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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • January 18, 2019
Sound and fury: Entrepreneur finds innovative ways to fend off attacks

Matt Heller's Zephyrhills, Florida-based company, HornBlasters Inc., which makes high-powered air horns for cars and trucks, has been on the receiving end of lawsuits, threats from cut-rate competitors and social media backlash for years.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • April 15, 2024
Colorado's move to recreational marijuana stinks

Will Florida go to pot? Floridians likely will vote to legalize pot. Arguments on each side are persuasive.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • September 5, 2024
SWFL restaurant week turns into bustling month of revenue gains

Sizzle Dining has grown from a small event to a September celebration — a big impact on the Southwest Florida restaurant industry and one of the largest restaurant week events in the region.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • February 13, 2023
Homebuilders set to capitalize on shifting demographics

Stubbornly high housing costs are pushing homebuyers out of the core Tampa Bay counties, but residential developers are ready for the surge.

  • Construction-Development
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • July 7, 2022
Crowning achievement: Royal Pets levels up as it takes on big rivals

With a new flagship store in a prime location in Tampa, the pet market, hotel and veterinary clinic isn’t flying under the radar anymore.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • July 27, 2007
Coffee Talk

Raymond James quarterly a surprise: If you're hearing cheers inside St. Petersburg brokerage Raymond James Financial Inc. it's because fiscal third-quarter profit rose 20%, helped by a big increase in revenue at its banking unit.WCI Communities stock loses altitude: WCI Communities, the Bonita Springs-based homebuilder that's for sale, saw its stock drop 22% in the five trading days ending July 24 to nearly $12 per share.Creative Loafing not on the fringe anymore: Move over, sexed-up personals ads. Creative Loafing, Tampa's hip, urban alternative weekly, is becoming corporate, in its own way.Lee County considers raising taxes...again: When revenues are down, at least one county has a solution: Raise taxes, and then raise taxes some more.What housing slump? Not in Tampa: The online edition of Forbes magazine says the Tampa Bay area is the No. 1 area in the country to buy a house.Perlman opens NYC home for charity: Music lovers take note: World-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman is opening up his New York City home for an intimate concert Oct. 30, with the proceeds going to support the Sarasota-based Van Wezel Foundation and the musician's popular winter residency program.Sembler Co. plans ambitious project: Sembler Co., the St. Petersburg retail developer known for BayWalk in St. Petersburg and Centro Ybor in Ybor City, is planning its biggest development to date. But it's not in Florida.Southwest singles out Fort Myers: Sou

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 10, 2007
Perfect Timing

Starting a homebuilding company in one of the worst housing downturns may appear foolhardy. But don't bet against Jamie Pirello. He's made a fortune timing the housing market right.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 1, 2006
The Daily Grind

John Cauthen found a niche and way to meet it: the ground-up remains of the melaleuca tree.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 15, 2006
Wake-Up Call

As Kathleen Shanahan transforms an environmental remediation company into a market leader, the CEO is on the hunt for acquisitions - backed by one of the nation's largest equity firms.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 13, 2006
How Low will it Go?

Bonita Bay Group Chairman David Lucas says homebuilders and developers should be prepared to weather a downturn that could last two years.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 5, 2007
Staying on track

America's First Home keeps costs under control while staying nimble enough to shift with thechanging market. It's paid off.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 26, 2007
Something to Believe In

An entrepreneur who disdains risk has still managed to grow his business - in revenues, employees and product lines. It starts with faith-based principles.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 16, 2007
'We're onto something Big'

EpicTide is at the forefront of a national push to protect patient medical records from thieves. Health care fraud cost an estimated $80 billion to $120 billion annually.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 14, 2007
Out of a Pinch

Tony Phelan was a successful restaurateur in Texas when the oil bust shattered his life. But he rebuilt a stronger chain in Southwest Florida.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 13, 2007
Formidable fence

A $36 million statewide fence company, already one of the largest of its kind in the Southeast, hopes to expand even more. Its catalyst for growth is through bonds traditionally used by government agencies.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 5, 2007
Corporate Report

Bank of Florida unveils Silverlake system Radiation Therapy Services acquires Greenville centerNew majority owner for Advanced Bio-TechnologiesVäxa International adds new presidentQRS Music Technologies selling SMK piano productsLutz's Prizm Group merges with Berryhill & Associates

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • January 26, 2008
London calling

Luxury homebuilder Mark Wilson has always taken a contrarian's approach to what is traditionally a copycat business. Now, his company, London Bay Homes, is considering building condos. Don't bet against him.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 29, 2008
Corporate Report

PGT, ASI create joint ventureArmorit distributes zero-emission vehiclesEyeglass-maker Neostyleputs distribution to BradentonGeneral Dynamics Ordnance wins $109 million in contractsOdyssey Marine boat upgrades new Zeus

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • September 9, 2005
Burned Square

When the Sarasota City Commission votes Sept. 6 to adopt the rezoning of downtown Sarasota, theseproperties owners will see 50% of their property values disappear in an instant. A lesson in New Urbanism.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • January 28, 2006
Corporate Report

Look at briefs from Gulf Coast businesses for free.

  • Industries
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