Ok, seriously, how sweet is this?

I saw this little Mom-invented product and I instantly feel in love with it. It is a giant, soft, sweet, cozy band-aid for those boo-boos that don't bleed. Stomach aches, bruises, hurt feelings...anything really. Just something for them to love on while they're hurt. Here's what the mom behind this great product says about creating it:

"I was introduced to the magic of adhesive bandages when my son was younger. He wanted a bandage for every minor bump. My strict rule of 'no blood no bandage' just made the tears and drama increase. I finally realized that this little piece of plastic provided some real benefit for my son that allowed him to recover faster and so I stopped resisting. About that time, my son started to complain about aches at bedtime. With the same intensity that he had asked for a bandage for his booboos, he was demanding medicine for his aches. Medicine, however, can do more harm than good and I did not want to give him medicine unless he really needed it. At the time I worked for the company who manufactures Polartec® fabric and had plenty of soft fleece fabric. I made him a wrap that looked like a giant bandage and wrapped it around the part that ached. It worked! He will tell you "it makes me feel better".The (oopdoo)™hug was born!"

I just thought it was fantastic, so I wanted to share! Visit www.oopdoohug.com for more information.

BPA Free, OnTray

I know everyone is paranoid lately about plastics and which are BPA free. No, I don't have any plans to make a stainless steel OnTray (that would cost all of us more) but more than that, OnTray is already made from safe plastic. OnTray is made from #5 Polypropylene and is BPA free! To be honest, I didn't even know to ask about that when I created it 2 years ago. I knew it needed to be made from FDA approved plastic, but that was it. I was excited and relieved quite frankly to discover that #5 PP is a GOOD PLASTIC. I'm providing a link, http://www.bisphenolafree.org/ , so that you can all do your homework and figure out which plastic you should avoid and which you don't. I wish the media would have touched on that a little more rather than scaring us all into stainless bowls, cups and plates and leaving us all broke from it :) !

Another cool site!

Save 10%
on all orders until 6/30/2008.
Use coupon code: grandopen

I think you will find what you are looking for, and more on this new site. There are fabulous products starting with the baby shower, and continuing on into the days of toddler hood. You will find all of your baby shower needs here, including shower invitations, shower games, and shower favors. They carry great gifts for mom and baby, including classy diaper cakes, personalized items, and beautiful baby gift baskets. www.littleonesbabygifts.com also includes a wide variety of baby gear, apparel for mom and baby, and accessories. Some of our featured brands, include BabyLegs, Cozy Cocoon, Luna Lullaby, Jamie Rae Hats, Baby Planet, Trendy Tadpole, Jellybean Apparel, Itzy Ritzy, Zoe & Sprout, Taia Hair Clips, and more. Enjoy!

Mom4Life.com

I may be a little bit biased (the site carries OnTray), but this site www.mom4life.com has it going on! mom4life carries mainly mom created or mom inspired products and offers FREE shipping on everything; no minimums! I just ordered this t-shirt for Chad for Father's Day http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=1305. I think because they carry OnTray I never really looked at all the fantastic items Heather(the great owner) searches high and low for. If you're looking for some terrific, tried and true and well priced items, head over to the site today!

OnTray, a review and Wal Mart!

I just like showing you where OnTray has been. Oh yeah, and another review :) !

http://www.mommygoggles.com/2008/06/grocery-store-grins.html

A review of OnTray...

I thought I would share this new review. Mainly because the reviewer tested OnTray at Meijer's which recently placed a test order for their stores in three states! I am excited and hopeful that the sales go well and they'll need to re-order soon. I'll keep you posted!

http://www.momstakeonthings.com/

Can I ask for your vote?

Can I ask for your vote? Buy the way...there's money in it for you! Read below...

"Respond now for a chance to win $50 cash prize*

American Baby Magazine is hosting a contest for the best baby products.
It says, Vote for the best baby products. Which baby products get your seal of approval? Cast your votes for three must-have, can't live without items that make caring for your baby easier -- and your life a whole lot simpler. Winning products receive an AMBY award in our October issue. Include Brand names so we know which companies to recognize for a job well done.

*Ten entries will be selected at random to receive a cash prize. The deadline is June 6, 2008. (Neither voting nor purchase is necessary to be eligible for a prize.)"

####

If any of you have a minute, could you vote for OnTray today? Hey, while you're at it, vote for those other great baby products you can't live without!

E-mail your submission to: amby@americanbaby.com

Thank you all so much!!!

I want to wear my Power Ranger pj's and rain boots!

The other day, Luke and Ty did not want to get out of their Power Ranger pj's and they wanted to go outside. They decided to put on their rain boots. There are my two youngest outside in public (ok so we live on a court with not a lot of traffic...the public is few and far between), but I was a little irritated. I tried and tried to get them to put on clothes, but they refused. Finally I just gave up. I mean really, what's the big deal? I realized something, I want to wear my Power Ranger pj's and rain boots. I want to go out in public and not care what I look like. I want to say "screw you" to all the women that look at me and judge me by the outfit I have on. It blows me away how my children teach me so much. Aren't I suppose to do that for them? Amazing!

I so needed a laugh...

Ok, this is one of the funniest things I've ever seen! There are a couple of these clips where I laughed so hard I was crying. The music cracks me up too. Enjoy! (PS I'm sure they wouldn't have put this together if anyone was harmed)

OnTray & Madness of Motherhood

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Suzette of the Mothers of Madness Internet show based out of Orlando, FL. Sadly I didn't get to travel there for the interview...I sat on a stool in my closet with the door shut so no one could here my energetic boys playing in the other room! Anyway, I had so much fun talking with her. We chatted for about 30 minutes before she finally had enough of me! She and her partner in crime Michelle have a great thing going. They interview mainly moms, working outside of the home or not and offer all kinds of advice and information to help make the madness of motherhood go a little bit smoother! The interview is now on the site, http://www.madnessofmotherhoodshow.com/ .

