1 00:00:02,070 --> 00:00:04,800 Gift biz on wrapped episode 51, 2 00:00:05,210 --> 00:00:07,820 But it wasn't until I was inspired to create my own 3 00:00:07,820 --> 00:00:11,480 product and go all in that I've found true success. 4 00:00:11,660 --> 00:00:13,130 Hi, this is John Lee, 5 00:00:13,130 --> 00:00:15,290 Dumas of entrepreneur on fire, 6 00:00:15,290 --> 00:00:17,840 and you're listening to the gift of biz unwrapped, 7 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:22,550 and now it's time to light it up. 8 00:00:22,550 --> 00:00:24,110 Welcome to gift biz, 9 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:28,100 unwrapped your source for industry specific insights and advice to develop 10 00:00:28,100 --> 00:00:29,210 and grow your business. 11 00:00:29,570 --> 00:00:31,040 And now here's your host, 12 00:00:31,190 --> 00:00:32,240 Sue Monheit. 13 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:34,610 Hi there. 14 00:00:34,700 --> 00:00:38,510 I'm Sue and welcome to the gift biz unramped podcast. 15 00:00:38,630 --> 00:00:41,550 Whether you own a brick and mortar shop sell online or 16 00:00:41,550 --> 00:00:42,800 are just getting started, 17 00:00:42,950 --> 00:00:46,580 you'll discover new insight to gain traction and to grow your 18 00:00:46,580 --> 00:00:50,660 business. And today I have joining us Maya Lieberman. 19 00:00:50,990 --> 00:00:54,620 Maya is the inventor of shape and store freezer containers, 20 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:57,710 and she is on a mission to make homemade meals more 21 00:00:57,710 --> 00:00:59,660 convenient than fast food. 22 00:00:59,930 --> 00:01:01,520 Starting with a love of baking. 23 00:01:01,550 --> 00:01:05,630 She first invented a container that would portion and freeze homemade 24 00:01:05,630 --> 00:01:06,320 cookie dough. 25 00:01:06,620 --> 00:01:07,190 From there. 26 00:01:07,190 --> 00:01:10,790 The product line grew as she realized that her freezer containers 27 00:01:10,790 --> 00:01:14,810 can make everyday meal preparation quick and easy. 28 00:01:15,110 --> 00:01:16,520 Maya lives in Ontario, 29 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,110 Canada with her husband, 30 00:01:18,230 --> 00:01:20,750 two girls and a pet Bonnie. 31 00:01:20,900 --> 00:01:21,770 Welcome to the show. 32 00:01:21,770 --> 00:01:22,790 Maya, Thank you, 33 00:01:22,790 --> 00:01:24,290 Sue. I'm excited to be here. 34 00:01:24,350 --> 00:01:26,870 I Am thrilled to have you here and I can't wait 35 00:01:26,870 --> 00:01:29,870 to dive into your product because it's just so original. 36 00:01:29,960 --> 00:01:33,050 But before we start that I like to align the conversation 37 00:01:33,080 --> 00:01:35,330 around the life of a motivational candle. 38 00:01:35,420 --> 00:01:38,930 This light shines on you while you share all your stories, 39 00:01:38,930 --> 00:01:40,010 your experiences, 40 00:01:40,010 --> 00:01:41,300 and your expertise. 41 00:01:41,390 --> 00:01:42,560 Are you ready to light it Up? 42 00:01:42,860 --> 00:01:43,730 I am ready. 43 00:01:44,060 --> 00:01:46,880 Awesome. Let's envision your candle. 44 00:01:46,910 --> 00:01:47,960 What color is it? 45 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:50,690 And what's the motivational quote on the camera For me, 46 00:01:50,690 --> 00:01:53,420 my candle would have to be red because it reminds me 47 00:01:53,420 --> 00:01:56,060 to always be bold and to be confident. 48 00:01:56,090 --> 00:01:58,220 So that is the color I am picking. 49 00:01:58,370 --> 00:01:59,630 And right now, 50 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:00,590 along with my business, 51 00:02:00,710 --> 00:02:03,170 I teach business courses and I share one of these quotes 52 00:02:03,170 --> 00:02:04,610 with my students all the time. 53 00:02:04,610 --> 00:02:07,250 The quote is there are no secrets to success. 54 00:02:07,310 --> 00:02:08,810 It is the result of preparation, 55 00:02:08,810 --> 00:02:11,360 hard work and learning from failure. 56 00:02:11,420 --> 00:02:13,970 So that's a quote from Colin Powell of all people. 57 00:02:14,300 --> 00:02:15,710 Ooh, I love Colin Powell. 58 00:02:15,710 --> 00:02:18,470 And I also love that quote because it really positions and 59 00:02:18,470 --> 00:02:22,640 lays the groundwork that success is available and open to anybody. 60 00:02:22,730 --> 00:02:23,480 For Sure. 61 00:02:23,690 --> 00:02:24,440 I agree. 62 00:02:24,920 --> 00:02:27,440 Okay. I want to dive right into this product because I 63 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:29,540 think it is super interesting. 64 00:02:29,570 --> 00:02:30,830 Now gift biz listeners. 65 00:02:31,070 --> 00:02:34,280 You're probably going to have to jump over to the website 66 00:02:34,340 --> 00:02:36,320 to take a look at her product. 67 00:02:36,530 --> 00:02:38,720 And my I'm sure it's front and center somewhere on your 68 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:39,350 website, right? 69 00:02:39,710 --> 00:02:41,180 Yeah. We have a video right there, 70 00:02:41,180 --> 00:02:42,500 front and center show the, 71 00:02:42,500 --> 00:02:43,400 how the product works. 72 00:02:43,970 --> 00:02:45,830 Perfect. But before we do that, 73 00:02:45,830 --> 00:02:49,070 since most people are listening to the podcast and they're either 74 00:02:49,070 --> 00:02:51,710 driving to work or they're in their shop or they're walking 75 00:02:51,710 --> 00:02:52,580 their dog doing laundry, 76 00:02:52,580 --> 00:02:55,730 whatever. Describe a little bit of what the product is so 77 00:02:55,730 --> 00:02:58,610 we can kind of ground everybody before we get started. 78 00:02:58,670 --> 00:03:03,190 Yes. So my Product are called shapen store freezer containers, 79 00:03:03,220 --> 00:03:06,970 which are containers that are designed to be used to shape 80 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:08,730 individual portions of foods. 81 00:03:08,730 --> 00:03:12,160 So think if you're making a soup or a chili or 82 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:14,680 a stew or rice or any kind of food, 83 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:15,820 really that you're preparing, 84 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:17,560 if you just make some extra, 85 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:18,880 you have leftovers. 86 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:20,980 Instead of using those plastic baggies, 87 00:03:21,010 --> 00:03:23,320 you can put them in my containers and they will make 88 00:03:23,350 --> 00:03:25,030 individual portions for you. 89 00:03:25,060 --> 00:03:26,920 So you just pour it in. 90 00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:28,360 And then when you freeze it, 91 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:30,880 you can just pop out however many portions you want and 92 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:31,960 put it in the microwave. 93 00:03:31,990 --> 00:03:34,420 So everything's ready to go organizes your freezer. 94 00:03:34,420 --> 00:03:36,070 You don't have little brochures everywhere, 95 00:03:36,070 --> 00:03:36,850 all over the freezer. 96 00:03:36,850 --> 00:03:38,290 They're all in very thin, 97 00:03:38,350 --> 00:03:40,600 wide containers that are easily to remove. 98 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:43,050 And It's super interesting. 99 00:03:43,050 --> 00:03:45,990 And it sounds like something that maybe had been around, 100 00:03:45,990 --> 00:03:46,330 like if, 101 00:03:46,330 --> 00:03:47,790 if you haven't pictured it before, 102 00:03:47,790 --> 00:03:50,130 it might be something that you're thinking you might've seen before, 103 00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:51,120 but I guarantee you, 104 00:03:51,150 --> 00:03:52,200 you haven't seen these before. 105 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:52,980 They're so cool. 106 00:03:52,980 --> 00:03:54,660 Cause they are stackable in your freezer. 107 00:03:54,660 --> 00:03:57,810 So they're great for freezer space and they're just all around. 108 00:03:57,810 --> 00:03:58,800 Totally creative. 109 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:00,120 So I was so impressed. 110 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:03,240 I met Maya at the New York now show and I 111 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:04,740 saw this product and I'm like, 112 00:04:04,770 --> 00:04:05,610 Oh my gosh, 113 00:04:05,610 --> 00:04:06,300 what an idea? 114 00:04:06,300 --> 00:04:07,860 I need to know the story. 115 00:04:07,860 --> 00:04:11,250 So that's what we are all going to learn right now. 116 00:04:11,250 --> 00:04:11,610 All right. 117 00:04:11,610 --> 00:04:13,770 So let's go back to the beginning. 118 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:16,740 Maya, where in the world did this thought come from? 119 00:04:16,740 --> 00:04:18,090 I know you were already a Baker. 120 00:04:18,090 --> 00:04:19,020 You were talking about that, 121 00:04:19,020 --> 00:04:19,200 you know, 122 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:20,640 as we were doing the intro, 123 00:04:20,910 --> 00:04:23,820 but how in the world did you think of this product? 124 00:04:23,970 --> 00:04:25,320 Well, just to start with, 125 00:04:25,350 --> 00:04:28,080 I had always been an entrepreneurial spirit. 126 00:04:28,110 --> 00:04:29,640 My parents were entrepreneurs. 127 00:04:29,670 --> 00:04:31,620 I had always wanted to have my own business, 128 00:04:31,620 --> 00:04:32,040 but you know, 129 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,380 I'd had like different kinds of businesses where I was had 130 00:04:34,380 --> 00:04:35,580 a confectionary business. 131 00:04:35,580 --> 00:04:36,720 I had a jewelry business, 132 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,420 but it wasn't until I was inspired to create my own 133 00:04:39,420 --> 00:04:43,110 product and go all in that I found true success. 134 00:04:43,170 --> 00:04:44,340 So as you mentioned, 135 00:04:44,340 --> 00:04:45,630 so I'm a Baker, 136 00:04:45,690 --> 00:04:47,670 right? And at the time when I came up with the 137 00:04:47,670 --> 00:04:50,190 idea, I was taking time off to stay home with my 138 00:04:50,190 --> 00:04:52,290 kids who were about three and five years old at the 139 00:04:52,290 --> 00:04:55,290 time. So I had stopped working for let's say about a 140 00:04:55,290 --> 00:04:59,220 year. And I was really into those inventors shows, 141 00:04:59,220 --> 00:04:59,490 you know, 142 00:04:59,490 --> 00:05:02,160 like shark tank and in Canada we have dragons den, 143 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,140 which is the version of shark tank here. 144 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:05,370 And I was so motivated. 145 00:05:05,370 --> 00:05:07,320 Cause I would see all these people who would come on 146 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:07,680 and they like, 147 00:05:07,710 --> 00:05:08,760 Oh, I had an idea. 148 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:09,060 And you know, 149 00:05:09,060 --> 00:05:11,250 I ran with it and now I have my own successful 150 00:05:11,250 --> 00:05:13,350 business. And I thought from my experience, 151 00:05:13,350 --> 00:05:15,030 I had marketing experience. 152 00:05:15,030 --> 00:05:16,260 I have a business degree. 153 00:05:16,350 --> 00:05:18,780 I worked in product development for a retailer here. 154 00:05:18,780 --> 00:05:21,540 So I had all the building blocks to start my own 155 00:05:21,540 --> 00:05:22,380 business. So I thought, 156 00:05:22,380 --> 00:05:25,200 well, why don't I try something like this now? 157 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:25,410 You know, 158 00:05:25,410 --> 00:05:28,080 it's a good break in my career to do something like 159 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:29,520 this. So as you said, 160 00:05:29,610 --> 00:05:31,500 I'm loved to bake and you know, 161 00:05:31,500 --> 00:05:34,560 they always say do a business with something that you love. 162 00:05:34,710 --> 00:05:37,320 So I love cookie dough and I love cookies. 