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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • January 23, 2024
Tampa startup turns invasive species into exotic leather fashion brand

Inversa is attacking a major underwater problem while also trying to grow a 10-employee company.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • December 8, 2023
Food truck-entertainment concept is off to a fast start

Fort Myers restaurateur Mathew Baum invested $5 million into a concept that links eating with entertainment and seeks to expand across the region.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Laura Lyon |
  • September 16, 2024
The secret to a long-running private clinical research firm? Lead with your gut.

Clinical Research of West Florida is acing every test in its business.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Anastasia Dawson |
  • October 9, 2025
Garrett Sheahan, 31

40 Under 40 winner Garrett Sheahan is senior counsel at Overseas Shipholding Group.

  • Class of 2025
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Janet Leiser |
  • October 9, 2025
Janessa Weiland, 39

40 Under 40 winner Janessa Weiland is COO and managing partner of Chapman Insurance Group.

  • Class of 2025
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jay Brady |
  • November 26, 2010
Moving Targets

Hillsborough County's proposed strategic plan for economic growth aims at a smaller group of targeted industries, but leaves regulatory issues for another day.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 24, 2017
Vacation Rentals vs. Home Rule

The explosion of the online vacation rental business has many year-round residents wondering how their cities can protect their neighborhoods and sense of community.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Kevin McQuaid |
  • August 26, 2016
Bounce back

Like many developers, Chris Deveso suffered through the recession last decade. But he also learned a valuable lesson about the value of timing and good customer service.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • August 12, 2024
Forget pickleball: Entrepreneur brings indoor padel to Sarasota-Manatee

The Pad Sarasota offers space to play padel, a racket sport that is growing worldwide in popularity.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 17, 2024
Softball bat maker plans to double workforce, add baseball bats

The owner of Pure Sports Technologies moves to Manatee County with his eye on the ball — baseball — as he expands his bat manufacturing business.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • October 30, 2023
Sarasota has a YMCA again, behind major nonprofit merger announcement

A no-quit group of volunteers and deep-pocketed donors, paired with some like-minded nonprofit executives, rejoice over the news Sarasota is no longer a city without a Y.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 15, 2025
'Reluctant Tampa celebrity' Blake Casper is all-in on the way to $100M

Turns out there's life — and a smorgasbord of opportunities — after selling a supersized portfolio of McDonald's restaurants. Blake Casper proves that through some shrewd and stylish choices.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 20, 2006
The Beall's Curve

For Beall's, low profile doesn't mean low results. Despite its quiet approach, the company's made some bold calls, such as eliminating outlet advertising and doubling the size of its department stores.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 16, 2007
Customer Repo

A Sarasota auto-related business hopes to plug up its quarterly and yearly losses by buying a competitor. Big potential brings big risks.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • October 7, 2005
Real Estate Briefs (Lee/Collier)

Starwood Capital Buys Assisted-Living FacilityBuilder plans homes over waterWisconsin developer buys riverfront land in Fort MyersLuxury homebuilder buys lots at Shadow Wood Preserve Buyer: Harbourside Custom Homes Inc.Minnesota developer plans Fort Myers condosLee Memorial Health System plans cancer center

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • July 22, 2005
Real Estate Briefs (Sara/Mana)

Albritton Fruit, Attorney Buy Longboat's Village PlazaNew owners buy Chevron, plan upscale carwashLee Wetherington Cos. buys property in ParrishSarasota Heart partners start sleep centerNewport Homes buys new officeManatee Fruit Co. buys golf course

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 1, 2005
Recipe for Growth

From 52 to 200 in three years, Rick Akam prepares the ingredients to grow the First Watch restaurant chain.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 30, 2008
Stabilized Success

All it took was two years - and a crafty $20 million risk - for Ken Sanborn to turn his company from a $5 million small business to a $150 million-plus juggernaut. Up next: Managing it.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • June 19, 2008
Looking Inland

Lehigh Acres is one of the areas of the Gulf Coast hardest hit by the real estate bust. So why is a group of investors betting a new bank will succeed there?

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Carl Cronan |
  • January 21, 2011
Still Signing

Insurance agencies that measure their history in decades are expanding services and doing whatever is necessary to stay in business. More competition among carriers would help.

  • Industries
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