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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • August 19, 2021
The restaurant industry faces disruption in the current model with a new concept — ghost kitchens

The restaurant industry is facing a restructured model with the rise of ghost kitchens. A few spirited and ambitious restaurateurs are all-in on the concept.

  • Travel-Tourism
  • 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 Brian Hartz |
  • March 13, 2020
Food for thought: Restaurant industry leaders ponder their future

Ghost kitchens, automation and third-party delivery are among the many challenging developments Tampa Bay area restaurateurs are grappling with.

  • Travel-Tourism
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • July 5, 2019
Students get an early taste of business success

A student-operated benefit corporation that doubles as a business training program is giving teens a rare education opportunity. Some big business growth challenges are the next obstacle.

  • Leadership
  • 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 Grier Ferguson |
  • February 22, 2019
Family farm market grows into four-store operation with hundreds of employees, plans for more growth

Behind the success of Detwiler’s Farm Market? An intense focus on the customer.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • April 19, 2019
Bank shot: CEO returns to his roots with strategic acquisition

Katz Capital, a multifaceted Tampa, Florida, investment and finance holding company, has acquired Camp Grove State Bank, a tiny bank serving farmers in rural Illinois. CEO Brian Katz explains the thought process behind the purchase.

  • Finance
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • June 29, 2018
The right conditions for succession

Tim Dupre’s ascension to CEO of Conditioned Air frees Theo Etzel to pursue growth. For a company that averages 40 promotions from within per year, it's also validation of a core belief.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • July 20, 2018
Region's CRE markets show enduring momentum in 2018 first half

Despite rising interest rates and the prolonged growth cycle, Gulf Coast commercial real estate's deal velocity continued unabated in the first half of 2018, notching $1.16 billion for the region's Top 10 deals

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • 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 Brian Hartz |
  • December 12, 2025
Hoffmann Marine's top executive navigates $150M in deals

Hoffman Marine President Jenny Gezella navigates the acquisition-hungry business of boating through a high-energy, high-reliability approach.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • February 2, 2026
Leadership secrets revealed from a day at Disney's famed leadership institute

Lessons, in leadership and in life, abound at the Disney Institute. One example: It’s OK to be off task if you’re on purpose. Another one: What gets recognized gets repeated.

  • Leadership
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • June 19, 2006
Coffee Talk

Name change, 2.0: The DOS Computer Center is getting a name upgrade.Sparkling ethics: Most would agree that Gary Trippe is one of the most ethical people around, which is why few will begrudge him keeping a $10,000 diamond he won at an ethics-award banquet.Wealthy people have feelings: The majority of the wealthiest Americans - and Floridians - are pessimistic when it comes to the housing market (who isn't?) yet as a group, these big spenders are almost at record high-levels when it comes to being optimistic about the overall economy.Mercantile pays premium: Quincy, Ill.-based Mercantile Bancorp paid a healthy premium for Naples-based Royal Palm Bancorp of Naples-about three times book value.Really smart people: Sarasota-based New College is Florida's honors college, so by definition, the school has a lot of smart people walking around its leafy campus a few miles north of downtown Sarasota.Sailing delayed: Material delays and labor shortages have forced Bonita Springs-based Expoships to move up the inaugural sailing of its Grand Luxe ship from December 2006 to June 2007.Money in the bank: It's much too early to count the cash, but organizers of the not-yet-chartered Insignia Bank have reason to feel positive.Lead by doing: Surveys and polls from various outlets show the poor numbers when it comes to employee job satisfaction.Insurer to grow in Florida: At a time when insurance companies and brokers are figurin

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 20, 2004
Be Good to Your Employees

International speaker and employee motivator Barbara Glanz might sound corny at first. Then she cites statistics and the bottom line. CEOs are listening.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • 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 Adam Hughes |
  • April 8, 2005
Real Estate Briefs (Sara/Mana)

Sarasota businessmen to open resort in '06Sarasota dentists buy Aloha Mobile Home ParkThree investors buy Bradenton warehouseWaterford Cos. buys 20 acres for condosRape Crisis Centerexpands on MainSarasota investor buys land out eastKeenan Development Group prepares for new buildingPort Manatee Center lands first tenant

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • December 5, 2003
Biolife LLC (Innovation Awards)

A revolutionary product that instantly stops bleeding is just what the doctor ordered. It's only one of the innovative aspects of this Sarasota company.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 22, 2004
Punishment for the Poor

Minimum-wage laws and pro-union legislation do much more harm than good. They create poverty. Hereis why.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 5, 2021
Sought-after attorney takes on bigger leadership role at firm

Recently promoted to a firmwide management role, Jennie Compton doesn’t plan to give up what got her to the top: relentless preparation and a never-back-down attitude.

  • Law
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • October 22, 2020
Florida charter school leader targets expansion

Launching — and then managing — a charter school is a singular business challenge. Financial executive-turned-school choice leader Erika Donalds might be the perfect student for the task.

  • Education
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