“This is crazy, I’m already horny!”

3 days ago

Die beiden Gründer Ina und Ingwer stehen vor ihrem Naturally Naughty Stand und einem Werbebanner mit den Worten "Hey Ginger, light my fire"

3 days ago

Startup shows like "Höhle der Löwen" (Lions' Den) or the original version like "Shark Tank" in the US have become an integral part of the TV landscape. Even Amazon is experimenting with formats like "Buy it Now," where the studio audience votes directly on whether products should be included in the product lineup. There's almost nothing that hasn't been presented before. So why and where did we go on TV as Naturally Naughty?

We wanted to "rub"

First of all, to test the potential of our products. Our ginger spray and ginger massage oil have always been well-received at trade fairs, events, and in boutiques. We also sell online via our website and selected online shops. Primarily in Germany, but we're also increasingly receiving orders from Austria and Switzerland. Therefore, it was a natural move to apply for a show in the German-speaking region and prove ourselves there. The goal was to present our approach of "selected 100% natural ingredients with maximum effect" to a critical jury and see how the audience reacts.

Size matters

We then deliberately chose a show and market that suited the size of our startup. The Austrian version, "2 Minutes 2 Million," was a perfect fit. After applying with text and video, we received a quick response, and the chemistry clicked immediately. A short time later, we were on our way to the TV studio in Vienna. A pitch coach had helped us refine our two-minute pitch for the jury a few days earlier. The flight journey proved to be quite adventurous. Some of our decoration materials and merchandise were temporarily missing. The box cutters in our hand luggage were confiscated by the police.

Straight into the cold water without foreplay

On the day of the recording, a selection of different startups had been invited to the studio. While we were still getting dressed at the hotel, we received a call asking if we could arrive early – another startup had dropped out. Of course, we could. A short time later, we were in makeup, wired up, and in front of the cameras.

First, we explained our products in the foyer; then we went straight to the jury in the studio, where our decorations had been set up in no time. The big advantage of this "sprint" was that you didn't have much time to think about what you wanted to say later and how.

Oh yes, just before entering the hallowed halls, we witnessed some jury members stand up and demonstratively leave the studio set because of a startup's overestimation. The mood felt like it was at its lowest. But what did we have to lose?

Can ginger inspire with ginger?

After the large studio door opened, we approached the six-member jury, not knowing where to stop and start. It was an impressive impression and brutally silent in the studio. Ginger took the lead and began talking about the products. We benefited from an effect we often experience in our private lives: People talk and marvel at the product, make jokes, and then try it on the back of their hand, smell it, and then spray it in their mouth. Most people then like the effect. So, there's no need to explain too much and you can let all the senses work.

The jury carefully examined the spray, especially, then tried it on the back of their hands or around their mouths and sniffed it. The spark had at least been ignited. The sentence quickly came: