The Pitch Tank

In business, there are always risks…

Going to the Locker2Locker Pitch Tank in Florida was a risk – both personally and financially. The question is… was it worth it?

I first heard of the contest when Kevin Harrington posted a tweet announcing the contest. After checking it out and seeing it would take place in “Hollywood”, I thought to myself – “heck, if I win, it’s only a few hours drive”, so I completed the application, printed a copy for my records and boom, hit the send button.

Several weeks later, when I received an email advising I was chosen as a finalist, I got excited. Until I realized it was in Hollywood – FLORIDA and only one week to book the trip. Oh. Crap. Quick mental calculation: Air (last minute ticket), hotel (Super Bowl week), rental car, mileage, parking, food and other incidentals  = NOT IN BUDGET. My head droped and my shoulders slumped in dissapointment.

But after speaking with the coordinator and learning about the invitee list, I thought this could be a great networking opportunity. The infomercial wasn't as attractive to me as was the chance to meet Kevin Harrington, Les Brown, Lisa Nichols, Susie Carder and others in person. When would I ever have the opportunity again to meet professionals like this all in one place? After discussing it with my husband, we both agreed this could be good... and you just never know what could happen. So keeping myself open to possibilities, I booked the trip.

The Pitch was held at Trump Hollywood, a luxurious high-rise immediately recognizable as The Donald's brand. As a finalist, I was invited to attend a VIP Pre-Awards Reception in one of the high-rise suites... Swanky!



Following the reception, the finalists were asked to meet in the library to begin preparing for our presentations. At this point, I start getting nervous. Being upstairs the entire time, I didn't realize that several hundred people were partying downstairs too - and they were going to be watching our presentations. YIKES.

To help me relax, I went up to each and every person in the room, handed them a pack of Action Wipes and said... "I'm pitching my product tonight, Action Wipes, and I'd like you to try them. I would really like your feedback after I'm done." Everyone was very kind, gave me words of encouragement and wished me well. How cool is that!

We were then asked into the "green room"...

Where we were briefed and given instructions...


We were also advised that we would go in random order, except for Elite Health, they would go first. Overall, the event didn't go exactly as planned due to time constraints. Originally, all the contestants were suppose to pitch, then three finalists would be selected, they would pitch again then a winner would be announced. Instead, we all pitched and were told the winner would be announced in the morning - during the business summit. Bummer.

However, after the pitch, I stuck around to thank the judges – that’s when I saw Kevin speaking to a camera, announcing the winner.… As I read his lips, I was disappointed, I didn’t win. The winner was Elite Health, the first presenter.

At the end of the evening, as I was waiting for my car, I had the opportunity to speak with Kevin one-to-one as he waited for his car too. (Ok…his limo.) I asked “why Elite?”  He told me what he liked was that Elite already had 180,000 distributors and was generating income. Having said he liked my product and could see a lot of opportunity, I asked - "Can you help me, and if not, do you know anyone that can?" He said it would be a good product for the Home Shopping Network (HSN), but he wanted to think about it more as he was on overload from all of the day's events. So he asked that I follow up with him by sending more detailed information and we would go from there.

So there you have it. Was it worth it? It was to me. And you just never know what can happen from the samples I passed out (not only at the event, but to the flight attendants, business folks in the shuttle, passengers next to me on the plane... call me Johnny Appleseed!)

And remember - always ask for help and don't stop there. The person you ask may not be able to, but you never know who they may know!

Bittersweet Shorty Award Win

I won the Shorty Award for Brand. Many were surprised as expressed by this tweet: @rickmarshall "Action Wipes" beat @Marvel's Twitter army?" Yes, my 900 fellow tweeps helped Action Wipes pull ahead of Marvel Comics which has over 5,000 tweeps and SavvyAuntie.com with over 4,000 tweeps. Which proves it was not a "popularity" contest, but about the connection, both on a personal and professional level, one establishes with the people they choose to socialize with (hence "social media").

However, it's a bittersweet win as my dad (whom I told you about in my Thanksgiving post) passed away unexpectedly days before the announcement. So needless to say, I've been on an emotional roller coaster the past two weeks.

I was and will forever be, very appreciative of the support and encouragement my dad continually gave me. Even as he was dying, knowing I was in the lead for the Shorty Awards, he said "New York must be cursed for you." This was a reference to where the awards ceremony will be held, and to the last time I was supposed to go to New York for the launch of C&M Couples, when my mom passed away just two days prior. And in as much emotional pain as he and I were at the time, he encouraged me to go anyway. He said it again this time and encouraged me because as he said, "...you have to go."

