Richard Thalheimer

Much of the success of Richard Thalheimer and The Sharper Image the $750M, 200 store retail giant he founded in 1977 and led as CEO until 2006 can be traced to Richards preternatural ability to decide what people wanted often before they knew it themselves. This intuitive knack to drive market trends combined an ability to spot products that could... produce millions, combined with his lawyers precision, a healthy dose of entrepreneurial drive and an eternally playful outlook give Richard Thalheimer the well deserved title, Americas Gadget Guy. As a teenager, looking through the toy department of his fathers Little Rock department store, through his Yale study of Psychology and Sociology and his first successful entrepreneurial venture (selling enough Britannica Encyclopedias in his first year in college to buy a new Porsche) it was clear Richard would find a way to put his deep understanding of people to work. It was also obvious any business venture he put his mind to would be unique, life enhancing, and on an impressive global scale. He was identified as a superstar early on in his career and is now a Living Legend and one of the great marketing visionaries of our time. Richards father, Alan, served on the Board for 20 years and was a valuable advisor. Richard with the Sharper Image Suit of Armor, a $2,450 item, made in Spain, which was featured in almost every store. Richards business success story was launched by a $69 Realtime watch for runners, which he discovered at a 1977 Las Vegas trade show. Impressed to find a genuine chronograph that was waterproof and shock resistant, but still affordable, Richard was determined to acquire its exclusive US distribution. This watch would become the first major consumer hit of his new company, The Sharper Image. With a stroke of marketing genius, Richard convinced his friend, legendary ultra-marathoner, Walt Stack to feature wearing his watch in a full page Runners World ad. The headline copy grabbed the readers attention, saying, Finally, a chronograph that keeps up ...Read More