Smathers and Branson针刺饰品公司

Smathers and Branson

创立时间：2003年

创始人：皮特•司马萨斯和奥斯汀•布兰森

就读学校：宝盾学院

    奥斯汀•布兰森和皮特•司马萨斯分别从各自的女友那里收到了针绣腰带作为礼物，随后， 两人便意识到一个新的市场投资机遇正摆在自己的眼前。随着对针绣腰带认识的进一步深入，他们越来越意识到这一市场大有潜力可挖。

    从开始到完工，针绣腰带的制作是一个很费钱也很费时的活。通过调查，他们发现越南有一家生产商可以很好地控制产品质量和成本，这与他们的理念不谋而合。从腰带起家，公司现在生产从钥匙链到钱包等一系列产品，这些产品已开始在线销售并横扫东海岸各大乡村俱乐部。

    虽然产品定位于高端（腰带165美元一条），但自创立之日起，公司的销售额便以每年40%的速度增长。Smathers and Branson公司希望在今后的一年半内推出12-16款新品。

Started: 2003

Founders: Peter Smathers and Austin Branson

School: Bowdoin College

    After getting needlepoint belts as gifts from their respective girlfriends, Austin Branson and Peter Smathers saw an opportunity to capitalize on a new market. The more they began to dig into the world of needlepoint, the more potential they discovered.

    From start to finish, needlepoint is generally a costly and timely process. After some searching, the pair discovered a manufacturer in Vietnam who understood their vision both in quality and cost. Starting with just belts, they now offer an array of products from key chains to wallets sold online and in country clubs across the East Coast.

    Although the products are higher end ($165 for a belt), sales have grown 40% every year since the company was founded. Smathers and Branson hope to release 12 to 16 new products in the next year and a half.