TIMING
Two weeks before our product launch, a friend phoned me with the news that another company had just launched the same product and was featured on one of the morning shows promoting it. She gave me their website and sure enough, there it was, with a different name of course, but same concept and packaging. My heart was broken. With all of our money basically tapped out, there was little I could do. Legal action wasn’t an option because we failed to protect our intellectual property with a design patent or even a trademark. It was a major disappointment, but I chose not to dissolve the company and have been sending the IRS my quarterly reports with 0's where dollar amounts should be. I knew something better was coming my way.

THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS
For the research and development of Showering Inspiration I poured through thousands of quotes in order to come up with the most powerful and thought provoking. I’ll share a few of my favorites with you:

Ships are safe in the harbor but, that’s not what they are built for. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have always imagined. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. From every adversity lies a seed of greater or equal value. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.

I would always refer back to these when I felt my courage wavering or when I needed a jolt of inspiration. It is amazing what repetitive positive thinking can do for your sub-conscious mind. With positive thoughts and affirmations, you automatically become a magnet for positive energy. Same goes for those that think negatively. They too become a magnet, but in a non-productive and adverse manner attracting only negative energy. The tag line for the Showering Inspiration line of products was: “Change Your Thoughts and Change Your Life.“

LIFE GOES ON
After that “learning” experience, I continued bartending full-time, until that got old. I knew in my heart I wanted more. Don’t get me wrong, it takes a very special person to be a bartender. I will treasure those experiences forever.

One day, my boss asked me if I wanted to branch out and suddenly I found myself in the very unique position in June of 2003 as part owner of a jazz bar/restaurant. It was one of my most difficult challenges. My hats off to all of you restaurant owners and managers out there. After a year of that, I took a break from the service industry, while also searching for a meaningful purpose in life.

THE IDEA BEHIND CELI
It was in February of 2006 when I awoke from a nap with the idea that I needed to develop a product. The time had come and the time was now. I didn’t know what kind of product, but there was this inexplicable desire to create something. For years I haven’t been able to shake this entrepreneurial spirit, so I decided to just go with it. I couldn’t imagine working for someone else and money was running out.

I lived in Panama City Beach, Florida at the time, one of the hottest spring break destinations in the world. I decided to involve this demographic as my target market, considering that there would be tens of thousands of them headed my way. I asked myself, what do they do? They drink, dance, party and go to bars. What do they need when they go to bars? Well, they need their ID and money or credit cards, the girls need a lipstick or compact, and nobody goes anywhere without some kind of mobile device whether it be a phone, PDA, or pager. This made me wonder if there was a compact, stylish case, which could simultaneously accommodate all of these items.

I began researching. To my surprise, there really wasn’t an accessory of its kind. There were some products similar, but all were ugly and inferior. I then realized, it wasn’t just young Spring Breakers that could use my product, but anyone with a cell phone or PDA, so I thought, while we’re at it, let’s revolutionize the way people carry their essential belongings and Celi was born. After choosing the name and designing the logo, I applied for my patents and trademarks, not taking any chances this time, and I haven’t looked back since.

SUPPORT AND INSPIRATION
It was with the undying support from my family and friends that my dream of creating a successful small business became a reality. I want to personally thank My Mom and Dad for always believing in me. To my Sister Dayna, who provided inspiration and motivation at the right time, every time, while offering her expertise and effort without question or hesitation. To Charlotte Newby for being my bestest girlfriend and role model. To Bobbi-Jo and Angela for showing such enthusiasm and giving me a boost when I approached them with the idea. To Ewald who taught me how to “think and grow rich”. To my Aunt Barbie for helping me find my center, and finally, to my Matthew, who has offered not only emotional support, but has been the chief financier of the business.

There is much more to come, so stay tuned to the little company that knew it could.