An award-winning 18-year-old, in opening a food truck, drives home with some important business lessons.

Teri Hansen grew up with the passion to help others instilled in her. It shows in her work.

Vince Serrano didn't become an entrepreneur and top-of-the-chart recording artist overnight. It took some mistakes and a passion to overcome hardship.

At 16-years-old, Larissa Lippe proved she was more ambitious than most. A high school student in Sarasota, Larissa founded a private tutoring company that caters to students K-12 in a broad range of topics, from English to math to foreign languages. Her business, Smart Kids Tutor LLC, got its start in January, when Larissa tutored a student and noticed a difference after just one session. That’s when she came up with the company’s purpose: “It’s smart kids helping smart kids.” Currently, Smart

What once began as a studio built for private one-on-one classes, has now manifested into a nationally-accredited esthetic and makeup artistry school on track to surpass a major sales milestone this year. Just as impressive: the school's founder, Dolly Monroe, has become a jobs-creating machine for hundreds of graduates. The Dolly Monroe Beauty Academy got its start in 2015, originally known as Dolly Monroe Beauty Studios. In its second year, the Tampa-based Black-owned academy posted revenue i

The radio station industry, with podcasts coming in every direction and satellite and internet radio eating into terrestrial radio's market share, isn't for everyone. But a nimble entrepreneur who's had a diverse career in journalism and broadcasting is having a broadcast radio moment, finding success growing a radio station business on the west coast of Florida. That company is Sarasota-based Solmart Media, a partnership with Mercedes Soler and her husband, Tomás Martínez. Since founding the c

Key takeaway: A business plan wasn't the first step for The Barnyard, and it turned out to be the right move for the business which is now through its second year with $400,000 in revenue. Core challenge: Learning how to fry chicken and keep the breading on through the process. What's next: As the restaurant prepares to double in revenue next year, the owners, two sisters, are considering adding a food truck. On a whim in August 2019, Ciliana Pluviose and Gladys Jean started making chicken sand

When Josh and Abbey Schmitt began roasting coffee beans in 2013 in their garage in Oregon, they had no idea their hobby would turn into a business. Back then, Josh was roasting coffee beans using a popcorn popper for friends and family. A year or two later, the couple moved to Bradenton, Abbey’s hometown. Diving into their hobby, they began to sell bags of roasted coffee beans at the Bradenton Farmers’ Market. At first, it was only a few bags. Then it started to grow. “It caught me by surprise

Key takeaway: With 25 years of experience, Chef Richard Hales has returned home with what he believes is his best restaurant yet. What's next: The restaurant is going through a slow rollout eventually opening the outside picnic area and then expanding hours to include lunch and brunch. The last couple of years haven’t been the easiest for Chef Richard Hales. The list of uncertainties include COVID-19, a stint with cancer and now labor shortages. But with a new Hales Blackbrick location in Tamp

Key Takeaway: The Caragiulo family business started as pipeline dream to own a quaint New York-style pizzeria in Sarasota with a couple of tables out front. More than three decades later, it's a full-service restaurant company representative of the Caragiulos' overall strategy: Go with it and learn along the way. Core Challenge: Dealing with staffing shortages while opening a new restaurant. What's Next: A second fish camp restaurant is coming in Lakewood Ranch, joining the original in Sarasota.