The business was founded in 1950 as Samuel Aaron International. The Aaron Group supplies rocks to those who dig bling. The diamond and gemstone jewelry manufacturer fills two niches -- it makes moderate to low- end jewelry (sold to mass merchandisers and department stores, including Macy's and Belk), jewelry chains, television retailers, catalogs, and Web sites) and midrange to high-end jewelry. Retail customers range from Wal-Mart to QVC to Helzberg Diamonds and Zales. It also is a major exporter, through its Thailand division (Thai-link Trading Co.), to Asian, Australian, European, and South American markets. The firm has operations in Costa Rica (Samuel Aaron Costa Rica) and India (Sai India).

The firm now ships more than 50 million bottles of wine a year through two businesses, Laithwaites (formerly Bordeaux Direct) and the "Sunday Times" wine club. Both operations sell wine online. Founder Tony Laithwaite first entered the wine business by importing French wines and selling them from a rented railway arch in 1969. When the "Sunday Times" in 1973 published an expos on some of the dirty tricks of the British wine trade, Laithwaite wrote to distance himself from the bad press. The letter drew 2,000 reader responses and prompted the newspaper to establish a wine club with Laithwaite's help.

Borlind of Germany wants to help you be naturally kind to your skin. It is a natural skin care company founded by Annemarie Borlind in 1947 in East Germany. The firm makes herbal-based beauty products and cosmetics, such as cleansers, lotions, lipsticks, moisturizers, makeup, sunscreens, and masks. Borlind also offers a line of shaving cream, aftershave, anti-aging cream, deodorants, and body lotion for men. Product ingredients include jojoba oil, bisabolol, witch hazel, sage, Japanese wax, and beeswax; all ingredients are organic or grown in the wild. Even the company's headquarters building is made of completely recyclable materials. Borlind's cosmetics are distributed in more than 30 countries worldwide.

L'Oreal's success is built on a strong foundation. The world's largest beauty products company, it creates makeup, perfume, and hair and skin care items. Its brands include L'Oreal and Maybelline (mass-market), Lanceme (upscale), and Redken and SoftSheen/Carson (retail and salon). L'Oreal, which owns Dallas-based SkinCeuticals, also conducts cosmetology and dermatology research. With about half of its sales generated outside of Europe, L'Oreal has focused on acquiring brands in those markets. L'Oreal also owns the UK-based natural cosmetics retailer The Body Shop International, which numbers more than 2,550 stores worldwide. The firm's dermatology branch Galderma is a joint venture between L'Oreal and Nestle.

Buckeye Technologies Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Buckeye Technologies Inc. manufactures and distributes cellulose-based specialty products made from wood and cotton worldwide. Buckeye Technologies products include chemical cellulose, customized fibers, fluff pulp, and nonwoven materials. Its chemical cellulose is used in the manufacture of various products, including food casings, cigarette filters, rayon filaments, acetate fibers, and thickeners for consumer products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Buckeye Technologies ustomized fibers are used to provide porosity, color permanence, and tear resistance in filters, letterheads, currency papers, and personal stationery, as well as absorbency and softness in cotton balls and cotton swabs. Its fluff pulp and nonwoven materials are used to increase absorbency and fluid transport in products, such as disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, and adult incontinence products, as well as used to enhance fluid management and strength in wipes, tabletop items, food pads, household wipes, and mops.

CEO Tina Aldatz Norris founded Foot Petals, Inc. in 2001. Foot Petals makes insoles and shoe cushions designed for stilettos, strappy sandals, pointy-toed shoes, and other fashionable footwear. Its shoe cushions are made from a foam urethane called PORON (made by Rogers Corporation) and are named Killer Kushionz, Sole Stopperz, Tip Toes, Haute Heelz, Strappy Slips, and Amazing Arches. In 2007 the company extended its reach into slippers, legwear, gift sets, and accessories. Foot Petals, which also makes Sole Kings for men, peddles its products at Nordstrom, Zappos, and Target.

Founded in 1995 by Sara Tremellen, Bravissimo Ltd began in her living room and opened its first retail store four years later. Bravissimo company designs, manufactures, and distributes all types of bras, swimsuits, and other lingerie for particularly chest-endowed women. Sizes range from D-JJ. The intimates apparel company also has introduced a small line of clothing for busty women. Bravissimo sells women's lingerie in the UK through some 15 retail shops, through its Web site, and by mail order catalog.

Founded by Sean "Diddy" Combs in 1998, Sean John Clothing designs, produces, and distributes high-end urban fashion and accessories targeted to trendy males and females. The design firm, which is owned by Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, opened several stores in recent years and formed a joint venture, Outspoke LLC, with Zac Posen. Sean John Clothing has signed a numerous licensing agreements for apparel related to its clothing, a Sean John fragrance with Estee Lauder, and Ciroc Vodka through a partnership with Diageo.

United States Beverage, LLC company provides distribution, marketing, and sales for a small number of premium imported craft beers and spirits. Among the beer brands it offers are Nicaraguan beer Toa Cerveza, Spanish beer Estrella Damm, French beer Les Brasseurs de Gayant, and Polish beer, Zamkowe. The company's spirits brands include Tequiloco's Paloma Gold tequila (Mexico) and 26000 Vodka (New Zealand). United States Beverage was founded by president and CEO Joseph Fisch in 1997.

BOD Design Group hopes you'll remember to grab one of its products first. Formerly Berwick Offray until 2007, the company is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of decorative ribbons, bows, and gift packaging. Its products are sold through mass merchandisers, specialty and variety retailers, and wholesale outlets for the packaging, floral, and craft trades in the US and abroad. It also operates several outlet stores in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Berwick added the Offray name in 2002 when it purchased ribbon maker C.M. Offray and Son. When its parent, CSS Industries, purchased C.R. Gibson, it combined its Berwick Offray and Cleo subsidiaries.

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