March 28, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/2/2015

Gas prices rise, historic streak ends

Florida's 120-day streak of falling gasoline prices has ended. The average price for gas statewide rose Sunday for the first time in four months, travel club AAA said. That's in line with last week's bump in the U.S. average price, snapping the longest streak of declines on record. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Orlando Business Journal and AAA.


Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida Business
How to know exactly what your customers want

Asking the right questions is without a doubt much more difficult than many would like to admit. And, that's as it should be. When great questions are asked, your company will get on track and prosper faster. More from Ron Stein.


Hotel rates reach new record; more guest fees to come

Small Business
A surge in entrepreneurial thinking

title
A decade ago, Andrea Angus and Hector Little probably would have had to undertake their venture, starting 1Apple Market, on their own. But they got significant help through a source that’s playing an increasing role in fostering and supporting entrepreneurs — the university they attended. This article chronicles Little and Angus' journey as small business owners.

» Access full story

If hotel rates seemed a bit more expensive last year, it wasn’t your imagination. The average U.S. hotel rate in 2014 was the highest ever — up 4.6% to $115 per night — and industry experts are predicting a 5.2% increase by the end of this year. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Venture capitalists predict strong a year ahead

In Florida, venture capital dollars doubled over 2013, thanks in large part to a $542 million mega-deal in Dania Beach-based Magic Leap, a secretive company developing augmented reality technology. Coming off such a phenomenal year, is the market overheated? More at the Miami Herald.


Small Business Advice
Solution to your business problems are right in front of you

Not only was Charles Kettering a great inventor, but he also had a wonderful approach to problem solving. He believed the answer to most problems rested within the problem itself, and finding a solution was just a matter of changing your perception of it. More from Jerry Osteryoung

Business Profile
Propane Ninja

propane ninja These are busy times for Propane Ninja. The two partners in the Bradenton-based company -- Mike Dodd and Peter Samuelson -- are covering their growing territory on Florida's West Coast, delivering, servicing and refueling the heaters that restaurants, resort, bars and other businesses use to warm their outdoor spaces.

» More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Structural technology keeps Skyway Bridge safe from mass destruction
Structural technology keeps Skyway Bridge safe from mass destruction

USF marine scientist Mark Luther, says dozens of concrete barriers protecting the bridge from collision is just the beginning of an ongoing effort to keep it safe.

 

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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