Two's the Charm
Entrepreneurship is in these sisters' blood, but friendship is what has made them inseparable business partners.
Vital Stats: Gina
Catan-Eckstein, 36, Ivette Catan-Helfend, 35, founders and
presidents of Linx & More . . .
Company: Customizable
Italian charm bracelets; founded in 1999
2002 Sales Projections: $8.5
million
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When In Rome: "My
sister was in Italy and saw bracelets with charms on very chic
women," explains Catan-Eckstein. "She loved them and
realized there's nothing like this in the United States. She
called me immediately and said, 'Gina, we just found our next
business.' Her vacation turned into a business trip."
Following Father: "My
dad used to be in the jewelry business, owned an electrical company
and was also in real estate," says Catan-Eckstein. "We
learned from him how to be entrepreneurs and work different
businesses."
"We've
worked for people before, but it's never as exciting as
creating something for yourself."
--Gina Catan-Eckstein
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Endless Possibilities:
"We're sort of like a department store of charms--www.linxandmore.com has more than 350 from five
different factories," says Catan-Eckstein. "We're
also developing our own line of bracelets, necklaces and charms we
can't get from anyone else."
Sans Sibling Rivalry:
"It's a dream come true," Catan-Eckstein says.
"We're best friends and can spend all day together. We
even had our kids at the same time!"
Catan-Helfend echoes: "It's the best. I'm not only
working with someone I trust, but I truly like her as a person and
what she stands for. I'm creative, while Gina is very focused.
We complete each other."