Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/29/2013

Florida workers become business owners with community help

Sheree Blum was a special education teacher in Palm Beach County before founding her artistic glass business, Kicking Glass by Sheree. Fort Lauderdale construction worker Bernard Jackson worked briefly in auto detailing and found he enjoyed the work. Both South Florida residents turned to the Small Business Development Centers in Palm Beach and Broward counties for help with their business plans to build a solid foundation for their companies. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Sales and Marketing Advice
Ron Stein answers questions about mistakes business make (video)

We asked business coach and Florida Trend columnist Ron Stein to answer this question: "What are the top marketing mistakes that new businesses make?" The questions and answers with Stein are the second of a three-part series. His written column will return soon. See the videos here.

Faster foreclosures bill clears House

Business Profile

Short journey to CEO for Joshua Morales

At age 24, Joshua Morales became the youngest person to obtain an ocean freight permit from the Federal Maritime Commission, a license he used to start his own shipping firm, Ocean Star International.

Morales now owns two transportation companies that are expected to generate more than $8 million by the end of this year.

» Full story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

A bill to speed up Florida’s groggy foreclosure was approved by the Florida House on Monday after a 87-26 vote. The third attempt at foreclosure reform in three years, HB 87 creates new options for expedited foreclosures and tightens up filing standards for banks. More at the Miami Herald.

Beekeeping: An unusual but profitable home business

If one doesn't mind the occasional stings, beekeeping as a home business could become a pleasurable and profitable enterprise. With the growing popularity of honey and declining bee populations, at least one won't get stung in the marketplace. More from the Lakeland Ledger.

Small Business Advice
An early start can make you more productive each day

There are many advantages of starting your day early that relate to productivity and health. One recent study showed that morning people are more apt to recognize problems and respond much more quickly than night owls. The ability to anticipate and resolve problems is critical to any business. More from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung.

Investment Trends
Conservative millennials avoid risky investments

This year the Dow finally broke through the 14,000 barrier for the first time since October 2008, but no thanks to the risk-averse millennials. The millennial generation, which ranges in age from 18 to 34, has been raised during the stock market crash and the Great Recession. No wonder two-thirds of them save the cash left over from their paychecks and 18% of them pay off debt, according to a study by market research firm Lab42.