Success only runs one direction....
Heads up to those of you who design invitations, logos, etc.—I just tripped over a crazy little $40 software program that’s worth twice that, at least. If this had been around back when I was designing invitations and logos, well….let’s just say it would have made my life a whole heck of a lot easier. [click here to continue…]
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Now that we’ve all begun spinning like whirling dervishes over the absurdity of vendors allowing massive debt to accumulate with Swoozies, the fallout is beginning to take shape. Here’s the scorecard thus far; if you have additions (and can back them up with a vendor email, website, or confirmable third party source), please post them in the Comments section.
1. Mud Pie $ 865,852.71
> Raised cash by selling minority portion of company to equity firm Lineage Capital (article here)
2. Design Design 352,268.51
> According to company president, Don Kallil, the company is able to absorb the loss (see his 4/22/10 comment posted here)
3. FedEx 300,290.65
4. Heart Strings 283,440.40
5. Creative Containers 234,283.84
6. Crane & Co. 227,856.38
7. Innovative Packaging 206,337.20
8. Inviting Company 204,394.85
9. Patience Brewster 197,051.94
10. Peking Handicraft 197,051.94
11. Dennis East International 173,123.53
12. Cross-My-Heart-Cards 160,787.86
> Has gone out of business due to Swoozie’s losses, as explained in 4/7/10 email to retail accounts
> UPDATE 5.12.10: Roseanne Beck Collections will have three booths at NSS…?
13. Oh Sugar! 147,504.44
14. William Arthur 129,746.20
15. Lifeguard Press 123,029.54
16. Hilco Real Estate 115,067.17 (Lease, Northbrook IL)
17. AmEx 113,743.05
18. MS. Dee / Molly ‘n Me 111,236.76
19. Print Appeal 109,019.93
20. Berman Enterprises 103,772.98 (Lease, Rockville MD)
21. Caspari 101,766.79
22. San Lori Designs 98,955.98
23. Natural Life 89,184.62
24. Lady Jane Ltd. 81,023.02
25. Morgan & Company 80,768.60
26. Recycled Paper Greetings 73,871.05
27. Opus Real Estate 67,820.16
28. Room It Up (Prime Source) 62,950.45
29. Cov II DDR Trademark 62,950.45 (Lease, Dallas TX)
30. Anna Griffin Invitations 62,451.89
31. ShopperTrak RCT Corp. 61,442.12 (Mall traffic analysis group)
32. Tri Coastal Design 58,679.67
33. The Orb Factory Ltd. 58,673.17
34. New Dimensions 56,815.36
35. Hog Wild 56,384.00
36. American Greetings 55,953.85
37. Long Grove Confectionery 53,082.11
38. Melissa & Doug LLC 51,692.83
39. B*Posh 49,025.08
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At the request of a whole heck of a lot of retailers, here’s the bar tab Swoozie’s rang up before filing bankruptcy (as listed in public court records, confirmed here):
Top Unsecured Swoozie’s Creditors
1. Mud Pie $ 865,852.71
2. Design Design 352,268.51
3. FedEx 300,290.65
4. Heart Strings 283,440.40
5. Creative Containers 234,283.84
6. Crane & Co. 227,856.38
7. Innovative Packaging 206,337.20
8. Inviting Company 204,394.85
9. Patience Brewster 197,051.94
10. Peking Handicraft 197,051.94 [click here to continue…]
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Here’s a segment that ran on WHBF-TV (CBS) about The 3/50 Project while I was in Muscatine, Iowa. A huge thanks goes to the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry who invited me to appear at their annual dinner. It was quite a night, and a wonderful opportunity to meet community leaders and business owners determined to strengthen their local economy.
As for the name of our movement….? Yeah, I know. The reporter keeps calling it by the wrong name. Oh well—we still got some great coverage, and that counts for a lot!
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A big thanks to WQAD-TV reporter, John David, for doing such a great job of covering The 3/50 Project story in Muscatine, Iowa, and to Kerry Keller and the Downtown Action Alliance for hosting the Merchants Breakfast (which, by the way was yummmmmmy).
Muscatine was a tripple header when it came to media coverage for the Project. The night before, WHBF-TV (CBS) covered my appearance at the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry dinner; KWQC-TV (NBC) also attended the breakfast, and stayed through the entire thing. I’ll post those videos as they become available.
Go for it, Muscatine!
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Next stop on the speaking tour about The 3/50 Project? Muscatine, Iowa, here we come…..!
Tuesday, April 6
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Annual Meeting
Hosted by: Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn (Highways 61 and 38)
Tickets: Prices vary, based on membership level
Is it too late? Contact the Chamber office, 563.263.8895
Wednesday, April 7
Muscatine DAA Merchants Breakfast
Hosted by: Downtown Action Alliance of Muscatine
Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Plamor Lanes Banquet Room
Tickets: $15
Open to the public—not just business owners!
Is it too late? Contact Kerry Keller, 563.263.3084
Hope to see you there!
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