Business

Former S&K chief suited for new job

The former chief executive of S&K Menswear has found a new home as the president of locally based RetailData. Joe Oliver, a California native, tells BizSense that his few years at S&K were instructive, especially at the end, but he’s happy to be at a growing business. And check back tomorrow for a BizSense story about a new startup founded by other displaced S&K executives.

Google it ain’t

Bing, schming. If you need to search the Web, Google is still your best bet. It’s still the easiest to use and handles the dozens of searches most of us perform better than Bing, which Microsoft launched May 28. And for business owners, why mess with a good thing?

What’s on tap? Beer-tracking technology

Forget Big Brother. From its headquarters in Powhatan County local startup InteliTap, tracks kegs of beer from the brewery to the moment its contents are poured into a customer’s frosty glass. The company can notify a bar owner anywhere in the world when a barkeep is a little too generous with a pint of the good stuff. And business is set to grow 80 percent this year.

S&K Menswear files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Richmond-based men’s clothier  S&K Famous Brands, Inc has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection in an effort to get out of leases, trim costs, and prevent further erosion of vendor confidence. The company lists assets of $41,440,100 and debts of $35,499,000 (not including operating leases). There will be a hearing at 2:00 today in Richmond.

Read about it in my book

Blog schmog: Read about it in my book Writing a book remains a popular pastime and calculated strategy for local business leaders. For some, authoring a book – with or without a ghostwriter – is a way to demonstrate expertise and establish street cred to promote consulting. For others it’s a ticket to the speaking… Read more »

Tattoos might still be taboo in Richmond offices

It used to be that you were considered different and rebellious (and maybe even dangerous) if you had a tattoo. You likely rode a Harley or in a drunken stupor let some friend with a needle leave an “I ? Mom” or an anchor on your bicep. Now, they’re as trendy as big hair in… Read more »

What to wear: how about Richmond casual

Workers in Richmond are trading formal suits in favor of slacks, polos, button downs and skirts, a sign that even a conservative town is getting more casual. BizSense compiled a survey to figure out exactly what people are wearing to work these days. A sampling of 20 businessmen and women (several of whom are business… Read more »

Tech Review: Virtual business cards fall flat

New services like rmbrME offer an electronic remedy to the problem of paper-based business cards. Only for many business people, business cards aren’t a problem that needs solving. Through text messages and web applications, rmbrME creates an electronic business card called a bzCard. Instead of carrying around a paper card, you email it to a… Read more »