163 00:05:38,010 --> 00:05:39,150 And I thought, 164 00:05:39,150 --> 00:05:39,360 you know, 165 00:05:39,360 --> 00:05:41,610 I was baking with my children because I love to bake 166 00:05:41,610 --> 00:05:43,260 and I want them to learn to love, 167 00:05:43,260 --> 00:05:43,770 to bake. 168 00:05:43,830 --> 00:05:46,860 And although it's very fun as I'm sure you can imagine 169 00:05:46,860 --> 00:05:48,990 when you're baking with little girls like that, 170 00:05:49,020 --> 00:05:51,660 they're not so adept at putting all the ingredients in the 171 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:53,130 mixing bowl the first time. 172 00:05:53,130 --> 00:05:54,870 So we would get a lot of mess. 173 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:55,620 So I thought, 174 00:05:55,620 --> 00:05:58,070 well, what if we had a product that you could have 175 00:05:58,070 --> 00:05:59,510 the fresh homemade cookie dough? 176 00:05:59,510 --> 00:06:01,760 Because that's really what I want is to have freshly baked 177 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:03,410 cookies for my family, 178 00:06:03,530 --> 00:06:06,080 but without having to make the mess every time. 179 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:08,090 And the other problem was that when I would bake with 180 00:06:08,090 --> 00:06:08,660 my kids, 181 00:06:08,690 --> 00:06:09,800 they would have one cookie, 182 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:10,460 two cookies, 183 00:06:10,460 --> 00:06:12,800 and then I would have a whole batch of cookies staring 184 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:13,280 at me, 185 00:06:13,370 --> 00:06:14,810 which I would promptly eat. 186 00:06:14,990 --> 00:06:16,600 They taste better when they're fresh, 187 00:06:16,610 --> 00:06:18,770 right. So I see Nothing wrong with this Maya, 188 00:06:19,670 --> 00:06:20,180 But you know what, 189 00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:21,290 if you're doing it every week, 190 00:06:21,290 --> 00:06:21,650 it's not, 191 00:06:21,650 --> 00:06:22,490 it's not the best, 192 00:06:22,590 --> 00:06:23,330 best thing. 193 00:06:23,330 --> 00:06:24,920 So I thought, 194 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:25,160 you know, 195 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:27,320 it'd be great if you could have it ready to go 196 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:29,690 for you in the freezer proportion, 197 00:06:29,690 --> 00:06:31,880 ready to go so that when you do want a fresh 198 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:33,290 baked cookie on the fly, 199 00:06:33,290 --> 00:06:35,750 my kids come home from school or we come back from 200 00:06:35,750 --> 00:06:36,260 an activity, 201 00:06:36,260 --> 00:06:38,180 you can just pop out a couple of pieces, 202 00:06:38,180 --> 00:06:39,230 put them in the toaster oven, 203 00:06:39,260 --> 00:06:39,950 they're ready to go. 204 00:06:39,950 --> 00:06:42,500 You don't have to set out and make the batch yourself. 205 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:46,010 And I also don't have the leftover cookies that are staring 206 00:06:46,010 --> 00:06:48,500 me in the face at like 11:00 PM at night. 207 00:06:48,500 --> 00:06:50,000 So that's what I decided to do. 208 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:50,180 You know, 209 00:06:50,180 --> 00:06:52,310 I did my research and I found out there was nothing 210 00:06:52,310 --> 00:06:53,480 like that on the market. 211 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:54,530 Up until that point. 212 00:06:54,620 --> 00:06:57,230 I'm sure a lot of your listeners are familiar with the 213 00:06:57,230 --> 00:06:58,940 standard way to freeze cookie dough, 214 00:06:58,940 --> 00:07:00,650 which is to ball it up and then put it in 215 00:07:00,650 --> 00:07:02,990 the freezer and then put it in a plastic baggie, 216 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:04,250 which takes a lot of time. 217 00:07:04,460 --> 00:07:06,800 My idea was you would just spread it in close the 218 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:09,170 container. It'll make the portions for you. 219 00:07:09,230 --> 00:07:11,090 And then they're ready to go on every Lake. 220 00:07:11,450 --> 00:07:13,100 So that was my inspiration. 221 00:07:13,190 --> 00:07:14,000 That's how again, 222 00:07:14,380 --> 00:07:15,430 So you had this idea, 223 00:07:15,970 --> 00:07:17,260 what do you then do with it? 224 00:07:17,260 --> 00:07:18,070 What's the next step? 225 00:07:18,430 --> 00:07:22,000 Well, because I had had experience in product development. 226 00:07:22,060 --> 00:07:24,760 I knew that I could source local manufacturers. 227 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,460 I had the confidence to know that as long as I 228 00:07:27,730 --> 00:07:31,180 went out and I researched and I tried to find different 229 00:07:31,180 --> 00:07:34,420 people who could help me in my process that I could 230 00:07:34,420 --> 00:07:35,950 get it done locally, 231 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:37,270 rather than having to say, 232 00:07:37,270 --> 00:07:38,200 hire affirmed, 233 00:07:38,230 --> 00:07:39,760 that would help me do the product development. 234 00:07:39,820 --> 00:07:41,380 I had the confidence to do it myself. 235 00:07:41,380 --> 00:07:44,380 So what I did was I came up with an idea 236 00:07:44,380 --> 00:07:45,670 of how it should look, 237 00:07:45,820 --> 00:07:46,870 how the product would look, 238 00:07:46,870 --> 00:07:48,550 how it would cut the cookie dough, 239 00:07:48,550 --> 00:07:49,960 what shape it should be in. 240 00:07:50,020 --> 00:07:53,740 And then I went around to look for manufacturers. 241 00:07:53,980 --> 00:07:56,320 So I had my design and then I had to go 242 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:59,770 and find manufacturers who could actually make a tool for me. 243 00:08:00,100 --> 00:08:03,880 The hardest part was figuring out the design of the product. 244 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,220 So what it would look like because I wanted something that 245 00:08:06,220 --> 00:08:07,930 was going to be very efficient, 246 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:09,130 easy to use. 247 00:08:09,190 --> 00:08:10,960 And wouldn't take up a lot of space. 248 00:08:11,020 --> 00:08:12,640 That was like my main concern. 249 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:14,770 So once I had that done, 250 00:08:14,950 --> 00:08:17,470 then I had to find a manufacturer who could do it 251 00:08:17,470 --> 00:08:17,980 for me, 252 00:08:18,190 --> 00:08:20,590 who would make a tool and then manufacture the product. 253 00:08:21,130 --> 00:08:23,800 So you knew some sources from your prior experience, 254 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:26,410 you had some contacts or knew where you could go to 255 00:08:26,410 --> 00:08:27,550 look for a manufacturer. 256 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:29,170 I didn't really have contacts, 257 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:30,520 but I knew that they existed. 258 00:08:30,910 --> 00:08:33,160 Yeah. So I knew that it was possible to do it 259 00:08:33,160 --> 00:08:36,010 locally. So that I think was the biggest learning that I 260 00:08:36,010 --> 00:08:39,100 had going in that enabled me to have the confidence to 261 00:08:39,100 --> 00:08:39,850 make it myself. 262 00:08:39,910 --> 00:08:40,630 Okay. So did you, 263 00:08:40,630 --> 00:08:43,780 You go into them with just like a hand drawing or 264 00:08:43,780 --> 00:08:46,480 a computer drawing Or a computer drawing? 265 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:47,530 Exactly. Yes. 266 00:08:47,590 --> 00:08:50,350 So you were to some level of professionalism when you came 267 00:08:50,350 --> 00:08:52,960 in and it just wasn't like an image on a napkin 268 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:53,650 or something. 269 00:08:53,890 --> 00:08:54,610 Right, right, 270 00:08:54,610 --> 00:08:55,530 right. Exactly. 271 00:08:55,530 --> 00:08:56,130 Yeah. No, 272 00:08:56,130 --> 00:08:57,150 I definitely had it. 273 00:08:57,150 --> 00:08:59,820 Yes. An idea of what it was going to be. 274 00:08:59,820 --> 00:09:01,200 And I had the drawing and then yeah, 275 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:04,080 I had to get quotes on how much it would be 276 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:04,770 and you know, 277 00:09:04,770 --> 00:09:06,540 what would be made of and things like that. 278 00:09:06,540 --> 00:09:08,400 But I had to learn all of that about manufacturing, 279 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:10,680 like what you make a tool out of and why it 280 00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:13,200 needs to be made out of a certain material and what 281 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:14,700 size limitations there are. 282 00:09:14,700 --> 00:09:16,650 So all of that and all of that I learned through 283 00:09:16,650 --> 00:09:20,130 just asking questions and going to different sources, 284 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:24,210 not just relying on one person that's big learning right there 285 00:09:24,210 --> 00:09:27,780 is that you have to get many inputs to make sure 286 00:09:27,780 --> 00:09:28,190 that well, 287 00:09:28,190 --> 00:09:28,410 you know, 288 00:09:28,410 --> 00:09:30,900 what you're hearing from one person actually is consistent. 289 00:09:30,900 --> 00:09:32,610 It's not just one person's idea. 290 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:33,060 Like from a, 291 00:09:33,070 --> 00:09:34,590 if you're going to a doctor, 292 00:09:34,590 --> 00:09:37,680 right. You're going to want to get more than one opinion 293 00:09:37,710 --> 00:09:38,550 on something. 294 00:09:38,630 --> 00:09:41,450 So what types of resources are you talking then specifically the 295 00:09:41,450 --> 00:09:43,880 manufacturers or online people or, 296 00:09:44,180 --> 00:09:44,810 Yeah. No, 297 00:09:44,810 --> 00:09:47,660 exactly. But I'm still just talking about the manufacturing phase, 298 00:09:47,660 --> 00:09:48,140 so yeah, 299 00:09:48,170 --> 00:09:48,560 for sure. 300 00:09:48,560 --> 00:09:50,900 So just talking to them about, 301 00:09:50,900 --> 00:09:51,470 you know, 302 00:09:51,560 --> 00:09:56,120 and costs really when you're going in to a business, 303 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:58,340 trying to create something on your own, 304 00:09:58,580 --> 00:10:02,660 there's a tendency for some businesses to try and take advantage. 305 00:10:02,690 --> 00:10:06,260 If they feel like you might not have the experience and 306 00:10:06,260 --> 00:10:09,260 the background to know a lot of the things like the 307 00:10:09,260 --> 00:10:10,460 pricing and things like that. 308 00:10:10,460 --> 00:10:13,910 So that's why I wanted to go to several different sources 309 00:10:13,910 --> 00:10:16,280 so that I could get a clear picture of what I 310 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:16,850 can expect. 311 00:10:17,360 --> 00:10:19,460 Very good point and give biz listeners. 312 00:10:19,460 --> 00:10:22,160 I want to point out that she already knew what she 313 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:23,360 wanted. She came in. 314 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,420 And then I think the biggest thing right here is how 315 00:10:26,420 --> 00:10:27,770 resourceful you were. 316 00:10:27,830 --> 00:10:30,230 You already knew what you were going to make, 317 00:10:30,290 --> 00:10:31,220 but you resourced. 318 00:10:31,220 --> 00:10:34,700 Manufacturer's talked to a number of them just to make sure 319 00:10:34,700 --> 00:10:36,380 that you were getting consistent information. 320 00:10:36,380 --> 00:10:38,510 So you knew you were on the right path. 321 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:40,040 And I think resourcefulness, 322 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,850 as we talk about entrepreneurial ship is so important. 323 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:45,500 No, one's going to figure it out for you, 324 00:10:45,500 --> 00:10:48,350 but all the information these days is out there in some 325 00:10:48,350 --> 00:10:49,610 way, shape or form for us, 326 00:10:49,610 --> 00:10:51,260 no matter what we're trying to do, 327 00:10:51,470 --> 00:10:52,850 you just have to go find it yourself. 328 00:10:53,060 --> 00:10:54,140 Yeah. That's a great point. 329 00:10:54,140 --> 00:10:57,440 Sue. I think like we're at the time when anything is 330 00:10:57,440 --> 00:10:59,600 possible with all the information that's available, 331 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:02,540 there's so much that you can do yourself now and you 332 00:11:02,540 --> 00:11:03,980 can learn from others. 