Ventures, June 10

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Rocky Mountain Sunscreen

• Sunscreen and lip balm

Price: $3.29 to $8.49 for sunscreen; $1.99 to $2.29 for lip balm

Where you can get it: Supermarkets, online, ski shops

Business owner: David Erickson

Location: Arvada

Tidbits: Erickson was in a Keystone retail shop when he noticed customers repeatedly coming in looking for a sunscreen that would work at high altitude on bright sunny days. After three years of working on a formula, he founded his company in 1992.

His product is known as bonding-based sunscreen, which "works the best for people who actually do something while they are in the sun." In other words, the lotion doesn't wear off when you sweat or swim.

He has since found a number of niche markets for his lotions: day-care centers that buy large pump bottles to cover the sensitive skin of wee ones. Outdoor workers such as lifeguards, park rangers and construction workers also buy his refillable pumps. He has signed deals making it the preferred sunscreen and lip balm of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone. It's the "official sunscreen and lip balm" of Aspen, Snowmass and Telluride.

The fragrance-free offerings appeal to customers who "don't want to smell like coconuts and bananas," Erickson said.

For more information: www. rmsunscreen.com

ZuZu

• Handmade journals, boxes and stationery from India

Price: $6-$42

Where you can get it: Meiningers, the Tattered Cover, the Artisan Center, Boulder Book Store

Business owner: MaryBeth and Mark Vellequette

Location: Boulder

Tidbits: MaryBeth and Mark Vellequette's life so far mimics ZuZu's products: unexpected, colorful and custom made. The hand-bound journals that ZuZu imports from India incorporate creative latches, recycled materials (like old saris) and artistic binding. MaryBeth, who has a doctorate in chemistry, and Mark, a finance guru, had entrepreneurial spirits. But it wasn't until 2001, when they traveled the world for three months, that they decided to start a business together. As luck, or karma, would have it, they met a man in India selling beautiful journals and trinkets. "He asked us right away, 'Are you interested in importing into the United States?' We said yes, and he said, 'Then you have to meet my brother.' The man loaded us onto the back of his moped and we sped through tiny side streets and alleys until we reached the destination. We left with a sample box, and the business started."

For more information: www.zuzuworld.com