Friday, October 30, 2009

Eye Opener

WI Food Drive: 3 bags


There is been a HUGE response for The Go 2 Girlz to pitch women's inventions! Yay!

As exciting as that is, it is also a eye opener - there is an obvious void here! Women need a voice to get their product recognized without "giving away" their precious invention (or "baby" as many say) and Stacey and I are thrilled to help fill that void!

We would love to pitch every single invention that came across our desk but are restricted to only two inventions. Those inventions have been selected. However, Stacey and I are trying to get a meeting with Anthony Sullivan to show him all the other submissions.

Either way, The Go 2 Girlz are in full swing! When the Pitchmen casting call is rapped up, we will officially be launching our business of pitching women's inventions! Keep an eye on our website to get the latest and most accurate info. www.thego2girlz.com.

Enough about me, what's going on with you? :)

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The Go 2 Girlz Update

With lots of work and love, Stacey got our website up and running so check it out at http://www.thego2girlz.com!

We have received many, many submissions for the Pitchmen casting call and I thank everyone that has submitted their product!

Tomorrow I will have more info to pass along but until then, remember...

We have your pitch covered!

***Don't forget about the WI Food Drive! We have 3 bags donated so far.
***Even with all the excitement of Pitchmen/The Go 2 Girlz, I am very happy for you girls that have contracts and am anxious to hear what happens when the producers contact you!

Women Inventors Rock! :)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Go 2 Girlz

Girls…get comfortable…this is going to be a long post but an exciting one!

You all know I have had something up my sleeve and current happening are allowing me to tell you sooner than later!

I met Stacey at the Women Inventor Casting Call in Chicago and after not being chosen for the show (sniff, sniff) we decided to start The Go 2 Girlz. We specialize in pitching Women’s Inventions and do not want to “own” your product to do it! Refreshing!

While Stacey and I were hammering out the details of our upcoming web show and hiring a film crew, editor and web designer, the casting call came out for co-host positions to work with Anthony Sullivan for Season Two of Pitchmen.

Off to Las Vegas we went and did and audition that got rave reviews! Anthony said we are “unique and he loves it”! Arwen – the producer of Pitchmen – said “not too many people can pull off a duel pitch like that and we helped cut through the clutter”! The casting director told us “we did not waste our time or money coming out to Vegas”!

Currently we are waiting to hear if The Go 2 Girlz are selected for the show but in the meantime a casting call for inventors will be held in Tampa (where I live) on November 4th. I had posted the info yesterday on my blog in the comments section of “Late October”.

For the Ladies that did not receive a contract from Discovery, Pitchmen could be a great opportunity for you to get your invention out there. But then there’s the problem of time and money! The casting call is NEXT WEDNESDAY!

If you would like to get your invention in front of Anthony but do not have the time and/or money to fly to Tampa on a moments notice, let The Go 2 Girlz pitch it for you!

Stacey and I have received permission to pitch on your behalf! All you have to do is sign a release that states you are allowing The Go 2 Girlz to represent you and your invention, ship your product to me ASAP and give a full description of your product! That’s it! Stacey and I will do all the work! We’ll write your script and pitch it to Anthony on November 4th. We will also be taping your pitch so you can see your product in action!

To find out if your invention fits the requirements for Pitchmen go to Discovery’s website and visit Pitchmen’s page. Then email us at thego2girlz@live.com with your name, product description and contact info.

Quickly, because time is an obvious issue, we will review your submission and get back with you ASAP.

I’m thrilled to FINIALLY be able to tell you what is happening in my world and to be a part of The Go 2 Girlz! I am passionate about supporting Women Inventors and love offering a service where YOU are in control of your product!

On a side note, kudos to the women that figured out why I changed the colors of my blog! They are the colors of Pitchmen!

Your Pitchwoman and Friend,

Tracy

The Go 2 Girlz

www.thego2girlz.com

thego2girlz@live.com

Monday, October 26, 2009

Heads up

If you are reading this tonight, make sure to check in tomorrow! I have a proposition for you!

Late October

Women Inventor Food Drive: 3 Bags


The last week of October...is it going fast or slow? I try to stop and smell the roses, so to speak but when you are waiting to hear good news...it's hard not to wish the time away...

If you received a contract from Discovery, congrats! I know we are all thrilled for you!

Question: Did they tell you when production is to begin and when it will air? Is HSN still involved?

It's officially "late October" and I was told "to plan on hearing something in late October"...I jump every time the phone rings and keep checking my email! :) I am sure many of you can relate!

