Election Season Could Be A Boost For Maine Business
The election season could be a launching pad for two University of Maine graduates who have started a business at UMaine's Target Technology Center in Orono. Ashley Perry and Andrea Duquette graduated from UMaine last May and have created a company, Intellectual Threads, Inc. to market "intellectually savvy" clothing designs.???While they build the foundation for their new firm with business assistance at the Target Center, they are also working for Electoral College Sportswear and Accessories, Inc., a company owned by John and Marcia Diamond of Glenburn. Perry and Duquette are making arrangements to promote the company's shirts and hats at this summer's Democratic and Republican conventions. They are also managing the company's website, www.electoralcollegeusa.com.???In Boston, the pair has been getting a lesson in the difficulties of navigating through bureaucratic and retail business channels.
The Democratic National Committee had initially wanted to host a vendor fair for businesses to sell products to delegates and other convention participants, says Duquette, but security concerns led city officials to deny approval for the fair.???Although the convention offers opportunities to reach the public outside the meeting halls, the city advised Perry and Duquette to investigate opportunities to collaborate with existing businesses. The pair is pursuing the possibility of placing Electoral College hats and shirts in businesses near Fanueil Hall. ???"There is also a demonstration zone being set up where we can reserve 50-minute blocks of time. We're thinking of doing that to hold an Electoral College 'Pep Rally' and also having a political trivia quiz with shirts and hats as prizes. That would help us get things out there," adds Perry.???In New York, arrangements for vendors appear to be more straightforward.
"We can buy a city vendor permit and go set up anywhere we can on the street. As long as we don't block the flow of traffic on the sidewalk, we should be all right," says Duquette.???Electoral College products are printed by the W.S. Emerson Co. in Brewer. During the disputed ballot controversy of the 2000 election, the company increased sales dramatically and was even featured on The Today Show.???"We worked with Sephone Internet Solutions of Bangor to redo our (Electoral College) website," says Perry.
They are also investigating other ways to develop the business.???"We've been learning a lot about product distribution, retail business, and the benefits of e-commerce," says Duquette. "We're hoping that this will be a launching pad for our own company. Our goal is to do marketing, not to manage the production and distribution end of a business," she adds.???While both have bachelor's degree in business, Duquette has a master's in public administration, and Perry has a master's of business administration. During their degree programs, they worked as technical assistants at Target, providing grant writing and market research services to business tenants and affiliates..
The Hat Guys Honored as "Hat Retailer of the Year"
(ContentDesk) April 24, 2006 -- The Hat Guys, an Oakland, Calif. fixture since 1988 featuring the largest inventory on the West Coast, was honored in March with the prestigious Headwear Association of Americas Hat Retailer of the Year award at the 98th annual gathering of the organization at Tavern on the Green in New York City.The companys partners, Corrie Oranje and Rusty Watson, took special pride in receiving recognition for their long-time industry contributions, which date back to 1985 when Oranje began work with Stetson Hat Company. The partners gained national and international fame for not only creating a brisk retail headwear business from the ground up with more than 20,000 hats and caps for men, women and children equaling $1,000,000 in inventory but also their custom-designed hats worn in theater, ballet and opera performances, and in such popular movies as Titanic, Absolute Power and Mulholland Falls. The Headwear Association seeks out a top hat retailer every year,...
The Hat Guys Honored as "Hat Retailer of the Year"
Hats > The Hat Guys Honored as "Hat Retailer of the Year"
SpaIndex.Com Summer Sun Survival Contest Launched
June 8, 2005 -- Spa Index Media, LLC, publisher of three popular spa industry websites, and Physician Endorsed a leading supplier of quality hat wear and accessories, has opened the "Summer Sun Survival Contest."The EPA states that wearing a hat and sunscreen is an inexpensive and effective way to prevent damage from the sun. With its latest collection of resort wear, sun protective hats and accessories, Physician Endorsed offers exotic designs, colors and styles that truly do protect wearers from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
After researching the sun protection industry and learning about what fabrics and colors function best, Designer Elissa Margulies co-founded Physician Endorsed in 2002. Today, she's the creative force behind a dynamic line of hats, sunglasses and accessories designed for both style and skin care. Her hats are tested and endorsed by an independent medical advisory board, rated UPF 50+ (equivalent to SPF 30), and offer consumers a fashionable and safe way...
Hats > SpaIndex.Com Summer Sun Survival Contest Launched
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