Business
Lisa Frank: A Look Behind The Rainbow
Ah, the ’80s and ‘90s; what a time to be alive. Any girl from that era will tell you all about her Tamagotchi pets, her My Little Pony toys, and, of course, her Lisa Frank everything.
In case you weren’t there, Lisa Frank was a massive brand created in 1979. The company is currently recognized for its nostalgic sparkles, unicorns, adorable pandas, and being
“the world’s sh*ttiest employer.”
No, I’m serious. That’s a true quote from Coraline, a Tuscon, Arizona resident. When she was looking for a new job, she happened to be near the headquarters. Fortunately for her, the locals had warned her about Lisa Frank Inc.’s constant rotating door.
This colorful firm, it turns out, wasn’t all sunshine and glitter. A chaotic, drunken shitshow of a business was hidden behind those brilliant blue panda eyes.
If you don’t want to have your childhood ruined, I recommend skipping this article. But, let’s be honest here, your innocence has already been damaged if you’re on the internet. So, let’s find out what happened to turn this rainbow paradise into a technicolor travesty.
The Neon Rainbow Forms
Lisa Frank is not only a brand name, but an actual person. Born on April 21st, 1955, Frank always had a passion for arts and crafts. Growing up in Detroit, she was the epitome of the “girly girl” archetype. Coloring, painting, crocheting, and ceramics were among her favorite activities. Her parents, who came from an affluent background, encouraged her to pursue her artistic passions.
During her senior year of high school, Lisa Frank made a whopping $3,000 by selling her art at an event. This notes the very first time her artwork gained monetary success. She went on to the University of Arizona to further her education.
To make some extra cash, Frank stated that she would acquire low-cost ceramics and jewelry from local Native American communities She’d then take them back home to Michigan, and slap a much higher price on them.
Yeah… kinda shady if you ask me. But I suppose from Lisa’s perspective; business was business! Of course, the overpriced artwork became a hit in her area, and she even began telling these indigenous artists exactly what to create. Chances are, they weren’t properly compensated. Regardless, Frank’s small business was her first step toward pursuing a career in entrepreneurship.
Around the age of 20, she launched the brand “Sticky Fingers,” which consisted of chunky jewelry with hand-crafted designs. This time, it was her own work, which was already being sold at places like Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus. Although Lisa was talented in her own right, her socioeconomic status provided a spotlight on said talent. Her family had connections to powerful people who saw the immense potential in her art style.
Lisa Frank soon renamed this brand after herself. And thus, the legend was born.
Lisa Frank EVERYTHING
Along with the name change, the brand began to offer new products. Lisa would tour a variety of museums and zoos, as well as speak with children. She was inspired to create something that reminded her of childhood; something that could transport people into a whimsical wonderland.
Backpacks, folders, pencils, notes, and stickers were among the items sold by her company. They were all covered in the most flamboyant graphics you’ll ever see. I’m talking rainbows, dolphins, multicolored leopards, bears, and of course, sparkles. You cannot forget the sparkles.
Lisa Frank, Inc. was a juggernaut. And that is putting it mildly. Not having anything Lisa Frank was social suicide in the 1980s and 1990s. At least, that’s how it went in the world of middle school girls. It was not uncommon in the ‘80s to come across a little girl decked out in Lisa Frank gear. Hell, you might’ve been one of them!
As for me personally, I, unfortunately, wasn’t around in the ‘80s or ‘90s. I was an early 2000’s kid. Regardless, shopping for back-to-school items meant coming across many Lisa Frank notebooks and folders. I may have not bought any myself (It was all about Bratz and Disney Princesses for me), but I saw plenty of classmates sporting them.
And if you were to ask 5-year-old me if she’d like to work for Lisa Frank, she would’ve jumped up for joy.
Behind The Scenes
Back when it first started, Lisa Frank INC. was just like any other big corporate business. I’m sure employees had their regular ups and downs, but it was an overall decent place to work.
That all changed, however, with the addition of Lisa’s then-husband, James Green.
