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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 30, 2007
The anchor holds

A boat repairman mortgages his home to pay the patent costs on an anchor designed to replace the same old style that has been around for centuries. Hunter Anchors might be coming to a store near you soon.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 13, 2007
Connection Maker

One dean says the University of South Florida, with its 40,000 students, is a rising star, as is its business school. It's time to shine the light.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 20, 2007
Clean Technology

Taking an old-tech company high-tech has meant huge savings and a competitive advantage for Platinum Total Fabricare.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 21, 2007
Fire up the Pit

A father-and-son team plans to grow the Rib City Grill barbecue chain to 100 restaurants in five years. They promise franchisees tasty profits.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • May 25, 2007
Corporate Report

Pegasus Imaging says Intel misappropriated nameInvestment group buys majority of Marco bankRedVector.com Inc. acquires Care2Learn.comHooters drops trans-fat for low-fat, cholesterol-free oilGulfstream Natural Gas gauges needs for expansionAg-Mart threatens Palm Beach Post with suitWellCare Health Plans adds to Medicare oversight programs

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • June 1, 2007
Quiet Success

SARASOTA/MANATEE: STEVE HERRIGMany who know him say Steve Herrig lives to give. It helps that his businesses have been wildly successful, providing lots of opportunities.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • February 29, 2008
Downtown Saga

One developer's saga in downtown Fort Myers shows the perils of urban redevelopment. It's a warning to other entrepreneurs who have grand plans for urban living.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • June 19, 2006
'A Slow Climb'

Two decades ago, spec home builder Don Hughes was $60,000 in debt. Still, he kept on going, and spending. Now he takes in $1 million in revenue when he sells a $5 million home.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • August 11, 2006
'Like a Pitbull'

Alexandra Miller was cut out of running the family business just as the company was nearing $20 million in annual revenues. She didn't sit on the sidelines for long.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 9, 2005
The Persystent Fixer

Persystent Technology's Ray Weadock believes he has software that will transform the computer world. It fixes your PC every time you boot up. Techies beware.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 9, 2005
Laser Sharp

CEO Dean Akers focused Ideal Image Development on one niche - laser hair removal - and the whole customer experience. The results: explosive growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 7, 2006
Coffee Talk

Game on: It looks like Naples-based luxury developer Lutgert Cos. is going to enter the Sarasota real estate market with a big hitter.Times change: At least one Sarasota-area developer has gone past the condo market slump phase and headed straight for the total bust phase.Miva top executives leaving, but not empty-handed: Craig Pisaris-Henderson, 36, resigned from his post as chairman and chief executive officer of Fort Myers-based Internet company Miva April 4.Watching the construction pump: It seems builders have been watching material suppliers as much as most drivers watch the gas pump.Goodbye retirement: After more than 35 years in the Tampa Bay area real estate market, Jim Shapiro was ready to retire, or at least that's what he thought.Loan funds to get tighter?: Pinellas Park bank analyst Richard X. Bove is reading behind the headlines again.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 17, 2006
Walsh: Housing schemes will make the shortage worse

It's like the March of the Penguins.Throughout Florida, in county after county, city after city, elected representatives are marching one behind the other into the frozen idea that new laws mandating and coercing developers to build "affordable" houses will relieve the state's housing shortage in any meaningful way.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 28, 2006
'A Giant Within'

A college dropout strikes it rich in a real estate niche. After seven years, he and his business partner now want to try something new.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • October 28, 2005
Winner: MadahCom Inc.

How do you convince someone you can solve their problem if they don't believe the problem exists? In its early years, MadahCom Inc., a Sarasota-based provider of public warning systems for homeland security, was faced with this very challenge - trying to convince the public that there was a need for its product.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • November 26, 2005
DREAMTIME Hits Big Time

Former TV reporter John Biffar started his film production company by borrowing equipment from his employer. Now he's shooting for the History Channel and National Geographic.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • December 5, 2005
Fixer

Persystent Technology's Ray Weadock believes he has software that will transform the computer world. It fixes your PC every time you boot up. Techies beware.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • July 14, 2008
Walsh Review and Comment

Tax-swap amendment will fuel the economy

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • September 11, 2008
Help Desk Help

Tampa's Numara Software made products to help IT professionals run their help desks, kept improving those products and has reaped the benefits.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • April 18, 2008
'A Horror Show'

An Ohio business owner nearly jumped at the chance to move most of his $15 million company to the Gulf Coast. Now he'd jump for just about anything else.

  • Entrepreneurs
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