They began in Florida garages, backyards and college. Look at them now

They began in Florida garages, backyards and college. Look at them now

Starting a successful business in Florida isn't easy.

New 2026 stats from Lending Tree rank the Sunshine State in the bottom 15 on a merchant making it through the first year, while an earlier analysis by Nulab data company of federal labor statistics and other info put Florida's 10-year survival rate dead last. The skyrocketing costs of goods and other services the past 18 months only complicates matters, like diesel prices reaching an all-time high this week.

But the many hurdles haven't stopped Southwest Florida entrepreneurs from taking a chance over the decades, not knowing where it would lead them.

The late Benjamin Martin founded the Cape Coral Eye Center in 1980, later becoming Tyson Eye, with sites from North Fort Myers to Marco Island and just opening its 10th location this summer on the Cape. And as my colleague Liz Freeman reported last week, it helped lead to $5 million for the newly named USF Health Tyson-Martin Eye Institute at the University of South Florida, with plans for future satellite clinics.

Summer also marked the Fort Myers and furthest south arrival of Crews Bank & Trust, which has been working its way down the state's spine with now 20 branches since launching as Wauchula State Bank in 1929. And then there's newer concepts setting up shop this summer in Southwest Florida like the Tap & Tees Golf Lounge, a high-tech indoor golf and social lounge. Some day it could follow the pattern of homegrown to scalable realized vision. It dots the local finalist list released last week for October's 2026 Industry Appreciation Awards.

Here's what to know about those trying to carve a Southwest Florida path through an economic battleground.

From startup to staying power. What's Florida rank on business survival?

There's a sizable gulf between opening the doors and building something that lasts generations in Southwest Florida. The latest numbers illustrate it. LendingTree, analyzing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, found 24% of new Florida private-sector establishments didn't survive their first year, putting it near the cellar with the likes of Oklahoma, Tennessee, Wyoming, Alaska, Missouri and others. Among the overall top seven best, were these four with at least 8 million residents: Washington, California, Illinois and New York.

The odds aren't necessarily destiny in Southwest Florida, as its business landscape has demonstrated at times.

When in Great Depression era did Crews Bank & Trust open in Florida?

Take Crews Bank & Trust. With hammering help from Steven Construction. Crews planted its newest flag this summer in 2,000-square feet of reconstructed goodness at 14261 S. Tamiami Trail in the family-owned enterprise's nearly century-long southward amble.

It started April 24, 1929, when Wauchula State Bank opened in Hardee County, just months before the stock market crash ushered in the Great Depression. The Crews family said they acquired controlling interest three years later and ensuing generations expanded into DeSoto and Charlotte counties while four affiliated community banks also later unified under the Crews banner. Reaching the 20-branch milestone with its latest Southwest Florida addition, it's come a long way from its three-employee beginning.

What is Tap & Tees Golf Lounge near SWFL's Florida Gulf Coast University?

Contrast 97 years of history with Tap & Tees Golf Lounge near Florida Gulf Coast University, where the first swings weren't taken until a couple or so weeks ago.

Inside University Village Shops at 10952 Eagle Village Drive, Tap & Tees combines Foresight Falcon golf simulators with billiards, TVs, drinks, memberships and social space. The technology allows customers to virtually play more than 2,300 courses or use data on ball speed, shot accuracy and club performance to work on their game.

When will the annual Industry Appreciation Awards happen in 2026?

That's the business at the other end of the timeline: an entrepreneur testing whether a concept aimed at today's appetite for technology and experiences can find its audience, develop repeat customers and ultimately become something bigger.

And that mix of entertainment, technology, food and drink isn't happening in isolation in Southwest Florida if the finalists are any indication for the annual Industry Appreciation Awards on Oct. 23, when winners will be crowned at the downtown Fort Myers Caloosa Sound Convention Center.

What does Sugarshack Downtown, COLDEST and UBYou have in common?

It's one of several threads running through the 20 making the final cut last week, as we've collected information from the companies and organizers that include the Lee County Economic Development Office.

For example, Sugarshack Downtown turned a Bonita Springs backyard music project into a digital following and then a restaurant and live-music venue. COLDEST traces its roots to a Naples garage before moving into increasingly larger spaces. UBYou grew from an FGCU student's experiences into a campus wellness technology platform. Here's more on these finalists and others:

What companies are the finalists for the SWFL's Lee Trailblazer Award?

Bob Dean Supply, Inc.A family-owned Fort Myers industrial company founded in 1947 that distributes steel, pumps, power-transmission equipment and industrial supplies while also operating machine, fabrication, CNC manufacturing, pump-repair and motor-rewinding operations.

