Sometimes the sports section offers small business stories, too. Barry Bonds buys his bats from a small Canadian company called the Original Maple Bat Corporation.
The company was in danger of going under, and Bonds provided a $40,000 cash infusion to ensure that he’d have his supply of bats for this season.
Jack Curry, writing for the New York Times, offers some insight about the company’s relationship with Bonds, and how they use his input to develop their product.
There isn’t much financial detail in the article, but my guess is that, between the lines, there is a cautionary tale about cash flow management.
And an almost Bailey Building and Loan-esque happy ending: Curry reports that the firm has acquired new partners and is now on solid ground.
Anne Libby 