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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 6, 2008
No Bust Zone

A real estate entrepreneur finds success, even as others crumble around him on the Gulf Coast. Says Shawn Kaleta: 'We are still busy.'

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 4, 2008
Brokers to the Banks

Defaulted commercial real estate loans at banks in Florida could spell opportunity for brokers. One firm in Fort Myers recently set up a separate division to manage those.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 12, 2003
DrugMax Goes for the Max

The stock of Clearwater-based DrugMax lnc. languishes outside of Wall Street's radar. COO William LaGamba says becoming a $1 billion company should take care of that.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 17, 2009
Shirt Equity

A Gulf Coast T-shirt company is surpassing $2 million in sales this year, a notable feat considering the recession slamming retail. Its success is based on a combination of grit, good decision-making and learning from mistakes.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • September 17, 2009
Taking Stock

Unlike some of its competitors, Naples-based Stock Development appears to have escaped the worst of the residential-construction downturn. But from now on it will let others bear the risk of owning land.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 3, 2009
Corporate Report: Gold Coast Eagle Distributing first in state to serve Birra Castello

Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, the Anheuser-Busch InBev and Corona distributor for Sarasota and Manatee counties, is the first in the state to have local rights to Birra Castello, the first Italian beer in the company's international portfolio.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • June 18, 2010
Bank bids heat up

Competition for the assets and deposits of failed Florida banks has increased in the last few months as investors swarm the state. But the threat of oil washing up on Gulf Coast shores could dampen their enthusiasm.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • November 4, 2011
Hong Kong Zones

Platapalooza got people talking about how to fix planning disasters of older communities such as Lehigh Acres and Cape Coral. Removing government barriers is the first fix.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 10, 2011
Hold 'Em

A Texas firm with bravado and a few boldfaced backers has entered Florida. It doesn't intend to let a crowded marketplace deter its plans.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • July 29, 2011
Denim Divas

The market for a company that sells a $250 pair of jeans is tight. But an entrepreneur-designer duo will still try to squeeze in it.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 29, 2011
Sector Scorcher

The apartment complex side of commercial real estate is abuzz on the Gulf Coast. Many deals could be had.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 15, 2011
Corporate Report: Apr. 15

The latest news from US Natural Gas, Tech Data, and other Gulf Coast companies.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 22, 2012
Carpet Ride

Rufus Ashby scrambled to survive the recession. He made tough moves, including a major downsizing of his flooring and carpet business. Now, armed with a new financial backer, he finally sees better days.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • February 11, 2011
Economic Developer

Economic development folks might want to meet Arun Maheshwari, one of the trailblazers of outsourcing to India. He and his son, Amit Maheshwari, are buying commercial real estate in Fort Myers.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • April 14, 2017
Triple Net Gain

David Sobelman largely pioneered the now-popular triple net lease investment deal. For an encore, he's forming a company around them.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 8, 2014
The New Gladesmen

The Patel family is now the biggest employer in Everglades City, a small outpost of 400 residents on the edge of the swamp. Thousands of tourists now fill their airboats.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 31, 2014
Ride 'em, cowboy

A company that straddles the entertainment and manufacturing industries has boosted sales 55% since 2011. Now it targets more fun, and more growth.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • May 23, 2014
Flood of Risks

Paresh Patel is a risk-taker, so he wasn't scared of taking on Florida's property insurance market. Now the engineer-turned-CEO focuses on maintaining growth.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 25, 2016
The promise

With his mom's legacy close by, entrepreneur Patrick Bismuth brings an agile approach to the crowded senior living sector.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 28, 2025
Publisher extends 'poison pill' in response to courtship from Naples firm

The Hoffmann Family of Cos. seeks to open discussions with Lee Enterprises "regarding a potential combination of our companies."

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
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