Warren Struhl
Warren Struhl | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Boca Raton, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | Tulane University |
| Occupation | |
| Organization | G.O.A.T. Foods (Partner) |
| Awards |
|
| Website | goatfoods |
Warren Struhl is an American serial entrepreneur and author recognized for his diverse ventures across various industries.[1] Raised in Boca Raton, Florida, he graduated from Tulane University.[2] Struhl is a partner at G.O.A.T. Foods, a direct-to-consumer gourmet food company established by his family. Additionally, he holds the position of founder and CEO at Polaroid Fotobar, a pioneering retail concept that transforms digital photos into tangible products.[3]
With over 40 years of entrepreneurial experience, Struhl has founded and managed numerous successful businesses, including MyPhoto, White Clouds, PaperDirect, Popcorn, Indiana, Register.com, Genesis Direct, The American Registry, and Sheets Brand.[4]
He is also an accomplished author, having penned the book "Starting Them Up," offering valuable insights and anecdotes from his vast experience in startup entrepreneurship.[5]
Career
Over the past 25 years, Struhl has founded, nurtured, and expanded businesses across various industries, including paper, consumer, and digital products. He began his career at age 28, founding his first business, PaperDirect, Inc., in the 1980s. PaperDirect specializes in decorative printing paper. Deluxe Corporation purchased the company for $120 million in 1993.[6]
In 1994, Struhl founded Register.com, one of the first five US domain registrars, which later went public in 2000.[7]
In April 1995, he established White Cloud, a consumer products company offering items like toilet tissue, diapers, and baby wipes.[8]
In 1996, Struhl launched Genesis Direct, a pre-Amazon catalog and e-commerce retailer that owned 21 distinct websites and catalog titles.
In July 1999, Struhl established Tenafly Racquet Club, an iconic indoor tennis club in Tenafly, New Jersey.
In 2002, Struhl founded The American Registry, the largest trusted source of professional recognition plaques, amassing over 12 million professional recognitions. The company was later acquired in 2019.
In 2003, Struhl ventured into the snack food industry with Popcorn, Indiana. The brand sold non-microwave popcorn with its kettle corn product, becoming one of the largest snack brands in the US. The company was acquired by Eagle Foods in 2017.
In April 2010, Struhl established Sheets Brand, a consumer product company offering dissolvable strips of energy and sleep products. The brand featured celebrity partners such as LeBron James, Serena Williams, and Pitbull.
In 2009, Struhl acquired Successories, marking his entry into the photo business. The company focused on inspirational photography for walls and desks and was acquired by St. Regis Group in 2019.
In 2012, Struhl founded Polaroid Fotobar, a retail concept that revolutionized the interaction between consumers and their digital photos, offering a unique and experiential way to transform digital photos into tangible products. This innovative approach allows customers to create cherished art pieces from their pictures, making them ideal for personalized gifts. Polaroid Fotobar currently has three retail locations in Delray Beach and Boca Raton, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada.[9]
In 2015, Struhl founded Photo & Go. In 2017, Struhl rebranded the company as MyPhoto in partnership with BrandStar, transitioning into a 100% e-commerce business model.[10]
In 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Struhl and his children established G.O.A.T. Foods to modernize the licorice market. The family-run enterprise specializes in direct-to-consumer gourmet food offerings, including Pretzels.com, Caramels.com, and Chocolate.com, offering a range of unique flavors and handcrafted delicacies.[11]
In October 2010, Struhl released his debut publication, "Starting Them Up," sharing practical insights and stories from his experiences in start-up entrepreneurship.
Struhl is a regular columnist who has written for magazines like Inc. Magazine and appeared in a variety of news outlets like CNBC, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and FOX Business.[12]
Awards and recognitions
- Struhl received Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in New Jersey in 1994.
- He was named Entrepreneur of the Week by Yahoo Finance in 2008.
References
- ↑ "Warren Struhl". Keys To Success. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ "Warren Struhl". www.inc.com. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Struhl, Warren (4 October 2010). "Starting Them Up". CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ "Chocolate.com Launches Just In Time For Holiday Shopping". Yahoo Finance. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ "Meet The Man Who Convinced Polaroid He Could Save It From Extinction". Business Insider. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ "Top Corporate Executives Share Career Insights with Sy Syms Students in Kukin Lecture Series". Yeshiva University. 10 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Sedensky, Matt; Press, Associated (1 March 2013). "1st Polaroid-branded photo store opens in Fla". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ "Polaroid Fotobar, Delray Beach, Fla". Chain Store Age. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ "LEAD BEN SHERRY Steve Wozniak's Just Shared His Formula for Happiness in a Graduation Speech, and It Couldn't Be Simpler". www.inc.com. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ O'Connell, Jonathan (18 May 2023). "Start-up uses Polaroid name to tap market for digital photographs". Washington Post. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Fotobar, Polaroid. "Polaroid Fotobar Brings Digital Photos to Life with Expansion of Micro-Retail Stores in San Francisco". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ↑ Weiner, Yitzi (15 July 2018). ""Be a Zigger/Zagger" 5 Leadership Lessons With Warren Struhl, CEO of MyPhoto". Thrive Global. Retrieved 11 May 2024.