The namesake products are wrist and ankle weights that make a fashion statement. At ½ pound per wrist or one pound per ankle, Banglz are heavy enough to make every movement a workout, but light enough to not interfere with everyday activities. The wrist bands are also available as one-pound weights to be used only during workouts.

The weights are designed to look like chunky bracelets, mimicking hair scrunchies that were popularly worn on the wrists. A variety of fabrics make Banglz both “wearable workouts” and versatile accessories. Banglz are available in a variety of patterns, including zebra and cheetah prints, denim, chocolate and basic black.

The company’s founders describe themselves as “typical 40-something Moms.” They took on the challenge of designing products that would meet the needs of women everywhere:  “mothers, grandmothers, teenagers, workaholics, athletes, gym-goers, anti-exercisers and anyone who cares about their health now and in years to come.”

Improving muscle tone and burning calories are the goals of Banglz. The wrist weights target that annoying arm jiggle, and the ankle adornments are designed to help firm up legs.

• Banglz are available online at $24.95 for ½-pound weights and $27.95 for one-pound weights
• The website also lists retailers that carry the products
• The parent company of Banglz is Fitness U Wear, LLC

The company has also developed an additional product line, Smartslips. Much like a conventional slip, it is designed to be worn under dresses and skirts.Its fabric adds “slight, ongoing resistance in every step,” invisibly turning a stroll into a better workout.  Available in full-rise and low-rise models, it targets the hips, glutes and legs, striving to firm muscles while the wearer goes about her everyday business.

Diversifying away from the workout wear, the company is now offering a line of a-lines. Simple Skirts flatter figures and can be worn high or low on the waist, working perfectly over the Smartslip.

The company has been recognized as a new and exciting Challenger Brand in the media, featured by Working Mother, The Doctors, Today and Ebony, among others. Banglz are hoping to become the jewels of the fitness industry, transforming women into diamonds in the rough by adding a sparkle of health.

Described as “an exciting national clothing swap that combines the best features of Netflix, StubHub and eBay,” thredUP is seeking a new niche in the $2 billion used-clothing industry. Members have the option of refreshing as many items as they like as they tire of their clothes and want to avoid buying expensive new looks.

Simply register online by indicating the brands, sizes and types of items sought and listing available items from your closet. thredUP will send you prepaid envelopes for shipping, avoiding that pesky trip to the post office. For now, the exchanges are limited to shirts, although future expansion is in the works.

In the interest of simplicity, no photos are available, and the staff serves as matchmakers based on the items in members’ closets. Shirts fall into brand tiers, so an upscale, designer top won’t be replaced by a discount store special. An email message heralds the making of a match, at which time the item must be accepted, and an item must be sent to another member in exchange. Members must send an item to receive one.

thredUP sends an alert when a member’s envelope supply is running low, providing the opportunity to replenish. Swapping can be continuous, or items that hit the right fashion note can be kept forever.

• An initial set of three envelopes costs $12.50, entitling the new member to three swaps; they are three for $25 thereafter
• The company was co-founded by a Harvard business school grad and a tech guru; the founder of Netflix is an advisor to the company
• Nearly 5,000 members joined right off the  bat, with continued growth expected

The next big launch will be thredUP Kids, which will appeal to parents as their offspring zoom through sizes and outgrow barely-used clothing. Several upgrades are also in the development stage, including the ability to window shop, auto-envelope replenishing and expansion outside the US.

There are some basic expectations that come with the privilege of membership. The golden thredUP rule is: “send only what you’d be willing to receive.” No stained, out of style, torn or stretched clothing, please. Rating items upon receipt is an important part of the process, and those with unfavorable feedback will be banned from future swaps. “Stylie points” can be awarded by especially happy recipients, providing eligibility for exclusive promotions.

Like playing the lottery, thredUP members must be willing to take a gamble. Fortunately, the odds of winning are much greater, and a refreshed closet full of new-to-you threds is the reward.

This site has worked to position itself as the go-to resource for all matters relating to pets. Boasting millions of pet pictures, proud parents can share both images and anecdotes about their lovable companions. Have a concern about litter box issues, food guarding or nail clipping? Looking for a new vet? Chances are that useful advice can be found on Zootoo, along with reviews of pet-related products.

As on human-focused social networking sites, communication with other members can take several forms, including inviting users to become friends, private messaging, participating in news discussions, commenting on reviews, answering questions and reading the journals fellow members post online.

