Steven Benna | Archive | Business Observer

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By Steven Benna
August 12, 2016

Healthy growth

A Tampa company doubled revenues to more than $10 million with a nifty combination of organic and acquisition-based sales growth.

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By Steven Benna
August 5, 2016

Looking for unicorns

Pete Slade can tell if applicants are a good fit just by assessing their passion. He looks for the 'starving artist' trait.

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By Steven Benna
August 5, 2016

Corporate report

Former bank CFO moves to insurance; Pest control firm names Tampa leader; Online firm brings in new executive; Manufacturer appoints sales official

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By Steven Benna
July 22, 2016

Not blowing smoke

A Tampa-area company is in a major tussle over regulations, not only for itself, but for its entire industry. Can it win?

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By Steven Benna
July 15, 2016

Corporate report

Tech company appoints operating officer; College selects board members; Luxury builder hires area sales leader; Bank promotes senior vice president

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By Steven Benna
July 1, 2016

Corporate report

Car dealership adds 40 jobs; Former bank CFO moves to insurance; Pest control firm names Tampa leader; Manufacturer appoints sales official

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By Steven Benna
June 24, 2016

Back for more

Surgeons at BioSpine Institute take a minimally invasive approach with procedures. It's more difficult, but it has led to rapid growth.

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By Steven Benna
June 17, 2016

Hub for millionaires

A wealth management office for uber wealthy people is addressing the millennial issue — both for future clients and employees.

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By Steven Benna
June 17, 2016

Branch out

Florida will fuel the coming growth surge for Synovus Bank.

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By Steven Benna
June 17, 2016

Apathy fighter

Frank Maggio has taken an active role in the Sarasota area community. A run for office someday is possible.

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By Steven Benna
June 17, 2016

Credit union named finalist for six-figure prize; Community foundation elects board members; Construction firm selected for expansion project; Hospital expands cardiac rehab center; Virtual reality firm brings in executive; Tampa manufacturer hires CFO

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By Steven Benna
June 3, 2016

Flavor frenzy

Spend more to make more — sales and products — is an ongoing theme at a St. Petersburg ice cream making business. Growth has followed.

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By Steven Benna
June 3, 2016

Corporate report

Food chains hire real estate director; Governing board elects new members; Longtime Chamber leader resigns; Enzyme supplement firm taps new executive; Development sets monthly sales record; Hertz board forms tech committee

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By Steven Benna
June 3, 2016

A nook for everyone

A business focused on tiny homes stores big potential. After five years, its founders want to seize it.

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By Steven Benna
May 27, 2016

Front and center

The race for the best, hippest and most funky-cool office space in the region has a possible winner in a global hospitality company. Rock walls and swings are just the beginning.

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By Steven Benna
May 27, 2016

Corporate report

Raymond James fined $17 million; Hospital system adds executive position; New Tervis president continues family legacy; Nationally recognized homebuilder reports steady sales; Behavioral health nonprofit appoints CEO; Airport official wins industry honor

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By Steven Benna
May 23, 2016

Executive Q&A: Fight industry exec does grunt work, too

Tampa marketing executive Michael Weber combines instinct with technology.

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By Steven Benna
May 20, 2016

Corporate report

Tampa firm continues hiring surge; CEOs rank Florida among best states for business; Officials offer firm more than $1 million; Architecture firm adds trio; Former Tampa executive takes Naples post; Business leaders elected to Hall of Fame

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By Steven Benna
May 20, 2016

Aesthetic renovations

In the competitive world of plastic surgery, one doctor has a plan to surpass the field. It's a seven-figure effort.

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By Steven Benna
May 6, 2016

Corporate report

Sarasota company expands national presence; Senior living executive adds new role; Superior Uniform grows through acquisition; Minnesota business adds jobs; Real estate firm appoints executive

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By Steven Benna
May 6, 2016

Tap into it

HCI Group invested $25 million to launch a flood insurance business. It has bold ambitions.

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By Steven Benna
May 6, 2016

Make a splash

Waterscapes Pools & Spas gets a good chunk of its business through its affiliation with Neal Communities. Now it plans to exceed that.

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By Steven Benna
April 29, 2016

Corporate Report

Marketing firm acquires Web design business; Hotel developer reworks management team; Hospital board fills vacant seat; Dental group announces five affiliations; Executive named to national retail post; Economic development office launches program

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By Steven Benna
April 22, 2016

Corporate Report

Construction firm hires project manager; College names director of corporate sponsorships; Health platform grows customer base by 83%; Hedge funds increase investment; Kahwa Coffee to open 10th location; Insurance company expands to Georgia

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By Steven Benna
April 22, 2016

Growth on the go

Mobile Physician Services' doctors are on the go, working at patients' homes rather than hospitals. That's just one unique aspect of the business.

