Build-A-Bear Workshop : Why Didn't I Think of That? ®

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-a-Bear Workshop: Where Best Friends Are Made

Hear the Radio Feature:
Play




Our New Daily Player!

For sometime now, we’ve had a special project in the works. We wanted to give our listeners and readers a chance to hear a new Why Didn’t I Think of That?® feature every day, even if they’re away from the radio. And that’s exactly what we’ve done. Today marks the beginning phases of a plan [...]


Get the Why Didnt I Think of That?® Podcast:
Add to iTunesAdd to Zune Podcast RSS Feed Add to Google Reader/Homepage Add to My Yahoo
Hall of Fame Spotlight: Spray Paint

Nobody thought about putting paint in an aerosol can until Ed Seymour. In 1949, Seymour was looking for a novel way to demonstrate a new aluminum paint. His wife suggested putting it in an aerosol can, like ones recently introduced for insecticides. To his surprise, the sprayer — not the paint — became the star of his demonstration.


Get the Why Didnt I Think of That?® Podcast:
Add to iTunesAdd to Zune Podcast RSS Feed Add to Google Reader/Homepage Add to My Yahoo
Hall of Fame Spotlight: Dole Pineapple

While in Hawaii in the 1800′s, James Dole discovered a fruit most people had never seen or heard of before: The pineapple. He began importing the fruit to the mainland and introduced the country to this exotic, sweet treat. The pineapple became a national favorite, and the Dole Food Company became the largest supplier of fruits and vegetables in the world.


Get the Why Didnt I Think of That?® Podcast:
Add to iTunesAdd to Zune Podcast RSS Feed Add to Google Reader/Homepage Add to My Yahoo
TOMS Shoes

He started his first business in college. He sold his second business to Clear Channel. He came within four minutes of winning CBS’s the Amazing Race. He’s led an interesting life, but what Blake Mycoskie is best known for is starting TOMS Shoes, the company that has donated well over a million shoes to needy men, women, and children.


Get the Why Didnt I Think of That?® Podcast:
Add to iTunesAdd to Zune Podcast RSS Feed Add to Google Reader/Homepage Add to My Yahoo
Hall of Fame Spotlight: Gatorade

Today it’s as synonymous with sports as cheerleaders or sweatbands. But not too long ago, Gatorade was just a nameless concoction, cooked up to revitalize the University of Florida’s football team: the Gators. The Gators were losing. A lot. One reason for that was the hot Florida weather dehydrating the players. The “Gator-Aid” not only saved the team, but it has been hydrating and refreshing some of the world’s greatest athletes ever since.

Today’s Hall of Fame Spotlight: The Story of Gatorade.

Play

Get the Why Didnt I Think of That?® Podcast:
Add to iTunesAdd to Zune Podcast RSS Feed Add to Google Reader/Homepage Add to My Yahoo

What they do:
Build-A-Bear Workshops, where kids can make their own stuffed Bear.

Inspiration:
Maxine Clark went shopping with a 10 year old girl named Katie who wanted a stuffed toy, but couldn't find one that suited her. So Katie suggested that she and Clark make their own. It was Clark's moment of Inspiration.

About the business:
Clark opened the first Build-A-Bear Workshop in a St. Louis shopping mall. She designed it like a factory, with kids moving through eight stuffed-animal-making stations. They start by choosing a pelt, and move through the line -- stuffing it, stitching it, choosing clothes, and giving it a name and accessories. Recently, Build-A-Bear Workshops had worldwide sales of $360 million.

Axioms:

Related Blog Stories:

Boogie Wipes - May 10, 2011

What’s worse than a kid with a runny nose? A kid crying because his runny nose is red, dry, and rubbed raw from traditional tissues. Two creative moms realized this, and invented Boogie Wipes.

Games2U - May 5, 2011

How two brothers built a van that turns any kids’ event into a hit. Games2U is a franchise that has been spicing up dull gatherings since 2007.

Made to Order - April 5, 2011

Can you imagine ordering a book and having to wait while it was printed and bound? Of course not. But some small businesses across the country are starting to realize that having well-stocked inventories isn’t necessary for their business.

Growing Up Fast: How a 14-Year-Old Boy Made Millions - June 10, 2010

Sean Belnicks was possessed with the entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. By 14, Belnicks was already selling Pokemon cards on eBay. Perhaps it was only the logical next step to launch a website selling office furniture.