Two Comedians and a Baby Running an Internet Company in the Garage.

Writtem by Guest Blogger Chris Mancini


The title is not an exaggeration. Last year, comedian Graham Elwood and I started comedyfilmnerds.com since we were so tired of trying to get work with web companies or any other company for that matter. So we thought we should just become competitors. Of course we were doing it all ourselves and on less than a shoestring. So everything took longer and the credit card balances went up for both of us.
Our goals were ambitious. We wanted to feature movie reviews and columns written by professional comedians, interviews and comedy CDs, DVDs and books available for sale along with movie downloads. We’re a mix of Filmthreat, Amazon and ITunes. So our site was cobbled together with duct tape and off we went. And then it crashed and didn’t work. Many times. That has mostly been corrected.
Audge was on maternity leave while we started everything. We were so excited. We moved my office into the garage and that was going to be the baby’s bedroom. At first I was disappointed but if anyone with children knows, to have a room detached from the rest of the house is much more awesome than either parent will let on to the other.
So every Tuesday Graham comes over and we play “internet moguls” in the garage. We have a blast. We laugh, work, and strategize. And then we try to slowly learn how to get people to come to our website.
But my wife’s maternity leave ended and she soon went back to work and I was suddenly a stay at home dad/comedian/author/filmmaker/web guy. It’s been tough, but we’re getting through it. We’re both working double shifts as we switch off from work and childcare duties and try and get a few hours of sleep in the process. Between working on the website, finishing the book and doing an occasional show there wasn’t been much time left.
So Graham and I shifted our website schedule to later in the day and my son Griffin was now part of the mix. He would be present at the reading of the minutes and have voting rights during board meetings.
So now Griffin is almost a year old, and it’s been about a year since we launched the site. But now Griffin is crawling and he won’t stay in the “bouncy chair” whileF Graham and I struggle and take an hour to try and add a jpeg image of a T-shirt to our online shopping cart.
There are times when Graham holds the baby as I look up a purchase order or find out who Doug Benson is supposed to make a CD out to. The first time I asked him I just flat out said, “Is that weird, that I’m asking you to hold the baby?” He laughed and said no, he has many nieces and nephews and much practice. So I gave Griffin to Graham and he instantly took to him and tried to rip his necklace off. I think it was made of shark teeth or something because Graham’s a surfer and they… all fight sharks, right?
Now you expect comedians to make you laugh, get drunk, hit on waitresses and pass out in a back alley of a club somewhere. OK, we’ve all done it. But it’s a weird picture to see two comedians taking care of a baby. It’s an especially weird picture for the actual comedians.
But here’s the thing: I’ve never been happier. I’m doing my own thing. Taking care of my baby, running a business and there is no one to answer to. If I’m going to learn how to use a website content management system and learn how to use Microsoft Accounting (and I’m still learning, very slowly), I’m going to do it for me, and not anyone else.
I’m sure our company would be making millions of dollars right now if we had things like a staff and a marketing budget. And maybe a new computer. But it is making a little money, thanks to the support of comedy and film fans, comedians, filmmakers, advertisers and other people supporting us along with one intern who is trying to figure out a nice way of telling us she’s too busy to help us anymore. And of course the support from OMM during my book release (PACIFY ME: A HANDBOOK FOR THE FREAKED OUT NEW DAD) has been amazing.
We’re in the middle of rebuilding comedyfilmnerds.com (we originally called it comedyfilmnerdsdotcom.com but it was screwing up navigation and links) and my son is getting bigger. I can see the growth in every part of my life right now, and it feels good. Having children changes your perspective for the better. WAY better. And starting my own business has changed it even more. I’m not “industry obsessed” or constantly “waiting for someone to call me back” anymore. And even if I’m having a bad day, Griffin smiles at me and then it simply doesn’t matter anymore. Now about that million dollars…

Chris Mancini is a comedian and author. His first book “Pacify Me: A Handbook for the Freaked-Out New Dad” is now available for purchase. Enter to win the book for FREE!

New Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act re: all children's products - Feb. 10 - Will you make your voice heard, violate law or close your doors?

Written by Guest Blogger and Our Milk Money Member Tristan Benz

SOON TO BE ILLEGAL - this cute little bag made partly from recycled goods.

To those of us it may concern,

I debated posting this - the idea is not to scare but to mobilize and take positive action - so I finally decided to post - after you finish breathing into a paper bag, I hope you'll simply take reasonable action...

To all who promote / make / sell children's products (includes handmade, imported / mass produced, all USED items, new items, you name it), I hope you're aware of the new law that goes into effect Feb. 10. I have emailed Cantwell, here in our state (copy of that communication is below), and urge you to do the same with your own state reps.

This new law effects ALL items sold to children, retroactively (so all products - not just clothing - to include ALL used stuff - i.e. everthing from Toys R Us to Ebay sellers, to mom and pop manufactures, to local thrift stores - yep, even Salvation Army and Goodwill that both employ and serve those who can well use the jobs and the goods are also a target - etc.).

It's a widespread, well-intended law that hasn't (in my view) been written well at all - it has the real potential to put all of us small business owners (read, backbone of the economy) out of business. I have to wonder who / what this new law actually serves - big business doesn't need another helping hand, does it? Should we all be forced to buy only what mass producers make because they can afford to cope with this new law? In actual fact, it impacts them, too - and I'm hoping the 'big boys' will get in there and take some real swings at this - can't imagine Toys R Us, WalMart and all major retailers are going to take this one lying down...?! Either way, they can afford it so you're likely to still have the benefit of all those cheap goods you can't then recycle for any fees at a local thrift...hmmm!

As much as I care about what goes into our environment and what we expose our children to, this law is to the point of ridiculousness - way too over-reaching. Please read for yourself. I strongly urge all well-intentioned parents and business owners like us to work in solidarity, to contact our state elected officials (OUR voice?!) and make our concerns clearly known.

Personally, seeing the active practice of law-making 'for our own good' leaves me cringing - I believe it was Adolf Hitler that said, "What good fortune for governments that people do not think."

BUT also worth remembering, it was GEORGE WASHINGTON that said, "Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

For all of us doing a good honest job of it in the world, let truth prevail and voices of parents (and will the real middle class please stand up?) be raised.

It should be nothing less than totally obvious by now what I'm about - that I'd rather leave our children with choices THEY can make for themselves than with a government making all of their choices 'on their behalf' in future. If we give up this right for ourselves now, doesn't it stand to reason that we give it up for our children, too? By whose estimating is this kind of government activity qualified as of the people, by the people and, ultimately, FOR the people?

It can also be nothing less than clear that I believe this is OUR time to take total responsibility for what happens now that impacts the future and decide what OUR children will inherit from our generation's input (passive or not). There are many more issues beyond how much debt we leave them to resolve...! Personally, I think freedom of choice and expression top sweeping, quiet legislation "for their own good."

All of this takes me back to why I started a pro-parent business in the first place. My initial concern was about marketers sidelining parents - getting our kids to listen to them using anti-adult, anti-parent messages and direct appeals to their vulnerable nature, etc. (read Born To Buy by Juliet Schor). Where are we going that government can legislate our parental choices for us now? Aren't WE the ones who should have the authority to make choices on behalf of our children? Why are we being rendered so unnecessary to that process here? I don't know about the rest of you but, personally, I'm going to ask questions like this as long as we still have the right to do so in this country!

Finally, before posting the links and my letter to our state Rep, I want to put this thought out there - I know there are some people in the world that, for whatever reason, deny the holocaust ever happened - to the vast majority of those who agree it happened I say, if the holocaust can happen, than anything we think is 'impossible' can, as well. Laws can increasingly get enacted "on our behalf" and will continue to do so unless / until we stand up an remind ourselves of what it means to be a citizen in a free nation created by people who went to great pains and great risk and sacrifice to create this country; to give us these rights we all claim to so cherish; to write our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. If you haven't read these since grade school, they're still very good reading!

