Saturday, December 4, 2010

Homemade Millionaire on TLC - Episode 3

Looks like Homemade Millionaire has another overnight success story on their hands!

Jennifer Martinson, with the Magic Dress, sold out today on HSN! Whoohoo! She had 700 units and every one of them were snatched up by early this morning! Way to go Jennifer!

I had the house to myself this morning and was excited to sit down to watch episode 3 but I cheated...I tuned in to HSN at 7am and saw Jennifer had won. And I have to give Jennifer credit...she did not have the luxury of having the regular hosts on this morning. The substitute Host left Jennifer floundering quite a few times and seemed to lack the complete knowledge of the dress but hey, Jennifer pulled it off and sold out of her Magic Dress!

All three designers had fantastic products and Erika, I was sorry to see you go so soon but hopefully with the exposure of HM, your Purse Flats will take off!

I LOVED Carissa Brown's clothing line! I can totally relate to the problem of my button down shirts and dresses gaping so Carissa is really filling a much need void! And...I have to admit...she made the show interesting to watch by giving Ed such a hard time although I hoped that by her being "dismissive" to Ed did not hurt her chances in winning. Like my Wear Your Manners tees say, you have to "Play Nice."

All in all, it was a good show with another incredible outcome of a WI hitting the big time!

40 comments:

  1. Wow, I thought the Magic dress was ingenious! Although I don't think i could wear it becaue I am busty and I couldn't figure out how to hide a bra underneath it. I wish she would have touched on that.

    I just watched the HSN video online and they didn't say anything about the dress selling out?

    Also, the person that checks in "in the KNow" the show doesn't direct viewers to HSN right after the show. The just advertise the 7 am showing. I did go on HSN right after the show and it was there but no video.

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  2. "...filling a much needed void," regarding Carissa's product - very funny, Tracy! I agree that her products fulfill a definite consumer need. Although certainly not all busty women are plus sizes, I would think that her idea would sell fabulously well in the plus size stores and catalogs. As for the Magic Dress, it is just stunning. I know that Randolph Duke in the past had tried a few convertible garments on HSN (and I believe that is what they were referring to when they said, "...they all came back." Some women just won't take the time to "get it.") As for the comment above, Jennifer did address the fact that the dress has a shelf bra, therefore eliminating the need for a bra. Of course, that is a personal decision and not all women feel comfortable without one. But I love her colors, fabric and the fact that the dress is made in the USA! I agree with Tracy about the host being less than helpful and that's a shame. If Cally or Coleen Lopez had been hosting - and wearing! - that dress, no doubt they would have flown out the door! As it is now, I don't see that they've sold out (some of the smaller sizes maybe), but they are very limited and available only in broken sizes and probably will sell out. Yea, Jennifer! I can't wait to see the reviews on the dress from those who purchased...probably will be posted later in the week on HSN. And I hope they are all smashing! And, yes, unlike the second episode, the first show and last night's show did NOT direct the viewer immediately to HSN (only mentioned 7am on Saturday). I'm wondering why? She was on HSN at 11 - again, with a host that seemed a bit befuddled and less than knowledgable about her product and none too supportive of a newcomer either, I might add. I think that's a big mistake on HSN's part. I'm thinking that the critical coordination b/t TLC and HSN (and getting the product ready for sale in a timely manner) is probably excrutiatingly difficult and maybe there are some kinks that will need to be worked out. Anyway, best of luck to all the ladies who did a great job. The more I watch the show, the more certain I feel that I personally would have had a hard time performing under such grueling conditions with my product had mine been selected. This particular show's competitions were truly challenging, I thought! The ladies were great. Ginny

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  3. This show is getting more and more interesting. I was at the edge of my seat. Both of these inventions were great. Both of the women had presented well and to take Carissa side here, she had a point not making big women all ruffly. So I can see her conflict with Ed. There are a ton to busty women out there to sell her product to. I wish her well.

    However the magic dress was hard to beat and her fabric design... remarkable! I can't wait to see the other episodes.

    In my opinion, maybe they don't have to push the show any longer because these products are selling out in minutes. Why pay for air time when you don't need to. People are apparently watching and liking. Save your money for new publicity.