333 00:11:04,070 --> 00:11:07,010 I also reached out to other people that I know who 334 00:11:07,010 --> 00:11:08,270 had started their own business. 335 00:11:08,270 --> 00:11:08,810 As I said, 336 00:11:08,810 --> 00:11:11,600 I was watching Dragon's den here and reaching out to the 337 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:13,910 people who were on the show to learn from them as 338 00:11:13,910 --> 00:11:15,470 well and their experiences. 339 00:11:15,470 --> 00:11:17,120 And if they had any advice for me. 340 00:11:17,660 --> 00:11:18,500 Oh, very good. 341 00:11:18,560 --> 00:11:19,610 That's a really good resource. 342 00:11:19,610 --> 00:11:20,390 I wouldn't have thought of. 343 00:11:20,390 --> 00:11:22,010 So I appreciate your sharing that too. 344 00:11:22,250 --> 00:11:22,490 All right. 345 00:11:22,490 --> 00:11:23,930 So you're with the manufacturers. 346 00:11:23,930 --> 00:11:24,860 How did you know, 347 00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:27,740 and this might've been part of your research already, 348 00:11:27,740 --> 00:11:30,680 but would they recommend to you the materials that they thought 349 00:11:30,710 --> 00:11:31,970 this product should be made of? 350 00:11:31,970 --> 00:11:33,260 Or did you already know that? 351 00:11:33,380 --> 00:11:34,280 Wow, no, 352 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:35,210 that's a good question. 353 00:11:35,210 --> 00:11:38,120 I did not know the materials that were available. 354 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,900 So what we did do was I did take the recommendation 355 00:11:41,900 --> 00:11:45,290 of the manufacturer that I selected and we did some testing 356 00:11:45,380 --> 00:11:48,470 and we figured out which was the best material to go 357 00:11:48,470 --> 00:11:50,390 with based on this test that we ran. 358 00:11:50,570 --> 00:11:53,060 But in the end I actually had to switch over from 359 00:11:53,170 --> 00:11:56,410 manufacturer to a different manufacturer because of the pricing. 360 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:58,300 I couldn't make the pricing work with him. 361 00:11:58,530 --> 00:11:59,490 Well, that's a bummer. 362 00:11:59,490 --> 00:12:01,200 You did all the R and D with him. 363 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:01,770 And then you, 364 00:12:01,830 --> 00:12:03,300 then you had to switch over. 365 00:12:03,330 --> 00:12:04,170 Yeah. But I mean, 366 00:12:04,170 --> 00:12:07,020 the reason I switched over was because he wasn't willing to 367 00:12:07,020 --> 00:12:09,240 work with me on the costing. 368 00:12:09,300 --> 00:12:11,820 So then I had to go to a different manufacturer who 369 00:12:11,820 --> 00:12:14,010 understood that I was starting out. 370 00:12:14,070 --> 00:12:14,910 I was small, 371 00:12:14,910 --> 00:12:15,120 you know, 372 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,720 I had very limited budget and he was willing to work 373 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:20,400 with me on a different way. 374 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:23,070 So basically what was going on was he was going to 375 00:12:23,070 --> 00:12:26,640 charge me just for my per piece cost and I would 376 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:28,140 supply the material. 377 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:31,260 Whereas the other manufacturer had everything all bundled together and he 378 00:12:31,260 --> 00:12:33,510 was upcharging me on certain things. 379 00:12:33,510 --> 00:12:34,020 And, you know, 380 00:12:34,020 --> 00:12:35,850 I couldn't really hit my price point. 381 00:12:36,630 --> 00:12:39,240 I think some of our listeners would be curious and I'm 382 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:40,590 not asking you for specifics, 383 00:12:40,590 --> 00:12:43,470 just kind of to get a feel like financially, 384 00:12:43,470 --> 00:12:46,710 how do you possibly enter into something like this? 385 00:12:47,130 --> 00:12:47,370 I mean, 386 00:12:47,370 --> 00:12:47,700 did you, 387 00:12:47,700 --> 00:12:48,660 did you take a loan? 388 00:12:48,660 --> 00:12:50,130 Did you self-fund it, 389 00:12:50,250 --> 00:12:51,480 is it expensive? 390 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:52,170 Like what, 391 00:12:52,230 --> 00:12:54,570 to the extent that you're willing to share kind of an 392 00:12:54,570 --> 00:12:57,870 investment, if you're looking at creating a product and going along 393 00:12:57,870 --> 00:12:59,850 the path that you went on, 394 00:12:59,880 --> 00:13:00,960 what does that look like? 395 00:13:01,380 --> 00:13:02,640 It's an excellent question. 396 00:13:02,640 --> 00:13:05,310 I think a lot of times that people think that, 397 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:08,160 and this is the part of this is asking the questions 398 00:13:08,250 --> 00:13:11,250 and researching and trying to figure out you have a set 399 00:13:11,250 --> 00:13:14,040 budget and figuring out a way to hit that set budget, 400 00:13:14,070 --> 00:13:17,970 because it is very tempting to go in and get a 401 00:13:17,970 --> 00:13:21,240 big loan and just throw it all at your manufacturing and 402 00:13:21,240 --> 00:13:22,110 your inventory. 403 00:13:22,260 --> 00:13:26,010 But what I did actually was I had a small budget 404 00:13:26,340 --> 00:13:30,720 and I also was involved in a government program that supports 405 00:13:30,780 --> 00:13:33,150 entrepreneurs to start new businesses. 406 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:34,620 So I did that, 407 00:13:34,620 --> 00:13:37,590 which gave me some seed money to begin with. 408 00:13:37,590 --> 00:13:40,860 So that was actually money given to me by the government, 409 00:13:41,190 --> 00:13:42,930 Great resource for us to consider, 410 00:13:42,990 --> 00:13:43,140 you know, 411 00:13:43,140 --> 00:13:44,250 some of us are in Canada, 412 00:13:44,250 --> 00:13:44,940 some of us aren't, 413 00:13:44,940 --> 00:13:45,120 you know, 414 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:47,100 we're all listeners are all over the world here, 415 00:13:47,100 --> 00:13:50,880 but what types of grants or support is there for new 416 00:13:50,940 --> 00:13:52,140 Startups? Yeah. 417 00:13:52,140 --> 00:13:53,940 And I think there are in every region, 418 00:13:53,940 --> 00:13:56,880 there would be something like that available some sort of program. 419 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:57,570 It's just again, 420 00:13:57,570 --> 00:13:59,850 doing your research and taking the time to apply. 421 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:03,000 So I was fortunate that I did receive this money. 422 00:14:03,090 --> 00:14:07,020 Another thing that helped with funding for my product development was 423 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:08,670 after we launched the smart cookie, 424 00:14:08,790 --> 00:14:11,100 we wanted to do new product called the burger master. 425 00:14:11,190 --> 00:14:13,380 And we did a Kickstarter campaign for that. 426 00:14:14,010 --> 00:14:16,050 Oh, talk to us a little bit about how that works 427 00:14:16,380 --> 00:14:17,430 For Kickstarter. 428 00:14:17,460 --> 00:14:21,120 It's a crowdfunding platform where you can list a product or 429 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:21,540 I'm sorry, 430 00:14:21,540 --> 00:14:23,400 a business idea doesn't have to be a product. 431 00:14:23,460 --> 00:14:27,810 And there's a bunch of users who constantly are on there 432 00:14:27,810 --> 00:14:29,940 to see if there's any businesses that they would like to 433 00:14:29,940 --> 00:14:34,110 support. And it was really amazing because we had the idea 434 00:14:34,140 --> 00:14:36,540 we had the prototype already made, 435 00:14:36,540 --> 00:14:38,130 and we just wanted to get a sense of, 436 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:38,400 you know, 437 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:38,790 what, like, 438 00:14:38,790 --> 00:14:39,720 is this going to be good? 439 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,180 Are people going to be interested in this product and also 440 00:14:42,180 --> 00:14:44,490 to get some seed money to start production? 441 00:14:44,580 --> 00:14:46,590 And so we did actually a short campaign. 442 00:14:46,590 --> 00:14:50,160 Most campaigns lasts between 30 to 60 days and we did 443 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:54,860 just a 20 campaign and we had a goal of $5,000 444 00:14:54,950 --> 00:14:56,960 and we hit our goal of $5,000 445 00:14:56,990 --> 00:14:58,100 before the campaign ended, 446 00:14:58,100 --> 00:14:59,450 I think like halfway through. 447 00:14:59,450 --> 00:15:00,980 So by the time it ended, 448 00:15:00,980 --> 00:15:03,740 we had exceeded our goal of 5,000 449 00:15:03,740 --> 00:15:04,420 pounds. Oh, 450 00:15:04,420 --> 00:15:05,920 that's fabulous. 451 00:15:06,010 --> 00:15:08,080 Now that you've done that and had that experience, 452 00:15:08,110 --> 00:15:10,330 is there any advice for someone who wants to do a 453 00:15:10,330 --> 00:15:11,350 Kickstarter campaign? 454 00:15:11,530 --> 00:15:15,070 Yeah. My advice for the Kickstarter is to make sure you 455 00:15:15,070 --> 00:15:19,450 have your media plan in place before you start the campaign. 456 00:15:19,570 --> 00:15:23,020 So it's not enough to just throw your product or business 457 00:15:23,020 --> 00:15:23,860 idea on there. 458 00:15:23,860 --> 00:15:24,940 You project on there, 459 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,270 you have to know where your sources are going to come 460 00:15:28,270 --> 00:15:30,550 from. So you need to set up ahead of time, 461 00:15:30,670 --> 00:15:32,950 social media channels to say, 462 00:15:32,950 --> 00:15:33,760 this is coming, 463 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:34,810 your project is coming, 464 00:15:34,810 --> 00:15:37,660 get people excited about it and be able to drive them 465 00:15:37,660 --> 00:15:40,120 to the project page before you begin, 466 00:15:40,510 --> 00:15:42,040 that was a big learning for us. 467 00:15:42,100 --> 00:15:42,790 You might say, 468 00:15:42,790 --> 00:15:44,770 if you're just scrolling through the website, 469 00:15:44,830 --> 00:15:45,520 you might say, 470 00:15:45,520 --> 00:15:46,570 wow, this is incredible. 471 00:15:46,570 --> 00:15:47,320 How are these people? 472 00:15:47,320 --> 00:15:49,780 It, people are just out there wanting to throw money at 473 00:15:49,780 --> 00:15:50,230 you. Well, 474 00:15:50,230 --> 00:15:52,360 there's actually a lot of activities that go on on the 475 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:56,590 backend that you need to prepare for and start before you 476 00:15:56,590 --> 00:15:57,130 launch your part. 477 00:15:57,810 --> 00:16:01,540 Perfect. Thank you for that advice and congratulations on such a 478 00:16:01,540 --> 00:16:03,100 successful Kickstarter campaign. 479 00:16:03,550 --> 00:16:04,300 Yes. Thank you. 480 00:16:04,300 --> 00:16:04,630 It was, 481 00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:06,880 it was very interesting to be a part of that. 482 00:16:07,540 --> 00:16:09,460 So we took a little detour here, 483 00:16:09,610 --> 00:16:12,790 but let's get back to the conversation about finding that first 484 00:16:12,820 --> 00:16:15,370 initial manufacturer Again, 485 00:16:15,370 --> 00:16:16,030 it's, you know, 486 00:16:16,030 --> 00:16:17,050 asking the questions. 487 00:16:17,050 --> 00:16:18,340 So I was going around, 488 00:16:18,340 --> 00:16:18,520 you know, 489 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:20,710 I came up with a tool quotes, 490 00:16:20,770 --> 00:16:22,810 like as high as $50,000 491 00:16:23,230 --> 00:16:26,050 and then down to like $14,000, 492 00:16:26,230 --> 00:16:27,730 that was the range of difference. 493 00:16:27,910 --> 00:16:29,350 Meaning to make the initial product, 494 00:16:29,380 --> 00:16:32,050 the initial mold or whatever Exactly. 495 00:16:32,050 --> 00:16:33,670 Yeah. To make the mold for the product. 496 00:16:33,790 --> 00:16:34,270 And then again, 497 00:16:34,270 --> 00:16:35,170 ask you the questions like, 498 00:16:35,170 --> 00:16:36,880 well, why is there such a price disparity, 499 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:37,330 you know, 500 00:16:37,330 --> 00:16:40,090 and then understanding if I could go with the cheaper version. 501 00:16:40,090 --> 00:16:40,750 So, you know, 502 00:16:40,750 --> 00:16:43,240 I went with the cheaper version and then I would just 503 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:44,530 do small batches. 