Company Turnaround & Financial Performance - Build-A-Bear experienced a significant turnaround after 2013, with the share price increasing by over 1,150% since December 2020 [2] - In 2025, the company reported its most profitable nine months in history, although revenue missed Wall Street expectations [7][8] - Build-A-Bear anticipates full-year revenue to surpass $500 million (half a billion) for the first time [8] - Approximately 40% of Build-A-Bear's business now comes from adults, doubling since 2013 [9] - Build-A-Bear's franchising business boasts operating margins between 20% and 30% [14] Strategic Adaptations & Growth Initiatives - Build-A-Bear revamped its stores, closed underperforming locations, and expanded into tourist hubs, theme parks, and department stores [8] - The company invested in e-commerce around 2015, developing a mobile-first website with virtual workshops and a loyalty program [10][11] - Build-A-Bear shifted order fulfillment to its stores, reducing order times from weeks to days [11] - The company expanded internationally, with 651 workshops in 33 countries as of 2025 [13] Challenges & Risk Factors - Tariffs, primarily due to importing over 90% of products from China and Vietnam, have negatively impacted Build-A-Bear's gross profits [3][15] - A third quarter 2025 gross profits took a $4 million hit, and its stock fell more than 15% following the news [3] - Build-A-Bear has selectively increased prices to offset tariff costs while introducing lower-priced items like the Mini Beans collection [16]

Overview of Comfort Bears in Catastrophe - Comfort Bears in Catastrophe is a nonprofit organization distributing stuffed animals to young people experiencing disasters [5] - The organization was founded in 2020 by a survivor of Hurricane Katrina [4] - The founder was inspired by her own childhood experience of losing her teddy bear during the hurricane [1][2] Impact and Reach - Comfort Bears in Catastrophe has distributed over 65,000 stuffed animals [6] - The organization provides comfort to children impacted by various disasters, including home fires, Hurricane Ian, floods in Kurville, Texas, and LA wildfires [6][7][8] - The stuffed animals provide a tangible item for children to hold on to, helping them cope with the trauma and providing a sense of normalcy [7] Psychological Impact of Disasters on Children - Research indicates that up to 50% of children experience post-traumatic stress symptoms after a disaster [3] - Stuffed animals can provide comfort to children during these traumatic events [4]