While the Shorty Awards are unlike an Oscar, a Nobel Peace Prize or a Super Bowl win, it holds just as great significance for me. For one, it is something my dad and I got to share during his last days and secondly, it's the recognition that enough people felt strong enough to place their vote with Action Wipes and @marthavan that gives me the encouragement to continue on. But for Life Elements, the company and Action Wipes, the brand, I hope this award helps continue the growth in exposing our products and leads to additional distribution opportunities and yes, sales :-) ...All things Twitter has provided since I started using it a few months ago.

My thanks again to everyone that voted for me and much warm love to fellow Shorty Awards winner for Non Profit, Athletes For A Cure (@atheletes4acure), who tweeted "We dedicate our Shorty to Martha Van's Dad who lost his fight before he got to see his daughter win."

The Big Sand Box

Since our launch at the Wildflower Triathlon this past May, we have received hundreds of inquiries, comments and stories about Action Wipes. Many have moved me and even brought me to tears. Tears of joy, compassion and hope - hope that our war will end soon. Here is an email thread as a result of an order placed through our website from Iraq. It's long, but please keep reading to the end, it's touching. I've removed my friend's name as I do not wish to divulge it. This is a promise I make to anyone that writes to us. Please keep our men and women in the service in your thoughts...

-----Original Message-----
From: Martha Van Inwegen
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 12:30 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Hi XXXX, I'm not sure if you got my former email, so I went ahead and shipped your order via Priority Mail. I think you'll be happy with the added "samples".

Thank you again for checking us out and please, let other's know about them should you find them useful. If not, send them back and we'll refund your money! If you get a chance, drop me an email after you've tried them and let me know what you think, I would really appreciate it.

Oh, your Priority tracking number is: xxxxx

Warmly,
Martha Van Inwegen

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXX@bdab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 9:21 PM
To: martha@lifeelements.com
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Martha,

Sorry that I did not respond to you earlier -- I am currently out of country and the time difference makes communication a little tricky.
I'm actually having the wipes sent to my wife for her to receive and then send to me.

Thank you so much for pushing the order out despite my email neglect . I look forward to the spray samples!

Very Respectfully,

XXXX, 1st Lt, USAF

-----Original Message-----
From: Martha Van Inwegen
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:45 AM
To: XXXX
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Travis! Are you deployed or just traveling? Let me know...

M.

-----Original Message-----
From:

Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:41:00
To:
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Yes, I am deployed -- I work Air Force logistics in Baghdad. I support the TAC-Ps here in Iraq (TACPs, or Tactical Air Control Party, are the Air Force guys embedded with the Army; their job is to direct and control all air-to-ground aircraft munitions).

That's my two cents...I've been here for 4.5 months with only 1.5 remaining (not bad considering the Army's 15 month tours).

Thanks for such great customer service!

Respectfully,

XXXXX, 1st Lt, USAF

From: martha@lifeelements.com
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 8:55 AM
To: XXXXX
Subject: Re: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

I'll send you more wipes! Rather than have your wife pay for the shipping, send me the address so I can ship it directly.

And thank YOU for being out there for us! BTW, my father-in-law is a retired general from the AF :-)

Send me the address and good night.

M.

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXX@bdab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 7:27 AM
To: martha@lifeelements.com
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Wow, that would be great -- thank you so much. Please include a handful of business cards/brochures as I will be sure to share the wipes with those that need it most (a Marine friend of mine is deployed to Fallujah -- I will definitely share with them).

Below is my address

Thanks again -- what a thoughtful, unexpected treat!

Respectfully,
XXXX, 1st Lt, USAF

-----Original Message-----
From: Martha Van Inwegen
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:18 PM
To: XXXX
Subject: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Travis, I shipped you a box last Thursday, let me know if it gets there ok.

Martha

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXX@bdab.afcent.af.mil
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2008 3:47 PM
To: martha@lifeelements.com
Subject: RE: Your Action Wipes Order Has Been Shipped

Martha,

Martha,

The wipes arrived yesterday. Thank you so much! Tomorrow I am going to send out a lot to my Marine friend in Fallujah as well as some of the Air Force guys embedded throughout Iraq with the Army.

Thank you also for such a nice, personal note. I am rather excited to see what else you put in the package to my wife (I looked at your sister website, CM, and think that I will definitely have to consider more purchases in the future).

It's funny that you mentioned "re-acquaintance" in your letter -- that is the primary reason I went looking for a good body wipe. My wife is picking me up from the airport and then we are staying in a fancy hotel downtown. Obviously, I want to look my best for her (24hr plane rides just don't help with this issue). Anyways, I called the airport to see what sort of shower facilities they had available (none) and figured the next best thing was to find the most popular body wipe available. Long story short, the plan is to jump off the plane, get squeaky clean (courtesy of Action Wipes!), change out of my uniform into a new pair of clothes (I bought them just for my homecoming ), and then celebrate our reunion...

Thanks again for your gifts and exceptional customer service...I will be sure to spread your wipes all across the sandbox.

Have a great day!

Very Respectfully,
XXXXX