Consumer confidence in Florida drops four points
Consumer confidence among Floridians sank four points this month, after jumping four points to 78 in May, according to a University of Florida survey. “In June Floridians reversed their optimism about their future finances,” said Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “The decline was across age and income groups and did not reflect a specific policy change.” In fact, there have been recent positive trends in Florida’s housing and job market, he added. Read more at UF News and see the study at BEBR.Business Profile
Ali Chokr had a simple mission on a fall day 34 years ago, not long after the Lebanese immigrant arrived in Sarasota from Detroit: Make a small profit selling silver trinkets at a Bradenton auction house. While there, the owner showed him a diamond ring -- an equally simple event that altered the course of his life. Today, at 60, Chokr is the patriarch of the family behind The Diamond Vault, which recently opened a new 7,000-square-foot store in Sarasota. » Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and visit The Diamond Vault |
Tropical Storm Debby could cause theme park closures
Tropical Storm Debby could put a damper on vacations for tourists enjoying Orlando's theme parks.
SeaWorld Orlando is open today after its parks — including Aquatica and Discovery Cove — closed early Monday because of severe storms.
Closing times could change again today, depending on the weather. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Source One: a one-stop shop for military
Mark Llano, a decorated Marine veteran, founded Source One Distributors in 2003 to supply equipment to the United States military, other government agencies and law enforcement.
[Source: Miami Herald]
Company offers computer lessons "for seniors, by seniors"
Claire Cox has two computers, but about a year ago, she didn't know how to use either.
Cox, 73, turned to an instructor at Senior CompuCare, a computer-learning company "for seniors, by seniors." The company, started by Didier Nicholas in Longwood in February 2010, enlists independent contractors to help clients 50 and older figure out how to use their computers and smartphones.
[Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Immokalee-based firm a leader in tomatoes
A Southwest Florida-based agribusiness completed a trio of acquisitions in the past six months in its quest to supply tomatoes to every corner of the nation. Immokalee-based Lipman Inc. already had staked a claim as North America’s largest field tomato grower, with about 30 locations throughout North America. But, it wasn’t content with that. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press]
See also:
» Lipman makes effort to improve its image
» Greenhouse Farming in the Sunshine State
Made in the Sunshine State What's sweet about Vplenish, a product invented on campus, is not the taste, but the health benefits, according to its founder, Steven Sponder, 49, of Boca Raton, and some student samplers. Vplenish is a liquid-dissolving vitamin boost, featuring a blend of C, B6, B12, and D, as well as zinc, antioxidants and electrolytes. It provides 20 percent of a person's recommended daily vitamins, said Spondor, who came up with the idea in 2008 after he was tired of taking large vitamin pills. » Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and visit the Vplenish site. |
