Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Name it, have passion for it and claim it.
[00:00:03] Speaker B: No one really was taking the approach that I wanted to take.
[00:00:06] Speaker C: I just never could let it go. I just knew it was something.
[00:00:10] Speaker D: I'm Richard Gearhart.
[00:00:11] Speaker E: And I'm Elizabeth Gearhart. You just heard some snippets from our show. We had amazing people on. Listen for the rest of it.
[00:00:19] Speaker F: Ramping up your business. The time is near. You've given it heart. Now get it in Gear. It's Passage to Profit with Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart.
[00:00:30] Speaker D: I'm Richard Gearhart. Found founder of Gearhart Law, a full service intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks and copyrights.
[00:00:37] Speaker E: And I'm Elizabeth Gearhart, not an attorney, but I do marketing for Gearhart Law and I am the founder of Gear Media Studios, a content creation studio with the focus on podcasting.
[00:00:47] Speaker D: In the world of inventing and entrepreneurship, is it cutthroat and unattainable? Well, we'll find out a little bit later in the show. Welcome to Passage to Profit the Road to Entrepreneurship, where we talk with entrepreneurs and celebrities about their business journeys. We have an amazing guest, Lisa Askalise, superstar. She's known as the inventress. An award winning inventor, entrepreneur, mentor, and CEO of Inventing A to Z. She's turned ideas into household products and has been seen on qvc, HSN and beyond.
[00:01:21] Speaker E: And after Lisa, we have two excellent presenters. We have Arielle Scher, the founder of ABS Staffing Solutions. Do you need to hire? Yes, probably. But do you need to hire the right person? Then you need to talk to Ariel. And we also have Gina Triantafilo. She is the mompreneur behind Tiny Totco. Is your kid a messy eater? Your toddler? If so, you need to see what Gina has because it'll really help.
[00:01:46] Speaker D: Gina's not a messy eater.
[00:01:47] Speaker E: Oh, adults are messy eaters.
[00:01:49] Speaker D: They could use this too. Maybe we could use bibs too. I don't know. But before we get to our incredible guest, it's to time for your new business journey. Two in five Americans want to start their own business or have already started a business. We want to ask our panel, what is the smallest win in your business that felt like hitting the jackpot. So, Lisa, hello, Richard and Elizabeth.
[00:02:11] Speaker A: So nice to be here. Thank you for having me.
[00:02:13] Speaker D: Great to see you again. So what is the smallest little thing that you thought you hit the jackpot?
[00:02:18] Speaker A: Well, the smallest thing where I have to say I did win the jackpot was creating my first product at the dry cleaners. Right. Going to the dry cleaners and having my first product developed by my dry cleaner, which turned out to be a huge, huge win. It was small for me when I went, but it wound up being a big win.
[00:02:38] Speaker D: What was the product?
[00:02:39] Speaker A: It was the bosom Buddy breastfeeding cape.
[00:02:41] Speaker D: Oh, okay, great.
[00:02:42] Speaker A: Yeah, it was the bosom buddy.
[00:02:44] Speaker D: Yeah. Seemed small at the time, but it turned out to be fantastic.
[00:02:48] Speaker A: I had no idea how big it was going to be. I had no idea it was my first product sold nationally. I thought it was just going to be sold to my neighbors and friends and wound up selling worldwide.
[00:03:00] Speaker D: Perfect. Well, thanks for sharing that, Ariel. What small thing happened that made you feel like you hit the jackpot?
[00:03:07] Speaker B: When I first got my first office and getting those keys and my name on the door, the pride and just knowing that the opportunity was here. I'll never forget that feeling.
[00:03:20] Speaker D: Yeah, I can see how that would be. Really? You're stepping across the threshold. Right? And what a fantastic moment. Gina, tell us about something small that turned into something great.
[00:03:31] Speaker E: Okay.
[00:03:31] Speaker C: I was actually at one of Lisa's events, and I had just gotten some of my first bibs, and right off the bat, someone came up to me and was like, I really want to buy one. And it was my first sale. And I just remember that moment, like, just feeling like, wow, people understand my product and they're interested in it. And it just felt amazing to know after just having it in my hand for five minutes, someone already loved it.
[00:03:56] Speaker D: That's great. Congratulations on that. So, Lisa Askalise, so good to see you. What have you been up to?
[00:04:02] Speaker A: Oh, everything. My gosh. Thank you again for having me. This is beautiful. The studio's amazing.
So I've been up to. I wrote two books since the last time I. I saw you guys. I have my Inventing book, which is the Inventorist's guide to inventing the Right Way. All or nothing. Now or never. And at the same time, writing my lullaby book. A lullaby book at the same time? Well, I say one was up and really stressful, and the other one was soothing and mellow. So the lullaby book I wrote because of Olivia. I would sing lullabies to Olivia during her naps, and she would sing them back to me. And I said, why not make this a lullaby book? That was one thing. And then the Inventurist guide to Inventing, in addition to having amazing clients like. You'll meet Gina shortly. Just working with wonderful clients like Gina, who are constantly inventing and thinking of new ideas and helping them through a very, very difficult terrain that winds up being incredibly successful.
[00:05:00] Speaker E: Your company is inventing A to Z. Can you explain to our audience what that means?
[00:05:05] Speaker A: Clients come to me with ideas. I call them napkin ideas, and I help them with those napkin ideas and bring them all the way to the marketplace and everything in between. And I say the right way because there's a right way of doing things in a wrong way. And a lot of people make very, very expensive mistakes. So what I try to do, what I do do, is hold their hands and take them through all of the steps, step by step, beginning to end. So from beginning all the way to the market. All the way to the market. Some places. Hsn, qvc, Shop, hq. And I, by the way, I have my own shopping network too. I don't know if you knew about that.
[00:05:40] Speaker E: I knew you had your own Inventor Spotlight tv.
[00:05:42] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:05:42] Speaker E: And so now you have a shopping network. That is awesome.
[00:05:45] Speaker A: So Inventor Spotlight tv, where I help inventors showcase and highlight their products, from licensing to selling to just broadcasting and. Yeah, just a little bit of something.
[00:05:55] Speaker D: Lisa Askalys, she's been through it all. The product development process is not easy.
[00:06:01] Speaker A: Not at all.
[00:06:02] Speaker D: A lot of challenges. There's a lot of places to go off track. And having somebody with experience who can help guide you will save you a ton of time. And of course, in the business world, time is money, right? So if you're able to get to the market six months or a year earlier, that's important. Lisa can help you with that. So I wanted to ask you a question, though.
What is the first question a budding entrepreneur should ask themselves before they start a business?
[00:06:33] Speaker A: Are you really ready? Are you passionate about your product?
Because it costs money, a lot of money to get the product off the ground.
Take a look at what's around and is the product actually needed? Is it just going to be your mom using your product or is it for everybody?
[00:06:51] Speaker D: How do you find that out? I mean, if you know, because everybody. You wouldn't even start thinking about it unless they thought it was a great idea, right? So how do you get this objective feedback?
[00:07:00] Speaker A: Well, I mean, what is the product? I say, what is the product for? And who's it. Who's really going to use it? Ask people, but not too many people, you know, and most of the time when we come up with something, we're pretty much living the same way. We live our lives the same way. If it's something that you're tripping over every single day and it has to be fixed and other people say, you know what? I do the same thing. I do that, then that's the aha moment. It's not just you figure out who else needs the product. Is there a grand need for it? The next thing I say is, name it, have passion for it, and claim it. When you name it and claim it, it becomes real. When you have a passion for something, Richard. I mean, let's use my perfect pockets, for example. I was creating this product to hold Tupperware lids.
And I said, you know what? This is really something that I need to do. And I'm not gonna skip over this because there's a huge need for this product.
So I said, today I'm gonna draw it up, I'm gonna write about it, and I'm gonna name it something and I'm going to claim it. When you name it and claim it, you own it emotionally.
So that emotional feeling gives you the perseverance, the drive to move forward. For me, anyway, I mean, that's how I roll. If I see something, I name it, I claim it. I have to do it. It's done.
[00:08:14] Speaker E: Well, that kind of leads into my question that I've been wanting to ask you because a lot of times, and I'm guilty of this myself, too, an entrepreneur will think, why am I doing this? I'm partway down the road. I'm not sure it's the right thing. I'm exhausted. I'm not getting as far as I wanted as fast as I wanted. What do you tell them at that point?
[00:08:35] Speaker A: That's where mentorship and speaking with someone who's like minded needs to lift you up and inspire you.
