Page 18 July 2014 By Sarah Stecko A variety of Phoenix small businesses have recently gone from local to national. From creating reversible “everything” bags to employing moms part time, these entrepreneurs knew they had to do something innovative in order for their businesses to succeed. Whether their big moment was a celebrity sporting their unique backpack design, or QVC discovering their symbolic necklaces at a national trade show and signing at contract with them, these business owners know they have to keep thinking outside the box to expand further. Though they admit they couldn’t have done it alone, each of these four businesses have a unique success story, with the common factor being hard work and perseverance. Trinity Cross Collection When all odds seemed to be going against her, one mom started a business to help those struggling to regain hope. The Trinity Cross Collection was what she envisioned as a symbol of strength. “I’m just a mom — I had no intention of being in this industry,” said Coleen Rossi, creator of the Trinity Cross Collection. Rossi’s inspiration to start her business came soon after her son, Brian had a heart attack. The 11 year-old suffered a brain injury due to the lack of oxygen and while he relearned to walk, Rossi was going through a divorce and the loss of her job. It broke her heart when her son told her, “God makes mistakes.” At that moment, Rossi turned away to cry so Brian wouldn’t see. As she moved, the necklace she was wearing, shaped as a three-part cross, made a sound like dangling keys. She had obtained the patent to the necklace two years prior but only wore it now for comfort. It was then, Rossi realized, that others could benefit from its comforting effect as well. At first she thought she’d only sell to friends. Not long after, however, a friend urged her to take it to a trade show in Los Angeles. Having no sales experience, Rossi confesses, she was scared out of her mind. To her surprise, a Phoenix bank easily gave her a loan to assist with production costs. The trade show presented new opportunities immediately. Two licensing companies asked her to sign a contract with them and QVC ran a 6.5-minute segment on the crosses after discovering them there. Today, Trinity Cross Collection has 43 retailers nationwide and five showrooms in Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, Dallas and Las Vegas. Humbly, Rossi admits she did not get here on her own; she had the support of friends, advisers and the bank. “It’s not just a story about Brian, but a story of hope,” Rossi said. Mad Pax On October 10, 2010, a program on TV said, “Today is the day to start something you’ve been wanting to start.” One woman, looking to innovate an everyday product, took the advice to heart. MadPax Backpacks was born from business partners: “the mad scientist,” being Tina Huber for her creative ideas, and “the man behind the curtain,” being her business partner for handling production and logistics. The owners have been friends since high school. One day when they were picking up their children from school, they noticed every backpack looked so boring. “I think I have an idea, and you’re just lunatic enough to help me turn it into something,” Huber’s partner said to her. Upon seeing the model for a unique backpack, Huber’s son boldly volunteered to try it out at school. The second-grader received an immense amount of attention; even the older kids were interested. “He felt like a rock star!” Huber said about her little man. To further this opportunity, they took the cushioned spiked and bubbled backpacks to the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. “We couldn’t walk five steps without someone asking where they could get one of the backpacks,” Huber said. The brand first launched in January 2011 in Atlanta and eventually expanded to New York. Celebrities such as Britney Spears, Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Hudson began sporting and buying MadPax for their kids. Kendall Kardashian gave away the backpacks at her birthday party. Today, MadPax has over 900 mid- to high-level boutique retailers nationwide, and also have distribution in Japan, New Zealand and other countries. Special locations that carry these backpacks are Universal Studios, The Museum of Science and Industry and various airport stores. To Huber, they are only as good as their last design. She wants to be the “Pixar of backpacks,” in the sense that they keep coming up with something new. “As long as it’s functional and the kids can express themselves, then I feel like we’re doing our job,” Huber said. Mombomb What is a mombomb? Mombomb (mom bom) n. a woman who is filled with energy and enthusiasm for all that she loves , according to mombomb.com. More specifically, it’s the brand from which “Quit Blaming the Dog” candles and “Spray Them Away: Bullies and Mean Girls” body sprays, were born. It takes a trio to create these novelty products: The light bulb, the Artist and the Comedian, otherwise known as Faye Tait, Jennifer Toolan and Susie Reis. They personally design each candle and body spray and produce them locally, with all materials being from the U.S. Mombomb opened its boutique on October 13, 2007, Local products go national after finding local success MadPax owner Tina Huber wears one of her unique backpacks. Continued on page 20 Coleen Rossi started the Trinity Cross Collection after her family went through difficult times. The owners of Mombomb, Susie Reis (the comedian), Jennifer Toolan (the artist) and Faye Tait (the light bulb). FREE $50 Flemings gift card with first appointment! 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