Donald Devine

Why lighthouses? When Donald Devine retired in 1993 from his job as the president of an abrasive ceramics company, he started looking for entrepreneurial opportunities. At the time, two of his associates were operating a retail store specializing in lighthouse-related products. To Devine, lighthouses seemed to be an interesting niche product, and he became fascinated with the idea of selling related merchandise. “Many people recognize the historical significance of lighthouses and are actively making sure the Coast Guard retains them,” Devine recounts. Starting the catalog: After reading a Forbes magazine article about Coldwater Creek, he understood that the catalog industry was a difficult one