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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 1, 2011
Debt Free

Harris Rosen's philosophy of operating a debt-free company allows him to strengthen his position in the Central Florida hospitality market.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 1, 2011
Get Happy

A specialized $42 million insurance firm with a remarkable decade-long track record for growth is in transformation mode. A new president will lead the way.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 7, 2013
Model behavior

Taking a charter school from startup to long-term success can be a treacherous task. Some accomplished local entrepreneurs are about to take it on anyway.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • March 4, 2011
Obstacle Course

Jim Harper and Rogers Wells saw a clear need for psychiatric hospital in Lee County. But regulatory hurdles, the banking crisis and turmoil in the bond market nearly wrecked their plans.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • February 22, 2013
Back to Building

Gary Aubuchon lost his election bid for the U.S. House of Representatives last year. But that may turn out to be a blessing for his business and his family.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • July 1, 2011
Opportunity Knocks

The state's new Department of Economic Opportunity presents new ways of doing business for developers and local governments. The challenge is finding out how it all will work.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • February 11, 2011
Sticker Shock

Employers are still struggling with the last big increase in unemployment compensation taxes. Now, legislators try to figure out how to soften an even bigger blow that could threaten economic recovery.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Rod Thomson |
  • April 13, 2012
Legislative Roundup: Major Bills

What major bills passed and failed during the 2012 legislative session.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • October 25, 2019
Veggie Tales: Behind the scenes of the new Publix store prototype

Changes at Publix go beyond the produce.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • April 9, 2022
Hotel expert says hospitality sector is rebounding nicely from pandemic

Hospitality insider Rich Lillis says the hotel industry —especially in Tampa and other parts of the region — is mostly back to pre-pandemic levels.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 2, 2018
Battle Ready

Building a company full of leaders isn't the impossible dream, says a veteran and former West Point instructor. It requires high doses of character.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • October 24, 2014
Build me a plane

Aviation Partners Group installs sophisticated avionics and builds airplanes at the Punta Gorda Airport. Its growth has caught the eye of economic development groups.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • July 24, 2015
Soup to nuts

The rebound in hospitality statewide has produced lots of winners. One of those companies has a strategy to keep the vibe going.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • February 7, 2025
Group buys historic Sarasota hotel for Black community for $700K

At least one other proposal, which wasn't approved, called for demolition of the Colson Hotel building in Sarasota's Rosemary District.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • March 18, 2024
Skin care entrepreneur prospers with 'failure isn’t an option' attitude

When the pandemic temporarily shut down Alexis Pfropper’s new spa, she shifted. She paid rent in gift cards (the landlord loved it) and even developed a skin care line for a new revenue stream.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • June 6, 2022
Condo safety measures approved by state lawmakers

New condo regulations approved by Florida lawmakers during a special session aim to prevent a repeat of the Surfside collapse.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • February 1, 2024
Millions of dollars at stake in statewide bankers vs. lawyers dispute

Roiled by a rule change that forces banks to pay higher interest payments for certain accounts, multiple Florida bankers see legislation as a solution. The Florida Bar sees the controversy differently.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 29, 2025
Bradenton Area EDC creates task force, seeks new contract with Manatee County

The Bradenton Area EDC believes a 90-day task force will present commissioners with previously overlooked data and information.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 21, 2023
$732M community bank’s new CEO has strict orders: Don’t sell

Kyle DeCicco's task is to grow and expand Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. And while post-Ian opportunities abound, he also has to carefully mix in caretaking of a successful legacy brand.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 23, 2008
'09 Economic Forecast

The financial crisis added another challenge to business owners trying to guess what 2009 will bring. Everyone agrees the economy won't come roaring back.

  • Entrepreneurs
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