Kid CEOs: Teen Siblings Found 'Flipoutz' Bracelets

BloombergBusinessweek Lifestyle
By David Wescott on May 02, 2012

Traffic jams and sweltering weather usually make for unpleasant family car trips. The Johnson family of Charlotte, N.C., however, made the most of their time trapped in the car. Siblings Jake, 13, Lachlan, 16, and Erin, 18, are the entrepreneurs behind Flipoutz, a line of interactive bracelets made for kids.
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Flipoutz on Facebook with new Facelift!

Spring Cleaning is in full swing, with recent changes to Flipoutz Facebook pages.

Anticipating Facebook's upcoming change-over for all user pages to the new timeline page style, we've gone and already upgraded to the new look and even began adding new features.  Besides the streamlined look and feel of the new design, we've add a new app that brings more excitement to the page, FLIPOUTZTV! Now visitors can check out all the Flipoutz Videos with just a mouseclick!
Of course, you can always order Flipoutz Coins & Bracelets directly from the Flipoutz Facebook Store.
Look for more feature-laden apps coming soon including exciting promotions and saving specials on Flipoutz gear.

ChiTAG: We came, We saw, We met Royalty...

In Chicago, the Holiday season has a special atmosphere of excitement. An excitement found especially at the Chicago Toy & Games Fair, the largest Toy & Game Fair open for the public. ChiTAG is the place to be to showcase the hottest, newest, greatest toys & games right before the holiday season goes full throttle. Flipoutz was right in the thick of things with a steady crowd discovering the interactive funwear.

Thru-out the two-day event, Flipoutz inventors Erin, Jake, & Lachlan Johnson met with the press, potential retailers, and the public, spreading the word about Flipoutz.  Seeing the young inventors in the flesh went a long way toward showing that great ideas often come from young minds.

Meanwhile, the Flipoutz Booth was seldom empty as a steady stream of curious crowds kept things hoppin'. We even had royalty pay a visit as Miss Illinois, Miss Teen Illinois, & Mrs. Illinois gave us a royal beauty blessing. Having 3 Queens makes for a powerful, winning hand!

Flipoutz to take the Windy City by Storm at ChiTAG

 Flipoutz founders Erin, Lachlan, and Jake Johnson will be debuting Flipoutz at the 2011 Chicago Toy and Game Fair! TheChicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) is a two-day fun-filled celebration of the power of play and creativity, and is the only toy and game fair in the U.S. open to the public.  Fun-seekers from far and wide descend on Chicago's beautiful Navy Pier to preview, play and purchase the hottest and latest toys and games, rediscover favorite classics, and meet the inventors that brought them to life.  Come to be dazzled and enchanted, come to learn and explore, come to mingle and participate in a magical community event.  But most of all come to have fun! Make sure to visit all of us at Flipoutz in Festival Hall B at booth # 705!

Kidzforce SC Sales Competition Heating Up

Some of South Carolina's youngest and brightest have been battling for the position of the highest selling associate since Kidz Force made its national debut at the South Carolina State Fair in October! Contestants have through Monday November 28, 2011 to win the $1,000.00 cash donation to the organization of their liking, in addition to raising money and having fun along the way! We are now halfway through and competition is fierce! Meet some of the current top contenders...

Flipoutz fun continues at Coastal Carolina Fair with "friendly" special promotion

The sounds, smells, & excitement of a Fair's midway continues this week in Charleston SC as the Coastal Carolina Fair brings family fun & excitement. Flipoutz is in the thick of it.

Continuing on through Saturday Nov. 5th, make a point to visit the Flipoutz Booth where not only will you'll find a complete selection of Flipoutz Coins & Bracelets, if you say the magic words, you can receive a generous discount as well...

Wild Creations President Rhett Power, born & raised in Charleston, is happy to see Flipoutz being so well received in his own hometown, he's become rather generous... to the point of permitting a 15% discount on any Flipoutz products purchased at the fair... if you say the magic words..."I'm a friend of Rhett"t

So don't miss out on a great bargain, as well as making new friends by walking up to the Flipoutz Booth and saying "I'm a friend of Rhett."

Flipoutz at the Fair!

From the first fair in 1957 to today, the 55th edition of the Coastal Carolina Fair promises to provide the best available family-oriented entertainment for all ages.

Flipoutz is proud to be a part. Be sure to visit us at booth #97.

