Contest Helps Moms in Business Succeed at New Ways to Reach Customers

Online, May 18, 2011 (Newswire.com) - West Linn, OR - InstantQuest, Inc., the company behind QuestionMoms.com, announced the winners of a marketing promotion aimed at helping moms in business get more exposure for their products and services. More than 100 moms submitted products for review by thousands of their peers - moms who are their potential customers. The top twelve were selected then presented to the panel of moms for anonymous feedback and votes.

With more than 60% of respondents from a random sample panel of moms indicating they are likely to purchase the product, Lil'Hot Heads won the contest. Inventor Traci Petty was inspired to create my Lil' Hot Heads cold compress for children by her son when he ran a very high fever in April 2009. "That's when my idea came to me. Why not make a comfortable headband that would hold a cold pack in place that would also allow movement? Your child can lie in bed, sit or stand with ease," explained Petty. "I'm thrilled to see evidence that so many other moms will benefit from my invention."

The contest was supported by successful Mompreneur, Mindee Doney, Inventor of Boogie Wipes, now doing $10M in revenue. "Moms make products they need - like Lil'Hot Heads. Verifying that other moms have the need and are willing to buy your solution is a key step in taking it to market. Getting on store shelves is the difficult part and without a deep understanding of your audience you will never be a success at retail." she commented.

Finalists Included:

• Bagadocious Bags are made using photos of your very own handbags, making each bag a personalized collectible. www.bagadocious.com

• Everyday Necklaces are handmade necklaces, bracelets, earrings and sets. These carefully-crafted pieces are affordable and make great gifts. www.everydaynecklaces.com

• Karma-Grams are a great way to make your loved ones feel good. This postcard set of 6 is ready for mailing and is the perfect thing to brighten the day of anyone. www.violetgumdrop.com

• Kidzikoos insulate that boring sippy cup or baby bottle with something fabulous and functional. Kidzikoos are made out of neoprene and adorned in 5 adorable, kid friendly unisex prints. www.mykidzikoo.com

• Lil' Hot Heads are a unique product designed for children with fevers. Each Lil' Hot Heads headband is constructed of 100% flannel cotton with a water resistant nylon liner, and comes with 2 reusable ice packs. www.lilhotheads.com

• PaciBed eliminates hunting for that lost pacifier at nap-time or bedtime. Attach the fasteners to any crib slat, then attach the PaciBed a universal pacifier holder that is compatible with all types of pacifiers. www.booginhead.com

• PrintArtKids allows you to use your child's artwork or favorite photographs to create one-of-a-kind treasures on notepads, note cards, notebooks and return address labels. www.printartkids.com

• The Bag Holder, your personal assist in the kitchen, lets you easily transfer food, minimize clean up, keep foods fresh longer, and create less waste. The Bag Holder comes with 40 Favorite Build-in-The-Bag Recipes. www.thebagholder.net

• The Peaceful Housewife offers a variety of laundry, soap and other cleaning products made from non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients in your choice of fun scents including birthday cake, lavender and pink sugar! www.thepeacefulhousewife.com

• TOYconomy is an online kids' toy rental service to help parents and caregivers "Spend Less, Play More!" Rent toys for 30 days or more at a fraction of their retail value. www.toyconomy.com

• Twooth©Timer makes brushing more fun. Recommended by dentists and hygienists, using TwoothTimer twice a day helps your kids fight tooth decay. www.twoothtimer.com

• WateRoo™ is a great way to bond with your baby and carry them while being hands-free. Made of a VERY soft quick-dry mesh, WateRoo can be used like a regular sling in or out of water. www.luckyduckybaby.com

Unlike other popular contests for entrepreneurs, entrants were not able to solicit votes from their friends, family and existing customer base. This real-world contest was determined by moms' willingness to buy the products shown. "Entrepreneurs like these moms need to get feedback from real consumers," explained Shelley Straitiff, Founder and CEO of InstantQuest. "All too often, they've heard great encouragement from friends and family; but, when sales don't come in, they come to us. QuestionMoms.com helps them build sales by connecting them to moms for honest feedback - feedback they need to make their products and marketing appealing to moms who will potentially buy them."

Doney and Straitiff will hold a Free Q&A session on May 23rd for all Mompreneurs that entered and provide specific branding and marketing insight to help them determine the potential of their ideas, products and services.

QuestionMoms.com is a market feedback platform where companies connect with moms. Businesses and individuals can construct surveys using templates, pick their market sample, and get results from real moms quickly and affordably. In addition, QuestionMoms supports moms in business by allowing them to post product ads and giveaways on the site. Moms interested in earning a little money and providing feedback can register as panelists.

InstantQuest, Inc. is a full service market feedback and social media campaign agency. Leveraging the power of QuestionMoms.com, InstantQuest is able to help businesses in all stages of development from market validation, product research, social media development, and blog campaigns. Using market intelligence and sophisticated database processes, InstantQuest allows clients to engage in long-term communications with their target market and bloggers using complete anonymity.
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