• 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

Entrepreneurs

    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • February 23, 2023
Nonprofit sets up fishing charters for disadvantaged kids

Chasten Whitfield was just 16 when she began these fishing charters. Now she hopes to make it a full-time job.

  • Entrepreneurs
  • By Jim Stinson
  • February 14, 2023
Syrup company goes from $5,000 loan to $60M in sales

Jordan Engelhardt keeps finding her way around and through obstacles. In the process she’s built a small syrup empire.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 8, 2023
Statewide pool service firm makes splash with Naples acquisition

Naples Pool Service was founded in 1969.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 1, 2023
Entrepreneurs target $2M+ home services market with new firm

Franchised-focused founders seek to fill what they believe is a big gap in the luxury home services market. White gloves optional.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • January 30, 2023
NY billionaire talks about his St. Pete tower on visit

John Catsimatidis Sr. filmed a commercial and gave an update on his 46-story tower under construction in downtown St. Petersburg.

  • Commercial Real Estate
    By
  • Brian Hartz
  • January 23, 2023
Clearwater logistics company launches franchising program

Red Rover Moving and Storage, developed by PODS Founder Pete Warhurst, aims to add 20 franchise locations in 2023.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Brian Hartz
  • January 19, 2023
Ex-attorney successfully ventures into winemaking

A happenstance discovery of historical documents led attorney Desiree Noisette to quit her job and go full on into a new career: winemaking. The high-risk move is paying off.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • December 29, 2022
Flame burns bright for company that handles cannabis finances

A Southwest Florida cannabis financial services firm, riding industry boom, is preparing for a big year.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • December 27, 2022
Chicken salad franchise owners fly through first three locations

Despite construction delays, finding team members to fill spots has been relatively easy, allowing the new Chicken Salad Chick locations to open quickly.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • December 16, 2022
Chef returns home to Tampa with modern Chinese concept

Richard Hales promised his mother he'd return to Tampa to open his own restaurant. Just 25 years later, he's finally fulfilled that promise.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 13, 2022
Tampa independent book publisher sees big opportunities in industry

Vid Lamonte Buggs pumps life into an industry some think is on the brink: printed book publishing.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 12, 2022
Entrepreneur raises $1.2M, creates unique outsourcing salesforce

A veteran executive ditches the corporate world with a new idea to build a high-level salesforce. He’s off to a fast start.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Amanda Postma
  • December 2, 2022
Nautical chart art shop makes big waves in retail sector

Online retailer Sea & Soul Nautical Chart Art is featured in 70 shops nationwide.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 2, 2022
Early risers: Teen startups delivered key lessons for today's leaders

A trio of business leaders recall what stands out from their first companies.

  • Strategies
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • December 2, 2022
Bucs linebacker lines up success off the field with tech startup

Carl Nassib has big hopes for Rayze, a social media and nonprofit matching app.

  • Entrepreneurs
« 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 »
The best of Business Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

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

Sign Up

Latest News

1
  • December 16, 2025
Report: Tampa No. 2 retail real estate market nationwide
2
  • December 16, 2025
Longboat Key to get first-ever Goodwill store
3
  • December 16, 2025
$74M Naples botanical garden names interim CEO
4
  • December 16, 2025
Sarasota County buys 3.59-acre Venice waterfront property
5
  • December 16, 2025
Naples senior center founder, prominent social services advocate dies at 75

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 © 2025 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