Lift you. But you have to be lifted up, inspired and coached by someone, but the right person.
Because many people are naysayers.
Many people talk you out of it and say, why are you doing this? There's no need. Somebody else has that product. How many times people have said that to me?
Every time I've come up with something new. Hands down, if I've ever told someone else I was inventing this thing, they'd say to me, that's already on the market. I saw that already. It's already been invented.
[00:09:12] Speaker D: That's funny. I mean, I just kind of wonder why people would react that way. I guess it's human nature, right? But jealousy, maybe, or the fact that.
[00:09:21] Speaker A: They may not be able to do it themselves. It's inconceivable, Richard. It's inconceivable to be able to develop a product and put it on the market. Who does that?
Do you know anybody who has products on the market. It's impossible.
[00:09:34] Speaker D: You do. I mean, I know you.
[00:09:36] Speaker A: You know, I mean, when you see products, you see you're looking at an iPhone, you're looking at iPhones, you're looking at coffee pots, you're looking at refrigerators. And I think that's the way people think. How could anyone possibly make a product that's gonna go on QVC or on the shelf? That's. It's massive. It's a huge undertaking. How could you possibly do that?
[00:09:55] Speaker D: Yet people do.
[00:09:56] Speaker A: Yet people do.
[00:09:57] Speaker D: And you've been on QVC and Home Shopping Network and all the big networks many, many, many times, promoting different products, and almost all of them are from individual inventors, right?
[00:10:09] Speaker A: Absolutely.
[00:10:10] Speaker E: But you don't just help people with the mechanical parts of the process. You're a coach at the same time, right?
[00:10:16] Speaker A: Yes. And you have to be. You've got to be.
[00:10:18] Speaker E: And you hold them accountable. Because I think that's the great thing about having a coach is they make you accountable, right?
[00:10:24] Speaker A: Yes. Yes. And many times have to talk people off the ledge because it's. It's a very, very difficult process.
No one knows how it's going to work. Every product is always new. I don't care how many times you've done it, how many times you've invented something else, how many times you started a new business. It's always a new terrain. It's never the same. So there are obstacles that you face that you weren't sure you're going to face, and somehow you have to jump over them and keep on going.
You just have to keep on going. But that's where I go back to saying, you need a coach. You need somebody to help lift and inspire you always do.
[00:10:59] Speaker D: A lot of people start with the idea that this is going to be easy.
[00:11:03] Speaker A: Yes. It's always a lot easier emotionally than it actually is.
[00:11:07] Speaker E: Do you ask them to use focus groups, like people they don't know that would be a focus group that they could show their product to? Or do you think that's too risky because someone would steal the idea?
[00:11:16] Speaker A: It's too risky.
[00:11:17] Speaker E: Okay.
[00:11:17] Speaker A: I've done that. I did that many times in my career a long, long time ago, and it was not a good idea because people do. I mean, and I don't think even intentionally, you know, somebody will mention something to a group of people and they'll say, you know what? I think I could do that. I could do that myself. I can do it myself.
So, I mean, I don't think it's a Great idea. I think if you have good friends who you have signed non disclosure agreements and you make it, you say to them, this is a serious thing. I don't care if it's your mom, your aunt, whoever else, those are the worst people to show actually, because your mother will tell everybody. She'll tell everybody because she's proud of you.
[00:11:52] Speaker D: Passage to Profit with Richard and Elizabeth Gerhardt. We're with Lisa Askalise here. From Inventing A to Z how do people find you? Lisa?
[00:11:59] Speaker A: I'm on social media. Every social media platform they can find me. On Inventing A to Z it was my website. Inventing a t o z.com a o w I e.com inventorspotlighttv.com so you're known.
[00:12:11] Speaker E: As the inventor, you're also the inventor, right?
[00:12:15] Speaker A: Yes, I am the Inventress.
[00:12:17] Speaker E: Because I had somebody ask me about you once and he's like, yeah, I remember that woman, she was on your show. This was years ago. I think her name's the Inventress.
Like yes, that's her name.
[00:12:26] Speaker G: It's funny, some people say, are you Mrs.
[00:12:28] Speaker A: The inventress, Ms.
[00:12:29] Speaker D: The inventress.
But getting back to the non disclosure, I'm going to hammer on this a little bit because the other day I was talking with a prospective client and eventually he revealed to me that he had taken his project and pitched, pitched it to a vc, which is a venture capitalist looking for funds. And six months later the VC was funding somebody else to do exactly the same thing. It's not something that would have been done by coincidence. It happens a lot and I hear those stories a lot.
[00:13:01] Speaker E: Can I throw something else in the mix?
I use AI a lot and if I have a question, I ask AI.
But when you do that, all of that goes into the big pot of stuff on the Internet that it draws from. So if I had a new product that I really wanted to keep secret, I would not ask AI anything about it.
[00:13:23] Speaker B: Right?
[00:13:24] Speaker E: Or Google Search or anything.
[00:13:26] Speaker D: And we have clients who start by preparing a patent application on the using ChatGPT or one of the AI engines. And it's really, you're taking a big risk because you're putting your technology and your ideas out there into the database and that becomes part of the training. And so if somebody types in something that's related to what you're doing, your stuff might come up. And there are legal ramifications, but there are also practical business ramifications to that. So I think AI is great and we're going to be talking about it later on the show. We have a segment on AI, but you got to be careful with it. And you got to know you can't just put anything in there that's personal that you wouldn't want somebody else to find out about.
[00:14:12] Speaker A: Even prior to AI, I didn't do it. I was always afraid. You know, they say, well, do a search, find out if it's out there. Well, no, not really. No. Because your words are your. You know, these are search words.
[00:14:22] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:14:22] Speaker E: Unless you do it with a proprietary database like Gearhart Law does.
[00:14:25] Speaker A: Right, right, right. I mean. Right. We go to Gearhart Law for that. But.
[00:14:31] Speaker E: But no, you don't do a Google search on that.
[00:14:34] Speaker A: No, never.
[00:14:34] Speaker E: And he's never. He's always been like, dude, do not do a Google search on your idea.
[00:14:39] Speaker D: Well, I think there's a balance here. I think Google has a patents database, so you can look up patents on the Google patent database. You put stuff there and it's related to software or search engines. I do think you take a risk because Google is probably looking. If you give them too much detail, they might notice. And who knows what happens after that other stuff. As long as you're careful in the way you phrase it, you can get some information.
[00:15:04] Speaker E: Lisa, what is the number one question your clients or potential clients ask you?
[00:15:09] Speaker A: So the first thing is usually, do I need a patent? And can I say the second thing? How long is it going to take before they even know what the process is? How long is it going to take for this product to be finished?
[00:15:22] Speaker E: Well, it depends on what the product is.
[00:15:24] Speaker A: Right.
[00:15:24] Speaker E: But what's a typical timeline?
[00:15:26] Speaker A: You know what, it depends on the person you're working with.
You could be developing a pencil that could take three years to develop.
You can work on something more complicated. That's a digital item that could be quicker. It all depends. It depends on the client, depends on the communication, level of communication, the changes that may take place. Usually the tiniest products are the hardest. I'm working on a product that is a latch hook. You would think a latch hook. You know what a latch hook is, right? Simple product.
It's taken two and a half years because of the point, the tip, the length, the width, the color, the size, all of it. So, yeah, so everything needs to be to have specifications, specs, size, width, pantone, colors, materials.
[00:16:10] Speaker E: Someone who hasn't been through this process before would not know that.
[00:16:13] Speaker A: No, not at all. As much as you tell the client. Also, there's just no way of knowing because you never know what hurls what bumps are gonna come up in the road, Whether there is delay in manufacturing because of holidays or the machinery went down, it's just. There's no way of explaining to any client. Well, you can explain it, but it's hard to understand.
[00:16:34] Speaker D: We're with Lisa Askalise, the inventress and CEO of Inventing A to Z. You mentioned that you've written a couple of books.
[00:16:41] Speaker A: I have. So for many, many years. I've been doing my business for over 35 years, and my clients have always said, can't you just give us a book, write a book, give us the steps? So the first book I wrote last year was Inventress Guide to Inventing the Right Way. All or nothing, now or never. And there's a lot of reasons behind the title. And in this book, there are affirmations after every chapter, Positive affirmations, because when you get down, you gotta be pulled back up again. Right. It seems very, very difficult. It's very tedious and very, very difficult. So I remind people to get back up, stay focused, have faith, and persevere. So 10 chapters, and every chapter has a positive affirmation. A great book.
