Labor Day is a yearly national tribute dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. Let’s hear it for the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.
Please be well and stay safe everyone.
xo, Candi
American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY
Happy 244th Birthday to the USA! Here’s to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Declaration of Independence
244 years ago on the 4th of July, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted by Congress to formally separate from Great Britain AND the United States was born. The Declaration of Independence, one of the most important founding documents of the United States, is kept safe and sound in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
On a business trip to D.C. for an event a few years ago, I took an early morning stroll along Pennsylvania Avenue (with my easily portable product invention RestoPresto the Made in America wearable blanket, of course) and when I happened upon the National Archives, I had an A-HA, very meaningful moment. Here I was, at this striking building that holds a document that bestows life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and I had achieved a very American dream: I switched careers from corporate to entrepreneurship (after the age of 40) when I discovered a gap in the market for a product that I wanted but could not find. I envisioned an easily transportable, multi-functional, soft, water-repellent textile to use how and when I needed it instantly…then through hard, strategic work beset with challenges, accomplishments and several big set-backs, brought it to life! It was subsequently patented and featured on the TODAY SHOW ! As we all know, dreams are universal and not just an “American thing” however when you achieve a business goal in the USA, there is a unique sense of pride since our country is a young 244 years old!
RestoPresto at the National Archives Building
So here’s the thing: since the moment I launched my Kickstarter campaign which also revealed RestoPresto to the market, people have asked me how, what, who and tons of other questions about prototyping, crowdfunding, intellectual property, manufacturing, shipping, branding, PR, social media, marketing and everything in-between. I learned that necessity is the mother of invention with RestoPresto and am now, proudly running a second business…a customized advisory business. I work with innovative people who have an idea, at any stage, that needs to progress. I customize solutions based on individual needs to bring that idea for a product or service to life. WOW – it is a totally different kind of gratification helping people do what I did with the hope of reducing the headaches and adding firsthand experienced value by sharing my “been there done that” expertise.
My doors are OPEN to work with me so please reach out if you are curious how I can help YOU and how we can partner on your project. Of course, referrals are very welcome: candi@candiobrentz.com
Today is Global Beatles Day commemorating 53 years since The Beatles performed “All You Need Is Love” on the first around-the-world satellite broadcast that reached 5 continents.
I was thinking about how important The Beatles’ music means to me and remembered that I wrote a little piece about this very topic a while ago, so I dug around, found it and am sharing it here:
In 1984, when I was around 13, I purchased the “20 Greatest Hits The Beatles” cassette using my babysitting money. I already appreciated the solo works of Paul, George, John and Ringo and of course was stunned when John’s life was taken away so violently in 1980. That aside, I knew most of the popular songs from the 20 Greatest Hits however I am convinced that they just sounded better on my Walkman because I paid for the album myself. I listened to that tape so much that I wore it out, which prompted me to move on to explore all of The Beatles’ music. Best. Idea. Ever.
Little did I know that the music and lyrics of The Beatles would consistently bring joy to my life, particularly when I needed it the most. Rubber Soul. Magical Mystery Tour. Abbey Road. Revolver…and of course my favorite: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I have read biographies, watched documentaries and even walked in the steps of the Fab Four in Liverpool and Hamburg.
Their story has so much to do with impeccable timing & simply going for it: forming the band, replacing Pete with Ringo, bravely producing their revolutionary lyrics and sounds in less than one decade; abandoning live performances and even disbanding. All of these factors combined (plus so many more) created an avalanche of groundbreaking music that changed the world.
When I think of their individual childhoods and subsequent collaboration – it inspires me that innovation and changing the game are within my reach.
American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY
244 years ago, on June 14, 1777, the flag of the United States was adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution stated: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
American Flag waving over Fifth Avenue, NY
Many Americans cherish the, often refuted, story of Betsy Ross being the designer of the first Stars and Stripes. As General George Washington’s seamstress and fellow-church congregant, legend says that Betsy Ross was commissioned around June of 1776 to create the flag from a drawing, which she subsequently re-designed and produced successfully. Some historians discredit this tale based on lack of evidence but either way the story is a great one.
Over 100 years later, Bernard John Cigrand, a young man from Waubeka, Wisconsin, authored hundreds of articles, made speeches and submitted proposals for there to be an annual observance of the birth of the Flag. He felt strongly that good would come from a “Flag Holiday”. Then, in 1949, President Truman signed an Act Of Congress designating the 14th day of June every year as National Flag Day. 55 years later, on June 14, 2004, a unanimous vote by U.S. Congress declared that Flag Day originated in Waubeka, Wisconsin recognizing Cigrand’s dedication to the cause.
Since 1777, the design of the flag has been officially modified 26 times. The 48-star flag was in effect for 47 years until the 49-star version became official on the 4th of July 1959.
American Flags painted on trees in Battery Park to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks.
The American Flag, which is also known as the “Stars and Stripes”, “Old Glory” and “The Star Spangled Banner” with 50 stars to represent the 50 states of the United States of America was ordered by President Eisenhower on August 21,1959. The blue rectangle in the canton (specifically called the “union”) bears 50 small, white, 5-pointed stars arranged in 9 offset horizontal rows of 6 stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of 5 stars.
The current 50-star American flag was designed in Ohio in 1958 by a then 17-year-old, Robert Heft, who created it for a high school class project. Apparently he received a B- on his assignment, which was subsequently raised to an A after his design was chosen and adopted by presidential proclamation.
Isn’t it fantastic that young adults have played integral (sometimes unrecognized) roles in US history?
“Flag of Honor” listing the name of each human who perished on September 11, 2001 displayed in Battery Park during the 10-year memorial.
Happy Birthday to the American Flag!
Photos are my own.
Happy New Year!
I am THRILLED to share the news that I was featured in a Forbes article about entrepreneurial goals for 2019.
As you may know, I am the creator of a patented, thin, easily transportable wearable blanket called RestoPresto. It is my pride and joy: creating it from scratch after I discovered that this “make my life easier” product that I wanted did not exist.
Accelerating the idea of RestoPresto to possessing an actual, patented product on the market rocked my world. It propelled my professional life from corporate to entrepreneurship and completely transformed my personal life.
As my inventory for RestoPresto began to dwindle, I changed my strategy and serendipitously launched my customized advisory business. Once again, I discovered a gap in the market: this time for a trustworthy, empathetic advisor with hands-on experience of bringing a new product to market. This offerings of this business have expanded from guiding people through the creation process for products to customized plans for business development, Kickstarter campaigns and start-up launches (and many actions & strategies in-between).
Now back to that FORBES article!!! It’s a brief read about my educated decision to seek a business partner in the new year. This is a big shift for me since I own 100% of equity in my company and have achieved remarkable feats on my own. However, with a sold-out inventory, a growing waiting list for RestoPrestos and a solid vision for expansion, I revamped my action plan and decided that additional brains, muscle power & experience are needed to properly grow the product and company.
Click on this hyperlink to enjoy the Forbes article.
Please be in touch if you wish to discuss my plans for RestoPresto, for a complimentary consultation if you (or someone you know) is ready to move forward with a business idea and with ANY questions.
With warmest wishes to you in 2019,
Candi
