A transplanted couple from Arizona wants to cleanup a block of East Main Street – by making and selling soap in a formerly dilapidated store. Michael and Sharon Walsh started making soap 18 years ago after receiving a how-to book as a gag gift. “The book was horrible. I was forced to find a way… Read more »
Startups
A lathery business opens on Main Street
Row House Soaps, which sells natural herbal soaps, opened on E. Main street downtown, according to the local Monroe Ward blog. The owners, Michael and Sharon Walsh had been making soaps in their Arizona home for years before moving to Richmond and hitting the festival circuit. In response to the many requests from their customers… Read more »
Will car-sharing work in Richmond?
If you’re looking to take a Zipcar on a test drive for yourself, you’ll have to leave Richmond’s city limits, In fact, the closest locations to Richmond are in Washington, D.C. and Chapel Hill, N.C. The company, which is not yet profitable, is adding new customers at a 4% or 5% monthly clip, mostly because… Read more »
Private Equity startup about to seal first deal
Local startup Boxwood Partners is putting the finishing touches on its first deal as a private equity fund. Boxwood is acquiring an out-of-state internet wholesaler/distributor (name not revealed) that can perhaps best be described as an online version of Sam’s Club. That web-based business has millions of dollars in revenue and six employees, according to… Read more »
Startup Junkies
There’s a great program on TV called “Startup Junkies,” which follows a Seattle startup called Earth Class Mail. There are high-fives. There are firings. You can watch it for free at Hulu.com. Most of the characters seem like they came out of central casting. I find the blazer-and-no-tie-wearing CEO fascinating — and by my count… Read more »
Venture Forum starts mentoring program
The Venture Forum has launched a mentoring program, which will pair veteran CEOs of growth businesses with their less experienced counterparts for two hours of mentoring each month. The Venture Forum promotes entrepreneurial activity around Central Virginia. The application form can be found here. “You can give a lot of good advice to someone in… Read more »