• 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
    • Health Care
    • 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
    • Health Care
    • 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 |
  • August 26, 2016
Set sights

The developers of the Heights are armed with a keen sense of urgency for a project with decade-long timeline. Another key driver? Avoid debt.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • September 9, 2016
Open door

Bob Briesacher has spent three decades building the name of his garage door company. He's done it so well, competitors have become copycats of the brand.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • May 20, 2016
POWER BROKERS: Southwest Florida Winners

For 2015, 21 companies and 44 individuals in Southwest Florida were recognized on CoStar's Power Brokers list.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • February 19, 2016
A little love

Insula Cos. has a healthy portfolio of apartment acquisitions and renovations. But now it faces new challenges, mainly higher prices and more competition.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 18, 2016
Bright transition

A $200 million, 900-employee manufacturing firm handled its CEO succession with aplomb. Being methodical was key.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • May 29, 2015
White elephants

Vacant buildings can be challenges and opportunities, but creativity is key in finding the right match.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 20, 2015
Economic Forecast | Charlotte-Lee-Collier

This is a milestone of sorts for the Business Observer's annual economic forecast issue: It's the second year in a row that cautious optimism isn't the overriding theme of the day.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 20, 2015
Economic Forecast | Sarasota-Manatee

This is a milestone of sorts for the Business Observer's annual economic forecast issue: It's the second year in a row that cautious optimism isn't the overriding theme of the day.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 20, 2015
Economic Forecast | Tampa Bay

This is a milestone of sorts for the Business Observer's annual economic forecast issue: It's the second year in a row that cautious optimism isn't the overriding theme of the day.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 13, 2015
Tom's time

Tom Santilli guided his firm to the top of Entrepreneur Mountain, a climb that included surpassing $20 million in sales. Then he made the decision of a lifetime.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • February 13, 2015
Natural beauty

Alikay Naturals beauty products can be found in Target and Sally Beauty Supply stores. Entrepreneur Rochelle Graham built the business without outside investors or loans.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • April 17, 2015
Juicy profits

For savvy operators like Alico, the citrus business in Florida can provide rich rewards to investors. Returns have begun to flow.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • July 3, 2024
Broker gets creative to sell $295 million Naples compound

Dawn McKenna says selling trophy properties, like the Naples estate and the "Home Alone" house, is a happy mix of art and science.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 29, 2025
Tariffs provide timely opportunity for Palmetto tool manufacturer

Spectrum Custom Molds & Manufacturing has a new headquarters where it has invested in the latest technology at a time when businesses are turning to domestic operations.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Chuck Merlis |
  • July 17, 2025
Former Pinellas homeless couple now run $1.5M car detail firm

Starting, and now growing, a niche auto industry business has been a lifesaving enterprise for the Eberhardts.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • July 17, 2025
Insider: Elimination of solar tax credits will lead to job losses, price increases

Tampa Bay Solar owner Steve Rutherford of discusses the ramifications of changes included in the "Big Beautiful Bill."

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • July 28, 2023
Siesta Key vacation rental business launches national company

Heather Plampin founded a vacation rental management business out of near-broke desperation. Now, with attention to detail — and marketing — she’s targeting clients outside the region.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • July 19, 2024
Speak up or keep quiet: When politics and business intersect

Business owners are often taught to not speak about politics and political beliefs or risk tuning customers away. Some ignore the advice and advocate openly.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • August 29, 2022
Entrepreneur set on making a difference in housing industry

When Mark Vengroff's father asked him to take over managing One Stop Housing, he was reluctant. Now, there's nothing he'd rather be doing.

  • Leadership
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • January 15, 2026
Sarasota Station breaks ground, marking city’s first Live Local project

A Sarasota developer is building 202 apartments for workforce housing.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
« 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 »
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