HSN, Good Housekeeping Unveil Search Finalists

Damn, HSN and Good Housekeeping magazine have picked nine finalists from more than 600 qualified submissions in their search to find America’s next great entrepreneur — yet they could not find anyone from New Jersey!

The finalists in the competition and their products will appear in the December issue of Good Housekeeping, on newsstands Tuesday, and on HSN on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6.

The winning product will be considered to receive the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal and its creator will be named an HSN American Dreams Entrepreneur.

Building on HSN’s American Dreams initiative, the home shopping network and Good Housekeeping launched a nationwide search to find an ntrepreneur with a new and unique product.

In August, a two-day judging event at HSN’s headquarters in St. Petersburg brought more than 75 people before a panel of judges for the chance to be selected as one of nine finalists to appear on HSN.

“HSN is the ultimate destination for entrepreneurs — there is nothing more gratifying than hearing their stories, bringing their product ideas to market and making their American Dreams come true,” HSN President Bill Brand said in a canned statement. “We are thrilled with the finalists and look forward to their on-air debut in December.”

The nine finalists are:

Laurie Steinfeld (Los Angeles, CA), who created The Original Wall Stamp, a flexible, translucent rubber tool with a built-in level to seamlessly create wall designs using paint

Gui Wang, LAC and Steven Wang, M.D. (New York, NY), who created the Dr. Wang Eczema Ointment, an herb-based balm that helps protect skin from irritation, while promoting hydration and soothing skin without steroids by using the combined expertise of both Western and Eastern healing practices

Chris Dickson, M.D. (Asheboro, NC), who created The Lounge Doctor Leg Rest, the only patented pillow designed by a physician to position legs and maximize circulation, improve comfort and reduce swelling from surgery, pregnancy or extended lengths of activity

Robert Kushner and Michael Stoll (Long Beach, CA), who created the Mistral Mini Mandoline from Urban Trend, a speedy two-way slicer for fruits or veggies that cuts produce twice as fast by slicing in two directions

Erin Borges (Carmel, CA), who created the GoGoTM Gift Bag, a goof-proof gift bag the includes built-in tissue paper at the top

Alicia Kelley (Raleigh, NC), who created the Mr. Big Curling Iron, which features a unique eight-inch barrel to help curl long or thick hair in one pass

PJ McGuire (Chicago, IL), who created the Wrapperoo, a two-sided water- and heat-resistant cape that doubles as a T-shirt hair towel

Jeff Hauer (Cincinnati, OH), who created the Travel Head Pillow, which features a patented shape that fits between travelers’ shoulders and neck, allowing for rest even without the window seat

John Vernieu and Pat Roscopf (San Marcos, CA), who created the Re-Grip, a tool that adds a patented non-slip comfort grip to any tool without glue or heat

Each of the finalists’ products were tested in the Good Housekeeping Institute to be considered for the Good Housekeeping Seal, which the winning product will earn for one year if selected.

The panel of judges was comprised of members from Good Housekeeping and HSN, including: Good Housekeeping Editor-in-Chief Jane Francisco, Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist, Good Housekeeping Institute; Dara Trujillo, VP, Merchandise New Business Development, HSN; Chris Gassett, Assistant General Counsel, HSN; Birnur Aral, Director of Beauty and Health Sciences, Good Housekeeping Institute; Matt Demers, VP, Quality Assurance, HSN; Heather Holdsworth, VP, Merchandise Planning, HSN; Sandy Conrad, SVP, Electronics and Housewares, HSN; Neal Martinelli, VP, Electronics Merchandising, HSN; and Adam Marland, Senior Buyer, Culinary, HSN.

HSN and Good Housekeeping will determine the winner based on ingenuity, quality and public response of the product. The winner will appear in Good Housekeeping’s April 2017 issue and will be invited to sell their product on-air at HSN following the issue release.

HSN, Good Housekeeping Team On Entrepreneur Hunt

HSN has found another partner for its “American Dreams” initiative, the hunt to find the nation’s next great entrepreneur: Good Housekeeping magazine.

The chosen entrepreneur will be featured on the home shopping network to introduce their brand and in the magazine, reaching its 25-plus million readers.

The winner will also have the chance to have their product tested in the Good Housekeeping Institute, for the opportunity to receive the Good Housekeeping Seal for one year.

The seal, introduced in 1909, “is among the most recognized consumer icons in the world and is also backed by a limited warranty that provides a replacement or refund for up to $2,000 if a product proves defective within two years of purchase,” according to HSN’s press release Thursday.

We didn’t know about that guarantee!

“HSN’s has a long legacy of cultivating entrepreneurs and introducing innovative products,” our buddy, HSN President Bill Brand, said in a canned statement.

“Our customers look to us as a trusted source for discovering compelling new products, and the partnership with Good Housekeeping will allow us to further our reach. We know there is a strong synergy between HSN’s customers and Good Housekeeping’s readers, and we can’t wait to leverage our audiences to uncover solution-driven products.”

The collaboration will culminate at the end of August when 100 finalists will descend on HSN’s St. Petersburg headquarters for three days of judging and finalist selections by an executive panel of industry professionals.

Ten finalists will be selected in September and be featured in the December issue of Good Housekeeping, on newsstands Nov. 15. The public will be invited to vote on their favorite product beginning Nov. 16, and those votes will be taken into consideration in choosing the final winner.

HSN and Good Housekeeping will partner in determining the winner based on ingenuity, quality and public response of the product. The winner will also appear in Good Housekeeping’s April 2017 issue and will be invited to sell their product on-air at HSN following the issue’s release.

“Readers come to Good Housekeeping for the lowdown on the latest technologies and innovations,” said Jane Francisco, Good Housekeeping’s editor-in-chief.

“When they see the GH Seal, they know that product has been rigorously tested and vetted by a team of expert scientists and engineers — giving them confidence in their purchase. Over the past 130 years, it has never offered an opportunity to entrepreneurs in this capacity and we are thrilled to see all these talented inventors present.”