Wi-Fi. Hi-def. Super-sized. 200GB. High protein. Low fat. With every brand getting upgraded to meet today’s newfangled demands, you might think there would be no room in the market for good old-fashioned values. That’s where you’d be mistaken. With so much hubris cluttering the shelves, a little bit of minimalism can offer weary customers a breath of fresh air. (more…)

Highlights from my February 8, 2010 appearance on FOX Business News’ Your Questions, Your Money, including details about the Teleflora Super Bowl ad and discussion of the behind-the-scenes footage with Don Rickles.

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Just in time for the holidays, I received this present in my inbox from Amy Reynolds, whom I interviewed this past May. It was heartening to read that my advice was able to help her and her company, and Amy’s consideration in following up with details of her recent successes brightened what was otherwise (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Climb On!
Why It’s a Gem:  What began as a niche product proves valuable to a much larger population

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Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Designs by Lolita
Why It’s a Gem: Learning the licensing ropes helps a home-grown artist become a worldwide sensation

Just as Jason Thompson proved that art can be profitable, Lolita Healey has also turned her talent to riches. But unlike Thompson’s Rag and Bone Bindery, Designs by Lolita has taken the licensing route, which has given Healey a whole different ballpark to play in. So far, she’s batting a thousand. (more…)

Sometimes a product stands out so much that I just have to talk to the visionary behind it. Such is the case with Monica Williams’ creation, Pacimals, a combination pacifier/plush toy that she created after noticing that daughter Mackenzie kept dropping her pacifier, something that drives most tots to tears. That small observation has morphed into a new product that begs to be noticed in an already-saturated baby-product market.

In this week’s Ask Lynda, I break from the regular letter format to speak directly with the radiologist-turned-entrepreneur, who never expected that her email asking for business advice would prompt a response – much less an hour-long phone call from the author of the book she’d just read. “Holy cow – you replied!” Yes, Monica. Your product was just too cute and inventive to pass up!

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Whether or not you voted for the guy, you have to hand it to him: Barack Obama and his team know how to market to the masses.  Three years ago, few people outside of Illinois had heard of the former senator, let alone considered him a viable candidate for presidency. Today, Obama’s face is plastered on more merchandise than Hannah Montana’s. It wouldn’t surprise me if (more…)