Date: January 21, 2007
Vol. XII, No. 2

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMMENTARY: THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE IN  2008? 

If there's going to be a general economic slowdown this year, with no new product or category trend that has consumers flocking to our stores, then the key is to attract new consumers without alienating the current knitters, crafters, stitchers, and painters.

In Scene & Heard, Janet Perry describes a resurgence in needlepoint, thanks to fresh new designs that are attracting new consumers.

I was pleasantly surprised to see some new and different projects when I thumbed through the Society of Decorative Painters' preview of the classes at the convention May 26-31 in Tampa. (Early registration is available through Mar. 15. Visit www.decorativepainters.org.) Some years, the show book with photos of the class projects has looked exactly like the show books from previous years. Will these new projects/designs attract newcomers or simply irritate hard-core painters? Only time will tell.

It's an important question, because some hard-core scrappers are complaining loudly that the industry is abandoning them as it tries to attract new customers.

Of course we should be trying to attract newcomers, but it has to be done carefully.

Business-Wise. The last issue of CLN included an article, "Challenges Facing the Industry in '08." and invited subscribers to respond. Here are thought-provoking comments regarding chain stores, beads, and yarn.

Memory, Paper & Stamps. A Canadian retailer gives an excellent analysis of the challenges facing the scrapbook category – and some intriguing suggestions for answering them. Also, Trish Hansen gives a preview of IConnect, a developing organization that can help vendors deal with some of the problems Lisa describes.

Scene & Heard. A report on trends in needlepoint at the recent TNNA show.

Note: To read the columns, click on the titles in the left-hand column. If it appears to be an "old" column, click on the "Refresh" or "Reload" button on your browser.

Vendors and retailers: Do you anticipate raising prices this year? The general cost of living, including food, medical care, fuel, utilities, and raw materials, is expected to rise. Will you pass along at least some of those higher costs to your customers in 2008? To vote, click on Industry Polls in the right-hand column, or click HERE.

The industry certainly has mixed feelings as the new year starts. Only 17.7% believe their profits will increase 10% or more, and 23.5% think their profits will decline 10% or more. Almost a quarter, 23.5%, predict profits will rise 1-9%, while 14.7% are afraid their profits will decline 1-9%. The remainder, 20.6% think profits will be flat.

Attitudes of CLN voters mirror their predictions. An equal percentage, 15.2%, are "very optimistic" and "very worried.." Those who are "somewhat optimistic," 27.3%, equal those who are "somewhat worried." Only 15.2% are "neutral."

The Craft & Hobby Assn. announced a new partnership with The Retail Owners Institute® which provides CHA members with 24/7 access to financial management and planning tools, and advice to grow their businesses. The cost for companies that are not CHA members would be $499 a year. For CHA members, it's free.

ROI offers self-help resources, by retailers, for retailers, and focuses exclusively on retail owner business issues, including how to control four of the toughest issues for retailers: inventory, debt, cash, and profits. The ROI site at www.retailowner.com includes 200+ pages of retail financial how-to information, 40+ retail financial management how-to articles, a short course on retail financial basics, online calculators for key retail math, etc.

"We are thrilled to introduce all CHA members to the benefits offered by the Retail Owners Institute as an invaluable business resource," says Sandy Ghezzi, CHA's VP of Marketing, Member Services & Education. "Through this new partnership, CHA will better assist craft retailers by providing them with the necessary tools, resources and business know-how to thrive in a competitive market."

Note: For CHA members to have free access, they must enter through the CHA site, www.craftandhobby.org, and click on "Enter Here" in the ROI box. If you have difficulty logging into The ROI, call 201-794-1133, ext. 221 or email memberbenefits@craftandhobby.org.

