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Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida 500: The State's Most Influential Business Leaders

Welcome to the second edition of the Florida 500™, a special section that highlights the 500 most influential executives in different economic sectors throughout the state. This immense, year-long research initiative by the editors of Florida Trend has resulted in a personal, engaging look at the states most influential business leaders. See the entire Florida 500 here

Sales and Marketing Advice
Why investors don't invest in your company

As you read this, the debate is raging on. Partners are divided, founders against engineers, mentors against mentees. What is polarizing the business world? Startups and emerging companies versus investors. Read Ron Stein's full column here.

TECO Peoples Gas tops J.D. Power satisfaction rankings

TECO Peoples Gas, Tampa Electric Co.'s sister company, earned a top spot in its category on the J.D. Power 2019 Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. It ranked as the top utility for customer satisfaction among midsized utilities in the south with a score of 739 out of a possible 1,000. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Sarasota arcade entertains for 30 years

The ’90s are alive and well at Livingston’s Amusement Center in Sarasota. The joint opened in 1990, and the vibe hasn’t changed much since. Neon lights and cha-ching noises fill the 20,000-square-foot arcade room, which features over 250 game stations. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Oysters farmed in Florida are a success among tide-to-table crowd

Farmed Florida oysters are making headway into the food scene at an increasingly rapid clip. Gourmands coo over upmarket sampler menus touting coyly named boutique varieties like Saucy Ladies, Salty Birds and Magnolia Bluffs. Sunshine State oyster aquaculture is only a few years old, and last year its farmers took 3.9 million oysters to market. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

AOB Law brings balance to property insurance market

Gov. Ron DeSantis in May signed Florida House Bill 7065 to address assignment of benefits (AOB) abuse. The intent of the new law, effective July 1, was to stem the proliferation of insurance claims and frivolous lawsuits related to inflated or unnecessary damage claims. [Sponsored report]

The 2019 Florida 500™ print edition is now available

Mention ImagePurchase Florida Trend's Exclusive Florida 500™ Today

The editorial staff of Florida Trend recognizes Florida’s most influential business leaders spanning across more than 60 business categories. The editorial selection of the 500 executives was based on extensive contacts in regional business circles, hundreds of interviews and months of research, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide to the people who really run Florida. Secure individual or multiple print copies of Florida's most highly selective business leader biographical guide today. Buy it now.

Out of the Box
Florida man with largest private shell collection now ready to give it away

 Harry Lee, 79, has spent more than seven decades collecting shells — more time than he spent in his day job as a doctor, which was only 32 years. At one time, he was credited with having the largest private collection of shells in the world, worth about $1 million. But now he’s giving it all away, a little at a time.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Business Profile
Gainesville-based coffee company partners with Whole Foods

floridaYou don’t have to be in Gainesville to taste a local company’s cold brew anymore. Brio Cold Brew Coffee, which is based in Gainesville, now has its products available in Whole Foods in Florida. Their products first started appearing on shelves in Florida Whole Foods Market stores in April.

» Read more from the Alligator.