Richard Thalheimer
Richard Jay Thalheimer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948 (age 75–76) Arkansas |
| Alma mater | Yale University Hastings Law School |
| Occupation(s) | lawyer, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of The Sharper Image |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | [1] |
Richard Thalheimer (born 1948) is founder, and former CEO and chairman, of The Sharper Image Corporation. He now runs Richard Solo.[1]
Early life
Richard Thalheimer's family settled in Arkansas before the American Civil War and started a livery business in Little Rock, which decades later became The Blass Department Store, which was for many years the city's largest department store, and remained in business here into the 1970s. Thalheimer was raised in Little Rock.
Education
After graduating from Hall High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, he left for New Haven and graduated from Yale University in 1970. He entered San Francisco's University of California, Hastings College of the Law the following year, graduated with a J.D. degree, and was admitted to the California Bar in July 1974. After graduating from law school in 1974, he practiced law in San Francisco for a year.
Career
After graduating from law school in 1974, Thalheimer passed the California bar exam and practiced law in San Francisco for a year. While still a law student, the 24-year-old Richard Thalheimer started a part-time office supply busines, named Thalheimer Business Systems, in San Francisco, with $500 worth of copier paper. Later, he renamed his enterprise "The Sharper Image," in part to help promote the quality of his copy machines.
In 1977, Thalheimer discovered a product he believed would sell well in magazine advertisements — a special runner's watch, which was a waterproof digital chronograph. In the summer of 1977, Thalheimer chose ultra-marathoner Walt Stack to be the "poster boy" for the Realtime Watch, which Thalheimer promoted as the first affordable, waterproof, and shock-resistant chronograph that could be reliably used by joggers ("The only chronograph that keeps up with the amazing Walt Stack"). Thalheimer took out an ad in Runner's World Magazine featuring his friend Walt Stack, and sold watches at $69 apiece.
Later, Thalheimer discovered additional products that allowed The Sharper Image to increase sales nationally through its magazine ads and catalog mailings, including introducing the first cordless telephone, the first telephone answering machine, the first hand-held micro-computer, the first children's two-wheel Razor Scooter, and the Ionic Breeze Air Purifier.[2]
As a result of the success of the Ionic Breeze, revenues rose to a record $760 million in 2003, with almost 200 stores in upscale shopping centers in the USA. Sharper Image licensed stores were also opened at this time in London, Paris, Tokyo, and Mexico City. He is credited with originating the upscale "gadget business" in catalog and stores, and was one of the first to utilize the power of the Internet when The Sharper Image launched its website, and started selling online in 1996.
Thalheimer and his daughter have appeared in television infomercials for the Sharper Image's Ionic Breeze, as well as the FresherLonger Miracle Food Storage Set.
In March 2006, a hedge fund group purchased shares in Sharper Image.[1]
In September 26, 2006, Thalheimer stepped aside as CEO, and was replaced at that time by interim CEO Jerry W. Levin, former CEO of Revlon, The Coleman Company and American Household). [3]For six months, Thalheimer remained on the company's Board of Directors and kept his spot as the largest shareholder of The Sharper Image until May 2007.
By May 2007, the hedge fund Board members had finalized an agreement with Thalheimer to buy his remaining shares. He sold his full remaining stock position, approximately 21% of the outstanding shares. 18 months after Thalheimer left, and nine months after buying out Thalheimer, on February 19, 2008, The Sharper Image filed for protection with the U.S. bankruptcy court in [[Wilmington, Delaware]. The company closed all of its 184 stores in August 2008. The company was purchased again by Camelot Venture Group and is currently in business as of 2018.[4]
Richard Solo
Richard is currently the CEO of Richard Solo.[5]
In the Media
Richard has appeared on TV talk shows, including Oprah, The Today Show, and Good Morning America. ABC's 20/20 devoted a segment to him.[6]
Author | Writer
"Creating Your Own Sharper Image" was written and audio recorded by Richard Thalheimer, founder of The Sharper Image. In this book he shares his techniques for building a successful business.[7]
Appointments | Boards
Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Ballet (2000-2018/19)[8]
References
- ^ https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2008/09/17/sharper-image-founder-never-says-die/
- ^ https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20040909005202/en/Sharper-Image-Launches-Next-Generation-Ionic-Breeze-Silent
- ^ https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Sharper-Image-seeks-bankruptcy-protection-3226004.php
- ^ https://www.sharperimage.com/si/company/about-us.jsp
- ^ https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2008/09/17/sharper-image-founder-never-says-die/
- ^ http://www.sfweekly.com/news/richard-thalheimer-founder-of-sharper-image-talks-for-the-first-time-about-his-ouster/
- ^ https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Your-Own-Sharper-Image/dp/0975309404/ref=tmm_abk_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
- ^ https://www.sfballet.org/about/board-and-staff/?tab=staff
- "Richard Thalheimer on Selling Through Infomercials". Inc. March 1, 2007.
- "Richard Thalheimer, Founder of Sharper Image, Talks for the First Time About His Ouster". SF Weekly. October 24, 2007.
- "Richard Thalheimer interview". IdeaMensch.
https://www.foxnews.com/story/richard-thalheimer-chairman-ceo-of-the-sharper-image