[00:17:27] Speaker D: Where can we get the book?
[00:17:28] Speaker A: Sure. This is sold on Amazon, Barnes and Noble. In fact, I'm on tour right now in Barnes and Noble and on my website, Inventing A to Z.
In addition to that, Richard and Elizabeth, I wrote a lullaby book.
[00:17:43] Speaker D: So that's a little different for you, right?
[00:17:46] Speaker A: I had to calm down, Richard. I had to calm down.
So, yes, the lullaby book I wrote because, I mean, I've always sang to my children and now my grandchildren, and what prompted me to write this lullaby book is because every nap Olivia took, I sang her song and she started singing them back to me. Well, hello.
Isn't that a reason to write a book?
[00:18:09] Speaker E: Absolutely.
[00:18:10] Speaker A: So Olivia started singing the songs back to me, and I said, what's your favorite song, Olivia? She says, it's, I love all your lullabies, Grandmama, but I love you. And there's a song called I love you in this book that's really nice. And it's all. There are QR codes, so you can listen to the music, read the words, and listen to the music. So my voice is on the book, audio and instrumental. I never claim to be a singer, but it's a grandma's voice.
[00:18:35] Speaker E: That's awesome. My favorite Book of Lullabies by Lisa Eskelis.
[00:18:40] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:18:40] Speaker E: We're gonna have to get that for our grandkids.
[00:18:42] Speaker A: Well, this is for you.
[00:18:43] Speaker E: Oh, thank you. Thank you.
[00:18:45] Speaker D: You've been featured in a lot of major news outlets. You've even had a billboard in Times Square with all that recognition. What keeps you grounded and motivated to keep creating?
[00:18:55] Speaker A: My sense of humor.
God, I mean, I just, I feel so blessed to have had these opportunities even today. Even today. I've been here with you guys countless times and I'm so grateful every single time. And I mean that.
And I think it's my faith that has to be the reason for it because it's still amazing to me that to see myself on a billboard in Times Square or on QVC or walking down the Shark tank pathway, I mean, just, it still blows my mind. It's faith, it's my family and just gratitude.
[00:19:28] Speaker D: Well, great. We're talking with Lisa Askalise, the the inventress and also the CEO of Inventing A to Z. Stay tuned. We have IP in the news coming up as well as the AI Roundtable and also Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind. You don't want to miss that. And don't forget to experience more of Passage to Profit by subscribing to us on Facebook, Instagram X and YouTube or by subscribing to our podcast. Anywhere that you get your podcasts, just look for the Passage to Profit show on any of these platforms. We'll be back right after this.
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[00:22:00] Speaker F: Now back to passage to profit once again, Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart.
[00:22:05] Speaker E: And our special guest, who we just adore, who is back, Lisa Askalise, the inventress.
We were talking to Lisa before the break, and we really wanted to dig in a little more into her Inventor Spotlight tv. So, Lisa, what's that all about?
[00:22:20] Speaker A: So Inventor Spotlight TV is a musically inspired shopping network where I have not just my inventors, but inventors come on the show, showcase their products.
Many products that are being licensed aren't really shown. So I have clients who are not developing products fully and not manufacturing, but wanting to license. So it's a platform to showcase a product that's about to be licensed so you can actually buy the products from the shopping network. There's a little circle in the corner just like QVC or hsn. I accept mine is better because I'm dancing on the show.
[00:22:53] Speaker D: Yay.
[00:22:53] Speaker A: I'm dancing on. And we just. I love highlighting new brands, older brands, as a matter of fact. I didn't mean to say old at the same time. I'm gonna mention this amazing woman, but my. The incomparable Dionne Warwick was just on my show. Dionne Warwick, wow. She has a perfume, and she came on and I promoted her perfume, and I'm bringing her to hsn, by the way.
[00:23:16] Speaker D: Oh, wow.
[00:23:17] Speaker E: Excellent.
[00:23:17] Speaker D: How exciting.
[00:23:18] Speaker E: So these are all videos that you do of people, and if somebody's trying to market something in 2025, video is essential.
[00:23:29] Speaker A: It is essential.
[00:23:30] Speaker E: It is essential. Not just so the other people can see their products, but it's essential to the search engines.
[00:23:37] Speaker A: Yeah, I think people are very, very impatient. They need to see action. You know, I look at some of my social media feeds, right? When I put a picture up, it gets a few likes and so forth, but when you put up a video, it's very captivating. Inventor Spotlight TV has really taken off. It's 100% the way to go. It's like a QVC, as I mentioned, but better.
[00:24:00] Speaker E: Yeah, yeah.
[00:24:01] Speaker A: Well, I'm only kidding. I mean, and from the. I'm getting there from the back end.
[00:24:05] Speaker E: Of being found on search because that's what we really all want is to be found on search. So if somebody's. I'm going to pick on your client a little bit because she's here. Gina. If somebody's searching special babies bib or something and she has a video and she has it on inventor Spotlight TV, she has it on YouTube. She has it on her own website. She has clips here and there and everywhere.
Her website is going to be higher on the page. She's going to have more authority and she's also. Also going to have more authority with ChatGPT and all those search engines like that, because they're looking for video because Google bought YouTube. So Google loves video video.
So everything has to go on YouTube and that is a huge booster for whatever you're selling.
[00:24:51] Speaker D: Plus, you get to be famous, right?
That's right.
[00:24:55] Speaker A: You get to dance on the show. You get to come to iHeartradio passage to profit.
[00:25:02] Speaker D: You get all that search stuff. We just want to be famous. Right.
[00:25:05] Speaker E: But really, I mean, a lot of these consumer products are so visual.
[00:25:09] Speaker A: They are. They're very demonstrative. I mean.
Going to talk to Gina shortly. But I mean, her product is completely a product that you need to demonstrate and show people how it's used. And I think that the consumer loves that and they love a backstory.
[00:25:23] Speaker E: Oh, yeah.
[00:25:23] Speaker A: You know, so people are able to share their story, how they develop the product, the how, what, why, when and where. And it's all there. It's all there on Inventor Spotlight TV, which is on YouTube. It's on Inventor spotlighttv.com it's on my YouTube channel. Lisa, ask the inventress.
And when you type it in. You made a very good point. When you type something in, it'll come up.
[00:25:44] Speaker E: Yeah. The more places you can be online like that, the better off you are for when people are searching for whatever you have. So that's a really important business.
[00:25:51] Speaker A: Yeah. You'd be surprised at how important it is to get on any. I mean, when you're on even Facebook, Instagram, whatever it is, and you're doing a video, it populates and the whole world gets to see it over and over again. So be careful.
[00:26:05] Speaker D: Be careful what you say.
[00:26:07] Speaker E: I look at some of those videos.
[00:26:08] Speaker D: Of me from COVID Hair day.
Come back another day. I mean, it's really funny. So over the Years, kind of what have been the traits of the most successful entrepreneurs? I mean, if you were kind of, kind of distill it down to a few simple truths, what would those be?
[00:26:27] Speaker A: Personality, Lack of fear. Jumping over the fear. Putting yourself out there and just really a person who can network, network and talk to people.
Forget the fear and get out there and talk to people. You know, Gina mentioned coming to my conference for the first time last year and got to meet tons of people and like she said, very surprised at her first sale. But getting out there, putting yourself out there again, forgetting the fear and just doing it.
[00:26:58] Speaker D: Right.
[00:26:58] Speaker E: Because everybody else is as afraid as you are.
[00:27:00] Speaker B: Right?
[00:27:01] Speaker E: Like we're all afraid. Right.
[00:27:02] Speaker A: I'm very shy. I am shy and you know it.
[00:27:05] Speaker D: You have to get used to the fact that sometimes some people are gonna like what you have and some people aren't.
[00:27:09] Speaker A: That's it. Don't be offended. Right. You just can't be offended.
[00:27:12] Speaker D: Right.
[00:27:13] Speaker A: Put the, put the blinders on. As I say in my book, put those blinders on and just keep it moving.
Listen to. This is where you listen to your mother. I'm proud of you. Keep on going, keep on going.
Just keep on being inspired by others who will inspire you and forget everything else.
[00:27:28] Speaker D: Whatever. You have family members who aren't quite as supportive as you would like.
[00:27:32] Speaker A: I lose them. Get rid of them.
[00:27:34] Speaker D: Get rid of them.
[00:27:35] Speaker A: Take them to the curb.
[00:27:35] Speaker E: Well, thank goodness I'm supportive.
