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Brooklyn’s own small biz beauty
For the millions of Americans who’ve struggled the past several years to become their own boss, few could imagine chatting on national television with Oprah Winfrey and promoting their product.
But Lisa Price, the Brooklyn-bred founder of the Carol’s Daughter beauty line, got to relish that thrill, and more.
Winfrey had watched a video recounting Price’s rise in the cosmetics biz, and did a double take – she remembered that she’d received a Carol’s Daughter gift basket from Halle Berry.
“She said, ‘You’re Carol’s Daughter!'” Price recalled.
Inspiration by design
Every time you walk into Black-Eyed Susan it’s like a new store.
The home furnishings store on Main Street in Yardley is constantly changing, thanks to the design tastes of owner Susan Taylor and retail manager Michael Herold.
Taylor is an interior designer. The retail store is an outgrowth of her interior design business, which shares the name.
Herold, who’s in charge of the store and its displays, tries to create an experience for customers. To that end, he changes the store layout almost daily.
In Search of Traffic
For small companies, just having a Web site isn’t enough anymore. To be successful online, they must learn to harness one of the Web’s most powerful tools: search engines.
After all, search engines like Google Inc., Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp.’s MSN are often shoppers’ first stops when they’re looking for a product on the Web. So it’s crucial for small businesses to show up prominently in search-engine results — and that’s a complicated job.
Guerrilla marketing is a great way for a small business to get attention. But it’s a tactic that can easily backfire.
Microloans getting macro effect
Minneapolis — Ana Chacon had a big decision to make.
The 51-year-old immigrant from El Salvador successfully operates two Hispanic-themed gift shops in Minneapolis.
Family brings out ‘best’ in Burlingame; Bensons have history of charitable giving, civic involvement
Burlingame — What does it take to be the “Best of Burlingame?”
How about owning a retail store that’s been in business since 1915 and has a history of civic involvement and a steady record of charitable giving.
The Benson family was honored by the Burlingame City Council this month for their stewardship of The Studio Shop on Primrose Road, the longest-running retail store in the city.
John and Martha Benson bought the store in 1955 after John left his job in South San Francisco as a middle school shop and industrial arts teacher.
Travel store opens downtown
Rapid City — Birdie Machacek is only three years old, but she has probably traveled more than most adult Rapid Citians.
Last summer, she joined her parents, Bridget and Jon Machacek, on a trek to China and its Great Wall. Her blond hair and rosy cheeks were a big hit among Chinese farmers and residents they met along the way, her mother said.
So Birdie should feel right at home among the patrons at Roam’n Around, the new retail store her parents opened recently at 616 Main St.
The downtown store is big, bright and devoted to travel, trekking and hiking.
Shop’s future looks even sweeter
At one time or another, many people entertain the idea of running their own company.
“You walk into any business and say, ‘I could do this’ or ‘I could do that,’ ” said Amy Hauge, owner with husband Darrell Hauge of Amy’s Classic Confections in downtown Minneapolis. “Then you go, ‘Wait a minute, could I really do it?’ “
In their case, the answer appears to be yes.
Three years after opening, the Hauges are just completing an expansion of their specialty shop, where they sell chocolates, candy and gift baskets.
Retailers Whose Slips Show Too Much Attract Lawsuits
Consumers are pulling out their plastic for everyday purchases more than ever, and now the nation’s retailers are coming under legal assault for printing too much payment-card information on customer receipts.
So far this year, plaintiffs’ lawyers have filed more than 100 federal lawsuits seeking class-action status against big merchants such as Rite Aid Corp., Wendy’s International Inc., FedEx Corp., TJX Cos. and Inter Ikea Systems BV.
April Cornell Holdings, Ltd. Signs Licensing Agreement with Martha M
April 2007 – April Cornell Holdings, Ltd., parent company for the April Cornell brand, announces the signing of a licensing agreement with Martha M, a manufacturer of fine sleepwear for women.
Martha M is owned by former April Cornell employee, Martha McEvoy, who knows first-hand the power of the April Cornell brand and the popularity of April Cornell designs.
