Seaside’s SculptorsHow Robert and Daryl Davis developed one of Florida’s most famous towns By Linda Kleindienst Robert Davis remembers building sand castles on the sugar white beaches of Northwest Florida when he was only three years old. Little did he…
Lean, Green and GrowingNavy Federal Credit Union’s Pensacola campus gets gold star for eco-friendly effortsBy Maggie Kelly The largest credit union in the world is also the greenest credit union on the planet, serving 3 million members worldwide. In 2004,…
High-Impact BloggerInternet entrepreneur Jason Koertge emerges as a news force in Panama City BeachBy John Eric Vona One part blog, one part news Web site and one part community forum, pcbdaily.com is a hybrid on the cutting edge of the…
Have Web, Will TravelBud Finlaw goes toe-to-toe with online vacation-booking giantsBy Lilly Rockwell Nine years ago, Bud Finlaw saw opportunity in the Internet when his Panama City advertising company began to stall. With no office, a handful of computers and…
Beer Bongs Versus Big BucksWeighing the bad and the good that comes with Spring BreakBy Tony Bridges There are few topics as controversial in Panama City Beach as Spring Break. The community spends thousands of dollars every year to attract…
A New HopeIn the face of recession fears, Leslie Hope engineers a new business of her own By Tabitha Yang When the recession hit and her company started to lay off a number of workers, Leslie Hope decided it was…
The Oyster KingGrady Leavins talks plain and straight about oysters and a fading way of lifeBy Jason Dehart Once upon a time, when Grady Leavins first started out, a fellow oysterman he worked with called him a "candy ass." "That…
The Charter Boat BluesOffshore fishing captains are feeling the crunch of a bad economy and changing rulesBy Jason Dehart It’s a perfect day to go fishing for snapper or grouper. The sky and the sea are clear and blue, there’s…
How to handle post-traumatic layoff syndrome for employees still on the job. Stress, Fear and LoathingHow to handle your employees who survive the layoffs By Tim Collie For many employees these days each morning brings a new episode of…
Learning a foreign language is a snap with Rosetta Stone software. Turn a New PhraseTake your business worldwide by learning to speak your clients’ language By Ashley Kahn It is a small world after all. In a global economy that…
Self-Taught InventorFrom bicycles to aeronautics, Richard Campbell is revolutionizing the cable industry By Jennifer Ewing It’s safe to say Richard Campbell has his fair share of atypical childhood memories. A self-taught inventor since the age of 14, he spent many…
Virtual closings make the real estate closing process faster and easier. Pen and Paper Not Required‘Virtual Closing’ speeds up, simplifies the real-estate closing process By Margie Plunkett The closing, the final step in buying or selling a home, has…
Bettin’ ManSteve Andris took a gamble on the dogs — 50 years later, they’re still runningBy Lee Gordon "Here comes Rusty … " Steve Andris has heard those three words 13 times a night, six nights a week, for the…
What factors you should consider when contemplating incorporation. To Incorporate Or Not To Incorporate? Get all the information before you commit By Paul A. Norman Tax credits. Protecting your personal assets. Writing off a trip to Las Vegas…
The right way to ask for a loan. Small-Business SamaritanTallahassee banker James Dilworth is looking out for the little guys By Diane Hirth In this teeter-tottering economy, you drive by a favorite lunch spot or watering hole one day…
How to get your hands on: Swarovski binoculars, stainless steel wallet, assorted cookie gifts, rosewood glasses frames, compact iron, computer backup system, and handmade handbags. By Tisha Crews Keller EAGLE EYE Swarovski Tyrol B Pocket 8x20mm Leather Binoculars are crafted…
Soaring OnPutting Florida’s aerospace industry on the launch padBy John Eric Vona By the end of 2010, NASA will retire its remaining three shuttles and Florida may lose an estimated 8,000 jobs around the state. Employing more than 80,000…
Beth Murphy, general manager at Southwood Golf Club, chose to swap suits for golf clothes. Beth Murphy, TallahasseeDirector of Golf, SouthWood Golf Club Beth Murphy loves golf. Though, as every manager understands, she finds less and less time…
Soaring On Putting Florida's aerospace industry on the launch pad By John Eric Vona By the end of 2010, NASA will retire its remaining three shuttles and Florida may lose an estimated 8,000 jobs around the state. Employing…
A look at what lawmakers did — and didn’t — accomplish for business during the 2009 session. The Shakeout A look at what lawmakers did — and didn’t — accomplish for business during the 2009 session. David Daniel’s…
One part courage and one part economic downturn, area entrepreneurs have found the recipe for turning the tables on market nay-sayers Recession-Proof IngenuityOne part courage and one part economic downturn, area entrepreneurs have found the recipe for…
A new airport, improved roads and savvy marketing will transform Northwest Florida into the new tourism mecca Visit, Vacation, RevitalizeA new airport, improved roads and savvy marketing will transform Northwest Florida into the new tourism mecca By…
Florida's economy stabilizes as many sales tax collections top forecastBy THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — Florida sales tax collections last month topped estimates for the first time in almost three years, state officials reported Tuesday. But they also warned…
Poll: Voters Willing to Pay Higher Insurance BillsBy Michael Peltier | The News Service of Florida  TALLAHASSEE — Facing a potential veto by a reluctant governor, the Florida Chamber of Commerce has released a poll indicating voters are willing to…
Florida's Economic Growth Among Worst in Nation By Linda Kleindienst  Florida’s economic growth was among the worst in the nation in 2008, according to new statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Out of 50 states, the Sunshine State ranked…
