Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/29/2018

Businesses are reaping the benefits of the Florida Panhandle

As the third-largest state in the US, with a population of more than 20 million, Florida offers a wealth of diverse opportunities for businesses to develop. However, it is one of the lesser known parts of the state that boasts the greatest potential for growth over the next five years: the Florida Panhandle. More from European CEO.

Sales and Marketing Advice
How to help entrepreneurs rapidly bridge the gap between vision and growth

Innovation is a hot topic. From groundbreaking technologies to the innovative ways companies tackle the market, we just can’t seem to get enough. To help this along, business incubators and accelerators are popping up everywhere. More from Ron Stein.

Virginia-based CarLotz opens first store in Florida

CarLotz, a Virginia-based used car company, opened its Tampa location today — its first in the state. The company will hire between 15 and 20 employees for sales, reconditioning and administration. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Professional charter jet pilots bring experience to startup drone business

Two Sarasota men have jumped into the world of commercial drones, knowing that federal regulations still stand between them and many job opportunities. But Chad Cox and C.J. Carlock, the co-founders of 4C Drone Solutions LLC, aren’t your typical hobbyists with dreams of making a living with the radio-controlled helicopters. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

South Florida faces a costly sewage problem

There's nothing exciting or innovative about sewers, but with hundreds of people moving to South Florida every day and thousands more visiting, not taking care of our sewers threatens our environment and our pocketbook. More from WLRN.

Out of the Box
What's in a Name?

A Key West cafe’s name has become a federal case of Sandy’s vs. Sandy’s. But it’s not a divorce, rather a trademark case between the man who has leased and run the business since 1994 and the man whose father started a popular Key West Cuban cafe in 1984.

» More from the Miami Herald.

Around the State
Growing Problem

Miami ranks tops nationwide for startups but near the bottom for scaling up new businesses, according to a study by the Kauffman Foundation. Why the discrepancy? Growing a business requires different skills and assets than starting one, says Jason Wiens, the foundation’s policy director. “Entrepreneurship is not a monolithic thing.”