504 00:16:44,530 --> 00:16:46,630 I wasn't doing large batches. 505 00:16:46,630 --> 00:16:48,730 So a lot of times I know that a and we've 506 00:16:48,730 --> 00:16:50,140 had an investor say this to us like, 507 00:16:50,170 --> 00:16:51,580 Oh, make a hundred thousand units. 508 00:16:51,580 --> 00:16:53,860 And then your per piece cost is going to go down. 509 00:16:53,860 --> 00:16:55,180 So that'll be great for you. 510 00:16:55,180 --> 00:16:55,600 And I'm like, 511 00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:56,710 well, I'm actually, 512 00:16:56,710 --> 00:16:58,810 that doesn't make sense for me because I'm not going to 513 00:16:58,870 --> 00:17:02,110 invest that much money to have inventory sitting on the shelves 514 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:03,070 in my warehouse. 515 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:03,890 Right. Right. 516 00:17:03,910 --> 00:17:04,150 I mean, 517 00:17:04,150 --> 00:17:05,350 that's true over time, 518 00:17:05,350 --> 00:17:08,410 but you also still need to test the market and see 519 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:10,240 that people are actually going to buy it. 520 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:12,700 So we're going to get into some of the marketing stuff 521 00:17:12,700 --> 00:17:13,210 in a minute, 522 00:17:13,210 --> 00:17:14,110 but unless, 523 00:17:14,110 --> 00:17:14,650 you know, 524 00:17:14,650 --> 00:17:16,660 for sure that there's a demand there, 525 00:17:16,660 --> 00:17:18,430 if you're in a situation like this, 526 00:17:18,700 --> 00:17:20,620 yeah. Cost per piece is lower, 527 00:17:20,620 --> 00:17:21,430 but that's something you can, 528 00:17:21,490 --> 00:17:22,870 you can grow into. 529 00:17:23,170 --> 00:17:25,450 Don't have to do it right from the start and then 530 00:17:25,450 --> 00:17:27,580 just wrap up all your money into inventory. 531 00:17:27,610 --> 00:17:27,880 That's right. 532 00:17:28,030 --> 00:17:29,830 But I think that that's what a lot of people do. 533 00:17:29,890 --> 00:17:31,210 They are advised to do that, 534 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:31,720 to buy, 535 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:33,490 especially if you go overseas, 536 00:17:33,610 --> 00:17:35,530 right. You have to get larger volume. 537 00:17:35,650 --> 00:17:37,330 So that was one of the other reasons I wanted to 538 00:17:37,330 --> 00:17:40,660 make my product locally so that I could grow organically and 539 00:17:40,660 --> 00:17:43,390 take my time and also keep an eye on the production 540 00:17:43,390 --> 00:17:47,440 and manufacturing and make sure that each piece was molded properly. 541 00:17:47,440 --> 00:17:48,910 And that there were no issues, 542 00:17:49,350 --> 00:17:50,070 my product. 543 00:17:50,220 --> 00:17:52,620 So it was a lot of baby steps at the beginning, 544 00:17:52,620 --> 00:17:54,420 like just starting small. 545 00:17:54,600 --> 00:17:55,680 And if you start small, 546 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:59,010 it's very easy to manage the funds if you're starting like 547 00:17:59,010 --> 00:17:59,520 that. Right. 548 00:17:59,520 --> 00:18:00,720 So you make a small batch, 549 00:18:00,730 --> 00:18:02,730 you sell your first batch and then you can take that 550 00:18:02,730 --> 00:18:04,810 money and then reinvest it in another one. 551 00:18:04,810 --> 00:18:05,900 Yeah, Exactly. 552 00:18:05,930 --> 00:18:06,950 One quick question here, 553 00:18:06,950 --> 00:18:07,910 before we move on, 554 00:18:07,940 --> 00:18:11,570 from the time that you had your concept and you had 555 00:18:11,570 --> 00:18:14,150 it now as a computer design that you were ready to 556 00:18:14,150 --> 00:18:17,180 go and talk with manufacturers to the time you had a 557 00:18:17,180 --> 00:18:18,680 product ready for sale, 558 00:18:18,800 --> 00:18:20,210 how long was that span? 559 00:18:20,750 --> 00:18:23,570 I would say from when I first thought of the idea 560 00:18:23,570 --> 00:18:27,770 to when I first had my first molded prototype about 18 561 00:18:27,770 --> 00:18:28,940 months. Okay. 562 00:18:28,940 --> 00:18:33,200 So year and a half-ish and then when was it ready 563 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:33,770 for sale? 564 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,320 Once I had the first moldable, 565 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:39,560 the prototype a couple of months after that, 566 00:18:40,220 --> 00:18:43,850 You would say a reasonable timeframe because you really shopped around, 567 00:18:43,850 --> 00:18:45,890 you did a lot of research in all of that is 568 00:18:45,890 --> 00:18:46,970 about two years. 569 00:18:47,060 --> 00:18:47,270 I mean, 570 00:18:47,270 --> 00:18:49,040 you could probably rush it and go faster, 571 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:52,070 but your experience for this product was about two years. 572 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:52,790 Yeah, exactly. 573 00:18:52,790 --> 00:18:53,720 Yeah. For my product, 574 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:54,050 for sure. 575 00:18:54,050 --> 00:18:56,180 It was two years because it did take the time to 576 00:18:56,180 --> 00:18:58,850 figure out how it would look and do the design and 577 00:18:58,850 --> 00:19:00,710 then figure out where to have it made. 578 00:19:00,710 --> 00:19:01,430 So, yeah. 579 00:19:01,700 --> 00:19:04,010 And I wasn't doing it full time either when I first 580 00:19:04,130 --> 00:19:04,670 thought of it, 581 00:19:04,700 --> 00:19:07,310 I was kicking it around in my head and then trying 582 00:19:07,310 --> 00:19:08,030 to figure out, 583 00:19:08,060 --> 00:19:10,100 do I want to go ahead and do it? 584 00:19:10,100 --> 00:19:11,030 How would I do it? 585 00:19:11,030 --> 00:19:11,570 So, yeah. 586 00:19:11,690 --> 00:19:12,080 All right. 587 00:19:12,170 --> 00:19:15,590 And so now you've got your product and I'm sure simultaneously 588 00:19:15,590 --> 00:19:17,840 you're thinking of your sales and marketing plan. 589 00:19:18,020 --> 00:19:19,910 Yes. Talk us a little bit, 590 00:19:19,910 --> 00:19:20,090 you know, 591 00:19:20,090 --> 00:19:22,010 you've got this great product now. 592 00:19:22,040 --> 00:19:23,690 How is everyone going to know about it? 593 00:19:23,690 --> 00:19:25,100 How are you going to actually make sales? 594 00:19:25,190 --> 00:19:27,650 Yeah. So that is the next big challenge. 595 00:19:27,890 --> 00:19:28,880 What did you do there? 596 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:31,130 Well, I actually had in my head, 597 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:31,730 I thought, 598 00:19:31,730 --> 00:19:32,240 well, you know, 599 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:35,150 this is such an awesome product because when you talk to 600 00:19:35,150 --> 00:19:36,080 people about it, 601 00:19:36,140 --> 00:19:37,190 right, they're excited. 602 00:19:37,190 --> 00:19:38,450 They're enthusiastic. 603 00:19:38,450 --> 00:19:39,830 I had a lot of encouragement. 604 00:19:39,920 --> 00:19:42,380 So You did some focus group type things. 605 00:19:42,470 --> 00:19:43,850 Oh, I talked to everybody. 606 00:19:43,910 --> 00:19:44,450 Okay. Yeah. 607 00:19:44,510 --> 00:19:45,440 I talked to everybody. 608 00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:47,870 I could think of to ask them the question. 609 00:19:47,870 --> 00:19:48,620 What do you think, 610 00:19:48,620 --> 00:19:49,400 would you use this? 611 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:50,940 Is this something you've seen before? 612 00:19:50,940 --> 00:19:53,330 And What point in the process did you start doing that? 613 00:19:53,510 --> 00:19:54,890 Oh, I think right away. 614 00:19:55,330 --> 00:19:56,630 I was hoping that's what you'd say. 615 00:19:56,660 --> 00:19:57,290 Okay. Yeah, 616 00:19:57,380 --> 00:19:58,220 Yeah. Right away. 617 00:19:58,370 --> 00:19:58,940 And then I thought, 618 00:19:58,940 --> 00:19:59,210 you know, 619 00:19:59,210 --> 00:20:01,100 here, there's a few places that I, 620 00:20:01,160 --> 00:20:03,380 cause I worked in the retail environment and I know that 621 00:20:03,380 --> 00:20:06,200 I, my job was to meet with a lot of businesses 622 00:20:06,350 --> 00:20:08,840 to bring in new products to the store. 623 00:20:08,930 --> 00:20:10,040 And so I thought that, 624 00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:10,460 Oh, you know, 625 00:20:10,460 --> 00:20:12,170 it's not going to be problem because I know it's a 626 00:20:12,170 --> 00:20:14,450 unique item and there's a big market out there. 627 00:20:14,450 --> 00:20:16,760 And I had done the numbers of how many households would 628 00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:19,670 potentially buy this product and have super enthusiastic. 629 00:20:19,880 --> 00:20:22,760 And the first couple of places that I thought were going 630 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:24,530 to, it would be a slam dunk. 631 00:20:24,620 --> 00:20:25,580 It was not, 632 00:20:25,670 --> 00:20:27,590 let's say a slam dunk, 633 00:20:27,620 --> 00:20:28,670 not even close. 634 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,230 Okay. So let me back it, 635 00:20:30,230 --> 00:20:30,650 back it up. 636 00:20:30,650 --> 00:20:34,700 So your strategy then was not directly to consumer. 637 00:20:34,700 --> 00:20:36,230 You wanted to go through stores. 638 00:20:36,380 --> 00:20:37,700 I did want to go through stores. 639 00:20:37,700 --> 00:20:40,370 Yes. So I thought I needed the numbers. 640 00:20:40,580 --> 00:20:40,850 You know, 641 00:20:40,850 --> 00:20:43,850 she had it into the store versus to consumers directly. 642 00:20:43,910 --> 00:20:44,750 Sure. Okay. 643 00:20:44,750 --> 00:20:46,970 I just wanted to clarify that before we continued. 644 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:50,230 Okay. So the first two people saw this awesome product and 645 00:20:50,230 --> 00:20:52,450 they took a pass. 646 00:20:52,510 --> 00:20:54,360 So Let me give you an example. 647 00:20:54,360 --> 00:20:57,960 So we have a major hardware chain here in Canada and 648 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:00,480 it's a Canadian chain and they are, 649 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,190 and when I would tell people about this product, 650 00:21:02,190 --> 00:21:02,550 they were like, 651 00:21:02,580 --> 00:21:05,430 Oh, you should go to this store because they have very 652 00:21:05,430 --> 00:21:06,330 cool things. 653 00:21:06,330 --> 00:21:08,970 And they're always doing commercials for these unique gifty kitchen, 654 00:21:08,970 --> 00:21:09,780 gadgety ideas. 655 00:21:09,780 --> 00:21:10,920 This would be perfect for that. 656 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:11,490 So I thought, 657 00:21:11,490 --> 00:21:12,600 sure, that's a great idea. 658 00:21:12,600 --> 00:21:12,840 You know, 659 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,180 and I thought it's a Canadian product made in Canada. 660 00:21:15,180 --> 00:21:16,110 It's perfect for them. 661 00:21:16,350 --> 00:21:17,190 It's unique. 662 00:21:17,220 --> 00:21:18,570 It solves a problem. 663 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:19,740 It's demonstrable, 664 00:21:19,740 --> 00:21:21,870 so they could do a commercial for it. 665 00:21:22,050 --> 00:21:23,370 So I went into meet with the buyer. 666 00:21:23,370 --> 00:21:24,510 I was really excited. 667 00:21:24,510 --> 00:21:25,710 She was really nice. 668 00:21:25,770 --> 00:21:27,690 And I even agreed to give her the price. 669 00:21:27,690 --> 00:21:28,890 It was lower than I wanted. 670 00:21:29,130 --> 00:21:31,290 And actually at this time, 671 00:21:31,470 --> 00:21:34,350 I should mentioned that I had my idea for my next 672 00:21:34,350 --> 00:21:36,810 product, which was called the burger master, 673 00:21:37,740 --> 00:21:40,260 which is a freezer container that shapes and stores eight quarter 674 00:21:40,260 --> 00:21:41,460 pounders at once, 675 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:44,550 which I thought would be maybe more applicable to them because 676 00:21:44,550 --> 00:21:46,980 it is a hardware store and they sell barbecues and things 677 00:21:46,980 --> 00:21:48,060 like that in the meeting, 678 00:21:48,090 --> 00:21:49,170 she was excited about it. 679 00:21:49,410 --> 00:21:50,730 And then when I followed up, 680 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:52,560 she decided to do a pass. 681 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:52,890 She's like, 682 00:21:52,890 --> 00:21:53,820 actually yeah, 683 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:55,740 no, I decided I'm not going to go ahead. 