Workers trade corporate careers for business ownership

They labored in corporate settings for decades, grinding away every day working for someone else. Some simply longed for a new challenge, while others faced layoffs or employment uncertainty. For many, moving away from a corporate setting meant tackling their own business. That can be scary, and stressful. But it also can be rewarding. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business
Don't sell, educate!

Content comes in many forms and presented in many ways. You’ll find it in emails, blogs, brochures, speeches, eBooks, articles, social media, and videos. And of course on your website. At its core, content marketing is a method for attracting, engaging, and getting new customers by using information as the hook. But, not just any type of information. Read Ron Stein's full column.

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Young entrepreneurs, old-school money propel new local tech-mentoring group

Business Profile Harnessing the ocean currents Bruno Andreis believes there are not many places better suited than Florida to test his vision for turning naturally occurring water currents into usable energy. So with that in mind, Andreis moved from Europe to Lakewood Ranch three years ago on a quest to build the first commercial turbine farm in the waters off the state's coast. » Full story from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Infused with cash from "establishment" sources, a grassroots group of local entrepreneurs recently launched Orlando's first tech-company "accelerator" — a business-advisory concept born in Silicon Valley that has spread across the country in recent years. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

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Small Business Advice
Business ideas are everywhere today

When people find out about the work I do helping small businesses, they often say there are just no more opportunities out there. When I hear this I try very hard not to laugh. This statement could not be further from the truth. There are a ton of opportunities out there. It is just a matter of finding a business that has potential. Read Jerry Osteryoung's full column.

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Wanted: a recovery for high-paying industries

The 2007-09 recession hit high-wage industries particularly hard in Miami-Dade: they accounted for 40 percent of the lost jobs, compared to 23 percent of the decline from low-wage industries. In Broward, the loss was roughly equal. But the recovery hasn’t been as broad-based. More at the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box The Hyper-Sub Reynolds Marion of Lake City, said he has always wanted to design and build a long-range speed boat that could easily and safely transition into a submersible vessel. “I wanted to be able to go where I wanted to go quickly, fast. And then when I wanted to dive, I wanted it to be no muss, no fuss,” he said. After a decade of raising money, designing, building and testing, Marion now has a functional model to show to investors. » Full story from the Gainesville Sun

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