This is my last column as publisher of Florida Trend, so you won’t get to read about my exercise regimen any longer. But I’ll remain as president of the company, and I’ll stay as involved as possible.
I’ve enjoyed every moment of my 10 years as publisher. Besides operating the magazine, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many interesting executives and serve on many statewide boards.
I’ll miss working so closely with a great, multi-talented staff that has made every day enjoyable. I’ve appreciated the camaraderie.
Three years ago, a younger guy named David Denor joined Florida Trend via the Midwest (most notably Milwaukee and Chicago). Prior to joining our ranks, David spent 15 years with Crain’s Chicago Business, where he was in charge of the media company’s revenue.
David will take my place as publisher of Florida Trend. He has proven himself adept on the business side, helping to grow not only our magazine’s offerings but our digital products as well.
For example, we now produce not only the Daily Pulse, which every day wraps up statewide business news, but also four weekly e-newsletters on real estate, education, health care and movers & influencers. Others are being planned. And they’re all free. Sign up at FloridaTrend.com.
Florida Trend has been around for more than 60 years — no small accomplishment in the magazine business. And with your loyalty, I’m confident the magazine will be around another 60 years. Please give David your full support. I know he will appreciate it.
Cancer is a scourge. While one-third of common cancers are due to lifestyle choices, two-thirds are not. That means that the disease could strike any of us at any time — a very scary thought.
We are blessed to have great hospitals (Moffitt, for example), modern treatments such as proton therapy, and researchers working hard to rid us of this disease. Because early detection is crucial to overcoming cancer, we each need to make sure we get screened. Personally, I go to a dermatologist every year. My wife, Betty, was fortunate to have a recent screening come back negative.
There are other things you can do: Stay active, lose weight, eat right, don’t smoke — all things our wise mothers told us. Read about the latest developments in our package of stories on Cancer Care.
Florida is defined by small businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 99.8% of all Florida businesses are considered small. Those 2.5 million businesses employ 3.3 million people, or 42.2% of Florida’s workforce.
Florida Trend covers small businesses throughout the year, but this issue shines a light specifically on six entrepreneurial efforts — from a woman-owned company selling over-the-counter medications from a vending machine to one marketing online legal contracts and another marketing to moms. See the profiles.
Are you confident you can avoid cyber-crime? Don’t be.
According to Florida Atlantic University, Floridians are losing more than $300,000 per day — more than $100 million per year. And that doesn’t include the millions of attacks against companies.
What can we do? Your company can increase the budget for its cybersecurity department. As an individual, make sure you have appropriate virus protection, shred documents that are old, use difficult passwords and turn off machinery at night.
— Andy Corty, Publisher
[acorty@floridatrend.com]
See other stories from Florida Trend's February issue.
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