Small Business Finance News
Does Oprah's Departure Spell Bad News For SMBs?
Written by Jenna Weiner
Published: 5/26/2011
Some are wondering how the end of the Oprah Winfrey Show might affect small businesses.
As Oprah Winfrey bids adieu to her popular television show this week, fans around the country are left reeling, but it seems some businesses around the U.S. might be negatively affected by her departure as well.
Reuters notes that Winfrey played a large part in the growth, and was a source of good news for entrepreneurs over the years, especially through her "favorite things" episodes - an annual show which focused on items the talk show host enjoyed and thought might make good gifts.
Maribel Lieberman's chocolate company MarieBelle was featured in the 2002, episode and told Reuters that her sales increased dramatically, causing Lieberman and her employees to put in 17-hour just days to keep up.
Winfrey is leaving her current syndicated afternoon talk show to begin focusing on her network, OWN. However, the fledgling network has had its problems, including the ouster of its CEO Christina Norman and less-than-ideal ratings.
Still, most experts believe the network will see ratings increase, especially when Winfrey returns to the air with her next show, Oprah's Next Chapter, in 2012.
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