Barks, mews, and caws are music to the ears of Pets at Home. The retailer operates about 230 pet-oriented stores throughout the UK, and also offers its own-brand products through a retail Web site. Pets at Home offers veterinary services, called Companion Care, at the majority of its stores. The company also offers 24-hour emergency services as well as ordinary care. Many Pets at Home stores also offer pet behavior training for some animals. Founder Anthony Preston developed the stores' concept in 1991; in 2004 he sold the majority of his stake in the company to private equity firm Bridgepoint. Management and employees retain an almost 20% interest in the company, which is being groomed to go public in 2010.

Lady Burd Exclusive Cosmetics, a private-label manufacturer of personal care products, makes skin care items, color cosmetics, mineral cosmetics (such as those made by Bare Escentuals), hair care products, children's products, makeup brushes, cosmetic bags and cases, and displays. The company also provides custom printing and labels for products. Lady Burd Exclusive Cosmetics operates showrooms in California, New York, and Florida and offers make up courses (ranging from workshops for professional makeup artists to private consultations for teens and adults). The family-run business was founded by Roberta Burd more than 45 years ago.

Founded in 1914, Brooks is owned by athletic apparel firm Russell Corporation. Brooks Sports takes a more soleful approach to building its name. The company makes running, cross-training, and walking footwear, apparel, and accessories for men and women. Its products are sold by sporting goods retailers and athletic footwear stores in more than 40 countries. Brooks markets its products primarily through runners' magazines and by sponsoring low-profile but respected members of the running community, eschewing mass TV advertising used by such rivals as NIKE.

Owner Charlie Clifford founded Tumi, Inc. in 1975 after a Peace Corps stint in Peru. Tumi company is named after an Incan god of medicine, and has been a unit of Doughty Hanson & Co. since 2004. The high-end designer and manufacturer of such travel accessories as prestige suitcases, backpacks, garment bags, totes, and travel kits, specializes in corporate travelers whose cargo is arguably precious (the company has its own tracking system for retrieving lost bags). Tumi distributes its luggage in the US and abroad through some 50 of its own retail stores, its Web site, other specialty stores, and partnerships with hotel chain Starwood and luxury cruise line Seabourn.

The Wyedean Weaving Company Ltd. company makes textile accoutrements for military and occupational uniforms, including berets, cummerbunds, epaulettes, tassels, sashes, badges, and sword belts. Wydean Weaving's products have been used for the uniforms of the Beefeaters, American Airlines, and P&O, among others. The company has also provided uniform accoutrements for royalty (Prince Andrew and Princess Anne), the costumes of film actors, including Russell Crowe and Tom Hanks, and the King of Pop Michael Jackson. Wyedean Weaving was founded in the mid-1800s as ribbon weavers.

Bally International got the boot from Swiss conglomerate Oerlikon-Buhrle a decade ago, but the shoe designer still clings to its ballyhooed haute brand name. Bally focuses on selling its premium-priced shoes (50% of revenues). Other products include accessories (briefcases, handbags, neckwear, scarves) and apparel. Bally sells its products at about 200 company-owned stores worldwide. The firm has updated its image from fancy shoes to luxury goods and complete collections on par with Gucci and LVMH. Europe-based luxury goods holding firm LABELUX Group bought Bally from investment firm TPG Capital in 2008. LABELUX is owned by Joh. A. Benckiser.

OTC International, Ltd. company, a jewelry retailer and wholesaler, makes and markets pieces in fine gold or tarnish-resistant sterling silver with cameos, semi-precious gemstones, and diamond accents. As a volume producer, OTC specializes in private-label licensed jewelry pieces and watches. The company, whose headquarters spans some 100,000 sq. ft., manages a staff of artists, designers, photographers, and advertising professionals. Its products are made in the US, as well as imported from Asia/Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Rival New York jeweler Dialuck netted OTC's finery when the merchant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2008.

M. Hidary & Co., Inc. company, founded in 1948 by Max and Moe Hidary, operates under The Hidary Group, an investor group that has holdings in consumer products, real estate, technology, and financial services. M. Hidary & Co., Inc. company makes apparel for men and children under numerous brand names, including Bon Bebe, Russell, Everlast, Amy Byer, Maui & Sons, and Pacific Trail. M. Hidary also makes licensed items under a dozen agreements for Marvel Entertainment and Disney, as well as apparel under private label. It sells its products through big box chains (Wal-Mart, Target), specialty stores (Sports Authority), national retailers (Sears), and catalogs (Global Sports Interactive).

The Timberland Company was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Stratham, New Hampshire. The Timberland Company (Timberland) designs, develops, engineers, markets and distributes, under the Timberland, Timberland PRO, SmartWool, Timberland Boot Company, Howies and IPATH brands, footwear, apparel and accessories products for men, women and children. The Company’s products are sold primarily through independent retailers, department stores, athletic stores and other national retailers. In addition, its products are sold in Timberland specialty stores and Timberland factory outlet stores dedicated to selling Timberland and Timberland sub-branded products, as well as through franchised retail stores in Europe. The Company also sells its products in the United States online at timberland.com, smartwool.com and ipath.com, and in the United Kingdom online at timberlandonline.co.uk and howies.co.uk. Its products are sold throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East.

Cherokee Distributing was founded in 1958 with just four trucks and a commitment to service. Cherokee Distributing Company delivers Tennesseans of their thirst. The company is a wholesale distributor of Miller, Corona, Molson, Coors, and Beck's beer. Cherokee, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, also handles Samuel Adams, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Grolsch, Shiner Bock, Stella Artois, Lowenbrau, and Heineken.

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