Business Observer

+ PureStyle Interior passes $1 million in sales
In just one year of business, Charlene Neal PureStyle Inc., a Lakewood Ranch-based interior design company, has passed $1 million in sales for 2011.

The company, which is known for its model merchandising, expanded to provide the same interior design services to residential private clientele. It now has provided design services to more than 38 residential clients in the last year.

PureStyle’s signature Florida Coastal style is viewable on its website, which includes a gallery of recently designed projects, as well as informative tips and insights into the latest interior trends, products and colors.

+ EDC uses sports video to lure jobs to Manatee
The Manatee Economic Development Council recently unveiled a five-minute sports-performance video the organization plans to use to recruit sports-related businesses and jobs to Manatee County.
The video, which will be used in the EDC’s recruitment missions and meetings nationally and internationally, now can be viewed online at www.ManateeEDC.com.

“It wasn’t until we looked into sports performance as a potential sector for the EDC’s economic development strategy that we began to understand how much of an impact sports-related businesses already have in our community,” said Sharon Hillstrom, the EDC’s interim executive director.

The video was produced and directed by Nick Gulick of Creative Motion Inc.

+ Ranch business owners compete in Ironman triathlons
Nicole and Nick Clark, owners of Clark Endurance Training and Fitness Together in Lakewood Ranch, recently completed the Ironman 70.3 World Championship and Ironman Louisville triathlons.

Nicole Clark was one of about 1,700 athletes who qualified for the 70.3 World Championships, which included a 1.2-mile swim in Lake Las Vegas, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.

Nick Clark completed his first full Ironman race in Louisville, Ky. The race included a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.

+ Grapevine Communications advertising firm expands
Grapevine Communications, a full-service advertising, marketing and public relations company, has hired Jason Drosky as a full-time account executive to help manage an increase in business as the agency expands its client base beyond Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Drosky brings to Grapevine 15 years of experience in the advertising industry. He is a graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications Advertising Department.