Big Deal Landing the sole distribution rights for a foreign product.
By Charlotte Mulhern •
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
A random sighting of unique Italian sandals poolside in MiamiBeach, Florida, turned into a successful exclusive distributorshipfor Joseph Reina, co-owner with wife Laurie and son Mike of SensiInc., a footwear distributor in Tempe, Arizona.
A friend of Reina's first noticed the sandals on the feet ofa sunbathing American Airlines pilot in the summer of 1983. Uponfurther inquiry, Reina discovered the distinctive plastic sandalswere produced by Sensi & Co., a footwear manufacturer in Italy.Convinced the sandals could take the U.S. market by storm, he flewto Italy to meet Lorenzo Sensi, owner and creator. There he formedthe foundation for a healthy partnership and obtained the exclusivedistribution rights for North America. In March 1984, the firstshipment reached American shores.
Foreign Concepts
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