• Zootoo, headquartered in New Jersey, was founded in 2007 and employs 20
• Membership and services on the site are free; advertisers provide funding

Zootooers can access information regarding both national and local services, as well as keep up with the latest from the pet kingdom. Zootoo TV, produced by the pet news team, has become “the CNN for pet news.” For the fun-loving pet person, online games are available: Pet Wars invites votes for the cutest pet in America, with more than 10 million votes cast to date, and Meet the Breeds challenges players to choose the correct breed from among three pictures.

The site’s capabilities include a local focus, with services, adoptable pets, pet groups, volunteer opportunities and pet lovers searchable by location. Members can also post local events. On the national side, Zootoo holds annual shelter makeover contests with awards up to $1 million, garnering votes and media attention in the process. 

The Pet Answers feature provides a forum for members to ask questions and benefit from the wisdom of other Zootooers. Questions appear for two weeks, at which time the asker is invited to choose the best answer. Zootoo is working hard to become the tail-wagging favorite of pet lovers everywhere.

While some beer companies might be in it only for the bucks, New Belgium holds a number of values. First is the production of world-class beers and “the promotion of beer culture and the responsible enjoyment of beer.” However, the company also champions social, cultural and environmental change.

New Belgium’s protection of natural resources is demonstrated in a number of ways. An innovative, efficient brew kettle uses less energy than traditional methods, and the green design of the building features efficient lighting and cooling as well as recycled materials. Methane derived from cleaning the water used in beer production is used to supply up to 15% of the facility’s energy.

• The company was founded in a basement in Fort Collins, Colorado; the founder’s wife was the first bottler, sales rep, distributor and marketer in an enterprise that has grown to nearly 350 employees
• An electrical engineer, the founder built his own home brewing system out of recycled dairy equipment, moving to commercial production in 1991 based on favorable reviews by friends

A bike trip in Belgium served as the inspiration for both the company name and the moniker of the first product, Fat Tire, an amber brew. This employee-owned operation also awards an ownership stake to celebrate workers’ first anniversaries, along with a cruiser bike.

New Belgium also sponsors a philanthropic bike festival, Tour de Fat. Along with the inherently green nature of human-powered transportation, the event features a solar-powered stage and compostable cups to sample the beer. And Team Wonderbike, with more than 10,000 members, has gathered pledges to increase ridership. In all, the company designates 1% of its revenue to be donated to nonprofit organizations that support the environment.

Looking ahead, New Belgium has set even more aggressive goals for environmental responsibility. Reduction in carbon footprint by 25% and water usage by 10%, along with increase in landfill diversion rate to 95% are the next accomplishments on the horizon.

With all the talk of environmental responsibility, don’t forget the beer. The company site provides a description of each of its nearly 39 varieties, some seasonal. Each includes food pairing recommendations from “flavorful chefs and sensory magicians.”

Changing the definition of green beer from a St. Patrick’s Day beverage to a value-driven approach is New Belgium’s claim to fame.  The company is hoping its customers will be motivated to drink responsibly, and, while they’re at it, not have too much beer.

 “Promoting awareness and use of fashionable, functional clothing for men and women” is the mission of Fashion Moves. Its goal is to “move the fashion and garment trades into the 21st Century, and encourage them to follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar legislation.” Citing examples of its target groups, the organization is aiming to meet challenges such as designing evening gowns that will not tangle in wheels for the Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant, as well as business attire for professionals who use wheelchairs. Likewise, solutions are sought for buttons and fasteners that can pose difficulties for those with Parkinson’s and other neurological disabilities.

 The competition is open to all designers and students of design, with the goal of encouraging careers that will take into account those with special needs. Contestants can choose among several garment categories: at home and leisure, sport and casual, office and professional, semi-formal and formal, outerwear and lingerie. Winning designs will become paper sewing patterns, with royalties from their sale paid to the winning designers. 

• Fashion Moves was founded by Ruth Clark, whose mother designed and sewed clothing for family members with disabilities and residents of nursing homes
• After her father’s abilities declined because of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Ruth founded Fashion Magic Apparel in 2002, designing and sewing custom clothing for wheelchair users; the company is run out of her home

 Following a series of small fashion shows, Fashion Moves was created as a forum to heighten interest in this specialized clothing niche, tapping into an underserved market. The company’s founder also gives presentations to a variety of groups on related topics, ranging from brief talks to full-day workshops. 

