UPA/Sally's issue and possible problem solver!!!

[DragonPearl]

This is not true at all. I met personally with Oprah's producers who love the UPA Clip. They did not bring me on the show because they felt I would not be able to produce the thousands of orders that would follow an appearance on Oprah's show. They shared with me several businesses that had to go out of business because they could not meet the orders that followed their appearance on Oprah's show. They also shared that they received thousands of complaints from people who were not able to purchase the products. So, they told me to check back with them when I was in a position to mass produce the UPA Clip.

This is the same issue with Sally Beauty Supply. They felt I would not be able to mass produce and backed out even though after going to China and proving that I could mass produce.

If that is truly the only reason why Oprah didn't bring you on the show, then you should have no problem qualifying for a business loan to produce the material.

It just feels weird that if you have a good solid business plan, you are reduced to coming here on a website to beg for money and to ask that people make phone calls to generate false demand for your product. This is NOT a private board, and tons of hair oriented companies including Sally's and other potential clients will be aware of your way to generate business and it does take away from your business credibility. Carol's Daughter and many other black-owned companies did well without having to resort to those tactics.

You have a very good product, and if you become really business savvy instead of going for the quick buck route, you can be really successful. You have received excellent advices from some of the ladies on this thread, even though you may not have liked the delivery. Learn from it and grow.

 

[HAIRapy]

If that is truly the only reason why Oprah didn't bring you on the show, then you should have no problem qualifying for a business loan to produce the material.

It just feels weird that if you have a good solid business plan, you are reduced to coming here on a website to beg for money and to ask that people make phone calls to generate false demand for your product. This is NOT a private board, and tons of hair oriented companies including Sally's will be aware of your way to generate business and it does take away from your business credibility. Carol's Daughter and many other black-owned companies did well without having to resort to those tactics.

You have a very good product, and if you become really business savvy instead of going for the quick buck route, you can be really successful. You have received excellent advices from some of the ladies on this thread. Learn from it and grow.

Jessy, I just wanted to say that calling Sally's was all my idea. I'm not affiliated with the UPA clip company at all, just a customer who believes that it's a good product and would do well at Sallys- or any other company that gives her a chance, that's why I thought it up. As yall can probably tell, I am not a buisiness owner, nor do I know the ins and outs of big business... or small business for that matter I just wanted to clear that up for ya

 

[DragonPearl]

Jessy, I just wanted to say that calling Sally's was all my idea. I'm not affiliated with the UPA clip company at all, just a customer who believes that it's a good product and would do well at Sallys- or any other company that gives her a chance, that's why I thought it up. As yall can probably tell, I am not a buisiness owner, nor do I know the ins and outs of big business... or small business for that matter I just wanted to clear that up for ya

Oh, I am aware that this was not idea. After starting your thread, you checked with her and SHE gave her approval. So, it's the same as far as I am concerned and she will bear the responsability for it.

And I think it's a good product too.

 

[ladylibra]

i just sent an email and i will be calling!

 

[Ponytaildiva]

Okay, this is my last posting on this thread because it is unfortunately turning really ugly and that is not what I wanted or expected at all.

One last time for those who do not want to read through all of the posting I want to share what prompted me to come to the board for help.

I started the UPA Clip idea and patented it many years ago. But long story short, I was encouraged to sale it on eBay. One of your members found it on eBay and asked me to come to this board and share the UPA Clip. So, I did. One of your members started a thread and I posted pictures and introduced the UPA Clip.

The response was incredible. I do not remember the number, but it caused me to have to hire staff to help me keep up with the orders.

Members hated ordering through eBay so they asked me to set up a website. I did not have the funds to have someone build a website for me so I purchased a couple of books and built my little “tacky” website myself.

Members from LHCF and other hair forums and Motowngirl.com have been a high percentage of my business for 3 years now and have made the UPA Clip the success that it is today.

