In the season finale of This is Small Business: Behind the Buy, we follow Derek Tillotson, founder of Haven Tents, and his journey from world traveler to entrepreneur. His game-changing hammock blends the comfort of a bed with the freedom of camping. What started as a family adventure evolved into a crowdfunding success! You can watch Haven Tent's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Find Their Haven in the Woods. 

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(2:03) Derek shares how a family adventure sparked the idea for Haven Tents, starting with a simple desire to improve outdoor sleeping.

(7:15) How a Facebook video seeking a travel nanny unexpectedly went viral, giving Derek his first taste of public attention and setting the stage for his entrepreneurial journey.

(12:45) We learn about the challenges he faced while developing the hammock prototype, including design failures and early setbacks that tested his resolve.

(18:30) How Derek successfully crowdfunded his product, turning early skepticism into financial backing that made production possible.

(22:10) Tensions rise as Derek pitches his hammock on Buy It Now, with a humorous mishap when one of the judges accidentally falls.

Meet Kerry Cooke and her daughter Kat, the founders of Spleash—a multi-functional dog leash holder that hydrates, cools, and cleans your pet on the go. Kerry and Kat share the emotional journey behind their product, born from a need to care for their own dogs during tough times. They reveal the challenges they faced, from sketching the first design to overcoming manufacturing hurdles, and how they finally made it onto the Buy It Now show. You can watch Spleash's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: Jamie Gets Buff.

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video.

In this episode you’ll discover: 

(0:00) Kerry and Kat were motivated by a genuine need to care for their dogs and give back to the pet community. Their product isn't just practical—it reflects their mission to make a difference. 

(6:07) Kerry and Kat faced multiple setbacks during the creation of Spleash, including leaks in the first batch and the complexities of manufacturing. Their perseverance and willingness to go back to the drawing board were key to overcoming these challenges. 

(11:56) The mother-daughter duo rehearsed their pitch relentlessly, practicing in everyday moments until they had it down perfectly. This preparation paid off when they stepped in front of the live audience. 

(15:49) The judges' feedback, including Tony Hawk’s comments and Jamie Siminoff’s praise for the design, highlighted how important it is to listen to constructive criticism and make necessary adjustments. 

(19:59) Kerry and Kat’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: don’t let fear of failure hold you back. They emphasize the importance of pushing forward with belief in your idea, no matter how difficult the road may be.

Tiffany Gil, the CEO and inventor behind Shezza Socks, creates foam-padded socks designed to prevent blisters. Tiffany's journey to entrepreneurship started as a high schooler struggling with painful blisters from new shoes. After years of refining her idea and overcoming challenges—like securing funding by winning a cross-country lawnmower race—Tiffany's product went viral on TikTok. This led Tiffany to pitch her brand on the Buy It Now show, where she impressed a panel of judges, including Jamie Siminoff (founder of Ring) and celebrity entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow. You can watch Shezza Socks' episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Get Grilled. 

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video. 

In this episode you’ll discover: 

(0:07) How Tiffany solved a personal problem. Tiffany created Shezza Socks after struggling with painful blisters from new shoes, turning a personal issue into a business idea.

(5:55) Tiffany funded her business by winning a lawnmower race and entering pitch competitions, showing the value of persistence and resourcefulness.

(7:59) How Tiffany leveraged social media to gain entrepreneurial recognition. A viral TikTok video helped Shezza Socks gain traction, demonstrating the power of social media for marketing.

(14:10) The importance of valuing and embracing feedback. Tiffany received valuable feedback on her brand name from industry leaders, showing the importance of being open to criticism and adapting.

Meet Khadijah Robinson, the founder and CEO of Aqua Waterproof Headwear, a line of waterproof turbans and head wraps. Khadijah's journey began with a personal challenge: trying to protect her hair extensions while snorkelling on vacation. Frustrated by the lack of suitable products, she created her own solution—waterproof headwear that is both stylish and functional!

Khadijah faced numerous setbacks, from struggling to find the right fabric to losing money when her first manufacturer went bankrupt. Her determination paid off when she found a supportive seamstress and, eventually, a new manufacturer. Eventually, Khadijah's product gained traction and, against the odds, she auditioned for the Buy It Now show on Prime Video earning her a spot on the Buy It Now Amazon store, along with a $20,000 cash prize. You can watch Aqua Waterproof Headwear's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Get Confused - And They Like It. 

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

(03:14) Khadijah's idea for waterproof turbans and headwraps came from a frustrating personal experience while on vacation. She needed a way to keep her hair dry while snorkelling but struggled with the limitations of regular hats and shower caps. 

(04:19) Khadijah faced significant challenges in bringing her product to life, from struggling to find waterproof fabric to working through multiple prototypes. It took years of effort before she had a working design. 

(04:49) A chance encounter with a past acquaintance, Lele, a seamstress who had designed Khadijah’s prom dress, turned out to be pivotal. Lele helped Khadijah with fabric sourcing, prototypes, and navigating her first manufacturer meetings. 

