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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By S-One Studios |
  • November 8, 2024
Unleash Your Vision With S-One Studios

Imagination has no boundaries. S-One Studios makes creating a video for your brand easy.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • March 30, 2022
No cane, no gain: Niche fashion company sticks it to the competition

Largo, Florida-based Fashionable Inc.’s Fashionable Canes brand offers more than 1,000 styles of canes, many of them custom-designed.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 5, 2017
Birth of a salesman

Is there anything Anthony Sullivan can't sell? Probably not.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 2, 2007
Coffee Talk

Fort Myers Ramada may be torn down soonWant only the best for your beloved sportster? Well, if it's good enough for Britain's royal family, maybe it's good enough for the rich and famous on Florida's Gulf Coast.Andy Smythe, who became certified as an Auto Glym professional in England, thinks so.That's how he markets his two-year-old auto detailing business, Splash and Dashing. Now Smythe's mobile services aren't for the financialy faint-hearted.Coffee Talk is regularly amused by what counts as a value these days when it comes to higher education. Proof is in Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's 2007 Best Values in Public College's list: The top 10 schools - two of which are in Florida - will all run more than $100,000 for four years.December existing-home sales continue declineBJ's Restaurant & Brewery CFO Gregory S. Levin says the California-based casual dining chain chose the Tampa Bay area for its first Florida location because it's such a great market for restaurants.University of Tampa business professor Joe McCann says family businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, contributing 65% of the nation's GDP annually.That's why it's only fitting for the college to recognize outstanding Florida family businesses each year.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 12, 2014
Gold rush

Matt Orr sought a change of pace after a decade on the Gulf Coast. He found it on another west coast.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 3, 2024
PGT Innovations receives unsolicited bid that beats previous $3B offer

A national manufacturer has made a third bid to acquire Venice-based PGT Innovations, the largest publicly traded company in the Sarasota-Bradenton region.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 18, 2008
Lingerie Lifeline

When Scott Edmonds joined Chico's FAS in 1993, the company almost went bankrupt. It's an experience he can draw on as he steers the women's apparel retailer through a steep downturn. One big opportunity: a new chain of lingerie stores for women over 35.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • August 16, 2019
Area company grows customer base, sales and reach through focused social media

Seminole-based Teami Blends focuses on products inspired by tea.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Heisey |
  • May 29, 2013
Found the rum - and it's on Siesta Key

It sounds like a dream job, but making rum isn't all lying on the beach and sampling the product.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 7, 2013
Bold brokers

Scott Dobbins, who played college football with Mike Alstott, brings a go-get-'em gridiron mentality to business. His approach has led to a bolt of growth.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • July 21, 2011
No Vacancy

The hotel market in the Naples area is the strongest on the Gulf Coast, but data show a lack of pricing power.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • July 27, 2012
Bulb Boys

A segment of the light industry long on promise looks especially bright to four local entrepreneurs with large Gulf Coast ambitions. Their strategy: Target high volume.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • January 13, 2012
Powered Petals

A firm sees big potential in a fresh industry. One challenge: Navigating a mass of potential opportunity to find the right match.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • April 1, 2020
Pizzeria owner adapts to changing conditions in the face of the coronavirus — toilet paper included

In a true sign of the times, Solorzano’s Pizzerias is giving away a free roll of toilet paper to customers who place an order over $30.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • June 14, 2019
Virage developers planning 34-story tower in Tampa

Arris Tampa, a planned 34-story residential tower from Batson-Cook Development and Ascentia Development Group, aims to capitalize on a growing interest to live in downtown Tampa

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Janet Leiser |
  • December 27, 2013
Powering Up

Revenue at MarineMax is rising with the economy. The recreational boat retailer continues its market domination.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • May 29, 2015
Perfect pitch

A group of entrepreneurs in Fort Myers pitched their ideas to angel investors at a Shark Tank-style event.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • June 29, 2007
Coffee Talk

Gaining and losing muscle in the Russell: Coast Financial Holdings, the battered parent company of Bradenton-based Coast Bank, has suffered yet another setback: Being booted off the prestigious family of Russell Indexes, one of the leading stock market tracking funds.Chamber recognizes pro-business legislators: A diverse combination of old standards and rookie state legislators from the Gulf Coast were given high grades, and praise, by the Florida Chamber of Commerce when it comes to voting and pushing through bills in the best interests of business. Coffee businesses roast a good deal: Sarasota-based coffee entrepreneur Michael Duranko's main goal since he opened his first Local Coffee & Tea shop on Siesta Key in February has been to combine his ambitious growth plans with a keep-it-local mantra.Bay City Plywood re-brands: Tampa-based home improvement chain Bay City Plywood is modifying its name to add "Cabinets" to become Bay City Plywood & Cabinets.Hovnanian: Fort Myers is the worst housing market: What once was one of the best housing markets has turned into the worst.Colliers Arnold growing, makes moves: Clearwater-based real estate brokerage Colliers Arnold has hired 70 new people in the past year and is planning a move to bigger office digs.WCI Communities stock drops below $20: The stock of WCI Communities dropped 18% in the week ending June 26, generating endless speculation on message boards and blogs.Existing-

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • October 7, 2021
Ryan Boland, 39

Chief Business Officer, Mercola

  • Class of 2021
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • November 18, 2021
Boston startup relocates to Sarasota for growing tech scene

Veteran tech founder believes his latest startup will create a vigorous community of seekers and helpers. He recently brought on a not-so-secret weapon.

  • Technology
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