After researching small businesses and taking into account Florida's warm climate, he thought he found the answer in a nutshell: He would grow macadamia nuts, white nuts primarily grown in Hawaii.

Five years ago, Niedecken, 42, planted the first seed nuts. Today the fruits of his labor are being rolled into cookies and candies shaped like shells and golf balls at his newly opened business, the Chocolate Candy Factory.

Niedecken opened the 750-square-foot kitchen and storefront at 408 B Second St. in Indian Rocks Beach two months ago. The business produced $1,200 in gross receipts the first full month it was open.

His sweet, nutty goodies are sold to the public and other businesses. Niedecken said he plans to start a Web site as soon as possible.

Niedecken makes all his candies himself. His wife, Vicki Berk, bakes the cookies.

One of Niedecken's best-sellers is called Florida Tropical Trash. It combines Chex mix, pretzels, macadamia nuts and white chocolate. Other popular sellers are macadamia nut brittle, macadamia nut pies, chocolate-covered macadamia nut cookies and macadamia nut buttercups.

Niedecken said his products are healthy. "There is no cholesterol in macadamia nuts," he said.

He recently visited Hawaii's orchards to gain tips for growing and marketing the mild-tasting nuts.

"I see a huge potential for a major industry to develop in Florida," he said.

Growing the trees requires a warm, frost-free climate. For that, Niedecken had to turn to south Florida.

He found a 9-acre parcel of land in La Belle, a small town about 25 miles east of Ft. Myers, where it rarely freezes and land is relatively cheap. He paid about $15,000 for the acreage and invested another couple hundred dollars in seed nuts and graphing materials. A major expense was a $6,000 irrigation and acid injection system for the orchard.

He planted 30 varieties of macadamia trees to see which fared best in this climate. Last year, the macadamia trees were mature enough to produce their first nuts. They yielded about 100 pounds.

Store hours for the Chocolate Candy Factory are noon to 7 p.m. Tues. through Sat. For information, call (727) 517-4243.

Monthly Mingles

The club -- open to singles and couples, professionals and retirees -- melds people together through an array of activities such as dinner parties, happy hours, sporting events and cultural affairs

Fran Sindoni, 39, co-owns a corporate gifts and gift basket business, A Wonderful Coffee Company, with Mark Wilson, 43. She said the long hours involved in building the Clearwater-based business left little time for socializing and entertainment. She figures others feel the same.

"There are a lot of busy people who have a need for more of a social life," she said. "This is a great way to bring people together, have fun and network. I think it will really take off." April is the kickoff month for the club. Planned events include a business card mingle at the Rio Bravo Fresh Mex restaurant in Clearwater on April 17, a dinner at Coppola's Italian Restaurant in Dunedin on April 22 and a visit to CeltiCare, an alternative therapies clinic in Dunedin, for mini-massages and tarot card readings April 28.

Sindoni says she foresees skydiving, windsurfing and rock climbing events; jaunts to bay area theatres; and visiting new restaurants.

"We're open to whatever the membership wants to do," she said.

Annual membership fees are $90 for individuals and $175 for couples. Membership is not required. However, members receive discounts on all activities, access to calendar events, invitations to monthly meetings and select business discounts.

For more information, visit http://www.monthlymingles.com or call (727) 723-0200.

Furniture recyclers

"We recycle furniture, accessories and appliances from hotels and resorts," said owner John Kiernan

He said that in years past, a majority of the used inventory from upscale hotels in Florida was going into landfills.

"It was good stuff with no place to go," said Kiernan.

RRR'S (for family members and initial investors Roger, Robert, Rosemary and Susan) buys 3- to 7-year-old goods from chains such as Hilton, Marriott and Wyndham and resells them to motels and the public. The goods include dressers, nightstands, beds, sofas, drapes, linens, fixtures, artwork and kitchen appliances.

Inspired by the success of a cousin in Orlando, Kiernan, 37, decided to quit his management job in the electronics industry and start his own liquidation business. With an initial investment of less than $10,000, the Clearwater resident bought a truck and rented the 5,000-square-foot warehouse and storefront on East Bay Drive. Last May, he expanded with another warehouse in St. Petersburg.

He now employs two full-time salespeople and three part-time movers. Last year, his annual gross revenues totaled about $750,000. About 65 percent of his sales are to the public; 35 percent are wholesale.

"I made the decision to change careers, and it was the right move," he said. "Going into business for yourself is a big challenge but rewarding."

RRR'S Liquidators is just west of the Belcher intersection on the south side of East Bay Drive. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. through Sat. For information, call (727) 523-8136. -- News of businesses and business people can be faxed to the Business Digest at 445-4119 or mailed to Business Digest, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. We are interested in new and unusual businesses, promotions, expansions and major new contracts. Photos can be sent, but not all will be used, and they cannot be returned.

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