Growing Up Fast
From flooring to furnishings to T-shirts, bamboo products are catching on.
Elwell is experimenting with new bamboo products, hoping to take advantage of growing public interest. He plans to introduce a line of bamboo picture frames this year and has made custom frames, tables and guitars for customers including singer Jimmy Buffett.
One bamboo product that's already caught on big is clothing, says Rich Delano, 38, owner of Bamboo Textiles in Brea, California. Delano began selling bamboo yarn and fibers imported from China in 2004 and found the super-comfy bamboo fabric won customers over fast. "They [like it] because it's so soft, it's natural and it's something new," he says.
From a $125,000 initial investment, sales at Bamboo Textiles are expected to range between $2 million and $3 million this year. Delano says his revenue is split in thirds—one-third comes from sales of yarn and fabric, one-third from churning out apparel for other designers and silk-screeners, and one-third from sales of his own apparel brands, Spun Bamboo and Bamboo Apparel.
He sells his own lines on www.spunbamboo.com in partnership with fellow bamboo entrepreneur Daniel Keesey, 42, of Ecodesignz in Gardena, California. Environmentally focused stores are snapping up the lines, which include menswear, womens-wear and baby items.
As a sideline, Delano bought up some 50 website names that involve bamboo. As the product continues to grow in popularity, he hopes to sell some of the undeveloped sites off at a profit.
Carol Tice is Entrepreneur's "Tax Talk" columnist.
Copyright 2007 Entrepreneur.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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