Friday, April 4, 2008

Whats Happening with My Pitch since Lucky Napkin Live?

O.M.G.

Oh My Goodness! What an amazing event, I personally have never seen so many incredible ideas, enthusiasm, talent and resources in one room on the same day in my entire career.

Lucky Napkin Live, held this past March 20 was everything we expected it to be and so much more. Truth be told, it exceeded our expectations in every way possible.
There were more attendees, more inventors, more experts, investors, entrepreneurs, angels, friends, guests and of course great ideas then we could have imagined. The response was so overwhelming unfortunately we even had to turn people away at the door because we ran out of seats, badges, bags and everything else. (Sorry about that)

In fact, that really seemed to be the only major stumbling block, that we never planned for such an incredible turnout our registration desk was a disaster with some people waiting as much as 1 hour and half just to get their badges and find a seat in the main room for the opening sessions. I think I personally shook the hand of every registrant, going down the line apologizing for our screw up and notifying them that we would push the whole show back 1 hour to accommodate as many attendees as possible.

I must say how impressed I was by the understanding and patience we received from everyone who just seemed so jazzed and energized regardless of the long wait on the registration line. All I can say is THANK YOU. You made the day great for all of us as well.

I have so many wonderful things to say about the event and the hundreds of honest hardworking inventors and entrepreneurs we met that I really don’t know where to being nor do I think I have space. Needless to say we found a couple of great ideas we will be investing in immediately, at least another dozen we are paving the way to QVC and other retail channels for and over a hundred others we are tossing back and forth to determine where we can help and the truth is we haven’t even finished reviewing all of the pitches from the Life Lock Launch Pad, so we expect to find more.

WHEW… This is exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time.
So all that aside, the main reason for this post is to shed some light on our processes and where we are at today to help ease the anticipation and possible anxiety of the hundreds of people who attended Lucky Napkin Live and made a pitch either in person or in the Life Lock Launch Pad on the 20th who want to know, “What is going on?”

Simultaneously I expect people who have submitted ideas via the LuckyNapkin.com web site and have been waiting would like a bit of insight as well, so I hope they too will read on and get a better feel for us and what we’re up to lately.

First things first, “What is happening with the Life Lock Launch Pad Videos?”

The good news is we started the review process. The better news is, we have seen more good ideas than bad. The best news is we are seeing more and more ways to assist entrepreneurs in their process to get their products to market without necessarily having to get into big contract negotiations and invest heavily into every idea. Which means we should be able to facility some fast routes to market allowing some inventors and entrepreneurs to hold onto all their equity and just focus on fulfilling sales. Very cool stuff.

The bad news is, this video review process is going to take us much longer than we predicted. Each founder is reviewing every idea and every pitch, one by one and there are over 600 at at least 2 minutes apiece. Do the math, that’s a lot of work. In addition we are taking copious notes, consulting with members of our board of experts and cross-referencing Life Lock Launch Pad videos with web site submissions, product samples that were received and then discussing our first hand impressions of the inventors that we met at the actual event.

It’s a lot of work, but as anyone who was at the event can attest to we are committed to finding great ideas and the great people behind them so we will do what it takes to make sure we turn over every rock, before we pass on an idea.

The bottom line is its going to be a few more weeks before we can make all of our final decisions and get back to the attendees who we are interested in working with to determine the next steps.

That brings me to the next big question, everyone has, “What should I do in the mean time, while I’m waiting to hear back from Lucky Napkin?”

Well that answer is crystal clear, MOVE FORWARD! Don’t wait on us or anyone else for that matter on your journey to achieve your entrepreneurial vision. You should be out selling, creating, developing, meeting investors, retail partners, attorneys and anyone’s else you think can help move your vision forward, just like you did contacting us in the first place. That is the right way. The fact is, if we call you a few weeks from now and would like to make a deal, but you’ve already moved on than it’s our loss. We will have missed out on possibly investing in your great idea but we will still wish you the best and invite you to come back and see us when you have your next great idea.

OK. So those are the two most critical questions we keep hearing and I wanted to get them answered for you so that you can understand our direction and also to give Vicki our executive relationship manager a break from the hundreds of calls she’s been receiving.

I know there is more you want to know and dozens more questions you want me to address, so just give me a few days and I’ll post again and email everyone with more, to keep you in the loop. In the mean time I have to get back to reviewing some more great ideas.

Best Of Luck Always,

Anthony

4 comments:

Unknown said...

How exciting to be a part of such an incredible event!! I for one appreciate all of the hard work that went into the event, all of the enthusiasm and energy at the event and I certainly appreciate the devotion you have to each and every one of us that have shown up at your door!!!! The follow up via emails is proof that we are in good hands and we are that much closer to realizing our dream!!
Thank you Anthony !!
Carolynn Bianco =)

Unknown said...

The event and founders and speakers were beyond impressive, professional, and most of all, down to earth and enthusiastic.

I am also impressed by this follow up blog.

Looking forward to all that you do.

Tali said...

Thank you so much for creating Lucky Napkin and for your dedication to helping entrepreneurs! Please let us know how we can help you help us... It sounds like you're kind storks who are carrying a load of precious baby dreams!

Thank you,
Tali Lehavi Hamer
HeartMark Brand

Unknown said...

Thank you for the email update, and the BLOG is a great way to keep us all up with whats new. We just created one on our website too: www.electricbody.com

I LOVED the Lucky Napkin Live event and learned a lot and am excited by the launch of our Electric Body Healthy Skin Care in the States.

Being from New Zealand it was quite overwhelming - so many people, so many awesome ideas.

I wish everyone success in realizing their dreams!

And if you want to help support one of your fellow entrepreneurs please buy some of our healthy skin care at: www.electricbody.com and help us fund out US launch.

In love and light.
Shelley Hiestand
310 729 6710