In less than four years, Citizens Property Insurance went from being a temporary fix for Florida's troubled insurance market to the state's largest insurer of homes, condos and apartments.
``This is a business of sex and drugs.'' That's what Fort Lauderdale stockbroker Thomas Noonan says about the new franchise business he's helped his son, Travis, start.
Anita Kaplan heads one of the biggest producers in the United States of healthcare workers -- people in high demand in South Florida and elsewhere.
Ronald DeMeo places a radioactive wafer about the size of a silver dollar on his desk and waves a handheld Geiger counter over it. The machine chatters wildly, the numbers on the readout spin upward and visitors instinctively lean back.
BUSINESS BOOKS
To paraphrase the philosopher Keith Richards, it's better to walk before they make you run. Unfortunately for many, their jobs end before they can make a move, begin their transition to another job or establish self-employment.
JOB FILE
If you're sick, you go to your doctor. If you have money issues, you go to your CPA. If you want to perk up your business' look, you go to Franz Franc.
MY VIEW
In response to the Miami Herald article that ran on July 1 titled, ''Macy's still unsure of downtown Miami's future,'' I would like to respond to the
Taxpayer burned up about `Burn Notice' Re: ''The Burn Notice boom,'' cover story, July 7: It was astounding to read this information. Our local area administration is giving money to film producers for their enterprises while our budget for social services and teachers' salaries is the lowest imaginable and in trouble. I'd say this reporting misses the point -- significantly.
SUNSHINE BRIEFS
The Sunshine State's climate is a big plus for recruiting skilled workers. But Florida needs to improve its education system to attract high-tech industry, says a new study.
BANKING Continental National Bank of Miami has hired Edith Pagan as vice president and lender. Ocean Bank in Miami has hired two officers: Alfredo Gil as senior vice president and senior corporate banking officer and Elena Méndez as vice president and trade finance officer.
MONDAY Accomplished Professionals Collaborate at Executive Networking Meeting: Grab some business cards, go to the Execunet meeting and learn all there is to know when changing a job means changing industries; 6 to 8 p.m., Days Inn Hollywood South, 2601 N. 29th Ave., Hollywood; $25. 305-856-9993 or pmi@manageyoursuccess.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Hurricane Bertha didn't turn out to be a threat, but maybe she's the wake-up call we needed to look at how prepared we are for the season.
COVER STORY
As the largest insurer of homes, condos and apartments in the state, Citizens Property Insurance has nearly 9,000 agents writing policies for the company.
Here are the film and TV productions in Miami-Dade County this week: Plum TV, 419 Lafayette St., seventh floor, New York. ''Miami Beach Short Stories.'' Monday, countywide.
BEJUCOS, Mexico -- In this remote village in the mountains of Central Mexico, where almost everyone lives off the money sent home from relatives working in Austin, Texas, the value of the U.S. dollar has become a source of angst.
Location: 10465 NW 29th Ter. Seller: Data Tech, represented by Akira Yazawa, president. Buyer: J.D. Broker Holdings, represented by Joel De La Paz, managing member.
July is an important month for savvy small business owners who'll be assessing their companies' finances and thinking about strategies for the second half of 2008. A midyear checkup is even more important than usual this year, given the uncertainty of the business climate.
WORKPLACE
This is true-or-false quiz for good listeners only. Ready? 1. One of the most important things you can do when you're listening to someone is keep your mouth shut.
Filings for the Southern District of Florida: Auto Kingdom, does business as Treasure Coast Auto Mall, 4405 S. U.S. Hwy. 1, Fort Pierce. Chapter 11. William S. Isenberg, 954-523-8899.
Companies hit by hurricanes and other natural disasters will be able to draw down larger loans from the Small Business Administration. The Small Business Disaster Response and Land Improvement Act, enacted recently, increases the cap on disaster loans from $1.5 million to $2 million. In addition, eligible homes and businesses will be able to take out a $14,000 disaster loan without collateral. That is up $10,000.