[00:27:40] Speaker A: Everybody's not going to be supportive. I hear this all the time.
I'm fortunate enough to have a family who does support. Well, they have no choice at this point. It's like, whatever, mom, you're doing it anyway. But you have a lot of family members who are not supportive. And it's a shame. It really is a shame. So you just got to, you know, you're lucky when you do have people around you who can support you.
[00:28:02] Speaker D: And yeah, it's just like sometimes other people, maybe not with the same outlook, put all their stuff on you. Right. And they're kind of like, well, I, I couldn't do it, so you can't do it.
[00:28:13] Speaker A: That's right. Right.
[00:28:14] Speaker D: And you know, they. And but you have to find a way to deflect that and just say, well, I will see. And you have to keep trying, Right.
[00:28:24] Speaker A: They are not walking in your shoes.
You know, just be your authentic self and keep it moving.
Close your eyes and keep on going. Say a prayer and keep on going.
[00:28:34] Speaker E: So where do people get money to do their projects? Are most of them self funded? That come to you.
[00:28:40] Speaker A: Most people are self funded. Some are getting grants. You know, it's not always easy to get a grant starting out because you have to show traction.
[00:28:49] Speaker E: You know, that's the hard part. Like a lot of places are like, we have to have been in business for two years. It's like, well, how can I be in business if I don't have the money to be in business?
But, but, but I do think one thing I've heard is like, keep trying for grants. Like, don't just apply for one grant and give up.
[00:29:03] Speaker A: Keep on going. Keep on trying for grants. But I always say piggy bank. You know, when you're developing a product, it should, you should not be mortgaging your home. You know, this is not something when you're starting. I talk to Jean and everybody, all of my clients about this. When you're starting a product, you have to look at it as a business.
How are you going to fund your business? And you shouldn't go broke from developing a product again, you don't know what it's going to cost. There are grants out there, but like you said, Elizabeth, it takes a while. There are many out there and just keep on looking. But you got to build traction in your business before you do it.
[00:29:38] Speaker B: Correct.
[00:29:38] Speaker D: We're with Lisa Askles. You've been a wealth of information and it's been a great interview. Lisa is the CEO of Inventing A to Z.
She's promoted projects on QVC, Home Shopping Network, even had Deanne Warwick on her TV show, TV channel on YouTube. So definitely a person worth noticing and following. Lisa, where can people get in touch with you again?
[00:30:03] Speaker A: So my website is inventing a t o z.com a o w I e dot com. That's the conference, the adventures podcast, Instagram, theinventurist, and of course Facebook and LinkedIn.
[00:30:18] Speaker D: Passage to profit with Richard and Elizabeth Gerhardt.
[00:30:21] Speaker E: Coming up later on, it's Noah's retrospective along with Secrets of the entrepreneurial Mind. We're adding a new segment to the show. It's about AI because what we're finding is we of course get really super smart people on the show every week and all of them are using AI in their businesses. And a lot of people haven't really figured out good ways to use AI in their business. So we're going to ask everybody how they use AI in their business, if they use it or if they don't use it.
[00:30:46] Speaker A: Why?
[00:30:46] Speaker E: So, Lisa, let's start with you. How are you using AI?
[00:30:49] Speaker A: I do not use AI on A regular. However, I did use it for editing purposes in my book.
I don't look anything up on AI because I'm afraid.
[00:30:59] Speaker E: Excellent. Thank you.
[00:31:01] Speaker D: What are you afraid of?
[00:31:03] Speaker A: Everything.
[00:31:04] Speaker D: Everything.
[00:31:05] Speaker A: Getting ripped off, getting ripped off, hearing my ideas, all of those things. So I just. I kind of, you know, I do it, and I want my personality to be in things. You know, even with editing the book, I didn't have it give all of the worst because when you do that, you're a whole other person. I said, wow. I didn't. I talk like that. I don't talk like that. I wanted my book to be some. My book to sound like me.
[00:31:27] Speaker E: Okay, Paula, fair enough. Yeah. So, Gina, are you using AI and.
[00:31:32] Speaker C: How if so right now I don't really use AI. I am making my site. I'm almost done with it on Shopify, and they have a tool that you can use, AI, and I tried using that to make my product descriptions, but like Lisa said, a lot of times it sounds robotic and it doesn't really show who you are or the language you would typically use. Even for today, I tried to use it for my bio to see if it could give me some good ideas. But even when I read it to my husband, he's like, it doesn't sound like you. And so I went back to the table and had to readjust everything. But I think it can help you with the starting point, but I don't think, you know, it's not genuine. So you have to then go back and make it more about you and your perspective.
[00:32:15] Speaker E: Very good. So, Ariel, are you using it?
[00:32:18] Speaker B: We're constantly getting kind of inundated with different tools that are available these days for recruiters and for utilizing AI. And I'll share some of them with my team, and they're like, no, thank you. No, thank you. And they're like, that scares me.
And there's also a real personal, human touch that we enjoy doing, and that's part of kind of our model. And, you know, AI is changing so many things so quickly, and it can, in certain realms, streamline things and make things, you know, busy work sometimes more effective and efficient.
But for really what we're doing, it's about that personal touch. It's about. About relationships. And even, like you were saying, with the emails or things that are generated, it feels, you know, it's not your voice. It. You know, you can sometimes use it as an outline or maybe to generate ideas. The only caveat to when I sometimes utilize it is to help cultivate job descriptions. Because sometimes, you know, I don't have all of the information and even the clients, like, I don't know how to, you know, come up with the job description. So it has been useful for that, but that's the most I use it for.
[00:33:38] Speaker D: Yeah, that's pretty. Pretty interesting. I compared to last week's show. Last week was like everybody was all in on AI.
[00:33:45] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:33:45] Speaker D: And this show has a completely different personality, which is great because I think.
[00:33:50] Speaker E: You need all the perspectives.
[00:33:51] Speaker D: You need all the perspectives, and it's, you know, it's not a perfect thing. AI. This last week, I was working on a court case, and I put in some information about the case, and I asked AI to create a list of arguments that I thought opposing counsel would make. It was pretty good. You know, I have to say, you know, you're preparing and you want to make sure that you address all of the things that are likely to come up. And the AI list kind of tracked my list, you know, pretty closely. So I thought it was great.
[00:34:23] Speaker E: Yeah. Well, I have to say, in podcasting, podcasting would not be where it is without AI. So AI is through every single thing with podcasting. So I use it all the time, and I use it just to get answers all the time. But one thing that I thought was super effective when I went to figure out the business plan for the podcast studio. Content creation space, we call it, we have three different content creation rooms up there, and we also have a makeup room, and we have. You can rent the whole floor. So I wasn't sure how to price it or what to say about, so I put it into AI. But I had to be super directive and super clear about what it was when I put it into the AI. So I put it in. I always use all of them that I can think of. Not all of them, But I use ChatGPT. I use Perplexity. I was using Claude, but now that's been rolled into Perplexity. I use Google Gemini, and I think there's one more that I've been using anyway, and I compare the answers across them. Now, at the time when I was doing this, Google Gemini wouldn't give me any numbers, but the other ones did. So then I was able to compare all their numbers and kind of go deeper and deeper. So you can go as deep as you want. You just keep asking questions. And I was able to come up with something that I thought was pretty good with the pricing and everything, which I could. I don't know how I would have done it otherwise without AI Right. Passage to Profit with Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart and our special guest, Lisa Askalys, the inventress.
[00:35:50] Speaker D: We have secrets of the entrepreneurial mind. Coming up, IP in the news and Noah's retrospective. So you don't want to miss any of those things. Stay tuned.
[00:35:59] Speaker I: Are you looking for the cheapest prices on car insurance? Then call the Cheap Car Insurance hotline right now. Hey, you're guaranteed to save money on your car insurance. Most car insurances can be canceled at any time. That means if you find a better deal, you can switch right away. We're not just one company. We offer most of the major brands of car insurance. We're like a discount supermarket for car insurance. And it doesn't matter if you have a good record or a bad driving record. Our agents are experts at finding you the right car insurance for your needs. Our average customer saves hundreds of dollars a year when they call us to switch. So why don't you make this 100% free? Free call right now and see how much you can save on your car insurance.
[00:36:44] Speaker H: 8004-3067-2280-0430-6722.
800-430-6722. That's 800-430-6722.
