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Youths Pin Hopes on Button Company’s GrowthBy LINDA RIGGINS .J Using a mail-order 'button\ kit, Toy a. Lefkowitz, 15, started making advertising buttons almost three years ago and today she is the president of her small firm, the Smiley Button Company.' Based iij Burlington, N.J., the fledgling firm produces j custom-made advertising buttons. for students and businesses.Sometime the work meant keeping late hours for the youngsters., Tova recalls, “For the first big order we had from a student, the customer wanted buttons for a birthday party*We worked from six in the evening to sixin the morning The to fill that order. ' thephotocopy the design and use plastic dies and a hand press to leal the paper circles in plastic to attach to the button.The company’s office is in the basement of the Lefkowitz home. Current orders are listed on a blackboard there, information chalked on board includes the“All the money we made customer’s name, the number from the buttons then went to of buttons orderca, the costTova Lefkowitz, Button Company PresidentAS its president, Tova takes orders and assigns work to her staff. Kelley Bargenhuff, 15, is vice president and her work includes approving prqj Mary Beth Hughes, Ifyfs secretary and explained, 7*1 type, take minutes at the monthly meetings and file.’’ Chava Lefkowitz, 11, who is Tqva’ssister, and Vincent PintoMO, __round out the five-member checking acco Smiley Button Company and bank, all make buttons in thhirhomes.The company’s, first/customers were students who were friends, states Mary Beth. Later, other students who saw the work pe/iormed by the. button company also wanted buttons mabuy more supplies. Some- per button and the date thetimes we got paid. Most times order is due.not.” One recent order came from*0 . a local coat company, whichSHE said she earns 13 cents asked for 1.565 buttons. A for each • button she makes, wildlife' association recentlyelley gets' 12 cents, and the otneTjcwnpany members each receive 10 cents , per button. Though Small in corporate stature but big on youthful ideas, theJSmiley Companyordered 200 buttons, while a Nevv Jersey legislator ordered 300 and a cosmetics company orddred 150.:SMILEY will, also accepthas a sayings account and a tsmajler orders — for 10 but-at a local tons, for example., Last year the Smiley ButtonMost of Smiley’s customers now are businesses, Tova rp-vealed, adding her washelpful iri^eetting/most of the business acbtrcrrfts. Businesses supply Smiley Button Com-Company became an honorary member of the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce. But this year the growing company anticipates it will be a full, dues-payingpany with the slogans and de-' merpber with a listing in the signs they want on their but- chamber of commerce direc-tons. Smiley employees then toryj.■
Newspaper Details
Williamsport Sunday Grit National Edition
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US
Sun, Jan 06, 1985
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
LA, USA 21 Sep 2022
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