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in Inc.
by
Leigh Buchanan, May 2008
This intriguing feature explores the establishment of Tranquilo Bay, an eco-adventure resort on the Panamanian island of Bastimentos. The lovely, "Somerset Maugham meets Martha Stewart" lodging isn't an impressively profitable venture -- this year's revenue projection is just $350,000 -- but the efforts of founders Renee and Jim Kimball set it apart from other startups. The two endured years of separation as Jim and friend Jay Viola labored tirelessly, taming the jungle in order to clear land for Tranquilo Bay. Buchanan speaks with the Kimballs about their trying experience and contrasts it with the leisurely resort life they now lead.
Posted 10:50, 9 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Brian Willett
and edited by Brijit.
in Inc.
by
Stephanie Clifford, May 2008
Mitch Free is the classic archetype of a self-made man. Dropping out of college after just six weeks, he worked his way up from menial machinist at a factory to director of technical operations, and then he started his own company, MFG.com, which connects manufacturers with suppliers. Free expanded his business to China in 2005, providing a gateway to lower-cost Chinese manufacturing companies. Though he'd never traveled before, Free proved an apt pupil, quickly learning to build his business through social networking. Clifford's interesting glimpse of Asian business norms melds perfectly with his profile of Free.
Posted 10:49, 9 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Jacquelyn Gilchrist
and edited by Brijit.
in Inc.
by
Norm Brodsky, May 2008
Brodsky adjusts from being one of the owners and an executive of CitiStorage, a storage company he founded, to a consultant for the new owners, Allied Capital. It's a difficult transformation for Brodsky to make -- he's still getting paid for less responsibility as CitiStorage moves into an area he's less qualified for, but he misses stepping into any part of the company's operations and getting a feel for the day-to-day business. And although Allied has kept the business's core philosophy, their more detail-oriented management style is slightly disconcerting. Interestingly, instead of triumph, Brodsky feels he needs to consider new challenges.
Posted 2:55, 8 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Bryan Fagan
and edited by Brijit.
in Inc.
by
Shivani Vora, May 2008
For those who want to try to keep up with the Indiana Joneses, Vora lists a dozen travel packages to the regions Dr. Jones traveled to in his first three films. These range from relatively sedate zeppelin journeys in Germany to the more exotic (and occasionally dangerous), such as "playing with snakes" in Bangkok or an Amazon trek. Approximate prices through a given travel agent are given, but the prices generally aren't for the casual traveler. Still, it's an interesting piece for anyone who ever wanted to play globe-trotting adventurer.
Posted 2:38, 8 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Bryan Fagan
and edited by Brijit.
in Inc.
by
Max Chafkin, May 2008
Entrepreneur Sam Yagan has made a successful career out of delivering free of charge what other companies make customers pay for, from his establishment of CliffNotes copycat SparkNotes to the file-sharing tool eDonkey. So when he approached the online dating industry with OkCupid, Yagan was stunned by his lack of success while other similar services flourished. However, he recently sparked user interest in the venture with the launch of CrazyBlindDate.com, which allowed people to go on blind dates within hours of signing up. Though off-putting to some, the instant-hookup format has been a hit with others. In addition to chronicling Yagan's efforts, this interesting piece features the opinions of three industry leaders.
Posted 2:17, 8 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Brian Willett
and edited by Brijit.
in Inc.
by
Amy Feldman, May 2008
There are few bigger milestones in the business world than one's first million-dollar sale, and this interesting feature details how four entrepreneurs accomplished the impressive feat. In the first account, Wellgate Products founder Sam Braunstein details how successfully stocking small retail chains with her orthopedic braces and supports for women led to interest from Wal-Mart in the form of a seven-figure deal. The endorsements of big businesses were the wind in the million-dollar sails of other companies as well, with Dillard's creating a fortune for Crocs, and Samsung offering antenna manufacturer Ethertronics their first seven-figure contract.
Posted 1:47, 8 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Brian Willett
and edited by Brijit.
The current economic climate isn't a very enjoyable one for the business community, but this interesting feature offers some encouragement in the form of several stories about successful startups that began in recessions. The entrepreneurs behind companies such as Method, RF Micro Devices, and Clif Bar share their tales of hardship and hard work and detailing how they beat the obstacle of an ailing economy. In addition to the narratives, this article also offers several helpful suggestions any business leader can employ, covering areas such as hiring, pricing, sales, and bartering.
Posted 10:55, 8 May 2008
This abstract was written by
Brian Willett
and edited by Brijit.
Merchant cash advances are attractive because they require no collateral, typically subtracting repayments from a business's credit card revenue. But in this invaluable article, Inc. builds a persuasive case as to why they are a poison pill. Many businesses accuse MCAs of “unscrupulous practices,” including deducting from a merchant’s bank account without notification, charging interest rates as high as 419 percent APR, and operating largely outside of government regulation. Despite the lack of collateral required, the writers smartly warn, MCAs will aggressively pursue merchants if they suspect the contract was broken.
Posted 5:07, 8 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Bethany Stotts
and edited by Brijit.
in Inc.
by
Laura Cohn, April 2008
The nation's failing economy sees an estimated 28 states facing huge budget deficits. Most of them do not have sufficient "rainy-day" funds and have laws in place prohibiting deficit spending. States are already slashing budgets for social programs and other services, but new revenue will also be needed, so taxes are bound to rise. During the last budget crisis in the states, corporate and sales taxes were the first to go up. Cohn's piece is enlightening, especially in its revelation that the federal stimulus package actually hurts state tax revenues by allowing company's to frontload the depreciation losses.
Posted 5:07, 8 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Jonathan Pinoli
and edited by Brijit.
in Inc.
by
Stephanie Clofford, April 2008
Gordon "Butch" Stewart can be considered the king of all-inclusive vacations, but how did he get started? Born in Jamaica and educated in England, this tycoon took his first job as an air-conditioner salesman and moved back to Jamaica. In 1980, he bought two run-down hotels and started to turn them around -- through his determination and hard work, his hotels have became a top resorts destination year-over-year. The resorts, Sandals, are now a household name and Stewart's piece nicely explains how the chain grew.
Posted 5:05, 8 April 2008
This abstract was written by
Eleisa Walker
and edited by Brijit.