The competition opened in September 2009 and closes in the late spring of 2010, with awards to be presented in the fall of this year. Fashion Moves is actively seeking sponsors, with support at levels ranging from $10 – $40,000 and featuring opportunities to boost awareness of sponsor businesses through the website and contest promotional materials.

Fashion Moves, through its commitment, is challenging an entire industry to become involved in helping an important segment of the population button up. This is a moving challenge, designed to help break down barriers for people on the move. 

Me to We Style distinguishes itself from the competition in several important ways. First, the manufacturing process is designed to respect the earth as well as its residents. Using fabrics made of organic cotton and bamboo, they eliminate pesticides and chemicals from the process. Instead, the plants are weeded with hoes, and natural repellants such as chili and garlic discourage bugs without harming the planet. 

All land used in growing the raw materials for Me to We’s clothing has been free of chemical pesticides for a minimum of three years. The clothes are manufactured in sweatshop-free facilities where workers receive fair wages for their work.

Environmental concerns are only part of Me to We’s positive impact. 50% of the company’s profit is donated to its charity partner Free the Children, giving back to the areas where the raw materials are grown. The charity supports development projects in rural, underprivileged areas around the world. Pointing out that over one billion people in the world subsist on less than $1 per day, the organization works with educational programs designed to improve these conditions for children. More than a million children have been involved in the organization’s programs in 45 different countries.

Me to We Style is based in Toronto, Canada, and the clothing is manufactured in Canadian plants. The company’s products include an assortment of men’s and women’s apparel, featuring tees, tank tops, sweatshirts, polos, pants, scarves and dresses in a variety of styles and colors. Tees start at $25, and they offer a “buy three, get one” deal. For larger quantities, corporations, schools, teams and organizations can work with Me to We on custom designs. To compound the company’s good deeds, orders of 12 or more items are provided at half price for fundraising purposes.

Aptly named, Me to We Style encourages consumers to focus less on me and more on we. It’s counting on styling a successful challenge – not only for the company, but also for the suppliers and the charity that benefit from its success.

Planes, trains and automobiles have a lot in common: they’ll get you where you’re going but leave a trail of pollution behind them. Environmentally-conscious travelers will be pleased to find an organization that removes the guilt from the trip. iJourneyGreen seeks to un-do the damage of travel by offering “travel credits.” These credits allow travelers to invest in the economic development of their destinations.

Rather than selling a product, iJourneyGreen offers an opportunity to make a substantial change in our world. iJourneyGreen provides several types of travel credits:

Carbon credits are designed to counteract the buildup of greenhouse gases that results from the burning of fossil fuels. The credits are invested in projects that lessen the carbon footprint associated with travel, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. Projects funded include reforestation, energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts.

Microfinance loans provide savings and basic financial services to the world’s working poor. Since more than half of the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 per day, traditional financing is of little benefit. iJourneyGreen works with companies that operate in the areas to fund these local businesses. When loans are repaid, the funds are re-invested in the same vicinity. Funds are collected and distributed every two months, and travelers are notified when and where loans are awarded.

Traditional aid is provided to the non-working poor, including those who are ill or incapacitated.  iJourneyGreen provides donations to charities that work with infrastructure issues including churches, homes and schools, disaster relief and protection of the environment. Individuals, families and businesses can purchase packages to invest in the people and places associated with travel destinations:

• Individual packages range in price from $89 for 1-4 trips to $169 for 11-15 trips per year
• Family packages have the same prices, but travelers are asked to purchase additional packages if family members travel separately, compounding environmental impact
• Business travel packages start at $299 for occasional travel (1-15 flights annually) or $399 packages for moderate (16-30 trips annually); substantial travelers are requested to call for pricing

Education for travelers is another important mission of the organization. Understanding the need for environmental conservation, as well as the international cultures of their destinations, helps motivate visitors to recognize their responsibilities to the world in which they travel.

iJourneyGreen works to ensure that the sites the world sees now will be available to future generations for international journeys to come.

Boasting its status as “the largest social publishing company in the world,” Scribd goes beyond the blogs and posts that have proliferated on the Internet. It allows writers to share screenplays, novels, recipes, puzzles, maps, magazines, newspapers and sheet music with a wide audience that includes Scribd’s community of “passionate readers.”