James Green was originally the first in-house designer and illustrator. He worked in close proximity to Lisa Frank, and from there, they developed a relationship. Green rose through the ranks over time, eventually marrying Frank in 1994.
After having kids, Frank seemed to reconsider her business ventures. Longing to focus solely on her artwork and children, she decided to step down and let her husband take over as CEO. Doesn’t sound like a bad idea, right?
As it turns out, letting James Green take over was probably the worst mistake she’s ever made. With his attitude, illegal activity, and consistent drama, Green is credited for running his wife’s company into the ground.
James Green ran his business as an abusive authority figure. He was rumored to house substance abuse issues, which he’d carry with him every day to the workplace. Communication was sloppy and overwhelming. While working for Lisa Frank, one would expect the office space to be filled with liveliness and color. Though while the headquarters were painted that way, employees were demanded to work in complete silence. A worker would not be brought aside to speak one-on-one if they stepped a bit out of line. James Green instead chose to shout, berate, and humiliate his staff in front of their coworkers.
To top it all off, despite the company being named after his wife, Green was also rumored to be having an affair. From the workers’ perspectives, it seemed rather obvious that he and his coworker, Rhonda Rowlette, had a less than professional relationship.
I can’t confirm whether the infidelity rumor is true. Though what I can say is that he and Rhonda made the headquarters a living nightmare. Here are just a few of the horror stories from people who’ve worked for and with Lisa Frank.
- Jeffrey L Buchanan stated that when partnering with Lisa Frank, Green would be “argumentative with my buyers and relationship sources.”
- Lisa Decristofaro stated Green was responsible for canceling her health benefits. Conversations between herself and coworkers were also illegally recorded, and then played within Rhonda Rowlette’s office.
- Betty Hack stated that emails and phone calls were hacked and monitored so that the CEO knew if anyone contacted Lisa.
Furthermore, many lawsuits arose from former employees who weren’t receiving proper and timely paychecks.
Outside The Office
Unfortunately, Lisa Frank couldn’t keep their controversies inside the office. The batshit business practices found their way outside the revolving doors.
Sure there has been some minor stuff over the years, such as Lisa Frank comparing her struggles, laughably, to Michael Jackson. Or the complaints surrounding the “sexualization” of Frank’s stylized human characters.
But I’m not here to talk about those things. Lord knows every company gets its fair share of criticism. I care more about the exploitation of other creators
That’s right, we need to discuss the Lisa Frank Hotel.
The Cloudland Catastrophe
Amina Mucciolo is a visual artist, designer, and online personality. She also goes by TasselFairy on YouTube. She blew up for creating this kick-ass apartment complex.
Just taking one glance at it, you can see the absolutely stunning color, the decorative artwork, and the fun furniture. It’s not hard to understand why she went viral.
While Mucciolo may have taken inspiration from Lisa Frank, and other colorful aesthetics, it’s clear that the apartment was her own design. A design that she poured her heart and soul into. She called it “Cloudland.”
Amina Muccio was a black creator living in her dream apartment, with her art being recognized by millions. And I mean millions. She was featured in multiple magazines and news articles.
It wasn’t long before Lisa Frank’s Instagram account reached out to the artist on multiple occasions. They simply shouted her out, direct messaged her, and complimented Mucciolo on her creativity.
Seems like harmless fun, right? Well, unfortunately, this is exactly where the pleasantries end.
In 2019 (yes, that recently!), Hotels.com announced a collaboration with Lisa Frank. It included the creation of an entire apartment dedicated to her work. When photos of this “Lisa Frank flat” were posted, many people noticed how similar the layout was to Mucciolo’s.
To make matters worse, Amina Mucciolo received notice from her landlord that she would have to vacate her apartment by October of that year. Interestingly enough, this new Lisa Frank flat was owned by Barsala, who just so happens to be affiliated with Hotels.com.
So, I believe we can all agree that this landlord was looking to profit from Lisa Frank’s popularity. They tried to accomplish this by evicting Mucciolo from her apartment and repurposing it for similar reasons.
Now, to be fair, it’s unclear as to whether Lisa Frank Inc. had any direct involvement in evicting this creator. All I know is that it’s eerily similar to how this business began: by exploiting and capitalizing on smaller artists. POC artists, to be precise.
