Sam Ash Music has been instrumental in many a musician's livelihood. The #2 musical instrument retailer in the US (behind Guitar Center), Sam Ash Music (SAM) operates about 45 stores in more than 15 states including California, New York, and Texas. Besides instruments, SAM sells sheet music, recording equipment, lighting, computers, and music software. It also sells online. SAM also sells vintage guitars, offers custom-built instruments and music clinics, and buys used musical instruments. It also runs a pro services and parts division, Sam Ash Professional, and an Educational Division serving schools. The company was founded in 1924 by Sam and Rose Ashkynase, whose descendants still own and run the company.

Hong Kong-based Chow Sang Sang has its eye on China and the growing luxury market there. The company operates about 155 Chow Sang Sang jewelery stores in some 60 cities across mainland China, with another 50-plus stores in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The fast-growing jeweler aims to open another 50 shops in the near future. The company makes and sells necklaces, bracelets, watches, diamonds, and other shiny luxuries and trendy baubles. Chow Sang Sang has production facilities in China and in Hong Kong. It also wholesales precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) and brokers stocks and commodities. Chairman Kwen Lim Chow and general manager Wing Shing Chow together own about a third of the company.

Stark Carpet Corp. company is owned and operated by brothers John and Steven Stark. Their parents, the late Arthur and Nadia Stark, founded Stark Carpet company. Stark Carpet offers carpets, rugs, furniture, and textiles to design professionals for both commercial and residential use. The company sells its products under the Stark Carpet, Stark Fabric, Stark Fine Furniture, Stark Wallcovering, and Darius Antique & Decorative Rugs brand names from its own showrooms in the US and the UK as well as in design centers operated by others. Through its partnership with manufacturer GG Bailey, it also produces a line of Oriental and animal print car mats.

Books-A-Million, Inc. operates as a book retailer in the southeastern United States. The company operates superstores and traditional bookstores that offer a selection of hardcover and paperback books, magazines, and newspapers. It also offers other merchandise, including gifts, cards, collectibles, magazines, music, and DVDs, as well as coffee, tea, and other edible products. The company also offers its products over the Internet at Booksamillion.com. It markets its products under the trademarks of Books-A-Million, BAM! Books-A-Million, Bookland, Books & Co., Millionaire’s Club, Sweet Water Press, Thanks-A-Million, Big Fat Coloring Book, Up All Night Reader, Read & Save Rebate, Readables Accessories for Readers, Kids-A-Million, Teachers First, The Write-Price, Bambeanos, Hold That Thought, Book$mart, BAMM, BAMM.com, BOOKSAMILLION.com, Chillatte, Joe Muggs Newsstand, Page Pets, JOEMUGGS.com, FAITHPOINT.com, Faithmark, Joe Muggs, Anderson’s Bookland, Snow Joe, American Wholesale Book Company, AWBC, and NetCentral. As of January 31, 2010, the company operated 223 stores, including 201 superstores under the Books-A-Million and Books & Co. brands; and 22 traditional stores under the Bookland and Books-A-Million brands in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Books-A-Million, Inc. was founded in 1917 and is based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Organic Bouquet was founded in 2001 by organic produce pioneer Gerald Prolman. It bought the Organic Style trademark and brand from Rodale in 2007. Organic Bouquet has cultivated a natural niche in organic blooms, magazines, and products. The floral and fruit provider offers fresh organic tulips, lavender, sunflowers, country bouquets, roses, and its namesake bouquets through upscale natural retailers such as Whole Foods. It sells directly to consumers through its Web site, which peddles organic fruit boxes and gift baskets. The company also sells flowers grown under other certifications, including biodynamic and wildcrafted, and works with growers to protect worker safety.

Founded as Noah's Ark in 1760 by William Hamley, the store is known for its vast selection of high quality toys, which it also sells worldwide online and by catalog. In addition to its Regent Street flagship store, Hamleys operates about 15 other toy shops, including about a half dozen inside House of Fraser department stores, several at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, and three shops in Denmark. The UK investment arm of Iceland's Baugur Group owns a 64% stake in Hamleys. What is seven stories tall and full of toys? That would be Hamleys toy store, one of London's most enduring and playful attractions. Hamleys has been located on Regent Street since 1881.

In 1959, William Jacobs started Columbus Fair Auto Auction based on excellent customer service and fairness. He recognized that auctions offered a solution to automobile dealers' needs for a source and marketplace for used motor vehicles.Obviously, the financial risk of leasing space at the Ohio State Fairgrounds to run a one-lane auction in 1959 was small, but significant for this startup entrepreneurial endeavor. It, however, pales in comparison to the present multi-million dollar investment in today's 85-acre facility in Obetz. However, the original strategy of offering a marketplace for used vehicles where buyers and sellers would congregate for the benefit of both continues today.

Tangram Interiors keeps it all on the inside. Tangram Interiors company is an office furniture manufacturer and dealer specializing in Steelcase products. Other brands include Brayton, Vecta, Metro, and Lightolier. Tangram Interiors, with two showrooms in southern California, offers asset management, furniture rental, network installation, remanufacturing, and moving and relocation assistance. Tangram sells an "acoustic privacy system" that allows workplace conversations to remain private by broadcasting a signal that scrambles speech patterns into white noise. The company's Tangram Studio provides design services, project management, and custom architectural elements. Tangram Interiors is part of Steelcase family of companies.

Storr, which was founded in 1914, offers more than 200 products include brands such as Peter Pepper and Steelcase. Change the way you store your employees with the help of Storr Office Environments. The firm is an office furniture supplier to companies in the southeastern US that also provides professional space planning, facility management, and installation services for its clients. Storr operates a warehouse, showroom, and distribution center in North Carolina. It also boasts offices in Florida to extend its reach there. The company provides the usual desks and seating, as well as interior architecture, office technology, and floor coverings.

Borneo Motors (Singapore) Pte Ltd is today’s leading car distributor in Singapore, with 1 out of every 3* Singaporean car owners choosing us as their trusted partner Established in 1856, Borneo Motors is part of the Inchcape Group of UK that is well regarded for its prowess in motor distribution.In 1967, our groundbreaking relationship with Toyota Motor Corporation began, sparking a success that surpassed all expectations. We’ve also launched the Lexus brand in 1992, and further expanded into the heavy goods vehicle market with Hino in 2006.

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