[00:36:58] Speaker I: Hey, listen to me. I'm one of the credit cards in your wallet. I'm about to explode and pop like a balloon. You're using me and my brothers way too much. Your credit cards aren the only ones annoyed. It's your paycheck that doesn't have enough to pay everything. Save your credit card, your paycheck, and yourself a lot of P A I n pain. Call the debt helpline now. Not tomorrow. Right now. Our experts will show you how you can cut your interest rates and your payments on your credit cards in half. Credit card companies have special assistance programs designed to help you make this 100% free. Call right now and learn how you could get out of credit card debt. Here's the number.
[00:37:44] Speaker H: 8007-3853-3280-0738-5332-800738-53332. That's 800-738-5332. Paid for by zero debt.
[00:37:59] Speaker F: Passage to profit continues with Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart.
[00:38:03] Speaker D: Passage to Profit is a nationally syndicated radio show heard in 39 markets across the U.S. we'd like to do a shout out to our new affiliate, KGUMFM in Guam. Our podcast is ranked in the global top 3% of podcasts, and we've also been recently selected by Feedspot podcasters Database as a top 10 entrepreneur interview podcast. So subscribe to the Passage to Profit show on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and on the Iheart app. And now it is time for IP in the news.
[00:38:37] Speaker E: Copyright is so confusing these days.
[00:38:40] Speaker D: This case is about Warner Brothers, you know, the Disney people and the animators.
[00:38:46] Speaker E: Bugs Bunny.
[00:38:47] Speaker D: Yeah. And Midjourney, which is an AI company which creates images. And so Midjourney is allowing people apparently to create images of cartoon characters. Superman, Batman, Bugs Bunny, you name it, they make it. And people are able to take the Midjourney AI and create copies of these copyrighted cartoon characters. And so, of course, Warner Brothers is not happy about this and they are suing them for copyright infringement.
[00:39:16] Speaker E: I would be scared as a creator if I did a Bugs Bunny through mid journey that eventually Warner Brothers might come after me. Like, especially if I used one of these characters and did something that started making a lot of money or became really popular, I'm afraid that I would get sued. So as a creator, I would not do that. They have AI programs now that look for that stuff in people's marketing and flag it.
[00:39:39] Speaker D: Speaking of intellectual property, if you have any intellectual property needs, contact Gerhardt Law. You can learn about patents and trademarks if you go to our website.
Learn more about Patents.com and learn more about Trademarks.com you can download a free white paper and you can also set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
[00:39:59] Speaker E: So we are going to dive into our next two presentations. But before we do that, I do want to shout out something I'm working on with some people. I have a meetup. It's called podcast and YouTube creators community. It's in person in Summit, New Jersey, and it's online on Zoom. It's a hybrid meetup. The one in October is going to be from Mike to Market building a podcast that lasts. So if you go to meetup and it will also be on eventbrite under podcast and YouTube Creators community, we're going to have a really great speaker who just blows everybody out of the water. So without further ado, I want to introduce Arielle Scher Abs Staffing Solutions. Her staffing solutions are a little different than the norm. So, Ariel, please tell us all about your company.
[00:40:47] Speaker B: I started almost 13 years ago, which is very surreal. I came into the staffing industry in a unconventional way. It wasn't really ever on my radar. I started off doing counseling for Fortune 500 companies.
I then started doing individual counseling and went to another recruiting firm looking to kind of supplement my private practice. And I was offered a job on the spot, and I decided, you know, why not? I had a very good friend from high school who at the time was also a recruiter. And I called her and she was like, go for it. You have nothing to lose. You know, you like talking to people, you're friendly, you can use a lot of your current skills. Because I was doing a lot of assessments, and that's basically, you know, when you interview someone.
And I had never really done hard sales because at this company I was having to do both sides of finding clients and finding candidates.
And it was very scary and very challenging, but I quickly fell in love with it. And I worked for someone else for nine years, and there were a lot of things that would frustrate me, and I never really thought about starting my own thing. I would go on interviews to go work for someone else, and every time I would think about it, I was like, well, if I'm going to leave and have to start over, in essence, shouldn't I just do it for myself? And I didn't really candidly have any idea what that entailed.
And I one day decided and realized that everyone that was working under me for my current boss kept quitting because he was very challenging and just there were so many things that were frustrating and I knew that I wanted to do differently. And when I would also go on other interviews, no one really was taking the approach that I wanted to take, and I just decided to go for it.
[00:42:47] Speaker D: So what do you think makes for a good recruiter?
[00:42:49] Speaker B: There's so many aspects to it, and I think that, you know, again with my company, I really value and like to get to know both my clients and candidates in a very personalized, individual way. And I think it's relationships and communication and having like any relationship, being open and honest and forthright and making that known and setting those expectations from the onset is extremely important.
[00:43:19] Speaker E: I see here you offer a suite of packages on different things and you offer one that covers everything. But one of the packages you Offer is a LinkedIn networking package where you help people with their LinkedIn profile, their photo, their reviews, summaries, everything. If anybody doesn't have a super great LinkedIn, then you're really at a disadvantage, especially if you're looking for a job. I think this is so important because, as I said, I use AI constantly when I look people up. When it's describing people, it pulls from their website and it pulls from LinkedIn. I can't tell you how much data the AI pulls from LinkedIn. So if nothing else, if I were looking for a job, I would hire you for that.
[00:43:58] Speaker B: I mean, yeah, it's just one, because that is a recent adding component that I decided was necessary because I often have so many people refer their friends that are looking for work. And candidly, I don't need to. Like, there's a lot of people looking for work. Right. So, you know, I was appreciative, but I always felt bad that I really, you know, it wasn't the best use of my time. And like you said, time is money. And then it dawned on me. But I love helping people, and I realized that I could still help them. You know, I can't guarantee a job, but there's so many elements to it that I knew from my experience, which I thought everyone knew. And I would work with people and they would look at me so surprised. And it dawned on me there's so many different aspects to the job process that we could help people with and could be a value add. And it's fun, and I love helping them and watching that transformation.
[00:44:58] Speaker D: So how do you see the job market now evolving over the next six months to a year?
[00:45:03] Speaker B: Unfortunately, I don't have a crystal ball.
I wish I did. You know, recently the news is not overly optimistic. I try to always come from a positive place because I think, you know, that energy you put out, you know, has an impact. And again, who knows? It could go any which way. I focus on the things that are within my control. So the summer was slow, and it always kind of tends to be slow, but right now is busy. And so I just kind of stay in the moment and try to capitalize on that. I mean, there's definitely a difference in terms of, you know, both candidates and companies being concerned about financial security and, you know, the talk of recession. And even JP Morgan yesterday, you know, made this big announcement and the, you know, unemployment rates are even higher than people thought.
But I think you can't get caught up in that negative headspace because it won't benefit anyone. So, you know, focus on the things you can control and do things that empower you.
[00:46:07] Speaker A: What's your demographic? Who's your largest demographic?
[00:46:11] Speaker B: Well, what I love about what I do now, as opposed to when I was working with someone else, was I had a really one sector that I had to focus on. And I didn't want to pigeonhole myself when I started my company.
And I kind of have an approach where, like a puzzle. So whether it's 30 pieces or. Or 300 pieces, if I know what the Outside puzzle looks like in this case, as a job description, I'm able to find that person. And so there's really a wide variance. I mean right now we have a lot of pr, marketing, some fashion jobs, finance, legal, I mean a full gamut.
[00:46:52] Speaker A: Are you prepping these people? So when they come to you, are you prepping them so for interviews?
[00:46:58] Speaker B: So really what is happens more? You know, the prepping is more for people if they're coming to me wanting our services like we just discussed. But what is more typical is a client will come which is a company looking, wanting to hire someone. And so once we have that job description and an understanding as in depth as possible. And again, I try to get as much information I like going there. I want to see, feel, understand the culture, understand like what people have worked, what happened, why is this job open? You know, how can we learn from their past experiences to help find that best suited individual? And so once I have extracted all of that information, then I take that to first go through our database and begin to kind of put in keywords and attributes that they have communicated that they're looking for.
And once I find a candidate that's interested, we'll share the resume. I don't disclose initially what who the client is. Once we get a confirmation that they want to interview them, then I will prep the candidate because I want to empower them. I want them to feel confident and know that they can do this and I want to give them the tools to be successful in that realm.
[00:48:17] Speaker D: We're with Arielle Shore, who is the founder of ABS Staffing Solutions. What are some of the things that you do to prepare a candidate for an interview?
[00:48:26] Speaker B: A lot of times nowadays the first round tends to be zoom, right? Because it's more efficient for everyone.
