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1. Snoloha, Traverse City, Mich.
Not only is Rod Call's business an outgrowth of his own views on living a "balanced" life, but his entire clothing line is slacker-centric (see "Snoloha shows slackers can cash in too"). His shirts, hoodies and accessories cater to people who are fond of hanging out on the beach or hitting the ski slopes -- hence the marriage of "snow" and "aloha" in his company's name. He sells clothing in a variety of boutique stores and expects to be selling products at locations in Montana and on Florida's Atlantic coast by spring.
2. LTDchix, Sparta, N.J.
LTDchix promotes the laid-back approach to parenting. The company says not to worry about sending your kids out the door with mismatched socks. In these busy times, the only way to deal with the stress is to take things in stride, to slack off a little, the company says. Nina Frye and Cindi Schmitzer hired an illustrator to help them bring their vision to life. They came up with a line of T-shirts that say, sarcastically, "Living The Dream."
3. Your Mobile Gym, Smyrna, Ga.
Slackers, this is a dream come true. No more driving to the health club for a workout. Lauren Loper drives her gym-in-a-bus to you. But there's a less-laid-back downside. She'll make you sweat when she welcomes you aboard your own private driveway workout station.
4. Film Sleepy, Los Angeles
Sondra Lowell proudly proclaims, "Film Sleepy is the leading producer of motion pictures that put the audience to sleep worldwide." While Hollywood tries to keep audiences on the edge of their seats 20th-century style, movies in the Film Sleepy genre lull viewers into relaxed REM sleep. WebcamMurder.com, the company's first feature, takes on the topic of people who do nothing in front of Web cams 24/7. The film was praised by the Los Angeles Times as "the most boring talkie ever made." Lowell actually has an e-book, "How to Make a Movie That Puts the Audience to Sleep: A Home Study Course," that is the most comprehensive manual on the genre. For those of us with entrepreneurial insomnia, there might be something here.
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5. Signe Brewster Photography, Wayzata, Minn.
The youngest of this year's winners, Signe Brewster revels in her slacker-friendly business of photography. She has to balance high school, varsity volleyball, running the school newspaper and everything else associated with being a teenager. So instead of cramming a regular job into the mix, she operates her own photography business, which she calls "the perfect solution." She works as little or as much as she wants to and makes three times more than her peers for every hour she works. "My business is the best slacker business because maintaining and advertising it is as simple as uploading a few pictures to my Web site and replying to a few posts on Craigslist. It's incredibly fun and easy, and I love it." Smart slacker, no?
6. Christine Adler Backup Care, Hewitt, N.J.
This business was set up as a last-minute child-care solution to cater to people who procrastinate like its owner, Christine Adler. It's a simple business, solving a simple problem for slackers who don't plan far enough in advance for basics like child care. Adler, in true slacker style, often finds herself working at home in front of her computer while eating ice cream and sending her associates out to jobs if she's not up for getting out of her PJs.
7. 11th Hour Concierge, Atlanta
11th Hour Concierge plays the roles of lifestyle consultant, personal assistant and even dog walker. Nikki Middleton's company shops, talks, negotiates, schedules appointments, assists with wedding plans -- the list goes on. Believing that your time is priceless, even if you just want to be a slacker, 11th Hour Concierge will stop at nothing (within reason) to make sure you're not distracted by life's chores.
8. Out of Stock Records, Phoenix
Nothing like living the musician's lifestyle. Chris and Bethany Priebe have created an independent Christian record label and are now living life in and out of studios, recording sessions and music-filled rooms. If you can't actually be the star, this gets you pretty close.
9. InternetLifestyle.com, Potomac, Md.
Yanik Silver is also this year's runner-up Best Financial Performer (see "Internet 'dunce' specializes in adventure"). He's making millions, yes, but he's a slacker at heart. He has no employees, outsources everything and uses the following auto-response e-mail:
Hi there,
Because of my schedule and to make sure I get more stuff done (both work & fun) - I am checking email twice per day at 12 pm and 5 pm on weekdays (unless I'm traveling and then it's even less).
If you truly need an urgent reply please call my private cell.
Now, that's a slacker for you.
10. Murphy Outdoors, Gladstone, Mo.
Our 2007 Boomer Back in Business winner is also a perfect slacker. Born in 1960, Larry Murphy has retired from the grind to start Murphy Outdoors and now ties flies on the end of fishing line instead of tying ties around his neck each day (see "Gone fishin' -- and into his own business"). He provides professional fishing-guide services on Missouri's Smithville Lake, Truman Lake, Pomme de Terre Lake and the Lake of the Ozarks. Murphy specializes in bass fishing but also guides for musky, crappie and white bass.
Published Nov. 5, 2007
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