Family works to restore 120-year-old West Tampa cigar factory for wine company

West Tampa has a long history, and its become the new focus of the real estate boom. That's why Ted Boscaino and his family bought a 1908 cigar factory on North Albany Avenue.

How the war in Ukraine could send brewery prices soaring

The Russian-Ukrainian war sent prices soaring for wheat, barley and other grains produced in the region. That could soon trickle down to the beer being poured and canned at Bay Area breweries.

Cost of chicken could rise 70% as inflation hits farmers from all sides

Prices for meat, poultry, fish and eggs have risen thirteen percent over the last year. Bay area farmers say it shows no signs of tapering off.

High school dropout to CEO: Postcardmania founder helps market small businesses

A successful Clearwater CEO is using traditional direct mail to combine with online ads and tracking to see where leads come from for small businesses.

Number of small businesses raising prices due to inflation hits 48-year high, NFIB says

The number of small businesses that raised prices in January amid high inflation rose to levels not seen since 1974, the National Federation of Independent Business said.

Tampa Black-owned business featured in Forbes

A Tampa Bay woman who started her first business during the height of the pandemic has now been listed in Forbes magazine just months later as one of seven Black-owned businesses everyone should know.

Small businesses get help off the ground with new Hillsborough County program

It’s hard getting a business off the ground when you’re first starting out as an entrepreneur, so the Hillsborough County Small Business Development Center is helping people learn what they need to know to work for themselves and be successful. 

Florida lawmaker seeks to shield businesses from local government ordinances

A bill moving through the Florida Legislature would allow a business to sue a county or city government if they can prove an ordinance caused a 15% hit to their business. The bill is designed to shield businesses from potential damage from things like mask mandates.

Tampa teen's business keeps skin soft across the Bay Area

In many ways, Joelle Hinds is a typical teenager. She goes to school, plays sports, scours social media and spends time with friends and family. Not so typical, the 15-year-old is an entrepreneur, running her own business -- Slay Bay Beauty.

Small Business Saturday: Consumer spending projected to set new records

Saturday marks Small Business Saturday — a day created to shift consumers’ attention to the stores that call their communities home.

Small, minority-owned construction businesses get boost from USF

With construction in high demand and stiff competition to get contracts, the University of South Florida just launched a free small business mentorship program to help build diversity within the industry.

Cigar company owner breaks barriers after pandemic put her career on pause

When the pandemic hit, working in the online fashion industry was no longer sustainable for Chantel Leavitt. She says COVID-19 forced her to reinvent herself so she could make a living.

US mandates COVID-19 vaccines or tests for big companies by Jan. 4, 2022

U.S. regulators say Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested weekly.

Deuces Rising: Plans approved for revitalization project along South St. Pete's 22nd Ave.

A group of nonprofits and church leaders wanted to do something for the community, by the community, so they teamed up to help the neighborhood along 22nd Street South bounce back as part of the Deuces Rising project.

Technology investment firm chooses St. Pete over Miami for new HQ

ARK Invest puts money into a portfolio of businesses know as disruptive innovation – start-ups in energy storage, blockchain technology, robotics, and DNA sequencing – and now the company will call downtown St. Pete home.

Pinellas County ushers in growing Latin population with Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

As Tampa Bay’s Hispanic population continues to grow, there’s a new way for Latin business owners in Pinellas County to connect, through the newly created Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Pinellas County.