The Biz: The Grapevine

Many car lovers collect 1960s vehicle memorabilia, and even enjoy passing down their appreciation to their children with toy cars that sport this signature look. Candylab Toys captures the spirit of the ’60s with its line of classic collectible toy cars. What makes these cars unique is that they’re made of wood, a material growing in popularity due to its longevity and environmental sustainability.

In early May, ABC Network’s reality show Shark Tank was in Detroit looking for entrepreneurs to showcase on its upcoming season. Julie Andreae, co-founder of Secure Beginnings, a Detroit based manufacturer of a revolutionary breathable crib mattresses, jumped at the chance to participate – and was selected to advance to the next round. One of the requirements of advancing into the next round of consideration for Shark Tank is the creation of a video detailing the product. Andreae was given only a few days to ideate, shoot, edit and submit a video, so she called on Media Genesis to help pull the video together quickly.

The Netherlands, also known as Holland, has long been known for its tulips, windmills, wooden shoes, and those yummy butter cookies you get every Christmas… but what about couture? While most people still think of Italy and France as the fashion capitals of Europe, Holland has been a quietly growing force in the industry, and lately it’s been hard for anyone who buys or sells kids’ clothing to ignore the influence of this small but vital nation. Leiden-based design house Cakewalk is a great example of the Dutch children’s clothing aesthetic.

As options open in the home decor market, new parents are clinging to their identities as modern humans, even if they’re feeling less than human thanks to sleepless nights and dirty nappies. With a shared aesthetic and appreciation for design, Jennifer Kelly and Rebecca Perren found a void in the market for what they wanted for their own homes — the right mix of classic and modern, the subtle balance of fresh yet sophisticated design. They created Pehr Designs’ Petit Pehr line to answer the call of modern moms everywhere, creating classically simple home accessories sure to fly off your shelf.