Interview with Karyn Climans

Did you know Canada.. we have always been a big fan of Karyn Climans company Tail Wags Helmet Covers and we were so excited to watch her on the second chances episode of Dragon's Den last night! We have Tail Wags Helmet Covers on our helmets and sounds like a lot of other folks do too, her business has really taken off and she impressed the Dragon's last night!

We were lucky enough to be able to pass on a few questions to Karyn last night about her Dragon's Den experience..

1. I've heard you say the episode was filmed on Easter Sunday, did that add any extra stress to an already stressful situation?
KC: Filming on Easter Sunday was fine. In fact, it gave me a good excuse for not making Easter dinner this year for my family. My sister rose to the occasion and hosted the event. It was lovely following a LONG day at the CBC to spend the evening with family relaxing.

2. What was different from filming this episode than your first episode? I was impressed with how confident you were tonight!
KC: Every experience in front of a camera makes you feel more confident. The first time I was filmed on Dragons Den, I was a nervous wreck. Although I had butterflies in my stomach the second time, I was more self assured.

3. Kevin is nasty in just about every episode, what's he like in person?
KC: Let’s just say Kevin is not someone I would want to sit down and share a glass of wine with. Although some people think it’s just Kevin’s TV persona, I think he’s showing his true colours on the Dragons Den.

4. How stressful was it when the Dragons were not agreeing with your numbers?
KC: The way the episode is edited is always misleading. So even though it appeared I didn’t have a clue about my numbers, there is a lot of information I provided that was cut out of the final segment. That said, I’m the first to admit my weakness is my lack of business accounting skills. My strengths are my creative design abilities and my strong marketing and sales skills.

5. How exciting was it when you received the offer? Did you have any regrets?
KC: I was thrilled to be given an offer by the Dragons for investment in Tail Wags but I am very reluctant to give up 30% of my business. I have not made a final decision yet but I’m leaning towards declining the Dragons offer and arranging for financing through another means that does not require giving up a share of the business.

6. How quickly did the Dragons become involved in your business once you made the deal?
KC: Because I put the deal “on hold” while I explore other options, the Dragons have not been directly involved in the business to date.

7. Where is Tail Wags heading in the future?
KC: I will continue to expand Tail Wags Helmet Covers in to a business selling our adorable helmet covers worldwide. I am also committed to continuing to design and make my products exclusively in Canada. One of the initiatives I am most proud of is our new Tail Wags helmet safety campaign, “Mothers Against Naked Riding”. As you know, my passion is promoting helmet safety so I’m delighted to see our viral video is being viewed around the world.

Thanks so much to Karyn for chatting with us and congratulations again!! Here is the video for Tail Wags helmet safety campaign, “Mothers Against Naked Riding”!

Megan Crewe

Did you know Canada.. Check out this trailer from Canadian author Megan Crewe's new book The Way We Fall!

Table Hockey

Did you know Canada.. The first table hockey game was invented in the 1930s by Donald Munro because he could not afford Christmas presents for his children. Made only of wood and scrap metal found in his neighbourhood.

Soon after it became a hit at home, Munro built a handful of these games on consignment for the Baton's department store in Toronto.

These wooden style games were products all the way until 1955!

It's really an end of of era for table hockey as now days many children would rather play video games but these old games continue to be a big collectors item across Canada.

Honibe

Did you know Canada.. if you follow me on Twitter you might know I've been suffering from Strep Throat for the past week and a half. It was terrible! I used to get strep often as a child but it must REALLY knock you on your butt as an adult because I have not had a good time of it.

One of the biggest dangers of strep throat is not being able to swallow leads to dehydration, something you can not come back from yourself without a hospital visit. Thankfully I had just received some Honibe Honey Lozenges. They helped relax my throat enough so that I was able to drink enough water and take my anti-biotics.

AS seen on Dragon's Den, this PEI company is a 6th generation agricultural family business. The Honibe Honey Lozenges are made from 100% pure dried honey from PEI and come in four flavours: Pure Honey, Honey with Lemon, Honey with Menthol and Eucalyptus, and Honey with Lemon, Menthol and Eucalyptus. All honey, these lozenges sooth your throat without all the sugar other lozenges contain and worked well on my sore throat.

I preferred the Honey with Menthol and Eucalyptus, it was very soothing. the Honey with Lemon, Menthol and Eucalyptus was good too. I really like that even if you let these just kinda sit in your mouth it doesn't feel like your mouth is full of sugar once it's melted away, a big complaint I've always had with other lozenges. I imagine with the Pure Honey flavour these would be great for just a dry mouth as well without the menthol to feel like you're taking medicine.

Be sure to check out Honibe Honey Lozenges for relief of sore throat, they are truly nature's cough drop and we are proud to support this Canadian company!

Jack Layton Replacement

Did you know Canada.. tonight NDP members living in the riding of Toronto-Danforth will choose a new candidate to replace the late Jack Layton. Jack had been the MP for Toronto-Danforth for more than seven years.

The five candidates that are up for the nomination are all running for the first time and none are big political players.

The five are..

* Justin Duncan
* Claire Prashaw
* Ashraf Ali Rao
* Craig Scott
* Hanif Shaikh

The nomination meeting is at 7pm tonight at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. Jack Layton's wife, Olivia Chow, and their son Mike Layton, are expected to attend.

Update: Law professor, Craig Scott, was selected last night as the NDP candidate for Toronto-Danforth (Jack Layton's riding).

Disney Live! presents Three Classic Fairytales Review

Did you know Canada.. we headed to London Ontario today to see Disney Live! presents Three Classic Fairytales at the JLC! What an awesome time!! We had great seats..