A Deserted Neon Rainbow
As I’m writing this in 2022, the Lisa Frank headquarters are deserted. The once colorful walls have faded, the outside statues have decayed, and the grass has grown out of control.
Though our nostalgia may be saddened by Lisa Frank’s downward spiral, the truth is that it was a rare diamond of its time. And, as a result of its enormous success, similar products made by independent artists are now available. Artists who are satisfied with their work, are paid fairly and are not harassed by their superiors.
If Lisa Frank’s story teaches us anything, it’s that we should respect our employees as individuals. A positive work environment is conducive to long-term success.
Anyone unaware of how AI is revolutionizing almost everything we do daily could be living under a rock. Artificial intelligence has evolved at an unprecedented speed, transforming industries and reshaping how we operate businesses. Let’s explore the latest developments in the AI boom and what entrepreneurs can do to stay competitive.
AI’s Current State in Business
According to recent industry reports, the AI market is expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of more than 35%. This is why businesses across all industries are investing heavily in AI technologies. Whether startups or global enterprises, they do this to stay competitive and meet the evolving expectations of their clients.
How Businesses Are Using AI to Gain a Competitive Edge
AI use by many companies is now commonplace thanks to its many benefits. There’s the enhanced efficiency, boosted productivity, and improved customer experience, among many others. Some of these applications include:
- AI-Powered Automation: Repetitive tasks such as data entry, customer service interaction, and marketing campaigns can now be done using AI. It frees you up to give you more valuable time and resources.
- Predictive Analytics: With AI technology, vast amounts of data to forecast trends, customer behavior, and market demands are easily within your reach. This helps you make better decisions.
- Personalized Customer Experiences: Chatbots and AI-driven recommendation engines are just two examples of how AI can help you provide more tailored customer experiences. It also allows you to deliver hyper-personalized content and services previously available.
- Operational Efficiency: AI optimizes supply chains, inventory management, and logistics. This helps reduce costs and improve your turnaround times.
Many businesses nowadays are using AI to disrupt industries while achieving success. You’ll find AI-powered chatbots handling customer support and content creation, while e-commerce platforms use AI-driven recommendations to boost sales, as Shopify exemplifies. In health care, AI improves diagnostics and treatment accessibility, while marketers use AI for data-driven campaigns and optimized ad spending.
Emerging AI Trends You Need to Watch
Source: Rahul Pandit on Pexels
It seems that entrepreneurs have no option but to embrace the transformative trends brought about by AI. The following are a few you must take note of:
- AI-powered automation is simplifying operations and cutting costs.
- Generative AI is revolutionizing content creation, marketing strategies, and product design.
- AI in customer service uses chatbots, personalization, and predictive analytics to meet growing demands.
- AI ethics and regulation ensure businesses comply with evolving laws and ethical standards.
- AI-driven decision-making helps businesses gather data insights for smarter, more strategic choices to drive long-term growth and success.
Must-Have AI Tools for Entrepreneurs in 2025
It’s not getting on the bandwagon but keeping up with the times. Here are a few examples of AI tools you can use for efficiency and growth:
- Marketing and SEO: Tools like Jasper and SurferSEO can help you craft optimized content, analyze trends, and improve search rankings with ease.
- Sales and CRM: HubSpot AI and Salesforce Einstein offer intelligent automation, customer insights, and predictive analytics to boost sales performance.
- Productivity and Automation: Zapier AI is an excellent option for task automation, while Notion AI is great for smart content organization.
- Finance and Analytics: Quickbooks AI and Tableau AI provide real-time financial insights, forecasting, and data visualization.
When choosing the right AI tools for your business, consider scalability, integration capabilities, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Make sure they align with your business goals and your workflow needs.
The Challenges Entrepreneurs Face in Their Adoption of AI
Source: Google DeepMind on Pexels
Admittedly, AI has immense potential; however, adopting it comes with challenges that entrepreneurs must navigate. Below are a few:
- Cost Consideration and ROI Expectations: When you implement AI solutions, you may need significant upfront investment. Also, measuring long-term returns can be complicated.
