The Beehive Product Launch Show

Denise Stern is a serial entrepreneur who saw a need for quality newborn care after the birth of her twins.  She leads an elite team of Baby Nurses (RN’s & LPN’s), Newborn Care Providers and Multiple’s Specialists that provides evidence based education to new parents and they provide nurturing care to newborns.  Let Mommy Sleep is built on the idea that families can thrive when parents are able to sleep at night.  Denise has a become both a standard bearer and a change maker in her industry.  By allowing parents sleep at night, families can thrive during their day.

We discussed the keys to becoming an empowered woman.   With regard to creating a new product or service, a key takeaway for this episode is that inspiration can be drawn from investigating those transitional points in life that create new or surprising needs.   Once you have this outlined, start brainstorming on unique ways to meet those needs.

Her Philosophy

• Starting a company is like eating glass and staring into the abyss.' You have to do lots of things you don't like.  ~Elon Musk
• The first one through the door gets the bloodiest.

Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

• Lead by example.
• Hire an awesome staff and highlight them as excellent role models when you can.
• Do the boring stuff first.

Links www.letmommysleep.com

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Leslie Pierson is passionate about solving life's challenges through product design.  She created and launched The Good Hangups Reusable Magnetic Hanging System.

During our conversation, we discussed manufacturing challenges as well as lessons learned about crowdfunding through Kickstarter.

Molly Gordon is a Master Certified Coach known for her creativity, humor, and commitment to helping clients get off the merry-go-round of serial self-improvement and into the slipstream of infinite possibility. Her current focus is helping men and women who are working on large scale world problems ranging from climate change to hunger to terrorism, helping them to tap into the creativity, resilience, courage, and wisdom they need to keep up the good work without burnout.

During our conversation, we discussed Molly’s journey to becoming a coach. We also talked about getting into the right mindset so that we can achieve our objectives.

Her Philosophy

Out beyond right and wrong there is a field and I will meet you there.     ~Rumi

Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

• Just try it.

Links http://shaboominc.com/

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Katie Everds is passionate about the outdoors and created the product she always needed but could never find.   She developed and launched The Tillow, a large beach towel combined with a pillow and waterproof storage, to simplify the lives of beach and pool goers.

During our conversation, we discussed strategies for working with manufacturers.  We also talked about how to create a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Jenny Mae Miller and Kristine Carlton started their business as pioneering spirits, right out of technical design school.   Through their company, Sewn Product Services, they operate as product developers and production managers servicing the apparel, soft goods, and wearable technologies industries. Our conversation focuses on service development and highlights the idea of thinking beyond the immediate needs of your customer.  The key question is, "What adjacent services can you create that will minimize your client's overall hassles?"

Maryon Attwood is a studio artist who co-founded Cook On Clay ceramics. She creates specially formulated oven to table platters that withstand thermal shock and can be used safely in the oven, as well as for serving and presentation.

During our conversation Maryon emphasized the importance of quality and introduced the idea that excellence cannot be separated from consumer expectations.

Her Philosophy

Returning people to the table... as part of the farm to table movement.

Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

• If you just do what you know and you believe in what you're doing, things will be okay at the end of the day.
• In the first years, it can be very challenging.  You have to be courageous.  You have to be willing to take risks.  You have to be smart.  You have to be thrifty when it counts. Determination is very important.
• Go for it!  It's great to be your own boss.
• Do it while you're young!

Links

http://www.cookonclay.com

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Sherrill Mosee set out to create an organizational fashion bag for busy women.  As a result, she designed and invented MinkeeBlue totes.  Like many women, she often carried two or three bags to work.   Sherrill came up with a novel design that facilitates consolidation of everything into one bag.  As a result, she has been awarded a patent for her invention.

The idea of creating and launching a product can be very intimidating at first.  There are many challenges that must be overcome.   During our conversation, we discussed the obstacles that Sherrill faced throughout her journey and she provides some great insight on creating solutions through networking.

Michelle Moy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Up Dog Toys.  She and her team make functional, cool, modern dog toys for the design savvy pup and owner.  Michelle works full time alongside her husband and Co-Founder/CMO, Billy Shih.  Her favorite co-worker though is her corgi, Odin, who was the main inspiration for starting Up Dog Toys.

Michelle and team started out as a successfully funded Kickstarter in Fall of 2014 and have been growing as a small independent company since.  They are continuing to produce more colors of their first toy, The Odin, and will be expanding their line soon.

In our conversation, we discuss the many fears that can arise and how important it is to get past those fears when starting a new venture.

Vanessa Chan is an entrepreneur, consultant and angel investor.  She is also co-founder of re.design, a company that brings consumer product innovations to market.  Vanessa's first product is, tangle-free & stylish headphones, called Loopit.   The launch included a very successful Kickstarter campaign.  Loopit has been featured in such places as The Today Show’s Next Big Thing and QVC.  Vanessa has a B.S.E. from Penn (class of 1994) and a Ph.D. from MIT, both in Materials Science & Engineering.

Vanessa's product idea fills a great need, is innovative and yet was inspired by the combination of two ordinary items.  What other needs can be filled by combining two unrelated things?  This is a good question to consider for those who are trying to create new products or services.

Cyndi Prince is the founder of LooHoo, LLC, a Maine-based company. She created LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls, which are reusable, energy-saving alternatives to dryer sheets.  The product was designed specifically for those who are concerned about protecting both their family’s health and the environment. 

Cyndi has been awarded a SPANX by Sara Blakely "Leg Up" Promotion, was selected as the SBA Business Award and was a recipient of the Eileen Fisher Woman-Owned Business Grant.

Cyndi's journey is really interesting.  She created her product based on a need that she discovered during a transitional time in her life. There's a really important lesson to be learned here.  New product or service ideas can be discovered by asking two simple questions:  1) What needs arise as a result of transition in life; and 2) are there compelling and innovative ways to solve those needs through a product or service? 

Her Philosophy

Build an incredible team.  Surround yourself with amazing people.

Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

• Just start.
• Keep going for it no matter how many road blocks you hit.
• Ask questions.  People are out there to help.  You just have to ask the right questions.  Keep asking and keep knocking on doors.
• Focus on sales and get a lot of practice selling things.  This is crucial , especially with product based businesses.