The stories of Snow White, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast are told by Goofy, Donald Duck, Minnie and Mickey. The crowd cheered, everyone was so well behaved, and the treats were good - we got cotton candy that came with a mickey ears crown, and a bucket of popcorn that comes in an awesome Disney Live! bucket with lid.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were lots of fun, loved the dwarfs of course!

Cinderella was great, the step-sisters were funny and had great effects.

Everyone loved the Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo song!

Beauty and the Beast was my favourite, I love the songs like Be Our Guest.

The finale was gorgeous, everyone was in beautiful costumes.

A great day out and lots of fun memories!! Absolutely recommend seeing a Disney Live! production!! There is still another show at the JLC Monday at 6:30pm!!

Monster Jam

Did you know Canada.. SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY - that's right, Monster Jam is coming to London Ontario this weekend!!!

Actually it's running Saturday AND Sunday at the JLC. Santa brought my boys tickets to this event for Christmas, we are huge Monster Truck fans here (which is honestly not something I thought I would be saying, what BOYS will do to you..lol). My guys know the names of every truck and I, of course, am very excited to see the new Canadian Monster Truck!

Canadian Cam McQueen’s truck, Northern Nightmare, is covered with red maple leaves on a black background and sports a Canadian flag. The truck weighs in at 10,000 lbs., is 11-ft. tall and 12 ft. wide, and sits atop 66-inch tall monster tires. Eek!!

The event will also feature Grave Digger, Canada Truck, Higher Education, Aftershock, Krazy Train and many others!

We'll be there and hope you are too! We have a $5 off code DIGGER for Adult tickets, plus, kids tickets are only $15! (Both discounts are not valid on front-row seats, additional fees may apply).

You can also WIN four tickets to Monster Jam, to the show of your choice at the JLC in London Ontario. Showtimes are Sat. Jan. 14 at 7:30 pm, and two on Sun. Jan. 15 at 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Enter below for your chance to win, be sure you'll be able to get to the JLC at one of these show times, you will pick up the tickets at the Box Office.

Giveaway

Stopain

Did you know Canada.. with the cold Canadian weather comes lots of aches and pains, especially at night. We've heard about a new product to combat that pain - Stopain! In fact, between 15% and 29% of the Canadian population also suffers from incidences of pain, especially in the winter months when the cooling weather aggravates the muscles and joints.

I, myself, suffered from Patellofemoral Syndrome growing up, and while I did grow out of most of the pain, as most children do, I still get a few aches and pains when the weather changes, especially with the fluctuation we've had lately.

Here's a great video for Dynamic Mobility to increase your mobility, great to use in conjunction with Stopain ease those joints..






I tried the Stopain Roll-on, I like the roll-on because it's "hands free" in that you don't have to touch any goop, it also gives you a bit of extra length when trying to reach for back or shoulder pain. I found it very easy to use, very clean, the scent was very light which I really appreciated, and, the best part - it worked!! Absolutely this helped with some knee pain I was having the other night and that is the greatest recommendation of all - Yes, it works!

The active ingredient in Stopain is menthol, recognized by the FDA as an analgesic indicated for the temporary relief for minor pains and stiffness of arthritis, muscle aches, strains and simple backaches. It also contains peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil, recognized by the FDA for their analgesic properties. Extra-strength Stopain formulas are also formulated with glucosamine and MSM, essential nutrients that support joint health and mobility.

Available at Zellers and Shoppers Drug Mart stores across the nation, we are also excited to share one with our readers! Enter below for your chance to win Stopain Roll-On and see it work for yourself!

Giveaway

Disney Live! presents Three Classic Fairytales

Did you know Canada.. we have a quick and fun giveaway for those living near London Ontario!

You can win tickets to see Disney Live! presents Three Classic Fairytales at the John Labatt Centre THIS Monday, January 9th at 6:30pm!!

Join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as they bring the timeless fairytale adventures of Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to life!

Buy tickets now using code NEMO to save $4 off when ordering tickets by internet, phone or box office. Restrictions: EXCLUDES Front Row, VIP, TAP and Gold Circle tickets / no double discounts. Use this code now through the last engagement!

Win tickets with us today, remember, the performance is this Monday at 6:30pm at the John Labatt Centre, you will pick up the tickets at the Box Office.

Good luck and enjoy the show!!

Giveaway

Bottle Bin

Did you know Canada.. while you clean up this week from those Christmas and New Years parties, an awesome solution for storing those bottles of bubbly and Christmas Cheer is Bottle Bin!

As seen on Dragon's Den, Bottle Bin is a reusable container designed to help you store, organize and transport your empty wine, liquor and beer bottles. Fitting up to 18 standard wine or spirit bottles, 48 standard beer bottles, or a combination of the two. How awesome is that??

So convenient, easy to carry, fits in the car no problem and doesn't take up any space while filling it up, we absolutely love it and are so proud to support this Canadian product.

I think my favourite part is the handle, it makes carrying the bin feel very secure. I don't know about you, but I've had a few cringe moments when I've heard some bottles crashing into each other while I'm trying to carry them or have them in the trunk. The bottom of the bin is ribbed and reinforced, making Bottle Bin capable of safely carrying even the heaviest of loads.

The Bottle Bin is also made of 100% recycled materials. Manufactured in Canada, you don't even have to think just bottles. I think this product would be awesome to bring camping for storage, keep it in the car to store groceries so they don't fly around the trunk, or even fill with ice and use it as an outdoor cooler for parties! The possibilities are endless!

Look for Bottle Bin at Beer Stores and Home Hardware. We are also excited to share one with our readers! Enter below for a chance to win a Bottle Bin of your own.

Giveaway