Jo-Ann has joined forces with M’Liss Rae Hawley, to expand class and fabric offerings for quilters. M’Liss has designed an exclusive line of fabrics featuring a variety of colors – a trademark of her designs – and some of her favorite themes, including floral groups such as M’Liss’s Garden, Garden Court, and Spring Bouquet; a travel-themed line, Experience the World with M’Liss; and a feline collection, Meow. The fabrics are 100% cotton, with 40+ designs available for $6.99/yard.

The Jo-Ann Creative University (tm) class schedule will be expanded with "Experience Quilting with M’LissTM" class offerings – beginner to advanced classes designed by M’Liss.

The products will be in Jo-Ann stores nationwide and on Joann.com, and her classes in Jo-Ann larger superstores. To see a list of class offerings and locations, visit www.joann.com. Additional collections, including a dog-inspired line, will be available later this year.

Of all the industry acquisitions in the last two years, the one that caused the least ripple – and has turned out to be probably the most successful – was Pepperel Braiding's purchase of Holgate Toys, a U.S. manufacturer of wooden toys. The company can trace its roots to 1789 and was doing fine in part as a subcontractor to Fisher Price. Business declined when Fisher Price moved production to China, and the company was sold to Pepperell.

Then came the Chinese toy/lead paint scare. Since then Holgate, one of only about 10 U.S. toy manufacturers left, was profiled by the CBS Early Show, USA Today, NBC, and even a Japanese tv network. Fox News devoted 20 minutes to Holgate on Black Friday.

"Orders came in from all over the country," said President Tom Murray. "We concentrated our business on the independent toy, craft, and gift shops and our sales are still brisk. Retailers are expanding their inventory to feature 'Made in America' goods. High quality and 48-hour delivery didn't hurt either."

Now the product lineup is even stronger with the addition of a line endorsed by Mr. Rogers. Visit www.holgatetoy.com.

The National Retail Federation's 2008 economic forecast predicted retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 3.5%, the smallest increase in recent years. The NRF study expects sales to rise 3.2% in the first half of the year and 3.8% in the second half.

"Retailers will once again be forced to market to more practical consumers, many of whom will be looking to trade down," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "Even areas of past high growth like luxury goods and online shopping will feel the pressure. In 2008, the challenges will be formidable for everyone."

Holiday sales for 2007, which combine November and December sales, rose 3.0%, lower than NRF’s projected 4.0% forecast. That's the lowest holiday season growth since 2002, when sales rose 1.3%.

One retailer that pleasantly surprised analysts was Wal-Mart, whose same-store sales in the U.S. rose 2.6% in December. Eduardo Castro-Wright, U.S. President/CEO, said, "Wal-Mart's food performance was very strong, which helped drive traffic to other areas of the stores."

"Chains are slamming the brakes on store openings, cutting back on inventory, and girding for leaner times as consumer spending chills," wrote the Wall Street Journal.

A highlight of the Disney Show Event (Feb. 12, 6-10:00 pm) will be the presentation of the annual CHA awards. 

The Meritorious Award of Honor (for service to the association) will be given to retailer Jim Bremer, CEO and co-owner of Tall Mouse Arts & Crafts and former Chief Governance Officer of the CHA board.

The Industry Achievement Award (service to the industry) will be given to Carol Duvall, whose The Carol Duvall Show ran on HGTV for 12 years, introducing crafts to and inspiring millions.

The Special Recognition Award (service to mankind) goes to Robert Workman, Chief Creative Officer of Provo, for founding Teaching Individuals and Families Independence through Enterprise in 2007. TIFIE, centered in The Democratic Republic of Congo, is dedicated to eradicating poverty and improving living standards by providing resources, assistance, and training necessary to create competitive jobs, plus providing basic needs such as food and clean water, and working to find a new home for an orphanage in Kinshasa, DRC. Visit www.chashow.org for ticket and schedule info.

(Note: CHA exhibitors, if you have new products you're unveiling at the show that are on your website, send a brief explanation, booth number, and the url to CLN at mike@clnonline.com for inclusion in CLN's last pre-show issue, online Feb. 4. It's your last chance to give buyers a sneak peak as they prepare their "booths to visit" list.)