Me and the other Mompreneurs!

Over the past weekend, I had the privilege of getting together with some women I have been conversing with on a terrific online forum, http://www.mompreneursonline.com/. I joined about 8 months or so ago, and instantly felt connections with these women. Pat Cobe and Ellen Parlapiano are the founders and the women that actually trademarked the word Mompreneurs 10 years ago (they were ahead of their time). We all met in Chicago and had a weekend full of networking, fun, food and some vino (some had more than others!). Anyway, it was amazing that most of us had never met face to face, but we all felt like we had. Women are so relationship oriented, so needing that connection that now I feel like I can promote all of them so much better. I learned some great marketing techniques, organizational skills and networking know how. The weekend was priceless. I encourage any fellow Mompreneur reading this post to check out the forum that I consider an absolute must on a journey that takes you for one heck of a roller coaster ride. It's good to have women around you to hold your hand. Especially on a bumpy ride!

What's a Nuddle?

I first saw Jenn Feldman on Oprah. She has a gorgeous home in CA that was featured on an episode where Nate Berkus visited viewer's homes that had even him impressed. She had some fantastic ideas, one being that monogramming just looks rich. I went out the next day and had a pillow monogrammed. Turns out Jenn is the sister of one of Chad's good friends and co-worker at Casto with him! How weird is that? Well we were out to dinner with Adam (Jenn's brother) a couple of weeks ago and he told us of Jenn's new product, The Nuddle Blanket. The name is a combination of nap & cuddle. Too cute, huh? What makes this blanket so unique is that it is extra long to cover even your tootsies with a foot pocket. It's also made out of ultra-plush material and has handy slats for your arms to slide through (you know so you can still hold the remote or the latest novel you're reading). I'm needing a nap just talking about this thing! Anyway, check it out at www.nuddleblanket.com I think the pictures might have been taken at Jenn's house. You can see all of her gorgeous decor! Best wishes Jenn!

Real Moms Rock!

I found this site and thought, with a name like Real Moms Rock, how can it not be something all moms need to check out? This site was created by 2 stay-at-home-moms who believe that a mom's greatest resource is other moms. They have a section called 'real mom of the month' contest and also have a really cool forum - the mommy lounge - where moms can chat with other moms. Head over there today to check it out!

What a bummer!

I just received some bad news. They didn't go into the details, but Michelle (a producer with the show) said they needed to cancel the segment. She said there was a lot going on over there and if there was a chance for me to be on a future show, they'd keep me posted. I'm completely bummed, and disappointed. It's amazing how excited you can be one day, and down the next. I'm learning from this though. Yesterday I was completely frazzled about how I was going to get everything done in time to leave my boys and fly out on Wednesday. It seriously left me anxious and nervous...all day! Nothing, no TV segment, no interview or any pr is worth me not paying as much attention to my family and business happenings as I do every other day of the week. From here on out, I will prioritize what is important and if great pr comes and bites me in the you know what I'll see if I have enough time to make it happen! (ok so I'm a little bitter!)

UPDATE:

I spoke with a producer at the show, and she assured me that it wasn't me or my product, but they just needed to go a different route . I am at the top of her list when they start to do segments with children products again. I will be ready ,willing and able when they call!

One Minute to Millions and Laura Hamrick

Well, I'm still waiting on a call from another producer, but as it stands right now I am headed to NJ to do a taping for One Minute to Millions on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch! I got the call today around noon from one producer and they are flying me out Wednesday for the taping on Thursday morning! I am excited, nervous, anxious, nervous, scared, thrilled and did I mention nervous?!?!? Please pray that I breathe and do a good job. I don't know what I'm more excited for though, promoting OnTray or sitting next to Donny. He's so darn handsome! I'll keep you all posted.

Kelly McCausey with Mom's Morning Show

I had another great interview with Kelly McCausey with Mom's Morning Show. Today's interview was a taped show for her Podcast that will be available on Monday, March 31st. I tell you what, Kelly has it going on. If you Google her, you'll find that she is into Websites, Radio/Podcast, Coaching, Affiliate Programs...basically all things, and all things promoting mom's. Our interview was about 25 minutes long and it felt like 2 minutes. She is just easy to talk to, easy to listen to, and very informative. If you have a chance to check her out, visit http://www.kellymccausey.com/ or www.blogtalkradio.com/momsradio. Thanks so much Kelly!

OnTray giveaway! Just leave a comment to this post with one of the colors that OnTray comes in (visit www.ontray2go.com). Please leave a valid e-mail address so we can contact the winner. The contest will close Monday, April 7th!

Donny Duetsch & Laura Hamrick

I don't know if you love this show as much as me, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, but I'm going to be on it tonight! There is a segment at the end of the show (the last 2 minutes) called The American Dream Team. The producer's of the show ask you to send in a 30 second tape of how Donny has inspired you. Well, I shot a tape of me by myself (too embarrassed to ask someone to tape me) and I sent it in 6 weeks ago. I really had given up hope. Then, today I got a phone call from the producer's of the show and they said, "Head's up, you're on Donny's show tonight!" I am so excited. Since it was suppose to be how Donny inspired me, I couldn't really promote myself. I did say my name, where I'm from and that I created a product to make shopping with young children more enjoyable. Hopefully people will be inspired to Google me!

