In Pictures: From small business owners to reality TV rock stars
Turning small business owners into stars has become a winning formula for television producers, but the businesses featured in the shows are cashing in, too. Sales explode after just a few episodes have aired, transforming nearly unknown small businesses into household names.
Customers wait in a line that stretches down the block to enter the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in Las Vegas. Pawn sales at the shop, which is featured in the television reality show Pawn Stars, bring in about $20 million a year, up from the $4 million a year it made before the show aired.Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, April 3, 2013, photo, customers wait in a line that stretches down the block to enter the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop, in Las Vegas.Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, April 3, 2013, photo, cameraman Joe Murgia, right, shoots a close-up of Michael Jordan memorabilia which was brought in to the Gold & Silver Pawn shop for an episode of the reality tv series Pawn Stars, in Las Vegas.Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, April 3, 2013, photo, cameraman Mark Matusiak shoots a scene between Chumlee, second from left, Corey Harrison, and customer Gene McCauliff of Las Vegas, for the reality tv series Pawn Stars, Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in Las Vegas.Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press
In this Wednesday, April 3, 2013, photo, visitors to the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop take a closer look at various college and professional sports championship rings on display, in Las Vegas.Julie Jacobson/The Associated Press
In this Saturday, July 28, 2007, file photo, Robbie Montgomery, left, talks to diners Tasha Davis, center, and Sylvona Harvey, right, in Sweetie Pie's, Montgomery's soul food restaurant.Jeff Roberson/The Associated Press
This undated photo provided by A&E, shows Willie Robertson, star of A&Es Duck Dynasty, at his desk in his office at the Duck Commander warehouse in West Monroe, La.The Associated Press