Malcolm Alexander 44, founder of Alexander Global Promotions in Bellevue, Washington
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Description:promotionalproducts company; created Bobble Dobbles bobbleheads
Start-up: $15,000 in1996
Sales:: 2003 projected salesof $35 million
Grand-Slam Giveaway: In1999, when the San Francisco Giants asked Alexander if he couldmake bobbleheads for a promotional game day, he said,"Absolutely." In reality, he had no idea what bobbleheadswere. After seven months of R&D, Alexander presented 35,000Willie Mays bobbleheads to a sold-out game. The Giants team hasremained a customer ever since, along with a long list of otherprofessional sports teams.
Doll Play:"Characters" sit for several seconds while a 3-D laserdigitally maps their faces, resulting in close replications ontheir handpainted Bobble Dobble faces. In addition to sportsfigures, Alexander already has licenses for Disney, KISS and theRolling Stones.
Soldier of Fortune:Australian-born Alexander was once a special-forces officer incharge of the country's marine counter-terrorist unit."The Australian military teaches innovation andadaptability," says Alexander. "Many of these lessonshave been applicable to business."
Change-Up: Bobble Dobblesnow account for 80 to 85 percent of sales. With a library of3,000-plus facial images, Alexander is working on bendablecharacters and a line of superhero figurines with athletes'faces.
