"From Bloomberg to Broadway"
In 1994, Iris Seligman started Checkmate Resources which sells high-end corporate gifts.  Though now located in Hicksville, NY, Checkmate originated in an alcove outside Seligman's bedroom.  She had no air conditioning and would sometimes wrap herself in a towel, perspiring while cold calling corporations.

Her tenacity paid off.  Seligman, who already knew the industry, had a flare for selling, despite her dread of cold calls.  She knew which designs would entice buyers, priced items smartly, kept promises and recognized that the tiniest order would help her build word-of-mouth benefits.  By diversifying her client base, she's weathered changes in buying patterns and she protects clients fiercely.

A customer gave her a list of prospects, which included Bloomberg.  It was time to cold call.  The buyer was gruff but Seligman uttered, "Whatever you're paying, I'll do 20% less" before he hung up.  He soon phoned back, requesting pricing on shirts and mugs.  Seligman assured him she'd save him in shipping costs and then scrambled to honor her word.

It took three months for Bloomberg to place it's first order- 36,000 mugs for $13,000.  Bloomberg began ordering T-shirts and hats.  She'd get middle-of-the-night fax orders in the alcove.  For a time, Bloomberg was her business.

Meanwhile, a theater contact recommended her to the "City of Angels" producer.  Before long she handled premiums for "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "Forever Plaid."  Some shows ran for years.  Seligman now handles merchandising, packaging, storage, fulfillment and inventory control for "Hairspray" and other shows.  She also offers creative initiatives to customers.

Seligman admits she's tough.  "Nothing can arrive wrong or late... When I say I'm going to do, I do.  It's the most crucial thing.