Boston Gift Show: Pre-Show Report
Nearly 5,000 independent retailers from throughout the New England states will descend upon Boston, September 15-18, 2007, as the Boston Gift Show presents more than 400 exhibitors of regionally-produced, high quality gifts and decorative accessories at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC).
Pacific Market Center Kicks Off Seattle Market Week With Summer Gift And Home Accessories Show
Seattle – Pacific Market Center, the leading destination market on the west coast, announces the Summer Gift & Home Accessories Show, August 15-21, offering an extensive and innovative resource for home, lifestyle and giftware.
Marie Osmond Announces Winners of Mother, Daughter, Sister Friend Contest
LAKE FOREST, Calif. – Marie Osmond Dolls is proud to announce that Darlene Cameron and her local retailer, Once Upon a Time, are the grand prize winners of the Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend contest. As the winning retailer, Charisma Brands will host a special brunch and signing event at Once Upon a Time with doll sculptors Karen and Rachel Scott May 19, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Cameron will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the event.
Shop owner brings her dream to life
Sandy DiIulio had long carried with her the dream of opening her own business. But it took listening to those who missed opportunities for their own dreams to prompt the Windsor Heights woman to reach for hers.
DiIulio, 50, owns Whimsical Wishes, a Windsor Heights gift shop. It’s a change from her career as a hospice nurse. Over the years, DiIulio noticed that many of the people she cared for talked about things they did not do in life when they had the time.
“There’s a lot of lessons in life at the end of life,” DiIulio said. “I saw that as a recurring theme.
A Trip to the Gift Shop Is Like a Day at the Museum
I have a friend who used to work at the MoMA Design Store in the early ’90s. I remember him telling me that sometimes people would walk in the store, mistake it for Museum of Modern Art itself and stroll around peering at things as if it were a gallery.
One day he’d finally had enough. When someone walked in, looked around and asked, “Can you tell me where the main museum is?”, my friend shrugged and answered, “I don’t know, Maine?”
I bet that doesn’t happen anymore.
New Barbie Girls sashay into view with MP3
On Thursday, Mattel unveiled Barbie Girls, a doll-shaped MP3 player that turns into a live character at BarbieGirls.com, a Web site where girls can interact with each other in a manner reminiscent of Second Life, the virtual world for adults.
The company hopes the new toy, which brings together Web surfing, shopping and music downloads, will cool demand for rival MGA Entertainment’s sassy Bratz dolls — a line of big-headed, skinny dolls with scant, trendy clothing.
The world’s largest toy maker is also taking aim at Apple Inc.’s (Nasdaq:AAPL – news) iPod music players and Ganz’s Webkin
Smokey Bear Memorabilia Museum & Gift Shop serves up the legend
Smokey Bear is the longest running public service campaign in United States history.
GIFT SHOP Magazine announces winner of ‘Ultimate Makeover Contest’
Hanover, Mass. – GIFT SHOP magazine is proud to announce that Donna Trottier, owner of Blue Hydrangea in Wickford, RI, is the winner of its ‘Ultimate Makeover Contest.’ The winner was chosen after careful consideration of dozens of entries.
Trottier was delighted to be chosen the winner and is looking forward to the results of the makeover. “My customers have been asking why I am going ahead with this but I am excited – change is always good,” Trottier said.
Jeremy Hirsch, VP of Marketing, OneCoast, said: “OneCoast strives to help its retailers grow their sales.
Gifts with a personal touch Robi Nelson combines photography, creativity to make a one-of-a-kind product
As the owner of a new business, Robi Nelson says that she’s one of Newport News’ best-kept secrets, but not by choice.
Personalize It!
Mother’s Day worth $15.7 billion to retailers
Local and national retailers are counting on U.S.
Landmark Padanaram store relocates
DARTMOUTH — Long considered by the locals to be a Padanaram landmark, The Packet has packed up and moved.
Aptly named after a ship that once sailed regularly from England carrying a variety of goods, The Packet carries clothing, jewelry, housewares, gifts and local art.
Located at 250 Elm St. in Padanaram Village for more than 50 years, The Packet relocated to a store just a few hundred feet north at 354 Elm St.