Dishing about a Kickstarter campaign for an innovative insect repellent!

October 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

One of my favorite things of all time is a person who discovers a gap in the market AND takes the road less traveled to FILL THE GAP! It’s really tough to do this so I commend the determination & dedication that it takes to achieve product launch success.

An excellent example of this success is Dr. Monica Wood: a surgeon, Multiple Sclerosis ambassador and entrepreneur who is shaking up the mosquito repellent industry with ‘SectAway: an innovative patent pending insect repellent system. Now ‘SectAway needs YOUR support to help fund additional lab testing and for product development!

There are 4 days left, so click here to view the Kickstarter campaign and contribute. http://bit.ly/SECTAWAY

Read below for the full story!

Dr. Wood was inspired to create ‘SectAway when she could not find an easy-to-use, effective insect repellent before a trip to Puerto Rico around the time the first ZIKA case was reported there. This was unacceptable to her so she took matters into her own hands. As a biotech/medical professional, Dr. Wood formulated a botanical, DEET-free mixture and sent it to an independent entomology lab for testing. The tests yielded excellent results that are comparable to national brands of repellent (ummm – AWESOME), which meant that the product is on the right track. To solve the challenge of avoiding sticky sprays and wearing disposable, ugly bracelets, ‘SectAway is worn on handcrafted, special wooden reusable bracelets that hold the mixture: uniting fashion and function! A huge bonus is the decorative storage dish that also acts as a diffuser so you can put next to your bed at night for additional protection. Very thoughtful, eco-friendly, smells great, looks great and is effective.

Dr. Wood is not allowing MS to define her as she tenaciously works towards helping people protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses in the USA and around the world. All funds from the Kickstarter campaign will go towards further lab testing and product improvements.

Please consider contributing to the ‘SectAway Kickstarter campaign TODAY to help this new, patent pending product grow! There are only 4 days left to donate! Here is the link: http://bit.ly/SECTAWAY

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MOSQUITOES SUCK…dishing about a solution: ‘SectAway insect repellent!

October 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment

MOSQUITOES SUCK…..

Luckily the SectAway insect repellent system rocks AND you can get your hands (wrists & ankles) on a set by supporting its Kickstarter campaign.

Here is the background:

Dr. Monica Alberts Wood is a hand surgeon who discovered a gap in the market for a wearable insect repellent device that is effective, attractive and eco-friendly so she created it herself and BOOM: the patent pending ‘SectAway was born! 

It’s a botanical, DEET-free mixture that is worn on handcrafted, wooden reusable jewelry. The repellent was tested in an entomology lab and yielded results of 97.5% effectiveness for 2.5 hours so now that it’s confirmed that ‘SectAway is on the right track, Monica is even more committed to protect people from mosquito-borne illnesses and wants to make the product even better. That means that additional lab testing is required. Testing demands FUNDING so she launched a Kickstarter campaign!

Please consider supporting this small business that has a huge heart by contributing to Kickstarter to get your own ‘SectAway device.

Here is the link (or use hyperlinks above) and PLEASE feel free to share this information with your networks. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising and thoughtful small businesses deserve as much exposure as possible.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1358019332/the-worlds-first-pretty-insect-repellent-jewelry-s?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=insect%20repellent

Please note that I am a customer and fan of ‘SectAway. This was not a paid post/endorsement. My hope is to spread the knowledge of ‘SectAway so that this fantastic product will receive Kickstarter funding! 

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Happy Autumn!

September 22, 2018 by Leave a Comment

It’s the first day of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere!

May you fall into a lovely season filled with the best of health and happiness!

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Dishing 242nd Birthday wishes to America!

July 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Dishing Independence Day wishes to my fellow Americans!

American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

Happy 241st Birthday to the USA! Here’s to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence

242 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 my last visit to D.C., 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 242 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

 

 

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Dishing Father’s Day Wishes!

June 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads, Stepdads, Grandads, Uncles, Godfathers and caregivers from The Candi Dish!

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Dishing about Flag Day in the USA!

June 14, 2018 by Leave a Comment
American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

241 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.”

IMG_6148

American Flag waving over Fifth Avenue, NY

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.

American Flags painted on trees in Battery Park to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks.

IMG_6149The 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.

“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.

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Honoring the memories of our Servicemen and Servicewomen today and everyday

May 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment

American Flag waving over Rockefeller Center, NY

On this Memorial Day 2018 may the legacies of the Men and Women who served the United States of America and lost their lives be memorialized forever.

May their souls rest in peace.

 

American Flags painted on trees in Battery Park to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Attacks.

 

Photos: My own

 

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St. Petersburg’s Open Air Post Office

May 17, 2018 by Leave a Comment

My throwback Thursday is dedicated to one of my favorite landmarks in my hometown of St. Petersburg, FL:
the Open Air Post Office.

This fantastic Mediterranean revival building with a charming highly ornamental design is located at 400 First Avenue North in the heart of downtown St. Pete. It has been in continuous operation since being dedicated in 1916 and became listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

It is the nation’s first open-air post office and I fell in love with it as a kid. Interestingly, I worked summers and holidays at real estate, CPA and insurance offices downtown when I was in high school and college so I wound up spending A LOT of time waiting in line at this post office. Fortunately for me, it is a visual delight!

  

 

Photos: My own and Digital Commonwealth

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Dishing warm wishes on Mother’s Day!!

May 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment

 

Dishing warm wishes for happiness to the Moms and caregivers who nurture children across the world!

xo, The Candi Dish

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Happy 1st Day of Spring!

March 20, 2018 by Leave a Comment

The beginning of spring evokes emotion & action because it symbolizes the promise of renewal.  Do you have a spring “TO DO” list? Preparing for Easter? For Passover? Closet cleaning? Stepping up your workouts? Spending more time outdoors?

Well, if you are ready to move forward with a business project and need guidance, contact me. Through my advisory business, I work with people, across the country, who have product and services ideas as well as existing businesses that want to develop.  Stuck? Looking to connect the dots to progress? Not quite sure how to take the first (or next) step?

What I do is find out what your goals are, then I assess how I can help you (if I cannot, I will try to find someone who can) and then I come up with a customized plan for you to be enabled to accelerate.  Our interactions are confidential and based on mutual respect with a “no question is too small” theme.

I offer complimentary consultations so that we can chat to see if we should work together before we dive in to execute your plan.  Give yourself the gift of progress for the spring season of 2018!

Interested? Reach out to me on candi@candiobrentz.com
Do you want to find out more about me? Click HERE!
Curious about what I offer and how I work with people? Click HERE!

 

Happy Spring!

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