Coats and Clark. (#2235). In a newly-designed booth, Red Heart® is featuring two new yarns – Designer Sport™ and Heart & Sole™—and new knit and crochet pattern books, as well introducing the Red Heart Ambassador program and the "Red Heart® loves your heart" campaign in support of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women program. www.coatsandclark.com

Creative Imaginations. (#1472) Is sponsoring a consumer contest to support its Creative Cafe brand. The intent is to encourage retailers and consumers to explore creative uses for Creative Cafe products outside the scrapbook comfort zone. Prizes will be awarded in six categories – home dec, card, invitation, party favor, kids project, and scrapbook layout. Participating retailers can earn a discount on their CHA show order for promoting the contest to their customers. Contest info is available at the booth and at the blog for Creative Cafe retailers, www.creativeimaginations.typepad.com/creativecafe.

Duncan. (#4001) Will be introducing a new product line, Aleene's Collage Pauge, with make-it/take-its hosted by Traci Bautista, designer and author of Collage Unleashed, on Sunday and Monday. www.duncancrafts.com/cha/aleenes/aleenes.html ... Kathy Cano-Murillo, aka the "Crafty Chica," will introducing her Crafty Chica product line – high shine, glitter, and bold colors. It's mainly Latinocentric, but will also include many other themes. www.duncancrafts.com/cha/crafty/crafty.html ... New to the Tulip Fashion Art line includes the Tulip Fashion Art To Go Toolkit, Tulip Baby Couture transfers & appliqués, Tulip Glam-It-Up! Crystals & Tools, and more. www.duncancrafts.com/cha/tulip/tulip.html

Fairfield. (#4011) Meryl Ann Butler will be demonstrating creative ideas using the line of naturally antibacterial Nature-Fil™ bamboo batting, pillow forms, and fiberfill. www.poly-fil.com/cha.asp

Hot Off The Press. (#4346) Offers a new line of alternative surfaces, Sara's Surfaces – 15 assorted albums, portfolios, and pockets for personalizing, gift-giving, etc. Retail from $2.99 to $14.99. www.b2b.hotp.com

Kandi Corp. (#3031) Is introducing a new way to embellish craft surfaces, such as paper, fabric, etc. The Pure Beeswax Pigments is based on the ancient encaustic techniques of the Greeks and Romans and updated with modern technology. EncaustiCrafting is an earth-friendly way to embellish almost any medium with deep, rich color and new textures. ... Will also introduce the Suze Weinberg Signature Edition Hot Wax Art Stylus. www.kandicorp.com/hotwaxart.htm

Lucidiom. (#2843) Reported consumers made 80,000 one-hour photo books on the company's EQ-9800 in Nov.-Dec. through its nationwide network of photofinishing retailers. www.lucidiom.com

Memories in Uniform. (#4981) The new {Life} Jacket album is an innovative new post-bound scrapbook album with a removable, fully customizable album cover. Sew, embroider, and/or embellish the cover, then snap it back into place on the heavy book-board album – for Scouts, military, band, athletics, family albums, etc. www.memoriesinuniform.com

Midwest Design Imports. (#3911) Will be showing 300+ new items, including feather wreaths, new styles of birds & butterflies, porcelain dolls, Friendship Braids, seasonal items, and a new line of boas, The Candy Series. Also, an advanced seasonal program with discounts up to 40% on 1200+ items for shipment June through August. Order must be in by March 15. www.midwestdesignimports.com

Mountain Mist. (#2330) Has a new 3 lb. bulk box of ECOCRAFT™ Eco-Friendly™ Fiberfill, – naturally based synthetic craft fibers made from domestic renewable resources: corn. www.mountainmistlp.com

Prima Marketing. (#1775) The producer of charms, fibers, die cuts, etc., has launched a new website with products that build a bridge between traditional paper and digital scrapbooking, www.primahybrid.com

R&M West Coast Ent.. (#4308) Authors of new books will conduct book signings. Jane Davis will sign her Bracelets, Buttons & Brooches Feb. 10 at 1 pm; Shannon Okey will sign her The Pillow Book Feb. 11 at 10:00 am; and Heidi Schuller will sign her Easy Scrapbook Embellishment Feb. 12 at 10:00 am. Another new book, Peeps, uses Peeps candy for craft and cooking projects.

