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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 15, 2008
Coffee Talk

Lee County housing is nation's worst: Look at things on the bright side. Wachovia Senior Economist Mark Vitner does, especially when it comes to the housing market in Lee County.Real estate market on two strikes: When national housing economist Jack McCabe brought his brand of blunt analysis to a group of high-end Sarasota and Bradenton Realtors recently, he settled on a baseball analogy for one of his best zingers. StarLite adding to its fleet: One of the Tampa Bay area's oldest tourist and leisure businesses, StarLite Cruises, is adding another vessel to its dinner and sightseeing fleet.Tech group forms in SW Florida: Southwest Florida isn't exactly a bastion for high-tech entrepreneurs. Techies who toil here often do so alone.A Franchise first for First Watch: Lakewood Ranch-based First Watch, one of the Gulf Coast's most popular breakfast-brunch-lunch restaurant chains, is officially opening its franchise doorConstruction executive leaves lasting legacy: John Cox has long been highly thought of in Gulf Coast development and construction circles for his projectsGulf Coast BUILDING

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • January 28, 2005
Sound the Charge

Sarasota's retooled First State Bank looks to use IPO proceeds to expand along the Gulf Coast.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 21, 2006
Coffee Talk

Naples college gets pumped up with donation: International College, a Naples-based college that focuses on career-oriented studies such as accounting and information technology for working adults, landed a multimillion-dollar gift from Lavern Norris Gaynor, an heiress to the Texaco oil fortune.Development lending up: The folks who pay off depositors at failed banks have issued their latest quarterly overview of the Florida economy, just in time for the Review's special banking issue.A good audit: During this time of year, the word audit is normally not a good thing. But for Sarasota County, a recent audit turned out OK. Bancshares of Florida reveals growth strategy: Naples-based Bancshares of Florida officials are mum about their planned secondary offering of stock, but its recent filing provides some revealing clues about the future of the company headed by CEO and President Michael L. McMullan HMA to bond market: You're OK: The corporate-bond market doesn't look so bad after all.Firm looks for strong premier: Premier Properties, the luxury real estate arm for Naples-based Lutgert Cos., confirmed April 12 what Coffee Talk reported on April 7: The company has hired away a top executive from Michael Saunders & Co. to lead its first expansion north to Sarasota.Company denies getting VC, yet: Coffee Talk thought we'd heard good news about Gemesis Corp., a Sarasota maker of synthetic diamonds, in the aftermath of a boffo presentatio

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • November 26, 2005
From Great to Good

2005 was called the Super Bowl of commercial real estate years. For 2006, brokers and developers are forecasting a more moderate pace but still robust by historical standards.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 11, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ Game, set . . .tennis exec watchedOne of the Gulf Coast's leading sports industry executives might be in line for a big promotion. + World bankeroptimistic about FloridaSheila Bair, chairwoman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. - also known as the world's second most powerful woman, according to the Aug. 27 issue of Forbes - hit Sarasota recently with a sobering message for Gulf Coast bankers: The worst is yet to come. + Builders burnedabout election resultsMichael Reitmann thinks Lee County is on its way to becoming more like Collier County after a trio of Republican incumbents won their Lee County Commission primaries on anti-growth platforms.+ The commissioneris coming to townThe buildup to Tampa's Super Bowl XLIII preparation will heat up a little more Oct. 13 when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell comes to town.+ Philosopher brokerleads Tampa officeLucas Hewett, the new managing director of the Tampa region for GVA Advantis, does not hold an MBA or accounting degree. Nor did he intern at a financial services firm in college.+ Lee leaders seekstimulus packageEconomic stimulus and rescue packages are all the rage these days.+ Gulf Coast Apple guruutilizes advantageHere's one way to beat the economic blues: Run a business that is devoted to all things Apple - the computer company that continues to outperform its peers in an industry-wide slump, thanks to hot sellers like the iPod and the i

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 4, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ The Grinch thatnearly stole FGCUPolitical correctness is still alive and well in academia. + Gulf Coast buildertakes on fedsIn the past 40 years, Charlotte County homebuilder Earl Snyder has survived three housing busts that brought down many of his construction brethren. + Gulf Coast buildertakes on fedsIn the past 40 years, Charlotte County homebuilder Earl Snyder has survived three housing busts that brought down many of his construction brethren.+ An international vacationand a cheap surgery?Rob Pariseau, chief executive of Tampa-based Benefits Solutions Group, told Coffee Talk about an emerging health care business trend: Medical tourism.+ Foreclosure feverabates in LeeMaybe lenders in Lee County running out of houses to foreclose on.+ Foreclosure feverabates in LeeMaybe lenders in Lee County running out of houses to foreclose on.+ Builders lobbying grouphires new leaderThe Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, an advocacy and lobbying group for developers, builders and construction firms, sees 2009 as a growth year - despite the fact that many members, both current and potential new ones, are desperately seeking ways to cut back on expenses. New banking twist:Roll out the proTampa-based HomeBanc will unveil two new branches in Tampa Monday, Dec. 8.+ Lee County'sland shopping spreeWho says there are no real estate buyers?+ Top-notch talentwary of move to Tampa