Group Looks to Bring Drilling Vote to BallotBy MICHAEL PELTIER |THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA TALLAHASSEE — The fight to allow drilling off Florida’s Gulf Coast may go directly to Florida voters.At least one group is attempting to craft and promote…
Workers' Comp Rate Increase Rolled BackBY DAVID ROYSE | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty on Wednesday issued a final order approving a workers compensation insurance rate rollback, citing a new law that will limit…
Home Sales Continue to Rise   Florida’s existing home sales rose in April – the eighth consecutive month that sales activity increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by the Florida Association of Realtors®.   April’s…
Prominent Destin Developer Odom Indicted  By KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY | THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDATALLAHASSEE — A Leon County grand jury tacked on perjury to the list of charges against former House Speaker Ray Sansom, saying that the Republican lawmaker from…
Unemployment Rate Drops in AprilBy Linda Kleindienst  Florida’s unemployment rate inched down in April, buoying some hopes that the state may be seeing a sign of a turnaround in the economy.  Still, the new figure — 9.6 percent — represents…
St. Joe Earnings Slip in First Quarter JACKSONVILLE — The St. Joe Company on Tuesday announced a net loss of $11.7 million (or 13 cents a share) for the first quarter of 2009. This compares to net income of $32.1 million, or 40 cents per share,…
Federal Appeals Court Denies Airport Challenge  PANAMA CITY — A federal appeals court has ended the last pending legal challenge to the relocation of the Panama City-Bay County International Airport. In a decision handed down on May 1, the U. S.…
Through the lens of a struggling economy, it becomes clear that a trained (or re-trained) work force is key to our region’s prosperity. Workforce RenovationThrough the lens of a struggling economy, it becomes clear that a trained (or…
While some see them as a necessary evil, lobbyists remain in demand — bucking the recession, boosting Tallahassee’s economy and helping shape the laws of our state. The DealmakersWhile some see them as a necessary evil, lobbyists remain in…
850 readers pose questions to Florida Governor Charlie Crist on College, the Economy and Being Green. Q: You have always been very pro-tourism and pro-beaches, especially when it comes to beach renourishment. Yet the funding for those programs seems to…
These days, when budgets are tight and credit is often harder to attain, you may only be able to start a business if you can find someone with whom to share the costs and risk. Marriages of ConvenienceIn tough…
With the expansion of the Panama Canal set for completion in 2014, the leaders at Florida’s Great Northwest figure they have about five years to establish business ties in Panama. Sealing the International DealCultural due diligence can help ease…
Northwest Florida businesspeople have plenty to worry about in today’s economic downturn. But here is a factor that few area business leaders may be focused on: Betty Isabelle. The ‘Rehirement’ PhenomenonHiring older workers can give you a competitive edgeBy…
Catch a plane, travel to the hotel, arrive at a meeting, eat late, go to bed exhausted, wake up early, spend the entire day in meetings, eat late, repeat. Sound familiar? Not Just Business: It’s PersonalStaying healthy in…
Clearly, Krueger is no average stockbroker — and no average motorcyclist, for that matter. Tim Krueger: Easy RiderSenior Vice President of Investments, Merrill Lynch When he isn’t analyzing markets, meeting with clients over his impeccably clean desk, spending time with his…
How to get your hands on: steak brander, champion beer, a time twister, signature cigars, notable notes, single-component speaker and bee-utiful jewelry. By Tisha Crews Keller GRILL MARKS Their steaks are a works of art — so why shouldn’t they…
RFID-secure wallets, travel with a purpose, golfer's paradise and office-seating tips. Stylish ... And Secure It seems as though every advance in technology that makes life easier comes with a crook looking for an angle to exploit it. This time…
I can assure you of one thing: Whatever Washington does, it will be quite a while before you begin to feel the real results. But there are things you can do in the meantime. Recovery Plan 101: Why Wait on…
Steve Monk, manager of one of the Birmingham, Ala.-based bank’s two branches in Tallahassee, says items collected in each of the Florida branches are given directly to the school district where the branch is located. Tools for SchoolSuperior Bank works to…
News and notes from around the 850 region. NOTE TO READERS: To include your business news, simply e-mail us at editor@850businessmagazine.com. CAPITAL CORRIDOR | Compiled by Chelsey Germani FSU Happenings The FSU College of Business’ undergraduate, graduate and…
Predicted 2009 Job Losses Northwest Florida’s major metro areas are expected to lose 15,500 jobs by the end of this year, according to a study released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. And return to solid economic growth is…
Pellet PowerA local wood-pellet processing plant helps curb coal-fire emissions abroad while employing locallyBy Jason Dehart What goes around, comes around. And in humanity’s rush to find a better, more sustainable source of fuel for our hungry power plants,…
Hometown NewsDad and daughter tell it like it is in The Calhoun-Liberty Journal By Linda Kleindienst Johnny Eubanks did something that many parents may dream of but few are able to pull off. He started a newspaper for his only…
Home-Grown SuccessInnovation and experimentation help Jeff Pittman bring forth bounty from the land By Tabitha Yang Jeff Pittman has a field of sunflowers blazing a yellow path across his land. The flowers aren’t for decoration. They’re part of his…
Leisure Luxury Without the HassleAffordable ways to own a slice of the good lifeBy B.J. Terhune Share and play nice. It’s a reminder given to countless children, eager to show off their new toys. Now, Matthew V. Condon, president…