So we'll do a practice zoom. Everything from making sure the lighting is good to what they're going to wear, their hair, we do everything because all of that does matter. And again, we want them to feel good because that comes across and confidence is such a big piece of life in general. And building up their confidence, making them understand, you know, sometimes the whole interview process can feel very daunting and stressful. And I often kind of frame it like it's a first date, right? So you want to present your best foot forward, you want to look your best, feel your best, and you want the guy or girl to ask you out again. Even if you don't want to go out with them, you still want to have that option, Right?
[00:49:17] Speaker A: I like that.
[00:49:17] Speaker B: And it tends to be relatable for everyone. Because most people, by the time they're looking for a job, have had at least one date. And that kind of puts it in a different framework for people that is relatable. And they're like, oh, yeah. And they're like, yeah, I want to get that second date.
[00:49:35] Speaker A: So I love the way you're framing this.
[00:49:40] Speaker E: Question, Arielle. Is there one tip you can give? Like, that was a great tip for people. Is there another tip you can give people that could increase their chances of getting the job during the interview? Is there something they should or shouldn't do?
[00:49:53] Speaker B: I mean, again, I think confidence is such a big piece. And, you know, even if you're nervous, you know, fake it till you make it. And being prepared. Right. And doing your due diligence and your research on who's going to be interviewing you and really doing a deep dive, I think comes through when you have done your homework, that really shows that, you know, you're taking this seriously and you want this job and you've gone that extra mile.
[00:50:20] Speaker D: Yeah. And that you put some thought and consideration into whether this is going to be a good match for. For you and you're not just showing up for a paycheck.
[00:50:27] Speaker A: How are people finding you?
[00:50:28] Speaker B: We're online, obviously, ABS Staffing Solutions.
[00:50:32] Speaker E: So we're talking to Arielle Scher with ABS Staffing Solutions, and she helps people find jobs, and she's really got some packages here, methods that she uses that are more effective than some of the other staffing places that we've worked with.
[00:50:47] Speaker D: From the employer standpoint, if you're getting resumes, are there particular things you think that the employer should be doing in order to kind of help the process?
[00:50:58] Speaker B: You should use us because we help streamline the process on both ends. Right. So if you put an ad up online, invariably you're going to be inundated with resumes, and a lot of times they're not even relevant. And so just to sift through that takes way too much time. And so by coming to someone like us, you know, we have already a list of and a database of candidates that we can automatically go through and make the whole process so much easier, faster. We coordinate the interviews, we send resumes, but we don't just send the resume. We give additional information and insight because anybody that we are proposing for one resume, we've probably talked to 20 people. Right. And we have selected the ones that we're sharing because we know that they match the criteria. Now, are there other nuances? Is there Personality, things that can come into play. Definitely. And the more we know our clients, the easier we can also filter for that. And we have some clients where I know right away that this person is the one. Now some clients trust me and I'll send one and I'll be like, this is it. And they're like, you're right, done. Others need to see at least three or four. Right. And kind of like dating. Like sometimes some people trust their instincts and know sometimes people are like, it was my first date. I need to at least like see two or three other women before I like make that commitment. So whatever works and whatever feels comfortable. But I often have a gut instinct and know.
[00:52:33] Speaker D: So have you ever worked with entrepreneur to hire somebody? Because, I mean, you know, eventually entrepreneurs get to the point where they need team members, but you know, there's also the recruiter fee. Right. And so, you know, on the one hand it's very attractive that you could help them find the right person, but on the other hand, they're also trying to pay for their marketing and their pay per click and all this other stuff. Well, what would you have to say about that situation?
[00:53:03] Speaker B: Well, I think, you know, if you are looking to hire someone, there's an investment. So whether it's using us or posting an ad or whatever it is, there is a cost affiliated and you get what you pay for. Right. So yes, it might initially feel like a lot. And we work with individuals. Like, I understand and I empathize when someone's starting off, like, I want to help them. I want that to be recurring business and I want them to feel good about it.
And, you know, that's why everything I do is very personal, individual. It's not one size fits all. It's about understanding who my client is, what they need, how I can best help them.
And yeah, it's an expense, but so are most things in business, right. So you have to evaluate it. And I think ours is a worthwhile.
[00:53:51] Speaker A: I have to say I like you. So are you the person doing the interviewing? Is it always you or do you have a mom?
[00:53:55] Speaker B: No, I have, I have other people, but I've trained all of them and honestly now they surpass me in terms of sometimes they'll find candidates. I'm like, where'd you find that? Like, amazing. Like, truly, I'm so impressed and proud of my staff. And we all work remote now, but we have team meetings and we're really. I have such respect and feel very grateful for everyone that works for me.
[00:54:20] Speaker A: You must be very good at what you do, because good help is very, very difficult to find. You know that it is.
[00:54:25] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:54:26] Speaker E: This has been a really great interview and I hope people find you when they're looking.
[00:54:30] Speaker B: So both anyone who needs to hire someone or anyone looking for a job who wants our help. But really, again, it's people that need to hire is really how we can generate the most business.
And it's absstaffingsolutions.com Excellent.
[00:54:46] Speaker E: Thank you.
[00:54:47] Speaker D: Passage to Profit with Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart.
[00:54:50] Speaker E: And now for a completely different topic, which is what I love about this show. We never do this transition very well. We are going to talk about how do you keep your kitchen clean when you've got a toddler flinging food or eating? So we have Gina Triantofilo and she is making incredible baby bibs. Tell us all about it.
[00:55:12] Speaker C: It all started when my son was a baby and I was feeding him and his pants were always dirty and he would have on like a super cute outfit and the top would stay clean, but the bottom would be a mess.
And I kept thinking like, there had to be something better. I tried plastic bibs and silicone bibs and anything that was on the market. And he also has very sensitive skin and eczema and a lot of the plastic wouldn't really work well with him. And so one day I just drew what I thought would work and I had to try to find a way to get the bib to attach to the underside of the high chair table.
And I'm thinking snaps or hook and loop strips and all of these things. And one day I just went to the fabric store, bought some cheap fabric and sewed what I thought would work. And it did.
And from there I made a couple more samples for myself that I used when I was feeding him. And I just never could let it go. I just knew it was something and I didn't want to just pass up on it. So fast forward, I applied for a patent and I have made some samples. I've given them out to friends and family to try and the feedback has just been so great. And now I have my first collection shipping right now and hopefully soon it will be here and I can start selling it with everyone else.
[00:56:35] Speaker E: So all those little kids in their holiday outfits won't ruin them, right?
[00:56:38] Speaker C: No, no. And the good thing is the bib obviously attaches to the high chair, but you can also take it with you. That was one of the one things some of my friends were like, well, how can I take it with me? What if I'm not home. And I'm like, well, if you buy removable hook strips, you can put them on anything, and then they just come right off. And they don't damage any tables, furniture. So it could go with you to that restaurant when your baby's baptism is when you're wearing that beautiful white outfit and then that cake falls all over it. So it's just something that seems so easy. Like Lisa was saying earlier, like, sometimes the easiest thing, but it's really much more complicated than you think it is. But then it works.
[00:57:18] Speaker E: And you're working with Lisa on this.
[00:57:20] Speaker C: Yes. So I've been working with Lisa.
[00:57:22] Speaker D: You're hard luck.
[00:57:23] Speaker I: Yeah.
[00:57:24] Speaker C: So this is just like.
Exactly.
[00:57:27] Speaker A: It came full circle.
[00:57:28] Speaker C: Right.
[00:57:30] Speaker A: I love it.
[00:57:30] Speaker E: So how long is it taking for you to get this project done?
[00:57:34] Speaker C: When I first started them, it was just for me. So that was obviously four or five years ago. That was just, like, in my house, just working on them. But seriously, starting from the pattern, I would say, like, a little over two years. Just because that's not bad. Yeah, it's more like the communication. And like we said, you have to be very specific, and I wanted certain fabrics. So I'm really excited for the next month, so.
[00:57:58] Speaker E: And it's hard when it's something brand new that people haven't seen before because nobody knows how to make it yet.
[00:58:03] Speaker C: Right, right, right. So it's really teaching them and, like, teaching the consumer. Like, we were talking about, like, having those videos and the tutorials, because if you just look at does look different. Like, not a normal bib, but you'd have to know how to use it for it to be the most effective.
[00:58:22] Speaker D: So if you were to write a blog post on lessons learned in my entrepreneurial journey, what are some of the things you would write?
