An unusual - yet successful - Christmas kitsch online biz!

[Dien Rice]

I just saw this article about an unusual Christmas business...

Not only is it unusual - apparently they sell $100,000 worth of products in the 4 months leading up to Christmas!

It's a website selling essentially... Christmas movie memorabilia!

Most of their stuff is from the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story" (in particular, fishnet-stocking covered leg lamps which are in the movie)... But I also saw other stuff there like a book about "Festivus" (George's father's alternative to Christmas celebration, from "Seinfeld"), a Charlie Brown Christmas board game, and figurines from "The Year Without Santa Claus".

You can read an article about them here... http://www.retrofestive.ca/his-niche...istmas-kitsch/

He's successful online, he says, because he has a niche... Here's a quote from the guy who runs the website (Tyler Schwartz), from the article...

`"On the Internet these days it's hard to be a startup company unless you find a successful niche," he says. "I can't say I'm the Wal-mart of the Internet because there is one already. I need to find a specialty product. I know of a guy who sells ties and that's his niche and he does a really good job with that. The power of niche marketing is why I've gotten the attention I have. That's why I go from zero to 60 with this." '

The website is at http://www.redriderleglamps.ca (now changed to http://www.retrofestive.ca/ )

Hope you find it inspirational! To share your "strange business finds" is a good thing...

Best wishes (and have a happy holiday season)!

Dien

Dien,

Guess we're reading the same kinda stuff...

When I recently came across the story and ideas you posted...

Gordon, Harvey Brody, Dien... Definitely came to mind...

Endless Toll related "twists" Positions and ideas out there for those who Dig deep, Research and make it Happen...

From that article link Dien posted...

The Proof is in the pudding...

"The documentary, Road Trip for Ralphie, took two years to research, interview and film and sent the couple on a quest for behind-the-scenes stories about the movie. The pair stumbled upon props and costumes, which they subsequently donated to A Christmas Story House in Cleveland, opened in 2006 as a museum and tourist attraction by another diehard fan and businessman Brian Jones. Jones and Schwartz struck up a friendship, and Schwartz was asked if he'd be interested in selling leg lamps in Canada."... Bingo!! Canada eh?

Ideas like this are Everywhere and Can work Anywhere in the Whole wide world!

All the Best over the Holidays... And a Prosperous 2010 to All SowPubbers and those passing through...

Phil