Blue Skye Baby

Shawn Corry, Baby Planner, Consulting & Design is at http://www.blueskyebaby.com.If you have ever had a baby, you know the stress of becoming a parent. It is the most wonderful time of your life and the most stressful at the same time. Shawn has started a new company called Blue Skye Baby, which provides many of the resources related to planning for the arrival of baby and beyond so that this time of your life can be less stressful and more enjoyable! Whether you need assistance with your baby registry, nursery design, baby shower, house cleaning, a personal chef, meal delivery, or a personal trainer to get you back in shape, Shawn has all the right resources. She is an amazing person, and is ready to help make this the most wonderful experience of your life. Visit http://www.blueskyebaby.com/ for more info!

OnTray's 1st Celebrity Endorsement!

So I went to my PO Box the other day, and low and behold, there was a note from an Oscar Nominee who received OnTray in their gift basket! Jason Reitman, the Director of Juno, wrote to me. Here's what he had to say:

"Cool product! We'll keep in the car for all of our shopping trips! Jason and 16 month old Josie"

I was so excited and started laughing uncontrollably. I think, actually I know, the other people at the Post Office thought I was either on something or having a nervous breakdown. I didn't care, I just heard from a celebrity! I am such a sucker for celebrities it's not even funny. Anyway, I wanted to share with all of you my good news!

Need a laugh?

Ok, so a friend sent me a link to http://www.inthemotherhood.com/. The site has skits on there that are written by moms, for moms and performed by Jenny McCarthy, Leah Remini and Chelsea Handler. The skits are seriously some of the funniest TV or webTV(not that I watch a lot of webTV) I've seen in a long time. The skits are about 6 minutes or so long, but when it's over you're like, "I need more!" I was laughing so hard at the latest episode that my youngest, Ty, said, "Mom, why are you laughing at your puter?" Which made me laugh even harder because he calls the computer the puter. Anyway, if you need a laugh (and who doesn't), check out the site. I guarantee you'll crack up!

Proud of the WNGCO Women

In July of 2007, I along with 2 other women, started a group we now call WNGCO (Women's Networking Group of Central Ohio). We meet twice a month with a very laid back agenda. There is no fee, because it really is just a group to encourage one another. Anyway, since our last meeting, I have been feeling very proud. Proud of all of the strives EACH one of them have been making. I wanted to list them and post a link to their site. Feel free to check them out. Who knows, they may be someone YOU need to know too!
Janene J. http://www.trendingsolutions.com/
Susan S. http://www.ebizgal.com/
Karen P. http://www.lilyonthefly.com/
Kathy T. http://www.katdesignweb.com/
Melody H. Hair Stylist
Phyllis N. http://www.soundadvice4you.com/
Kathy S. http://www.staypositivegreetings.com/
Jennifer R. http://reynoldscdesign.blogspot.com/
Tracy G. http://www.stuffandflufffriends.com/
Angela M. http://www.tentiltwo.com/
Jennifer J. http://momseasyspanish.blogspot.com/
Joyce S. Genoa Financial Group, LLC
Susan D. www.queenquisine.com

OnTray's Big Debut

Well, it's there. In the lower left side of the picture, OnTray is making it's big debut in the Oscar Nominee Gift Bag! It's hard to see. If you haven't seen my finished packaging, you wouldn't know what to look for, but trust me IT"S THERE! I am just so excited and thrilled about this opportunity. I will keep you posted if I hear from anyone. I'm hoping to. I included a hand written note in all of my donations. I even sent a self addressed stamped envelop for their convenience to send me their thoughts. Keeping my fingers crossed! www.ontray2go.com

OnTray, Oscar and a Press Release

OnTray™ Goes Hollywood
“Everybody Wins at the Oscars®” - Nominee Gift Bags To
Include Westerville Company’s Toddler Product
Columbus, Ohio – OnTray™ is going to Hollywood, and the designer and manufacturer of the patent-pending product is ready for its close up. The Westerville-based company was selected to include their signature product, OnTray™ in the “Everyone Wins At The Oscars” nominee gift baskets given to the non-winning OscarÒ nominees in each of the six major Academy AwardÒ categories (Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Picture and Best Director). These bags will be delivered on February 25, 2008 , the day after the Oscar telecast.

Mom-inventor Laura Hamrick developed OnTray™ out of her frustration with grocery shopping while feeding her toddler. “I got so tired of trying to feed and entertain my child while grocery shopping so I decided to do something about it,” Hamrick explains. “The plastic container easily attaches to a shopping cart handlebar and encourages your child to feed themselves, allowing you to shop with minimal distraction.” Hamrick adds, “It can even be used with a seat cover for the cart.”

Lash Fary is president of Distinctive Assets, the company that creates and distributes gift baskets to the OscarÒ nominees, as well as presenters/performers at many of Hollywood’s top award shows.

Fary notes, “We always try to include child-oriented products in our gift bags given the ongoing baby boom in Hollywood. As soon as I saw OnTray, I not only wanted one for myself (as I love to snack while grocery shopping!) but knew that our celebrity clientele would flip for them. It’s so much fun to find unique and clever products such as OnTray that truly are the perfect present for those who have everything.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for OnTray™ to showcase the product in the national spotlight,” Hamrick says. “I am thrilled to include my product in the gift baskets.”

The gift baskets will be provided to celebrities regardless of whether or not there is a traditional ceremony, given the current writer’s strike.

OnTray™ is made of FDA Approved Plastic and is microwave and dishwasher safe. Made in the USA, it comes in four colors including true blue, going green, pretty in pink and mellow yellow.

The company currently sells its product to baby retailers, online boutiques, gift stores and grocery stores around the country. Local retailers carrying OnTray™ include Hey Diddle Diddle and It’s All In The Name, both in Westerville.

Packaged individually, OnTray™ retails for $6.99. Gift sets are available for $11.99. Products are available for purchase on the company’s web site at http://www.ontray2go.com/.
####
The “Everybody Wins at the Oscars” Gift Bag has no affiliation with A.M.P.A.S or the official Oscar telecast. #

Ty, the muse for OnTray, is 3!