[00:58:30] Speaker C: I would definitely say not to be so hard on yourself, because sometimes you make a mistake, and then you're so like, oh, my God, maybe I'm not cut out for this. But then you realize you do have it in you. It's just finding it again. Like, you're gonna make mistakes, and that's okay.
My second thing would be be patient, because I think as a person, like, we think deadlines, we think time limits, we think all these things, but not everything works like that. And there are gonna be setbacks, and you have to just be okay with it and go with the punches. So I think those two.
[00:59:04] Speaker D: So what's your background? Do you have any business background or.
[00:59:07] Speaker C: No, I'm a teacher, and I still currently teach sixth grade. So this was just something that. I don't know. It just popped into my head, and I drew it, and I just couldn't let it go.
[00:59:18] Speaker E: So we're talking with Gina Trantafilu, and she has tiny Totco. She makes special bibs that everybody's going to want as soon as they find out about them. Lisa, she's your client, but you must have a question or comment.
[00:59:31] Speaker A: I'm jumping out of my skin right now. I have to say, Gina is one of the most extraordinary people I've ever worked with. She's diligent, she's passionate. And you are very hard on yourself at times, but you're learning to get through those things. You made a wonderful product. And as I said before, just believe in yourself, have faith, and know that you're building a business and you're building something greater than just a bib. And it's not just a bib, because hers is not just a bib. It's a fabulous bib.
[01:00:01] Speaker E: I bet you're saving a lot of parents from having fights.
[01:00:06] Speaker A: I mean, it's. It's a perfect product. It's a great product. She's made it to perfection from the size of the clips that she has on there. I don't want to give the whole thing away. Well, can we?
[01:00:15] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, it's coming.
[01:00:17] Speaker A: It's coming.
[01:00:17] Speaker D: It's literally.
[01:00:18] Speaker A: It's literally on a flight right now, coming here to the United States, and just want to say how proud I am of Eugenia for just sticking with it, because there's so many times that I'm sure you wanted to give up. Well, I know you did.
[01:00:33] Speaker D: Can you tell us one of those times?
[01:00:35] Speaker C: Yeah. I mean, I would say one example is, like, let's say fabric, right? I was very specific on, let's say a fabric I want. And then it would come, and I'm like, no, this isn't it. And like, after two, three, four times, you start to think like, oh, my God, am I ever going to find what specifically is in your brain? Because as an entrepreneur, you have a vision, and I didn't want to give up on that vision. And so I think after a couple times, you're like, oh, no one understands what I'm trying to say.
[01:01:02] Speaker D: But then once it breaks, Describe a fabric. You know, in an email.
[01:01:06] Speaker A: It's very hard to describe a fabric. There's weights to it. There are different textures and weights and all of those things, so. But you were patient. I mean, a lot of shipping prototypes back and forth. Well, Samples of materials.
And it was important that she felt you felt comfortable enough to pick the one. Finally.
[01:01:25] Speaker D: So did the company that was making the bibs send you the samples, or did you get them from someplace else? Do you tell the factory, this is what I want? How does that work?
[01:01:33] Speaker A: So initially, Gina provided a sample that we provided to the manufacturer. Of course, when they sent back the material, it wasn't exactly the same, wasn't the same fabric, but there is a weight, so they could be looking at it. But it was our responsibility to provide them with the weight of the fabric, which is not easy.
[01:01:53] Speaker D: It's like a number.
[01:01:54] Speaker A: It's a number. There's a specific number and a weight.
[01:01:57] Speaker E: And there's a machine to measure it. Right.
[01:01:59] Speaker A: There's. Yeah, there are weights, there are measures. And I mean, typically, a. A fabric manufacturer could tell you exactly what the weight is, but all of these things are. They're not clear until they are. Right. And feeling, you know, small swatches are really. It's. There's no way of really knowing until you have the big picture. You have the big picture in front of you. Washing it. Right. Sampling it.
[01:02:22] Speaker D: Speaking of washing, did you test now, these bibs to make sure that, you know, they held up under.
[01:02:28] Speaker C: Right. So the bibs are 100% cotton flannel. And you can put them in the washing machine or the dryer, both, and they'll come back out. Obviously, they might be a little wrinkled, but the function is exactly the same. So it's just like I was going after something very soft. Like I was saying, my son had a lot of skin issues, and especially babies, they drool a lot. Their necks sometimes can have like, the red, the swollen because of the drool.
So we wanted something that was fabric and that was easy for parents because a lot of baby products are like hand wash, or you can only wash cold, or you can't put in the dryer. Who has time for that one? I do it with everything. Everybody's clothes. It's fine and it comes out fine.
So it's definitely something that will help parents in that way, too. Less laundry.
[01:03:13] Speaker E: So where are you going to be selling these? Shopify you mentioned. Are they going to be on Amazon or anywhere else?
[01:03:17] Speaker C: No, they're on my site, which is tinytotco.com and also I have an Instagram tinytotco.
[01:03:24] Speaker D: So why not Amazon?
[01:03:26] Speaker C: Well, I'm just starting, and I want to start with me and just. I'm very about, like we said, meeting people, going out. I'm actually starting to Try to do some events, to go out and actually meet people and show them how it works. So I think for now, I'll start with me and my site and see how it goes from there.
[01:03:43] Speaker D: Yeah.
[01:03:43] Speaker E: Well, we were talking about Kevin Lane earlier, so. Kevin Lane, we met him, had him on the show, and he worked with Lisa and he went to all sorts of events, toy fairs.
I can't even name the number of places he went. He worked his rear off, but that's what you have to do. So I think that you're taking it out to the public and showing it is a good idea.
[01:04:05] Speaker A: It's important. The networking aspect is very important. You know, we talk about Kevin Lane. He also came to my conference.
He won a two minute elevator pitch. I got him on qvc. And from there he just soared because he kept. He kept putting himself in front of people.
And that's exactly what you did. You took the leap and you keep on doing it again. I couldn't be more proud of you for doing. For doing what you're doing. But I have a question for you. How do you feel today?
[01:04:30] Speaker C: Amazing.
[01:04:31] Speaker A: Good.
[01:04:32] Speaker C: This is like a surprise. And it's a great day.
[01:04:34] Speaker A: I'm feeling, as I said earlier, Richard, you know, we came full circle, right. Gina met you, is it? Three years ago? Gina?
[01:04:42] Speaker C: Yeah, about.
[01:04:42] Speaker A: Yeah, you mentioned Gina. You had her call me.
[01:04:47] Speaker C: Right.
[01:04:47] Speaker A: And here we are from the first time you met her. Right? She started. Yeah. And then here we are finishing, literally today.
[01:04:56] Speaker G: Yeah, today.
[01:04:58] Speaker A: Manufacturing, production. It's a fabulous product.
[01:05:01] Speaker E: What colors do they come in?
[01:05:02] Speaker C: Okay, so for our first collection, we have three. We have safari animals. So it's like tigers, lions. That's more like an orange unisex collection. And then I have a garden floral, which is pinks and greens and floral. And then there's a dinosaur one, because that's my son's favorite thing. And we talk about it every day. So it has like dinosaurs, leaves, stripes, and that's like a boy collection. So right now there's three collections. And they come in three packs. The bibs, you get three in each pack. They're all different prints and they come with the semi permanent hook strips that you can put on the bottom of the high chair.
[01:05:37] Speaker D: How many bibs does a kid need to be properly bibbed?
[01:05:40] Speaker E: How often can you do laundry?
[01:05:43] Speaker C: Well, that's the good thing, too. Like, let's say your child's just having a cookie or something and it's just crumbs. You can just go over the garbage, empty it and leave it again. For later.
And that's what I would do. The only time it had to really go in the wash was like soup.
Like those things that, like, are gonna make it wet or stain it, but other than that, you could just dump it out and use it again.
[01:06:05] Speaker E: So what's your price point on these?
[01:06:07] Speaker C: Well, I'm still finalizing it because, you know, they're coming and we're still trying to figure out the final numbers, but it will be a three pack and they'll be under $40. I'm just trying to figure out the final numbers.
[01:06:20] Speaker E: Yeah, I had 40 stuck in my head for some reason.
[01:06:22] Speaker A: It makes sense to have it for 40, 45. The material is fabric. It's well made and so beautifully customized.
[01:06:30] Speaker E: Well, and people want special things for their babies and kids. And I think a lot of parents will really appreciate it. And like I said, it'll stop a lot of fights and a lot of struggles with the kids.
[01:06:41] Speaker D: Well, it sort of ties the kid down into the high chair too, doesn't it?
[01:06:44] Speaker A: It they can't move, they can't get out.