Sbar's. (#305) The long-time distributor/importer is exhibiting for perhaps the first time, offering kids' activity kits, basic craft supplies, embellishments, framing mats/supplies, seasonal supplies, and wood shapes & surfaces.

Sticky Ass Glue. (#536) Yes, that's the name of the company – and the product. www.stickyassglue.com

Walnut Hollow. (#2917) Will unveil a Home Decor Collection (wood frames, boxes, trays and stools) and an Office Collection (organizers, holders, clocks). www.walnuthollow.com

I think you should be more optimistic about things. If a neighbor is closing – try to take advantage of her clearance sales before the customer. Contact her and try to work a deal to buy the goods yourself. You know she's going out and selling them below cost. You can turn around and have your own "clearance" sale" and make the profit. Then after the deal is done you have one less competitor.

Also, you could try to purchase her customer list. Contact them with a welcome coupon and they'll be yours.

I personally don't consider the big chains to be competitors. They have different supplies; I make sure of that. I only order stuff that is different from the big-box stores. I try to build upon the basics (the big boxes being the basics). I buy products to enhance what they sell. I treat my customers like friends. I provide extras that boxes do not (service, special orders, etc.)

The negative things you mentioned can all be looked at and taken advantage of if you try. – Pam, Chic Scrapbooks, www.chicscrapbooks.com

1. Some states are considering legislation that would lift the ban on selling liquor, and in some states, cars, on Sunday – and they're using Hobby Lobby as an example. The Colorado Springs Gazette wrote in an editorial, "The country’s most successful craft store chain, Hobby Lobby, stays closed on Sundays for religious reasons. Never has owner/founder David Green asked for a government mandate to keep his numerous competitors closed, and he’s doing fine."

2. For years I edited craft trade magazines, and always made an effort to publish articles on the basics of retail management – inventory, cash flow, etc. Sometimes it was frustrating when new retailers would open shops and need the information we had published two years earlier. I would joke that I should recycle those articles every three years.

The problem is now solved, thanks to CHA's agreement with the Retail Owners Institute®. All those articles in all those old magazines – and much, much more – are online, accessible free, whenever a CHA member wants them.

The ironic part? An ROI Co-Founder is Dick Outcalt, who wrote many of those articles I published years ago. The articles make as much sense today as they did then; the basics of retailing don't change much, regardless of the products.

3. One of the highlights of the holiday season was receiving a card from Hazel Pearson, absolutely one of the true founding pioneers of the industry. (To see a video interview with Hazel, visit www.craftandhobby.org and click on History of Crafting.) Hazel is going strong, keeping active with Samaritan's Purse, a charity which collects 9+ million shoe boxes, fills them with presents, and ships them to schools and churches throughout the world. Hazel apologized for her shaky handwriting, which is far more legible than mine. Oh, and did I mention she is 94?

INTERNATIONAL. AES Worldwide, CHA's Member Services Freight Program provider, will conduct an International Freight Seminar on Feb. 9, noon -1:00 pm, to provide companies with info to improve their international supply chain.

DEADLINE. Jan 31 is the deadline for entering the CHA Golf Tournament. Email Semo Sennas at ssennas@craftandhobby.org or call 201-794-1133, ext. 218. ... Feb. 1 is the last date for advance warehouse freight.

