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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • July 20, 2018
Six years later, Zoomers owner is still riding high

Mike Barnes bought bankrupt and incomplete Zoomers Amusement Park in Fort Myers in 2011 for $1.3 million and invested $5 million more to open

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • September 14, 2018
Second time around proves successful for restaurateur

Restaurant consultant Louie Spetrini didn't let his first, failed attempt at restaurant ownership stop him from pursuing excellence. Now his Nueva Cantina concept is a nascent chain, with locations in St. Petersburg, Tampa and, coming next year, Largo.

  • Travel-Tourism
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • September 15, 2017
Vision Qwest

LandQwest Commercial has grown from a single Fort Myers office into operations in Tampa and Orlando, and more expansion is planned.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Cheryl O'Neill |
  • August 25, 2014
Six things you can outsource to grow your business

You may think 'outsourcing' is a dirty word, but shifting these tasks so you can focus on what you do best can boost your firm's performance.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Cheryl O'Neill |
  • February 3, 2014
In a cash crunch? How to get money fast

As a business owner, circumstances will arise in which you will need some cash - fast.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • October 25, 2013
Transition Turn

One sector of the market has seen a shift in the buy/lease continuum. It could have deep ramifications.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Steven Benna |
  • September 21, 2016
Proper props

A company with a simple and streamlined business model — lien searches — is on the verge of surpassing $10 million in annual revenues, from less than $1 million four years ago. Can it maintain the rapid pace?

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • April 1, 2016
Fresh start

Kurt Keaton left more than a decade of success at JLL to join relative upstart Franklin Street. He's energized by the switch.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 10, 2014
Kanika Jelks-Tomalin, 39

Deputy Mayor, City of St. Petersburg

  • Class of 2014
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • December 5, 2014
Game of thrones

Renting portable restrooms is a tough job, but Robin Youmans is one of the best in the business.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • June 19, 2015
Better net

Banks make money on the difference between what they earn on loans and what they pay depositors. That measure is rising at most Gulf Coast banks.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 30, 2015
The real thing

Bob Tufts sometimes looks back with surprised awe at a career filled with accomplishments. One key: Be patient.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • March 25, 2025
Roofing company triples service tech team

Gulf Western Roofing says the staffing increase is needed to meet demand.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 12, 2025
Longtime Manatee politico, entrepreneur to run for Sarasota City Commission

Former Florida legislator and Manatee County elections supervisor Michael Bennett has moved to Sarasota and wants to provide "senior leadership" to the City Commission.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • May 7, 2025
Pair of multimillion Naples sales buck housing slowdown narrative

The two residential properties, both in the Port Royal neighborhood, show luxury properties are still doing well.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Laura Lyon |
  • April 18, 2025
No show dogs: Cybersecurity CEO talks $3B valuation, potential IPO

Brian Murphy details the hows and whys of getting to $3 billion in valuation.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 11, 2024
VP seeks adventure outside of Tampa nonprofit

In learning how "the first step is the scariest," National Pediatric Cancer Foundation executive Casey Taylor pushes herself to handle bigger and tougher steps.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • March 11, 2024
Live Local Act tweaks win support of all but one legislator

The bill is aimed, in part, at easing worries from localities that were created when the $711 million affordable housing bill passed last year.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 18, 2024
Community-first leader, Bank of Tampa founder dies at 88

Jerry Divers considered banking to be a profession, not an industry.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • March 12, 2025
Lakeland warehouse developers get $16 million construction loan

The 202,000-square-foot project off of I-4 and State Road 33 is expected to be complete early next year.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
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