- Skills Gap: You will wonder if you need AI expertise or if you can rely on external support to use AI in your business effectively.
- Data Privacy and Security Concerns: Protecting sensitive customer information while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations can be challenging.
- Overcoming Resistance to AI Integration with Your Team: Your team members may fear job displacement or struggle adapting to new AI-driven workflows and tools.
Practical Steps to Integrate AI into Your Business
Here are a few easy steps to take if you want to integrate AI into your business:
- Assessment of Your Business Needs: Identify which areas of your business would benefit from the technology. Is it customer service, operations, or marketing?
- Start with Low-Risk Implementations: Look for small-scale projects that are easy to implement and carry minimal risk. You can start by adopting AI-driven tools for marketing, chatbots for customer support, or simple automation tasks.
- Measure AI Impact and Scaling: Assess the performance and impact of your chosen AI solutions on your business. Measure key metrics like productivity, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. This way, you’ll find out if your AI adoption is giving the value your business needs. Scale its use as you gain confidence and see more positive results.
- Partner with AI Consultants: Work with AI experts or consultants to guide the integration process. This ensures you’re using the right tools and strategies. This can also help you overcome any technical challenges you may face.
The Future of AI in Entrepreneurship
Market research firms, AI experts, and thought leaders see AI going through the following:
- AI’s role in startups and small businesses will become essential, providing them with affordable solutions to automate tasks, enhance marketing, and improve customer service, leveling the playing field with larger companies.
- AI will transform industries such as healthcare, retail, and finance. It can dramatically improve efficiency and customer experiences. It will also create new job roles, requiring business owners to adapt and upskill their workforce.
- Additionally, entrepreneurs must stay ahead of the curve with continuous learning and adaptation. This will keep them competitive and ensure long-term success.
Conclusion
Entrepreneurship has been and will continue to be impacted by AI, but most of it will be transformative. The technology presents significant opportunities to help businesses thrive, leaving no option for business owners but to embrace these emerging trends. You need to start now, keep learning, and integrate strategically.
Omnichannel has become a recent buzzword online. That’s because the business landscape has shifted most of their marketing efforts into virtual communication. Advertisers are always looking for new ways to boost online connections with audiences while increasing sales. This is how “omnichannel” sprouted quickly and into every marketer’s arsenal. But what is omnichannel, and what are some omnichannel marketing platforms that do the job? Read on to find out.
What is Omnichannel Marketing?
The concept of omnichannel is simple. It aims to provide marketers a quick way to communicate with their customers and get as much engagement and conversion as possible from one go. Their objective is for customers to enjoy a seamless shopping experience on multiple brand channels, including online, mobile, or in-store. This means, marketers would have to show customers the same pricing and promotions across all brand channels.
However, it also goes beyond that. You have to ensure that customers can navigate through different channels with ease. This means customers can switch between your brand channels without any roadblocks. For instance, a customer can order from your online store and have the option to pick it up from your physical location. One way to increase sales is by offering customers additional items to boost order value.
Why is Omnichannel Marketing Important?
Omnichannel marketing is crucial these days since most people have shifted to online browsing and shopping. Moreover, if advertisers market on three or more channels, this could result in a 90 percent higher retention rate compared to using a single-channel campaign.
Additionally, omnichannel marketing also strengthens your brand messaging since campaigns are consistent across all platforms. But what are the primary reasons why advertisers focus on omnichannel marketing?
- Brands will get high customer retention
- Gains customer loyalty
- More personalization in the customer’s journey
- More integrated business
- Better customer insight
- Smooth and enjoyable customer experience
How Does Omnichannel Advertising Work?
An example of omnichannel marketing is when a sports retail store sends its prospects an email containing a recent promotion on its newly launched running shoes. The email content shows the link to the promotion. Once customers click this link, they are taken to the brand’s eCommerce website. Instructions also let them know they can get it from the brick-and-mortar store.
Another example is when a furniture store shows a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube about how its experts craft their pieces. Once viewers watch the video, they are welcomed with a link inviting them to join the brand’s email newsletter.
