CHAPTER 7•GROWTH ORIENTATION AND STRATEGIES 161
having the front half of the dinosaur and the left shoe having the back
half. Between 1994 and 2000 she invested significant time and money
with dreams of getting her product into Wal-Mart. When the large
retail chains resisted, Carlson first filed a patent on the design and
image of the shoes, then hired an industry professional to help her gain
access to the appropriate trade shows and distribution channels.
Progress was slow, but by keeping her options open she negotiated a
licensing agreement with Quest Products. Puzzle Toes are now sold at
Wal-Mart stores nationwide.
32
Maintenance Strategy
The vast majority of businesses in the United States follow mainte-
nance strategies. Many of these are income-replacement ...