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  4. Ginny,
    I just wanted to mention that I am 38D and there is no way a shelf bra would work for my heavy "girls"! Unless I don't mind walking around like I belong in National Geographic. Ha Ha!
    Lori

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  5. Tracy, I came across a Lasagna pan for three different types of Lasagna for fussy families. Not much different from the EM. It was in Chefs Catalog. Maybe you can contact them or a manufacturer that might push your EM. As soon as I saw it I thought of you. Good Luck

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  6. I hear you, Lori, Me, too! Maybe when I was a smaller size this dress would have been right up my alley...so cool! As it is now, I could not wear a dress without a bra - no way! And the dress is available all the way up to plus sizes. I can't see women "of a certain age" and/or with a fuller bust size making it work for them. However, HSN seems to have lots of smaller sized customers - hence, smaller sizes often sell quickly. So there are customers out there for whom the garment is suited. But one of the critical comments from the panel in regard to the dress was that they weren't convinced it was right for the HSN customer...still, I guess they decided to go with it anyway. Interestingly, and on another note, I went to check on reviews for Bake Huggers, and there is nothing to be found on the product on the HSN site - no "wait list" available which is what they normally have when a product sells out. Does this mean that the women inventors have only that one, single shot - and then they are on their own? That would hardly consitute a chance to be a homemade millionaire. I, for one, would have liked to order the Cake Huggers, even if it meant going on wait list. I've been an HSN shopper for more than ten years, so I'd like our winning ladies to have the same opportunities for sales as do the "regular" vendors on HSN. Ginny

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  7. Ginny, Maybe you should go to the HSN site and ask if it was a one time deal and if the inventors are then on their own. Just a thought. And ask, where is the wait list?

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  8. hanks for thinking of me Anonymous with the Lasagna pan tip - I'll check it out!

    So let me ask you girls...you've seen some of these show hosts that are flopping with Jennifer's Magic Dress...don't you think I could do better?! LOL! :) I am hired after all...just waiting to be "placed" with product...

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  9. I'm going to make an observation and see if you all see the same thing. It seems like the shows are following a pattern. 3 ladies...the first to be let go is someone with a product already produced. With the two that are left, you have one "spunky" (portion control plates) or "fiesty"(clarissa rose designs) or "frustrated"(magickurl) person who adds some pizzaz/contraversy to the show...and then the winner...someone whose product is not developed.

    If the rest of the shows follow this pattern, it's good observation, don't you think?

    I wonder what they would have had Erika do at the design shop if she would have made it to the next round..... good thing two clothing items made it through. Eh?.... :)

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  10. Maybe then,the challenge wouldn't have been in a design shop. It seems they have challenges to fit the products.

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  11. The whole show was and still is built for new inventions. They want new products to be HSN exclusives, don't ya think? I also think they want to build brand names so I hardly doubt that bake huggers or any of the others that had won won't be on again. For GOD sake they sold out! Even if they weren't on the HM show and their product sold out, they would be on again.

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  12. Erika, Tell us what was you experience like? How scared were you? Can you blog now? I think you did an awesome job. Are you free to go to QVC now? You'll make a mint there.

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  13. Well I'm 0 for 3. Each week I guess the wrong winner. They make a comment to make the viewer think it is the other inventor and I foolishly fall for it each time. LOL

    Yeah Tracy I think you should host when Deedra is on. Umm that is if she won. wink, wink.

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  14. HSN picked the winner before the competition, they know their market and are no dummies. They are not going to let a series of competitions determine who takes up precious time in their multi-billion dollar empire. They have chosen women who are compelling, entertaining, or play off each other well. And guaranteed, these women are getting pennies on the dollar each time a piece is sold. Magic Dress: I guess it was produced for about $20, including fabric, labor, etc. So how much do you think Jennifer is making? Pennies on the dollar, and she is only compensated for sales, travel & a per diem. I'm missing the Millionaire.

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  15. I've watched all three episodes and the show is predictable. Whoever does best in the challenges - always does best in both challenges, not one woman wins one challenge and another woman wins another challenge - gets the HSN product development deal. Boring and scripted!

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  16. not the case.....wait until next week.....

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  17. As a contract holder we were to receive 50% so I doubt it was pennies.

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  18. I'm really enjoying the show, and the fact that women inventors get a great opportunity to showcase their products, is the icing on the cake. Even those who do not win reap the significant reward of their product's exposure. I'm finding that, with each epiosode, I'm more riveted to my seat and excited about guessing the outcome. I've really warmed up to the show. As for being "scripted," well these reality shows all seem to have that element - and that's no doubt to heighten the entertainment value. I've noticed that all realty shows have a formula with regard to their competitors - i.e. as Anonymous mentioned above, fiesty, spunky, obnoxious, pompous, etc. Occasionally they throw in one older person, too, just to mix things up a bit (I had hoped to be that older person!) Anyway, it's all for entertainment...and ultimately for HSN's bottom line, of course. I for one hope the show succeeds. As for Jennifer's Magic Dress, I was DYING to see it in person and thought I'd order a black one for my daughter but, sadly, her size is gone. I'm happy to see they are taking wait list orders on some of the other sizes. It certainly makes for a gorgeous holiday dress on the right woman! Ginny

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  19. I say Boring and scripted to and I fast forwarded to the end finally because the show was moving so slow. Sorry. I can't see a second season happening.

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  20. I was glued to my seat as well as the others in the room. Do we have a few sore losers here? There was nothing boring about the challenges. Good Luck girls, I hope you all get a season 4!

