Women Entrepreneurs Online Network

We came across a FANTASTIC site for women the other day called Womentorz.com  We had to know more about it and we actually got to chat with the founder, Melinda, about how and why she started this website for women…

1. What is your site/business all about?
Womentorz.com is an online marketplace and community of women inventors who have come together to form a wonderful place for visitors to find the latest and greatest inventions while supporting women entrepreneurs across the nation.  Womentorz provides a supportive environment where members can use the community to partner up in promoting each other’s product, play ideas off of each other, express concerns and share experiences they have encountered in the industry.  Let’s face it….bringing a product to market can be an intimidating and lonely process, but Womentorz makes the experience an easier and more enjoyable one.

Each member has their own storefront that they can log into and maintain themselves.  The visitors see all of the products on Womentorz.com and purchase each invention from that inventor’s own site.  This is a huge benefit to the inventor as it increases traffic to their site, thus increasing their visibility.  The storefront allows visitors to read a detailed description of the invention, learn more about the inventor, share with their online social networks, watch YouTube video demonstrations and be part of a discussion board providing invaluable information to other visitors and feedback that the inventor can use to improve their invention. 

Another benefit of Womentorz is that it can be used as a testing ground for initial market research before you make the big investment of time and money in the launch of a new product.  I can’t tell you how many women contact me saying that they have that next great invention that’s going to change the world, but they don’t know how consumers will respond.  For a small membership fee they can gain invaluable information directly from their target market and receive feedback on design, functionality and pricing.  This is something that would normally cost thousands of dollars through a marketing firm. 

Womentorz is a resource for both women inventors and consumers providing a unique online experience whether you’re trying to get your product to market or you’re a shopper looking for fun gift ideas for your loved ones.

2. What made you decide to do this?
I have my own invention called the AttachaTray, which is a laptop tray that is designed to attach to a recumbent bike, so you can work on your laptop while getting in a little bit or cardiovascular exercise.  I was not sure how I was going to get my product to market and knew that I could not afford the $30,000 a month to put my product in SkyMall magazine which was a prime platform to get to my market demographic.  While watching Live with Regis and Kelly one morning last summer, I heard Kelly say that her production company, Milojo, was looking for women inventors.  I expedited my prototype using a local manufacturer and purchased a recumbent bike that I could take apart and travel with on a plane. 

Within two weeks I was on my way to Chicago to showcase my invention.  I quickly realized after arriving and getting in line with hundreds of women with amazing products that the chances of being on the new TLC show were slim to none.  While standing in line though I met so many wonderful women who all had one thing in common…..they were all looking for a way to get their product directly to consumers.  Many of them were much further along in the process and had their own websites, professional packaging and a solid relationship with a manufacturer.

When I arrived back home in Seattle I had a calming sense that there was a reason I went to Chicago even though I probably wasn’t going to get on the show. Within days I came up with the idea of Womentorz because there really wasn’t a resource for women like it available online. 

I quickly started the process of building a site that originally was meant to be an e-commerce site.  I learned a lot over the next 6 months about finding the right web developer.  I have worked with four of them and just recently, on my fifth attempt, found a good quality developer whom I can trust!  I had to leave a horrible situation initially after having spent more than twice the project estimate because the site wasn’t working and I did not know enough about web development to understand why.  I learned that there are many developers who claim to know what they’re doing and charge a lot of money to build a mediocre product.  My husband and I lost a lot of money in the process and had little to no trust left, but the bumpy road led me to a wonderful developer who was able to fix everything on the site transforming it into a marketplace, resource for women and viable entity. 

Womentorz has gained a huge following and a lot of media exposure in a short period of time.  I am truly grateful for everyone who stuck by me and believed in the concept, which allowed me to get through the tough times.

3. Why should people use your site and how will it benefit them?
 Women with unique products that they have developed themselves should use this site as an essential marketing tool and a way to come together with other talented women to gain the most exposure possible for their product.  Women inventors will benefit from having their product on the site because they will be part of a supportive environment as well as part of a group that is a media magnet.  We have a lot of opportunities that will bring exposure to everyone’s products because they are part of Womentorz.  At as little as $20 per month, I have made the site a very affordable tool that anyone who is serious about getting their product to market can feel comfortable investing in 

By being a member you also receive a 20% discount on our newest division on Womentorz call Celeb Hoopla that’s in partnership with Mommy Perks and KT Steppers to assist in getting products to celebrities.  This is a fun marketing tool that any business could use….not just members of Womentorz.