FASHION. There will be a PROJECT RUNWAY™ full-service lounge featuring branded products by licensees including Wrights, Simplicity, Brother, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, and Prym – sewing patterns machines, and notions, plus fashion fabrics. PROJECT RUNWAY is the Bravo network's Emmy-nominated hit fashion design competition series. The lounge will also include its very own runway where fashions inspired by series will be on display.

SUGGESTION. Last year Duncan made a video of its booth during the show which included views of the booth and staffers explaining the new products. The video was then posted on the Duncan website, allowing customers who couldn't attend the show and consumers to get a preview of what Duncan hoped would eventually be in the stores. That extra investment in a video helped the Duncan booth "work" long after it was torn down. Considering how much time/money vendors spend on their booths, why not?

BOARD MEMBERS. Want to talk directly to a CHA board member? Just about every minute of the first three days of the show, a board member will be in the CHA booth in the lobby, ready to hear your suggestions, comments, or complaints.

CELEBRITIES. CHA spokesperson Terri O will interview Ana and Megan Araujo, Claire Aristides, Dee Gruenig, Julie McGuffee, Carol Duvall, Tim Holtz, Kathy Cano Murillo, Sue Scheewe, Jean Kievlan, Donna Dewberry, Claire Hampton, Margo Potter, and Julianna Hudgins in booth #5317. Attendance is free. See the show book for dates and times.

YARN. Vanna White will be in the Lion Brand booth (#2011) and highlight a fashion show, "Color Rules," Feb. 11 at noon, 1:00, 2:00 pm.

INDEPENDENTS. There will be a CHA Retailer Learning Center sponsored by Crafters Home. It's an interactive learning for independents to learn about operational and merchandising efficiency and smart business practices. It will feature demos and PowerPoint presentations about the latest inventory technology; software vendors to answer questions; a CHA Industry Standards and Technology rep to address questions related to manufacturer participation, UPC numbering, item and carton labeling; and a video "walking tour" featuring merchandising ideas from successful independent scrapbook stores. The Center is near the front of Hall D in Aisle 1500.

TNNA. The National NeedleArt Assn. show in Long Beach was about the same size as last year, as was the attendance. Alan Goetz of JCA, Inc. was paraphrased as saying "The needle arts can do well regardless of the economy. People will always need a way to find comfort and self expression, even during the worst of times." (Note: To reach about the trends at the show, Scene & Heard in the left-hand column.)

SHOW SITES. The planned expansion of the Javits Convention Center, site of Toy Fair, the Stationery Show, gift shows, and others, is "dead," according to NY State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, Gifts & Decorative Accessories reported.

SCRAPBOOKING. The bad pr over the Hall of Fame controversy continues. The Los Angeles Times published an extensive article on the subject. To read it, visit www.latimes.com and type Erika Hayasaki in the search engine to read "A Scrapbook Career in Shreds."

SEWING. The (NJ) Star Ledger reported on an advanced fashion sewing class for teens and tweens at Bass Art Studios in Montclair. The students modeled their final projects in front of parents, fashion designers, and retailers. Some of the students received orders, including Nicole Galbraith for her creation, a baby doll short set. Nicole is 11 and hasn't started filling the order because her mom hasn't driven her to the fabric store yet, reporter Allison Freeman wrote. To read the article, visit www.nj.com/news/ledger and type Allison Freeman in the search engine.

QUILTING. The (Fort Myers, FL) News-Press reported on the growing trend of art quilts. To read the article, visit www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage and type Mary Wozniak in the search engine.

DONATIONS. Oral Roberts U.'s board of regents accepted a $62 million donation from the Green family, founder of Hobby Lobby. Mart Green, son of HL founder David Green, will serve as chair of the new board of trustees. Mart had recently donated $8 million to ORU after Richard Roberts, son of founder Oral Roberts, resigned as ORU president amid allegations of spending university money for personal use, which Roberts denied, the Tulsa World reported.