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By Steven Benna
April 22, 2016

Sea of opportunity

The idea for her company started during a scuba diving trip. Now Autumn Blum, with financial support far from the water, aims for a big splash.

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By Steven Benna
April 15, 2016

Executive Q&A: Barry Shevlin, CEO, Vology

"Cash is like oxygen," says the longtime business owner, one of many lessons he's learned.

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By Steven Benna
April 15, 2016

Corporate Report

Manufacturer adds 50 jobs; Company creates new product; Health platform selected by major hospital; Hospital names new board members; Hotel expansion project begins; Hertz invests in valet parking firm

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By Steven Benna
April 15, 2016

Falling margins

Low interest rates nationwide impacts banks of all sizes. For community banks, the impact goes directly to profitability.

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By Steven Benna
April 8, 2016

Corporate report

Beer business goes global; Homebuilder announces executive promotions; Insurance group appoints first woman to board; Wireless communications firm granted time; Modular home dealer builds sales; Wireless communications firm granted time

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By Steven Benna
April 8, 2016

Sharp Edges

It started in a garage in 1992. Now Key Glass is one of the largest independent glass contractors in the region, with expansion in the works.

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By Steven Benna
April 8, 2016

Enhanced success

James Makris sold his first company in 2005. Now he owns another fast-growth business.

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By Steven Benna
April 1, 2016

Corporate report

Hertz Equipment names chairman; Cell tower venture seeks $500 million; Connecticut company relocates to Sarasota; Firm expands, plans 35 jobs; Top executive switches roles

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By Steven Benna
April 1, 2016

Broker of youth

Success in commercial real estate traditionally only comes with experience. An innovative leader aims to disrupt that model.

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By Steven Benna
March 25, 2016

Corporate report

Nonprofit names full-time CEO; Chain partners with analytics company; Swimming organization lands leader; Wealth firm opens new office; Pest control giant expands

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By Steven Benna
March 18, 2016

Corporate report

Brewery expands, pours into Tampa; St. Pete firm receives $1.1M investment; Partnership adds board member; Naples duo forms legal practice; Daytime Cafe continues nationwide expansion

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By Steven Benna
March 18, 2016

Early enrollment

Persuading millennials to invest money in a financial adviser isn't easy. How will Lawrence Financial Planning do it?

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By Steven Benna
March 11, 2016

Will it so

Youngest partner. Downtown condo developer. Business owner. Good thing up-and-coming attorney Will Conroy loves to-do lists.

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By Steven Benna
March 4, 2016

Protect and serve

Finding customers in new markets, even with a proven product, can be a daunting task. Ed Dottery has no problem with daunting.

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By Steven Benna
March 4, 2016

Corporate report

India company buys firm for $460 million; Real estate brokerage names CEO; Window maker closes $100 million acquisition; Real estate society names president; IT firm recognized for service

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By Steven Benna
March 4, 2016

Quest for more

ReliaQuest is on track for employee growth of 150% in two years. How does it plan to manage that?

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By Steven Benna
February 26, 2016

Paid to play

Scott McNally and Nick Owens brought a new approach to the yacht brokerage industry with POP Yachts, their online-based boat and yacht brokerage.

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By Steven Benna
February 19, 2016

Corporate report

Water taxi service launches in Tampa; Engineers add senior project manager; Real estate firms join forces

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By Steven Benna
February 19, 2016

Chill out

Egg incubators, small refrigerators, whatever. Scott Baker says selling consumer products requires a different way of thinking.

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By Steven Benna
February 17, 2016

Executive Q&A: Kate Rossi, executive vice president, southeast region of NRT LLC

Kate Rossi, in real estate for more than three decades, shares her views on the industry, leadership and what keeps her up at night.

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By Steven Benna
February 12, 2016

Try them

Referrals from current employees are a great source for new people at Triad Retail Media. So, too, is a candidate's reading list.

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By Steven Benna
February 12, 2016

Mad for culture

Malorie Young emphasizes her tech company's strong culture when she recruits candidates.

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By Steven Benna
February 12, 2016

A long shot

Jobs at FairWarning are in high demand. But the selection process is rigorous.

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By Steven Benna
February 12, 2016

Corporate report

Harley dealer heads west for new store; Barbecue chain connects with baseball; Daytime cafe signs franchisee for 18 locations; Roofing company lands Tampa airport gig; Bank reports larger results; Waste collection firm names top executive

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By Steven Benna
February 5, 2016

Corporate report

Job recruitment firm names new GM; Bank expands into Tampa, names leadership team; County promotes building official; Architecture firm names new partners; Community management company hires regional VP

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