[01:06:46] Speaker E: But when you think if you buy a super expensive outfit and the kid has to eat, you have to do something to protect it. Right.
[01:06:53] Speaker C: When. Especially when they're little, a lot of times they're sets. So if they stain the pants, now the shirt, you have to change them anyway. So now you're changing the top and the bottom. And that's a whole nother outfit you have to use.
[01:07:03] Speaker E: Yep, absolutely. I think these will be everywhere in a year.
[01:07:06] Speaker A: I think they will be everywhere.
[01:07:08] Speaker C: I'll come back in a year and we'll talk about it.
[01:07:09] Speaker E: Let's do that. Okay. So how do people find you again?
[01:07:13] Speaker C: They can go to my website, which is tinytalkco.com or on Instagram @tinytalkco.
[01:07:19] Speaker E: Gina Triantafilo. And this is the Passage to Profit show with Richard and Elizabeth Gearhart. Our special guest, Lisa Askalise. And we will be right back.
[01:07:27] Speaker I: I am a non attorney spokesperson representing a team of lawyers who help people that have been injured or wronged. If you've been involved in a serious car, truck, or motorcycle accident or injured, injured at work, you have rights and you may be entitled to money for your suffering. Don't accept an offer you get from an insurance company until you talk to a lawyer. And we represent some of the best personal injury lawyers you can find. Tough lawyers that will fight to win your case. And they're so good, they stake their reputation on it by only getting paid if you win. So if You've been in a serious car, truck or motorcycle accident or hurt on the job. Find out today for free what kind of compensation you may be entitled to. Call the legal helpline right now.
[01:08:13] Speaker H: 8004-9270-1480-0492-7014.
800, 4927014.
That's 800-492-7014.
[01:08:27] Speaker A: It's Passage to Profit.
[01:08:29] Speaker D: Now it's time for Noah's retrospective.
[01:08:32] Speaker E: Noah Fleishman is our producer here at Passage to Profit and he never stops trying to make sense of the future by looking at the past.
[01:08:41] Speaker G: We've come a long way since the late 1800s. We don't have yellow journalism from some big newspaper mogul anymore. Now we have something called home pages and they come from a diversity of huge sources. That's a lot of information.
Well, we need it.
News is, after all, a 24 hour element. So every source wants to make sure your eyes are on them every time you log on. There's always news happening and they'll make sure that there is, like headlines that say legendary actor gone at 96 or blinking could be an early sign of this fatal disease. Once you click and scroll through all the obligatory pop up ads and irrelevant introduction, it's nice to know you likely don't have oral ploculitis. And it's good to see that one time Hollywood extra Berlin Abnermeyer is getting his rightful posthumous recognition. When I was a kid, long before home pages, sometimes I actually felt a little guilty about switching over to an Odd Couple rerun when the 11 o' clock news came on. But scrolling past a commercial homepage in reality, that's pretty virtual now.
[01:09:43] Speaker I: More with Richard and Elizabeth, Passage to.
[01:09:46] Speaker E: Profit and our special guest, Lisa Askalise. Now it is time for Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind.
So Lisa, ask Lees the inventress, what is a secret you can share with our audience?
[01:10:00] Speaker A: I would say really believe in yourself. Pray over it. Meditate on your ideas, your business, your product, but pray over it and wait for answers because you'll get them. I promise you. Wait and you will get them. I always say write down on your canvas what it is you want to achieve.
Look at it over and over again. Don't hide it. Keep in a place that irritates you. I always say write it on a post it, put it on a mirror, put it on your countertop and believe in whatever that thing is and it will come to fruition. But you have to put your whole self in it. And I mean it, like, step into it. Step into it and don't be afraid.
[01:10:40] Speaker D: Somehow, some way, it works. Even if you.
[01:10:42] Speaker B: It works.
[01:10:43] Speaker D: Even if you're skeptical that something like that would work, it does work. It really does.
[01:10:46] Speaker A: And your words are very important. I can, I must, I will. I think that's in my book. I can, I must, and I will achieve this. What I want to achieve. Write it down, put it in an irritating spot and do it.
[01:10:59] Speaker D: Irritate yourself.
[01:11:01] Speaker A: Irritate yourself.
[01:11:02] Speaker D: What great advice.
[01:11:04] Speaker A: Irritate yourself, folks.
[01:11:05] Speaker E: Okay, so, Arielle Scher, founder of ABS Staffing Solutions. What's a secret you can share with our audience?
[01:11:13] Speaker B: Just knowing that everyone has challenges, everyone has points where they want to give up and just taking it one step at a time and believing in yourself. And, you know, I also think people will say, well, like, who's your biggest competitor? It's myself. I don't really think about other people or companies because it doesn't really impact me. It's. I can only do what I can do, and I focus on. On that and what's in my control. And I think that's important.
[01:11:44] Speaker A: And doing that could take you off your game, too.
[01:11:47] Speaker B: Yeah.
[01:11:47] Speaker A: When you start looking at other people can take you right off of your game.
[01:11:51] Speaker B: You know, you quickly start looking and it becomes a dark, deep pull. And then, you know, sometimes it's good to be aware, but at the end of the day, you want to keep your energy and focus on doing the best you can do. Okay, that's hard.
[01:12:07] Speaker E: Gina Trantafilo, I don't know if it's.
[01:12:09] Speaker C: Because I'm a teacher, but I would say to always keep learning because I know through the journey, like, there were things I didn't know and I had to put in that time to research or look up things. And even social media, I really am new to it and. But I'm okay with that because I'm putting in the work. So I would say a secret would be it's okay if you don't know something, but just to learn it. And there's so many resources out there now for everyone that you can pretty much learn anything that you would want to. And it's just putting in the time and effort. So I would just say, be okay that you don't know everything and you can still learn it.
[01:12:45] Speaker E: I'm 100% in agreement. 1,000%.
[01:12:48] Speaker A: Yeah.
[01:12:48] Speaker E: I'm a constant learner. Richard Gearhart, Gearhart Law. What's your secret?
[01:12:53] Speaker D: My secret is push the envelope.
Right. If you're going to make Any progress, you have to grow as a person. And the only way you can do that is to stretch yourself and do things that maybe you haven't tried before.
And so if you're not pushing the envelope, you're not growing. I don't think you can grow a business unless you can grow yourself.
And so push the envelope and keep growing.
[01:13:17] Speaker A: Even if you're afraid. Right?
[01:13:19] Speaker D: Especially if you're afraid.
[01:13:20] Speaker A: Especially when you're afraid.
[01:13:21] Speaker D: Because that means something's going on there, that something juicy is going on there.
[01:13:25] Speaker A: That you need to take a look at.
[01:13:28] Speaker E: So my secret is. Well, I'm going to tell a little story. Back when Richard started the law firm almost 20 years ago, people told him, don't go on the Internet, don't take Internet clients, don't have a website. But he ignored that advice.
And now in 2025, and this is something that Lisa Askalys has known for a very long time, I feel like media presence has been democratized to the point where anybody can start a podcast. You can go on other people's podcasts. You can go on to. It's much easier to get media presence now. I now think media presence in 2025 was like starting a website 20 years ago. I think you have to be on YouTube. You have to have some sort of media presence to compete in today's world. That's my favorite.
[01:14:14] Speaker A: Definitely, absolutely agree with you.
[01:14:17] Speaker E: And you've been doing it for a long time and you're helping other people do it with it.
[01:14:20] Speaker A: It's important.
[01:14:20] Speaker E: Inventor Spotlight tv. I'm doing it helping people start podcasts. But I really feel like that's the next wave.
[01:14:25] Speaker A: It is the next wave.
[01:14:27] Speaker D: Yeah. Well, that's it for us. Passage to Profit is a nationally syndicated radio show appearing in 39 markets across the U.S. in addition, passage to Profit has also been recently selected by Feedspot Podcasters Database as a top 10 entrepreneur interview podcast. Thank you to the P2P team. Our producer, Noah Fleishman and our program coordinator, Alicia Morrissey, our studio assistant, Rishikep Busari, and our social media powerhouse, Carolina Tabares. Look for our podcast tomorrow anywhere you get your podcasts. Our podcast is ranked in the top 3% globally. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram X and on our YouTube channel. And remember, while the information on this program is believed to be correct, never take a legal step without checking with your legal professional first. Gerhardt Law is here for your patent, trademark and copyright needs. You can find us at gearhartlaw. Com and contact us for a free consultation. Take care, everybody. Thanks for listening and we'll be back next week.