Enjoy the excitement of the Coastal Carolina Fair,  now through Saturday, Nov.5th. 

Still time to Vote!

POLL CLOSE!!!
OCT. 31st.!

Vote for your favorite FLIPOUTZ Inventors...Erin, Jake & Lachlan Johnson for a TAGIE Award!

What's a Tagie?

TAGIE Awards recognizes toy and game inventors from across the country, whose playful creativity and inventiveness resulted in some of the most fun and entertaining play products on the market today. 

WE CAN WIN WITH YOUR HELP!

That's right!  You can help Lachlan, Erin, & Jake win by voting NOW!

It's EASY...click here.
SPREAD THE NEWS!!! GET FRIENDS TO VOTE!!! 

Kidzforce Debut at SC State Fair

Flipoutz co-inventor Lachlan Johnson was all smiles at the South Carolina State Fair Friday evening, "We're going to flip the toy industry on it's ear." And literally so, as a gymnastics team cartwheeled before a gathered crowd while Flipoutz staged it's public launch of KIDZFORCE, a nation-wide sales program enabling kids to gain business knowledge first-hand, as well as help spread the new Flipoutz Interactive Funwear far & wide.

Business Success in a Stalled Economy

Even in a sluggish economy, there's still opportunities for business growth. Wild Creations has proved it possible. Recently Wild Creations was featured in a CNN article that described how different companies have succeeded despite economic hard times.

Check out CNN's article here...

Columbia SC is Flipoutz Country!

The heart of South Carolina, Columbia, is catching Flipoutz Fever! The interactive funwear with the tradable, trackable coins are showing up on more wrists in Columbia each day. Now there's THREE locations in the greater Columbia area stocking a supply of the hottest trading goods around...

Toys & Games Etc. 264 Harbison Blvd, who's regular scheduled "Game Night" packs in a crowd.
Check them out on facebook or give them a call at (803) 732-3242.

Learning Express Toys of Columbia

630 Promenade Place, Village at Sandhill
(803) 865-8286
Join 'em for Wednesday Story Time or anytime at all!

Learning Express Toy Store of Lexington
5135 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington SC.
(803) 359-0008

Kidzforce Makes National Debut at South Carolina State Fair

UPDATE: "Kidzforce Kickoff" slated Friday, 6PM in front of the Ruff Building (in front of the Rocket)
Meet Columbia, South Carolina’s Brightest Kid Entrepreneurs
October 10, 2011 – Columbia, SC – Flipoutz, a local toy company started by kids will debut its revolutionary new program, Kidzforce, at the 2011 South Carolina State Fair.  Kidzforce is an exciting new program designed to teach participants (kids) entrepreneurial skills while having fun and raising money for themselves and local organizations. “Kidzforce is going to be a revolutionary way for kids to make money,” says one of the sibling creators Lachlan Johnson. “Gone are the days of paper routes and lemonade stands, because today’s kids can be sophisticated business owners that earn, learn, and have fun doing it!”

Have you voted yet?

Get Out The Vote!!!

Vote for your favorite FLIPOUTZ Inventors...Erin, Jake & Lachlan Johnson for a TAGIE Award!

What's a Tagie?

TAGIE Awards recognizes toy and game inventors from across the country, whose playful creativity and inventiveness resulted in some of the most fun and entertaining play products on the market today. 

WE CAN WIN WITH YOUR HELP!

That's right!  You can help Lachlan, Erin, & Jake win by voting NOW!

It's EASY...click here.
SPREAD THE NEWS!!! GET FRIENDS TO VOTE!!! 

The Flipoutz Roadshow Week #3 The Reidsville NC Homegrown Festival

Photo: Copyright ©2011 Scot Sheely & Interactive Media Gurus

The Flipoutz Road Show is taking it to the streets throughout the fall, spreading the news, and making more Flipoutz Friends. Erin, Lachlan & Jake Johnson has their weekends booked as they make the scene at some fantastic Fairs & Festivals all over the Carolinas. Meet the inventors of Flipoutz Interactive Funwear in person, as well as trade some Flipoutz Coins.

Here's where the Flipoutz Crew will be appearing this weekend...

The Reidsville Homegrown Festival 

October 7-9

Downtown Reidsville, NC

It's Hometown homegrown Fun in Reidsville NC with Great Food, Crafts, Live Entertainment, Kid Rides, Games, and more!

