Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Vermont Teddy Bear Company was founded in 1981 by John Sorinto, it was a company that made its niche selling handmade, hand sewn teddy bears in the streets of Vermont. Since its inception, the mission of the company was to provide a high quality, handmade teddy bear using materials created and manufactured in the United States.
The company was founded under the following mission statement:
"The Vermont Teddy Bear provides our customer with a tangible expression of their best feelings for their families, friends, and associates. We facilitate, communicate, and therefore participate in caring events and special occasions that celebrate and enrich our customers' life experiences.
Our products will represent unmatchable craftsmanship balanced with optimal quality and value. We will strive to wholesomely entertain our guests while consistently exceeding our external and internal customer service expectations.
The Vermont Teddy Bear brand represents the rich heritage of the "Great American Teddy Bear" begun in 1902. We are the stewards of a uniquely American tradition based on the best American virtues including compassion, generosity, friendship, and a zesty sense of whimsy and fun" (Wheelen & Hunger, 2004).
The company's operating philosophy was based on five simple, yet critical operating guidelines;
Our Customers-They are the foundation of our business
Our Employees-They are our internal customers
Our Investors- They provide capital in good faith
Our Vendors-They provide a partnership for opportunity
Our Community- They deserve our commitment to being ethical
Since the founding of the company, The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has experienced great success, however, starting in 1995, that all changed. Since 1995, the company has gone through major management turnover, a corporate name change, multiple operational changes, and a reversal of corporate identities.
The Vermont Teddy Bear
The company was founded under the following mission statement:
"The Vermont Teddy Bear provides our customer with a tangible expression of their best feelings for their families, friends, and associates. We facilitate, communicate, and therefore participate in caring events and special occasions that celebrate and enrich our customers' life experiences.
Our products will represent unmatchable craftsmanship balanced with optimal quality and value. We will strive to wholesomely entertain our guests while consistently exceeding our external and internal customer service expectations.
The Vermont Teddy Bear brand represents the rich heritage of the "Great American Teddy Bear" begun in 1902. We are the stewards of a uniquely American tradition based on the best American virtues including compassion, generosity, friendship, and a zesty sense of whimsy and fun" (Wheelen & Hunger, 2004).
The company's operating philosophy was based on five simple, yet critical operating guidelines;
Our Customers-They are the foundation of our business
Our Employees-They are our internal customers
Our Investors- They provide capital in good faith
Our Vendors-They provide a partnership for opportunity
Our Community- They deserve our commitment to being ethical
Since the founding of the company, The Vermont Teddy Bear Company has experienced great success, however, starting in 1995, that all changed. Since 1995, the company has gone through major management turnover, a corporate name change, multiple operational changes, and a reversal of corporate identities.
The Vermont Teddy Bear
References: Strategic Management and Business Policy, Wheelen, L., Hunger, D., Upper Saddle River New Jersey, 2004