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Articles by Dan Brownell
An Extended Kinetics Study Of AAV Viral Vector Production
By Lucia Fernandez, Ph.D., Dan Brownell, and Junwei Sun VintaBio employs a proprietary HEK293 clone, VintaCell™, optimized for growth in fixed-bed bioreactors, alongside a chemically defined transfection reagent, VintaFect™, to support scalable and cost-effective AAV vector production. These components are integrated into VintaProcess™, a unique manufacturing platform that uses a proprietary perfusion system with media recirculation to enhance vector yield and consistency.
Rent-to-Own Best Practices
One of the greatest challenges of rent-to-own sales (RTO) in the shed industry is a lack of shed dealer training and knowledge of policies and how RTO differs from financing. They are very different and the laws that govern them are very different. Without proper training, a dealer may risk unintentionally misrepresenting the requirements and stipulations of an RTO contract, creating potential dealer/ customer conflict later.
What Your Customers Need to Know About Garage Doors
Garages and garage door designs have changed greatly over the last 100 years. For homes built in the early 20th century and earlier, before mass production of cars, garages were typically unattached structures that were converted barns or carriage houses. By the mid-20th century, attached garages were common, but tended to be downplayed and placed at the rear of the home because small-town culture favored front porches that provided a space for neighbors to socialize.
Get the Goods in Knoxville
The 57th Annual NFBA Conference and Expo takes place at the Knoxville Convention Center from April 2-4, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. More than 150 companies will fill the expo space, including A.J. Manufacturing, ASC Machine Tools, Atlas Building Products, MWI Components, Maze Nails, Strongwall Columns, and many more. Builders can walk the Expo floor free of charge; free Expo passes are good for any individual engaged in the business of constructing post-frame buildings.
Best Practices for Reducing Construction Callbacks
“Measure twice, cut once” is one of the most well-known sayings in construction. Even though it’s a basic, obvious truth, it’s easy to be careless and ignore it. Repeatedly making that mistake can be expensive and cut deeply into profits. In the end, it’s not the revenue that’s brought in that matters, it’s how much of that revenue is retained long-term. A high-profit project can turn into a low-profit job or even a loss because of a few key mistakes.
How Agricultural Buildings Have Evolved
In 1988, General Motors introduced the iconic ad slogan “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile” to convey to potential customers that its Oldsmobile line had greatly improved over the years to encourage them to take a fresh look at their cars. A similar slogan “This is not your father’s machine shed” is fitting for modern agricultural buildings, which have also undergone a major evolution.
Polycarbonate Panel Types and Applications
Polycarbonate is a transparent thermoplastic that’s ideal for many construction applications because of its unique properties. It’s an exceptional alternative to glass because it’s lightweight, strong, and durable, overcoming many of glass’s disadvantages. While you may already be using polycarbonate in your building projects, there may be additional uses to consider.
Insulation Options for Portable Sheds
One of the first steps of selling a portable shed is asking the customer what problem they want it to solve; that is, what they want their shed to do. If they just need a garden shed or a shed for extra storage space to free up room in their garage, they likely won’t need it insulated. But if they’ll be spending a significant amount of time in it because it’s intended to be a hobby shed, gym, home office, studio shed, workshop, she shed, etc., it should be insulated for comfort and health.
Studio 24E | Smart Retailer
Greg and Nina Tate- Elliott run Studio 24E, an upscale boutique in family-friendly Glen Burnie, Maryland, located between Annapolis and Baltimore, in Anne Arundel County. Anne Arundel County is a great fit for their shop because it reflects the area’s appreciation for style and culture. “We have a strong background in art, design, and creativity, so the word ‘Studio’ captures that,” Nina said.
Door County Nature Works
By Dan Brownell Photos Courtesy of Luke Collins Fine Home Furnishings & Accessories Since 1994 In 1994, shortly after Polly and Don Heim moved from Kentucky to Door County, Wisconsin, Polly opened a small gift-focused retail shop in a rustic barn. While she was successful with the gift niche, she discovered another golden opportunity and pivoted to add it to meet shopper demand.