(07:18) Even though Khadijah was confident in the demand for her product, she still conducted extensive market research by surveying friends and visiting hair stores to confirm the need for waterproof headwear.

(07:46) Khadijah describes the overwhelming sense of gratitude when she made her product live and started receiving orders. It reaffirmed that her hard work was paying off, even though the process had been stressful and uncertain. 

(08:17) After her original manufacturer went bankrupt, Khadijah didn’t give up on her business. Instead, she used the setback as fuel to push harder and ultimately find a new, better manufacturer. 

(11:25) For the "Buy It Now" show, Khadijah practiced tirelessly to perfect her pitch. She used flashcards, rehearsed in front of a camera, and worked on her delivery to ensure she’d make a strong impression on the judges.

(19:40) Winning the $20,000 prize not only boosted Khadijah’s confidence but also helped her expand her product line, restock inventory, and invest in broader marketing efforts, including reaching more diverse audiences.

Jaime Salcedo, the founder of Painless Picasso, a numbing cream designed to alleviate pain during tattooing, piercing, waxing, and laser treatments shares his entrepreneurial story. From his beginnings as a tattoo artist to creating a product that challenges the norm in the beauty industry, Jaime shares the highs and lows of building a business from the ground up. Despite freezing up during his pitch on Buy It Now and facing tough questions from the judges, Jaime's authenticity and passion for helping people shone through, earning him a spot on Amazon's Buy It Now store and a $20,000 cash prize. You can watch Painless Picasso's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Meet Dua Leafa. 

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

(03:43) Jaime shares how, as a tattoo artist with no chemistry background, dove into the world of numbing creams and sought advice to create a safer alternative.

(04:52) Jaime's first step in turning his idea into a business was calling the FDA to learn about the regulations surrounding numbing creams, demonstrating the value of asking questions when starting something new.

(05:16) Jaime reflects on his experience with joining the bio-tech community, such as Techstars, a venture accelerator that taught him business fundamentals and helped him connect with key resources like chemists.

(06:27) Jaime talks about overcoming imposter syndrome by focusing on his strengths as a problem solver and team builder, rather than worrying about what he didn’t know.

(11:13) Despite freezing during his pitch, Jaime’s deep understanding of his product allowed him to answer audience questions with ease, reinforcing the importance of knowing your business.

(11:41) Jaime discusses how carefully choosing a price point ($19.99) helped his product stand out and led to a favorable response from the audience during his pitch.

(18:26) Jamie Siminoff advises that focusing on one core product—rather than trying to do everything—helps businesses gain traction before expanding into additional markets.

Meet Debra Mastic, the founder of Fluff Trough, a pet feeder designed to enhance mealtime comfort for our furry friends. Debra shares her heartfelt journey, inspired by her beloved pug, Porkchop, who struggled during mealtime. From the challenges of launching a business to overcoming personal obstacles, including a cancer diagnosis, Debra’s story is one of resilience and innovation. Discover how she transformed her passion for pets into a thriving product that’s making a difference for animals everywhere. You can watch Fluff Trough's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Legacy of Porkchop.

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video. 

In this episode you’ll discover:

(00:05) Debra emphasizes that how pets are fed is as crucial as what they are fed, advocating for more comfortable feeding solutions.

(03:01) Debra’s journey began with her pug, Porkchop, whose eating difficulties motivated her to find a better solution for pet feeding.

(04:02) After realizing existing products didn’t work for Porkchop, Debra used a 3D printer to create prototypes, demonstrating the iterative process of innovation.

(04:48) Debra made a significant financial decision by investing her savings into Fluff Trough instead of purchasing a home, showing her commitment to her vision.

(06:27) Debra encountered difficulties finding quality manufacturers and managing supply chains, highlighting common hurdles for small businesses.

(08:01) Debra’s battle with cancer and the loss of Porkchop added emotional depth to her entrepreneurial journey, showing the personal stakes behind her work.

(09:28) Despite challenges, Fluff Trough gained international recognition, winning awards and receiving positive customer feedback, underscoring the product’s impact.

(19:43) Debra shares her belief that businesses should start to solve problems authentically, emphasizing the importance of resilience and learning from failures.

Meet Anissa Pfeifer, the CEO and inventor of the Whiskee Straw, a unique straw with a whisk at the bottom designed to mix drinks like smoothies and coffee. Anissa shares the emotional journey behind creating her product, from the early struggles of running a small boutique to the breakthrough moment when she invented the Whiskee Straw. With her business on the brink of failure, Anissa finds new hope after being invited to pitch her product on the Buy It Now show. After overcoming nerves and delivering an outstanding pitch, Anissa took home a $20,000 prize, which she plans to use to grow her business. Listen to the highlights and challenges of entrepreneurship, the power of perseverance, and the importance of believing in your product and story! You can watch Whiskee Straw's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: A Shocking Game of Golf. 

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video. 

In this episode you’ll discover: 

(00:00) Anissa shares the overwhelming feeling of pride and accomplishment when she uses a product she created, even on the hardest days. This insight emphasizes the emotional toll and reward that comes with building a business from scratch.