Moran KennedyA Bonita Springs-based integrated real estate company involved in investment, construction, development and property management, with a major focus on revitalizing downtown Bonita Springs.

NORTHSTAR Technologies GroupAlso, a small manufacturer finalist, NORTHSTAR is a construction-technology and advanced-manufacturing company developing fiber-reinforced polymer composite building systems for commercial, residential, infrastructure and defense uses.

What are Start Up of the Year finalists for Industry Appreciation Awards?

Southwest Florida ProtonA new advanced cancer-treatment center in south Lee County built around proton-beam radiation therapy, with conventional radiation and diagnostic imaging also available through its partners.

Sugarshack DowntownA Bonita Springs restaurant, bar and live-music venue created by the founders of the Sugarshack Music Channel. What's unusual is the combination: a local digital-media brand that began with acoustic music sessions has been translated into a physical hospitality destination with more than 270 seats, food, drinks and local, regional and national performers.

UBYouA student wellness and success technology platform founded by Jack Hellmer, an FGCU alumnus, that connects college students with campus resources and self-care and wellness tools. FGCU has partnered with the company to make the app available to its students, making this a particularly notable example of a homegrown university-to-startup pipeline.

Which firms are finalists for Tech Catalyst Award to be awarded October?

ADDMAN GroupAn advanced-manufacturing company combining additive manufacturing, machining, injection molding, engineering and other capabilities to take complex parts from prototype through production. Its markets include defense, aerospace and medical applications.

EightpointA digital-product company with a Fort Myers office that develops consumer applications in categories ranging from weather and travel to health and productivity. Its products are developed in-house for mobile and desktop users.

OptivateFormerly EyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems, Optivate is a specialty software platform for ophthalmology that combines electronic health records, practice management, imaging, patient engagement, revenue-cycle management and other functions. Its history traces to Southwest Florida medical technology and billing businesses.

Besides NORTHSTAR, what are Small Manufacturer of the Year finalists?

Botanical Brewing CompanyA Southwest Florida beverage manufacturer producing plant-based beverages including kava, kratom, kanna and THC products while positioning its taproom as an alternative to the traditional alcohol-centered bar experience.

Wicked Dolphin DistilleryA family-run Cape Coral craft distillery making small-batch rum and other spirits, with a particularly strong Florida identity: the company emphasizes Florida sugar cane and locally sourced natural ingredients. It's also simultaneously a manufacturer and a visitor attraction, offering public tours and tastings of its working production facility.

What enterprises are finalists for Large Manufacturer of the Year?

California Closets of Southwest FloridaThe locally owned Southwest Florida operation of the custom-storage brand designs and installs closets, pantries, garages, offices and other custom home storage systems.

PRAVADA Private LabelA Fort Myers cosmetics and personal-care manufacturer that performs product R&D, compounding, filling, labeling and packaging under one roof for other brands.

VGM HoldingsA Fort Myers full-service aluminum and architectural glass fabrication business serving the regional construction industry.

What SWFL ventures are finalists for Small Business of the Year in 2026?

Aviation Precision TechnologyA Fort Myers aviation company specializing in aircraft-engine and component maintenance, repair and overhaul along with precision machining and fabrication.

COLDESTA consumer-products company founded in 2015 in a one-car garage in Naples and initially centered on insulated water bottles and other products designed to keep things cold. The company notes a striking scale-up story, from that garage to a 2,500-square-foot warehouse and then a 15,000-square-foot Fort Myers facility, with the firm now touting a 52,000-square-foot footprint.

Sun Harvest CitrusA third-generation citrus business with a major Fort Myers retail operation offering fresh fruit and juice, gourmet foods, ice cream and Florida gifts while also packing and shipping fruit. It blends agriculture, food production, retail, e-commerce and tourism in one business, which makes it an unusually good embodiment of "old Florida" industries adapting to a modern visitor and consumer economy.

What SWFL endeavors are finalists for Large Business of the Year in 2026?

ADG ArchitectureA full-service architecture and interior-design practice established in 1990 and based in Fort Myers, working in commercial, public, educational, religious and other project categories.

South SeasThe longstanding 330-acre Captiva Island resort and wildlife preserve is a major tourism business that has undergone an extensive reimagining following the region's hurricane disruptions.

Wright Construction GroupA Fort Myers-based construction company handling building and civil construction management, general contracting and design-build projects for businesses, governments, universities, school districts and municipalities. The company relocated to Fort Myers in 1981 and its portfolio includes roads and infrastructure as well as commercial and institutional buildings.

Writing In the Know for the USA TODAY Network, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. Sign up for our free Breaking Ground growth and development newsletter. Subscribe to our News-Press and Naples Daily News apps.