Web Lingo Helps Entrepreneur Launch Accessory Empire
How did Brian Fried, a marketing director for a mortgage bank, get into selling apparel and accessories?
The entrepreneur says he simply turned his hobby of inventing into “a real side business.” Fried, 34, is the creator and licensor of IM:It apparel, accessories and school supplies–brightly colored gear featuring acronyms such as “LOL” and “GTG,” and various emoticons.
Tapping into his 6-year-old daughter’s inside knowledge of kids’ fashion and the ever-increasing number of tweens and teens who use IM and text messaging obsessively, IM:It is the latest of Fried’s numerous endeavors, which include an ad specialty company, kitchen houseware products and a few toy inventions.
Fried began IM:It by trademarking logos and conducting grass-roots market research surveys at Barnes & Noble. With the help of a licensing agent, he began to build the IM:It brand. Fried is working on getting his products onto shelves in Hot Topic, J.C. Penney, Macy’s and Target stores. He also recently completed successful test runs at a few Toys “R” Us locations and is now in talks to create a full line of merchandise for the toy store.
Photo by IM:It.
Angelice on May 7th, 2008 12:09 pm
Brian,
Your story is very inspiring! I had to stop and read it because my maiden name is Fried and I don’t see it all that often. I too, am an entrepreneur and really enjoyed reading your story. Best of luck you!
angelice
Angela on May 8th, 2008 3:19 pm
That’s a smart move. It’s great to see that a fun idea such as that is taking off for him.
Brian fried on June 4th, 2008 5:46 pm
Hello- Thank you for your comments, I appreciate it– Good luck to all of you as well.
Brian
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