Positive thoughts! That's the plan!!!!!

Maybe I'll pick up some roses...just as a reminder!

Friday, October 23, 2009

WI FOOD DRIVE

I am inspired my a previous comment on my blog about donating money at KFC to help the World Hunger Relief Fund, however, this food drive ends soon. But hunger is never ending.

Food gives us comfort but for a starving child or adult, food gives them hope. And how great to give a stranger hope!

So this is what I am asking of my Women Inventors. Raid your pantry, hit the two for one at the grocery store and fill a paper bag(s) with non perishable items to drop off at a church or food bank.

With the holidays approaching us, many grocery stores have brown bags pre-filled and ready to go - all you have to do is purchase one and the grocery store does the rest.

Once a week until the end of the year I am going to have my children help me pick out the food and hopefully teach them a life lesson of giving while helping a worthy cause.

Sadly hunger is worldwide but easily you can help right here in your backyard!

Let us know how many bags you have dropped off (anonymously if that makes you more comfortable) and I will keep a tally on the top of each blog post. Let's work until the end of the year to see how many bags we can donate.

Let the WI food drive begin!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Shift the focus

I am so over myself.

Networking, Twittering, Facebooking, phone calling...the work it takes to get your name out there is exhausting and it's time for me to shift the focus off myself and on to something/someone else.

While I wait for some of the biggest and most exciting news of my life (like many of you are doing as well), I am halting the "Tracy Promoting" . The right people already know about me, they know what I do, they know what I have to offer, they have seen it, heard it and have all my info so I feel it's safe to take a break and give more of myself than to just myself.

Today will be dedicated to random acts of kindness, a trip to Good Will, a run to the food bank, many many words of love for those I cherish and .... a much needed break from the "meism" .

Hallelujah!

Monday, October 19, 2009

WWW (Women's Words of Wisdom)

My night out with the girls on Saturday was a night to remember!

Not only did I get to spend the evening with some great friends, I was able to hear some amazing success stories of Momtrepreneurs.

The MC was Mindee Doney - one of the inventors of Boogie Wipes. Then we had Grace Welch - she invented patemm - a circular changing pad. Katie Kyres - Silly Dilly Tot Spot, Author of "everyone is beautiful" - Katerine Center, Lisa Becker - founder of ostomysecrets.

One thing many of these ladies had in common was that they did not have a business plan, they just "jumped right in". I thought that was very interesting because I have never written a business plan and my Husband gives me a hard time about it. Now I can say "Ha! These Ladies did not do it either"!

There was someone else there that I met - a WI like you and me, with a fabulous idea that she is preparing to launch. She approached me and introduced herself saying that "she has been reading my blog for months and wanted to say hi". By the evenings end, she told me what her invention is and like us here, she was leery of sharing her "baby" in fear of it getting knocked off. I PROMISED not to say a word but let me tell you, this invention of hers is going to be HUGE!

Really, I am surprised that this invention is not on the shelves yet but that's the key here. She found an obvious solution to a common problem and realized that it hadn't been done yet so...she's doing it!

Although I enjoyed hearing what these WI had to say, I did not learn anything I did not already know which was reassuring. What I did hear was that if you have a vision, go for it! Take the risk and believe in yourself!

Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of that...

Monday, October 12, 2009

Asking for it!

My Mother has always said, "Tracy, if you don't ask for what you want, you'll never get it".

I love that! But...it has taken me until I was in my mid thirties to be comfortable asking for what I want. I never wanted to sound pushy or ungrateful and I was always afraid that I would offend someone by simply...asking...

Not now! It's very empowering to know that with the right tone, attitude and a smile you can vertuially ask for anything you want! Now, that doesn't mean you'll get what you are asking for but at least you ASKED!

Because I am not sitting on my hands and waiting for someone to wave their magic wand to get The Everything Marinator made, I have been doing a lot of "asking'!

This past weekend I stood in front of three people (in a casual setting) and pitched The Everything Marinator knowing what I was about to ask for...money...but I was not nervous because I believe in The Everything Marinator and I know that you can't get what you want if you don't ask for it!

Two out of the three opened their checkbooks and the one person that did not give money gave the offer of free advertising! Not bad!

So thanks Mom, I do love that advice!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Moms Reinvented

Next weekend there are going to be some pretty exciting women in Tampa and I get to hear their success stories!

True rock stars! At least that is how I view women inventors that have hit it big...with a fabulous idea and lots of hard work, of course!

Such is the case for the Boogie Wipes ladies! Julie and Mindee started Boogie Wipes in 2007 and today, a mere two years later, their company is worth $4.2 million dollars! Like I said, rock stars!

