Crush Live Sales Like a Star: Entrepreneurial Lessons from TV Pro Andy Paige

Chris Stone [00:00:01]:
Get ready to meet TV star, author, QVC guest host and beauty expert who's turned live selling into an art form. She's here to share her secrets to captivating audiences, building a brand, and driving real sales on and off screen. Would you please welcome to Dealcasters, Andy Page. Andy, hi.

Andy Paige [00:00:23]:
Hi. What an amazing introduction. Thank you so much. I am thrilled to be here with you.

Chris Stone [00:00:28]:
Now you said you've been on podcasts all day.

Andy Paige [00:00:31]:
All day.

Chris Stone [00:00:32]:
Which which number podcast are we today?

Andy Paige [00:00:35]:
Do you want do you want me to be honest? Please. Sure. You are number 6.

Chris Stone [00:00:39]:
Number 6? Wow. You're a soldier. That's amazing. I don't think I could do I don't think I could do 3 in a day. It's a lot. It

Andy Paige [00:00:49]:
it has been such an amazing experience. So, you know, you mentioned that, you know, I'm on General Hospital, and, I'm the latest cast member of General Hospital and a part of an a really amazing experiment. It's an advertising, marketing, and consumer experiment. And so, you know, one of the ways that we are trying to engage with people is to do these podcast tours because this is a way to let people know, first of all, General Hospital is still on the air. It is the longest running show in television history. It has been on for 61 years, which is incredible. And, you are you should also know it is not offensive to call it a soap opera.

Chris Stone [00:01:29]:
Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I didn't you know, you don't know what you can say nowadays, Andy. You don't

Andy Paige [00:01:33]:
It's true. It's it is a soap opera, and, I'm I'm happy to be a part of it. But doing these, podcast tours, if you will, is a new experiment. It's, it's it's wonderful. It's not like, you know, doing you used to do, television, you know, tours and things like that where you would go from market to market, But now this is a very different approach to hitting a new audience. So I am thrilled to be with you guys, and I thank you so much for saying yes to a little, soap opera star like me.

Chris Stone [00:02:03]:
A little soap opera star. You are being far too humble. And this for those of you who are not general hospital feds, 61 years, that's incredible. And, you know, it's it's just one of those things that's impacted so many different generations. Right? And so, you know, are you so 61 years, there's got to be fans that are, you know, across the gamma in terms of age. I remember my grandmother watching it.

Andy Paige [00:02:31]:
Okay. So, Chris, you have to know I used to watch it with my great grandmother, first of all, in the seventies. Amazing. And I just came from, the big US event that, brings all of the General Hospital fans into one location. This year, it was in Memphis. And there were mothers, grandmothers, daughters, all there who've been watching it. It was amazing to see these fans that have been invested in this show for decades. I think the the fan that I met with the least amount of experience of the show had been watching for 20 years.

Andy Paige [00:03:04]:
So it it's truly just a legacy show. I mean, Elizabeth Taylor was on General Hospital, and you should also know that, so that that's actually me pretending to be Haven de Havilland, who is my costar on the show, and Haven is played by Morgan Fairchild.

Chris Stone [00:03:23]:
Oh my gosh. Incredible. Incredible. And this is this was taken in Memphis. So was this at the event that you're talking about?

Andy Paige [00:03:29]:
Yes. And I'm dressed up there as Morgan Fairchild. So part of this big fan event is you get to dress up as your favorite, you know, General Hospital character. And, of course, mine is Haven de Havilland, who is played by Morgan Fairchild.

Jim Fuhs [00:03:44]:
Wow. That's awesome.

Chris Stone [00:03:45]:
So, you know, you've you not just General Hospital. I mean, you you have tons of things going on, in, you know, when it when it comes to not just being in the the longest running TV show, you know, in history, but also, you know, QVC host, their your your, you know, carbon farmer. There's all kinds of different stuff that you've got going on. Right? In author, and we're gonna talk about you creating products and patents and all of these things, these products that are available on Amazon. And for those of you who are on Amazon, there's a book in the carousel, there's all kinds of product that's that Andy is is going to talk about. Can you share maybe some lessons throughout this thing that would help someone who is maybe an entrepreneur that's maybe hesitant to do something from a video perspective, or somebody that that has an idea for products or wants to write a book. What are what are some lessons maybe that you've learned that you can help with our audience?

