“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ~ Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Photo credit: Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog, Chicago lake front
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” ~ Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol
Photo credit: Laurel Delaney, The Global Small Business Blog, Chicago lake front
As featured in the NYTimes.com:
Some Small Businesses Grow, Even in a Recession
Even before last fall's crash, sales at Lexington International, a 12-employee maker of a laser device for treating hair loss, started heading south. "People cut down on nonessential health care items, and we really felt it," said David Michaels, managing director of the company, which is based in Boca Raton, Fla., and was founded nine years ago. When he analyzed his company's performance, Mr. Michaels concluded that the possibilities for domestic sales growth were slim. But he had started exporting his product, called HairMax, to Canada and Australia in 2001. Perhaps expanding to other countries was the answer.Mr. Michaels turned to the Gold Key Service of the Commerce Department, hiring consultants who spent several months conducting industry research and visiting a handful of countries, the better to pinpoint potential distribution partners. Then, Mr. Michaels traveled to those places to meet his partners in person. At the same time, the consultants helped him understand the regulatory issues he would have to tackle in each country. Ultimately, the licensing process took three to nine months, depending on the region. The most difficult country was South Korea, which, Mr. Michaels said, has a particularly rigorous licensing procedure for medical devices.
Now, he is also selling to Russia, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, in addition to South Korea, where, Mr. Michaels said, "There are significant social advantages to having a great head of hair." He figures that international sales have more than compensated for the decline in the United States.
Read the entire article here.
Irish America's Annual The Business 100 is a celebration of Irish-American corporate success. The executives profiled here represent some of the most powerful corporations and in my case, global small businesses, in the world.
All of the Business 100 share one thing in common: pride in their Irish heritage. I can vouch for that. It is an honor to be highlighted as an honoree.
Read more on my entry here.
Wondering whether December is a brisk time to market your wares internationally and if people in certain countries are receptive to holiday items? You might take a look at:
Photo credit: Wikipedia, the new Cheonggyecheon River at night in Seoul.
Wondering whether December is a brisk time to market your wares internationally and if people in certain countries are receptive to holiday items? You might take a look at:
Photo credit: Wikipedia, the new Cheonggyecheon River at night in Seoul.
Meet Joseph Joseph.
Twin brothers Richard and Antony Joseph founded Joseph Joseph in 2003, combining their respective experience in product design and business – Antony studied design at Central St Martins whilst Richard studied business at Cambridge University.Specializing in contemporary kitchenware, Joseph Joseph is now internationally recognized for producing some of the most stylish and technically innovative products available, and has become one of the fastest growing companies in the worldwide homewares market.
Their unique ability to match form and function has earned them global recognition for their multi-award-winning designs.
For more information, go here. Makes for a nifty, unique holiday gift.
Pictured: Magnetic spoons by Joseph Joseph (made in the UK).
Irish America's Annual The Business 100 is a celebration of Irish-American corporate success. The executives profiled here represent some of the most powerful corporations and in my case, global small businesses, in the world.
All of the Business 100 share one thing in common: pride in their Irish heritage. I can vouch for that. It is an honor to be highlighted as an honoree.
Read more on my entry here.