Mindee will be sharing her wisdom with us over dinner and drinks at the Moms Reinvented Event that will inspire us all while also raising money and awareness for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

These ladies are true role models for women inventors and I have to admit, if I had to choose between hanging out with Blondie and Pat Benetar or Julie and Mindee, the Boogie Wipes ladies would win!

But maybe we could play "Heart of Glass" and "Love is a Battlefield" on our ipod while we were hanging out...

Thursday, October 8, 2009

WI...Mom Inc...Questions

Are you in?

Are you out?

Who are you?

How do you feel?

Leave comments here and let us know.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Show me a sign

It's not often that you ask for a "sign" and instantly you get that sign but when it DOES happen it can knock your socks off!

Recently I have heard several stories of people asking that simple question, "Please show me a sign" so I wanted to share my story with you of how sometimes you simply just have to ask.

When the news of Pitchmen auditions hit the web, it did not even occur to me to go to Las Vegas to attend the open call - strange because if you knew me at all, you would know that this was right up my alley!

After about a week, I was telling some friends about the open call and one friend emailed me saying, "You are crazy not to go". Hmmm, maybe, but I was not convinced. Then another friend called..."Tracy, you are passing up a great opportunity! You really need to give it a shot"!

That night my Husband and I had date night. I talked to him about the open call but expressed my concern about spending even more money chasing my dream (I wanted to get the house painted and was putting money aside for that reason). Plus, we had just dropped tons of money going to Chicago for WI and that did not pan out.

Jason was very supportive and even offered to fly my friend out to meet me so I would not have to go alone. He could not go (work, kids, etc.) but this offer to pay for my friend was very out of character - Jay holds on tighter to money than a dog does to a bone.

First sign.

The next day I checked flights and hotels but was feeling VERY guilty of using our family money for "me"....again...

I called my friend and told her that I just couldn't do it...the guilt was consuming me...she understood but said I should call Jason one last time to discuss it with him before making my finial decision.

I sat quietly and prayed..."Please God, show me a sign and a good one! Not just something small that I could miss...I need it to be obvious"!

Jason picked up the phone and I expressed my concerns, my guilt, my doubts and he said, "Book the flight. You're going. Call Stacey and book her flight. Tell Pitchmen to expect you there. Something good is going to come from this".

I hung up the phone and knew this was the sign I was praying about. An obvious sign. Normally it takes Jay a very, very long time to make a decision when it comes to spending money but here he was, within hours, telling me to "go for it"!

Vegas ended up being better than I could have expected and Jason was right...something good IS coming from this! I loved being able to call him and tell him that we had not wasted our money!

If any of you have a story you'd like to share about a sign you have received, I'd love to hear it!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Experiment

I was watching a story this weekend about a woman who wrote down $112,000,000 on a piece of paper, put it under her pillow, and for three weeks she visualized winning that amount... even to the point of hiring a financial planner to help her manage her money once she won it.

And you guessed it...she won the lottery but the amazing thing is that she won the exact amount she had written down on that piece of paper...$112,000,000...

Some say it's the "Secret" but I have never read the book...however, I do believe in the power of positive thinking so let's do an experiment!

Write down one major thing you want to happen, put it under your pillow, and visualize it over and over and over again then let me know if it works!

I am starting the experiment tonight and I already know what I am going to write down but with all the tossing and turning I do, I can't imagine that the piece of paper will remain under my pillow. Maybe I'll place it in my pillow case...

Let the positive thoughts begin!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Behind the message

When I wrote the analogy between bubble bath and life (titled: Something to think about), it started off lighthearted...a funny, little blog post to put a smile on your face and maybe a thought in your head.

Interestingly enough, that post became a favorite among my family and friends and I started thinking...really Tracy, let's do this! Challenge yourself and be vulnerable! Work hard! Use that bubble bath!

I remebered what Donald Trump said, "Lazy people will never succeed" and what God said, "God helps those who help themselves". Not that I am comparing these two! :)

So I did...I forged ahead with a determination that I have never had before and in the following months, I have had doors shut, been told "no" and discouraged on several occasions but I just wouldn't accept THAT reality...MY reality was that I was about to hear "YES"!

And "YES" I have heard!

My uphill battle to make my dream a reality is finally paying off. I have some more work to do, believe me, but now I know that the HUGE amount of "bubble bath" I have poured into my life was not wasted!

So it is with great pleasure that I tell you, "I am officially out of bubble bath"...