What is the Rhooster Program?

We thought you’d never ask!  The Rhooster Program is a video diary of happy Rhoost customers using their products.

Why do it?

Another great question.  As mothers of invention – we understand that end-users are the best source of information on how products are truly used once out of the box.  Parents are constantly sharing that knowledge so we decided to create a forum for it.

How can you become a Rhooster?

Simple!  You can either send us a video of you using Rhoost products in your home or you can email us at rhooster@rhoost.com and we’ll set you up with a Flip video loaner camera!

Why should I be a Rhooster?

• Because you have found a really great use for your Rhoost products and want to spread the word!
• Because sharing is fun.
• Because we’ll post your video on our website and YouTube!Because if this video becomes viral – it could be your big break!
• Because it just feels good!

Be sure and check out our first video now!

Not because we like cold nights and going back to school – although they both have their upsides – but rather because we are officially gearing up for the two biggest children’s trade shows in the world!  Kind + Jugend in Koln Germany in September and the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas in October.

For us it means an opportunity to step back and really think about our products, our mission, and how we convey our value to both consumers and industry peers.  It also provides a moment of reflection for us as we look back at the year behind us.  One year ago today, we posted our first blog entry.  It was the beginning of our journey.

This time last year, Rhoost was in the final preparation stages of our first ABC Expo with an idea and a few prototypes.  Today we are preparing to go back with a family of 3 products, an every growing social media community, and some great friends and retailers in the industry.  It has been an amazing year and we are looking forward to what’s ahead of us…

• Dirty dishes in the sink?  I’ve heard about this phenomenon but never actually seen it.
• Nothing (and we mean nothing) feels better than a clean kitchen
• I am more likely to run out of food than cleaning supplies…

If you can relate – you will be as excited as we were to find iQClean.

What do we love about iQClean products?  Everything.  They are made from non-toxic and environmentally sustainable materials and they save on space and the planet by using refill cartridges and re-usable spray bottles.

Also near and dear to Rhoost is that the bottles look cool and with a name like iQ – you just can’t help but feel smarter for using them.

Jill is not only a savvy business woman growing an amazing diaper bag company, but she’s also an incredibly insightful, honest, and intelligent person and for that reason, we knew her reaction to the Rhoost concept would make or break our decision to move ahead.  Jill’s reaction was nothing less than the genuine confirmation and encouragement we were hoping for and since that day, she has helped us every step of the way.

Reflecting on how much she’s helped us, we have come up with a list of the 5 best pieces of advice she has given us (so far) – note that some of these she has said, but all of them she lives and shows by example:

• Get product feedback every step of the way – not just from parents, but from retailers as well
• Be on top of inventory…or it will be on top of you! (sounds fun but trust us it’s not)
• Be generous with your time and advice
• Being a savvy business person and a nice person is not an either/or decision – you CAN be both
• Never (and she means NEVER) stop improving

Over the past 2 years, our seed idea has grown into a full-fledged company what has been even better has been taking this journey with a friend and mentor like Jill.

Picture it, January 2009, we are beginning to bring our vision of child-proofing products to life.   We have a name, some great product concepts, and even our own Rhoost email accounts! Then it occurs to us that we are not going to get much farther without a logo.

With a non-conventional name like Rhoost – our logo had to convey characteristics about our products and company that our name alone does not necessarily imply. Namely – clean, aesthetic, innovative.

We immediately turned to Alphabet Arm Design.  Their artistry is nothing short of amazing and to say they ‘get’ branding might just be the understatement of the year.  Aaron and the guys at Alphabet Arm are amazing at listening, translating, and executing.  Check out their creative process to see for yourself.

In Aaron’s own words, a logo…

• Crystallizes the forward facing aspect of a brand
• Speaks for your brand when you are not there
• Sets the tone for the company

Even further, a GOOD logo…

• Embodies all aspects of a company without being weighted down by too many graphic elements or type treatments
• Is a friend…awwww
• Evokes emotion – like the joy of seeing your favorite coffee shop or clothing store, a logo will tell you something about what you will find inside
• Looks as amazing tiny and in black and white as it does plastered across a highway billboard

The best part for Aaron?  Seeing a simple logo become a bigger part of the brand as the company grows.

As we have grown, Alphabet Arm has been an integral part of maintaining our look and feel and translating that into all of our materials. From our logo to our marketing collateral and packaging, with the help of the guys at Alphabet Arm, we are able to convey a consistent message – clean, aesthetic, innovative.