As far as I have been educated, it is the job of the government to inform the people - how many people knew about this legislation in August? The LA Times Jan. 2 article claims 1 in 6 retailers they contacted had any inkling of this new law. What does that tell us? And when it comes to speaking for the "middle class position" (see the link below)...how many of us were consulted prior to creating the draft of this law? I certainly never got a call...you?

Okay, this was my communication to Cantwell:

Dear Ms. Cantwell,

Please HELP us SAVE WASHINGTON BUSINESSES from CPSC LEGISLATION EFFECTIVE FEB 2009!!

Like many retailers who sell to children (who even know about this), I'm totally unnerved by the new CPSC LEGISLATION that impacts ALL companies that manufacture / sell products for children.

We manufacture MADE IN WASHINGTON, handmade, patent-pending accessories for children and are a very pro-parent / pro-child company. Our online store is located at http://www.maidenus.com

On a larger note, why we need to legislate COMMON SENSE in our counry is just beyond me. It's high time we get back to WE THE PEOPLE running the country and making our own choices with our own free will - NOT accepting the status quo of having our choices legislated and mandated by quietly sweeping congressional means and measures. I'm so done with ALL politicians - it's time for real people with real common sense to step in and stand up.

Kind Regards,
Tristan Benz
Please note: This article has been condensed. To view the blog in it's entirety, please visit:
Maiden America

Having That "Aha!" Moment

Introducing New Guest Blogger:
Brent Farley, Jr.

I am the proud father of two beautiful girls and the lucky husband of a beautiful wife. Along with my three girls, we also have a female dog and a female cat. Needless to say, I am surrounded by females! This wasn't the picture I had in mind when I dreamt about being surrounded by females! Anyway, I am one lucky guy.

Being surrounded by females, I believe I am qualified to make this next statement. As my wife has gotten more involved with Our Milk Money and BizEMOMS, I assumed this was another women's get together where they talk about girl stuff, gossip and complain. My wife leaves me home every now and then with the kids as she attends her monthly meeting. I've never asked what they talk about, fearing I'd get the full story on what is going on in all the ladies lives. Believe me, I don't need to hear it!

In my ignorance, my wife has given me room to perfect it! And I must confess, I was 100% completely wrong about these two organizations. (Yes honey, once again you are correct).

I attended my first event this past Saturday. Without complaining and keeping my mouth shut, we drove to Arizona State University (an hour drive from our house) to help put a float together that was going to be in the ASU homecoming parade. Little did I know, I was ready for a change in attitude.

The float was for the Buddy Walk, the number one fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Network. As I stood watching this float being decorated, I watched as a three year old kid climbed on everyones back, wanting a piggy back ride. As he approached me, he held out his arms and wanted me to pick him up. I reached for this child with Down Syndrome and my life changed. A child who didn't know me laid his head on my shoulder and loved on me! I didn't know what to do so I started rubbing his back. Patting his back. His father stood by our side and watched as I melted, thinking I need to get involved with this organization! I need to refocus my energy, and instead of solely working to make money and pad my wallet, my family can spend time helping others. We have made a commitment to think outside the walls of our home, and spend more energy helping others. This child changed my thinking. Little will he ever know, or probably even his father the impact his child has had on me. And if he can change me, he can change the world!

I was told I have had an "aha" moment, when a husband realizes that the Our Milk Money and the BizEMOMs group isn't a gossip group, or a women's tea session. They are organizations that want to make a difference in the world we live in. And they have been successful.

If you are a husband who has his wife take off to a meeting once a month, I invite you to have your own "aha" moment. A time in your life when you realize there are people in this world, no matter how small or how young, no matter what disabilities they may have, that have the power to change your life!


