Liz Robert, Vermont Teddy Bear

Vermont Teddy Bear is a local success story -- a $50 million a year gift delivery business built upon an unlikely foundation of selling teddy bears to grown men.

Since becoming CEO, Liz Robert, an alum of the University of Vermont, has transformed Vermont Teddy Bear into one of the largest gift delivery companies in the country. Last February 14th, the company was among the top ten customers of Federal Express on that date, due to the enormous volume shipped in time for Valentine's Day.

A defining moment in the company's success came with the realization that they weren't as much in the teddy bear business, as the gift delivery business. Since 1998, the company has branched out into four different areas, including high-end pajamagrams and the flower delivery service, Caylyx and Corolla.

With employment at the Shelburne facility on the rise, and the stock price up, the future looks bright for Vermont Teddy Bear. Congratulations to Liz and her staff on this remarkable Vermont success story.