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Results for:

  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Anastasia Dawson |
  • August 21, 2025
Despite closures, some community orchestras in region find ways to thrive

Musicians throughout Southwest Florida have had to take their final bow in recent months as their community orchestras ceased operations. But others are playing a different tune.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 19, 2024
Resilient bar owner celebrates 25 years of success — and grit

Two-plus decades running bars and nightclubs have taught Joanna Olsen a lot about resilience and persistence. “Never quit," she says. "Just get back in there and conquer."

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 19, 2024
31-story Tampa high-rise aims to connect cultural, social institutions

Developers of the just-completed AER building see the property as a hub to the creative and lifestyle features urban dwellers seek.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • September 24, 2024
Fort Myers Beach mayor says change is inevitable but balance possible

Hurricane Ian was devastating, but Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers has also seen the town's resilience, remaining true to the island's spirit.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • November 30, 2025
Lee nonprofit breaks ground on $50M food bank that will double capacity

In the week's top commercial real estate news, a Best Buy warehouse is acquired, construction begins on a $50 million food bank facility, and a developer sells homesites in northeast Hillsborough County.

  • Florida
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • September 17, 2025
Tampa universities name sports leaders amid national disruption

University of South Florida and University of Tampa have confidence Rob Higgins and E.J. Brophy, respectively, will stack up the wins — even amid the uncertainty of big-money college athletics.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Amanda Postma |
  • August 30, 2022
Airport executives race to keep up with post-pandemic travel demand

Amid construction at RSW and SRQ, execs navigate rising material costs and a shortage of workers in expectation of handling the rush of passengers better.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Louis Llovio |
  • August 28, 2025
Immigration program provides $47M toward Bradenton apartments

EB-5 has been targeted by the Trump administration. But for now, the sometimes-complicated federal foreign investor program is helping to fund an apartment community being built on the site of DeSoto Square Mall.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • December 26, 2025
Charlotte County resort aims for 'sweet spot' after $200M sale

Sunseeker Resort plans to expand its meeting space, events-driven programming and culinary offerings to boost business in 2026.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • October 26, 2007
Two for Three

A former ER doctor turned entrepreneur strives to be really great at two parts of his medical imaging business while still being decent at the third. The formula is working.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • November 29, 2007
Survival Time

The homebuilding industry continues to suffer and struggle. In the Sarasota-Manatee area, a big company swallows its contingency plan, while a small one figures out how to grow.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Business Observer Staff |
  • March 19, 2004
It's Not About Talent

The founder of Chuck E. Cheese says entrepreneurs are successful not because of high IQs. It's all about passion and drive.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 7, 2006
'I Love Fear'

Pam Kauten has succeeded selling uniforms, radio ads and cosmetics by balancing the line of aggressive and friendly. Her latest venture is online job ads.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Adam Hughes |
  • April 8, 2005
Southern Discomfort

A Tampa bank works to get back in the good graces of regulators.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • June 4, 2009
Leftover Success

The chief executive of a $2.1 billon company has some blunt words for Gulf Coast retailers navigating the recession: Despite the temptation, don't discount. 'That's where people ruin brands,' Rick Goings says.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Jean Gruss |
  • March 4, 2010
TXT MSG 4 $

Interop Technologies executives didn't expect text messaging to grow as fast as it has. When it did, they rebuilt the business and landed big cell-phone customers like Metro PCS and Cox Communications. Now they're launching a $30 million expansion into Latin America.

  • News
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Carl Cronan |
  • August 27, 2010
Intelligent Growth

Celestar Corp., a low-profile defense contractor in Tampa, doesn't have to operate in the shadows to perform its best work.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • August 20, 2020
Accidental entrepreneurs chase $50 million threshold

The company Lauren Weiner and Donna Huneycutt founded more than 15 years ago continues to outperform both expectations and competitors — and push its founders to overcome more obstacles.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Beth Luberecki |
  • September 23, 2016
Like a rock

Demand has risen swiftly at a Gulf Coast paving and concrete firm. Seven newly hired superintendents lead the cavalry to handle the workload.

  • Industries
  • For Subscribers Only
  • By Michael Hinman |
  • June 19, 2015
Extending credit

Achieva's acquisition of Calusa Bank is rare for a credit union. It could help bridge two rival financial industries.

  • Finance
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