Brent Farley, Jr. , ECC, DCC is the Operations Manager at SWPPP Inspector. He can be reached at (480) 226-6532 or by emailing: brentfarley@desertservices.net Did you know...SWPP Solutions, LLC. has joined Desert Services? Now you can get your Dust Control, High Pressure Cleaning, Porta Johns, Roll Off Containers, Street Sweeping, Temporary Fence and your SWPP work done... ALL IN ONE PHONE CALL! One more reason why we are "The Ultimate in Construction Services"

Why I Love and Hate Whole Foods Market

Written by Chris Mancini

It’s always a treat to go to Whole Foods. It’s good food, it’s fresh, and everything tastes pretty good. Yes, it’s a great experience until you get to the cashier and you always think they made a mistake. I actually took a bag of grapes back because I thought $15 for the bag was a mistake. It wasn’t. No one needs grapes that badly, even of your winery just burned down.

With two kids, I want them to eat healthier. I want to eat healthier. So why is it now so freaking hard? When as a society did we get to the point where it costs more to have less shit in our food? “Oh, you want food that’s not going to kill you? Now THAT will cost you…”

So we’re trying to adjust our budget so we can afford food that won’t kill us. We mix in visits with Trader Joe’s and try to eat out less. And I told our three year old daughter that she’s now going to trade school instead of college but to enjoy the organic broccoli.

But there are other reasons I do love Whole Foods. There is entertainment value while you’re shopping. I love watching overly thin women in baseball caps take four hours to pick out the right vitamins. I also love watching the “poser” healthy people. The ones who want to be seen and want you to think “Look how healthy I am! I shop at Whole Foods. Look, I have a bottle of water in my hand right now.” You know afterwards they go home, eat four packages of Ding Dongs and then throw up. My wife even had a friend who would go there just to pick up men. And was never unsuccessful.

I love Whole Foods because they are trying to help me and my family eat healthier. I hate them because they are expensive and they shouldn’t be. I’m angry that it costs more to get fruit not covered in pesticides and food without chemicals in it whose names I can’t even pronounce. It shouldn’t cost more to get actual maple syrup out of a tree than to manufacture it in a giant vat from a bunch of chemicals. So until Costco goes organic, my second mortgage and I will be at Whole Foods.

Chris Mancini

www.daddyneedssomealonetime.blogspot.com

The Closet

We’re getting ready for the new baby. I’m losing my office but gaining a son. I’ve been putting off going through my office because I didn’t want to face the fact that I’d be moving it into the garage. My office was my personal space. I didn’t want to lose it.

But July 15 is right around the corner. It’s going to be a C-Section, so it’s scheduled for July 15. Unless it rains, then it will be the 16th or 17th. So I stared at the Herculean task before me. Going through the closet.

See, the closet was basically a nostalgia and pop-culture themed oubliette for me. Anything I didn’t want to get rid of I threw in the closet and then forgot about it. It was a “walk in” closet, but hasn’t been for a very long time. More of a “walk away from” closet.

I found all sorts of things in the closet. I found an MP3 player that had no memory. I found a Sony Discman. It could play one whole compact disc at a time! I found old video games. I tried to load one on my computer and it didn’t work. I found old photos. Old letters. Old video tapes with things I can’t even explain on them. Why did I keep a documentary on farming in China?

As I was going through the boxes I found some of my old short film movie props. I was going through them and Bella was enjoying them as well. My wife looked at them and asked if I was going to keep them. “Are you kidding? You’ll never know when you’ll need a rubber chicken, a bicycle horn or a Leprechaun hat.” She looked at me like I was being funny. The thing is, I meant it. I’m keeping everything from the street cleaner costumes to the giant novelty sunglasses. I’m just moving them into the garage.

We’ve talked about moving into the garage for a while, and it’s almost ready. Soon it became a running gag.
“Is it okay if my friends from back east visit for a week after the baby is born?” my wife asked.
“I don’t care, I’ll be in the garage.”
“…You’re not going to be living out there. Are you?”

So while I’m saddened that I have to give up a space that meant a lot to me over the years, I’m looking forward to the garage and making it into my own new space. It will be my new personal “man-cave” that I can mold again from the ground up. In the meantime I’m also looking forward to giving my new son his own space as well. We’re guys. Space is important to us.

http://www.daddyneedssomealonetime.blogspot.com/