Entrepreneurial Creativity Thrives During Slow Economic Times

As summer winds down, local business owners start planning their fall and holiday sales strategies. This is also when allergy sufferers know their toughest months are ahead. Air purifier sales trend up this time of year at Vacuum Cleaner Hospital in Chapel Hill. Owner Tom Proctor is also seeing more interest in HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Arresting) filtration vacuums, which reduce indoor air pollution.

Proctor prioritizes educating customers on the right air purifier and vacuum cleaner to buy - and says bagless vacuums aren't always the right choice. Central vacuums suit allergy sufferers, he says, because no exhaust air recirculates inside your home. Vacuum Cleaner Hospital stocks popular models such as the IQ Air Multi-Gas, which reduces harmful odors and is perfect for individuals who have chemical sensitivities.

Proctor recently addressed what it's like to run a vacuum cleaner business during the recession. You can listen to his comments here.

Another ray of entrepreneurial hope during our current economic recession shines out of Marmalade Skies in Cary, a self-serve frozen yogurt store recently constructed in Centrum Station at 280-103 Meeting Street by Bikas Building of North Carolina LLC.

Marmalade Skies promises creative, tasteful yogurt creations. "Since it's self-serve you can have as little or as much as you want," says Josh Ligon, owner Marmalade Skies with wife Nicole. "Kids love it because they can make it themselves, plus we have over 50 kinds of toppings they can choose from." There's nothing like a bowl full of this creamy, southern style yogurt topped with whatever you want - and free WiFi - to make the recession seem a little less menacing.

Instead of purchasing a new home, homeowners are making the most of what they've got during these tough economic times. One way to do that is to carve out and organize space DIY-style. Carolina Closets Plus of Chapel Hill continues to lead the industry in custom closet installation - and includes do-it-yourself installations - by launching the most comprehensive Closet DIY™ version of its professionally designed closet systems.

“We’re the first custom organization company in the triangle area of Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Wake Forest, Durham and Pittsboro to offer the same professional design and products to customers that prefer to install themselves,” says Mike Hoffer, co-founder and president of Carolina Closets Plus “It’s a great cost savings for people who would like a professional system, where they provide the labor.”

Carolina Closets Plus will offer a DYI seminar August 28 from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Click here for more information.

Crossroads European™ recently launched its annual back-to-college program for students. Crossroads European's skilled mechanics perform a thorough diagnostic examination of each car, and replace suspect parts to give students and their parents car confidence for the coming school year.

Triangle TRACKS™, a social network linking parents to "Tools, Resources and Activities for Carolina Kids," has opened Triangle TRACKS Marketplace, an online shop featuring items created by network members. Products launching the marketplace include Cary Heise's "Stay at Home Rock Star" T-shirts, Lily Bloom's reversible bubble skirts, Jennie From the Block's custom wood blocks and several other creative, handmade products. The Triangle TRACKS Marketplace offers another example of entrepreneurialism creativity continuing to thrive during these difficult economic times.

Check back next month for more news on how local businesses are serving new residents of Chapel Hill and beyond.