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  21. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. That's what makes the world interesting. Is it fascinating, mind boggling television? No. But it sure beats a lot of what else is out there. And I'm hoping there are no grumpy sore losers here who are nixing the show because they were not picked. Instead, people who just happen not to care for the show and are expressing themselves. They are entitled to do that, of course. Personally, I'd like to give it more of a chance.

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  22. Mary, you are right...Tracy should be on HSN...whether I win or not. **wink, wink** :)
    Haa Haa!

    Deedra :)
    www.klipzon.com

    OH, for anonymous who posted above....interesting to see what "not the case" for next week...maybe the "real life" drama I think Robyn (was it her) was talking about.

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  23. Anonymous 5:31 pm - In episode 1, Tonya won 1 challenge and Marcy won the other. Are you sure you watched all three? I think this is a great show and there will be more. Each episode gets better and better, I can't wait until next week.

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  24. Wouldn't that be something?! If eventually Tracy could host Deedra's segment on HSN (see Deedra, I already have you as the winner!) How fitting would THAT be?! I think we need to work on that. It would be a win-win. It matters not whether you win on HM or not, Deedra, you are already a winner in our eyes it seems! Prayers for you and your family for Monday! Ginny

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  25. Tracy,
    I saw the commercial today for "OWN" Oprah Winfrey Network. And it talked about how she had a contest to give someone their own show. This made me think of you and the train of thought lead me to your radio show. How is that going? Well I hope!

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  26. 50% of profits, which will be very small after paying HSN bills (people/staff, etc.).

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  27. Who are you, disgruntled Anonymous above???? The winners have unilaterally stated that this was a wonderful experience for them and they enjoyed it immensely. Why not take their cue and be happy for them instead of all the negativity and pessimism?

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  28. I agree! Try to take a product and sell it your self on HSN. They take 50% anyway. Go away... We don't need downers here. Now wonder you didn't make it and probably never well.

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  29. anonymous 9:03,

    What does that mean People/staff, etc?

    I would love to see them pick both ladies for the winner. I mean some of these ideas are good enough to go on HSN.

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  30. You might just see both of them when the episodes are over. I am sure HSN would partner up with each of them, that is once these girls are let loose from their contracts. Why wouldn't they want to sell these products? Would they rather the girls pursue QVC? That just doesn't make sense. Both of these companies are looking for profits. That is the bottom line.

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  31. Hi Everyone, I am visiting my sister in AL and feeling like a change so I will be playing around with the look of Product X...the old colors, yellow, red and white are the colors of Pitchmen and like I said, I am ready for a change...any suggestions?

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  32. I thought the one you had about 30 minutes ago was very cool! Your timing is perfect, Tracy, FaceBook's getting a new "face lift" beginning tomorrow, too! (Change is good!) Ginny

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  33. Ginny, I agree and I'm going to put it back up the way is was then, let let me know if that's the one you were talking about...Change is good!

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  34. Actually, it isn't, Tracy...but I think I like this one even better. It was the one that had kind of an abstract graphic going on in the background, kinda feminine looking, I thought...but maybe that's too busy? I like this one, too. Nice colors. G.

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  35. I heard someone say Magic Dress on HSN sold 300 units. Can anyone give a link to the specific numbers?

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  36. I thought I had posted comments earlier...sorry for the delay.

    I am grateful for the opportunity to have been on the HM show.

    We filmed many hours of footage, but my portion was clipped down to about 1 minute. With that said, there was a ton of stuff that I said about my product, myself, and my product vision that never made the cut.

    First point of clarification – In my pitch, “Educated” means the informed consumer NOT the PhD graduate. Additionally, I view this product as the platform for other accessories solutions (not just one product).

    My family and friends are very biased. They are convinced my product would not have flowed with the challenge direction of the fashion show. I am not sure if they would have changed the format with me...

    Both girls in the competition were nice. I thought Carissa would have won, but I think her attitude was viewed negatively.

    I am not under contract anymore and free to sell. If anyone knows of any opportunities let me know. I have inventory.
    Thanks for the support!!!

    P.S. – I am in the curvy girls club, but the camera is unforgiving and does give extra weight. I could have cut myself in half and still looked like an apple…but a “fly” apple.

    Erika Wilson
    www.purseflats.com
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_vIvj4rXAU

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  37. Erika, I am chunky also and I never look good on TV. It always adds lbs. Don't worry, everyone knows that. Thanks for the information about being able to sell on your own. Good Luck. Try QVC!

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  38. Erika, you can still submit your product to HSN under a vendor contract or did they tell you otherwise? QVC is a good suggestion too! Good luck and I thought you looked beautiful on HM!

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  39. Yeah Erika, Please tell us if you had inquiries from other companies? QVC is good or like Tracy asked, couldn't you go to HSN yourself?

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