Robert A. Cann This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Innovators' Resource Network Speakers

   www.irnetwork.org/OldIRNSpeake - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/1/2004   Last Visited: 1/19/2008

   Panelists at this time include Bob Cann, Milla Corporation; Rick Ricard, Larien Products, and Dave Cormier, Angel Guard Products.
   ...
   Robert Cann, Milla Company
   ...
   Speaker: Robert Cann, IRN member and recent founder of Milla Company Inc, a start-up manufacturer of patented housewares products. Bob is a former industrial design consultant who spent the first 12 years of his career as a professional model maker. He received an MBA from UMass in 1998.

2. 2. Advice and support
   

   www.masslive.com/business/unio - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/9/2002   Last Visited: 6/9/2002

   Member Robert A. Cann, 48, of Amherst, has already experienced success.
   
   "I still have to pinch myself," said Cann, president of Milla Co. Inc.
   
   Cann and his two partners developed a sponge mop, a refill for it and a stand-up dustpan for Target, Linens 'n Things and Texas-based The Container Store. At Target, the products are sold under the chain's "Squeaky Clean" brand.
   
   It's a "nicely designed" mop for $5.99, he said. The products are manufactured in Western Massachusetts.
   
   He incorporated his venture in 1999. The products have been in Target for five months. They're going into their second profitable quarter. For every $1 in sales, 70 cents goes to the selling of the product.
   
   A former industrial design consultant, Cann said Milla is now his full-time job. He hopes to continue to grow his store network.
   
   What's nice about his category, he said, is that there isn't one dominant mop and dustpan brand.
   
   "Even the little guy has a chance to be successful," Cann said.
   
   The best part about attending the monthly meetings is the comments he receives from other members. The closed meetings are especially valuable because you can get confidential feedback, he said. Most importantly, he has learned that no matter how good your idea is, you have to know how to sell it.
   
   Cann was already committed to being an entrepreneur when he heard about the IRN meetings. He had already met a buyer from Target at a trade show, who agreed to sell his products.
   
   While he says he's been having fun, he concedes that there's little job security.
   
   "If a store chooses not to carry our products, then we will be scrambling," Cann said.
   
   ...
   Designed by Cann, more than a half million biters have been sold since their debut seven years ago.
   
   ...
   Member Robert A. Cann, 48, of Amherst, has already experienced success.
   
   "I still have to pinch myself," said Cann, president of Milla Co. Inc.
   
   Cann and his two partners developed a sponge mop, a refill for it and a stand-up dustpan for Target, Linens 'n Things and Texas-based The Container Store. At Target, the products are sold under the chain's "Squeaky Clean" brand.
   
   It's a "nicely designed" mop for $5.99, he said. The products are manufactured in Western Massachusetts.
   
   He incorporated his venture in 1999. The products have been in Target for five months. They're going into their second profitable quarter. For every $1 in sales, 70 cents goes to the selling of the product.
   
   A former industrial design consultant, Cann said Milla is now his full-time job. He hopes to continue to grow his store network.
   
   What's nice about his category, he said, is that there isn't one dominant mop and dustpan brand.
   
   "Even the little guy has a chance to be successful," Cann said.
   
   The best part about attending the monthly meetings is the comments he receives from other members. The closed meetings are especially valuable because you can get confidential feedback, he said. Most importantly, he has learned that no matter how good your idea is, you have to know how to sell it.
   
   Cann was already committed to being an entrepreneur when he heard about the IRN meetings. He had already met a buyer from Target at a trade show, who agreed to sell his products.
   
   While he says he's been having fun, he concedes that there's little job security.
   
   "If a store chooses not to carry our products, then we will be scrambling," Cann said.
   
   ...
   Designed by Cann, more than a half million biters have been sold since their debut seven years ago.