To some people being different is not a welcome concept. To some, being different is uncomfortable. To me, being different is a cornerstone of who I am. I have lots of great ideas, some of which have been executed, most have never seen the light of day, but I do have great ideas - at least I think so ;-) However if someone else has done this great idea, or capitalized on this "great" concept why would I bother doing the same?
There is always pressure to compete in my marketplace (cloth diapers) and often people say "you need to do this!" which typically means "you need to do what everyone else is doing" and I decline. Why? If it has been done, it has been done. And I am above doing what has been done. And if I am not - I am about how to do it BETTER!
Owls? I appreciate the novelty and style of these cute little creatures. But they are overdone in the diaper industry. Yes, they are cute, possibly cuddly in a fairytale kind of way and often scary, unpredictable and keep the insomniac in us up all night. Owls do not appeal to me as a soothing baby diaper graphic. Cute yes, overdone yes, insomniacs nightmare? Yes. Regardless, overdone.
So as someone who has a product that needs to ever evolve, keep on top of the trends and be progressive I step up to the challenge to BE DIFFERENT and BE BETTER! Don't follow the trend....they have their purposes - but dare to be different! I dared to be different with FuzziBunz and it was a big hit - I dared to be different with my One Size design and it sets FuzziBunz apart - same goes with anything regarding my brand - dare to be different, original and unique. Going with the flow may only make you seem "not as unique" as the others and is that what you really want for your product or brand???
Friday, November 2, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
On Work and Family Balance
I have often been asked the question "how do you balance work and family?" And I have never really been able to give what I feel is a great answer. This is partly because I have never had time to really THINK about this and how I actually balance work and family life. But somehow I manage to do it.
As a single mom of three children it is particularly hard to do, especially with no family support in this area and a child with special needs. So how do I manage family life while running a multi-million dollar business? Priorities, sacrifice and a cohesive family unit.
But I can't take all of the credit. I have also been blessed with very good children. Maybe I had something to do with that, and maybe that was God's way of giving me only what I can handle. But my children are, in fact, very well behaved and out of necessity have become very self sufficient children and I am proud of that. We are a family unit, and family units pull together and all carry their weight.
But from a management standpoint I have had to decide what is a priority....such as fixing my children breakfast, taking them to school in the morning, picking them up from school in the afternoon, fixing a meal and sitting down at the table in the evening as a family. Now, I said "fixing" a meal - that may take the form of Chinese take out or freezer food, but it also takes the form of home cooking when time permits. These are my priorities, and my special times with my children to establish a sense of normalcy to our household.
Sacrifice comes both on the personal level and the family level. I have sacrificed sleep many years to get homework done, put my kids to bed and then "get to work" at 10pm until 2am. Sacrifice comes when I have to leave my kids to travel for work for days at a time. I had to miss a big event for my two boys when I went to LA to film Shark Tank and that nearly killed me, but my children and I are part of a unit and they have all felt involved in this business from the beginning. They know how much FuzziBunz means to me, and to them, and to their future, so we all pull together and do what it takes to make our little family work.
As a single mom of three children it is particularly hard to do, especially with no family support in this area and a child with special needs. So how do I manage family life while running a multi-million dollar business? Priorities, sacrifice and a cohesive family unit.
But I can't take all of the credit. I have also been blessed with very good children. Maybe I had something to do with that, and maybe that was God's way of giving me only what I can handle. But my children are, in fact, very well behaved and out of necessity have become very self sufficient children and I am proud of that. We are a family unit, and family units pull together and all carry their weight.
But from a management standpoint I have had to decide what is a priority....such as fixing my children breakfast, taking them to school in the morning, picking them up from school in the afternoon, fixing a meal and sitting down at the table in the evening as a family. Now, I said "fixing" a meal - that may take the form of Chinese take out or freezer food, but it also takes the form of home cooking when time permits. These are my priorities, and my special times with my children to establish a sense of normalcy to our household.
