OCTOBER 1 - OCTOBER 7, 2021 | THREE DOLL ARS
FLOR IDA’S NE WSPAPER FOR T HE C - SUI T E
Strategies | Entrepreneur sees big future in tech-focused health care business. PG.7 PASCO • H ILL SBOROUG H • PIN ELL AS • P OLK • M A N ATEE • SA R ASOTA • C H A R LOT TE • LEE • COLLIER
HOME BASE With $10 million new digs, a school for budding entrepreneurs looks to build on the buzz — and support the region’s next business stars. PAGE 10
Sandra Kauanui | FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
STEFANIA PIFFERI
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATA SNAPSHOT
ENTREPRENEURS
Second Take
Next Up
Ship Shape
Florida man finally gets the Hollywood treatment with a Netf lix show — filmed in North Carolina. PAGE 3
The sometimes maligned Generation Z, based on one new report, is busting some myths. PAGE 6
Moving and storage executive, looking to diversify revenue streams, scored a big win by cold-calling an NFL team. PAGE 9
GROWTH
ENTREPRENEURS
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
The Play’s the Thing
Smooth Ride
Shopper’s Delight
Entrepreneur, backed by $1 million loan, targets big growth with a playcentric therapy business. PAGE 3
As International Plaza in Tampa turns 20, it faces critical questions about its ongoing battle with e-commerce. PAGE 12
St. Petersburg apartment complex acquired for $149.6 million. 13 Builder buys Bradenton site for $7.75 million. 13 Developers retreat from Tampa project — but plan to return. 14
PAGE
15 Change is good — but don’t neglect employee buy-in.
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DON’T MISS
An alternative route to taking over the family business — a sale — has worked swimmingly for two brothers. PAGE 8
REAL ESTATE
EEOC INCREASES PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO POST “EEO IS THE LAW” POSTER See Page 3