Entrepreneur Profiles

POS Designed for Specialty Retail

LivePOS is designed with the specialty retailer in mind; it helps specialty retailers affordably manage their locations remotely and in real time.

The Future of Skin Care

With revolutionary products in sleek, sophisticated packages, a touch screen instead of a sales person and customized kiosks a generation ahead of their time, Onsen is ushering in the future.

Wrapping Up the Sales at I-Wrapz

In less than a year, Oscar Cano and Joe Montalvo have transformed their idea for a better mousetrap-or in this case, a better iPod wrap-from a topic of conversation into a full line of gadget-protecting products sold from more than two dozen carts in three countries.

ZoomShops Flying High in Airports-and Beyond

As you read this, more than six dozen ZoomShops in the nation's airports are busy racking up record-breaking sales of tech gadgets, personal care products and cosmetics-how does $40,000 per square foot sound?-with not a salesperson in sight. For ZoomSystems, widely regarded as the pioneer developer of automated retail stores, landing big sales in airports is just part of the bright future ahead for this emerging retail niche.

Shaping a New Industry, One Brow at a Time

A Chicago couple with a successful salon business took a big risk when they began offering eyebrow-threading services on carts in malls. Armed with a technique for shaping brows naturally, a low price point that shoppers found irresistible, and a solid marketing strategy, Shapes Brow Bar quickly took root. With more than 50 mall locations, an expanding product line and a new franchise program, 2009 is looking like the company's breakout year.

Retail With a Mission

Boston's Northeastern University School of Technological Entrepreneurship recently studied what drives entrepreneurs to launch new businesses.

Nearly two-thirds said they were motivated by innate desire and determination, rather than by their education or work experience. Nichelle Powers is one of those entrepreneurs.

All That Glitters... Sells

Eric Andrew finds it hard to describe how he gets his ideas for the one-of-a-kind jewelry he designs, handcrafts and sells through five mall carts.

"The designs just seem to come to me," he says. "I see the materials and I need to start creating." He's been creating unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other pieces since 2001, and today can claim credit for more than 1,500 original designs.

Now Playing: Specialty Retail 2.0

Children become instant movie stars at Papaya Entertainment Studios' soon-to-launch kiosk concept, which combines personalized DVDs with a new digital Web-based playground where kids have fun, learn about their world and purchase an array of additional products. Welcome to specialty retail 2.0.

Innovation Fires Up Spa Concepts

Ajay and Meenakshi Chadha, owners of Spa Concepts, are product designers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, which gives them extraordinary control over their products and operations. Their story is one of creative thinking, self-reliance and perseverance-stoked by a passion to be the best.

Partnering for Growth

Companies at every level of the specialty retail industry are partnering up to increase revenues and create opportunities for growth.