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Sweet Leaf Bath Co.
Melissa JeanCase IVEY-9B13A044-EEntrepreneurship, MarketingSweet Leaf Bath Co. is a small, family-operated bath and body products company specializing in fairtrade, environmentally conscious products. The company progressed from initially selling its high-quality, unique products at craft shows and exhibitions to limited sales through local retailers. Through these sales channels, Sweet Leaf’s founding partners learned more about the bath and body industry and the international issues surrounding the sou...Starting at €8.20
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The Miswak Company
Melissa Jean; Jonathan DrewnowskyCase IVEY-9B16B006-EAccounting and Control, EntrepreneurshipTwo undergraduate business students wanted to assess the feasibility of starting a business that would sell an all-natural and completely biodegradable alternative toothbrush — the Miswak. A total of $50,000 had already been secured for the initial investment; however, the young partners wondered whether this investment would be sufficient to sustain the cash flows of the business for its first three years of operations and, if not, how much addi...Starting at €8.20
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Summer Swim Academy: Expansion Options
Melissa JeanCase IVEY-9B17B022-EAccounting and Control, EntrepreneurshipIn October 2016, the founder of Summer Swim Academy—a provider of swimming lessons and lifeguarding services to families in Burlington, Ontario—was reflecting on the organization’s second full season of operations. The founder had been providing services in Burlington for the past six years and had been operating the business formally under the Summer Swim Academy brand for the past two years. She wanted to evaluate the possibility of expanding h...Starting at €8.20
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The Fall of Circuit City Stores, Inc.
Wells, John R.; Danskin, GalenCase HBS-713402-EStrategyOn January 16, 2009, after a dismal holiday season, Circuit City was forced into liquidation. Unable to meet creditors' demands, and with no acquirer in sight, Circuit City began the process of liquidating its remaining 567 U.S. stores. Circuit City had been the leader in consumer electronics retailing for nearly twenty years when its profits peaked in 2000. What led to its dramatic decline? Why did three CEOs fail to turn it around? Were these p...Starting at €8.20
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Gap, Inc., 2000
Wells, John R.; Danskin, GalenCase HBS-713508-EStrategy"From humble beginnings as a Levi jeans store, by 2000 Gap, Inc. had grown to become the world's leading specialist clothing retailer. Its CEO, Millard S. Drexler, the ""merchant prince,"" was credited with transforming Gap into a global empire, leading the company through eighteen years of 21% p.a. growth to reach sales of $13.6 billion in 2000. Gap had expanded to 2,848 stores under its three brands: Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy, and cont...Starting at €8.20
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Progressive, 2007-2013
Wells, John R.; Danskin, GalenCase HBS-715427-EStrategyIn 2013, Progressive was the fourth largest player in the auto insurance market, having lost the third position to GEICO in 2008. As the industry shifted from agency to online sales, GEICO's direct selling model positioned it strongly for growth. Progressive's direct sales mix had increased from 36% of total sales in 2006 to 42% in 2012, well ahead of the industry average of around 25%. As a result, both Progressive and GEICO continued to gain gr...Starting at €8.20
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The Quiet Ascension of LA Fitness
Wells, John R.; Ellsworth, GabrielCase HBS-717424-EStrategyIn 2016, LA Fitness was the largest chain of non-franchised fitness clubs in North America, operating 676 clubs, serving 4.9 million members, and generating revenues of over $1.9 billion. Founded by Chinyol Yi, Louis Welch, and Paul Norris in 1984, the privately held company revealed little about its future plans or its operations, leading one journalist to write of "the quiet ascension of LA Fitness." However, it continued to expand aggressively...Starting at €8.20
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Clear Channel (A): The Rise, 1972-2003
Wells, John R.; Ellsworth, GabrielCase HBS-717476-EStrategyAt the end of 2003, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., a diversified media group with revenues of $8.9 billion, could claim leadership positions in all three of its main businesses. Clear Channel Broadcasting was the largest radio-station operator in the world, with sales of $3.7 billion and EBITDA of $1.6 billion. Clear Channel Outdoor was the largest outdoor advertiser in the world, with revenues of $2.2 billion generating EBITDA of $581 milli...Starting at €8.20
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Cantel Medical
Wells, John R.; Ellsworth, GabrielCase HBS-717482-EStrategyCantel Medical Corporation provided infection prevention and control products and services for patients, caregivers, and other healthcare providers. In 2016, Cantel generated sales of $665 million and net profits of $60 million, double the levels of five years earlier. Chief Executive Officer J rgen B. Hansen, appointed on August 1, 2016, was aiming to double the size of the business again. Cantel operated in three major vertical market segments...Starting at €8.20
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Pack-iTS
Melissa JeanCase IVEY-9B08N027-EEntrepreneurship, FinanceA group of six university students wondered if they should proceed with Pack-iTS, an entrepreneurial venture. Pack-iTS would be a healthy lunch preparation and delivery service serving some of the elementary schools in London, Ontario. The students must analyze the marketing, operating and financial aspects of the business venture to determine the promotion strategy and financing requirements before making a decision as to whether to proceed with...Starting at €8.20