 4. What is the best business advice you ever received?
 My father is an entrepreneur, so I grew up with him taking calculated risks, making smart decisions and learning from mistakes.  You can’t accomplish anything if you live in fear and don’t try.  As long as you aren’t investing something that will put you out of house and home….what’s really the worst that could happen. Educate yourself as much as you can, but sometimes you have to learn from doing.  I also saw that it’s usually best to do it on your own and not go into business with other people, especially friends.  Business can ruin friendships, which is something I’ve learned the hard way.
 

5. Customers are our bread and butter as businesses but we all have those we just cannot please.  Have you ever had to deal with a problem customer?
Because the site is no longer an e-commerce site, my customers are mostly the members on the site, who I work very hard to please.  I am very close with most of my members and am proud to call them friends.  Usually the only reason a member would leave is because finances are tough and they are leaving very reluctantly.  They always plan on returning when times aren’t so tough 

Sometimes it’s difficult to give equal attention to everyone, so I keep track on a rotating basis whose product I should focus on whether it’s on our blog, Twitter or Facebook.  It’s also important to me to meet one on one on a regular basis to see where I can assist in their marketing efforts.  My formal background is in marketing, so I have a lot of fun brainstorming with members on fun things we can do to bring exposure to their product.   

6. What is the difference in your website and other sites where people (women) can put their products?
Womentorz isn’t simply a place to post your product….it’s truly a community or club of women who support each other.  Members also haveaccess to our extensive social networking tools which I spend a lot of time growing and fostering.  This alone is a huge benefit to being part of the Womentorz network.  We have monthly Skype parties that have been a huge hit and are recorded for members who aren’t able to attend.  This is where any subject can be discussed concerning your product and challenges you may be encountering.  The women of Womentorz are very supportive of each other and are very excited when one of their own experiences success.

Many of the members on the site have been approached and offered license deals after being found on Womentorz.  The more presence you have on the internet the more your product gains exposure.  I encourage all of the members to get on as many sites as they can afford.  I don’t feel that the other sites providing a place for products are competition because we can work together bringing the most success possible for these women.  I admire and support many of the women with similar websites and services.

7. How can people sign up and give us all your contact information for those who want to sign up.
It’s very easy to get your product on the site.  Womentorz is an equal opportunity marketplace, so I don’t determine whether an invention is something the public will like.  The consumers decide your success through the discussion board.  The only reason someone would be asked to not be on the site is if their product was offensive to the general public, in competition with a current member on the site, or wasn’t truly invented by a woman.

To sign up to  on Womentorz just go to www.womentorz.com and select the “Inventors” tab and you will find a button taking you to the “Inventor Registration” page.   All rates can be found under the “Rates” tab.  The registration process and uploading of your product information is very easy and straight forward.  I’m here to help as well should someone run into trouble.

This is a great site and opportunity for women entrepreneurs to work together and bounce ideas off of each other.  It can be lonely when being an entrepreneur sometimes so we all need a support system that’s for sure.  Make sure and check out this site and follow Melinda on Twitter: @Womentorz

Melinda will also join us on the show to talk with us about Womentorz.com on June 26.  So tune in!

4 Responses to “Women Entrepreneurs Online Network”

Author comments are in a darker gray color for you to easily identify the posts author in the comments

1. Ashley says:

   June 16, 2010 at 9:50 am

   Thank you Melinda for talking with us! Can't wait to have you on the show in a few weeks!
2. Ashley says:

   June 16, 2010 at 1:50 pm

   Thank you Melinda for talking with us! Can't wait to have you on the show in a few weeks!
3. Ros Guerrero says:

   June 16, 2010 at 3:45 pm

   Proud to be a member of Womentorz. Melinda is one of the most dedicated entrepreneurs around and runs her business with a lot of heart and soul. She is an amazing woman & entrepreneur.
4. Tiffany says:

   June 24, 2010 at 6:53 pm

   Well i'm no inventor, but I always support my ladies making it happen! I will definitely check out the site!