Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Latest coverage, analysis and business news from Tampa Bay Business and Wealth.

Epicurean Hotel completes $21 million expansion (PHOTOS)

The Epicurean Hotel, in Tampa, has completed a $21 million expansion. Located directly across Howard Avenue from Epicurean’s 137-room main hotel, the expansion, a four-story structure, adds 51 new guest rooms and suites, a private lobby, a meeting space and a rooftop terrace. The addition also adds two floors of parking with an additional 91 … Read more

The importance of going local and supporting small businesses

By Jon Locklear, wealth Advisor, BT Wealth Advisors | The Bank of Tampa Small businesses are the often-overlooked lifeblood of the community. The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defines small businesses as independent businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Having 499 employees—or even 25 employees—who live and work together in … Read more

How David Habib built Yo Mama’s Foods

Yo Mama’s Foods founder David Habib sits among pallets of packaged sauces inside the company’s Clearwater warehouse

From his family kitchen in Clearwater, David Habib built Yo Mama’s Foods into a national clean-label brand sold in 24,000 stores.

Nonprofit Planning Strategies During Economic, Political Uncertainty

If we’ve learned anything from the COVID-19 pandemic and our current economic and political environment, it is the need for planning, diversifying and risk management. Nonprofits already face many challenges with aging donor bases, and workforce constraints, and an uncertain economic and political environment can ignite additional challenges. Consider areas your nonprofit could address to … Read more

Navigating the Current State of the Florida Property Insurance Market

The Florida property insurance market is in a state of flux with rising rates, non-renewals and companies leaving the state altogether. This is due to a number of factors including the state’s hurricane vulnerability, high litigation costs and a number of other challenges. What’s causing the crisis? Hurricanes: Florida is one of the most hurricane-prone … Read more

Tampa Bay business leaders find value in partnering with the ReliaQuest Bowl 

The ReliaQuest Bowl, hosted by the Tampa Bay Bowl Association, is one of the most popular bowl games in the United States.  On New Year’s Day, the nationally televised game brings together teams from the SEC and the Big Ten or ACC.  The annual Bowl game has an economic impact worth $1.1 billion and has … Read more

Understanding the Importance of Banking Locally

In an age where digital technology has revolutionized the way we manage our finances, the idea of banking locally and handling your finances face-to-face might seem outdated. From automated loan underwriting and remote deposit capture to a future that includes artificial intelligence, the way we handle our financial affairs continues to move forward at warp … Read more

Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino opens, in Tampa

Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino, a collaboration between Tampa-based Buddy Brew Coffee and Nuova Simonelli, based in Belforte del Chienti, Marche, Italy, opened in Tampa. Buddy Brew Academy, Powered by Victoria Arduino, is a gallery-style showroom that was built in Buddy Brew’s flagship location, at 2020 W. Kennedy Blvd. The space will serve … Read more

USF releases new renderings of on-campus stadium, announces $6 million gift

The University of South Florida released new renderings of the university’s on-campus stadium at a board of trustees meeting, on Tuesday. The new renderings are conceptual and will evolve as the design process continues and more detailed design elements are finalized. Along with the images, USF released several new details about the stadium including shaded … Read more