684 00:21:55,740 --> 00:21:57,330 I'm not going to buy this product. 685 00:21:57,630 --> 00:21:59,610 What did you do when you hung up the phone? 686 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:01,770 Well, I was, 687 00:22:01,950 --> 00:22:03,030 as you can imagine, 688 00:22:03,060 --> 00:22:06,090 I was devastated because I thought this is perfect. 689 00:22:06,090 --> 00:22:08,070 How can she not see that this is perfect, 690 00:22:08,070 --> 00:22:08,670 but you know what? 691 00:22:08,670 --> 00:22:09,780 That was just the first, 692 00:22:09,780 --> 00:22:10,230 in many, 693 00:22:10,230 --> 00:22:14,760 many struggles that I've had in the business and it's fine 694 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:16,080 now. Like I'm okay with it. 695 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:16,320 You know, 696 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:16,890 I thought, 697 00:22:16,920 --> 00:22:17,100 you know, 698 00:22:17,100 --> 00:22:18,450 at the time I couldn't believe it, 699 00:22:18,450 --> 00:22:18,870 but you know, 700 00:22:18,870 --> 00:22:21,030 why? Like it just made me stronger and made me realize, 701 00:22:21,030 --> 00:22:21,750 okay, you know what, 702 00:22:21,870 --> 00:22:23,100 let's take a step back. 703 00:22:23,340 --> 00:22:25,200 And I changed my strategy. 704 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:28,440 And what I did was instead was I went to independent 705 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:29,340 kitchen stores, 706 00:22:29,580 --> 00:22:30,660 local stores, 707 00:22:31,110 --> 00:22:32,820 and I presented the smart cookie. 708 00:22:32,850 --> 00:22:35,070 So I had it already ready to go and my package 709 00:22:35,070 --> 00:22:37,020 and I asked them if they would take my product on 710 00:22:37,020 --> 00:22:39,960 consignment because a lot of them were hesitant to like, 711 00:22:39,990 --> 00:22:40,710 Oh, I don't know, 712 00:22:40,710 --> 00:22:43,620 you're an independent because they're used to dealing with distributors. 713 00:22:44,130 --> 00:22:44,640 And they said, 714 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:44,850 you know, 715 00:22:44,850 --> 00:22:45,720 you're an independent, 716 00:22:45,780 --> 00:22:48,150 I don't know if we want to bring in an independent 717 00:22:48,150 --> 00:22:49,380 product. What if it doesn't sell? 718 00:22:49,380 --> 00:22:49,740 And I said, 719 00:22:49,740 --> 00:22:50,280 you know what? 720 00:22:50,280 --> 00:22:51,960 I'm so confident it's going to sell, 721 00:22:52,230 --> 00:22:53,670 I'll give it to you on consignment. 722 00:22:54,060 --> 00:22:55,500 And so that's how I started. 723 00:22:55,710 --> 00:22:59,190 So then I started to build my stores locally around my 724 00:22:59,220 --> 00:23:00,900 city. In two months, 725 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:02,730 I got into about 13 stores. 726 00:23:02,790 --> 00:23:03,510 Oh wow. 727 00:23:03,630 --> 00:23:07,740 I was getting reorders and developing relationships with the store owners. 728 00:23:07,740 --> 00:23:08,640 So it was really great. 729 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,020 It was a great learning for me. 730 00:23:10,140 --> 00:23:12,780 And I really learned a lot from the store owners to 731 00:23:12,780 --> 00:23:16,230 what they're looking for and what their hesitations are and how 732 00:23:16,230 --> 00:23:18,030 I can overcome those hesitations, 733 00:23:18,060 --> 00:23:20,370 which really prepared me more for when I met with the 734 00:23:20,370 --> 00:23:20,850 bigger buyers. 735 00:23:21,420 --> 00:23:24,300 Sure. The thing I like about your story is that you 736 00:23:24,300 --> 00:23:26,880 were seeing some resistance from the bigger buyers. 737 00:23:27,120 --> 00:23:30,060 And so you didn't just keep doing the same thing you 738 00:23:30,060 --> 00:23:31,410 analyzed, what was going on. 739 00:23:31,410 --> 00:23:33,960 You thought about what you needed to tweak in terms of 740 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:36,240 going to a different option for now, 741 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:36,460 you know, 742 00:23:36,460 --> 00:23:39,150 the meaning more of the local stores and then also doing 743 00:23:39,150 --> 00:23:39,900 the consignment. 744 00:23:39,900 --> 00:23:40,920 It's kind of like, 745 00:23:41,190 --> 00:23:42,900 why would you not right? 746 00:23:43,710 --> 00:23:46,280 Why would they buy a new product? 747 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:48,170 That's so unique and different like this, 748 00:23:48,290 --> 00:23:50,360 if they're selling similar types of things, 749 00:23:50,360 --> 00:23:53,450 because the customer they were attracting was clearly the customer who 750 00:23:53,450 --> 00:23:54,410 would buy your product. 751 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:55,870 I also tell you Sue. 752 00:23:55,890 --> 00:23:58,630 So after a couple of years now selling my products, 753 00:23:58,630 --> 00:24:00,640 I have were in some larger chains. 754 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:02,350 And we're also in small independent stores. 755 00:24:02,410 --> 00:24:05,440 I find that the independent stores are really a much better 756 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:06,850 fit for my products, 757 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:10,450 just because the staff are so enthusiastic about them because they 758 00:24:10,450 --> 00:24:12,700 have a little video player that they get with it as 759 00:24:12,700 --> 00:24:14,770 well. And they're so enthusiastic. 760 00:24:14,770 --> 00:24:15,970 And when they meet me, 761 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:18,430 we have such a great relationship and they want to help 762 00:24:18,430 --> 00:24:21,640 me succeed that they draw the customers to the products. 763 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:22,720 Like they bring them there. 764 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:24,280 It's not just sitting on the shelf, 765 00:24:24,310 --> 00:24:26,050 right. So their customers come in and they say, 766 00:24:26,050 --> 00:24:26,620 what's new. 767 00:24:26,620 --> 00:24:28,720 What you have that I can buy for my friend, 768 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:31,060 who's having a baby or what can I buy friends getting 769 00:24:31,060 --> 00:24:32,380 married? What should I get them? 770 00:24:32,380 --> 00:24:32,890 And they dry, 771 00:24:32,950 --> 00:24:33,280 you know, 772 00:24:33,310 --> 00:24:34,780 take them right to my products and say, 773 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:36,040 this is awesome. 774 00:24:36,040 --> 00:24:38,020 And then the enthusiasm translates. 775 00:24:38,020 --> 00:24:41,320 So I don't know if a lot of companies would say 776 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:41,830 the same, 777 00:24:41,830 --> 00:24:44,980 but I prefer to be with the smaller independence. 778 00:24:45,220 --> 00:24:47,830 And so you were mentioning now that you are also in 779 00:24:47,830 --> 00:24:49,120 some larger chains, 780 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:52,270 how did that affect the inventory before we were talking about 781 00:24:52,270 --> 00:24:54,520 manufacturing and producing smaller lots, 782 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:58,480 initially what happened as you started building the business to your 783 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:00,100 inventory? Yes. 784 00:25:00,130 --> 00:25:03,610 So, because we had been selling in the smaller stores, 785 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:05,350 we were making money, 786 00:25:05,410 --> 00:25:08,590 so I could take that money to build more inventory. 787 00:25:08,860 --> 00:25:10,630 So it was growing organically. 788 00:25:10,630 --> 00:25:14,740 So I could manage the demand because I was selling smaller 789 00:25:14,740 --> 00:25:18,160 amounts. And then once I would get a larger order, 790 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:20,620 I had the money to fund that because I had been 791 00:25:20,980 --> 00:25:22,750 selling. Wonderful. 792 00:25:22,870 --> 00:25:23,500 Yeah. And then, 793 00:25:23,500 --> 00:25:26,320 And so then I did actually get into the bigger chains 794 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:28,270 by going with a distributor. 795 00:25:28,330 --> 00:25:31,180 Okay. Which is something I had learned from the smaller stores. 796 00:25:31,180 --> 00:25:31,450 So like, 797 00:25:31,450 --> 00:25:31,840 you know, 798 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:34,000 you're probably gonna want to go with a distributor if you 799 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:35,220 want to get into the chains. 800 00:25:35,220 --> 00:25:37,750 So, and that's What I did talk a little bit about 801 00:25:37,750 --> 00:25:38,740 how that works. 802 00:25:39,130 --> 00:25:39,670 Well, actually, 803 00:25:39,670 --> 00:25:42,580 so one of the sales reps for distributors saw me in 804 00:25:42,610 --> 00:25:45,220 one of the first stores that I had gotten into the 805 00:25:45,220 --> 00:25:47,800 independence and he came to me and he said, 806 00:25:47,830 --> 00:25:49,630 Oh, it's a great product. 807 00:25:49,630 --> 00:25:52,090 Do you have a distributor that you're working with? 808 00:25:52,210 --> 00:25:54,100 So that's how I came to work with them. 809 00:25:54,580 --> 00:25:55,060 Got it. 810 00:25:55,060 --> 00:25:58,060 And the numbers probably look a little bit differently for the 811 00:25:58,060 --> 00:26:00,850 products that are going through to distributor versus the products that 812 00:26:00,850 --> 00:26:02,740 you're selling directly to the smaller boutiques. 813 00:26:03,820 --> 00:26:04,630 Definitely. Yeah. 814 00:26:04,860 --> 00:26:05,740 Okay. All right. 815 00:26:05,770 --> 00:26:06,340 But it's The, 816 00:26:06,340 --> 00:26:06,610 you know, 817 00:26:06,610 --> 00:26:07,210 the volume, 818 00:26:07,210 --> 00:26:08,200 right. So sure, 819 00:26:08,260 --> 00:26:09,910 sure. It's a balancing act. 820 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:13,900 Yeah. And I really like what you're talking about in terms 821 00:26:13,900 --> 00:26:17,230 of the smaller store sales, 822 00:26:17,230 --> 00:26:20,950 then providing you a stable financial platform for the point where 823 00:26:20,950 --> 00:26:24,190 you get into the larger ones really worth going. 824 00:26:24,220 --> 00:26:25,990 I won't say slow and steady, 825 00:26:25,990 --> 00:26:29,110 but medium and steady being able to fund it as you 826 00:26:29,110 --> 00:26:31,600 go makes you sleep better at night issue. 827 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:33,250 It sure does. 828 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:35,350 But it also has a proof of concept, 829 00:26:35,350 --> 00:26:36,550 right? Because you can say, 830 00:26:36,550 --> 00:26:37,630 well, you know, 831 00:26:37,630 --> 00:26:41,230 I am selling right now and I'm getting reorders and I'm 832 00:26:41,230 --> 00:26:43,270 getting positive customer feedback. 833 00:26:43,290 --> 00:26:46,410 So it gives you proof of concept to go to the 834 00:26:46,410 --> 00:26:47,730 larger buyers and say, 835 00:26:47,730 --> 00:26:49,830 it's not coming up cold off the street. 836 00:26:50,040 --> 00:26:52,140 Like I have support for this product. 837 00:26:52,500 --> 00:26:56,070 So after a year of selling my products in stores, 838 00:26:56,100 --> 00:26:59,730 my husband actually quit his full-time job and joined the business 839 00:26:59,730 --> 00:27:00,210 with me. 840 00:27:00,570 --> 00:27:02,970 So now we work together on growing the business. 841 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:04,400 That is awesome. 842 00:27:04,430 --> 00:27:06,800 Was that an initial goal of yours at some point for 843 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:08,240 both of you to be working the business? 