Dealing with rejection

Loyal readers of my blog know that I've been working on a business plan for a little idea of mine for quite some time.  I sent my business plan off to two candle companies in late January of this year.  One company I never heard from despite repeated follow ups.

The other company actually responded saying they liked my idea and were sending it off to their innovations lab for evaluation.  Today, I received a rejection from them.  It made me sad for about 10 minutes.   Luckily, I opened it just before lunch time.  I had a big bowl of my Mom's homemade chicken pot pie (can you think of a better comfort food) and began planning my next move.

Did I honestly think that my idea would be accepted on my first try?  No.  Will I give up and say it wasn't meant to be?  No.  It just means I need to tackle this from a slightly different way.  Maybe, instead of licensing my idea, I do it myself.   I find a manufacturing partner, get some initial designs/samples made, and go on QVC myself.  Can I do this?  Damn right...I can do anything I set my mind to. 

I think step one will be to reach out to a former colleague of mine.  He's an entrepreneur and has done very well.  I think I need to buy him lunch and pick his brain!

So blog readers....what advice do you have for me?  Any ideas/suggestions?  Any of you entrepreneurs who started your own business?   Most importantly, does anyone have any connections in the candle industry?

They liked it! They really liked it!!

I got the best call yesterday!!  One of the companies I sent my business plan to called to say they like my idea and they have sent it off to the innovations department for them to assess feasibility of production!  Holy Crap...might this little idea of mine actually turn into reality?  Could I really be responsible for a product concept!! 

In running news, I'm taking advantage of the weather.  I went an easy 3 miles yesterday and today.  Off tomorrow and will do 5 or 6 with Fleet Feet on Saturday.

Alright...enough of the computer, people!  Get out there and get some sun!

It's out of my hands now!

I have been working on a business plan for a new product concept for the better part of Q4 2009.  Technically, I guess you could say I have been working on it since Q4 2008, if you count all my shopping trips and online searches where I tried to find this product to buy it.  I came to the conclusion that it doesn't exist and I basically decided to create my own.

The business plan was a time consuming process....writes, re-writes, edits by my Sister (Thanks, Michelle), more re-writes, etc.  I finally put the finishing touches, drafted a catchy cover letter (Thanks, Gretchen), had it professionally bound, and fed exed it to my two target companies today.  Big sigh of relief!

I guess it is fitting timing since we are about to escape to sunny FL for a few days of vacation.  Happy it is off my TO DO list!  Hopefully, the two target companies will read it, like it, and call me!  Wishful thinking...I know.

Better get moving...still need to get a mani and eyebrow wax, get 3 proposals out and do a conf call, and pack!  YIKES!