Andy Paige [00:04:45]:
Yeah. So I'm I'm without a doubt, I will tell you that every experience, no matter what it is, is an opportunity to, impact to be impactful, to be of service, and to plant some seeds. So, you know, I have to tell you that I am 54 years old, and this is the very first acting job I've ever had. Now I have been in television for decades, but I have never been an actress. I have always done, you know, things based off reality television and really based off the character of me, Andy Page. So I came to this position because there are 2 producers on the show who worked with me over 22 years ago and who remembered me as being someone who was on time, who was always looking to make things better and not harder, who was willing to offer solutions and, you know, not, make things a little more complicated. I was always trying to, you know, pitch in, help out. And because these 2 producers remembered me in that way and saw on LinkedIn that I was now a coast on, or a guest host on QVC, they reached out and said, I know this is nuts.

Andy Paige [00:06:03]:
We have this role. It's actually for a home shopping host. Do you feel like you can act, and do you feel like you can do this? And I was like, yeah. And 3 years later, I had the job. So the the lesson is that you don't eat the fruit the same day you plant the seed. So you Oh, of that. Wanna show up as your best self. You want to leave a lasting impression.

Andy Paige [00:06:27]:
You don't want to burn any bridges because you never know how things are gonna turn around. And I am just really lucky that, you know, my superpower is kindness, and they remembered me as being someone who is kind and helpful and, boom, I'm like, girl, a General Hospital.

Chris Stone [00:06:45]:
Wow. I you know, we just met just a few minutes ago, and I immediately could feel the kindness that you're talking about. And I and I love I love the fact that you that the lesson that you're learn that you're that you learned was you helped other people. You helped things be better not harder is what you said. Right? And you looked to provide solutions. And I also I I always think like everyone when they get into this, right, and they they get into it they think I I got to make more money, I have to do this, I have to do this for myself myself myself. And I feel like if you're more selfless and you go into it more with a servant's heart like you're like you're talking about, this stuff will come right? And the fruit, the you don't eat the fruit. The first day you plant the seed is that it did I get that right?

Jim Fuhs [00:07:37]:
Yeah, that's that's t shirt.

Chris Stone [00:07:39]:
That's that's t shirt material right there. I think I think we're gonna unless you unless you've trademarked it already.

Andy Paige [00:07:44]:
No. No. No.

Chris Stone [00:07:44]:
No. My

Andy Paige [00:07:45]:
grandmother used to say it. My grandmother used to say it. So, it's not mine at all.

Chris Stone [00:07:50]:
Wow. That's awesome.

Jim Fuhs [00:07:52]:
So, Andy, so the what's interesting, so you basically, you know, QVC in a sense trained you in some aspects for this role on General Hospital. And I guess, if I understand this right, and now, you know, I'm gonna have to go watch General Hospital just to see this, You're actually selling things to the viewing audience through General Hospital. Is that correct?

Andy Paige [00:08:16]:
It's true. So this is a huge experiment, and I have to say that if it works, it's going to change the way that we all watch television. Because when this was pitched to me, you know, the the premise was, what if we could have purchased Fonazi's jacket? Or what if, you know, you could have, you know, purchased the hair care products that, you know, Monica and Rachel and Phoebe used on on Friends. So what has happened is the reason why I'm okay with calling it a soap opera is because, originally, soap companies paid for it. And we think that television is free, but it's not. But, however, we are all experiencing television in very different ways. And so what's happened is as we are now streaming more of our entertainment, we are doing everything we can to avoid paid ads and ads ultimately pay for everything. So when it comes to a legacy show like General Hospital, they are trying to be a little more creative to maintain their 2 to 3000000 viewers a day, which is amazing, which they still have, and recognizing that more and more people are actually streaming it and not watching it on network.

Andy Paige [00:09:25]:
So there has been a 20 year, storyline within the General Hospital, legacy. It's about Deception Beauty. And Deception Beauty is and cosmetics is this amazing place where, you know, these gorgeous women, you know, develop products, and there's backstabbing. And, like, the the storyline is exactly what you can imagine. Right? It's amazing. But the viewers and fans have enjoyed watching, the development of these products and really learned. They've learned how to patent a product. They've learned the development process and packaging and, like, all of these things.

Andy Paige [00:09:57]:
So the producers thought, well, what if we made deception real? What if we brought these products to life? How would we market this? And so a few years ago, they created the storyline of Home and Heart, which is the fictitional shopping network that I am the cohost with Morgan Fairchild. And as products are developed and approved and licensed, through Deception Beauty and other things, they are brought to Home and Heart. And, you know, Haven and Pearl actually pitch the products within the show, and then you can go to shop home and heart.com, and you can buy the products that you've actually seen develop on the show. And the reason why I feel like this is an experiment because the next level of this is that you're literally going to be able to shop the entire show that you're watching, which means that, you know, the products that are on the wall and the earrings that you see on any of the characters and the clothes that they wear and all of that, I believe, will now be a part of almost any show that you watch. I believe that any show that you watch, if this works, is going to have some sort of website connected so that you can buy everything from, like I said, the things that are on the wall to the things that the people wear to the products they they use, the cosmetics, and everything.

