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Vineyard Vines Co-Founders Ian and Shep Murray Announced as Speaker at Business EXPO 2008

How do you turn a small neck tie business into a multi-million dollar, nationally and internationally recognized lifestyles company? Ian and Shep Murray, co-founders of Vineyard Vines will tell you how they achieved such success when they take the stage on at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7 as part of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce’s 2008 Business EXPO.

Starting with eight neckties, sweat equity and credit card funding the two brothers went from selling products out of the back of their jeep to printed catalogues, web sites, national retailers and now, the shelves of their own retail stores. Today, the company, which has more than 120 employees, has a product line that includes everything from shirts, to shorts, skirts, belts, boxer shorts and totes. The brothers are expected to talk about how they “turned what they loved” into a profitable company using marketing saavy, business planning and growth strategy.

“These two have turned their passion into one of America’s fastest growing and most loved companies,” said Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. “There is no doubt that they will bring a true entrepreneurial spirit and energy to the Show Floor at this year’s Business EXPO.”