ATTENTION: Say the secret word, win a special coin!

We're pre-registering some "Trailblazer" coins to commemorate the 2011 Reidsville Homegrown Fall Festival Come by the Flipoutz Booth and say; "You're a TRAILBLAZER!" and you'll come away with one of these unique Flipoutz Coins!

VOTE FLIPOUTZ A TAGIE AWARD

WE'RE IN THE RUNNING!!!

Vote for your favorite FLIPOUTZ Inventors...Erin, Jake & Lachlan Johnson for a TAGIE Award!

What's a Tagie?

TAGIE Awards recognizes toy and game inventors from across the country, whose playful creativity and inventiveness resulted in some of the most fun and entertaining play products on the market today. 

WE CAN WIN WITH YOUR HELP!

That's right!  You can help Lachlan, Erin, & Jake win by voting NOW!

It's EASY...click here.
SPREAD THE NEWS!!! GET FRIENDS TO VOTE!!! 

We got the COOLEST place in America to stock FLIPOUTZ...

So it is so! Flipoutz are now available at the world famous Penny Lane Gifts in Springfield IL.

Established in 1971, Penny Lane has been serving Central Illinois for over 35 Years.  A one stop shop for everything you could ever think of, with thousands of unique and one of a kind items.
But...the coolest place in America? If you doubt, check out this virtual tour.

Flipoutz will fit right in with Penny Lane Gifts...awe man, that's beautiful!

Flipoutz loves Irmo OKRA!

The Flipoutz team is coming to IRMO SC. Saturday & Sunday,
Sep 23-24!

Who knew a small library fund-raiser in 1973, would turn into a world renowned 2 day festival, and puts a small green tasty seed pod in a great big limelight...the Irmo Okra Strut.
As festivals go, you'd be hard pressed to find one finer. A two day event featuring a street dance, parade, arts and crafts, rides and amusements, petting zoo, and lots of festival food, the Okra Strut is 2 days of great fun!
Come see OKRAMAN (pictured left) and come meet the whole FLIPOUTZ CREW!

The Irmo SC Okra Strut is Saturday & Sunday. Sep.23 & 24, located 12-miles outside of Columbia, SC in the Irmo Village Shipping Center.         VIEW MAP

KIDZFORCE applications available NOW!

Kidzforce applications are now available! Check out our information page, explaining this new, exciting way to earn points, win prizes, and EARN MONEY! Next, fill out a application to join Kidzforce and start on a path of exciting financial rewards!

Become a part of the hottest new trend in Interactive Funwear, as well as helping establish the FLIPOUTZ NATION!

WE NEED YOUR VOTE!

Vote for your favorite FLIPOUTZ Inventors...Erin, Jake & Lachlan Johnson for a TAGIE Award!

What's a Tagie?

TAGIE Awards recognizes toy and game inventors from across the country, whose playful creativity and inventiveness resulted in some of the most fun and entertaining play products on the market today. 

You can get us nominated!

That's right!  You can help Lachlan, Erin, & Jake get in the running just by nominating them!

It's EASY...just click here.

Seen any good Maps lately?

More stores added, more places with Flipoutz near you!
There's still plenty of places that need Flipoutz Interactive Funwear but the map clearly shows we've covered a lot of ground since our national debut just 5 months ago.
If it looks like our map is a little nose-heavy up in new england it's because we've brought on several new "Down East" stores, several who've responded from our showing at the International Gift Fair in New York...

Just north of Albany, Bumble Beads in Latham NY has an exciting studio where you can create your own beaded jewerly. Flipoutz will fit right in with their children's boutique.

What's Flipoutz doing in a pastry shop? WHO CARES! I'll have another puff pastry and a cremehorn please. Settle your sweet tooth and stock up on Flipoutz! Check out Di Mare Pastry in Stamford CT.


But let's not forget out Indianapolis friends! Now they have two locations nearby...

The Bungalow, at 924 East Westfield Bvd., with their wide selection of unique gifts.

With a GRAND OPENING on Sat. Sept. 10, My Toy Garden is bringing Carmel IN a world of FUN! We're proud Flipoutz will be there! Check out their blog...

This is just a handful of stores we've added with more coming everyday! Check the map often.  You'll find that each day it's easier to catch "Flipoutz Fever"!