Mary Margaret Cannon 48, founder of Sacred Season Ltd. in New York City
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Description: Hand-paintedglass ornaments featuring biblically allusive designs
Start-Up: Five figures in1996
Sales: 2003 projected salesof approximately $4 million
Test of Faith: WhileCannon's business was flourishing in 1998, a divorce left herhomeless, and her angel investor backed out. Devastated buthopeful, Cannon spent the next 25 months trying to resurrect SacredSeason while sleeping in her car or staying with friends. "Iknew the reaction to the ornaments was so powerful that I hadsomething special. I just couldn't give up."
Rebirth: An group ofinvestors enabled Sacred Season to return to shelves all over theUnited States in summer 2001, ranging from high-end department andgift stores to interior designers.
Creative Delegation:Cannon's ornaments boast brilliant colors and delicatepaintings, but, ironically, she's colorblind. "Justbecause you don't have the talent to do something doesn'tmean you can't get it done," says Cannon. Artists listento her ideas or work from her sketches.
Love Thy Neighbor: Now shehas a partnership with Twin Hills Collectables for distribution andlicensing. Cannon has also created a universal peace ornament toappeal to any denomination. Never forgetting her experience, Cannondonates a portion of profits to charities for the homeless andhungry.
