With all the gloom in the global economy, I got to wondering whether there is anything else going on in the world of business. I'm looking for growth because I think that's what will ultimately bring the economy out of the doldrums. Not surprisingly, that growth is coming from technology companies. In Growth Matters, I look at consumer technology companies that point the way to growth trends -- and in the process introduce services and products you may want to explore.

If you watch TV shows and wish you could buy the clothes your favorite actress is wearing, you'd be a fan of Coolspotters. I interviewed Aaron LaBerge, who is CEO of Fantzer, the company behind Coolspotters, and he said, "Coolspotters is a Web application that allows fans of celebrity and pop-culture to discover and buy the fashions, brands, and products being used by their favorite actors, musicians, athletes, and public figures -- in real life, and in movies and television. The platform also allows knowledgeable fans to share what they know about today's hottest products, brands, celebrities, and entertainment."