Feltz’s Dairy Store
When Ken and Jackie Feltz, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, opened Feltz’s Dairy Store in June 2017, they had no idea how important their food products would be to their business nearly three years later when COVID-19 struck. After the pandemic hit in March, many stores were forced to close, but the Feltzes were able to keep theirs open because they were deemed an essential service.
Sentimental Journey
Three Generations of Sisters Build a Legacy Store When sisters Karen Ganz and Darlene Feser opened Sentimental Journey in Washington, Illinois, in April 1982, they had no idea that their store would become such an important landmark in the town and still be booming nearly 40 years later. It all began when the two women wanted to open a retail store to help revitalize their dying downtown square and decided on a specialty boutique.
Albany (N.Y.) Times Union: "Former Niskayuna Lacrosse Player Dan Brownell Helps Others by Tending to His Own Mental Health"
Posted: Oct 15, 2021 This story originally appeared in the Albany (N.Y.) Times Union. Also view a PDF on SMCAthletics.com here. By James Allen At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic last year, people all over the world dealt with issues they had never dealt with before. The isolation that came with the lockdown, canceled activities and the inability to travel were all new experiences. In the world of athletics, the effects were close to total.
Warehouse 151 Open House A Big Hit
Warehouse151, a wholesale cash-and-carry warehouse in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, hosted an open house for retailers on Mon., March 15. The event drew a store full of buyers eager to stock their shelves as spring weather and declining COVID numbers are bringing customers back to in-store shopping in greater numbers. The warehouse opened in August in the middle of the pandemic.
Atlanta Market Roars Back From Pandemic at Winter Show
The Atlanta Market Winter 2021 Show, which opened Tues., Jan. 12, is wrapping up today with exceptional results. In a Zoom media meeting this morning, Dorothy Belshaw, IMC’s executive vice president, chief customer & marketing officer, said “the Winter market was a giant step forward” in making headway in the recovery from the obstacles caused by the pandemic.
NRF: Imports Set New Record as Retailers Replenish Inventories and Stock Up Early for Holidays
From NRF.com WASHINGTON – Imports reached an all-time high this summer as retail sales bounced back from the pandemic and merchants replenished inventories and stocked up early for the holiday season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Messe Frankfurt Revamps Spring 2021 Schedule
As a result of the course taken by the pandemic, Messe Frankfurt will not be holding any of its own physical trade fairs at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds between January and March 2021. The company is revamping its spring trade fair calendar to focus on new synergies and new digital offerings. Messe Frankfurt has already organised 13 large trade fairs at various locations in China since the crisis began. Unfortunately, however, it is not possible to hold such events in Germany at present.
Dallas Market Center to Offer Omnichannel Marketplace
Dallas Market Center and RepTime Announce Partnership —Software company to rebrand as MarketTime; supporting new, interoperable and secure B2B management suite plus e-commerce marketplace— DALLAS – August 31, 2020 – Dallas Market Center, the largest lifestyle marketplace in North America, and RepTime, the provider of best-in-class B2B software as a service (SaaS) solutions, have formed a partnership supporting RepTime’s total operations including its software solutions uniting manufacturers,...
Increasing Number of Small Businesses Believe They Can Survive Another Year
According to a CNBC article, the number of retailers who believe they can last another year has nearly doubled, from 34% in April to 64% now. Read complete story at https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/11/this-number-shows-reversal-in-chances-of-main-streets-survival.html
IndieMe Announces Virtual Expo
August 9, 2020 – (Cleveland, OH) IndieMe Marketplace, LLC, the premier online marketplace for retailers to source handmade American and Canadian artist-made craft for over 22 years, proudly announces its second Virtual Expo, September 9-15, 2020*. The IndieMe Marketplace has over 22 years in the handcrafted wholesale industry marketing and managing the online platform. In addition, the company has produced over 20 physical trade shows.