10 Omnichannel Marketing Platforms
Here are 10 best omnichannel marketing tools.
1. BigCommerce
This online and offline sales tool is for large-scale businesses looking to streamline their advertising strategies. BigCommerce unifies all marketing campaigns in an easy and convenient platform, including in-store, online, social media, and marketplaces. It can also handle large volumes of sales, traffic, and transactions, providing customers with a smooth experience.
2. NewStore
NewStore is the tool for all your POS and inventory management systems. It can manage orders, inventory, and customer data across the brand’s channels. It also comes with robust marketing tools that offer personalized engagement, such as push notifications, mobile apps, and location-based marketing.
3. Glassix
If you’re looking for the best omnichannel marketing platforms for communication, Glassix sits at the top of the list. It’s an AI-powered advertising tool that helps with email, SMS, live chat, messaging apps, and social media. Using Glassix means tracking all customer interactions and messages in one user-friendly interface is easy. It also lets you send targeted messages to your audiences based on their preferences and behaviors.
4. Desku
In addition to integrating all customer communications in one interface, Desku also helps with automation functions, such as chatbots, canned responses, ticketing systems, and more. Plus, it offers reporting tools and analytics to monitor progress.
5. Omnisend
Omnisend is the platform for all your SMS and email marketing campaigns. It’s best suited for eCommerce businesses and allows advertisers to create, monitor, and automate campaigns across all channels. It offers drag-and-drop features and is extremely easy to use.
6. Tidio
When searching for the best omnichannel communication platform, Tidio ranks high. It’s designed to facilitate customer interactions, manage inquiries, and offer real-time support.
7. Adobe Experience Cloud
You can’t succeed in omnichannel marketing without using a cloud-based service. And Adobe Experience Cloud ensures you get the right cloud-based solution for optimizing customer experiences. You can use this tool to build and manage customer journeys through AI-powered insights. You can also integrate this platform with other Adobe tools like Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe Target, Adobe Campaign, Adobe Analytics, and more.
8. Revealbot
If you’re spending time on paid ads, Revealbot will help you manage them in one user-friendly interface. It’s a marketing tool that helps optimize digital advertising campaigns on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Google Ads. You can use this tool to set automation features, campaign budgets, and custom ad rules.
9. Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus if one of the best omnichannel marketing platforms for eCommerce businesses. It helps create a streamlined customer shopping experience. From workflows and checkouts to customer segmentation and targeted marketing campaigns, this is a reliable tool to use.
10. Oracle CX Commerce
Oracle CX Commerce is the best solution for B2B and B2C businesses. It’s a cloud-based eCommerce platform that helps provide personalized experiences. It also offers advanced features that simplify segmentation, customized content, targeted promotions, and customer engagement.
If you frequent the outdoors, you know how important protecting your playground is. When you’re close to nature, you must always prioritize eco-consciousness. While you practice sustainable habits, supporting brands prioritizing sustainability becomes a top priority. If you’re always planning an outdoor adventure and need the gear, here are the top 10 sustainable outdoor gear brands you must check out.
1. Patagonia
Over the years, Patagonia has lined up its corporate social responsibilities, mainly focusing on labor and the environment. They have robust social responsibility programs that ensure workers and communities are cared for. Patagonia claims that 85 percent of its products are made in factories with Fair Trade Certified certifications. The brand also helped over 85,000 workers by participating in Fair Trade programs. The brand also helped more than 2,000 farmers from its Regenerative Organic Certified cotton program.
2. Osprey
Osprey, a brand that creates robust backpacks for travel and outdoors, is also committed to sustainability. The company is a trusted bluesign SYSTEM partner, which helps eliminate PFAS-based DWR in 100 percent of its textile products. On top of its promise of eco-friendly materials, the standard for its backpacks is unparalleled, offering durability, functionality, and repairability. These products undergo field testing and athlete evaluations to ensure it’s a pack that runs a lifetime.
