CSN Stores' CEO & Co-Founder Niraj Shah Honored as One of Boston's Top Business Leaders Under 40

BOSTON, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Niraj Shah, 36, CEO and Co-Founder of CSN Stores (www.csnstores.com), one of the largest e-commerce companies on the East Coast and the third-largest online retailer of home goods in the U.S., has just been named one of The Boston Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 for 2010.

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Shah started CSN Stores in 2002 with Co-Founder and Chairman Steven Conine, launching its first site, RacksAndStands.com, and working out of Steve's home. Profitable since its early days, the business now has 650 employees, 250 sites, and offices in Boston, as well as Galway, London and Munich.

"This is a true honor and another great development in what is shaping up to be CSN's best year ever," said Shah. "Despite the nation's slow economic recovery, CSN has experienced substantial growth in 2010.  To receive this highly coveted award, just as we're heading into what we hope will be our best quarter yet, is a real testament to the talent and diligence displayed by all CSNers."

Conine, 38, a 40 Under 40 recipient in 2009, was also thrilled that Shah was recognized for all of his hard work and contributions.

"Niraj has been my business partner for the past 15 years, and friend for the past 20," said Conine. "We have spent countless hours together and learned as much from each others' weaknesses as each others' strengths. He is the most honest and forthright person I know -- and a great entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist and friend."

Conine and Shah met at a summer program for high school students at Cornell University, before graduating from Cornell together in the mid-1990s.

Prior to CSN, Shah and Conine co-founded Spinners Incorporated, an IT services firm, selling it to iXL in 1998 and joining that company as senior executives. They went on to be the co-founders of Simplify Mobile, a software company, which they sold in 2001.

Beyond acting as CSN's CEO, Shah is involved in several community organizations that foster entrepreneurialism and education.  He sits on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Innovation Technology Exchange (MITX) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), which support young entrepreneurs and technology innovation.

Earlier this year, Shah was also selected as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in the consumer retail category for the New England region.

CSN Stores is on track to generate sales of more than $350 million in 2010. The company has hired more than 250 people in the past year and is hoping to employ another 100 full-time and temporary staffers by December.

About CSN Stores

Founded in 2002, CSN Stores (www.csnstores.com) is a $350 million+, privately owned company, comprised of 250 online stores in North America, the U.K., and Germany, providing unparalleled selection, great customer service and significant savings. CSN's sites include: Cookware.com, BedroomFurniture.com, Luggage.com, AllModern.com, and many more. Based in Boston, Mass., CSN offers 2 million+ products from more than 4,000 brands. CSN is the No. 3 online retailer of housewares and home furnishings in the U.S., according to Internet Retailer.

SOURCE CSN Stores