Ty, my youngest of the three boys, is three today! I am a little teary eyed as I'm writing this. You see Chad and I were done having children after Luke (or so we thought). TMI, but Chad was "fixed". Three days before the sx, Ty was conceived. Yes, our very own miracle baby. Well, actually, it took us about three months to except the fact we were going to have another baby after our 2nd baby was only going to be 14 months old! Everyone said, "He's here for a reason". Today, watching him light up at his new pirate ship, or his Scooby Doo DVD (my oldest son at 3 was still doing the Big Red Car dance from the Wiggles) that he got as some gifts from his party, I realized, yes he is here for a reason. Our lives would not be the same without our sweet, gorgeous, loud, hilarious, temper tantrum throwing, handsome, funny (I might have mentioned those before) baby Ty. I love him so much my heart aches. He is a blessing that is for sure... all of my babies are. To think that we weren't planning on Ty is just a shock to me. He completes our family. I am blessed in three very fantastic ways. Jack, Luke & Ty.
www.ontray2go.com

Dripstik's and my boys!

I recently met the creator of a fantastic mom invented product called DripStiks. She and I traded some OnTray's for some DripStiks (thanks Meccina), and as you can see in the picture, the boys LOVED using them. DripStiks collect the drips from your ice cream cones or Popsicles. You simply insert the stick into a specially designed slot or the cone into the other end in it's place. Now some of you will be upset that you won't have to Spray -n-Wash the heck out of your children's shirts and to you I say "MORE DRIPSTIKS FOR THE REST OF US!" Check out her web site at http://www.dripstik.com for more information. Heck, while you're there, buy some!

OnTray and Oscar

Well, some big news over here! OnTray has been selected to be included in the 2008 Oscar Nominee Gift Bags! You know those bags that are worth tons and have some really unique items? Yep, that bag! I'm so excited. I have to include some to be passed out to the media too. I'm almost as excited about that. I'll keep you posted if Julia Roberts writes me a thank you note for her OnTray. Oh...dare to dream!

Candle Wax and Your Carpet

Ok, so this is such a random topic, but I had to share this with all of you. On Christmas Eve we had The Hamrick annual party at our house (first time ever). Well I'm not sure what happened, I thought Jack knocked over the candle but Chad's cousin insists it was me. All I know is there was a TON of red candle wax all over my cream colored carpet! I was unusually calm. I mean, what was I going to do about it then? I had 30 guests in my house (which if you saw my house, 30 guests was about capacity). I knew Martha Stewart or one of the cleaning goddesses had to have a remedy for me. Well of course everyone was telling me what to do. The wax sat there on my floor like a bad reminder of the party. Yeah, we're never doing that again! I was talking to my friend Jennifer and she said that she had read what to do about wax on carpet in a book. Here's what she suggested. Get a brown paper bag and a hot iron. Lay the bag ,with the side that has no writing, over the wax. Grab the iron ,which should be on the hottest setting with the steam off, and place it on the bag. No joke, it was like magic. It took about 10 minutes, but it ALL came up. There is maybe the slightest remnant of red (if you were looking for some), but I plan on attacking that with my carpet cleaner this weekend. Ok, so yeah this is random, but for some of you this might be what you needed!

A Contest I Thought You Might Want To Know About!

A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!
The Prize:

The winner will receive a brand new Hamilton Beach 4.5-qt. Eclectrics Stand Mixer, Pineapple Yellow!!

About the mixer:
From Hamilton Beach’s “Eclectrics” line, this all-metal stand mixer comes with a host of accessories - a Flat Beater for cakes and cookies, a Dough Hook for bread and a Wire Whisk for whipped cream or pudding. The 4.5-qt. stainless steel bowl comes with a Pouring Shield that helps prevent splattering while in operation. The pouring shield has a built-in chute for adding ingredients. Powered by 400 watts, the stand mixer has a two-way mixing action to ensure all ingredients are incorporated into the mix. The quick-release, tilt-up head assists when removing the bowl. 9 x 14 x 14-in. When you’re ready for a kitchen re-do, don’t call in the carpenters! Instead, “counter scape” your kitchen with Hamilton Beach’s retro-designed, affordably priced electrics in happy, sun-saturated colors. Their “Eclectrics” line includes updates to those classic appliances from the 1950s. All of their “Eclectrics” are available in six colors: Apple Green, Moroccan Red, Pineapple Yellow, Intrigue Blue, Sugar White and Licorice Black.

Christmas is chaotic!

It's amazing to me that we spend all year gearing up for one day, Christmas. I realize some of you reading this don't celebrate Christmas, and quite frankly...I'm a little jealous. No, my religion is important to me and I enjoy having this time of year to celebrate "The Reason for the Season" (I think I saw that on a billboard somewhere), but once you have children, the reason becomes how many toys Santa brought them! Man oh man, was our day filled with total chaos! We opened presents from Santa at our house in the morning, then we went to my parents house where Santa apparently thought my children were deprived! They tore through the presents like a tornado, and then went down into their basement to see how they all worked. For about 10 minutes, before all of the fighting began, there was actual peace! My parents and I sat and looked at each other like we had just been robbed! We were robbed by three little boys, who on the outside remind us of such sweet children, but then give them a box wrapped in decorative paper, and forget about it. They are not as sweet as they look. My oldest son Jack said to me yesterday, "Mom we 364 more days until Christmas!" Oh my gosh, that's all I have?!?!

My Review of DUCT TAPE WALLET

Originally submitted at UncommonGoods

Keep your cash glued to your hip with the strongest tape on earth. This silvery Super Duct Tape wallet won't lift, peel or get sticky, but it will keep your cards and bills safe whether you're bungee jumping from a bridge or installing plastic sheeting. Reinforced metal holes accommodate a security...