Sacrifice comes both on the personal level and the family level. I have sacrificed sleep many years to get homework done, put my kids to bed and then "get to work" at 10pm until 2am. Sacrifice comes when I have to leave my kids to travel for work for days at a time. I had to miss a big event for my two boys when I went to LA to film Shark Tank and that nearly killed me, but my children and I are part of a unit and they have all felt involved in this business from the beginning. They know how much FuzziBunz means to me, and to them, and to their future, so we all pull together and do what it takes to make our little family work.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Patent Q&A Part 2
Q. What is the legal process someone should take if they feel someone is violating their patent?
A. If someone has a patent that they feel a product is infringing upon, the proper protocol is to have their patent lawyer send the company or the company's lawyer a cease and desist letter OR they could in fact bypass that step altogether and file suit. If the company refuses to cease and desist the patent holder then has the right to file an official lawsuit and take the company to court to let a court decide if that person is infringing and then a settlement is rendered. However this rarely happens due to the costliness of this process (see link below). What is NOT proper protocal is posting all over the internet that this one and that one (and naming names) are stealing their intellectual property because then there is a risk of defamation of character issues and it's just unprofessional.
FuzziBunz Related:
Myth: FuzziBunz is free license and the company does not protect their intellectual property rights and anyone has the right to make and sell pocket diapers because FuzziBunz has never sued anyone so they won't sue me.
Fact: FuzziBunz fully intends on protecting our intellectual property rights. We have been actively working behind the scenes within the patent office for years. It has been a long process and one that has required immense patience, but we feel the value of waiting it out will be significant.
Q. Is there a potential fallout for retailers and customers to buy / sell possibly infringing products?
A. Customers? No. However in patent law, someone who sells a product that has been sent a cease and desist order can also be sent a cease and desist and also be sued by the company. That is not our desire however but it is within patent rights to do so.
Q. Have you ever sued anyone and do you plan on it?
A. I am a peaceful person and a lawsuit is not something I want to be a part of. They are costly and time consuming but unfortunately I see it being inevitable at some point. What I would rather see is for companies sign a license so that the legal system is being upheld and they can continue business as normal. Licensing really is the smart way to go. The royalty is typically modest and the business can sleep at night knowing they will not be served with papers in the morning. PLUS it is just the right thing to do. I have done it with another product (similar but not exactly the same) and I have not died or been bankrupt by it - in fact it is a mutually beneficial relationship.
How much is that patent lawsuit going to cost you? Read here.
A. If someone has a patent that they feel a product is infringing upon, the proper protocol is to have their patent lawyer send the company or the company's lawyer a cease and desist letter OR they could in fact bypass that step altogether and file suit. If the company refuses to cease and desist the patent holder then has the right to file an official lawsuit and take the company to court to let a court decide if that person is infringing and then a settlement is rendered. However this rarely happens due to the costliness of this process (see link below). What is NOT proper protocal is posting all over the internet that this one and that one (and naming names) are stealing their intellectual property because then there is a risk of defamation of character issues and it's just unprofessional.
FuzziBunz Related:
Myth: FuzziBunz is free license and the company does not protect their intellectual property rights and anyone has the right to make and sell pocket diapers because FuzziBunz has never sued anyone so they won't sue me.
Fact: FuzziBunz fully intends on protecting our intellectual property rights. We have been actively working behind the scenes within the patent office for years. It has been a long process and one that has required immense patience, but we feel the value of waiting it out will be significant.
Q. Is there a potential fallout for retailers and customers to buy / sell possibly infringing products?
A. Customers? No. However in patent law, someone who sells a product that has been sent a cease and desist order can also be sent a cease and desist and also be sued by the company. That is not our desire however but it is within patent rights to do so.
Q. Have you ever sued anyone and do you plan on it?
A. I am a peaceful person and a lawsuit is not something I want to be a part of. They are costly and time consuming but unfortunately I see it being inevitable at some point. What I would rather see is for companies sign a license so that the legal system is being upheld and they can continue business as normal. Licensing really is the smart way to go. The royalty is typically modest and the business can sleep at night knowing they will not be served with papers in the morning. PLUS it is just the right thing to do. I have done it with another product (similar but not exactly the same) and I have not died or been bankrupt by it - in fact it is a mutually beneficial relationship.
How much is that patent lawsuit going to cost you? Read here.
Patent Q&A Part 1
Q. What kind of patent does FuzziBunz have?
A. There are several different TYPES of patents. A "utility patent" is a patent that protects how a product works and functions. A "design patent" protects the design aspects of a product such as a snap configuration or a pattern. FuzziBunz holds a UTILITY patent which means a baby diaper that has a method of inserting a removable absorbent insert that has a polyester high pile wicking fabric to keep babies bottom dry.