PEOPLE. John Menzer, Vice Chair of Wal-Mart announced he will retire Mar. 1. Prior to his 12 years at Wal-Mart, Menzer, 56, was CEO of the old corporate Ben Franklin, which later went bankrupt. Wal-Mart said Menzer's duties will be absorbed by other execs. ... Home Depot named Brian Cornell, CEO of Michaels, to its board of directors. ... Midwest Design Imports hired Sue Christianson, formerly of Hancock Fabrics, as Key Account Sales Exec. ... Jerry Bowman joined Spellbinders as VP of Sales. Jerry has 20+years consumer products/retail experience, most recently as VP of Sales for Bazzill, and VP of Sales for Xyron.

ECONOMY. The National Retail Federation Board of Directors called on Congress and President Bush to enact legislation to stimulate the economy.

JOBS. Exec looking for new challenge. Has extensive craft industry experience selling to chains and independents; strong Far East contacts and experience coordinating all import and manufacturing programs. For more, email Mike Hartnett in confidence at mike@clnonline.com.

TECHNOLOGY. "At a panel discussion, the chief information officers of Michaels and Circuit City said most of their technology budgets have been eaten up by maintaining day-to-day operations – such as paying the power bills." – Reuters ... Wal-Mart will open a new supercenter in Romeoville, IL, this Wednesday, the first of four stores that will use 25% less energy and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. ... "New technologies take time, but they are worth the wait. Did the PC catch on quickly? Come on. We were talking about them in 1975, and our first 13 customers went bankrupt before we signed up one that survived. That was Apple." – Bill Gates, Microsoft (NRF Smart Brief)

YARN. The Craft Yarn Council of America is promoting Friendship Shawls. Visit www.friendshipshawl.org.

FABRIC. The Home Sewing Assn. may be gone, but The Source Int. Textiles Expo continues. It's Mar. 31-Apr. 2, in Las Vegas. Call 516-596-3937, or visit www.textileshows.com.

GIFTS. "Wall Street may have been disappointed this week by soft retail sales reports, but certainly vendors at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market aren’t: They’ve been too busy writing orders." – Gifts & Decorative Accessories

RECALL. The Gift Wrap Co. has recalled its hanging Photo Frames due to levels of lead that violate the federal lead paint standard.

TNNA. The National NeedleArts Assn. is issuing a call for applicants for its third annual Pathways into Professional NeedleArts (PiPN) program in conjunction with the U. of Akron. It's an internship program for college students and offers a unique opportunity to explore the fiber arts industry. Call Sherry Mulne at 614-237-0700 or email bdirect@columbus.rr.com.

CONDOLENCES. To Tony Lee, CHA's VP, Meetings & Expositions, on the death of his wife, Paula, after a long battle with cancer. Send memorials to Stamford Health Foundation, 9 W. Broad St., Stamford, CT 06902. Please note on your checks "In memory of Paula Lee."

STOCKS: A.C. Moore: $10.11, down $1.58 ... Jo-Ann's: $9.67, down $0.29 ... Wal-Mart: $47.58, up $1.85 ... Dow Jones: 12,099.30, down 5.5%. (Changes in price are since 1/18.)

MAGAZINES. The New York Post reported that Wal-Mart will remove 1,000+ magazine titles from its stores, including Better Homes & Gardens, Parenting, and Town & Country. No word on the fate of any industry-related magazines.

"AWARDS." Inc. magazine named Aqua Dots the dumbest product of 2007 because the toy's coating, when ingested, turns into the date-rape drug GHB.

TV. Wednesday's edition of The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch on CNBC (10:00 pm EST) will feature Widget Products. Monica Dremann, the inventor of Widget's Knit Lite™ and Crochet Lite,™ and President Jerry Payton will appear on the show, which airs in 80 million homes in North America and 200 million homes worldwide.

