Carolyn on Etsy

Etsy is a website where you can purchase artwork online and it includes a blogging service. Etsy was established by Ashley G. and Drew as a business to support themselves. Yes, I do believe that the website has an impact on the United States economy, but I don't think it will turn it all around. This website is all handmade items that are sold online, so the shipping companies are benefitting greatly, but people don't necessarily have to go to stores for artwork anymore, so they may be hurting. I believe that the business of Etsy will make a very small impact on the United States economy.

Jonathon: Fly-Low Skiing Flies high

Fly low skiing gear is new equipment for backcountry skiers. Fly low is helping the economy a lot. This new evolution in ski equipment has boosted the ski industry to four point five billion dollars. Their snow pants and coats are triple layered for extra protection and durability. This new company has employed six full time workers and six part time workers. Fly low skiing gear has helped tremendously in the economy.

Bridget: Scarves that didn't make it

Leslie Singer had an ambition to start her own designer accessory line, but despite her determination, something went wrong. Big companies and stores said since she was new, they couldn't take the risk of buying large quantities of scarves from her because they weren't sure they would sell. They also wanted her to redesign her collection to match that year's trends, for example, in green or leopard print, but she felt that compromised her vision. Singer was successful, however, with smaller boutiques. Simply getting small orders of no more than a couple dozen scarves at a time, though, wasn't enough. She did learn her lesson, however, by admitting that she failed to do her homework on large-volume fashion retail. She never looked at the retailer side, how they buy, how they decide, etc. Maybe if she tries a different approach, and gains the appropriate funds, she can try again and be more successful.

Jack: Subscription underwear?

Man Packs is a company that has a monthly subscription for underwear. This idea is catching the attention of entrepreneurs, investors, and mass media companies such as Maxim and The New York Times. The question everyone is asking about this company is, "Will it have a large effect on the economy of The United States?" The idea of a subscription for underwear is very refreshing and clever. However I do not believe this will turn around the American economy. I believe this due to Man Packs financial set-up. At the moment, Man Packs does not have enough money to get their brand out and set up attention grabbing ad campaigns. Without ads people will not have reclamation of Man Packs. I also believe this product will not succeed in the American Economy because Man Packs target is men who do not buy underwear regularly. Men paying every month for something they do not feel they need would not make sense from an economic stance. Even if Man Packs did impact the economy, it would surely tank. I make this prediction because after a few months the subscribers would feel they had too much underwear, causing them to cancel.
Man Packs is an original idea that could make a few people wealthy but will not work in the economy right now. Maybe if Man Packs started a diaper subscription they could make more money due to the greater need and demand with a baby. Typically men do not like to waste money on things they do not need, so until men feel they need new pairs of underwear per month, Man Packs will not make an effect on the American Economy.

Nick V: iphone apps in education

This article is about Iphone apps and how it can effect our economy. Here's how. Iphone apps are useful for the economy because you can learn and have fun while your doing it.
Some Iphone apps can be classified as games, but many are useful. Educational games such as "Monster Trucks" by Lynette Mattke can be good for little kids and they can have fun while they learn how to read. Iphone apps are very important and will certainly boost the economy.

John W: Seven Steps to Success for Bootstrappers

The seven easy steps to success are: getting close to your customers, make clients pay up front, finding the "free lunch," forget stealth mode, become an expert, ask for help, and be patient.
Getting close to your customers and making them pay up front: these two steps are simple. Getting close to your customers is having your own stores and not having entrepreneurs supply established retailers. This helps promote your product the way you want. Making clients pay up front is important because the key to survival is money flow, not growth.
Looking for the "free lunch" is finding something just as good as 'big name" things for a fraction of the price. Forgetting stealth mode is getting to customers quickly, adapting to what you have and giving it another try. Saying this, you need to find out what the customers want.
Becoming an expert is just how it sounds, know your product. It is important to know your stuff to show that you can compete with the larger competitors.
Ask for help. Don't be too embarrassed to ask for help. Being patient is to not worry that you're taking it too slowly. Just keep letting your business grow.
Follow these seven steps to have success in your business.