IMC_di Unveils New Juniper Brand & Suite of New Software Solutions
Juniper’s New Digital Tools Begin to Launch in August CHANTILLY, VA., – (August 12, 2020) – IMC_di (International Market Centers’ Digital Innovations division) today unveiled Juniper, the new brand identity for its full suite of digital tools, the capstone of which will be Juniper MKT, a new B2B ecommerce marketplace, launching in January 2021 for the gift, home and apparel industries.
500+ Showrooms Set to Open For August Atlanta Market
Expanded Exhibitor Search Tools Launch to Support Brand Discovery ATLANTA – August 4, 2020 – More than 500 manufacturers, representative groups and importers across home décor, gift and lifestyle will be open throughout the six-day showroom-only Atlanta Market, August 13-18, 2020, reports International Market Centers (IMC).
New Cash-and-Carry Warehouse to Open in Southern Wisconsin
On August 26, retailers will be able to shop at a new wholesale cash-and-carry warehouse near Madison, Wisconsin. “We’re excited to announce the opening of Warehouse151, a multi-vendor, permanent cash-and-carry warehouse in Beaver Dam,” said owners Bill and Carolyn Heimerl. “It’s easily accessible, as it’s located just 25 minutes north of Madison on US Highway 151. Regular hours will be 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, but we can be open by appointment on the weekends.
Las Vegas Market Announces Two FIRST LOOK Webinar Dates
Five Summer Market Themes Include GATHER TOGETHER; PRINTS,CHARMING; SCREEN TIME; TAKE CARE and TRADITIONAL-ISH LAS VEGAS, N.V. – (July 20, 2020) – Las Vegas Market announced today the webinar dates for its signature FIRST LOOK program. The two 30-minute, CEU-accredited sessions will be presented on July 29 and Aug. 5 in advance of Summer 2020 Market. The FIRST LOOK webinars will be presented by program curator and 24-year magazine editor Julie Smith Vincenti.
IMC Repositions August Markets as Showroom-Only Buying Opportunities
Tradeshow Presentations Suspended at Summer Gift, Home Furnishings and Apparel Markets ATLANTA / HIGH POINT / LAS VEGAS – (July 15, 2020) – International Market Centers (IMC) announced today that its August markets in Atlanta and Las Vegas will run as scheduled, but will be staged as showroom-only buying opportunities – with no tradeshow component – based on recent developments and guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pace Florida Gift Shop: Alyssa’s Etc. & The Refinery
“Alyssa’s Antique Depot,” “Alyssa’s, Etc.,” and “The Refinery @ Alyssa’s” form a campus of three stores with a combined 50,000 square feet of shopping excitement in northwest Florida. Located in the center of the village of Pace, near Pensacola, the award-winning shops draw customers from all over the Gulf Coast. The stores feature furniture, lighting, rugs, home décor, gifts, antiques, jewelry, fashion, and more.
KCBI Christian Radio
Dynamic Dallas/Fort Worth Station Delivers “Encouraging Music … Words of Hope” Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Christian radio station KCBI 90.9 FM broadcasts hope in Christ from its studio in the heart of Dallas, Texas. The station touches lives across a broad swathe of its broadcast area, as listener demographics mirror the racial mix of north Texas.
Retail Store Security Procedures: How to Improve Store Security
Theft in retail stores is an enormous problem, as determined shoplifters can be quite skilled and hard to catch. Just how hard is it to stop them? An infographic produced by www.pricegun.com (http://bit.ly/pricegun-infographic) states that “on average, shoplifters are caught only 1 in 48 times.” Given the amount of money that’s at stake, store owners should regularly evaluate the effectiveness of their policies and security systems and update them as needed.
Retail Store Security Procedures: How to Improve Store Security
This article benefited from a survey to our readers. Thank you for your continued support. Surveys result in Tips of the Week. Theft in retail stores is an enormous problem, as determined shoplifters can be quite skilled and hard to catch. Just how hard is it to stop them?