TV. Aspire Media will launch Knitting Daily TV on many PBS stations in July. The magazine-format series is a makeover of Needle Arts Studio with Shay Pendray, the longest-running PBS series to focus on the needle arts, which Aspire acquired last year. Hosts will include Shay Pendray and editors of Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Handwoven, all published by Interweave Press, which is owned by Aspire. Knitting Daily TV is produced by KS Inc. Productions and will be offered in the same PBS time slot as Needle Arts Studio in 157+ markets and 55 million U.S households. Sponsors include Louet North America, Fiesta, Ironstone, YarnMarket.com, Tahki·Stacy Charles, WEBS-America’s Yarn Store, and TNNA.

SCRAPBOOKING. A new book, Ethnic Scrapbooking, by Lisa Sanford, provides resources for scrapbookers to make cultural connections to their memories and daily lives. Visit www.jewish-scrapbooking.com.

YARN. Vanna White speaks about her love of crochet in a Jan. 15 podcast at http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com. On it Vanna relates how an appearance on Johnny Carson and a basket of yarn started a 13-year relationship as the spokesperson for Lion Brand. Vanna's podcast is the seventh YarnCraft audio since Lion began podcasting last October. Thus far almost 100,000 listeners have downloaded them, making them one of the top craft-related programs distributed by Itunes.

AUDIO. Knitting Out Loud released two new audio books: A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt and The Art of Fair Isle Knitting by Ann Feitelson. Both are distributed by Interweave Press.

PBS. The 11th series of Hands On Crafts for Kids uplinks Mar. 16 to PBS Stations. It's produced by KS, Inc. Productions and is sponsored in part by Elmer's, Dixon Ticonderoga, Coats and Clark, FloraCraft, Pepperell, and Sakura.

IndustryPro is an international mergers & acquisitions advisory firm founded in 1991. The company facilitates business acquisitions, divestitures, management buy-outs, and recapitalizations of privately-held companies that have an annual pre-tax net income of at least $1,000,000.

Chad Burnett leads the hobby/craft/scrapbooking industry group, and has completed more transactions in this industry than any other investment banker. Some of these deals include the Provo Craft/Sorenson Capital, Die Cuts With a View & Pressed Petals/H.I.G. Capital, Autumn Leaves/Creativity Inc, and Midwest Products/Castleray, acquisitions.

Chad is a member of CHA and has specialized in this industry for more than five years. Chad has consulted with hundreds of companies regarding their exit, growth, and acquisition strategies, and has been quoted multiple times in Creative Leisure News and Craftrends.

"We arrange the ideal match for owners and investors through our extensive research and ongoing relationships within the industry," Chad said. "IndustryPro knows the people and the process that deliver the best transactions available."

IndustryPro's extensive investor database includes individuals, and strategic and private equity investors. Investors are selected based upon the owner's desires such as selling a minority equity position, obtaining growth capital, financing a recapitalization, funding a dividend recapitalization, financing management buy-outs, providing debt, or selling the entire company.

Another thing that makes IndustryPro unique is the practice of providing results before garnering fees. Unlike most advisors that charge a retainer of $15,000-$50,000, IndustryPro doesn't ask sellers to finance the hunt for buyers/investors. Rather, the firm already knows and has pre-qualified most of the buyers/investors in the industry.

Personnel. Chad Burnett, Senior M&A Advisor cburnett@industrypro.com.

Rolodex. IndustryPro, 1225 E. Fort Union Blvd, Ste. 340, Midvale, UT 84047. Phone 801-838-7708; fax 801-566-2808; visit www.industrypro.com.

To see the latest listings by the only personnel recruitment firm specializing in our industry, click on Jobs in the left-hand column, or click HERE.

Ed was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary.

His wife was really angry. She told him, "Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds AND IT BETTER BE THERE!"

The next morning Ed woke early and left for work. When his wife woke up and looked out the window, she saw a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, she put on her robe, ran out to the driveway, and brought the box back in the house.

She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale.

Ed has been missing since Friday.

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xxx

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