1 Million Cups Preview: Off On The Right Foot With Pedisand

Techtober continues with a 1 Million Cups presentation from Pedisand co-owners about their product that recently won a QVC contest.

1 Million Cups Little Rock programming begins at 9 a.m., Oct. 14, at the The Venture Center, located at 107 E. Markham in downtown Little Rock catty-corner from the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. It’s easy to participate: just show up, drink coffee, ask questions and network for an hour.

Pedisand co-owners Karmen Hart and Carolyn Jones, recent winner of a QVC contest, will present their company, product and approach to business.

According to the Pedisand website: “Pedisand is a hands free foot file. Ergonomically designed to enable people to remove dead, dry, cracked, callused skin from their feet without the use of their hands. The Pedisand will remove and smooth dead skin while allowing the consumer to maintain ergonomically correct posture and eliminate wrist and hand stress. Created to contour the entire sole and sides of the foot. A wide abrasive surface for extra coverage, comfort, durability and fast use.”

Hart and Jones took the time to answer a few questions from Talk Business & Politics ahead of their presentation.

TB&P: What was the extent of your victory in the QVC/Today Show contest?

Pedisand: We received a purchase order for 1,668 units, and the featured price is $29.98 at the QVC website. (The product is the Pedisand Hands Free Foot File with three replacement sheets.) They (QVC) will revisit the product in a week or two. If the sales meet their requirements they will consider giving the Pedisand air time on QVC. We are under contract from year to year.

TB&P: What is the next step for Pedisand, QVC and beyond?

Pedisand: Our goal is to be in every major retail store within the next year. We have submitted our product to Bed Bath & Beyond, we intend to submit it to Walgreens, CVS, Ulta, etc. On the local level we are calling on salons, day spas and pharmacies, starting in central Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas, then, working our way out.

We are currently targeting social media as well as large ecommerce sites such as The Grommet, Bourbon & Boots. We are submitting the product to certain catalog companies featuring only foot products and other catalogs for the elderly. In the near future we intend to launch a PediSand designed & geared for men, with the intent to market it in stores that do not currently retail any foot files – areas where no foot files have gone before.

TB&P: What do you hope to communicate to the 1 Million Cups crowd?

Pedisand: That the Pedisand is the best foot file on the market because it is simple to use and more effective, as well as saving the consumer time and money.  If you have a good idea you don’t have to be a genius or tech savvy but you do have to be willing to take the risk, work hard and be committed and patient.