Security System Evaluation Checklist
Following are some key questions to consider before you sign on the dotted line with a security service. Make sure the service fits your needs, providing the features you need and no more, so you’re not paying for unnecessary ones. Keep in mind that you may be eligible for a lower insurance premium, so check with your insurance company. Also, if you’re renting, check your lease for any restrictions on building modifications necessary to install security equipment.
Tips for Increasing Sales with Holiday Entertaining
By Jennifer Raines According to the January 2016 THIRST survey conducted by The Coca-Cola Company, more than 40% of people hosted a party during the 2015 holiday season and around 70% went to at least one party. This shows just how big a role entertaining plays in our holiday routines. So, how can retailers help ensure they have a seat at the holiday entertaining table? 1. Don’t delay.
Trends Showing That E-commerce Needs Brick-and-Mortar
There’s a common belief that “online-only” retailers are crushing physical stores, but the truth is that, with just a few exceptions, like Amazon and eBay, that’s really not true. In fact, trends are showing that “online-only” is a very challenging business model, and that these companies struggle when they don’t also have a physical store presence. Here are some points to keep in mind: Of the top ten retailers in the U.S., nine are brick-and-mortar based companies. The only exception is Amazon.
Store “Shrinkage” Increased Substantially in 2016
A survey compiled by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the University of Florida, shows that retail “shrinkage” increased from $45.2 billion in 2015 to $48.9 billion in 2016. Most losses were due to shoplifting, with an average of $798.48 per incident, up $377 from 2015. Part of the increase is attributed to some states increasing the threshold for felony crimes, so that only larger thefts were reported. Also, retailers spent less on loss prevention in 2016, which led to more theft.
Retail Isn’t Dying. It’s Evolving.
If you’ve been watching the news over the past months, you’ve no doubt heard numerous reports of major retailers going out of business or on the verge of bankruptcy. But those reports focus on huge, well-known retail companies, which skews the true picture of retail. The retail sector isn’t homogenous. It’s composed of various layers and segments.
Less Than Half of Small Businesses Have a Website
The top marketing strategy of most small business owners is word-of-mouth advertising, according to a CNBC/SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey. But less than half use the Internet to spread the word. Only 45% have a business website, and of those that do, just 36% use their website to communicate news to current customers and potential new customers.
Federal Reserve to Raise Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve plans to slowly raise interest rates over the coming year to keep in step with improving economic conditions. With prices stable and near full employment levels, the Reserve intends to implement the changes very cautiously to prevent volatility in the markets. The Fed increased interest rates in March and will likely raise them twice more this year to reach its goal of 2% by next year to keep the economy from suffering the damaging side effects of growing too quickly.
Will Cash Become Extinct?
Rumors of the demise of cash payments have been around for years. While credit-or-debit-card-only payments have been on the rise because they’re considered faster than cash transactions, there appears to be no evidence that cash will become obsolete any time in the foreseeable future. A study conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco in 2016 showed that paper currency and coins are still the most common form of payment. The second most popular form of payment is the debit card.
2017 Graduation Spending Expected to Set New Record
Based on an annual survey, consumer spending on graduation gifts is expected to reach a record level this year, increasing from $5.4 billion in 2016 to $5.6 billion in 2017, according to National Retail Federation report. Topping the list of favorite gifts will be cash, with 53% of gift givers choosing this for their graduates. The reason: to help students with the high cost of college or beginning life in the working world.
Teen Employment Trends in Retail
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, teen employment has been decreasing in all industries, including retail. When teen workforce participation hit its peak in 1979, 58% of teenagers aged 16-19 were working. The number dropped to 52 % in the early 2000s and is now at 34%. BLS attributes the drop to a number of factors that are related more to social changes than to a shortage of jobs.
Congress to Take Up Debate on Debit Card Swipe Fee Reform
Over the last five years, merchants and consumers have saved an estimated $40 billion on debit card swipe fees due to a law passed in October 2011. But that law may be repealed after hearings on the matter. The debate will pit big banks against businesses, and the NRF is actively opposing the repeal, on the basis that it would hurt businesses and consumers by once again giving bankers too much control.
