• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Healthcare
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • December 12, 2014
Market advantage

Launching a health insurance firm sounds kind of crazy. Tom Blankenship believes he's sane enough to pull it off.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • December 13, 2019
Former district manager brings leadership lessons to franchises

Rich Epps owns seven Batteries Plus Bulbs stores in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Largo and Tampa.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 4, 2007
Success off the Field

If Lee Roy Selmon's exploits on the field are any indication, the restaurants that bear his name will likely do well, too. He's got strong backing from the founders of Outback Steakhouse.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • March 11, 2005
It's a Start

Victims of a $60 million investment scheme are getting back just pennies on the dollar so far.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 29, 2003
Woo Customers, Increase Business

Lou Lasday, an independent marketing adviser who resides on Longboat Key, creates action-oriented Strategic Corporate Initiatives for emerging companies.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • September 25, 2020
Mercury Advisors re-finances Tampa apartment tower

Mercury Advisors and ECI Group's have recapitalized the debt on their 22-story Channel Club apartments.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 11, 2016
Hotelier aims to bring new flag to Sarasota

The property has changed owners several times recently.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 3, 2004
Chamber's No. 2 to Retire

Say goodbye to Bill Couch, the Sarasota Chamberis senior vice president. Heis leaving after two decades.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 5, 2007
Coffee Talk

Billionaire corporate raider Carl Icahn isn't the only one paying close attention to Bonita Springs-based homebuilder WCI Communities.'s the proverbial case of good-news-bad-news with the American Tort Reform Foundation's 2006 Judicial Hellholes report.First, the good news: The Florida Legislature was one of five state governmental branches to make the 'Points of Light' list. Now, the bad news: South Florida came in second place on the overall nationwide Judicial Hellhole listDevelopment and homebuilding companies that scrambled to buy land during the residential boom are now rushing to unload it or restructure deals with sellers.The latest effort involves a huge land deal in Lee County between agribusiness giant Alico and Orlando-based luxury residential developer Ginn Development Co.St. Petersburg-based Lifestyle Family Fitness is resolving to fatten up, at least in revenues and the number of centers it operates. When the Review profiled Bradley Krohn, a scientist cum ethanol plant entrepreneur last summer, the biggest decision he was facing was where to build Florida's first large-scale ethanol plant: Tampa or Port Manatee. In building a new dinner theater in Lakewood Ranch, veteran director Robert Ennis Turoff, of the Golden Apple Dinner Theater, is stuck with a new headlining performer: Manatee County.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 28, 2006
Bruising Broker

The competitive field of commercial real estate in Greater Sarasota can now count a true fighter among its ranks: Former national boxing writer - and long-ago retired amateur boxer - Joe Bruno.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 18, 2015
Money-Back guarantee

Collier County made a bold promise to builders four years ago: You'll get your permit on time or we'll refund you half your permit fee.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 31, 2007
Growth Snatchers

A Gulf Coast firm with a niche in making synthetic lifelike body parts for medical testing seeks $1 million in real investment money.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 2, 2004
Year Ahead

An informal survey of Tampa Bay area law firms shows lawyers are optimistic about 2004. More hiring is expected.

  • Law
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • March 31, 2006
State of Shock

Commercial insurance premiums are going up as much as 30%, thanks to the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes. No one is immune.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 5, 2009
Bank This

Despite the financial turmoil, two longtime Naples bankers raised millions of dollars to start a new bank that will open its doors in January. Their last endeavor was hugely successful.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 4, 2022
Social services nonprofit expands with new Venice location

After seeing an uptick in need throughout the Venice area, JFCS of the Suncoast opened the new location in response.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • September 16, 2021
Medical practice, surpassing $10 million, doubles revenue in four years,

Florida Skin Center grows through mastering the basics — such as seizing opportunities and putting patients first. The founder also made a big decision four years ago.

  • Healthcare
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 14, 2018
Wire manufacturer acquires hot product line

Pelican Wire takes over fellow manufacturer’s high-temperature wire designs and equipment.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 12, 2013
Booze rules loosen up

Government regulations sometimes smother the alcoholic beverage industry, but one recent rule change is a breath of life for local rum entrepreneur Troy Roberts.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jim Stinson |
  • January 25, 2024
Startup accelerator program aims to transform climate technology

The Tampa Bay Innovation Center is launching its next startup accelerator, which will focus on innovations in climate technology, sustainability and resilience.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
« 258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 »
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest business and commercial real estate news from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Sign Up

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-362-4848

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Podcast
  • Big Book of Business

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Distribution Points
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Your Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
×
3 Articles Remaining!
Not a Subscriber?

Click here to Subscribe

Already a Subscriber?

Click here to Login

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Start your day with the top Gulf Coast business news you need to succeed.

Sign Up for CRE Central

Stay updated with a weekly roundup of big deals, market shifts and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples.


Smart People Subscribe.

Turn headlines into game plans. The playbook’s right here.
Subscribe to the Business Observer today.

Subscribe Now