Vincent: DVD sales slide, but blu-ray grows

This article talks about DVD sales falling and blu-ray sales growing. DVDs are things that play movies. Blu-ray discs play movies also. You may ask what the difference is. The difference is DVDs aren't HD quality. Blu-ray discs are HD; that means movies look better. This will affect the economy because DVD sales will go down even more and they will become old and no one will make them any more. People want better looking movies because they have HD TVs. I think blu-ray is better-- do you think that also?

Nick P: New Products in 2012

My article was about 10 new consumer products that will be hitting the markets in 2012. The new products are Tide Pods, Dulce de Leche Cheerios, V8 V-Fusion+Energy, Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn Flavors, Kashi Frozen Steam Meals, Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kits, Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kits, MyKleenexTissue 2.0, SC Johnson's All-in-One cleaner, and Orabrush Tongue Foam.
The Tide Pods were made to help reduce the mess of pouring laundry detergent into washing machines. The way Tide Pods work is that you just throw them into the washing machine with your laundry. The Pods are filled with cleaning, stain-fighting, and brightening detergents. Tide hopes the Tide Pods will change the way America does laundry.
Dulce de Leche Cheerios, or Sweet Milk Cheerios, are made by General Mills and target the Hispanic market and Latin America. Dulce de Leche Cheerios are a caramel-flavored cereal, a first of its kind.
The V8 juice brand is adding a new drink to its production lines. V8 V-Fusion+Energy drinks get the Energy from natural green tea. The new drink is coming out according to a recent study. According to the study, every 2 out of 3 people complain that they don't have enough energy, but 40% of people don't believe energy drinks are good for you. The executives of the V8 juice brand saw this as a good opportunity to release their new drink.
Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn Flavors are a variety of different shake-on flavors that people can choose to put on their popcorn. The flavors include White Cheddar, Extra Cheese, and Salt & Vinegar. Possible upcoming flavors include cinnamon, vanilla, and Tabasco.
Kashi Frozen Steam Meals are the new nutritious meals that can be "cooked" in a microwave in about 5 minutes. The reason for these meals is that Kashi provides healthy and nutritious meals but they took too long to make so now even busy people can eat healthier.
Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion 30 Day Smoothing Kit was created to save women money by not having to go to the salon. The Keratin treatment for hair at salons can cost up to $200, while the Suave Professionals Kit costs $12.50. The product will save women everywhere money on not having to go to the salon.
Kraft Sizzling Salads Dinner Kits are a revolutionary form of TV dinners. The meals are averaged to be about 20 minutes cooking time. The salads are convenient and also healthy.
MyKleenexTissue 2.0 consists of a Kleenex box that can be customized and given as a gift. The customized box will cost between $5.99 and $7.99, while a normal box of Kleenex tissues cost $1.99.
SC Johnson, a company that makes cleaning supplies, is coming out with a new combo cleaning pack called All-in-One. All-in-One will hold Windex, Fantastik, Pledge, Shout, and Scrubbing Bubbles cleaners in it to make cleaning more convenient. All-in-One will cost $2.99, but all the other cleaning components it holds also cost $2.99 per each one.
Orabrush came out with a popular tongue-cleaning brush in 2011. This year, Orabrush is coming out with a new tongue product: Tongue Foam. Orabrush's Tongue Foam uses natural enzymes to rid the mouth of bacteria and bad breath.
These new products will affect America's economy by increasing sales and giving the economy a positive boost. These products will lead to other products that will further our economy more and eventually our economy will be back to what it was before this Depression.

ECON: Third Quarter 2012

Welcome to new installments of Cardinal Numbers! This year's class will be blogging about all sorts of things, but their first post is a classic from the past: what's new? Enjoy their article reviews!
Original Articles appeared in INC. Magazine, Fast & Company, and USA Today.