Bradford brings virtual vision to life

September 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Marine, Perspective

Katie Bradford uses computer imaging to master hard-to-design projects. By Sigrid Tornquist “We can take a photograph of a boat, create a computer model of it and add to it the virtual structure that we intend to build,” says Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, owner of Custom Marine Canvas in Noank, Conn…
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Gallagher visualizes success in the tent rental industry

August 1, 2009  |  Features, Marketing, Perspective, Tents

Jim Gallagher communicates excellence—professionally. By Sigrid Tornquist “Sure, I could go out and do everything myself. I could create my own website, put a couple of Polaroids on there and say ‘look at me.’ But how am I going to grow my business that way?” says Jim Gallagher, president …
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Calderon keeps awning business going through tough times

July 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Perspective

Motivated for success, Paula Calderon sets protocols for an awning business in St. Lucia. By Sigrid Tornquist “The management system of ISO [International Organization for Standardization] is sound, efficient and effective. It enhances productivity and customer service, and consequently the bottom…
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Le Bel forms connections to fuel innovation

June 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Claude Le Bel’s experiences and interests have led him to success. By Sigrid Tornquist “For me, everything is possible. You just have to find the right person for the job,” says Claude Le Bel, president and founder of Sollertia Inc. in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Appropriately named Sollert…
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Christiansen brings Flagsource from loss to profit

May 1, 2009  |  Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Janice Christiansen rebuilds the family business one solution at a time. By Sigrid Tornquist “When you’re faced with a problem, you need to break it down and take one thing at a time—because it’s not the size of the challenge, it’s how you handle it,” says Janice Christiansen, president …
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Schmieler creates customized cost accounting system

April 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Greg Schmieler’s system maximizes profit for his awning business. By Sigrid Tornquist “Creating a cost accounting system changed my whole career life,” says Greg Schmieler, vice president of Laurel Awning Co. in Pittsburgh, Pa. “It changed the way the company is run. We now know what our…
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Hendee finds new market opportunities

March 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

Demand and supply: Chuck Hendee creates products to meet customer needs. By Sigrid Tornquist “In general, I don’t think we’ve ever developed a product—or spent any money to develop one—where there wasn’t an existing demand,” says Chuck Hendee, IFM, MFC, president of Hendee Enterprises …
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Burak cuts labor costs to improve business

January 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Ed Burak improves the bottom line by shaving time off labor costs. By Sigrid Tornquist “The greatest expense for our business is the labor—shaving time off labor is key to our success,” says Ed Burak, president of Hudson Awning and Sign Co. Inc. in Bayonne, N.J. Burak, who runs the company wit…
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