The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

September 24, 2009

Mankato entrepreneur ranks high on Forbes

By Tim Krohn

MANKATO — Mankato entrepreneur April Femrite is so far in the running as a finalist in a national business contest sponsored by Forbes.com.

The winner of the American Idol-style contest will get $100,000 in cash and advertising.

Femrite operates a bamboo fiber clothing business.

She already bested more than 1,500 other entrants in the country to become one of 20 finalists. Now, five of those 20 will become finalists and get a trip to New York where the winner will be picked.

Femrite is currently ranked third in the competition. Voting is open until Sept. 30

Votes can be submitted here.



This is the third year of Forbes.com’s Boost Your Business contest. The winner gets $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in advertising on Forbes.com.

Femrite started Naturally Bamboo two years ago.

The mission of Femrite’s company — www.naturallybambooclothing.com — is to produce clothing that is made from sweatshop-free manufacturers and to employ business practices that have the lowest impact on the environment. Naturally Bamboo clothing is manufactured by sewing facilities that abide by fair labor standards.

Her long-range goal is to create a supply chain that is entirely American for her bamboo fiber lines. Right now there are just two factories, both in China, that produce the bamboo fiber. She buys finished bamboo fiber cloth from companies in L.A. and Toronto and hires contract workers in the Twin Cities to do the cutting.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News