Sales of all beef jerky-type products jumped to $1.24 billion last year, up 46% between 2009 and 2013, reports Information Resources, the market research specialist.

Sales of all beef jerky-type products jumped to $1.24 billion last year, up 46% between 2009 and 2013, ... The most expensive is alligator, which goes for about $15 an ounce, ...

It also makes products from snake and lizard skins, and packs, freezes and sells alligator meat to distributors and restaurants. Headquarters: 1860 Polk St., Hollywood. Founder and owner: Brian Wood.

Two alligator hides of certain size are enough to produce one purse. Wood sells those hides for about $500, and the final product costs more than a Ford Expedition SUV because "I'm not Gucci or Prada.