This is like the show within the show. When Homemade Millionaire moved to Discovery Health one could not help but think…wha???? If they wanted to cancel it, like The David Hasselhoffs show after only 2 episodes, wouldn’t it just fade to black? Or quietly go out with a whimper? Why a channel change? After reading an article in O (Jan. 2011) Oprah talks about her 2007 meeting with the Discovery head, David Zaslav, and after hearing a bit of chatter…could it be that Homemade Millionaire is going to be on the OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network, see www.oprah.com/own) Then while watching on Discovery Health there it was; the balloons flying and the announcement that Discovery Health is going to become OWN. What’s going to happen to all us hopeful inventors that tried out for Homemade Millionaire? Shark Tank is slated to resurface in 2011, see www.abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank. Oprah has obviously been a leader in product review with her hugely successful book club, to her screaming Favorite Things episodes, to her “Favorite Things” feature in her O magazine. Could Lady O beat the Shark? Now that would be my favorite thing☺

Grace Choi and her convertible jewelry won Homemade Millionaire episode 5. This episode was interesting because it was “bread and butter” vs. risk. The Klipzon, a clip on headband, was very impressive as it stayed on the ladies at the gym, no matter how they thrashed about. I thought the advice of the stylist to add faux croc, and embellishments were a great way to go. I did like some of Deedra’s less flashy choices too. Deedra came off as a very sweet, but with some business gumption. I liked how she was able to update her product. I especially liked the flower headband that she wore for the last show. See www.klipzon.com. Grace’s convertible jewelry really morphed into a much more desirable product than her prototype (see photo above) after talking to the experts. The magnetic clasps were a tremendous improvement. I see women, especially older women, who have arthritis being able to use her pieces easily. See the Grace Choi Collection at www.HSN.com This episode really showed how a little bit of tweaking can really improve the products dramatically. Both women and products were very likeable in different ways. It’s very easy for me to connect emotionally with Deedra, as a mom, and as a creative inventor of the Klipzon head bands. The choice of Grace, as a Homemade Millionaire winner, made the show seem more unpredictable. Choosing a young brainy Cornell alumna, jewlry designer that was not an obvious choice. HSN went with their “bread and butter” product, jewelry. Sometimes, like Trump says, “it’s not personal it’s business…..”

Episode 4 had Sarah Haviland the winner with her Think cleaning products. As someone being considered for season 2 with my invention, ClipCleany, I am studying this show like a business class. From that perspective, the contestants don’t have to sell to all of America, but to 2 people and in reality probably 1 major decision maker. From reading the HSN executive comments and comments from Ed Evangalista the business coach, (read his comments on this blog, scroll down to find his name), he totally sums it up here, http://blogs.discovery.com/homemade-millionaire/2010/12/you-asked-wendy-robbins-answers.html When someone doesn’t “win” why? Will the contestant ever really know? So it may be about person, product, pitch, margins, or something we are not privy to. What is the tipping point? Also why did it move from TLC to Discovery Health?… A penny for your thoughts. Watch this Friday at 10 on Discovery Health.

Here is another Honorable Mention in the Speedy Holiday Design contest. Once again a very cute dog and nice concept but what if my recipients didn’t celebrate Christmas? Like the stocking and smart logo placement as a present in the stocking. Good job students! Want to watch more competition? Catch Homemade Millionaire tonight. From all the buzz I think the “Cake Huggers” are a hit and I bet they will be for sale tomorrow on HSN…have to check it out to see if I’m right. http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/homemade-millionare-cake-huggers.html

This student team had 15-20 minutes to come up with a Holiday Concept for a Business Christmas card. I thought they did a super job. I would have like to see the use of the ClipCleany logo dog, even though their dog was more realistic. I also really like their message without using the word poop. Clever. Good job