By Emilie Williams, October 2008
Photo By Zachary Bennett
Some of the most legendary entrepreneurs have launched businesses from the comfort of their own homes. Steve Jobs created the first personal computer out of his garage, Martha Stewart catered lavish dinner parties in her own kitchen and Geoff Wilson started a Web-design company out of his fraternity house while attending the University of Florida. Read the rest of this entry »

By Rebecca Ganzak, October 2008
Photo By Zachary Bennett
When you enter the glass doors of Dahlia, you’d think you’ve just stepped into a boutique on Fifth Avenue. You’re greeted by the warm smell of scented candles, while shocks of teal, pink and royal blue garments pop under the industrial-style lighting. Read the rest of this entry »

By Cara Parell, October 2008
Photo By Erin Green
Dr. Kendall Campbell was visiting a local retirement home with his church when he noticed a resident’s worn shoes. Before he left, he grabbed an old pair of shoes from his car, went back inside and returned empty-handed wearing the man’s old shoes. Read the rest of this entry »

By Marilee Griffin, October 2008
Photo By Zachary Bennett
In 1990, Mike Patz was just another University of Florida freshman cruising around Gainesville on a Friday night. Except, on that night, Patz urgently felt a need to connect with God. Although he had been raised in church, this was a new feeling. So he pulled over, knelt under a tree and prayed. Read the rest of this entry »

By Rebecca Ganzak, October 2008
Photo By Zachary Bennett
When Matt Hintze gave his first public tutoring lesson in 2000, 50 students showed up willing to pay the $20 fee. The University of Florida finance graduate student had previously tutored only a handful of people, but even he was surprised that advertising his services created such a phenomenon. Read the rest of this entry »

By Holli Horton, October 2008
Photo By Heather Strange
Dirt. It’s not something the average coach would have her players focus on. But for Jennifer Rocha, University of Florida’s assistant softball coach, dirt is exactly what helped her focus when she was a player 13 years ago. Back then, she led her team to win the California State Championship at Long Beach City College, which ultimately earned her All-American honors. Read the rest of this entry »

By Emilie Williams, October 2008
Photo By Zachary Bennett
Christi Arrington’s passion for putting other people first has taken her from an internship in New York to a year of service in South Carolina with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. But the Gainesville native always knew she would find her way back to her hometown. Read the rest of this entry »

By Marilee Griffin, October 2008
Photo By Zachary Bennett
In his mind, Robert Easton is a conservative daredevil. He considers opening a rock-climbing company fresh out of Virginia Tech’s business school a little more than common sense. So, it didn’t matter that in 1999 Floridians had barely heard of rock climbing — Easton decided to make the introduction himself. He moved to the Sunshine State and opened Orlando’s first rock gym. It was a hit. Read the rest of this entry »