Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.
Name and age: Dino Miliotis, 32
Company name and description: DPM Enterprises is theglobal supplier of Bug-Ban, a nontoxic, mosquito-repellentwristband made with geranium oil, lemon grass oil and citronella.In summer 1998, DPM will market a version that repels deer ticksand protects against Lyme disease.
Based: Homewood, Illinois
Founded: 1996
Start-up costs: $25. "I used that to send out fourFederal Express packets [of samples] to people I thought would getexcited about Bug-Ban."
1996 sales: $6 million
1997 projections: $18 million
It's all in the wrist: One wristband gives you 40hours of protection. Bug-Ban can also be stored in a specialvapor-barrier bag, which comes with the wristband, and thenreused.
Hole in one: Golfers especially like this alternative tosticky bug sprays because it doesn't interfere with theirgrip.
Where to buy it: Wal-Mart, Home Depot and other drug andretail outlets, health-food stores, and golf pro shops across theUnited States sell it. Bug-Ban can also be found in 23 countriesworldwide.
Doing the numbers: Miliotis sold 7 million Bug-Bans,which retail for approximately $3 each, in the company's firstsummer season. By the end of this month, he expects that number toreach 30 million.
Words of wisdom: Prior to launching DPM, Miliotis startedseven businesses that eventually failed. "For allentrepreneurs out there, my suggestion is don't listen toanybody, and don't quit."
Future focus: "I want this to be the number-one-selling insect repellent in the world."
Art And Soul
Paintings With A Purpose.
Names and ages: Laurie Chester, 38; John Chester, 39
Company name and description: Art publisher Wild AppleGraphics Ltd. distributes thousands of prints by popular artists,including American folk artist Warren Kimble. "We focus onfinding artists we can work with, who are painting a little on thecutting edge," says Laurie.
Based: Woodstock, Vermont
Founded: 1990
Start-up costs: $50,000
First-year sales: $80,000
1996 sales: $1million plus
Artfully inspired: After quitting their jobs andtraveling the world, Laurie and John decided they wanted to start abusiness they could run together. Says John, "We looked at alot of different ideas, but this one appealed to both ofus."
Painting the picture: Clients include independent customframe stores; contract framers; and international distributors inAsia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand and South America.
Various offices: From a bedroom and bathroom (sanstoilet) to a renovated barn to a 16,000-square-foot warehousefacility
Key to picture-perfect success: "Make it a lot offun for yourself, for your employees, for your customers,"says John. "That goes a long way toward promoting yourself andcreating sales."
Worth a thousand words--or dollars: "Art doesimprove life, and it doesn't have to be a multithousand-dollarinvestment," says John. "A nicely framed print can be avery affordable way to positively change the feeling of a room andhave a permanent effect on your attitude."
Contact Sources
DPM Enterprises, 343 N. Wood Dale Rd., #102, Wood Dale,IL 60191, (888) BUG-BAN-1
Wild Apple Graphics Ltd., fax: (802) 457-3214, wildapple@aol.com
