Posts Tagged entrepreneur
Diana Nelson, CEO of Kazoo Toys, discusses business trials and triumphs with Tom Polanski
By Tom Polanski, EVP. eBrand Media and eBrand Interactive
Tom Polanski: Folks, I’m very pleased that Diana has found the time to spend a few moments with us today. Hi Diana, I hope that you’re doing well.
Diana Nelson: Thank you Tom. I am and how are you?
Tom Polanski: I’m doing great. Thanks for asking. You bought Kazoo Toys didn’t you?
Diana Nelson: Yes. I purchased Kazoo & Company is 1998 and launched Kazoo Toys in 1999, The Good Toy Group Catalog co-op in 2000 and Kazoo Global in 2008.
Tom Polanski: Why did you target Kazoo Toys for purchase?
Diana Nelson: I looked at an assortment of companies. Franchises, coffee shops, box and tape companies and nothing felt like a good fit. Nothing felt like coming home. I also looked at corporate positions within Fortune 500 companies and going back into the corporate fray. That did not feel right because I knew I needed to find a firm that allowed me time with my sons and cash flow. Nothing fit easily. One conversation led to another and I approached a business (Kazoo) that was not on the market and it was NOT for sale. Of course they stated no they were not interested and not for sale. My comment to them was: “The best things in life are not for sale. Can’t we talk?”
Posted by Tom Polanski in Interviews, Tom Polanski on July 30th, 2008
Stagnant Businesses Are At a Critical Juncture
An increasing number of companies have told eBrand account executives that they’ve been stagnating. It’s a scary word. For example, when lakes stagnate, fish die. Businesses that are stagnating are at a critical juncture, a temporary stopping point. They’ll either move forward or backwards but they won’t stagnate for long.
I find it interesting that even though we’ve had advertisers admit that they’re stagnating, they’ve decided to stick with the status quo. They’ve lost their appetite for change even while admitting, based on the historical and live data we present, that the solutions we offer are superior. I’m certainly empathetic to the quandary decision makers are in but the fact is; if they’re not acting then they’re reacting. Thinking but taking action too empowers a company to control its future. On the other hand, companies coming from a position where they’re reacting to changing circumstances invariably leads to a culture of emergency management.
Posted by Tom Polanski in Small Business on April 2nd, 2008