THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412090580
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEPHANIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
It will protect you against cars, trucks, pit bulls and muggers. All this while getting rid of the rolls of flab hanging from your arms.
The product: canisters of pepper spray tucked into 1-pound jogging weights. The weights, which also include a reflective material on the outside, make it easier for the nation's power walkers and runners to defend themselves.
Larry Washington and his brother, Kenny, hope to parlay their invention into big bucks. And they may soon get their chance.
The brothers, who created CounterSTRIKE Inc. in Virginia Beach, showed off their jogging weights at the Richmond Centre on Thursday, hoping for a chance to have them displayed on national television shopping network QVC.
Buyers from West Chester, Pa.-based QVC Inc. are touring 50 states, picking 20 products from each, as part of the home-shopping network's ``QVC's Quest for America's Best - The 50 in 50 Tour.''
``It's worth a fortune,'' Larry Washington said of getting on QVC. The network reaches 50 million homes nationwide and 17 million internationally.
QVC will broadcast live from each state, showcasing the winners' inventions, crafts and designs. Virginia's turn will come in a two-hour segment to be aired from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg on Feb. 18.
The Washingtons think they've got a good shot. After all, entrepreneurship runs in the family.
``My grandfather invented a modification to the peanut picker,'' said Larry Washington, president of CounterSTRIKE. ``He also invented the rubber-soled shoe.''
``Which, he didn't patent,'' added Kenny.
The Virginia Department of Commerce supported the QVC contest because it's a good way to promote small business in the state, said Secretary of Commerce Robert T. Skunda.
Skunda attended the show Thursday, tasting, touching and harumphing in approval at the Virginia products, which ranged from computer software to help people find their true talents and careers to pink and chocolate-chip bagels.
``Ooooh, that's good,'' gushed Skunda after downing a plastic shot glass of Sting Ray Spicy Bloody Mary Mix with ocean clam mix (no vodka included). The potion comes from Pamela Barefoot's company, Blue Crab Bay Company Inc., based in Onancock on the Eastern Shore.
A few yards away from Barefoot's display was one company's answer to the outdoorsman who wants almost everything from a long coat to an all-weather tent to a sleeping bag in less than 4 pounds.
``We call this the Freedom Shelter,'' said Dick Haislip, senior vice president of Ecotat Systems Co. of Virginia Beach, pointing to a yellow body-shaped tent stretched over the floor. ``When you're done using it as a tent, you can be wearing it.''
Not everyone will get the opportunity to appear on QVC's Virginia show. But there were other opportunities: the banks. The state called them to let them know creativity was coming to town.
Jeff Raihall, a commercial lender with Richmond-based Central Fidelity Bank, said he found several products he liked. But all the scouting, he said jokingly, was actually making him turn a different kind of green: envious.
``Very much so,'' Raihall said with a laugh. ``I have very little creativity or artistic ability.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Beth Bergman, Staff
Kenny and Larry Washington of Virginia Beach were among the
entrepreneurs and small-business owners from Virginia who were in
Richmond on Thursday vying for a chance for their products to appear
on national television shopping network QVC. The show will be aired
on Feb. 18.
by CNB