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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • December 28, 2018
Smitten startup aims to seize the right growth opportunities

Pip & Grow, a cause-based, for-profit company that makes and sells a bassinet designed to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome,

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • January 26, 2018
Preparing to Launch

Feldman Equities says the concept for its 52-story tower in Tampa will be like 'a sailboat moving down the river.'

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Traci McMillan Beach |
  • April 18, 2014
Communications Test

SmartSAT owner Heidi Akers wears multiple hats, including COO and CFO. But her definition of success isn't how much money the company makes.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 27, 2024
Anna Maria Oyster Bar founder to slow down, names next CEO

Restaurateur John Horne found a succession plan in the office next door to his, with up-and-coming executive Eleni Sokos.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Heater |
  • October 24, 2024
AI captures history as virtual biographer in new venture

One Manatee County entrepreneur finds the solution to help people capture life stories without costly ghost writers: AI.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 15, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Island Development buys Venetian Towers landCenterco Properties buys Naples GoodyearTruck & Van Works relocates north on MetroHubbard brothers bowling for landSarasota area hotelierbuys U.S. 41 vacant lotSarasota developers plan Alta Mer IIDevelopers Diversified sells Bloomingdale HillNew York company buys Colony CrossingsTA Associates acquires Grand Regency Center

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • July 1, 2020
Boat, RV dealers ride sales surge

Travel trepidation, coupled with shutdown of schools, camps and sports, has area boat and RV dealers riding high. Supply issues could crush the wave.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 9, 2021
Waste not, want not

Shawn Handrahan’s journey to running a Tampa apartment concierge services firm ValetLiving was anything but linear.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 23, 2021
Meet the new guy

Homes by WestBay, homebuilder with a small-but-mighty mindset, woos an executive from one the biggest competitors in the field.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 11, 2008
Commercial Real Estate Briefs

Latt Maxcy acquires Palmer CrossingsSarasota Restaurant Equipment buys warehouseRingling College of Art plans for growthNew York company buys Jamaica Bay PlazaCharlotte Countybuys 212 acres of preserveFP&L invests in future substationsExeter Property Group buys Verizon warehousePegasus Imaging renovating M.L.K. officePrologis buys building, develops Prologis Park Madison

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • 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 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 |
  • 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 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 Matt Walsh |
  • May 5, 2011
Scott Scorecard

How effectively did Gov. Rick Scott implement his agenda in his first legislative session? Editor Matt Walsh grades the governor.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • September 28, 2018
Table top: Entrepreneur revs up his operation to deal with unexpected success

Tony Utegaard and the unique products made by his Safety Harbor, Florida-based company, Car Pool Tables Inc., are about to be introduced to a whole new market thanks to Costco.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • February 20, 2025
Manatee entrepreneur uses social media to build crafty business following

Papercrafting company Pink and Main fills a niche that big-box retailers cannot, according to owner Michelle Currie.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Anastasia Dawson |
  • September 12, 2025
Tampa physician invests in AI-powered preventive medicine app

Dr. Lyda Lindell, wife of Tampa real estate investor Carl Lindell, is pioneering new technologies in longevity medicine

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • November 14, 2025
SWFL media exec pursues long-shelved dream: Running for Congress

The president of Fort Myers-based radio and television station company Sun Broadcasting is vying for Florida's 19th district seat to serve the community and fulfill a lifetime goal.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
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