Whenever I see a posting from someone who wanted a UPA Clip but right out said they could not afford one, I contacted them and sent them one for no charge.

My decision to come to the board for help was a desperate one because I was in danger of losing the entire concept of the UPA Clip to China who was very willing to give it to the highest bidder which probably would be a Korean distributor. How did I get myself into that position? Long story short, I was in a Sally Beauty Supply looking at their ponytail attachments and I was wearing my UPA Clip. A Sally executive was in the store and asked me why I was interested in ponytail extensions when I had such beautiful hair. I pulled off my UPA Clip and she said “Sally Beauty Supply must have that, where did it come from”. So I set up a meeting with Sally flew from California to Texas and met with them. They loved the UPA Clip; they could not say enough good things about it and said that they would want to try 6 in each of their 2200 stores. But, they gave me a few reasons why they were concerned about retailing it; one being the ability to mass produce it. I took notes went home and went to China.

I returned and after addressing all of their concerns contacted them and they said they did not want to be the first to retail the UPA Clip. Now China has all of my UPA Clip information including the new synthetic hair that I worked with a chemist in China to produce and I did not have the order that they expected from me via Sally Beauty Supply.

I was told by the manufacture in China that they are in business to make money and they would not sit on the UPA Clip when they have the ability to manufacture it. They would find someone who will pay them to put it out there. So, I convinced them that I would place my order with a couple of weeks and they agreed to stick with me.

So, I needed money quickly and had already taken out a business loan to make trips to China, develop incredible synthetic hair, barrettes, etc, I could not get another loan.

I decided to go to everyone that I knew for help. Because I had received so much love and support from LHCF, I felt really okay with coming to you for help. UPA Clip is not foreign to LHCF, in less then a year there are 137 threads about the UPA Clip and hundreds of postings and thousands and thousand of views and a lot of UPA Clip love.
I asked for $1.00 only because I felt there would be many who would and could help me and I was right. $1.00 means very little too many, but meant the world to me and yes, thousands found it in their hearts to send that dollar. I guess many were not concerned with sending $1.00 in the mail because it was only $1.00.

Because of the generosity and love of so many sisters on the board, friends and family I will be able to place my order with China and will not have to worry about losing what I have worked so hard for the past few years. I have contacted many beauty supply stores who are ready to purchase.

So, instead of focusing on hating me, why not celebrate the fact that a powerful group of sisters banded together and helped another one be successful in a business that is dominated by other races of people when we are the biggest customers of the market. The UPA Clip will blow up the market now and this forum helped to make this possible for me.

You all saved my butt and I love every one of you who found it in your hearts to support this. Many PM’s have told me to ignore the negative comments in this thread and to just put it in Gods hands and that is what I am going to do from this point on.

God bless all of you who helped me and God please show me a way to give back.

 

[Soul♥Flower]

If that is truly the only reason why Oprah didn't bring you on the show, then you should have no problem qualifying for a business loan to produce the material.

It just feels weird that if you have a good solid business plan, you are reduced to coming here on a website to beg for money and to ask that people make phone calls to generate false demand for your product. This is NOT a private board, and tons of hair oriented companies including Sally's and other potential clients will be aware of your way to generate business and it does take away from your business credibility. Carol's Daughter and many other black-owned companies did well without having to resort to those tactics.

You have a very good product, and if you become really business savvy instead of going for the quick buck route, you can be really successful. You have received excellent advices from some of the ladies on this thread, even though you may not have liked the delivery. Learn from it and grow.

@ the bolded. Oprah does credit checks on her guests?


People should learn to be nicer. No one is perfect, we all make mistakes. Maybe her bitter woman thread came during a really rough time in her business life? Maybe the solicitation was bad judgement due to desperation? It's impossible to know someone 100% via keyboard and screen. Give the woman a break yall. I don't think she's trying to be fraudulant but if she is....it will come to light.

 

[pebbles]

Thread closed. Thanks, ladies!