Failure. It’s the one thing no one wants to think or talk about in the early stages of developing a business. I firmly believe, however, that start-up businesses need to contemplate possible failure right from the start and learn from their own experiences and the experiences of others.

It clearly seems possible for South Florida to achieve successful regional transformation. We have many, if not all, of the major components of the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in some form, as well as several unique advantages including the presence of substantial potential investment funds and access to Latin America.

The transformation of a region into a successful high technology epicenter brings significant economic benefits, desirable employment opportunities, positive publicity and a number of other substantial benefits to the region.

The scramble to entice new business to move to our great state and to keep those that we have and help them grow is in full swing. At the state and local levels, governments and business are working together to help diversify and build Florida’s economy.

Social media, through blogs, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Wikipedia, Foursquare and other media, can be a great tool for business.

Watch the latest video at video.foxbusiness.com

As CEO of Gunster, I understand how important it is to communicate effectively with our employees, clients and business partners. Like any business we look for new and different ways to get our message out.

Barely a month into the 2010 season and Hurricane Alex, the first named Atlantic storm, made landfall as a Category 2 storm on Mexico’s Gulf coast.

As the holiday weekend approaches and we make plans to head to the beaches, we’re reminded just how important it is to preserve their beauty. And for those areas where oil has reached the shores forcing beaches to close, the reality of an uncertain future weighs heavy.