My daughter, Ellie, had a big hip surgery on Wednesday at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and she did great considering all things. She was in a lot of pain for several days post op and for the most part, I was by her side. My sister, Kelley, came downtown to relieve me on Friday night as I was to go home, see my other kids and get a good night’s sleep in my own bed and Kelley would stay with Ellie.
By the time I got everything settled at home, it was close to 11pm. I said to my husband, Brad, I really should go to bed (that’s why they sent me home, right?) but I had this idea that Shark Tank was coming to Philadelphia in the morning and I could just not let it go. It is my favorite show and I knew if I didn’t at least scope out the scene, I would have regret and I do not like living with regret. I started thinking about it and said, let me just fill out the application and then if it is not too crowded in the AM, I’ll just go and see. Brad said he knew the second that I said that, there was no way I wasn’t going to try.
So, I got to bed close to 1am, set my alarm for 5am (don’t tell my family that I hardly slept on my one night to sleep) and had a nice long hot shower, packed a new bag for the hospital and said good-bye. As I was driving downtown, it was pouring rain so I was making deals with myself like, “if it is not raining and the line is not too long, I’ll go, if not, it is not meant to be.” By the time I got downtown, the parking lot wasn’t packed, there was a shuttle right there to take us over to the line. I was pleasantly surprised that it looked like I was probably in the 200-300 range and they were taking 500 people for a one minute pitch to the casting producers (no, not the Sharks).
I looked up from where I was standing in the parking lot and saw the big sign for CHOP and smiled. I kept saying to myself, I can’t believe I am standing here doing this (it’s so American Idol-ish but for entrepreneurs) while my daughter is in the hospital BUT I was so glad I was there for me and her. She was ok, she was in good hands and my husband was going to relieve my sister in the AM. And I was having a ball in my element. I love being surrounded by entrepreneurs—they really are a great bred. They are all so supportive, helpful, creative, kind and genuinely want to see each other do well. Did I say innovative too?
After waiting about 1 ½ hours in line, they started handing out numbered wrist-bands. I was #261 and was told that we could go and to be back in 2.5 hours since we were going to pitch later. Lucky me, I was able to get back to CHOP within 10 minutes, see my Ellie, give her some hugs and be there when the pain team arrived to remove her epidural. After we got her settled and comfortable again, it was time to craft the pitch. You see, I really didn’t think I would be doing this. Brad and I quickly crafted a one minute pitch and back I went to Shark Tank Casting Call.
The whole process was really quite easy and not what I thought it would be. When I came back, they transported us to Next Fab Studios where the “auditions” were taking place. We were moved upstairs to a “holding” room and then sent into 1 of 5 or 6 rooms to pitch. Sure, I was nervous and I think I did ok considering all things. I went in more pitching my company, Baby Be Hip, versus a specific product. I think I would adjust my pitch a bit if the opportunity allows it. Who knows the outcome but all I know is I enjoyed the process. They told us that last year they had 40,000 applicants and about 125 made it on the show.
I felt like a winner for just doing for it, getting out of my comfort zone and doing something for me during this stressful week of having Ellie in the hospital. I am also well aware that the next 6 weeks once Ellie is out of the hospital are going to be particularly challenging with recovery so I need to make sure I have good distractions for me to keep me strong and happy. I now know after having Ellie for seven years and all the “stuff” we deal with daily and have dealt with that if I don’t take care of myself and keep me strong, I am no good for anyone. My mother for years has said that to me when times were really stressful and challenging, that my family needs me and they need me strong and healthy so I need to take care of myself. I don’t think I always took that advice to heart as I was just focusing on Ellie but that is emotionally, physically and mentally draining.
You see, Ellie has been in this spica cast for 10 months of her life already and this time going in, I wanted a better experience for all of us and while I know it is still a lot of work and physically draining, I can control my life so I don’t get mentally drained (or at least try). And that is exactly why I went for it with the Shark Tank Casting Call and I am so glad I did regardless of the outcome. In this case, the best medicine for me was doing this which made me happy and fulfilled. I’m now working on catching up on sleep—it is over-rated, right? Just kidding, we are getting there, Mom.