Most Retail Employees Score Low in Data Security Best Practices
In a Retail Dive article published online in late April, a survey of more than 800 retail employees that analyzed their ability to prevent common problems with data privacy revealed that only 29% were able to do so. The test evaluated eight areas, including detecting phishing attempts, safe social media use, and incident reporting. Compared to other industries, retail employees scored poorly. The risk for retail is heightened because it is the most-attacked industry sector.
Mother’s Day Spending Expected to Reach 14-Year High
According to a recent National Retail Federation survey, average consumer spending on Mother’s Day will increase about 12 dollars, from $172.22 to $186.39, for a total of $23.6 billion, making it the highest amount in 14 years, up from $21.4 billion last year. The survey results predict how shoppers will spend their money: The main source of increased spending is expected to be attributed to two categories: jewelry (+19%) and personal services (+15%).
AMIBA Promotes Independents Week to Incorporate Fourth of July
The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) will coordinate a national Independents Week campaign over the Fourth of July, as it does each year, to “engage local independent businesses and citizens in celebrating entrepreneurial spirit and the freedom our local businesses embody.” AMIBA provides a wide array of free graphic templates for many uses. Users may also submit their own creations for others to use. AMIBA only requests that businesses mention AMIBA somewhere in their material.
Curb Shoplifting in Your Store
Retail theft is a big problem and getting worse. Regardless of how successful you are in providing your customers with the best selection of merchandise at the right price, your business can be crippled by theft if you haven’t taken proper precautions. Be sure you’ve taken the following steps to protect your store. The effort and expense you invest in preventing and prosecuting theft will be offset by the decrease in merchandise loss.
Rising Imports Point to Increasing Retail Demand for First Half of 2017
A National Retail Federation (NRF) article posted online March 9 stated that imports at major retail container ports are expected to continue to rise though the first half of 2017. This is in spite of widespread fears of retail’s eventual decline as a result of President’s Trump’s plans to implement a border adjustment tax (BAT), withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and revise the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Distil Networks Uncovers Sophisticated Gift Card Fraud Bot
San Francisco, CA – March 24, 2017– Distil Networks, Inc., the global leader in bot detection and mitigation, today announced that its analyst team has uncovered an Advanced Persistent Bot (APB) that targets gift card payments processes on websites. The bot, named GiftGhostBot, is attempting to defraud consumers from the money loaded on gift cards from a variety of retailers around the globe.
National Retail Federation Launches RISE Up Program
In January, the National Retail Federation announced a new retail training and credentialing program called RISE Up (Retail Industry Skills & Education). The program is a collaboration between retailers and nonprofits to help potential employees develop the needed skills to get entry level jobs in retail and advance in the industry.
The Best Way Gift Retail Companies Can Dispose of Unwanted Inventory
If you’re in the gift retailing business, one of your great ongoing challenges is disposing of surplus inventory. Chances are, you’re discounting, liquidating, and auctioning unwanted merchandise—labor-intensive work that yields little profit. Good news: there is a better way. Have you ever considered donating your products to charity? It’s called ‘product philanthropy’ or ‘gifts-in-kind donations.’ It’s faster and easier than the methods you’re currently using.
Bed & Bath Décor To Make a Splash
When we decorate, we often decorate for others, focusing on rooms commonly exposed to guests: living rooms, dining rooms, even kitchens. But the privacy of bedrooms and bathrooms doesn’t mean they should be left out. Let your customers indulge by sprucing up a home’s more personal areas. Bathrooms are great areas to add some zest. Their compact space means small items go a long way in changing the room’s ambiance.
Clean Up on Trendy Bath and Body Products for Men and Women
The world of bath and beauty products has long catered to women and still does in many ways. A plethora of natural and high-quality scents abound now more than ever before. Traditionally, skin-care products were designed to appeal to the fairer sex, but in recent years, some lines have sought to appeal to both. An emerging trend in bath and beauty is flipping the paradigm on its side, with interesting and innovative products designed specifically for men.
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