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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • September 9, 2021
Acquisitions provide big boost for small insurance firm

Recent deals have expanded Iron Ridge Insurance Services' size by more than 65%. But its CEO maintains the deals will be for naught without providing employees a great place to work.

  • Insurance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • April 8, 2021
Marketing firm is methodical in transferring business from mom to daughter

Transition takes commitment to the process from both generations.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • May 20, 2021
Tampa restaurant group owner believes personal touch is key to running her eateries

Natalia Levey has her own spin on the restaurant business.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • October 14, 2021
Instead of pushing carts at Publix, an ambitious student starts a tutoring company

After seeing solid results in one student after a single tutoring lesson, high school student Larissa Lippe found herself building a company. Now she aims to grow a sustainable business.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • January 8, 2021
Mortgage leader grabs a fishing rod to detach from work

Longtime mortgage lending executive Jane Floyd reels in some whoppers when she's not in the office.

  • Executive Diversions
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • January 2, 2020
Top Deals 2019: Tampa Bay

Portfolio sales of the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay and an adjacent office building, downtown and Westshore offices and a pair of Brandon properties spur record transactional volume of nearly $837 million in 2019

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • January 17, 2020
Social entrepreneur starts conference from scratch

The Voice + Visibility Women’s Summit is Feb. 4 in Sarasota.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • February 6, 2020
Dropping licenses will boost economy

The racket of requiring occupational licenses protects existing businesses more than it protects consumers.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • March 6, 2020
Vanguard Land weighs risk vs. rewards when investing

Sarasota company bought properties with seemingly little upside coming out of the recession. Several have had impressive turnarounds.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 15, 2020
Businesses face heightened lawsuit risk

Reopening offices and workspaces, two legal experts say, isn’t a simple process. One key: have, and stick to, a well-designed plan.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • June 21, 2019
Fast-casual Mexican restaurant franchisers see potential for 200 spots statewide

Lifelong buddies and business partners slowly grew 3 Pepper Burrito to nine spots in just five years.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • October 5, 2018
How Richard Lawrence became an accidental investor

Lawrence Capital founder Richard Lawrence is drawing on a diverse background in creating a firm that advises clients on commercial real estate investments.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 30, 2022
Foundation CFO sets retirement date — with replacement at the ready

Good succession planning isn’t just for family businesses. A well-defined plan to have a leader in waiting, at any C-level post, can help eliminate transition headaches.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • April 8, 2022
Florist shop grows into third-generation family business

The Fort Myers shop Ruth Messmer Florist Inc. has one petal looking at the possible next generation.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • December 2, 2016
Mr. Sandman

A sand and sun-kissed hobby can really be a thriving business. Mark Mason has done it for nearly 25 years.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 19, 2017
Why not you?

Passion is a starting point for a great business, says a been-there, done-that entrepreneur. Then it's time to outwork everyone.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • June 30, 2017
Space for Culture

Companies are trying to be more creative with their office spaces, going smaller, yet with greater impact. But the first step in redesigning office space comes from someplace deeper: company culture.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • July 1, 2016
Brexit reaffirms what we celebrate on July Fourth

Some readers, and some of my colleagues, tell me: Don't comment on national and international issues. We're local, they say. They also say, “You make our advertisers mad.” Yeah, OK.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • October 31, 2014
Full steam ahead

The group behind Greenlight Pinellas has rallied funds and influential business owners to support the initiative. We show who's on which side of the tracks.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 17, 2024
County OKs 93-acre Sarasota Square mall redevelopment project

Last-minute height reduction of apartments secures enough Sarasota County Commission votes to transform the mostly vacant mall into an upscale lifestyle town center.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
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