Meet Chris Osse, the founder of Armbie, a unique dual-arm support sling designed for comfort during long flights. Chris shares his journey from engineer to entrepreneur, revealing the challenges and triumphs he faced while bringing his innovative product to market. Join us as we explore the passion behind Armbie, the lessons learned along the way, and the pivotal moment that led Chris to pitch his product on the Prime Video show, "Buy It Now.”

In this episode, you’ll discover:

(03:10) Chris discusses his day job as an engineer and how it has shaped his problem-solving mindset.

(03:35) A long flight next to large passengers sparks Chris's idea for Armbie.

(04:09) Chris reflects on how discomfort led to his engineering brain devising a solution.

(04:15) Using a scarf, Chris creates the initial version of Armbie, emphasizing simplicity and portability.

(04:46) The lengthy process of perfecting the prototype involved hours of experimenting with fabrics and sizes.

(06:05) Life challenges, including a separation, test Chris's resolve but do not extinguish his passion for Armbie.

(07:27) During COVID, Chris realizes he has the time and resources to finally pursue his business idea.

(09:16) After applying to various entrepreneurial shows, Chris receives encouragement and interest in Armbie.

(10:17) The importance of practice and finding the right balance in his pitch becomes clear to Chris.

(12:10) Chris’s pitch garners 46 green lights from the audience, showing significant interest despite initial skepticism about the product's appearance.

(15:14) Positive feedback from judges, despite concerns over price, highlights the innovation of Chris's product.

(16:40) Chris celebrates winning a $20,000 cash prize, marking a significant milestone after years of hard work.

(17:30) Following his success on the show, Chris receives news that two of his patents are approved, adding to his momentum.

(18:58) Chris shares his belief that grit and perseverance are key to success in entrepreneurship.

Kayla Castañeda, founder of Agua Bonita, brings a refreshing twist to the traditional Mexican drink, aguas frescas, blending heritage and innovation in every sip. With a rich personal story rooted in her family's heritage, Kayla's mission is to share an elevated version of this beloved beverage. After navigating challenges like job loss during the pandemic and financial struggles, she successfully funded her startup through pitch competitions, culminating in a victory on Amazon Prime Video's Buy It Now series, where she secured a $20,000 cash prize. Her winning recipe? A powerful blend of authenticity, determination, and connecting with the right audience. You can watch Agua Bonita's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: Tony Pops Off.

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video.

From a chaotic childhood to joining the military at 17, this entrepreneur discovered the therapeutic power of science and gamified it. In this special Veteran's Day episode of This is Small Business, John Coveyou, founder and CEO of Genius Games, a science-based board game company that has sold over half a million units worldwide, shares his journey. He discusses how military principles shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and led him to create engaging educational games. John shares the pivotal moment that inspired his first game and how crowdfunding transformed his hobby into a successful business.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(0:00) How various business principles overlap with lessons learned in the military.

(1:50) John explains how his interest in science helped him cope during tough times in the military.

(2:59) While teaching chemistry, John noticed that his students were intimidated by the subject, sparking his idea for a game.

(03:09) John connects the excitement of gaming to learning science and decides to create a game.

(3:50) John details his early experiments with game mechanics and his journey through game design clubs.

(4:12) How feedback from play-tests led to the creation of John’s first game and the push to publish it.

(4:49) John discusses how his crowdfunding campaigns validated his business idea and led to further success.

(5:37) The moment John decided to leave his engineering job and pursue his passion full-time.

(7:20) John explains the After Action Review process and how it encourages continual improvement in business.

(12:35) The power of perspective in entrepreneurship, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.