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EXHIBITOR PROFILE
Super Time Int'l., Co.
By Lynn Evans
From Shanghai to the United States – In Search of the American Dream
Peter and Mary first met in Shanghai where they were classmates. They came to the
United States in the early 1980’s and got married in 1984. In 1988 they incorporated a new business in Maryland. The business neededanameandasitwasa50/50venture, they decided that each of them would pick a name. They then combined their choices to create the new company name. Peter picked the word “super”, Mary picked the word “time”, and thus “Super Time” was born. Selling Chinese figurines, cloisonné and art kept them busy, but it did not support them. Their own “American Dream” is what kept
them going. They had to look for new items, which could help establish the struggling business. They decided to try Baoding Balls (Chinese Health Balls). The Baoding Balls originated in Baoding, China during the Ming Dynasty prior to 1644. The balls, when used properly, are reputed to help with arthritis and other ailments. Peter and Mary would spend long days traveling to clinics and boutiques to market them. (One day they only sold 5 pairs for about $60.00!) They would then return home to work as a team in a restaurant. Peter worked as “Captain”
talking to
guests and
writing
orders
while Mary
was the
waitress.
Doing this
job they could make $200 per night and still sell the “Chinese Health Balls”. With their efforts, the business expanded and they began selling around 2000 pairs per week; they no longer needed to work at the restaurant.
70 — Tucson
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