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 5, 2003
Innovation Nominees (Sara/Mana edition)

Companies nominated for the innovation awards such as Akuwa Solutions Group Inc. in Sarasota.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • July 18, 2008
Coffee Talk

+ Gulf Coast banksin the doghouseIt's been no fun being a publicly held bank company lately, especially on the Gulf Coast of Florida.+ Bottom-hitting talk lingers onTalk of hitting the proverbial bottom of the Gulf Coast's residential real estate market malaise has been percolating for months - but clearly the chatter hasn't led to any consensus.+ How to getbalanced in lifeA common refrain among ambitious business people - especially each class of the Review's 40 Under 40 - is that elusive quest for finding balance in their lives.+ New office productemerges more slowlyCrescent Resources has built some of the Gulf Coast's newest and most distinct Class A corporate office buildings, including three in Tampa's Westshore business district on Boy Scout Boulevard with tenants like OSI, parent of Outback Steakhouse.+ Tattle-Trailin the marketAnother company has emerged from the Star Center business incubator in Largo: Tattle-Trail LLC.Tattle-Trail has created a monitoring product about the size of a garage door opener that allows a driver to see the vehicle he's towing, in case there is a flat tire or mechanical problem behind him.+ Networking groupmixes blogging with eatingA networking group for small business owners and entrepreneurs in Sarasota has added a twist to the standard lunch meeting: Combining it with an online network.+ Special committeenot so special anymoreWhat's so special about the s

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Carl Cronan |
  • December 17, 2010
Stay Strong

After 40 years, Tom James gave up his CEO title at Raymond James, but not all of his responsibilities. He says the financial services firm has the capacity to grow twice as big as it is now.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Rod Thomson |
  • February 3, 2012
Scott Stays on Track

Despite surprising decisions to spend more money on education and Everglades restoration, Gov. Rick Scott is sticking to his principles of shrinking government and growing the economy.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • January 15, 2021
Accounting firm defies industry norms, grows rapidly

St. Petersburg tax and accounting firm Spoor Bunch Franz challenges industry norms, traditions and expectations. Its methods seem to be working.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • February 19, 2021
Personal care products firm delivers refreshing approach

Raw Sugar's careful growth strategy, including a heavy emphasis on brick-and-mortar in a world ruled by e-commerce, has proven to be fruitful.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 23, 2019
Top Entrepreneurs: Hardware store chain president adopts a Wynn-ing formula

How life affirming is the positive work culture fostered by president Michael Wynn at Sunshine Ace Hardware? One employee took it all the way to her grave.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 20, 2019
Small yet mighty: Two community banks outperforming many of their peers

Leaders at Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and First Citrus Bank discuss the strategies that have allowed them to not only survive, but thrive, in a post-recession era of industry consolidation.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 5, 2024
Life after lockup: Roofing CEO reflects on year in prison for PPP loan fraud

Casey Crowther is contrite yet driven as he continues rebuilding his life and roofing company after serving time in prison. "I get that this is on me, and it’s my job to show people who I am."

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 5, 2004
Case for Balanced Trade

The full text of this article is available free of charge.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 19, 2023
Software entrepreneur finds his footing after personal medical scare

Chris Abbott turned a dreadful few weeks into a new opportunity to get back to what he calls his "entrepreneurial roots."

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • August 6, 2023
Fort Myers Beach's future questioned as another hotel property sells

In the week's top commercial real estate news, a St. Pete luxury high rise nears $150 million in sales, a Naples storage facility sells, and the owner of a former Sarasota mall looks to rezone.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • August 21, 2023
Manatee County sustainable community garners national attention

Bradenton-based Pearl Homes was recognized as a LEED Power Builder for its work on a net-zero community in Cortez.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • August 11, 2023
Behind $20M investment, RV aficionado plans timely growth strategy

The Motorcoach Store will use the new space, which will include storage for high-end RVs and a concierge service, as its national headquarters.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
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