The Biz: The Grapevine

Organization seems to top the list of things most people feel they could use improvement on. This quest leads to a search for products that will make their lives easier, more efficient and save time. When kids are involved, it adds an even greater urgency in finding methods and products to simplify storage and cleanup, especially of toys. Neat-Oh! ZipBins were born out of necessity, the brain child of a mom and her 10-year-old son Max. The ZipBin is a unique container that holds building blocks or other small play toys and unzips to form a play mat or other play surface.

An educated populace is better prepared to make decisions. Who better to help than businesses that promote a fun way to understand the electoral process? And how about creating a product that adds in a healthy dose of fun that sidesteps any partisan bickering and goes right to the heart of the process? Companies like Regina Glocker’s are bringing engaging activities like the Presidential Game to homes, classrooms, libraries and store shelves, creating a brand new generation of informed future voters.

With electronic games and toys topping the list of must-haves nearly every season, it’s easy to lose sight of the traditional pastimes like board games. But family game night isn’t ready to be buried just yet; a new generation of kids is taking advantage of this time-honored tradition, which is helping renew the board game industry. McNeill Designs for Brighter Minds is the company that produces You’ve Been Sentenced!, a language-based board game for ages 8 and up. McNeill is on a mission to promote smart, fast-paced educational games to today’s kids.

You own your own business because you know that it’s more than just making a profit — it’s about using your talents to make a difference. You work hard to find the best products for your customers because it’s more than just the bottom line — it’s about long-term relationships and service. Which is why it’s important to not only partner with companies that have great products, but also promote better living. Toys By Teens is a company that’s giving high school students a window on the realities of business, but with a helping hand.