Small Business Hall of Fame Welcomes Second Class

Two Northwest Arkansas small businesses – Rockwood Jewelry Co. and A.G. Russell Knives Inc. – were recently inducted into the Arkansas Small Business Hall of Fame.

Rockwood Jewelry of Fayetteville, owned by Kim Hodous, creates affordable jewelry for fundraising suppliers across the country.

Hodous started the business in 2001 out of her home. In 2006 the company grossed $40,000 a 600 percent increase from 2005 revenue numbers.

During the last year Hodous has worked to diversify her company through online affiliate relationships, point of sale displays and an online retail store. The company is also licensed to sell Razorback merchandise.

Wholesale fundraising supply currently makes up about 75 percent of Rockwood’s business but Hodous said she would like to move to a 50-50 wholesale, retail business make-up.

A.G. Russell Knives was founded in 1964 by A.G. Russell. The Rogers-based company employs 45 full-time employees and sold 90,000 knives in 2006.