March 19, 2024

Retail & Sales

A Sweet Spot

Austin Gappelberg, a 22-year-old recent graduate of the University of Tampa, and his 20-year-old brother, Grant, took an early interest in entrepreneurship, beginning with small door-to-door jobs before they started first grade. The sons of entrepreneurial parents, the brothers worked at the family's chocolate shop in New York's Hamptons, and by the time they were teenagers they'd worked their way up to managing the shop in the summer. “Our dad always used to say, ‘You guys are amazing. Together, you're unbeatable,'” Austin says. Read more »
Published on 12/15/2023

Entrepreneurial Itch

When opportunity knocked, Sherrel Sampson opened the door, unlocking a new passion, career direction and business of her own. Read more »
Published on 12/13/2023

In Memoriam: Buffett the Businessman

The late Jimmy Buffett was one of pop music's most successful entrepreneurs, building an empire that included Margaritaville-branded merchandise, restaurants and resorts that date back to 1985, drink mixes and even the 2018 Broadway musical, Escape to Margaritaville. Read more »
Published on 11/17/2023

All Hands on Deck

Leon County officials, concerned over closings and delays of Amazon's national network of distribution centers, are now more optimistic that the e-commerce giant's $200-million Tallahassee fulfillment center is on track to open later this year. Read more »
Published on 7/27/2023

The Art of Play

Kevin Daniels and Jimi Dennison share a love of the “flow arts” — a mix of skills and creative expression. Think of juggling meets dance. In 2010, they founded Fun in Motion Toys to bring “movement-inspired” toys to the world. Read more »
Published on 7/25/2023

Florida's Future

We asked 13 experts in their respective fields to look into their crystal balls. Here are their thoughts on the decade ahead. Read more »
Published on 7/18/2023

Moore Odyssey

Roger Moore last year gave a thought to his legacy as the sale of the boat retailing business he co-founded moved toward completion. Read more »
Published on 5/31/2023

Jacksonville small-craft distillery among first in Florida to enter canned cocktail market

Manifest Distilling of Jacksonville is now selling a line of canned cocktails, making it among the first of Florida's small craft distilleries to do so. Read more »
Published on 12/30/2022

Ybor City's Gas Worx project plans to develop homes, retail and office space on former site of Peoples Gas

For the last several years, much of downtown Tampa's redevelopment focus has been on Water Street, the $3.5-billion, 70-acre mixed-use project from Strategic Property Partners, a partnership between Tampa's Jeff Vinik and Bill Gates' Cascade Investment. Read more »
Published on 11/23/2022

Billion-dollar brand U.S. Polo Assn. boosts sport's expansion from West Palm Beach

On a steamy summer morning in Palm Beach County, puffy white clouds float in from the Atlantic Ocean, set against a brilliant South Florida sky. They hover above newly manicured grass on a seemingly endless stretch of land — befitting the multi-billion-dollar global business that unfolds on this super-sized field of dreams. Read more »
Published on 10/3/2022

Smartphones push consumers to prefer unique, tailored products

Personalized wine lists. Tailored clothing options. Unique experiences just for you. Read more »
Published on 8/24/2022

Building designers create panels that resemble stone, brick or marble with a versatile lightweight concrete

INNOVATION Versatile Concrete In the last few years, Jacksonville-based prefabricated concrete company Gate Precast has experimented with a versatile lightweight architectural concrete layer. Designers can create concrete panels that resemble... Read more »
Published on 4/19/2022

Peter Warhurst is out to reinvent moving and storage again

Peter Warhurst reinvented moving and storage once. Now he's at it again. Read more »
Published on 4/8/2022

A UF research scientist built a think tank into the world's leading center for finding ways to stop retail crime

Read Hayes built a Gainesville think tank into the world's leading center for finding ways to stop retail theft. Read more »
Published on 4/8/2022

Tampa-based Fast introduces digital feature allowing consumers to buy directly from sellers

Sellers who use Fast's online and mobile platforms avoid logins or online shopping carts. Read more »
Published on 11/30/2021

CEO of AmeriKooler takes aim at 'Goliath'

Several years back, Gian Carlo Alonso decided he needed a competitive benchmark against which to judge progress... Read more »
Published on 11/30/2021

Fitnessmith moved from regional to national exercise equipment supplier during pandemic

In the pandemic, the 25-year-old supplier of exercise equipment and consulting services to the commercial gym, hotel, resort and multifamily markets, turned to the home market... Read more »
Published on 9/28/2021

Mike Maroone has been buying dealerships again

In December, the Maroone name reappeared in the auto marketplace in South Florida. Read more »
Published on 3/1/2021

Florida auto-industry leader Manuel Villamanan has died

Manuel “Manolo” Villamanan, who capped a four-decades long career in the auto-industry, died on October 12. He was 85 years old. Read more »
Published on 10/14/2020

Baldwin Mayor Sean Lynch fills in a grocery gap

One of a handful of city-run grocers in the country, Baldwin Market was conceived by Baldwin Mayor Sean Lynch after trying to attract a grocer to town for a year. Read more »
Published on 3/25/2020

Rappers help promote Miami snack company Rap Snacks

Rap Snacks uses rappers and other recording artists to promote its treats — often prominently featuring them on its packaging. Read more »
Published on 2/26/2020

West Palm Beach-based Grain & Barrel Spirits posted $4 million in sales last year

Matti Christian Anttila, 40, founded West Palm Beach-based Grain & Barrel Spirits in 2012... Read more »
Published on 1/27/2020

What happened to auto company Rivian?

Florida Trend discovered auto company Rivian in 2011. Read more »
Published on 8/26/2019

Terry Taylor is the nation's largest private owner of automotive dealerships

Terry Taylor doesn't care if you don't know him. He prefers it that way. Read more »
Published on 6/24/2019

Athletic shoes and the billion-dollar resell market

Juan Osorio was in the fifth grade in Jacksonville when he fell in love with a sneaker, the Nike Air Jordan 3... Read more »
Published on 4/26/2019

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