Smart Ideas - She's Got Game BE YOUR OWN BOSS
	SPORTS IS HER BAG By: Gisela M. Pedroza Jaime Matis' marketing for her ball-shaped backpacks is simple: She wears them at games. Back Support What: Sports-Themed Backpacks Who: Jaime Matis of J.J. Creations, Inc. Where: Sherman Oaks, California When: Started in 1998
Jaime "j.j." Matis has her eye on Olympic Gold. No, she's not an athlete, but she loves sports. An avid Dodgers Fan, she designed a backpack shaped like a baseball to wear when she goes to games. After being asked again and again where she'd purchase her creation, Matis knew she was on to something. With $25,000 of seed money from her father (and interest from the Dodgers merchandise director), Matis set out to create prototypes and get licensed by Major League Baseball. She started out with only one account last summer and now has seven accounts, including an account with basketball's Los Angeles Lakers. Her most successful marketing strategy is simple: Wear the patented bags to every home game. "They're so eye-catching, and they're a one-of-kind item people haven't see before," says Matis, 32. Matis plans to launch a line of mini-bags and mini-backpacks next year and wants to target other pro teams as well as intercollegiate sports - and someday, The Olympics. [Entrepreneur Magazine, December 2001; Pg. 122]

Smart Ideas - She's Got Game
BE YOUR OWN BOSS

SPORTS IS HER BAG

By: Gisela M. Pedroza

Jaime Matis' marketing for her ball-shaped backpacks is simple:
She wears them at games.

Back Support
What: Sports-Themed Backpacks
Who: Jaime Matis of J.J. Creations, Inc.
Where: Sherman Oaks, California
When: Started in 1998

Jaime "j.j." Matis has her eye on Olympic Gold. No, she's not an athlete, but she loves sports. An avid Dodgers Fan, she designed a backpack shaped like a baseball to wear when she goes to games. After being asked again and again where she'd purchase her creation, Matis knew she was on to something.

With $25,000 of seed money from her father (and interest from the Dodgers merchandise director), Matis set out to create prototypes and get licensed by Major League Baseball. She started out with only one account last summer and now has seven accounts, including an account with basketball's Los Angeles Lakers. Her most successful marketing strategy is simple: Wear the patented bags to every home game.

"They're so eye-catching, and they're a one-of-kind item people haven't see before," says Matis, 32.

Matis plans to launch a line of mini-bags and mini-backpacks next year and wants to target other pro teams as well as intercollegiate sports - and someday, The Olympics.

[Entrepreneur Magazine, December 2001; Pg. 122]

BACK