FuzziBunz Related:
Myth: The patent protects a pocket at the back (leading edge) of the diaper so by moving the pocket elsewhere or a few inches down gets around the patent.
Fact: It is irrelevant where the opening is and what is a "leading edge" anyway? If it were a design patent this would hold true, but it is not. It is a utility patent. Leading edge simply means somewhere in the vicinity of the back, front or side of the diaper.
Q. Pocket diapers existed before FuzziBunz how can you have a patent on that?
A. This is true, there were diapers with pockets in them prior to FuzziBunz, and this information needs to be disclosed in the patent office and has been. It is patent law that any "prior art" must be cited in a patent application and if found after the fact, still must be disclosed by the applicant via special process or one risks having their patent invalidated. However it is not just a pocket that is patented it is a combination of a pocket to insert something that is absorbent into and the fleece that makes the product work and gives it the utility to keep wetness away from a babies skin. It is the two features together (amongst others) that are patented, not one or the other. There were no pocket diapers (or any diapers to my knowledge) using fleece as an inner layer prior to FuzziBunz or a patent would not have been issued. It does not cover pocket diapers with flat material as the top layer or non polyester / piled knitted like hemp. It also does not cover an all in one diaper that has a fleece layer on the top. Its about the combination of features that make the product function in a particular way.
Q. Are patents global?
A. There are no global patents - however you can apply for international protection through a different process when filing an application. This allows you to chose which countries you wish to have protection in. The original FuzziBunz patent is only a US patent. Other patents pending are filed under the international option.
Q. What patents do you have and what is pending?
A. I have a patent on the original pocket diaper which was granted in 2003. However in 2003 we also applied to continue the patent application to help further define the claims. THIS is still pending! I am also patent pending on our One Size design using adjustable AND removable / elastic which was filed under international status. No other diaper has completely non-sewn in elastic that can be easily removed when it wears out to give the diaper a longer life.
Q. How does a patent actually work?
A. Well, an inventor files paperwork disclosing their invention to the patent office, and they take 3-4 years to process that application and decide if the invention should be granted a patent. If so they are protected for 17 years. However in those 3-4 years under a pending patent there is not much protection so this opens the market up for many similar products to be launched. Once the patent is granted it will then take the inventor tons of money to then stop the look a likes and prove that they are infringing. It is a FLAWED system! So do patents actually work? Sometimes. But it takes more than a good patent for a product to succeed.
Q. How do you effectively enforce a patent?
A. First you must always be pursuing patent protection and you must do it universally. While it seems we have not been protecting our patent, in fact we have, just not in public. And once the public acts of patent protection starts, it must be enforced universally. You can not pick and choose who needs to stop, who needs to pay and who you will ignore and let go on. Unfortunately to be effective and not lose credibility every product that is being made that may infringe needs to be treated equally. By showing favoritism to some and not others it weakens the credibility and the validity of the patent. If the patent holder ignores the little guy and sues the big companies - the bigger companies defense will be "they don't enforce their patent rights so I should not have to abide either" and that is exactly what we don't want to see happen. Its complicated and confusing to many, I know.
A. There are several different TYPES of patents. A "utility patent" is a patent that protects how a product works and functions. A "design patent" protects the design aspects of a product such as a snap configuration or a pattern. FuzziBunz holds a UTILITY patent which means a baby diaper that has a method of inserting a removable absorbent insert that has a polyester high pile wicking fabric to keep babies bottom dry.
FuzziBunz Related:
Myth: The patent protects a pocket at the back (leading edge) of the diaper so by moving the pocket elsewhere or a few inches down gets around the patent.
Fact: It is irrelevant where the opening is and what is a "leading edge" anyway? If it were a design patent this would hold true, but it is not. It is a utility patent. Leading edge simply means somewhere in the vicinity of the back, front or side of the diaper.
Q. Pocket diapers existed before FuzziBunz how can you have a patent on that?
A. This is true, there were diapers with pockets in them prior to FuzziBunz, and this information needs to be disclosed in the patent office and has been. It is patent law that any "prior art" must be cited in a patent application and if found after the fact, still must be disclosed by the applicant via special process or one risks having their patent invalidated. However it is not just a pocket that is patented it is a combination of a pocket to insert something that is absorbent into and the fleece that makes the product work and gives it the utility to keep wetness away from a babies skin. It is the two features together (amongst others) that are patented, not one or the other. There were no pocket diapers (or any diapers to my knowledge) using fleece as an inner layer prior to FuzziBunz or a patent would not have been issued. It does not cover pocket diapers with flat material as the top layer or non polyester / piled knitted like hemp. It also does not cover an all in one diaper that has a fleece layer on the top. Its about the combination of features that make the product function in a particular way.
