2012 Business Round-Up

Posted Thursday, December 27 2012 by admin

As 2013 peeks out from around the corner, we decided to take a look back at some of the most important stories of 2012 that have changed or progressed the way business will be done in the coming year.

Starbucks Buys Teavana

Seattle based Starbucks purchased Teavana for $620 million. Adding to their growing portfolio, Starbucks will be utilizing their existing Tazo Tea brand as a test market for new Teavana developments.

Learn more here at Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/starbucks-buys-teavana-holdings_n_2136048.html

Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso

When Sophia Amoruso took an interest in selling vintage clothing on eBay, she never dreamed that a business called Nasty Gal would explode onto the scene from her computer in the basement.

Learn more here at Inc.: http://www.inc.com/erin-kim/applicant-of-the-week-nasty-gal.html

Facebook Buys Instagram

Facebook took a cue from the wildly popular photo sharing app, Instagram, to upgrade their own photo offerings. Mark Zuckerburg announce in April 2012 that they purchased the app for $1 Billion.

Learn more here at Mashable: http://mashable.com/2012/04/09/facebook-instagram-buy/

Disney Buys Lucasfilm

Star Wars fans either rejoiced or lamented Disney’s $4 Billion purchase of Lucasfilm. Disney plans to release Episode VII in 2015.

Learn more here at USAToday: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/10/30/disney-star-wars-lucasfilm/1669739/

Businesses Turn to Different Lending Options

Although banks might not have been lending as readily this year, there are alternatives to traditional loans. Merchant Cash Advances qualify new businesses or even businesses with poor credit for capital they need.

Learn more here at WSJ: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/business/smallbusiness/for-small-businesses-bank-loan-alternatives.html?ref=smallbusiness&_r=0