Rosslyn Event to Give Entrepreneurs a Chance to Appear on the Home Shopping Network

Local entrepreneurs can learn how to get their ideas, products or inventions featured on the Home Shopping Network during a free event in Rosslyn later this month.

The D.C.-area chapter of business mentoring organization SCORE is scheduled to host an event for the Home Shopping Network program “American Dreams” at the Spectrum Theater (1611 N Kent Street) on Monday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.

“American Dreams” features inventions and products from small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country. The program’s tagline is to “make your product tomorrow’s best seller,” according to its website.

The upcoming event is set to include a “high energy” presentation about the Home Shopping Network and its various product success stories. Attendees can pitch their products, then refine those pitches during a “show and tell” portion of the event. Afterward, they’ll be able to submit their products for a chance to be featured on “American Dreams.”

“They’ll have an opportunity to describe or pitch their concept,” said SCORE marketing chair and mentor, Len Johnson. “This is a preliminary introduction to the program. It’s kind of a filtering process.”

Unlike a program such as “Shark Tank,” the businesspeople don’t need to show up with a working prototype of their product or invention to be considered for the show.

“That’s why they call it American Dream,” Johnson said. “It’s a program that features people that have a dream but don’t have the means to be successful. It allows an entrepreneur to get airtime.”

After the event, the Home Shopping Network will review the day’s submissions and possibly pick out some Arlington entrepreneurs for a second round of interviews. If all goes well during those interviews, the product could then head to television.

Those interested in attending the free session can sign up online. The event is limited to 500 people.