Q. Are patents global?
A. There are no global patents - however you can apply for international protection through a different process when filing an application. This allows you to chose which countries you wish to have protection in. The original FuzziBunz patent is only a US patent. Other patents pending are filed under the international option.
Q. What patents do you have and what is pending?
A. I have a patent on the original pocket diaper which was granted in 2003. However in 2003 we also applied to continue the patent application to help further define the claims. THIS is still pending! I am also patent pending on our One Size design using adjustable AND removable / elastic which was filed under international status. No other diaper has completely non-sewn in elastic that can be easily removed when it wears out to give the diaper a longer life.
Q. How does a patent actually work?
A. Well, an inventor files paperwork disclosing their invention to the patent office, and they take 3-4 years to process that application and decide if the invention should be granted a patent. If so they are protected for 17 years. However in those 3-4 years under a pending patent there is not much protection so this opens the market up for many similar products to be launched. Once the patent is granted it will then take the inventor tons of money to then stop the look a likes and prove that they are infringing. It is a FLAWED system! So do patents actually work? Sometimes. But it takes more than a good patent for a product to succeed.
Q. How do you effectively enforce a patent?
A. First you must always be pursuing patent protection and you must do it universally. While it seems we have not been protecting our patent, in fact we have, just not in public. And once the public acts of patent protection starts, it must be enforced universally. You can not pick and choose who needs to stop, who needs to pay and who you will ignore and let go on. Unfortunately to be effective and not lose credibility every product that is being made that may infringe needs to be treated equally. By showing favoritism to some and not others it weakens the credibility and the validity of the patent. If the patent holder ignores the little guy and sues the big companies - the bigger companies defense will be "they don't enforce their patent rights so I should not have to abide either" and that is exactly what we don't want to see happen. Its complicated and confusing to many, I know.
Monday, October 1, 2012
A Little Perspective
Post my Shark Tank appearance I had an outpouring of support by friends, family, retailers, our Facebook followers and the most rewarding... complete strangers. I also had people give me some constructive criticism which I have always welcomed. I am truly grateful for both and thank all of those for thinking of
FuzziBunz so passionately.
The hard part here is to acknowledge that
handful of people who haven't been constructive at all... and in fact
downright hurtful, sarcastic, hateful and vulgar. I've often pondered why some
people feel so compelled to throw insults at me, my company and my
employees. They don't know us. But to give you a little perspective, we
are real people with real feelings. Sure, I have my personal faults, but
I am a mother, sister, daughter and friend. The people who work with me
are mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, spouses, etc. We are real people. We do not merely exist behind a computer screen.
Here's
more perspective. I am very proud of the fact that FuzziBunz employs
more than a dozen people. I am also proud to be now putting more people to work in the United States and creating jobs where there were once none. We are all grateful to have such wonderful
jobs despite these tough economic times. Plus, FuzziBunz is sold by
hundreds of other business owners who employ hundreds of other people.
Thousands of families use FuzziBunz and have saved tons of money doing
so too. FuzziBunz fuels our economy and puts food on many tables each
night... that is why I am not giving up or giving in. There are too
many livelihoods at stake.
A
little more perspective... what I'm not so proud of is that the ugly
part of my business is being discussed so rabidly by people who know very
little about our journey or know bits and pieces. Not one of those people has
walked in my shoes. But this post isn't meant to be a woe is me thing.
It's just to simply meant to give perspective. I admit it. I have had
manufacturing troubles. Earlier this year a batch of our diapers went
out unbeknownst to us with manufacturing defects. We replaced any diaper
we knew about with money out of our own pockets. The factory did nothing to compensate our loss. Our customers were of
our utmost concern - nothing else. We even changed our warranty to
protect our customers against future defects.
More perspective
is to remind everyone that watched Shark Tank that you saw a 3 minute cut of my appearance on
Shark Tank (even though I was in the tank for a lot longer). The cut
was about the patent dispute. It made for great TV. For anyone worried
about the future of other cloth diaper manufacturers, I'm certainly not
looking to put anyone out. I'm just looking for companies who have
created diapers using the innovation I patented to do the right thing
through licensing and that will be pursued in due time.