DUCT TAPE WALLET

This wallet is ducky!

By OnTray 2 Go! from Westerville, Ohio on 12/10/2007

 

5out of 5

Pros: Slim, Durable

Best Uses: Everyday Use

Describe Yourself: Stylish

I bought this wallet for my husband, now everyone who sees it, wants one. I just bought another one for my brother. It's a terrific converstaion piece!

(legalese)

OnTray, Wholesale!

I have a couple of sales reps that are carrying OnTray in their line of offerings, and I have OnTray available at few stores, and a few online stores too. I'd love to see OnTray available anywhere and everywhere (well maybe not anywhere or everywhere, but you understand). Where would you like to see OnTray available? Maybe there's a small grocery store in your home town that I've never heard of, or maybe a great little children's boutique that carries unique items like OnTray. In any event, shoot me an e-mail at info@ontray2go.com, or just reply to this post. I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Blessed

I'm sitting here at my desk, and there is a bulletin board right in front of me. I had to laugh, because everything on it (except for a news clipping of Chad) is either an inspirational quote, a horoscope I cut out of the paper, or notes of encouragement from friends and business associates I've met along the way. Things like, "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying 'I will try again tomorrow' ". That was sent to me from another Mompreneur I've met throughout my journey named Jordon Golomb. She sells fantastic items on her site, http://www.frameofmindonline.com/. Another card says, "Be patient, stay hopeful..." or one of my favorites, "...at last the ladder, which had been built slowly, slowly one hope at a time, reached to the clouds. And the dreamer began to climb." I know it sounds silly, but words like these help me. They put things in perspective. Words mean so much to me...they always have. I am so up and down with having brought my idea, my dream, to fruition. Knowing that people care enough about me to say things to me, send me notes of encouragement, or telling me to keep going, just reminds me how blessed I am. This product is not my only offering to the world, but I love that I am surrounded by words to pick me up when I am down, or keep a smile on my face when I am up.

Me, OnTray & Rich Sloan

Today I did a taping of an upcoming show for StartupNation Radio. StartupNation is the largest online community for entrepreneurs and has a tremendous amount of resources for start-ups. I'm not sure when the show that I will be on will air, but click the link below to hear some great interviews, advice and information!
http://www.startupnation.com/media/shows/1/entrepreneur-startup-radio.htm


"StartupNation Radio, hosted by lifetime entrepreneurs, the Sloan brothers, provide in-the-trenches expertise on how to start and grow your dream business. Topics include: starting an eBay business, financing your business, marketing your invention, and much more."

My Latest Newsletter

Season's Greetings from 42 Kids

Greetings!

It has been an amazing couple of months since I last sent you a newsletter (sorry about that by the way). OnTray is now available on a French web site, a Canadian web site, a South African web site (coming soon), a few local boutiques, a mom run web site and starting in December OnTray will be available in 15 Minnesota grocery stores! Please visit, http://ontray2go.com/Retailers.htm to see the entire list of OnTray retailers!

I am continuously blown away by the response that OnTray is receiving. It is simply amazing to me that a little idea I had, has turned out to be a great helper for many people. With that said, OnTray was:

Published as a 2007 "Top Ten Most Innovative" winner in the StartupNation Home-Based 100!StartupNation made its selection from among thousands of home-based entrepreneurs who entered the competition.www.startupnation.com

To say I am grateful this Holiday Season is an understatement. Thank you to everyone for your support and business.

Happy Holidays,

Laura Hamrick
Creator of OnTray; the Container 2 Go!
42 Kids

Join Our Mailing List!

Mission Accomplished!

Well, right now my order for Lunds & Byerly's is somewhere between here (Ohio) and Minnesota! I am so excited, scared, thrilled, anxious, (gosh you name it) about this whole thing. I hope they get there on time, and all in one piece. They're virtually indestructible (the OnTray's) but you never know! I just hope they sell like hotcakes and the buyer calls me again soon to place another order. I have been in contact with some Minneapolis/St.Paul moms groups, a few local businesses and an editor at the Minnesota Parent paper to drum up some buzz about the product launch. Hopefully that will help. Thank you to everyone for their support and guidance. I certainly am one thankful person on the eve of Thanksgiving!

OnTray Recognized by StartupNation As...

I received word on Monday that OnTray and I placed #5 in the Top 10 "Most Innovative" category, of StartupNations Top 100 Businesses! Check it out! What an amazing couple of days it has been. I am up to 3500 hits to my web site today!!!! I have heard from people all around the WORLD. Just thrilling!

http://www.startupnation.com/home-based-100/79/8932/winner.htm#WinnerTop

OnTray Coming To A Store Near You?

Well at 5:00pm today I received the e-mail I have been waiting on! I met with the buyer on October 5th from a grocery chain in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I can officially announce that Lunds & Byerly's (www.lfhi.com) will be the first chain to offer OnTray for sale! They placed an order today for 15 of their 21 stores and want them delivered by 11/28! I am just ecstatic. The buyer, Dan, totally gets the product too. He wants to display OnTray with some snack type food like Goldfish to show off how OnTray really helps to make shopping more enjoyable. With Dan's permission, next week I am going to try and contact as many media outlets in their area to drum up some buzz about OnTray. If it does well over the Holiday season, Dan is hoping to offer OnTray as an everyday item. It is amazing to me how you can feel low throughout this process, then instantly it just changes. Hey, if you're in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, look for OnTray soon!

Shopping Cart Germs!

I was reading an article yesterday on the main page of MSNBC. It was titled something like 10 Grimiest Spots. Shopping cart handle bars were number 5. Here is what they said.

