From TV Screen to Soap Without the Opera

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Your former work?

I've been in entertainment all of my life. I've had television talk shows and I'm the Bob of "Bob, tell 'em what they've won!" on game shows.

Your new work?

I am the president-CEO of a company my wife and I started, called Holy Cow Products. We make the world's toughest, yet safest, cleaners.

What or who inspired you to make the change?

My wife wrote Housekeeping Secrets My Mother Never Taught Me, about all the cleaners on the market and how they worked. We realized three things:

1. Toxic cleaners were dangerous for the people using them.
2. "Safe and nature-friendly" cleaners weren't tough enough to really clean.
3. Stuff under the kitchen sink in most homes was dangerous and wasn't worth having.

So . . . we made a single product that replaced every other cleaner on the market.

What was the biggest hurdle to making the change?

Giving up the applause. It's fun being in front of thousands of people and making them laugh or smile.

Can you map out what steps you took in this transition?

• How did you start?
  I contacted chemical companies all across the country telling them what I wanted to develop and most of them laughed at me.
• Did you consult someone?
  Actually, no, not until we found the chemical company that we wanted to do business with, and then we talked about bottles, sprayers, labels, boxes and a whole lot we hadn't thought about.
• Did you read books?
  As a motivational speaker myself, I always read others that have takes on how to do things better.
• Did you take any self-assessment tests?
  I have done so earlier in life, but fortunately, I'd forgotten that I scored best for entertainment and not for doing what I'm doing right now.
• How did you define what was right for you?
  I believe in inspiration, prayer and faith, and what I'm doing now is a result of all three.
  

What skills from your old job are useful in your new?

The ability to handle any situation that's thrown at me and the ability to think on my feet.

Anything you miss about the old career?

I still keep myself active giving motivational talks as well as television appearances for Holy Cow. Quite often I'll get a call to be interviewed on radio stations too.

How do you feel now that you've taken the leap?

I feel great because, previously, I had only some videotapes of fun but not life-changing pieces to mark my being here on this Earth at this time. Now, I can leave a legacy of change for my family and the world.

Our product truly changes the way the world can now clean. People with skin or breathing problems are safer, children are safer. Even your pets are safer now that there's Holy Cow to choose.

Now when you go to a party, how do you introduce yourself?

Are you serious? The name Holy Cow is so fun that someone always brings it up and the conversations begin. The introductions usually take care of themselves.

I had fun doing the old career, but I love the work I'm doing now.

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