The patent problem is far bigger than the general public understands, especially with the $4.00 diapers coming directly from Chinese manufacturers being sold on Ebay. This hurts the entire cloth diaper industry - not just me - however as the patent holder I am the only one that can take action to stop that and when I do the entire industry will benefit because they too will stop losing sales. I am not only thinking of myself.
I,
too, am disappointed that I let my emotions get the best of me in the
tank as many of you have noted. It's a heated moment, incredibly intense and in time and the
sharks bring out everything - the good, the bad and the ugly. You can't
help but feel emotionally-charged. I was defending a business I have
loved and spent 12 years building and loving. Not everything was
positive, as you saw, and I kept my cool in the tank. When
you're passionate about your business, you get fired up. It's just human nature. I can't and won't apologize for being human.
Remember,
life is all about how you choose to look at things. I choose to
continue to make an amazing diapering product for the families of this
world and I continue to improve upon it. I choose to keep fighting for what is rightfully mine. I choose
to fight for FuzziBunz. I choose to give a little perspective.
Thanks for listening.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
My Shark Tank Experience Part 1
So I know you all have been dying to find out how I feel about the outcome from Shark Tank. There is only one answer - ELATED!
I know people think getting a deal is the biggest thing on the show, but indeed it is not. When I was approached initially by the Shark Tank producers I was very hesitant for many reasons. I wasn't a start up and I had....well....baggage and I knew it. But I decided to go in and give it my best shot and let the chips fall as they may. The worst case scenario I could picture for myself was not NOT getting a deal, it was them ripping me to shreds, which did not happen thankfully. What the Sharks had to say to me in the tank was honest and a big eye opener and an even bigger learning experience! I made immediate changes straight out of the tank that could make my company stronger and better. I have never shied away from a learning experience, even a hard one, without taking what I learned and putting it to good use.
Getting a deal from a shark is one thing, but deal or no deal, the exposure that a product garners after it airs can not be discounted in any way shape or form. Not to mention if I do decide to take on an investor it will be a well thought out process, not something I need to decide on the hot seat with the 24 second clock running (Great tactic though by Mark Cuban I have to admit).
I will confess, when I went into the tank I really wanted to partner with either Damon or Barbara. But I can not say I left dissapointed when either of them declined. I was prepared, I was ready, I presented myself well, I believed in myself and the product and was not prepared to give any more than 25% away - which would not have been the case if a real offer was made and I knew that - especially after the "poo poo" started flying and the over 70 pocket diapers using my intellectual property was brought to the tank.
It is important to me to be able to keep the integrity of this company how I want it, I am not ready to give that away and let someone only concerned with the bottom line and profits call the shots - although I have to say that is one thing I think cost me the deal - but that is ok. I never make excuses for my integrity, business ethics or what I have done in the past. It is a part of who I am.
My company was born out of a need and a true passion to make a difference in all of the lives that it touches from baby to consumer to retailer to my own employees and family. And while I have a huge buffet plateful of things to do now post Shark Tank - sacrificing my business philosophy for the sake of the almighty dollar is not one of them!
I have a lot more to write about this - so stay tuned for the next blog. "Intellectual Property and why it should be respected" Yes...you will be hearing a lot about this in the coming weeks.
I know people think getting a deal is the biggest thing on the show, but indeed it is not. When I was approached initially by the Shark Tank producers I was very hesitant for many reasons. I wasn't a start up and I had....well....baggage and I knew it. But I decided to go in and give it my best shot and let the chips fall as they may. The worst case scenario I could picture for myself was not NOT getting a deal, it was them ripping me to shreds, which did not happen thankfully. What the Sharks had to say to me in the tank was honest and a big eye opener and an even bigger learning experience! I made immediate changes straight out of the tank that could make my company stronger and better. I have never shied away from a learning experience, even a hard one, without taking what I learned and putting it to good use.
Getting a deal from a shark is one thing, but deal or no deal, the exposure that a product garners after it airs can not be discounted in any way shape or form. Not to mention if I do decide to take on an investor it will be a well thought out process, not something I need to decide on the hot seat with the 24 second clock running (Great tactic though by Mark Cuban I have to admit).
