|
5 More Smokin’ Hot Business StartupsWe can take the bad news about the economy and increasing job-layoffs an excuse to roll over and whimper like a chastised puppy or we can use it as the motivation we need to launch the business we have been dreaming about for too long. There are plenty of spunky Americans that are taking the opportunity to combine imagination with a tough entrepreneurial spirit and they are making it happen. Five New Successful Business Startups... 
Amusing Tongue Depressors for Kids. Owners of Silver Consumer Products, Catherine and Peter Drogin worked for internet companies throughout the last decade but then decided to put their “money where their mouth is,” so to speak. A pediatrician had mentioned to them the worst part of a visit to the doctor for a child is the oral exam. The husband and wife team designed a line of wooden “FunDepressors” printed with cartoons and colorful images. In 2005 major medical-supply distributors added their product and their sales have sky-rocketed. 
Apparel for Cool Biker Chicks. Denise Maple invested $31,000 in VaVaVroomonline when she decided to take the buy-out offered to LaSalle Bank executives by Bank of America. Maple’s new company sells designer riding tops, accessories and apparel for women riders. Although overall sales for motorcycles have declined, since 2003 - 20% more women are purchasing, creating a market that needed to be filled. 
Limited Edition Sneakers. Saint Alfred (the patron saint of footwear) is the namesake of the sneaker boutique run by young entrepreneur, Ian Ginoza. He orders high end shoes in batches of no more than 12 pairs and when they are sold out – that’s it folks! Crazed collectors are willing to pay as much as $400 for a pair of fashion sneakers. Ginoza spent $150,000 to open the Chicago store and became profitable after 6 months. 
Yet Another Pizza Joint. Eric Fosse expected a lot of razzing from his friends when he decided to quit selling diamonds and start HomeMade Pizza but now he has 23 locations in Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul with plans to expand. The difference between Fosse’s pizzas and hundreds of others is they are not baked. They are sold on heavy parchment paper, ready to go into your home oven for 15 minutes. The new pizza chain hit $9 million in sales for 2008. 
New Extreme Sport. Freeline Skates is the brain-child of Ryan Farelly who decided it was possible to cross Rollerblades with a skateboard. The skates resemble a high polished split metal skateboard. One half is worn on each foot. Since 2006 his sales have more than quadrupled and he is in line for over $5 million in revenue this year. Small Business IngenuityThese are just a few examples of the ingenuity of our homegrown entrepreneurs. Every one of these small business owners has defied what the doomsayers would like us to believe about the financial state of the country. Thanks to the small business startups in America, there is still evidence that anyone with a great idea and determination has the opportunity to prosper. Thanks also goes to Business Week magazine for keeping us informed about many of the latest business startup success stories.
|
