Cincinnati Innovates

One day while Twittering away before work, I got a DM by some lady from Cincinnati with the Twitter handle 'Jukemfootball'....Twighlight zone? No.

Are you still stuck on 'DM' and 'Twitter handle'? As you may well be aware, recent media coverage has spotlighted Twitter in connection to spreading global news (namely from Iran). I was lucky enough to finally make some use of the social networking craze via Twitter when I met a local Cincinnatian and inventor - Michelle Spelman.

Michelle 'DM' me (direct message is a way to privately speak with someone while using Twitter when exchanging emails, for example, or in this case juicy Cincinnati inventor competitions). Michelle shared with me her and her husband's invention called Jukem Football - a card game for kids with a football game strategy. She went on further to offer up a unique inventor competition in Cincinnati, Ohio geared towards fostering and supporting entrepreneurialism. "You should totally join!" she exclaimed and she sent me a link to submit my product. As an inventor myself, I jumped at the opportunity to participate in such a competition. And this is no ordinary contest usually seen online or sponsored by some bohemeth company. This is an acutal grass roots, team oriented support network fashioned to help people just like me achieve their dreams!

Who am I? I am a girl with a dream - a dream that would not leave my head for almost 7 years. I pulled my dirty, grimy cell phone out of my purse one day and nothing came to mind as to what to clean it off with. "And wouldn't it be great if I could clean my cell phone off with something that smelled good, like Pina Colada or fresh Berries?" I thought to myself. When the lightbulb went off over my head on that hot Cincinnati day years ago, I had no idea I'd be entering an inventor competition tipped off by another inventor I met on Twitter.

So I've entered the competition and I didn't give it much thought. Afterall I am up against a solar grill and some high tech surgical machinery. But wait! I am number 17 in the votes! So I have started feverishly tweeting about my competition to remind my followers on Twitter of my heated battle for Cincinnati entrepreneurial dollars, support and most importantly, validation that I've got a great idea.

You can browse the competition and vote for your favorites at http://cincinnatiinnovates.com/contest/entry/Funk-defied. That's the link for my submission but you can surf through others as well. In this current economic time, I encourage anyone with an idea to leap and let the net appear.

To check out Michelle Spelman's Jukem Football game visit http://www.jukemfootball.com/

In addition, I have met some amazing female entrepreneurs on Twitter including http://www.lapcoverz.com/ (personalizable laptop covers), http://www.mittmate.com/ (never lose your ball glove again!), http://www.amilya.com/ (entrepreneur, star and advocate) http://www.mommymillionaire.com/ (Autobiography of my inspiration for starting a biz).

I am auditioning for the chance of a lifetime - entrepreneurialism

What do Kelly Ripa and Jaws have in common? Two up and coming reality t.v. shows featuring [female] entrepreneurs. Now before you roll your eyes - hear me out!

Kelly Ripa [Milojo] is teaming up with TLC and the HSN to select and feature approximately 16 women inventors on their journey to success. From concept to prototypes or fully finished products, Kelly and TLC want to know what its going to take to perfect some unique products with the intent to pass the test for an HSN debut. Powerhouse networks supporting female entrepreneurs! It doesn't get much better than that.

ABC's new show The Shark Tank will feature aspiring and accomplished entrepreneurs on their journey to business success - with a price to pay. In return for much needed start up capital from a panel of 'ruthless' self made millionaires [Mark Burnett Productions - Dragon's Den Canada], entrepreneurs will exchange a percentage of their company for a chance to make it big. The opportunity for media exposure is invaluable if you've got what it takes to 'wow' the panel and commence a feeding frenzy for your product/idea/patent. If not, consider yourself shark bait.

I made the trip to NYC this past week to audition for both of these shows and I'm so glad I did. Aside from the initial eye rolling at the prospect of shallow media stunts - I actually had an amazing time networking with some incredible women and entrepreneurs from around the nation! The casting crew from both shows were kind and supportive and the message was clear - they were there to 'help' us succeed. And you know what, I believe them. Although my product [Celly Smellys - scented cell phone wipes] are simple and straight forward in application, sometimes simple is just better. And I left them all with a refreshing burst of clean for their cell phones, laptops, movie cameras and more.

Kelly Ripa's show is estimated to begin shooting sometime after casting subsides in July, there are 3 more cities you can attend an open casting call. However, the casting crew strongly suggest submitting a video if you cannot attend, as they are considering all applicants for this opportunity. http://www.milojo.com/casting/Casting.html

ABC's The Shark Tank was set to air August 9, 2009 but there is talk of a postponed debut. I'll keep you updated. http://abc.go.com/primetime/sharktank/index?pn=index&partner=rm&cid=rm+google+shark_tank+abc_shark_tank

Either way, win or lose, show or no show, my business will continue to ride the waves - steering clear of sharks for sure!