Brian Hartz

Business Observer • January 23rd, 2024

Tampa startup turns invasive species into exotic leather fashion brand

Bottom lineKey takeaway: Founded during the pandemic, Tampa-based Inversa aims to protect — and regenerate — the environment by turning invasive species into branded exotic leather for fashion.Core challenge: Recruiting and growing its network of independent anglers, divers and hunters to source the raw material for its leathers.What's next: Increase the number of fashion brands it works with.The next time you see a friend or colleague sporting a nice new leather wallet or handbag, take a closer...

Business Observer • January 9th, 2024

Ad agency CEO says running makes her a better, more confident leader

Christine Turner, president and CEO of ChappellRoberts, a venerable branding and advertising agency based in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood. Turner joined the firm in 1998 and steadily rose through the ranks to become executive vice president in 2018 and then president in 2021. She was named CEO earlier this year. Long-distance running. A soccer player in her formative years, Turner took up running while pursuing her bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida in the late 1990s...

Business Observer • January 8th, 2024

Condo developer keeps the beat playing drums in a rock band

Fred Hemmer, a partner with HP Capital Group, a real estate investment firm developing Reflection, a new luxury condominium tower in downtown St. Petersburg’s Mirror Lake. The 18-story, 88-unit project, at 777 Third. Ave. N., is slated to open in 2024. Hemmer comes to real estate from a career in banking, where, among other posts, he was chief lending officer of Republic Bank. He also served on the board of Flagship Community Bank in Clearwater before it was acquired. Drumming. Hemmer, 69, recen...

Business Observer • June 5th, 2023

Car wash chain expands again with second facility on busy thoroughfare

Woodie’s Wash Shack has opened a second car wash on Gandy Boulevard, a high-traffic corridor in South Tampa.The locally owned and operated car wash chain now has 11 locations in the Tampa Bay region, including five in St. Petersburg and two in Tampa, with several more in development. It also has a presence in Nokomis and plans to open five additional car washes in the Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch area.The newest Woodie’s Wash Shack is located at 3011 W. Gandy Blvd., and it opened on May 26, acco...

Business Observer • September 8th, 2022

Crippling teacher shortage looms over region's business climate

Key takeaway: Florida’s teacher shortage has hit critical levels, and the number of newly certified teachers entering the job market has not kept pace with the rate of educators leaving the field. Core challenge: While the state’s starting salary for new teachers has risen sharply, the average salary remains uncompetitive — the second-lowest in the nation. Pandemic-driven burnout among teachers is also high. What’s next: Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed lowering the barrier of entry to teaching so

Business Observer • August 26th, 2022

Rock-star investor puts stamp of approval on St. Pete

Tampa has Jeff Vinik. Now St. Petersburg has Cathie Wood.

The national profile of the Tampa Bay area’s twin cities has risen dramatically over the past decade thanks to Vinik, the Tampa Bay Lightning owner who has also spearheaded the $3.5 billion Water Street Tampa development that’s transforming downtown Tampa. Wood, the widely admired and influential tech investor who moved her company, ARK Investment Management, from Manhattan to St. Pete last year, is now set to become one of the Sunshine

Business Observer • August 19th, 2022

Medical device industry entrepreneur attacks a new industry niche

Key takeaway: After selling his previous company, 3B Medical, at the height of its success, Alex Lucio has returned to the medical device sector with Assure Infusions, which will provide crucial intravenous fluids to hospitals when its Polk County manufacturing facility opens next year. Core challenge: Assure Infusions faces competition from two industry giants, Baxter International Inc. and B. Braun Medical Inc., but Lucio believes the industry, still reeling from pandemic-driven shortages, wil

Business Observer • August 18th, 2022

Once-sleepy office hub aims to capitalize on desirable location

Key takeaway: With office buildings being converted to multifamily housing and new amenities being talked up, Tampa’s Westshore District looks to be the city’s next up-and-coming live/work/play neighborhood. Core challenge: The wants and needs of Westshore residents and workers are divergent, making it difficult to plan the district's future. Funding for parks and trails is also tough to come by. What’s next: More than 1,000 apartments are in the works in Westshore, and after a pandemic-driven s

Business Observer • August 2nd, 2022

Company sniffs unique opportunity with nasal COVID-19 vaccine

Key takeaway: After a major shift in focus, Tampa pharmaceutical company Oragenics has set its sights on developing an inhalable COVID-19 vaccine, which could be a huge asset in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Core challenge: Major regulatory hurdles remain as Oragenics seeks to begin human trials later this year, and the company recently replaced its CEO. What’s next: Oragenics awaits the findings of a toxicology report that will determine whether it can file applications to begin h

Business Observer • July 19th, 2022

Head-banging health care pioneer tackles mental illness one text at a time

Mental health has shed its stigma over the past few years, as high-profile athletes and performers have come forward with honesty and candor about struggles with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, addiction and other emotional and psychological difficulties.

American gymnast Simone Biles and Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka, in particular, were upfront about their mental health problems, and their vulnerability was an inspiration for millions of people — 52.9 million in the United States alo