Boston adventure business seeks brave new owner
By Janco Damas
One of Boston’s growing outdoor businesses is seeking a new owner.Open only six months out of the year, Boston Harbor Mini Speed Boats co-owners Bill Fallon and Dan Arrington hope to sell the business by the end of this season in October. (read more)
Wynn Resorts CEO waxes emotional on gaming, politics and family at Boston College forum
By Janco Damas and Craig Dougals
Steve Wynn's much-anticipated appearance before a Boston business gathering Wednesday delivered an at times rambling, an at times emotional, and an at times analytical overview of his company's pending $2 billion casino development in Greater Boston. But the Las Vegas-based gaming mogul was abundantly clear on one thing: The local market is ripe to make a whole lot of money. (read more)
Small business owners short on time
By Janco Damas
Currently in his 60’s, Gary Drinkwater's company is hitting its stride as he reaches retirement age. Drinkwater says customers are astonished when they learn many of his products are made in the USA. That astonishment has led to his small business etching close to $1 million in annual revenue. The upscale retail business would have some draw for a buyer to step in and reap the benefits of a store with its own brand and existing customers. Kevin Mulvaney, professor at Babson College, says "small business with sales less than $1 million are largely dependent on the owner putting in 60 -70 hour work weeks, which may not align with the lifestyle of a new owner." Mulvaney and his colleagues at Babson College have pioneered education on small business issues including mergers and acquisitions, however they focus on companies with $3 – 10 million in sales. "Any less than that, the existing owner is essentially selling a job as opposed to a scaleable company" said Mulvaney.
Voltage Coffee founder on exiting her coffee business
By Janco Damas
When Lucy Valena founded Voltage Coffee and Art in Boston's Kendall Square, she never expected to spend her entire career running that business. Five years into the venture she had built a successful company but was feeling exhausted. Watch what happened after Valena approached her stores distributor, Barismo Coffee Roasters, with a proposal to acquire her shop.
A few questions with Boston's diverse community
By Janco Damas
Shot from my Iphone - Burst Media, a mobile video to broadcast platform partnered with the Boston Business Journal to spark a conversation amongst a diverse group of Bostonians on what they love or would change about the city. This episode featured 16-year-old Kayla Reid, Boston Red Sox co-owner Tom DeBenedetto, Real Estate Executive Bryan Koop , and Version 2.0's Libby Botsford.
India in a Box launches with easy cultural cuisine
By Janco Damas
A promotional video for India in a Box, an online subscription service that delivers authentic Indian dishes. The video allows an audience to experience preperatin and serving of the product.
From consultant to business owner
By Janco Damas
Chris Ling purchased Plaster Fun Time in April 2015 and became its CEO. "We are the go-to place for birthday parties of ages 3 to 15” he explains. Prior to buying Plaster Fun Time Ling spent about ten years in consulting and general management roles. His experience includes stints at Boston Consulting Group and KPMG. About Plaster Fun Time, Ling valued that the company had both manufacturing and retail components. He believes these make a business more stable than pure retail businesses. Watch to learn more about his experience buying an existing business.
From business owner to advisor
By Janco Damas
Mark Selvaggi started Plaster Fun Time with his brother, sister, and mother in 1995. The family learned about plaster painting in the 80s from mother, Nancy Selvaggi, who designed plaster painting sessions as an activity for troubled highschool students. 20 years later the business grew to nine locations and the manufacturing facility. Selvaggi was the company President. Brother Joseph Selvaggi however, began pursuing a political career, and his sister Laura wanted to spend more time with her family. Watch to learn how the situation unfolded and Mark's advice for business owners thinking about selling.
Ebony Reed joins BBJ as advertising director
By Janco Damas
Prior to joining the Business Journal, Ebony Reed was a director of business development for The Associated Press. In her role, Reed worked with AP broadcast sales representatives and with local and regional media directors as a national leader to find new licensing opportunities with corporations and digital enterprises
By Janco Damas
The Book of Lists with BBJ Publisher Carolyn Jones
Boston Business Journal Book of Lists provides readers with listings for hundreds of Boston's companies in their fields, by ranking.
How MA Society of Accountants CEO uses the Book of Lists
By Janco Damas
Book of Lists enables business professionals to look at the overall picture of their local area and industry, identifying the threats and opportunities facing their businesses. Massachusettes Society of Accountants CEO, Amy Pitter, discusses how she uses the BOL to develop strategic planning
By Janco Damas
Boston's business leaders meet to talk diversity
The BBJ honors companies and individuals who have demonstrated respect or inclusive treatment for others. This event brought together community leaders to promote practices that advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
By Janco Damas
Harvard Pilgrim CEO on having difficult conversations
Harvard Pilgrim CEO, Eric Schultz, was a panelist at the Boston Business Journal's Leader's in Diversity event. Harvard Pilgrim is among the largest health insurance providers in Massachusetts.
Boston's most influential celebrate the city's top 50
By Janco Damas
The power players in Boston are the ones getting things done and leading change in the Boston economy. Bringing this group together created a vibrant forum for the betterment of the Boston community.
Entrepreneurship changes lives in Cape Town, SA
By Janco Damas
Raymond Ackerman Academy for Entrepreneurial Development director, Elli Yiannakaris, is recruiting students in Cape Town and Johannesburg who are looking for an opportunity to improve their business and general life skills.
Profiles of Entrepreneurship in Cape Town, SA (1 of 3)
By Janco Damas
Sarah Mason is a student at University of Cape Town where she is using campus resources to launch
a retail business with materials made from recycled tires and hemp.
By Janco Damas
Profiles of Entrepreneurship in Cape Town, SA (2 of 3)
Fezel Francis is a city taxi driver. When the South African government committed to investmenting in tourism, Francis took advantage of free training to become an independent tour guide. The key to being a successful entreprenur in the tourism industry according to Francis "you got to have the love and passion."
Profiles of Entrepreneurship in Cape Town, SA (3 of 3)
By Janco Damas
Chunga and his sister rent a tent to sell their wares in Greenmarket Square in the centre of old Cape Town, South Africa. He says his business however is driven out of necessity instead of opportunity.
Travel to Monterrey, Mexico for the annual meeting of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor
By Janco Damas
Babson College and London Business School founded GEM in 1999. Since then, the member nations have convened annually to release each of their respective National Reports and one Global Report. I was fortunate to attend this year’s meeting at Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico. (read more)
A look @ Babson’s Product Design Course
By Janco Damas
The product design and development class at Babson is a roll-up-your-sleeves, team-based environment for learning how to translate a new product idea into a product concept and design. Students learn about Design Thinking, a critical process for managers to thrive in a "Creative Economy."