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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • January 18, 2019
Sound and fury: Entrepreneur finds innovative ways to fend off attacks

Matt Heller's Zephyrhills, Florida-based company, HornBlasters Inc., which makes high-powered air horns for cars and trucks, has been on the receiving end of lawsuits, threats from cut-rate competitors and social media backlash for years.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 14, 2004
Spirit of America Award 'The Colonel'

John Saputo bought the Sarasota/Manatee Anheuser Busch distributorship eight years ago when it controlled 53% of the local market.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 2, 2025
Fast-casual franchisee grows to four SoFresh stores in region

"I like the challenge," says entrepreneur William Wolf, who started out as a professional gamer and recently turned around an underperforming restaurant in a matter of months. One lesson? Put customer service first.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 12, 2003
Developer and Lawyer (Tampa edition)

George Rahdert is a well-known First Amendment lawyer. His lesser known development company owns nearly 50 properties.

  • Law
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Carl Cronan |
  • January 6, 2011
Moving Up

The Media Crew, a Largo ad agency focused on online banner ads, sees a new wave of business rolling ashore. It's adding to its current company segments to meet that demand.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 2, 2021
Ad agency raises vaccine awareness

PPK, with its stylish T-shirts, is also raising money to feed health care workers in the region.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • January 5, 2018
Word for 2018: '20-Great-teen!

Despite the World of Trump, we can continue to turn the tide with our own decorum and the push for economic freedom.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • April 11, 2025
Michelin Guide's arrival in St. Pete-Clearwater brings foodies — and pressure

The highly sought-after Michelin Guide is expanding its presence in the region. It's a pressure-is-a-privilege moment for chefs and restaurateurs.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 16, 2007
Customer Repo

A Sarasota auto-related business hopes to plug up its quarterly and yearly losses by buying a competitor. Big potential brings big risks.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 1, 2021
Six steps to light your spark as a leader

Becoming a better leader, one expert says, requires an open heart, an open mind and an ability to open doors for your team.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • March 5, 2021
At summit, entrepreneur shares lessons from launching business, appearing on "Shark Tank"

Pitching a company in front of celebrity millionaires and billionaires can be unnerving. How did one entrepreneur handle the stress? Intense preparation. (Hint: Spreadsheets were involved.)

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • July 28, 2017
Blinded by altruism

The Washington trajectory hasn't changed in 75 years. That's why the final health law will remain costly and lousy.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • June 4, 2004
Competency Issue

The appointments will soon expire for all of Florida's senior judges over the age of 70. For the first time, each one must submit to an annual evaluation. Locally, the review committee is headed by 2nd DCA Chief Judge Chris W. Altenbernd.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • January 24, 2024
Sprouts makes headway in Florida’s Publix-dominated market

Arizona natural food grocer Sprouts Farmers Market is carving out a niche for itself in the state — even in the shadow of Publix, the 10,000-pound elephant.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • April 28, 2017
Biz Kids

More than a dozen middle school and high school students recently pitched their original business plans and ideas to panels of investors. Validation — and cash — was on the line.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 4, 2013
Corporate Report: January 4

A roundup of the top corporate news of the week.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth Djinis |
  • February 5, 2021
Company introduces co-living to region

There’s a new type of living that’s come to St. Petersburg: co-living. A local business, after some tweaks and regulatory-based shifts, thinks it’s got the right model to scale quickly.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 31, 2022
Manatee County to temporarily halt collection of bus fares

The 18-month pilot program will go into effect Tuesday.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • July 5, 2013
Eye Associates CEO, CFO buys west Bradenton buildings, land

The purchase included The Eye Associates' 14,480-square-foot west Bradenton medical office building.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 7, 2013
Runner's superstore opens seventh Florida location

Fit2Run, coming off a “very good” 2012, is in expansion mode in early 2013.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
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