Documents
Case Publications
Syndet and Peggy Thomas
John M. Legge
published: 2006 | Case Study | Marketing
Subject Area: Small Business/Entrepreneurship; Marketing
Key Issues: Entrepreneurial Motivation and Capacity; Promotion; "Better Mousetrap"
Case Description: By 2001 Peggy Thomas had become, without any
formal plan, the owner and manager of a small factory making superior
"syndet" personal cleansing bars for suppliers to the Australian
pharmacy (drugstore) trade. Her product, while expensive compared to
soap bars, was both more attractive and less expensive to produce than
the products of her direct competitors, a result of her unique
combination of artistic flair and chemical and manufacturing skill. Her
friend David urged her to support his proposed venture to launch a
supermarket version of her product. Peggy, aware of the difficulty of
establishing a new brand in consumer markets as well as the pressures
such a move might place on her, hesitated. Peggy was concerned that
precipitate growth might damage her business; and in spite of her
affection and admiration for David, feared that his venture may have
been more difficult than he realized.
# Case Pages: 12
Case Number: 060042-23-4
Teaching Note: Yes
revised May 24/06
View all Case Publications documents | View all School of Business & Economics documents