While some content on the site is free, book excerpts are offered to provide a complimentary sample and encourage browsers to buy those for sale. Writers set prices for their own creations and pocket 80% of the take. That percentage far exceeds the royalties paid by traditional publishers, and some authors who have previously produced the old-fashioned way report significantly higher profits with Scribd. This approach also eliminates the lengthy publishing process, bringing content to readers while it is timely and fresh.

• Scribd was launched in 2007 and is headquartered in San Francisco
• The company reaches more than 60 million readers each month
• On average, 50,000 documents are uploaded daily
• An estimated 35 billion words are stored on the site in 90 different languages

The company’s iPaper document reader allows writers to easily upload and share their original works. Files originating in PDF, Word or PowerPoint are transformed into web documents that can feature a variety of fonts, layouts and artwork. Documents are indexed during uploading, allowing search engines to direct prospective readers to relevant material. The iPaper reader is also embedded in numerous publications elsewhere on the web, leading many more to the site.

For browsers, the site is organized like a bricks-and-mortar bookstore, with sections for fiction, art and architecture, business, and travel, among many other selections. Focused readers can use the search function and cut to the desired material quickly.

With Amazon entering the e-books market, Scribd is building strength to find its own niche. While Amazon downloads require a Kindle reader, Scribd can work with laptops and smart phones, eliminating the need for additional hardware. Authors can prevent unauthorized downloading and copying by choosing to employ security software that encodes the documents.

Scribd is banking on its ability to read the writing on the digital wall, democratizing publishing and bringing readers and writers together in a match made in virtual heaven.

The site’s mission is to “connect women and families to certified women-friendly car dealers.” To be certified, the dealerships must exhibit behaviors that merit the distinction. Female customers report their actual experiences with browsing, purchasing and servicing; a rating of 3.8 or above on a five-point scale earns the dealership its coveted certification.

Women directly purchase 54% of new cars and influence up to 80% of buying decisions. With an additional 65% of service work at dealers requested by women, it is estimated that female customers control $200 billion in spending. Women-drivers.com’s goal is to “transform the dealership experience for women by enriching and empowering their visit.”

The company was started by Pittsburgh resident Anne Fleming. Although she had 20 years of management experience, she hired a negotiator to seal the deal on her new BMW. When her male boss expressed shock at her reluctance to negotiate given her powerful position, she spoke with a business coach who introduced her to the author of the book Women Don’t Ask. Soon, the idea for the business was born, helping to increase women’s “automotive power.”

• Women-drivers.com was founded in 2008 in Pittsburgh and has a staff of four.
• Its initial focus is on Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, but it tracks 19,000 dealers across the US.
• Users must register, but the site is free to users age 16+ with a driver’s license.
• The company sells anonymous, collective results and descriptions of experiences to the auto industry, and dealers can purchase advertising on the site.

Using the site is simple. After signing in, women can click on the “write a dealer review” button, then select browsing, purchasing or servicing as the activity to rate. Ratings can be viewed by prospective customers to guide them to a female-friendly location. Members get a free e-newsletter sent to them, although content, including the founder’s blog, is available on the site without registering. Articles on the site focus on educating women on car models, negotiating savvy and car repair topics.

The concept has captured significant attention, with a feature on ABC news and local media coverage. With nearly three-fourths of users very or extremely likely to use the site again, women-drivers.com is revving up its engines for a national marketing campaign. Boosting their purchasing muscle to match their economic power, this is a company that has gone from zero to 60 in no time and is ready to climb the hills that lie ahead.

EDMC is “among the largest providers of private post-secondary education in North America.” This company has become something of an educational conglomerate; four distinct schools fall under the EDMC umbrella, each with unique programs and locations. Each school is licensed by the state in which it is located, with doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, associate and certificate-level programs offered across the system.

• EDMC’s schools boast 89 locations in 28 US states and Canada
• Founded in 1962, EDMC’s first acquisition was the Art Institute of Pittsburgh; bachelor’s degree programs were added there in 1988
• The company’s initial public offering was in 1996
• More than 16,000 full and part-time faculty members provide instruction at the schools
• January 2009 enrollment reached 114,000 students, an increase of 17.3% from the previous year
• Net revenues rose a similar amount, totaling $522 million in 2008

With a strong online education presence responsible for significant growth in the Pittsburgh office, EDMC is working to fill a niche for career-oriented students. Its many physical locations and various schools allow for economies of scale and an integrated marketing approach. This is a company that is positioning itself to be a North American resource, helping students manage their own education and achieve success.