• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • News
  • Strategies
  • Entrepreneurs
  • M&A
  • Leadership
  • Regions
    • Regions
    • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    • Manatee-Sarasota
    • Charlotte-Lee-Collier
    • Florida
  • Industries
    • Industries
    • Business Support
    • Commercial Real Estate
    • Residential Real Estate
    • Development
    • Finance
    • Food-Beverage
    • Health Care
    • Manufacturing
    • Retail
    • Sports–Entertainment
    • Technology
    • Travel-Tourism
  • Insights
  • More
    • More
    • Advice
    • Transactions
    • 40 Under 40
    • Big Book of Business
    • Subscribe
    • Opinion
    • Executive Diversions
    • Change-Makers
    • Reprints
  • Newsletters
  • Podcast
  • Public Notices
  • 40 Under 40 Nomination
  • Mobile App
  • Subscribe
  • Login

Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 20, 2010
A New Hope

Gary Johnson proved that a successful businessman — indeed, a capitalist — can be elected governor of a state that leans blue. He recently brought his libertarian-leaning views to the Gulf Coast.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 20, 2010
Sweet Dreams

The Gulf Coast hotel industry has been hit from all sides lately. But one entrepreneur has bet big — $25 million big — on his visionary property.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Carl Cronan |
  • March 11, 2011
Building Tradition

Tampa-based contractor J.O. DeLotto and Sons tries to maintain old-fashioned values along with a strong book of business. It isn't the biggest, yet that hasn't stopped it from going after big-time projects.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 22, 2012
Carpet Ride

Rufus Ashby scrambled to survive the recession. He made tough moves, including a major downsizing of his flooring and carpet business. Now, armed with a new financial backer, he finally sees better days.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Denise Kalette |
  • December 6, 2012
Ready for Takeoff

Steven Santo ordered his planes to stand-down. The cost was high, but not doing it might have been costlier.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • November 18, 2021
New season: Work begins on beloved resort

After several months of delays, a massive redevelopment of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is underway.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • November 1, 2018
A letter to no-party affiliated voters: You have the power

ur preference on the role of government would be one that serves as a referee in disputes among its citizens and to protect its citizens from others from inflicting physical force.

  • Opinion
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Grier Ferguson |
  • June 8, 2018
Membership-based group overcomes industry obstacles

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, serving businesses in Manatee County and Sarasota County, has maintained a focus on what its members want, leading to steady growth.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 1, 2017
Wade In

In the past six months, a $150 million roofing company has moved into a new corporate headquarters and named a new CEO. Up next: managing rapid expansion.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 6, 2016
Beacon of light

Insurance, for many companies, has become a commodity. Bill Taulbee and his colleagues are out to change that narrative.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 7, 2015
Rock it

A determined scientist aims to find success in a new role. He won't let a company history littered with scandal deter him.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • October 2, 2015
Sticky fingers

The industry that bonds Intertape Polymer Group together has been in decline. Yet Intertape, the second-largest tape producer in North America, forges ahead.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • October 2, 2015
Market dominance

Few firms dominate their regions like Henderson Franklin does in Southwest Florida. Russell Schropp intends to keep it that way as he takes over as managing partner.

  • Law
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Michael Hinman |
  • April 3, 2015
A slow burn

MagneGas Corp. sees itself as a future technology giant. But first it has to find a profitable application for its clean-burning fuel.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • April 10, 2025
St. Armands Circle buzzes as hurricane recovery continues

The head of the St. Armands Circle Association and merchants discuss the state of St. Armands Circle in April — as the 2025 hurricane season looms.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 2, 2025
Fast-casual franchisee grows to four SoFresh stores in region

"I like the challenge," says entrepreneur William Wolf, who started out as a professional gamer and recently turned around an underperforming restaurant in a matter of months. One lesson? Put customer service first.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • March 14, 2025
Pro athletes to open acai and coffee shop in Sarasota

Raining Berries will soon open a location in downtown Sarasota, with two famous athletes operating it as franchisees.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Alex Walsh |
  • October 12, 2023
Jamie Caruso, 34

A salon founder brings NYC-area luxury service to Southwest Florida.

  • Class of 2023
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Brian Hartz |
  • December 11, 2020
Lure of fishing in the pandemic has retailers working overtime

From fancy boats to basic rod-and-reel combos, a pandemic-driven spike in interest in fishing has boosted the industry.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 21, 2025
Top 50 contractors from Polk to Collier County surpass $9B in annual revenue

The Business Observer's list of the largest contractors in the business.

  • Florida
« 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 731 732 733 »
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest business and commercial real estate news from Tampa Bay to Naples.

Sign Up

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-362-4848

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Podcast
  • Big Book of Business

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Distribution Points
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Your Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
×
3 Articles Remaining!
Not a Subscriber?

Click here to Subscribe

Already a Subscriber?

Click here to Login

Sign Up for Daily Brief

Start your day with the top Gulf Coast business news you need to succeed.

Sign Up for CRE Central

Stay updated with a weekly roundup of big deals, market shifts and the people shaping commercial real estate from Tampa Bay to Naples.


Smart People Subscribe.

Turn headlines into game plans. The playbook’s right here.
Subscribe to the Business Observer today.

Subscribe Now