"Shopping cart handles Saliva, bacteria and fecal matter are just a few of the substances found on shopping cart handles. Cart handles rank high on the yuck scale because they’re handled by dozens of people every day and, of course, raw food carries nasty pathogens.
Reduce the risk: Many stores have dispensers with disinfectant wipes near the carts. If your store doesn’t, bring your own wipes and give the handle a quick swab. Or carry along a cart cover like the Grip-Guard or Healthy Handle."

I guess they haven't heard of OnTray, www.ontray2go.com yet, huh?!?!

Supporting Our Troops (no this is not political)!

For over 6 years now, we have seen signs, commercials, posters, messages, you name it saying "Support The Troops". Not until today, did I truly FEEL the message. A guy in our neighborhood, who happened to be Luke's soccer coach, left this morning for a 6 month deployment to Iraq. Dave has two young daughters and a wife. A friend of mine in the neighborhood arranged for me and Luke and some other neighbors to meet on Dave's driveway with signs, flags and big waves to send him off. What we experienced when he came out of his house to hug us all with big tears streaming down his face, is almost indescribable. This man, a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend is VOLUNTARILY missing Birthdays, Anniversaries, Holidays and other special occasions, to serve our country in Iraq. I personally am not a proponent of the war. I think it stinks quite frankly, but I will tell you this, I SUPPORT THE TROOPS! Especially after seeing Dave drive away from his family and friends. The message has new meaning to me after today.

Blogging 101

Ok, so when I met my web designer for the first time about a year ago, one of the first things she suggested I do was to start a blog. I would have loved to have seen the expression on my face when she suggested that. If it didn't have anything to do with the Wiggles, Blues Clues or Noggin I wasn't privy to it. I'm sure I looked like a deer caught in head lights. Needless to say, she gave me some basic guidelines and the rest was blog history. I still feel like I don't really know what I'm doing. I just sort of sit here looking at the screen until something pops into my head. The other night at my networking meeting, WNGCO, we had a bit of a discussion on blogging. What is it? Why do it? Who's reading it? Aren't you a little freaked out about the people reading it? Things like that. I guess you just do what you need to do to look like your part of this century. Blogging is where it's at (at least for now).

I Need To Get My Groove Back...

Nope, I'm not Stella, and I don't need that kind of a groove back. I'm just feeling uninspired lately. What an awful feeling. I keep logging into my blog everyday thinking, "Ok, today I WILL write something!" I sit her looking at the blank screen hoping some words will pop into my mind, but nothing happens. Tonight, when I logged on and thought the same thing, I just decided to start writing about how I'm feeling. I try to be clever and crafty, witty and informative, but you know what, tonight I just want to type and have nothing in particular to say.
Things are fine. Kids are good. Husband is great. OnTray is heading in a great direction with it's first retail order on the horizon (more about that next week...keep your fingers crossed), and I am just fine...uninspired, but fine. Maybe it's the change in the weather. Maybe it's the fact that all day long I am trying to inspire my children to behave, listen, be nice to one another, get along, do their homework, put their shoes where they belong, put the toilet seat lid down, chew with their mouths closed, stop yelling, go to bed...and stay in bed! Oh just listing these items is making me realize all the more how blah I sound. Oh well, tomorrow's another day. I need to go to bed. Three young boys need to be inspired again tomorrow. I guess my inspiration will just have to wait another day!

Me on an Internet Radio Show?

Ok, so tomorrow morning (10:30 EST) I am going to be a guest on an Internet Radio Show. I'm so excited! The host, Kelly McCausey, is a hoot. She has a side kick, Tishia Lee, and the two of them make a perfect pair! Tomorrow is Work at Home Wednesday with Kelly & Tishia and other Mom's Radio Network Hosts and Callers. Call in with your work at home questions. Win a dozen free cookies from Bizzy Lizzy Bakery! Oh, and pray that I don't mess up too badly! Click on the link to be taken to the show and directions on how to listen. It should be fun!

Sitting At Target....

I was at Target tonight (ok, I'm there like every night) sitting in the Food Court area with all three of my boys while they were enjoying their Icee's. Sitting in that part of the store, I had a perfect view of all of the customers coming into the store. There was this young couple with a baby, probably 3 months old, standing by all of the carts. The man was holding the baby while the mom was attempting to put the cart seat cover on the Target cart. It was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time. She was struggling with this cover; at one point I thought she was just going to throw it on the ground. The man she was with, handed her the baby as if to say, "Give it to me...I'll put it on!". This went on for, no joke, 5 minutes. Finally the man handed the baby back to the women, and she figured it out! Ok, so I know there are people out there that use the cart covers. Probably some reading this post! I understand that carts are dirty and the whole reason behind this movement, but I just wanted to walk up to the couple and say, "Have you heard of OnTray? It EASILY fits onto the handle bar of shopping carts and your baby is safer from germs than with nothing there. The children stay busy and you get to shop!". I don't have the guts to approach people, maybe one day! Oh and by the way, you can use OnTray with the cart seat covers. A couple of friends I know use both. How about that, extra germ free!

I Wish I Had The Guts...

You may remember a while back I told you all about this great web-site, http://www.mom4life.com/ that is carrying OnTray. Heather (that's her in the picture), the owner of the site, has weekly giveaways and she puts the drawing of the winner on YouTube. She films herself doing some silly things while picking the name of the winner. She is a stitch! She even makes Chad laugh (for those of you who don't know Chad...God love him... he's a little hard to please in the humor department!). I wish I had the guts to video tape myself and splash it all over YouTube. Anyway, this week she is giving away an OnTray. Check out the link below to see her in action. Pretty funny!

http://mom4life.typepad.com/mom_4_life/

Stuck!

