"I see you want tips on how to be a success in the Plushie business, eh?" says Simon, leaning back into his executive chair. "Don't get any grand ideas of becoming a millionaire overnight, it takes a lot of hard work. Even I wasn't always on top of the plushie market," he chuckles, remembering his early days. "When I first started going into business for myself, I had no idea what I was getting into...

At first it didn't occur to me to make plushies. I tried all kind of things, exploding jaw breakers, Usuki wristwatches, I even tried to find a use for Tombola sand! Boy was that a mess. Nothing I tried seemed to work, or even turn the slightest profit. My savings were running dry, and I knew I had to concentrate and find my niche in the market.

I started a survey, trying to find out what items Neopians thought they wanted most. Plushies turned out to be the number one answer! Immediately I started researching these delightful toys. A lot more goes into producing them than I ever imagined! After buying supplies, renting a factory, store AND a warehouse, I thought I was ready to make some serious np! Production started, and I thought I could just relax and watch the neopoints flow in. Boy was I wrong!

Plushie fight!

I had made the mistake of hiring too many dropouts and not enough managers. One day I walked into my factory, and there they were; laughing and throwing stuffing and moulded plastic at each other... it was absolute pandemonium! Nothing was done, and most of the supplies were ruined! After that, I thought I was through. I was down to only 256 neopoints!

I had no idea how I was going to pay the rent that afternoon. I fired all my employees, and hoped and wished that the plushies in the store would sell quickly. Well, you wouldn't believe it! Those plushies sold out, and all of a sudden I had 12,000np! I hired some new employees, paid the rent and thanked my lucky stars. Since then, business has run pretty smooth.

It's been quite a rollercoaster- a lot of heartache and fun; but in the end, I did it. I became Neopia's richest PLUSHIE TYCOON!

Remember these tips to be successful:

1. Keep enough cash on hand to pay rent, so you don't get charged late fees.

2. Advertising and upgrading pays off.

3. Buy when the market is low.