IMC Inc., (International Marketing Consultant) was established in 1992 by Jean-Laurent Raphael, as a consulting firm specialized in marketing and research to service European companies. The objective was to assist European manufacturers make their debuts on the North American market. Our story In 1998 Space Lighting was added as a subsidiary of IMC Lighting to serve as a fully specialized agency and distributor representing some of the most prestigious European collections of the time. In addition to 25 years experience as founder and CEO of IMC Lighting Inc., Jean-Laurent Raphael served as Director of North American Retail Sales for FLOS; a major and beneficial experience in the American business system. Today We are uniquely positioned as one of the best in the business to guide new European brands through the process of successfully taking the leap into the North American market. We are now offering a full line of consulting services to help European manufacturers launch their brand into the North American market. To avoid cost and waste of time in the process we offer: • Experience and “know how”: working with 250 retailers, hundreds of design firms and major e-commerce. We visit our showrooms and designer partners at least twice a year and contact with them almost daily. • Market study: provide a list of carefully selected partners that will guarantee your brand a successful initial launch, reducing time and cost in this new venture. • “Boutique” treatment: We work closely with our clients to identify achievable goals and determine the best path to success based on their product offering and financial ability. • Help finance: we put in contact with US banks helping entrepreneurs in their internationalization process and with the Chamber of Commerce providing concept of profitability and financial help. • Tradeshows: fundamental to establishe strong relationships that enable us to get regular appointments and opportunities to introduce new brands.