Phan says when shoppers see empty storefronts, it reminds them how tough the economic environment is and they feel less inclined to buy.

VOA: standard.2009.12.20

The space next to Paul Phan's has been vacant for three years.

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Small storeowners like Paul Phan have begun to slash prices.

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Mr Phan also signed agreements on computer technology with Bill Gates and toured Harvard.

ECONOMIST: The next is not so clear

"You're already predicting 68 teams, " said Brian Phan, a financial analyst who oversees The Bracket Project Blog.

WSJ: Bracketology's Junior Varsity: The NIT

At a sleepover last month, they followed a Michelle Phan beauty tutorial on YouTube, showing how to curl hair with paper bags.

WSJ: Sleepovers, Much Maligned, Get Credit as 'Goof Around' Time