844 00:27:09,050 --> 00:27:10,040 I don't know. 845 00:27:10,130 --> 00:27:10,960 Did you just say, 846 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:14,180 we're looking at the bank account and I'm looking at things 847 00:27:14,180 --> 00:27:17,900 that need to get done and we need more help got 848 00:27:17,900 --> 00:27:19,070 free free labor row. 849 00:27:19,070 --> 00:27:19,510 And if the, 850 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:21,410 you know, 851 00:27:21,410 --> 00:27:22,940 he was always Supportive, 852 00:27:22,970 --> 00:27:23,180 you know, 853 00:27:23,180 --> 00:27:23,890 the funny thing is, 854 00:27:23,890 --> 00:27:25,370 is he doesn't even like cookies, 855 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:27,470 but when I came to him with the idea about the 856 00:27:27,590 --> 00:27:28,430 smart cookies, 857 00:27:28,430 --> 00:27:30,050 like I think that's fantastic. 858 00:27:30,050 --> 00:27:30,260 I think, 859 00:27:30,260 --> 00:27:31,190 yeah, You should do it. 860 00:27:31,220 --> 00:27:32,060 Let's do it. 861 00:27:32,480 --> 00:27:33,650 Oh, that's awesome. 862 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:35,930 He was so supportive and I, 863 00:27:35,930 --> 00:27:38,240 yeah, I couldn't have done it without his support obviously. 864 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:40,160 Right. I bet he likes cookies now. 865 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:41,540 Well, he loves burgers. 866 00:27:42,890 --> 00:27:44,210 So after the smart cookies, 867 00:27:44,210 --> 00:27:46,100 like let's make a product that I would use. 868 00:27:46,130 --> 00:27:46,700 So We said, 869 00:27:46,700 --> 00:27:48,140 okay, let's do a burger version. 870 00:27:48,140 --> 00:27:49,730 And that's the one that yeah. 871 00:27:49,790 --> 00:27:51,350 Is near and dear to his heart. 872 00:27:52,310 --> 00:27:53,090 There you go. 873 00:27:53,150 --> 00:27:53,600 But you know, 874 00:27:53,600 --> 00:27:54,500 working together, 875 00:27:54,500 --> 00:27:54,970 it's really, 876 00:27:55,130 --> 00:27:57,050 It's just been phenomenal. 877 00:27:57,050 --> 00:27:57,260 You know, 878 00:27:57,260 --> 00:27:59,930 we've grown the business exponentially since he started. 879 00:27:59,930 --> 00:28:03,770 Cause we started with our online activities at that point. 880 00:28:03,770 --> 00:28:05,810 So we started getting really into Facebook, 881 00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:07,670 which has been huge for us. 882 00:28:07,910 --> 00:28:11,180 I know you've talked about the importance of social media businesses. 883 00:28:11,630 --> 00:28:14,360 Absolutely. Talk a little bit about what you're doing on social 884 00:28:14,360 --> 00:28:16,610 media. That's that's a good place to go next. 885 00:28:17,030 --> 00:28:18,980 Okay. So on Facebook, 886 00:28:19,130 --> 00:28:22,490 our product seems to be a perfect fit for Facebook because 887 00:28:22,490 --> 00:28:26,510 we do constantly upload videos on how to use the products 888 00:28:26,510 --> 00:28:29,330 and the recipes to use with the products and how it'll 889 00:28:29,330 --> 00:28:30,800 make your life easier. 890 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:32,060 Because that is my mission. 891 00:28:32,060 --> 00:28:34,850 My mission is to help busy households, 892 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:35,060 you know, 893 00:28:35,060 --> 00:28:36,500 not just people with kids, 894 00:28:36,500 --> 00:28:36,830 but people, 895 00:28:36,830 --> 00:28:37,010 you know, 896 00:28:37,010 --> 00:28:38,750 who work 12 hours a day, 897 00:28:38,780 --> 00:28:39,560 you come home, 898 00:28:39,560 --> 00:28:41,690 you want to have something that you can heat at home. 899 00:28:41,690 --> 00:28:43,340 You don't want to have to stop off at the grocery 900 00:28:43,340 --> 00:28:45,140 store. You don't want to have to stop off at a 901 00:28:45,140 --> 00:28:46,670 fast food restaurant. 902 00:28:46,670 --> 00:28:48,890 This is faster than any of those things. 903 00:28:48,890 --> 00:28:50,450 So you just go to your freezer, 904 00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:53,150 pull it out and heat it in the microwave or on 905 00:28:53,150 --> 00:28:53,930 the stove top. 906 00:28:54,170 --> 00:28:56,720 And you have a comforting warm meal for you ready to 907 00:28:56,720 --> 00:28:59,540 go. So that is my mission to help people make food 908 00:28:59,540 --> 00:29:02,330 at home and healthy are to so much healthier. 909 00:29:02,330 --> 00:29:04,910 Yeah. And also I have picky eaters. 910 00:29:04,970 --> 00:29:07,040 I don't know if anyone out there has picky eaters, 911 00:29:07,040 --> 00:29:10,100 but my kids and my husband are all picky eaters. 912 00:29:10,370 --> 00:29:14,120 So now everyone has their own favorite meal ready to go 913 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:14,990 in a container. 914 00:29:15,170 --> 00:29:17,330 Right? So one person can have plain rice, 915 00:29:17,330 --> 00:29:18,950 one person can have fried rice. 916 00:29:18,950 --> 00:29:21,650 Another person can have stew good point. 917 00:29:21,650 --> 00:29:23,450 And we all sit down and eat together. 918 00:29:23,690 --> 00:29:25,700 We eat the same food. 919 00:29:25,730 --> 00:29:28,040 Yeah. And it's great for families with allergies. 920 00:29:28,100 --> 00:29:30,440 If you're worried about the cross-contamination right. 921 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:33,590 You can have one container for the person who has a 922 00:29:33,590 --> 00:29:36,770 specific food restrictions and it's ready to go. 923 00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:38,540 You don't have to make two separate meals. 924 00:29:38,660 --> 00:29:39,230 Right. Okay. 925 00:29:39,230 --> 00:29:40,400 So you're doing on Facebook, 926 00:29:40,400 --> 00:29:41,890 you're doing video demos. 927 00:29:42,070 --> 00:29:44,110 Are you doing any selling directly from Facebook? 928 00:29:44,460 --> 00:29:45,000 We do. 929 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:46,710 We do sell directly from Facebook. 930 00:29:46,710 --> 00:29:49,590 We started that out of the buy here button a couple 931 00:29:49,590 --> 00:29:50,490 of months ago. 932 00:29:50,640 --> 00:29:51,420 How's that going? 933 00:29:51,540 --> 00:29:52,410 It's amazing. 934 00:29:52,410 --> 00:29:55,230 We're drawing people to our website actually just last week. 935 00:29:55,230 --> 00:29:57,810 So it's great that we have this podcast today because just 936 00:29:57,810 --> 00:30:01,440 last week we had a huge spike in our sales because 937 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:02,880 one of our videos went viral. 938 00:30:03,270 --> 00:30:04,980 I guess it's because spring, 939 00:30:05,010 --> 00:30:06,180 I don't know what it was. 940 00:30:06,180 --> 00:30:08,280 It was just a video that we had been running for 941 00:30:08,280 --> 00:30:11,040 a while about how to use the burgermaster and it just 942 00:30:11,040 --> 00:30:13,890 went viral and people were sharing it and sharing it. 943 00:30:13,890 --> 00:30:17,940 And we had over 7 million views on that one video. 944 00:30:18,090 --> 00:30:18,480 Wow. Yeah, 945 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:19,470 it was amazing. 946 00:30:19,470 --> 00:30:22,920 And just the comments people were leaving and we doubled our 947 00:30:22,920 --> 00:30:23,490 Facebook following. 948 00:30:23,490 --> 00:30:25,260 So we had about 35,000. 949 00:30:25,260 --> 00:30:26,520 Now we have 70,000 950 00:30:26,550 --> 00:30:29,070 Facebook followers just within a few days. 951 00:30:29,490 --> 00:30:30,870 That's crazy. 952 00:30:30,870 --> 00:30:32,280 Congratulations on that. 953 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:34,110 That's super Was amazing. 954 00:30:34,110 --> 00:30:35,160 It was so exciting, 955 00:30:35,190 --> 00:30:35,400 you know, 956 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:38,160 just to see the power of social media. 957 00:30:38,340 --> 00:30:39,330 Absolutely incredible. 958 00:30:39,690 --> 00:30:43,920 Yeah. Were you running targeted ads or who was your audience 959 00:30:43,920 --> 00:30:45,120 with these videos? 960 00:30:45,630 --> 00:30:49,500 We're running several ads related to the different products, 961 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:52,950 but we found actually that it's more effective to have a 962 00:30:52,950 --> 00:30:56,070 wider target target audience set up for your ads. 963 00:30:56,070 --> 00:30:58,620 So because before we were narrowing it more to a smaller 964 00:30:58,620 --> 00:31:00,510 age range with different interests, 965 00:31:00,510 --> 00:31:01,710 and then once we opened it up, 966 00:31:01,740 --> 00:31:04,860 we found it was more of an uptake on people viewing 967 00:31:04,980 --> 00:31:05,790 the videos. 968 00:31:06,150 --> 00:31:10,410 Very interesting because normally people will say niche it down, 969 00:31:10,410 --> 00:31:10,590 you know, 970 00:31:10,590 --> 00:31:11,630 go through power editor, 971 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:12,300 niche it down, 972 00:31:12,300 --> 00:31:13,830 really identify your audience. 973 00:31:13,860 --> 00:31:15,210 Now it's also because of your product, 974 00:31:15,210 --> 00:31:17,880 because your product was spans a wide range of people. 975 00:31:18,270 --> 00:31:20,130 Yeah. I think that's the key cause you really, 976 00:31:20,190 --> 00:31:21,780 you don't know unless you try, 977 00:31:22,050 --> 00:31:24,150 right. You might have a view of, 978 00:31:24,180 --> 00:31:24,420 you know, 979 00:31:24,420 --> 00:31:25,800 who your target audience is. 980 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:27,690 And then something like, 981 00:31:27,690 --> 00:31:27,900 you know, 982 00:31:27,900 --> 00:31:29,520 we've even had people come to us and say, 983 00:31:29,580 --> 00:31:31,110 well, this would be great for pet food. 984 00:31:31,230 --> 00:31:33,570 A lot of people are making their own pet food now. 985 00:31:33,990 --> 00:31:34,350 So like, 986 00:31:34,380 --> 00:31:36,630 Oh, I would love to use this to make my dog 987 00:31:36,630 --> 00:31:37,650 food and you know, 988 00:31:37,650 --> 00:31:38,280 things like that. 989 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:38,670 And I'm like, 990 00:31:38,670 --> 00:31:39,570 I never would have, 991 00:31:39,660 --> 00:31:40,500 I don't have a dog, 992 00:31:40,530 --> 00:31:42,090 so I never would have thought of that. 993 00:31:42,150 --> 00:31:44,670 Right. But it's because if you widen the audience and you 994 00:31:44,670 --> 00:31:47,910 listen to your customers and you look at the feedback and 995 00:31:47,910 --> 00:31:49,320 you look at the comments, 996 00:31:49,320 --> 00:31:51,930 you can learn so much from your audience base through social 997 00:31:51,930 --> 00:31:54,360 media, You can learn so much from your audience. 998 00:31:54,360 --> 00:31:55,020 So true. 999 00:31:55,260 --> 00:31:56,340 So true. 1000 00:31:57,090 --> 00:31:57,420 All right. 1001 00:31:57,630 --> 00:32:00,090 I want to back up for one second. 1002 00:32:00,090 --> 00:32:02,940 Cause you had mentioned something when we were talking in store 1003 00:32:02,970 --> 00:32:05,550 that I just want to capture before we move on. 1004 00:32:05,550 --> 00:32:06,690 And that was, 1005 00:32:06,900 --> 00:32:09,780 I heard you really quickly talk about in store. 1006 00:32:09,780 --> 00:32:12,930 You also have video playing on how to use the product. 1007 00:32:13,170 --> 00:32:14,220 Yes, yes. 1008 00:32:14,220 --> 00:32:14,790 That is correct. 1009 00:32:15,060 --> 00:32:18,750 Okay. So where in the process did you decide that that 1010 00:32:18,750 --> 00:32:21,180 was what you were going to do and talk us through 1011 00:32:21,180 --> 00:32:23,010 how that all was created? 1012 00:32:23,340 --> 00:32:27,120 We decided to do a video in the store because it 1013 00:32:27,120 --> 00:32:28,530 was such a new concept. 1014 00:32:28,530 --> 00:32:32,160 Like there was nothing around that actually did this function, 1015 00:32:32,280 --> 00:32:33,240 right? Like no one, 1016 00:32:33,270 --> 00:32:35,310 even when you try to explain it to people and on 1017 00:32:35,310 --> 00:32:35,820 our product, 1018 00:32:35,820 --> 00:32:38,730 we had illustrations on the friend to show people how it, 1019 00:32:39,290 --> 00:32:41,840 and it was just such a new concept that people really 1020 00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:43,190 had a hard time grasping. 1021 00:32:43,190 --> 00:32:44,660 Like how does this actually work? 1022 00:32:44,660 --> 00:32:46,700 Like how would I actually use this product? 1023 00:32:46,790 --> 00:32:49,010 So we had to develop a video. 1024 00:32:49,010 --> 00:32:51,380 So we noticed when we were doing shows, 1025 00:32:51,500 --> 00:32:53,960 we were at like a craft show or a trade show. 1026 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:56,660 We would have a video there and people would just sit 1027 00:32:56,660 --> 00:32:57,830 and watch the video. 