Ok, so I'm not sure what my problem is. Lately, I just feel stuck. Do you ever feel like that? I mean, there is a ton going on in my life. The kids are keeping me busy. Jack's in school and playing soccer, Luke's in school and playing soccer and Ty...well Ty keeps me busy just by yelling at me all of the time. Chad and I are doing great; trying to get out as much as possible. OnTray is what's really getting me down I think. There are so many things happening with OnTray, that nothings happening. Does that make sense? I'm just waiting on so many areas to be complete with the production end of OnTray, that I can't really move forward with anything. People keep asking me, "Have you sold OnTray to the big retail stores yet?" or my favorite, "You know you really need to be in all of the grocery stores!" Uh yeah, I know that! What people don't understand is that I have to wait on the packaging design, then we need to have a die cut made to make the packaging, then we need to produce the packaging and have it shipped to a warehouse. Then, blah, blah, blah! Ok, so I'm done venting. I feel badly even being down about all of this. I believe in this product, and I believe in all of the people that are helping me bring this to "life", but come on already. I NEED TO BE IN THE GROCERY STORES!

Ok, Are You Ready For This?

Bonjour! Why the french welcome? Are you ready for this? OnTray is going to be available for sale in FRANCE! Yes, I said FRANCE! Limoges, France to be exact. An owner of an adorable site, http://www.petitspasdegeant.com/ , contacted me about a month ago and asked if she could sell OnTray on her site. Well, I shipped her 24 OnTray's as an initial order and they have arrived in France! Beside the fact that I'm excited about the opportunity to sell my product overseas, I am a self proclaimed Francophile (France/Paris freak). I visited Paris once with my father when I was younger and then Chad and I went there in '99. I just love it there. It is my happy place. Half of my house has some sort of Parisian touch! Well, check out her site in a week or so. It's in complete french, but I just do my best to navigate. If something looks interesting I use a translation site. Au revoir!

Luke's Off to School Too!

Today was Luke's first official day of pre-school. What a big boy! He walked right in, gave his teachers big hugs, found his bin to put his bag in and found a ton of Dinosaurs to play with. "I think they're real Dinosaurs Mom! This place is great!", he said to me. Again, no separation anxiety for my middle child...just mom!

OnTray and Baby Shower Favors

I put together some baby shower favors for a friend of mine who was obviously throwing a shower. I wasn't sure how I was going to do it, so I asked my friend Jennifer who used to do favors as a business for some ideas(she might do it still I'm not sure, the girl wears like 100 hats). She gave me some great thoughts and off to JoAnn's I went. I came home with some clear plastic bags, almond candies in different colors and tulle to wrap them in. I thought I'd take some pictures, because if I say so myself, these make excellent shower favors!

First, 1st Grade Experience!

Seriously, how cute are these kids? I know they're mine, but seriously, cute, huh? Jack started the 1st grade last Tuesday. I cried like a baby for three days leading up to school. The funny thing was, I didn't cry when he went to pre-school or when he went to Kindergarten last year. Nope, I guess it was all bottled up for this year. Chad said it best. He told me he thought maybe I felt like I was "splitting up my team". Yes...that's it....oh yeah and it's MY BABY GOING OFF TO SCHOOL ALL DAY! Really, though, I think I came to the realization that someone else would be helping him throughout the day. He didn't need my like he has for the past 6 1/2 years of his life. Nope, I had done my job. I guess that should be pretty rewarding, huh? I have done my job; not like I don't have the rest of my life to be his mom. I must have done a good enough job so far that he felt confident enough to hop on that school bus he had never ridden before, go to a classroom full of people he hardly knew and make new friends, eat in a cafeteria which was completely new to him and try food orther than PB&J's and be gone from his home and family all day when he is a self described home-body. Well it's a good thing he's so well adjusted because I'm the one at home crying like a baby!

Funny Cancer Cards

Ok, so who really wants to have to buy cards for women going through treatment for Breast Cancer? It's not your typical, "Hey, I need to go buy so and so a card for her cancer treatment", but reality is, you probably will have too, and you probably should. I met a woman who went through breast cancer treatment last year, and through it all, she came up with an excellent idea. Funny cancer cards. Yep, you heard (read) me correctly. Funny, humorous, uplifting cards for women going through surgery or treatment for breast cancer. Don't just take my word for it, check them out for yourself. Funny stuff, for a not so funny-horrible cancer. http://www.staypositivegreetings.com

Pokemon Is My Son's Obsession!

About 6 or 7 months ago, one of Jack's friends turned him onto Pokemon cards. Chad and I thought it was sort of cute. "Jack is learning to read", we thought. "Jack is learning to count", we said. Then we starting saying things like, "Jack won't stop talking about Pokemon". Or, "Jack is borderline OCD with this Pokemon card stuff". Well, we have spent way more money than I every would care to add up. I thought it was just a phase but it is lasting longer than the Power Ranger one. I thought that phase was going to push me over the edge! I got an e-mail today with a link attached, that anyone who feels my pain must check out. It made me laugh so hard my children thought I was crying. Click on the link below to see an actual Ebay item that sold. Absolutely hilarious! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675

Oh Did I Need This!

Ok, so I meet another mom inventor, Shelia, through www.themompack.com. She created a product called the Handy Burpee. It is a burp cloth that you slip your hand into, and then there is a generous amount of material that you drape in front of the baby. All three of my guys spit up like crazy. I would put them on my lap, sitting up, wad the burp cloth up in my hand and cup their chins. I didn't want anything to get on my hands, me or my furniture, so I figured if it went in front of them (on the tile floor) it would be easy clean up. Moms know my dilemma and Shelia is solving our issue. Check out www.loveprints.net to learn more.

