Description: IN the glory days of the digital photo frame business, when his products were still a novelty and shoppers were flush with cash, getting a bank loan to manufacture them was a cinch, Michael Levy says. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/30/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/business/smallbusiness/31order.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the problems facing small businesses since the financial… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Starting Your Own Business: The Entrepreneurship Alternative (p180)
Now at Starbucks: A Rebound
Description: Young people wearing hoodies and chunky glasses are sipping microbrew beers and espressos, nibbling on cheese and baguettes made at a local bakery and listening to a guitarist strum and sing. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/20/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/business/21sbux.html Questions for discussion: Do you think the new “entrepreneurial†approach at Starbucks will be successful? What are… Read more »
MD by day, iPhone developer at night
Description:  Brian Gillett needed some extra money to put his son through private school, so he developed an iPhone app that helps users find a nearby mailbox. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 12/09/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/12/09/sbiz_iphone_app_developer_mail.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think developers of iPhone apps come from such varied backgrounds, as illustrated… Read more »
Gordon Ramsay Flees Kitchen as TV Fame Saves Restaurant Empire
Description: On a gray morning in October, Gordon Ramsay bursts into the kitchen of his south London house, pop music blaring from the radio. At the heart of the room stands a 67,000-pound ($109,000) French cooking range that weighs 2.5 tons and had to be lowered by crane into the celebrity chef’s home. Source: Bloomberg.com… Read more »
From fashion passion to profit
Description: An enthusiasm for vintage threads led entrepreneurs to create the successful online clothing retailer, ModCloth.com. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 11/10/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/11/10/sbiz_makeover_modcloth.smb/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think this small business has succeeded? What problems are these entrepreneurs facing, now that they are beginning to grow their business? How would… Read more »
Reviving historical sites
Description: Global Heritage Fund restores ancient architectural monuments and brings tourism to the poorest countries of the world. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 9/03/2009  Keys: International business, marketing, small business Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/09/03/n_cc_global_heritage_fund.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What do you think of this concept? Will it be successful? Explain your thinking? How would you… Read more »
Zipcar’s $1 billion ambitions
CEO Scott Griffith says the car rental company plans to grow its customer base and become a billion-dollar company. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 8/26/2009 Keys: Marketing, buyer behavior, small business Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2009/08/26/f_tt_zipcar_ceo_griffith.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Who is the target customer for Zipcar? What are the firm’s competitive advantages over alternative customer choices?… Read more »
The birth of Costco
Costco CEO Jim Sinegal on how the wholesale retailer went from concept to $1 billion in just three years. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 8/17/2009 Keys: Management, marketing, small business Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/08/17/sbiz.hwgs.costco.sinegal.smb/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the small business developmental history of Costco into the firm that exists today? What were some of… Read more »