I will confess, when I went into the tank I really wanted to partner with either Damon or Barbara. But I can not say I left dissapointed when either of them declined. I was prepared, I was ready, I presented myself well, I believed in myself and the product and was not prepared to give any more than 25% away - which would not have been the case if a real offer was made and I knew that - especially after the "poo poo" started flying and the over 70 pocket diapers using my intellectual property was brought to the tank.
It is important to me to be able to keep the integrity of this company how I want it, I am not ready to give that away and let someone only concerned with the bottom line and profits call the shots - although I have to say that is one thing I think cost me the deal - but that is ok. I never make excuses for my integrity, business ethics or what I have done in the past. It is a part of who I am.
My company was born out of a need and a true passion to make a difference in all of the lives that it touches from baby to consumer to retailer to my own employees and family. And while I have a huge buffet plateful of things to do now post Shark Tank - sacrificing my business philosophy for the sake of the almighty dollar is not one of them!
I have a lot more to write about this - so stay tuned for the next blog. "Intellectual Property and why it should be respected" Yes...you will be hearing a lot about this in the coming weeks.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Cloth Diapers Going Mainstream....Problem?
I have to say, I was very impressed with a blog post that I read today from the Cloth Diaper Guru on FuzziBunz being on Shark Tank. It has been the consensus over the years throughout the cloth diaper industry (both users, retailers and manufacturers) that going big time was bad, that going mainstream was a sell out and many would wish to keep the modern cloth diaper movement under wraps (no pun intended). But I have never understood that concept. Why?
Is it not every parent's right to be exposed to such a solutions product like this? There are so many people on this planet that hate using disposables, hate throwing them in the landfills, have babies that are suffering from chemical burns and diaper rash, are hurting financially but do not know that a good modern alternative exists to DISPOSABLE DIAPERS! They deserve to know about Modern Cloth Diapers TOO! And exposure is how it's done no matter what form it comes in. The more readily available they are, the more baby's bottoms will be in cloth instead of a disposable. Isn't that the bigger picture here?
Lets face it, Modern Cloth Diapers ARE going mainstream and it is a very good thing! I can understand retailers of cloth diapers that have been mainly internet based, who helped grow this industry to what it is today fearing that having FuzziBunz or another big brand in a major Big Box store chain would kill their sales....I disagree. If modern cloth diapering has gained enough interest and enough momentum to even be IN those stores - it just means even MORE exposure and enough business to go around.
And one more note to ponder to put some minds at ease - a product that is going to get into a Walmart will likely be a less expensive, lesser quality mainstream no bells and whistles product to appeal to the mass consumer - is this your customer? At $20 its not the FuzziBunz consumer either. Further, they will likely only carry one brand, one style and limited colors. That leaves plenty of room for the specialty stores and boutiques to carry the higher end products with more style and flair and features that can be sold at a higher price. If someone gets hooked on the concept by something they buy or saw at Walmart and then goes searching for bigger and better or more stylish then there will be stores that will be able to meet that need as well.
Yes, we do have a lot up our sleeves over at FuzziBunz - great things - but one thing people can count on regardless of what direction is taken after Shark Tank is that we will always keep our values, always know where we started and always strive to be a company and a product that people respect.
You can read the Cloth Diaper Guru's blog here
http://clothdiaperguru.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/fuzzibunz-to-appear-on-abcs-shark-tank/#comment-945
Is it not every parent's right to be exposed to such a solutions product like this? There are so many people on this planet that hate using disposables, hate throwing them in the landfills, have babies that are suffering from chemical burns and diaper rash, are hurting financially but do not know that a good modern alternative exists to DISPOSABLE DIAPERS! They deserve to know about Modern Cloth Diapers TOO! And exposure is how it's done no matter what form it comes in. The more readily available they are, the more baby's bottoms will be in cloth instead of a disposable. Isn't that the bigger picture here?
Lets face it, Modern Cloth Diapers ARE going mainstream and it is a very good thing! I can understand retailers of cloth diapers that have been mainly internet based, who helped grow this industry to what it is today fearing that having FuzziBunz or another big brand in a major Big Box store chain would kill their sales....I disagree. If modern cloth diapering has gained enough interest and enough momentum to even be IN those stores - it just means even MORE exposure and enough business to go around.