(04:19) Anissa almost gave up on her entrepreneurial dream after her boutique failed, but she found renewed hope when a new idea emerged. This highlights the need for perseverance, especially when faced with setbacks.

(04:33) The idea for the Whiskee Straw came from Anissa’s frustration with her smoothie separating while driving to a store. Recognizing real-life problems is often the catalyst for innovation.

(05:55) After her husband helped create the first prototype, Anissa realized that having a prototype was just the first step. Convincing customers to buy it was the real challenge, reflecting how launching a product involves more than just creation—it requires customer buy-in.

(06:44) Anissa's business gained traction after a few viral reels. This underscores the importance of social media in expanding reach, especially for small businesses with limited marketing budgets.

(08:04) After seeing initial success, Anissa faced a slowdown in sales, which led her to question her business’s viability. This demonstrates how entrepreneurial journeys often involve peaks and valleys, and how critical it is to stay focused during tough times.

(08:46) Anissa received an unexpected email about the Buy It Now show, which she initially thought was spam. This highlights how unforeseen opportunities can sometimes lead to breakthrough moments for small businesses.

(09:28) Anissa’s emotional breakdown before the show demonstrates how vulnerability can sometimes serve as a motivator. She found strength in her vulnerability and used it as a catalyst to keep going, showing how authenticity can inspire resilience.

(12:53) Anissa overcame her nervousness and delivered an engaging pitch, earning 46 green lights from the audience. This proves the importance of being prepared and confident in your pitch—especially when the stakes are high.

Meet Chris Osse, the founder of Armbie, a unique dual-arm support sling designed for comfort during long flights. Chris shares his journey from engineer to entrepreneur, revealing the challenges and triumphs he faced while bringing his innovative product to market. Join us as we explore the passion behind Armbie, the lessons learned along the way, and the pivotal moment that led Chris to pitch his product on the Prime Video show, "Buy It Now.” 

In this episode, you’ll discover:

(03:10) Chris discusses his day job as an engineer and how it has shaped his problem-solving mindset. 

(03:35) A long flight next to large passengers sparks Chris's idea for Armbie. 

(04:09) Chris reflects on how discomfort led to his engineering brain devising a solution. 

(04:15) Using a scarf, Chris creates the initial version of Armbie, emphasizing simplicity and portability. 

(04:46) The lengthy process of perfecting the prototype involved hours of experimenting with fabrics and sizes. 

(06:05) Life challenges, including a separation, test Chris's resolve but do not extinguish his passion for Armbie. 

(07:27) During COVID, Chris realizes he has the time and resources to finally pursue his business idea. 

(09:16) After applying to various entrepreneurial shows, Chris receives encouragement and interest in Armbie. 

(10:17) The importance of practice and finding the right balance in his pitch becomes clear to Chris. 

(12:10) Chris’s pitch garners 46 green lights from the audience, showing significant interest despite initial skepticism about the product's appearance. 

(15:14) Positive feedback from judges, despite concerns over price, highlights the innovation of Chris's product. 

(16:40) Chris celebrates winning a $20,000 cash prize, marking a significant milestone after years of hard work. 

(17:30) Following his success on the show, Chris receives news that two of his patents are approved, adding to his momentum. 

(18:58) Chris shares his belief that grit and perseverance are key to success in entrepreneurship.

Kayla Castañeda, founder of Agua Bonita, brings a refreshing twist to the traditional Mexican drink, aguas frescas, blending heritage and innovation in every sip. With a rich personal story rooted in her family's heritage, Kayla's mission is to share an elevated version of this beloved beverage. After navigating challenges like job loss during the pandemic and financial struggles, she successfully funded her startup through pitch competitions, culminating in a victory on Amazon Prime Video's Buy It Now series, where she secured a $20,000 cash prize. Her winning recipe? A powerful blend of authenticity, determination, and connecting with the right audience. You can watch Agua Bonita's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: Tony Pops Off.

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video. 

From a chaotic childhood to joining the military at 17, this entrepreneur discovered the therapeutic power of science and gamified it. In this special Veteran's Day episode of This is Small Business, John Coveyou, founder and CEO of Genius Games, a science-based board game company that has sold over half a million units worldwide, shares his journey. He discusses how military principles shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and led him to create engaging educational games. John shares the pivotal moment that inspired his first game and how crowdfunding transformed his hobby into a successful business.

In this episode you’ll discover: 

(0:00) How various business principles overlap with lessons learned in the military.

(1:50) John explains how his interest in science helped him cope during tough times in the military.

(2:59) While teaching chemistry, John noticed that his students were intimidated by the subject, sparking his idea for a game.

(03:09) John connects the excitement of gaming to learning science and decides to create a game.

(3:50) John details his early experiments with game mechanics and his journey through game design clubs.

(4:12) How feedback from play-tests led to the creation of John’s first game and the push to publish it.

(4:49) John discusses how his crowdfunding campaigns validated his business idea and led to further success.

(5:37) The moment John decided to leave his engineering job and pursue his passion full-time.

(7:20) John explains the After Action Review process and how it encourages continual improvement in business.

(12:35) The power of perspective in entrepreneurship, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.