a hunger for success and loans from relatives, grew one restaurant into a multibillion-dollar company. Will one of the founders work his magic again?

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • May 13, 2011
Muddy Waters

The Southwest Florida Water Management District accumulated piles of cash the past few years, which raised questions about its management. The state has stepped in by limiting its ability to raise property tax revenue going forward.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • August 10, 2011
Contracting with Seminole Nation

Though it's a sovereign government, contracting with The Seminole Tribe of Florida doesn't require 'an Act of Congress' — in fact, it's a straightforward process.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Bloomberg News |
  • July 29, 2011
Walter Energy ripe for takeover bids

The coal company could sell for a nearly 60% premium. Its CEO's recent resignation makes it more vulnerable.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • September 21, 2012
Double Barrel: The Debt Bomb and Bernanke

No one knows exactly when, but every day Congress and the president don't CUT spending meaningfully.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 24, 2012
Double Barrel: The Debt Bomb and Bernanke

No one knows exactly when, but every day Congress and the president don't CUT spending meaningfully.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • December 6, 2012
Captain Larry

Larry Kiker, the soft-spoken former mayor of Fort Myers Beach, was recently elected to the Lee County commission. Those who know him well don't underestimate his quiet demeanor.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 13, 2012
True Believer

A quirky Gulf Coast tourist attraction has come to a soggy intersection. Its owners — two local governments — have some big decisions to make.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • December 2, 2016
Tech giant

The CEO of one of the largest companies in the region, Tech Data, has even bigger dreams. Think Amazon.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • August 25, 2017
Wheel and Deal

Rodney Dessberg often goes against market conventions — with a high degree of success. What's his formula?

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 29, 2017
'Lead with Service'

A Tampa tech firm seeks to maintain a rapid growth pace, behind a new leadership team and some grandmotherly advice: Stick to your knitting.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • May 26, 2017
Framing fitness

Tampa-based Peerfit seeks to disrupt the wellness market. With nearly $4 million in funding, it's well on its way.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 5, 2018
Pride and Joy

A local versus state issue — with millions of dollars in development projects at stake — is primed for a major debate in the upcoming legislative session.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • October 11, 2013
Motor Momentum

A Gulf Coast RV firm is back on the road to sales growth after a brief, but painful, recession-forced detour. One turnaround key: a robust profit-sharing plan.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • June 10, 2016
Gone girl

Traci Bild stepped down as CEO of Bild & Co. in 2013 to write a book. She wanted to chase her passion. She instead learned a major life lesson.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 26, 2016
Steel curtain

A banker-turned-entrepreneur used her business acumen to create a charitable concept that's surpassed $30 million in donations. She learned a few things along the way.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • February 13, 2015
Natural beauty

Alikay Naturals beauty products can be found in Target and Sally Beauty Supply stores. Entrepreneur Rochelle Graham built the business without outside investors or loans.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 29, 2024
Florida exec finds new life purpose after being confronted by gunman

John Miles accomplished quite a lot in business and the military before he turned 50. Those wins are mere pit stops as he executes on his next big life mission: helping others find their purpose.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 27, 2025
Manatee County commissioner pushes for building moratorium

Some commissioners, and at least one developer, are pushing back against the idea.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • October 12, 2023
Andrew Neal, 34

Even before Andrew Neal had a degree, leadership ran in his veins.

  • Class of 2023
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