And one more note to ponder to put some minds at ease - a product that is going to get into a Walmart will likely be a less expensive, lesser quality mainstream no bells and whistles product to appeal to the mass consumer - is this your customer? At $20 its not the FuzziBunz consumer either. Further, they will likely only carry one brand, one style and limited colors. That leaves plenty of room for the specialty stores and boutiques to carry the higher end products with more style and flair and features that can be sold at a higher price. If someone gets hooked on the concept by something they buy or saw at Walmart and then goes searching for bigger and better or more stylish then there will be stores that will be able to meet that need as well.
Yes, we do have a lot up our sleeves over at FuzziBunz - great things - but one thing people can count on regardless of what direction is taken after Shark Tank is that we will always keep our values, always know where we started and always strive to be a company and a product that people respect.
You can read the Cloth Diaper Guru's blog here
http://clothdiaperguru.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/fuzzibunz-to-appear-on-abcs-shark-tank/#comment-945
Monday, September 24, 2012
Never Giving UP
Today an article came out in The Idependent about my appearance on Shark Tank, tomorrow the local news KATC is interviewing me for their segment "What's Right in Acadiana" and I expect there will be many more like these to come after the actual air date passes. But I was wondering what do I want my message to be when doing these interviews? What do I want to leave people with after watching a news story? I have been in business for almost 13 years, and the honest truth is that it has never been easy! I think that holds true for many people that bring new ideas to market - especially on a next to nothing budget.
My story is interesting of a mom who thought of something different and made it a successful product, but it is a similar story that we all hear very often - the "Mother of Invention" right? What I want to leave people with after either hearing my story or reading an article is the perseverance that it has taken to get to this point because that is part of the story that is often left out. The dedication and courage that it takes to stay in business when you would rather throw in the towel. And the motivation and the drive that it takes to jump over just about every hurdle put in your way and keep on going. That is what I have done despite one thing after another being thrown in my direction.
I did not go looking for Shark Tank, Shark Tank found me and I am so glad they did. Had I given up long ago after the first hiccup in my business, this opportunity would have never presented itself.
Key lesson - NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS - BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY MAY LEAD TO!
My story is interesting of a mom who thought of something different and made it a successful product, but it is a similar story that we all hear very often - the "Mother of Invention" right? What I want to leave people with after either hearing my story or reading an article is the perseverance that it has taken to get to this point because that is part of the story that is often left out. The dedication and courage that it takes to stay in business when you would rather throw in the towel. And the motivation and the drive that it takes to jump over just about every hurdle put in your way and keep on going. That is what I have done despite one thing after another being thrown in my direction.
I did not go looking for Shark Tank, Shark Tank found me and I am so glad they did. Had I given up long ago after the first hiccup in my business, this opportunity would have never presented itself.
Key lesson - NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS - BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY MAY LEAD TO!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
This week begins a milestone for me as Tereson Dupuy the inventor and the entrepreneur. Today I closed a chapter in the life and times of FuzziBunz by selling our old warehouse building that held many joys, pains and lots of Fuzzibunz. This Friday will be the airing of Shark Tank which will undoubedly change my business as I know it today.
It is no secret that I have met many struggles in the last 13 years while building this business, raising three children and trying to stay ahead of the game and sometimes just stay afloat. From entering an almost dead industry with a new off the wall cloth diapering product, to getting a divorce that left me with huge debt and uncertainty of my future, to having a son diagnosed with Aspergers to battling the ever growing and completely out of hand intellectual property situation that is effecting the entire cloth diaper industry - it has not been an easy ride.
But that is all about to change. I can feel it. I have always been one to do the "right thing" and I believe that when you operate in such a way, the right things come back to you. Maybe it does not happen over night, but I believe it does happen. And I believe my time is finally about to arrive. It will be a ride for sure!
It is no secret that I have met many struggles in the last 13 years while building this business, raising three children and trying to stay ahead of the game and sometimes just stay afloat. From entering an almost dead industry with a new off the wall cloth diapering product, to getting a divorce that left me with huge debt and uncertainty of my future, to having a son diagnosed with Aspergers to battling the ever growing and completely out of hand intellectual property situation that is effecting the entire cloth diaper industry - it has not been an easy ride.
But that is all about to change. I can feel it. I have always been one to do the "right thing" and I believe that when you operate in such a way, the right things come back to you. Maybe it does not happen over night, but I believe it does happen. And I believe my time is finally about to arrive. It will be a ride for sure!
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