Sep
26
Spending on nonhuman family members just comes with the territory
By SARA FITZPATRICK, Associate Editor
In good economic times and bad, pets are no luxury.
The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association predicts a 7-percent rise in spending on pet services this year. Even in a challenging economy, an article on its Web site asserts this sector “will be affected by a continuing increase in pet-related spending, higher awareness of pet health, greater uptake of pet insurance, and continued humanization of pets, integrating them into all aspects of our lives.”
Likewise, Felicia Lembesis, the executive director of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, reported in July, “The pet-sitting business is actually quite
good. It is increasing despite the economy.”
In a regional economy trying to find its legs after the recent construction and real estate roller coasters, it might come as a surprise that one of the steadiest economic drivers seems to have four legs.
Sep
26
The Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC) honored excellence in local economic diversification and business innovation with an evening awards celebration on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. Held in conjunction with the 25th Annual Florida Industry Appreciation Week, the theme of this year’s event was “Collier County’s Shining Stars.”
More than 300 business and community leaders from across the region gathered at the Sugden Community Theatre to recognize and celebrate their colleagues and friends. The winners exemplified a positive, responsible approach to economic diversification and business and community enhancement. Also during the program, the EDC installed its 2008-2009 board of directors and presented its annual Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award.
Sep
26
EnVont makes it big when it comes to smaller
Filed Under Awards & Recognitions, Technology | Leave a Comment
Nanotechnology firm wins Collier Entrepreneurship Award
By ROBERT DEANE
Business Writer
While NASA and the Hubble project explore the outer reaches of our universe and beyond, nano scientists explore the inner reaches of our universe on the molecular level and within.
J. Nicholas “Nick” Shevillo, president and COO of EnVont Technologies LLC – which recently moved its headquarters to Naples – saw these possibilities and was ready to look within and beyond.
A Johns Hopkins University graduate who worked his way up through a software company until 2003, Shevillo started an investment management company focused on investing in startup businesses. EnVont is one of the companies in which Shevillo invested – and consequently became its president and chief operating officer.
Shevillo’s efforts propelled EnVont to take the Collier County Economic Development Council’s Entrepreneurship Award.
Formerly based in Chesterfield, Mich., EnVont is a leading advanced research and development company focused on nano-based coatings and materials.
Sep
26
Maximizing human potential:
Leveraging personality styles to increase performance
By JOHN LANKFORD
In your company, how much time is spent each day on communication with others? Countless interactions occur each moment in businesses and many of those precious interactions are inferior because people do not understand how their personality interacts with other personality types.
Throughout my careers in human resources and as a business coach, I have utilized a variety of personality screening tests to help administrators and employees maximize their potential by leveraging their personality style.
It is my intent over the next three articles to empower you to do the very same thing and begin implementing strategies that can help improve your life and the lives of your co-workers – immediately. Read more
Sep
26
Beyond the Bottom Line
Filed Under Business Builders, Vince Crew columns | Leave a Comment
Ethics matters whether you’re smart or stupid
By VINCE CREW
We’re in the midst of a decade of corruption, fraud, and abuse that brought us to our knees – to pray, to beg, to brace ourselves for the fallout that has recently overcome our financial wellbeing.
It was brought on by some of the “smartest guys in the room” with the tragedy of Enron. Then there’s the subprime mortgage meltdown where more smart brokers, agents and real estate professionals appealed to the stupidest people who thought they could/should have something – even though they had little, poor or no credit worthiness, reasonable down payment or financial ability to repay the loans.
Now add more really smart economists and Ivy league MBA types – and a host of stupid legislators who think you can regulate “stupid” – and finally a growing percentage of whining liberals demanding that every person in America deserves a house and the government needs to bail out any person who tried and failed – and it’s just a mess. Read more
Sep
12
UnReal Estate
Filed Under Technology, Trends | Leave a Comment
Two companies find profitable niches in a troubled market
By BOB MASSEY
Editor
Don’t tell these two companies the real estate market is tanking. They’re doing quite well, thank you.
Their secret? Finding an underserved, nontraditional market. Owners of both firms saw opportunity – and jumped on it. Despite a troubled market – or, more accurately, because of it – Unfinished Construction and Sell Your House to Europe have harnessed the power of the Internet and combined it with the power of opportunity to create real estate firms that work when many others aren’t.
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