3. Hydro Flask
Plastic bottles comprise one of the highest numbers of ocean pollutants. Hydro Flask is committed to minimizing this by introducing excellent insulated water bottles that last a lifetime! I bought one five years ago, and the insulation functionality still works like the very first day I got it. The brand boasts its recycled-content bottle, the Slingback Bottle Pack, with a 100 percent recycled polyester body. It also eliminated single-use plastic for its packaging, specifically for 90 percent of its products. Hydro Flask uses soy-based inks and no foils and varnishes for their products too!
4. Black Diamond
Black Diamond is among the top brands for the best outdoor gear, specifically reliable and durable helmets. The company’s ethos is based on the team’s outdoor pursuits. First, the company’s 12,000-square-foot headquarters is energy-efficient, with a 2,200-watt solar photovoltaic system that generates about 3,000 kWh of electricity per year. Black Diamond also advocates for sustainable outdoor and recreation practices and is a founding member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps.
5. Sierra Designs
Sierra Designs is also one of the best sustainable outdoor gear brands you can rely on. They aim to create products that have as minimal impact as possible on Mother Nature. The brand boasts the DriDown product, which ensures that feathers come from animals that weren’t subjected to any harm. The brand also uses neglected recycled materials for its fabric’s exteriors and insulation for apparel and sleeping bags. A lifetime warranty also backs all Sierra Designs products.
6. Hyperlite
Hyperlite is your go-to outdoor gear brand if you’re into climbing, hiking, or rock climbing. The company is committed to sustainability for as long as the brand is still in operation. They created the Hyperlite Mountain Gear ethos, essentialism, which differs from minimalism. The brand believes that an intentional and thoughtful approach to assembling its backpacks ensures its products are safe, comfortable, warm, and efficient. Hyperlite is a proud partner of Dyneema, a bio-based fiber company, and promises to use this fiber in all its outdoor gear products.
7. MSR
For all your climbing equipment, don’t miss out on MSR products. The founder, a lifelong mountaineer, believed that a safe and reliable equipment is key to greater adventures. Today, the brand is proud to hand-build many MSR products. The brand is also another founding members of the Outdoor Industry Association Sustainability Working Group. It’s a collaboration of over 300 outdoor brands, manufacturers, and suppliers that focus on sustainability challenges and solutions.
8. Sunski
When you’re enjoying outdoor adventures, make sure you enjoy it in style with Sunski sustainable glasses. Sunski is a fantastic eyewear manufacturer in America that uses plastic scraps to turn into frames! A unique sunglass niche in the industry. The sunglasses are flexible, lightweight, and extremely durable. All Sunski customers will also get a lifetime warranty for their glasses. And if they break? Repair or replacement is free!
9. Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi backpacks, travel packs, hip packs, and duffels are colorful and vibrant and made with eco-friendly materials. They embarked on the The (Re)Purpose™ Collection program, which uses recycled deadstock or leftover fabric from other fashion brands. They also offer a lifetime guarantee on repairs or replacements. As members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, they support Amazon’s reforestation. Cotopaxi believes that doing good will create a ripple effect, so they reward customers who #DoGood!
10. Goal Zero
Here’s another eco-friendly outdoor gear brand for all your needs and more. To offer you the best outdoor camping experience, Goal Zero even sells power essentials, such as inverter generators, handheld portable power devices, solar panels, and battery banks. The company also aims to practice eco-conscious manufacturing methods by ensuring all 10+ factories in nine countries adhere to environmental and human rights standards. Its top sustainable camping gear is the Yeti Portable Power Station, with a four over five rating!
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Robert A
June 14, 2022 at 7:48 pm
Very interesting read… didn’t know all of the behind the scenes details of the Lisa Frank story until now. My mom loved her stuff back in the 1980’s. Good stuff.
Tracy
June 18, 2022 at 6:39 pm
Love this article I remember Lisa Frank 😊
Nicky
August 20, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Well she’s blowing up all over again. Anything Lisa Frank co-branded such as Loungefly, Crocs, phone cases, Urban Outfitters, etc all sell out within minutes. Weird that the LF company doesn’t take advantage of the resurgence of interest & strike while the iron is hot.