This One Caught Me By Surprise....

My brother-in-law was married to a girl named Hilary. At first I wasn't sure if I liked her. I was pretty protective of him. She grew on me though. We ended up becoming great friends. They married and I was a big part of their wedding. She and he were big parts of our lives. When I had Luke, Hilary and Gregg came to the hospital and stayed longer than anyone. We had a little party. We laughed and drank (shh..no I wasn't breast feeding). I think they were actually asked to leave by a nurse. Anyway, we were together a lot over the year they were married (they were together a few years before becoming married). They divorced in February of this year. That had to have been one of the hardest things I've ever been through. She made a mistake, a big one and I think they tried to work it out. The didn't. They couldn't. I'm not sure I blame him, but I'm not sure I blame her either. What happened was between them. I'm just sorry I couldn't fix things for them.

When she told me they were divorcing, it seriously took the wind out of me. I instantly asked her what I could do. How could I fix things? I needed her to be in my life; in my children's lives. She was my sister. I know that sounds corny, but wow was it true. I cried the whole way home from that dinner. I came home and took down all of her pictures. "Hoe could I have pictures of her in my house?", I thought. "What if Gregg sees these?", I said to Chad. It was as if she died. The pictures, and the memories just gone. I swore I would stay friends with her. That didn't need to change, right? Wrong. My in-laws weren't to keen on me talking with her. They didn't say I couldn't, but I knew I'd let them down if I did (as if I don't let them down enough). We haven't talked in about a year.

I saw Hilary last night at a wedding. She didn't expect to see me. I certainly didn't expect to see her. We looked at each other in absolute shock. We hugged each other and cried. Really cried. I'm sure everyone in the room was like, "Wow! Have they had too much to drink already?". I was just telling my friend how much I missed Hilary about a week ago. Seeing her last night, at a wedding about two hours away from where we both live, I realized something. Love, friendship and sisterhood are three things we are lucky enough to ever have in our lifetime. I had all three with one person. I miss my sister.

Kathy Rocks!

Back in November when I was looking for someone to help me with all of my design work, I asked my father-in-law if he knew of anyone (he's a designer by trade). He put me in touch with someone he used to work with named Kathy Thomas. We met and instantly hit it off. She has been the one who has brought the brand 42 kids, OnTray and my web site to life. She truly is one of the most creative people I've ever met. It's amazing that I can say, "Hey Kathy, I'd like to have a page where all of the sites that have reviewed OnTray are featured...can you put something together?". An hour later, voila! I have a page on my site that lists the sites that have reviewed OnTray, written about OnTray or carry OnTray. She is just awesome! She has done so much for me over the 10 months we've been working together and she continues to amaze me.

I've said this before, I truly feel that all the right people are in my life to help me along this journey. Kathy is someone I thank my lucky stars for. She has helped my dream come true! If you want to see her other work, visit www.katdesignweb.com today!

OnTray available on the web!

A while back I discovered this site, www.mom4life.com. I had e-mailed the owner, Heather, and she was kind enough to e-mail me right back. She answered all of my questions about how to deal with online companies who might like to carry my product, wholesale pricing and quantities to offer. She was just fabulous. Well, she now is carrying OnTray! I'm so excited. Of course I felt very official with my own web site, but with someone like Heather and www.mom4life.com, I just feel even more validated! Check them out today!

100hats.com

I was interviewed last month by a freelance writer for Business First (a local newspaper). It didn't work out for that publication, but the writer said she was working on another piece for a Web site called www.100hatts.com. It is such a need site. Full of articles, advice and inspiration for women trying to do it all. My article published yesterday. Here's a link if you would like to read it! http://www.100hats.com/subscribehats/archives/LetterView.aspx?id=506

OnTray is Available in a Store!

How exciting! There is a local children's clothing and gift store here in Westerville called Hey Diddle Diddle. I used to frequent it quite often when the boys were smaller and it was cool for them to wear adorable outfits. Now, not so much. I do always go there for the most adorable gifts and outfits for friends and family. Anyway, I went to visit Stacy, the owner, a couple of weeks ago and show her OnTray. She said she thought the space in her store was an issue, and she wasn't sure how she'd display them. Well, I was a little disappointed to say the least. I brainstormed and came up with a clever way for her to display the products. I took her a miniature shopping cart and placed four OnTray's (one of every color) in it. She placed it on the counter and I told her if she sells them great, pay me then. No risk to her. That was Monday at 4:30. She called me this morning to tell me she had sold all four of the OnTray's and needed more! I can't believe it. OnTray is available in a store! Yippie! Can you tell I'm excited? If you're in Westerville and in need of an OnTray, head to Hey Diddle Diddle (or visit my web-site, www.ontray2go.com :) )

Summer Guide 2007

I found this great site that has a wonderful list of fabulous products and coupon codes (if you know me you know I love coupons). Anyway, I thought I would share the information with you. Visit www.mommieswithstyle.com and check out all the great stuff!

If You're Pregnant....

I saw this T-shirt on a web-site that is going to be carrying OnTray. I had to post a message about it, because I think it's hilarious. I'm actually disappointed I'm not pregnant, because I would love to have this T-shirt. What a fun way to "talk" about pregnancy!

http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=1038&new=yes&ret=catalog.php%3Fnew%3Dyes

Time Management

Ok, so I need to do a better job at managing my time. Starting and running a business from home is consuming me! I am constantly thinking about how I'm going to drum up more business, get more press, reach more people, blah, blah, blah! I think Chad is getting tired of me talking about this. He's grocery shopping right now. Does that tell you something? I need to get back to my old life a little bit more. The laundry is piling up, the closets are a MESS, my children are bored and I am just irritable. Does anyone have some free advice on HOW TO DO IT ALL???