1028 00:32:58,130 --> 00:32:59,270 They wouldn't come and talk to us. 1029 00:32:59,270 --> 00:33:01,760 They would just kind of stand a few feet away and 1030 00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:03,260 just stand and watch the video. 1031 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:05,390 And then we would see them nodding their heads like, 1032 00:33:05,420 --> 00:33:06,410 Oh, okay. 1033 00:33:06,410 --> 00:33:09,650 Yeah. So we wanted to take that experience and put it 1034 00:33:09,650 --> 00:33:13,160 into the stores beside the product so that the onus wasn't 1035 00:33:13,160 --> 00:33:16,610 all on the sales person to try and paint a picture 1036 00:33:16,610 --> 00:33:17,150 for them. 1037 00:33:17,420 --> 00:33:20,120 We really needed to be able to show quickly in 30 1038 00:33:20,120 --> 00:33:23,630 seconds, how easily it works and what you would use it 1039 00:33:23,630 --> 00:33:28,060 for. So do you provide what a rotating loop video to 1040 00:33:28,060 --> 00:33:30,820 any store that purchases your product? 1041 00:33:30,880 --> 00:33:32,140 Or is it a requirement? 1042 00:33:32,740 --> 00:33:34,030 It's not a requirement, 1043 00:33:34,030 --> 00:33:37,750 but we highly encourage the stores to get the video player. 1044 00:33:37,780 --> 00:33:39,850 So depending on the order size, 1045 00:33:39,850 --> 00:33:41,770 we'll give you the video player for free, 1046 00:33:41,950 --> 00:33:44,110 or you can purchase the video player because, 1047 00:33:44,200 --> 00:33:45,430 and even when you purchase it, 1048 00:33:45,430 --> 00:33:47,860 we've subsidized the cost of the video player. 1049 00:33:47,870 --> 00:33:48,250 So it's like, 1050 00:33:48,250 --> 00:33:49,510 you'd go buy on yourself. 1051 00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:52,180 It's at a better cost because we found that stores have 1052 00:33:52,180 --> 00:33:54,070 told us that when you have the player, 1053 00:33:54,130 --> 00:33:55,180 it just sells itself. 1054 00:33:55,210 --> 00:33:56,050 People can see it, 1055 00:33:56,080 --> 00:33:56,740 they like it. 1056 00:33:56,740 --> 00:33:58,330 They want it it's easy. 1057 00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:01,120 Right. And so all they need is a power source, 1058 00:34:01,670 --> 00:34:03,280 Use a power source plug and play. 1059 00:34:03,370 --> 00:34:06,160 But also we find a lot of stores now have their 1060 00:34:06,160 --> 00:34:07,720 own monitor in the store. 1061 00:34:07,810 --> 00:34:08,590 So they just say, 1062 00:34:08,620 --> 00:34:11,410 Oh, just send me where your website is or your YouTube 1063 00:34:11,440 --> 00:34:13,210 channel. And I'll just play it from there. 1064 00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:15,790 I don't even need my own video player. 1065 00:34:15,790 --> 00:34:16,900 Yeah. Well, 1066 00:34:16,900 --> 00:34:20,020 and anything you can do to assist them to move product 1067 00:34:20,020 --> 00:34:21,130 is a win-win for both of you. 1068 00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:22,840 Definitely. Yeah. 1069 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:25,210 So that's why you need to keep a handle on the 1070 00:34:25,210 --> 00:34:27,760 relationship with the store owners to see what they need, 1071 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:30,310 because not everybody wants to have a video player and if 1072 00:34:30,310 --> 00:34:31,210 they don't need a video player, 1073 00:34:31,210 --> 00:34:35,140 then we'll give the marketing material to support which specific product 1074 00:34:35,140 --> 00:34:37,360 they have to show the different uses. 1075 00:34:37,360 --> 00:34:40,540 So we're very open to working individually with the stores. 1076 00:34:40,630 --> 00:34:42,040 It sounds like though, 1077 00:34:42,070 --> 00:34:44,590 you've done a comparison and people who are doing the player 1078 00:34:44,590 --> 00:34:45,730 are moving more product. 1079 00:34:46,300 --> 00:34:47,200 Yes. Yeah. 1080 00:34:47,260 --> 00:34:49,090 Or they're playing the video themselves. 1081 00:34:49,240 --> 00:34:49,960 Right. They have, 1082 00:34:50,020 --> 00:34:51,820 they have a way to find type of a demo. 1083 00:34:51,880 --> 00:34:53,020 Yes, definitely. 1084 00:34:54,040 --> 00:34:54,400 All right, 1085 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:57,430 Maya, we're going to move on now to the reflection section. 1086 00:34:57,460 --> 00:35:00,370 This is where we look at you and your activities and 1087 00:35:00,370 --> 00:35:03,430 what you're doing that makes you so successful. 1088 00:35:03,580 --> 00:35:05,710 I want you to think back when you were little baking 1089 00:35:05,710 --> 00:35:06,460 those cookies, 1090 00:35:06,460 --> 00:35:08,020 you've already talked about the fact that, 1091 00:35:08,020 --> 00:35:08,290 you know, 1092 00:35:08,290 --> 00:35:11,650 you've kind of had that entrepreneurial spirit the whole time, 1093 00:35:11,710 --> 00:35:15,730 but what specific trait is it that you call on each 1094 00:35:15,730 --> 00:35:16,600 and every time? 1095 00:35:16,630 --> 00:35:17,950 So that you're successful? 1096 00:35:18,880 --> 00:35:21,760 I would say the most beneficial trait I have is the 1097 00:35:21,760 --> 00:35:24,940 ability to push the envelope and to ask questions. 1098 00:35:25,150 --> 00:35:28,930 So I know that people's tendencies is to stay within their 1099 00:35:28,930 --> 00:35:30,010 comfort zone, 1100 00:35:30,100 --> 00:35:30,520 you know, 1101 00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:33,610 and to just use experiences that they had. 1102 00:35:33,880 --> 00:35:36,670 I try to push people to think differently just because you've 1103 00:35:36,670 --> 00:35:37,800 done one way. 1104 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:39,690 Doesn't mean you can't try another way. 1105 00:35:39,960 --> 00:35:42,240 When I started a lot of the people I was talking 1106 00:35:42,240 --> 00:35:42,630 to, they're like, 1107 00:35:42,630 --> 00:35:44,070 well, you can't make this here. 1108 00:35:44,070 --> 00:35:45,090 You can't make a locally. 1109 00:35:45,090 --> 00:35:46,410 You're going to have to go to China. 1110 00:35:46,440 --> 00:35:48,990 Like there's no way you can't make the costs work. 1111 00:35:49,170 --> 00:35:51,210 You're not going to be able to find the expertise here 1112 00:35:51,210 --> 00:35:51,960 that you need. 1113 00:35:52,050 --> 00:35:53,340 I just stuck to my guns. 1114 00:35:53,340 --> 00:35:56,370 And I kept asking questions and looking for the right people 1115 00:35:56,370 --> 00:35:56,970 who were there, 1116 00:35:57,000 --> 00:35:59,580 who were going to support me and work with me and 1117 00:35:59,790 --> 00:36:01,950 go forward with new challenges with me. 1118 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:05,100 So I think that was the most important thing in building 1119 00:36:05,100 --> 00:36:07,020 my business was just asking the question, 1120 00:36:07,020 --> 00:36:07,860 like, why not? 1121 00:36:07,860 --> 00:36:08,580 When people would say, 1122 00:36:08,610 --> 00:36:09,450 Oh, you can't do that. 1123 00:36:09,450 --> 00:36:09,840 And I would say, 1124 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:10,500 why not? 1125 00:36:10,590 --> 00:36:12,060 Usually when you ask people that question, 1126 00:36:12,090 --> 00:36:13,350 they don't have a good answer. 1127 00:36:13,890 --> 00:36:14,310 You know, 1128 00:36:14,340 --> 00:36:15,450 they're usually they, 1129 00:36:15,480 --> 00:36:16,590 their first instinct, 1130 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:17,610 not maliciously, 1131 00:36:17,610 --> 00:36:19,620 but just their first instinct is to say, 1132 00:36:19,650 --> 00:36:20,070 no, no, 1133 00:36:20,070 --> 00:36:22,440 no, we don't do it that way. 1134 00:36:22,500 --> 00:36:23,340 And then just to say, 1135 00:36:23,340 --> 00:36:27,270 why not really opens it up and gets people thinking? 1136 00:36:27,450 --> 00:36:29,190 And that's really what I try to do. 1137 00:36:29,190 --> 00:36:31,770 Cause I have a goal and I have a end point 1138 00:36:31,770 --> 00:36:33,270 in mind and I want to get there. 1139 00:36:33,410 --> 00:36:34,160 Yeah. You know what? 1140 00:36:34,160 --> 00:36:35,780 That's really big Maya, 1141 00:36:35,810 --> 00:36:39,860 because most people would just accept that and stop give biz 1142 00:36:39,860 --> 00:36:42,560 listeners. I want you to think about this because what Maya 1143 00:36:42,560 --> 00:36:45,020 is saying is why not prove it, 1144 00:36:45,080 --> 00:36:46,430 prove that I can't do it. 1145 00:36:46,430 --> 00:36:48,950 And she went out to prove that she could. 1146 00:36:49,040 --> 00:36:54,440 And it's those people who challenge the standard thought process. 1147 00:36:54,440 --> 00:36:55,220 If you will, 1148 00:36:55,250 --> 00:36:58,460 who are able to create products like Maya's doing. 1149 00:36:58,460 --> 00:37:00,440 So if you have an idea, 1150 00:37:00,470 --> 00:37:01,520 you have a concept. 1151 00:37:01,520 --> 00:37:02,930 Someone has said to you, 1152 00:37:02,930 --> 00:37:04,850 it's not going to work or has, 1153 00:37:04,880 --> 00:37:07,820 have given you any type of resistance. 1154 00:37:07,850 --> 00:37:11,270 Listen to what Maya's saying here and consider to yourself, 1155 00:37:11,360 --> 00:37:13,310 ask and why not. 1156 00:37:13,790 --> 00:37:15,230 Okay. Really good point. 1157 00:37:15,230 --> 00:37:16,040 I love that. 1158 00:37:16,040 --> 00:37:19,880 You said that what tool in your normal course of a 1159 00:37:19,880 --> 00:37:23,390 day, do you use regularly to keep productive at the office 1160 00:37:23,450 --> 00:37:27,410 or to keep yourself balanced with your work life versus your 1161 00:37:27,410 --> 00:37:32,570 family? I would say the biggest tool for our business is 1162 00:37:32,600 --> 00:37:37,850 Facebook. Just because you have that immediate connection with your audience 1163 00:37:38,120 --> 00:37:38,660 right away, 1164 00:37:38,660 --> 00:37:42,380 you get a sense of whether something is successful or you 1165 00:37:42,380 --> 00:37:44,060 need to tweak it a little bit more. 1166 00:37:44,300 --> 00:37:45,920 You get that immediate response. 1167 00:37:46,010 --> 00:37:49,700 And if you take the time to put out content and 1168 00:37:49,700 --> 00:37:51,770 then review how the content is performing, 1169 00:37:51,780 --> 00:37:54,830 I think a lot of businesses might just throw things up 1170 00:37:54,860 --> 00:37:56,720 and not really track what's working. 1171 00:37:56,720 --> 00:37:57,470 What's not working. 1172 00:37:57,470 --> 00:37:59,300 And they just keep trying to add content, 1173 00:37:59,300 --> 00:38:00,110 add content, 1174 00:38:00,170 --> 00:38:01,910 but we really like to review it, 1175 00:38:01,940 --> 00:38:05,150 get the customer feedback and change course, 1176 00:38:05,150 --> 00:38:05,990 if necessary, 1177 00:38:05,990 --> 00:38:09,350 if we're finding that something is not resonating or not applicable 1178 00:38:09,350 --> 00:38:10,340 to our audience, 1179 00:38:10,880 --> 00:38:13,940 You're using Facebook as really a communication tool. 1180 00:38:14,420 --> 00:38:16,100 And it sounds like you're getting quite a bit of engaged. 1181 00:38:16,730 --> 00:38:17,810 Yeah, it's amazing. 1182 00:38:17,960 --> 00:38:19,310 I love it personally. 1183 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:21,560 I was not a big fan of Facebook, 1184 00:38:21,710 --> 00:38:23,630 but for business it's invaluable. 1185 00:38:23,660 --> 00:38:26,870 Cool. And do you have any tips for people of how 1186 00:38:26,870 --> 00:38:30,650 you balance being an entrepreneur in your life and also raising 1187 00:38:30,650 --> 00:38:32,960 a young family with a pet bunny? 1188 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:36,430 You know, 1189 00:38:36,430 --> 00:38:39,810 I think Being with my husband makes it easier because we 1190 00:38:39,810 --> 00:38:43,590 are both working together and then we can trade off with 1191 00:38:43,590 --> 00:38:44,340 the children. 1192 00:38:44,400 --> 00:38:46,230 We're both with each other all the time. 1193 00:38:46,230 --> 00:38:49,020 And then we can work with the kids childcare and things 1194 00:38:49,020 --> 00:38:49,500 like that. 1195 00:38:49,590 --> 00:38:52,410 We're still trying to figure out how to balance everything because 1196 00:38:52,410 --> 00:38:53,550 as you can imagine, 1197 00:38:53,610 --> 00:38:55,680 the internet is so much opportunity, 1198 00:38:55,680 --> 00:38:59,160 but also provides immediate access and it never shuts off. 1199 00:38:59,160 --> 00:39:03,510 So we're always answering questions from our customers 24 seven, 1200 00:39:03,570 --> 00:39:04,800 because we're so enthusiastic. 