So, here I go on this rant that I will never get sick of. I'm sure all of you are wondering how I got on The Bethenny Show. I would be curious too! In November I was on The Bethenny Website and decided to submit myself/salvaged soul for the Bethenny In Your Business Segment. I had watched this segment before with a lady who started a fashionable diaper bag line. Bethenny gave her some great advice, really that's all I wanted when I submitted myself. A chance to be able to talk to her and go over my business with someone I truly admire as an entrepreneur and career mom. It was a very simple submission, a few photos and a paragraph about myself and business.
It was December 16, 2013 when I received an email that read the following:
Hello Christa,
We are considering businesses from around the country for our "Bethenny In Your Business" segment. We'd like to learn more about your business. Please contact us as soon as you can.
Regards,
******* *********
I was out grabbing some last minute stuff for my fiancés birthday and had a lot on my mind this day because the voting part of the Freshly Picked Dream Scholarship Contest that I was a Finalist in was getting a little out of hand, and by out of hand I mean I was no longer in 1st place. When I got this email all my worries were gone. I figured even if nothing comes of it how RAD is it that my little email stood out enough for a producer of The Bethenny Show to reach out to me. I called her right away and got voicemail. I left a message and got a call back within the hour. We chatted for about 45 minutes for her to learn more about me and my business. Things went okay and I remember at the end of the conversation she said "if you don't hear back from us don't be discouraged we will keep your info for future segments". Like I said at that point I was so stoked I even got that email to begin with. I was genuinely grateful for the acknowledgement.
It was January 10th and I was on my way to my sisters wedding rehearsal. I answered the phone to a New York number not even realizing it was the same producer that originally emailed me that I had spoke with on December 16th. She wanted to know more. We talked for another 45 minutes. At this time I felt very connected to her. She understood me, my business, and this journey of mine. I cried when I was talking to her (for those of you who personally know me know that does not happen often). She felt me. During our conversation she said I could be flying out to New York as soon as Thursday. YES the Thursday being 6 days away! A couple hours later she emailed me asking for a short video. It took me like 300 times to get the right one haha and not to mention I'm at a hotel, at the rehearsal, in the car with a freshly shattered iPhone trying make this perfect video for Bethenny and the Executive Producers to help make their decision. The wedding weekend was amazing and I was trying to be as stress free as possible by leaving all of this to God. If it was meant to be it would happen.
On Sunday evening I received another email and they wanted me to mail 5 pieces of furniture for Bethenny and the Execs to see in person to go over the quality and stuff. Oh and did I mention they needed them at the studio in NEW YORK by Tuesday morning. I ended up shipping an end table, hanging shelf, and 3 signs express overnighting (paid for by them). At this time I knew they were serious because that shipping was not cheap. The producer said for me to call her as soon as I got out of Fed-Ex. When I called she was basically telling me we will know more tomorrow when Bethenny and the Execs can get more of a visual of the pieces, I replied that makes sense and is totally understandable. She then cut me off and said "OH by the way you're the one they chose for this segment and we are flying you out Wednesday!". I was crying walking into Trader Joes.
The following day they sent out a camera crew to come and film a day in the life of me with my family and business. It all went perfect, you will get to see. I will stop here and let you guys watch the Show Tomorrow to find out the rest!!! I will blog more on the rest of the journey after the airing. You can find out what time it airs and on what channel HERE.
Xo
-Christa