1201 00:39:04,800 --> 00:39:06,060 We want to get back to them right away. 1202 00:39:06,060 --> 00:39:08,130 We don't want to have a big delay in response. 1203 00:39:08,580 --> 00:39:11,040 Sure. I think balance and things change too. 1204 00:39:11,070 --> 00:39:12,480 Not only does the internet change, 1205 00:39:12,510 --> 00:39:15,450 but your family changes as your girls get older, 1206 00:39:15,510 --> 00:39:16,680 their needs will keep changing. 1207 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:19,350 So I think balance is always an issue. 1208 00:39:20,130 --> 00:39:20,550 That's true. 1209 00:39:20,550 --> 00:39:23,110 And if any of your listeners have any tips for them, 1210 00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:25,260 Fun out of balance, 1211 00:39:27,330 --> 00:39:29,940 keep listening to the podcast because everyone gives another answer. 1212 00:39:29,940 --> 00:39:31,890 Right? That's true. 1213 00:39:32,430 --> 00:39:34,590 Have you read them book lately that you think our listeners 1214 00:39:34,620 --> 00:39:35,640 would find value in? 1215 00:39:36,210 --> 00:39:38,910 Yeah. I actually just read a book Called the confidence game 1216 00:39:39,030 --> 00:39:44,340 by Maria Konnikova and she talks about people who are con 1217 00:39:44,340 --> 00:39:46,260 men, the tactics that they use, 1218 00:39:46,440 --> 00:39:48,390 which I am not using for my business. 1219 00:39:48,390 --> 00:39:49,680 I'm not trying to caught anyone, 1220 00:39:49,680 --> 00:39:52,350 but it was really interesting because the learning in that book 1221 00:39:52,350 --> 00:39:55,350 was that you need to listen more than you talk. 1222 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:59,770 You need to be able to listen to people when they're 1223 00:39:59,770 --> 00:40:00,930 not just customers, 1224 00:40:00,930 --> 00:40:03,450 even suppliers or anyone that you're dealing with, 1225 00:40:03,810 --> 00:40:05,460 what are they looking for? 1226 00:40:05,580 --> 00:40:07,650 What kind of problems are they trying to solve? 1227 00:40:07,680 --> 00:40:09,300 What are they hesitant about? 1228 00:40:09,300 --> 00:40:12,660 So you can't get that information unless you're listening. 1229 00:40:12,720 --> 00:40:14,640 And I think a lot of times people just want to 1230 00:40:14,640 --> 00:40:16,980 get their agenda out there and they'd talk and talk and 1231 00:40:16,980 --> 00:40:17,850 talk and return. 1232 00:40:17,850 --> 00:40:18,870 They're not really listening. 1233 00:40:18,960 --> 00:40:20,760 That was really something that made me think, 1234 00:40:20,790 --> 00:40:21,720 Oh, that's a good point. 1235 00:40:21,720 --> 00:40:24,060 I really should focus on listening. 1236 00:40:24,060 --> 00:40:26,550 And it's something you have to really make an effort to 1237 00:40:26,550 --> 00:40:30,420 do sometimes is to just be still and just listen to 1238 00:40:30,420 --> 00:40:31,980 the person that you're talking to. 1239 00:40:31,980 --> 00:40:33,720 So that was a good reminder for me. 1240 00:40:34,020 --> 00:40:36,480 I'm always so eager to get going and I need to 1241 00:40:36,480 --> 00:40:39,540 take the time to calm down and then settle and listen, 1242 00:40:39,810 --> 00:40:41,100 and then prepare my answer. 1243 00:40:41,430 --> 00:40:45,480 Yeah. Sometimes the answers can be when you're listening based on 1244 00:40:45,480 --> 00:40:46,440 whatever you're talking about, 1245 00:40:46,440 --> 00:40:47,310 but the confidence game, 1246 00:40:47,310 --> 00:40:48,870 I don't know that I'm going to have to check into 1247 00:40:48,870 --> 00:40:51,360 that book and gift biz listeners, 1248 00:40:51,360 --> 00:40:53,520 just as you're listening to the podcast today, 1249 00:40:53,520 --> 00:40:56,070 you can also listen to audio books with ease. 1250 00:40:56,220 --> 00:40:58,560 I've teamed up with audible for you to be able to 1251 00:40:58,560 --> 00:40:59,490 get an audio book, 1252 00:40:59,520 --> 00:41:01,860 just like the confidence game for free. 1253 00:41:02,070 --> 00:41:03,960 Just jump over to gift biz, 1254 00:41:03,960 --> 00:41:06,510 book.com and pick a book. 1255 00:41:06,900 --> 00:41:07,530 All right, 1256 00:41:07,560 --> 00:41:10,710 Maya, I would like you to join me in dare to 1257 00:41:10,710 --> 00:41:13,770 dream. I'd like to present you with a virtual gift. 1258 00:41:13,980 --> 00:41:18,510 It's a magical box containing unlimited possibilities for your future. 1259 00:41:18,930 --> 00:41:22,650 This is your dream or your goal of almost unreachable Heights 1260 00:41:22,650 --> 00:41:23,850 that you would wish to obtain. 1261 00:41:24,390 --> 00:41:27,870 Please accept this gift and open it in our presence. 1262 00:41:28,020 --> 00:41:29,850 What is inside your box? 1263 00:41:30,660 --> 00:41:35,900 I have big dreams and my would be to have one 1264 00:41:35,900 --> 00:41:39,290 of my containers in every freezer across the globe, 1265 00:41:39,380 --> 00:41:43,910 because I want everyone to be able to eat healthier, 1266 00:41:43,970 --> 00:41:45,230 lead, more organized, 1267 00:41:45,230 --> 00:41:46,370 healthier lives. 1268 00:41:46,520 --> 00:41:48,620 And so that is what I would like. 1269 00:41:48,650 --> 00:41:50,510 I would like people to try it out and be able 1270 00:41:50,510 --> 00:41:53,060 to use it every day because I know it's changed my 1271 00:41:53,060 --> 00:41:55,730 life and has changed a lot of my customer's lives. 1272 00:41:55,940 --> 00:41:59,330 And I also want to continue to help to motivate and 1273 00:41:59,330 --> 00:42:02,480 teach young entrepreneurs as well because that's very important to me 1274 00:42:02,480 --> 00:42:06,020 is to share my Learnings because I think that everyone Can 1275 00:42:06,140 --> 00:42:08,540 learn from other's experiences. 1276 00:42:08,540 --> 00:42:11,390 And I'm very big on sharing that and also learning. 1277 00:42:11,420 --> 00:42:11,750 I, you know, 1278 00:42:11,750 --> 00:42:14,030 I find in my classes that I learned from my students 1279 00:42:14,030 --> 00:42:15,320 as much as they learn from me. 1280 00:42:15,320 --> 00:42:17,290 So that's something I would like to continue. 1281 00:42:17,500 --> 00:42:19,630 Well, you never stopped learning true. 1282 00:42:19,810 --> 00:42:20,920 If you're open to it, 1283 00:42:20,950 --> 00:42:22,060 you Have to be open to it. 1284 00:42:22,060 --> 00:42:25,030 And I definitely am Absolutely well, 1285 00:42:25,090 --> 00:42:29,530 I love this idea and we're going to help you hopefully 1286 00:42:29,680 --> 00:42:34,150 start filling up those freezers all across America and the world. 1287 00:42:34,150 --> 00:42:37,090 I guess I should say if there were one or two 1288 00:42:37,090 --> 00:42:40,240 places that you would direct our listeners to go to have 1289 00:42:40,240 --> 00:42:42,610 more information about you or the product, 1290 00:42:42,640 --> 00:42:43,510 what would those be? 1291 00:42:43,630 --> 00:42:47,170 So my website is shape and store.com. 1292 00:42:47,320 --> 00:42:51,070 You can send me an email@mayaatshapeandstore.com, 1293 00:42:51,220 --> 00:42:54,940 M a Y a@shapeandstore.com 1294 00:42:55,090 --> 00:42:56,680 and visit us on Facebook. 1295 00:42:57,100 --> 00:42:59,200 And we also have a YouTube channel where we have all 1296 00:42:59,200 --> 00:42:59,380 our words, 1297 00:42:59,760 --> 00:43:02,050 Ideas, and as you all know, 1298 00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:04,600 jump over to our show notes page at gift biz, 1299 00:43:04,630 --> 00:43:09,340 unwrapped.com. And there you will see all of Maya's contact information 1300 00:43:09,370 --> 00:43:12,130 and everything involving this episode, 1301 00:43:12,130 --> 00:43:12,760 right there. 1302 00:43:12,760 --> 00:43:14,140 Ready and waiting for you. 1303 00:43:14,350 --> 00:43:15,130 I would also like to be, 1304 00:43:15,130 --> 00:43:17,470 You mentioned that last week after we had our huge sales 1305 00:43:17,470 --> 00:43:20,830 spike, that we became the number two most wished for item 1306 00:43:20,830 --> 00:43:22,270 on amazon.com. 1307 00:43:22,420 --> 00:43:24,910 No way and kitchen and dining. 1308 00:43:24,910 --> 00:43:26,050 Yeah. Our burger master. 1309 00:43:26,230 --> 00:43:28,240 Wow. How did you find out? 1310 00:43:28,300 --> 00:43:29,980 Well, you can Go and you can just look at the 1311 00:43:29,980 --> 00:43:32,500 rankings on the website on Amazon. 1312 00:43:32,680 --> 00:43:34,630 We were in the top 10 before, 1313 00:43:34,630 --> 00:43:37,720 but now we're at number two and we're actually sold out. 1314 00:43:37,720 --> 00:43:40,330 So it still continues to go. 1315 00:43:40,330 --> 00:43:41,800 So we're very excited about that. 1316 00:43:42,380 --> 00:43:45,460 Wow. This is a way that we can help you realize 1317 00:43:45,460 --> 00:43:46,000 this dream. 1318 00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:49,150 Maya, we didn't even talk about you being on Amazon at 1319 00:43:49,150 --> 00:43:52,120 all, but if someone were to go and search on Amazon, 1320 00:43:52,120 --> 00:43:53,710 is it just under shape and store? 1321 00:43:54,130 --> 00:43:55,240 You can do shape and store. 1322 00:43:55,240 --> 00:43:58,210 You can do the burger master the smart cookie, 1323 00:43:58,360 --> 00:44:00,000 and they're all linked to the other products. 1324 00:44:00,000 --> 00:44:01,510 So if you click on those two, 1325 00:44:01,510 --> 00:44:02,380 then you'll see our other parts. 1326 00:44:02,890 --> 00:44:05,650 Perfect. While I'm so glad you shared that. 1327 00:44:05,650 --> 00:44:06,310 And man, 1328 00:44:06,310 --> 00:44:09,070 Maya, you are moving in shaken with this product TRIBE. 1329 00:44:09,130 --> 00:44:10,240 Yeah, sure. 1330 00:44:10,900 --> 00:44:13,210 Brian, and thank you for your support. 1331 00:44:13,210 --> 00:44:14,860 Everyone got so much support. 1332 00:44:14,920 --> 00:44:15,640 So yes. 1333 00:44:15,670 --> 00:44:16,150 Thank you. 1334 00:44:16,810 --> 00:44:18,400 I loved sharing this story. 1335 00:44:18,400 --> 00:44:21,100 I really appreciate you giving a deep dive into how the 1336 00:44:21,100 --> 00:44:22,300 product was created. 1337 00:44:22,300 --> 00:44:25,240 It just helps motivate other people who have ideas of their 1338 00:44:25,240 --> 00:44:28,330 own. Look what Maya's done with this all the way up 1339 00:44:28,330 --> 00:44:29,170 to huge, 1340 00:44:29,200 --> 00:44:30,100 super success, 1341 00:44:30,100 --> 00:44:33,600 both on Facebook then on Amazon And Maya, 1342 00:44:33,690 --> 00:44:37,410 we hope that your candle continues to always burn bright. 1343 00:44:37,740 --> 00:44:38,160 Thank you. 1344 00:44:38,160 --> 00:44:44,040 Sue learn how to work smarter while developing and growing your 1345 00:44:44,040 --> 00:44:47,970 business. Download our guide called 25 free tools to enhance your 1346 00:44:47,970 --> 00:44:48,930 business and life. 1347 00:44:49,170 --> 00:44:52,920 It's our gift to you and available@giftbizonrap.com 1348 00:44:52,920 --> 00:44:53,970 slash tools. 1349 00:44:54,090 --> 00:44:56,310 Thanks for listening and be sure to join us for the 1350 00:44:56,310 --> 00:44:57,180 next episode. 1351 00:45:00,270 --> 00:45:03,240 Today's show is sponsored by the ribbon print company, 1352 00:45:03,900 --> 00:45:06,450 looking for a new income source for your gift business. 1353 00:45:06,810 --> 00:45:10,980 Customization is more popular now than ever grant your product with 1354 00:45:10,980 --> 00:45:12,410 your logo for print, 1355 00:45:12,410 --> 00:45:13,080 a happy birthday, 1356 00:45:13,080 --> 00:45:15,690 Jessica, to add to a gift right at checkout, 1357 00:45:16,350 --> 00:45:18,990 it's all done right in your shop for cross studio in 1358 00:45:18,990 --> 00:45:22,530 seconds. Check out the ribbon print company.com 1359 00:45:22,620 --> 00:45:23,610 for more information. 1360 00:45:28,800 --> 00:45:31,260 Would you like to be on the show or do you 1361 00:45:31,260 --> 00:45:35,280 know someone who can provide valuable insight from their experiences? 1362 00:45:35,820 --> 00:45:36,540 If so, 1363 00:45:36,600 --> 00:45:37,800 we'd love to hear from you. 1364 00:45:38,100 --> 00:45:41,160 All you need to do is submit a form for consideration. 1365 00:45:41,820 --> 00:45:45,330 You can access the form@giftunwrapped.com 1366 00:45:45,630 --> 00:45:48,660 forward slash guest gift biz, 1367 00:45:48,660 --> 00:45:52,830 unwrapped.com forward slash S.