Chris Stone [00:11:16]:
That is brilliant. That is like product placement on steroids. It's it's like you're it's actually, you know, complete integration to the storyline of of the show. It's, it's absolutely brilliant marketing, and it's gotta be exciting for you to be a part of that. Right? I mean, this is it feels like the first of its kind or or one of the first that at least that I've heard of.

Andy Paige [00:11:40]:
Yeah. It's definitely first of its kind. It is, you know, an opportunity for fans to both support the show and be a part of the show, you know, to carry a handbag that their favorite character is is is using and to also purchase these products that they've actually watched in development, you know, even though it was a part of the storyline for years. So, I see that this is a way to sustain a show again because if we don't wanna watch ads, then one of the ways that you can support and be part of your show is to, you know, ultimately be a consumer. And so I do think that this is going to, help legacy shows, you know, stay alive. But I also think that as new shows are developed, I think that this will be, you know, at the very genesis of the show and that they will give a lot of thought to every single thing that is a part of that show so that there will be a consumer element to almost anything that we watch.

Jim Fuhs [00:12:33]:
Yeah. Because I think you hit on a on a great point, and I know I I witness it on a daily basis, Chris May as well. But, like, my wife is like, she can't stand ads anymore. Like, even, like, sometimes I think, like, Amazon's even added ads in sometimes even though we're Prime and she'll be like, oh my gosh, an ad and it's like it's like it will live. It is you know, but if you can integrate it and make the you know, if you wanna call it the advertiser happy, why not? You know, because now we don't have that stop even in the action because you make it a part of the the show, which I think is is brilliant. And so, you know, Chris and I have been doing, you know, this Amazon stuff for for a few years. So how do you see, as an example, right now as being live on Amazon, how do you see what you've done? How can you help, you know, other live sellers, we'll call it, think about how do you incorporate this into your show as opposed to coming across, I guess, as maybe a true just like I'm just pitching stuff?

Andy Paige [00:13:37]:
Yeah. So it it it is, using it, you know, while you're you're you're speaking. It's, you know, making it a part of the background. It's incorporating it in natural ways

Chris Stone [00:13:47]:
Mhmm.

Andy Paige [00:13:48]:
So that it comes off as organic and it doesn't seem so pitchy. You know, one of the biggest lessons that I've learned on QVC is, you know, you have to look at that camera as your best friend. And tell me the conversation that you would have with your best friend. How would you like to share that with your best friend maybe in the backyard or over the fence, you know, with your neighbor? So, you know, anything organic and natural and approaching it, that, you know, it's not sales as much as sharing, That's actually the approach that all of the networks are using, and it's certainly how I was trained on QVC. So, you know, starting out with this, it's it's definitely a sharing mentality and not a sales mentality.

Chris Stone [00:14:31]:
I love that. I I think that is that's so important, because it's about trust. Right? And and if you're if you're showing up and you don't and and you're talking about a product that you don't really believe in, it's gonna come across. Right? It it it's you're not gonna you know, especially in a live situation like this. Right? If I start talking about a particular, you know, thing that goes on to my on my microphone, and I really don't like the color blue, you're gonna probably be able to tell even though, you know, I love the color blue. But you're probably gonna be able to tell that, you know, that you just don't you're not into it. Right? So if you're on camera, right, how do you how do you get up for being on camera? Like, is there like, I I love the mentality of talking to your best friend. Right? I I think that's that's a that's I'm gonna use that one.

Chris Stone [00:15:22]:
I'm putting that in my back pocket because I'm gonna I'm gonna start using that for for what I'm doing. But when you go and you're you're going on television, you got Morgan Fairchild in the house, you've got cameras, you got lights, you had the you got all glammed up, like the pressure's on, like, how do you get up for that? Is it is it, are there any sort of, like, tricks that you've used over the years to get to where you've gotten at this point?

Andy Paige [00:15:47]:
Absolutely. The more prepared that you are, the more at ease you become. So, for me, you should also know that there is nothing that I ever sell that I don't love. And I actually I love it. Whether it's on you see yeah. Whether it's on QVC or otherwise, I have full authority to be like, no. This is not for me or I think that maybe someone else will be a better ambassador for this. I don't I'm not crazy for it.

Andy Paige [00:16:10]:
So I am given that authority to, you know, really take on everything with gusto and to have a passion for it. So both having a passion for it, I think, is really important and then knowing every possible thing about it and educating yourself so that you can speak on it with, you know, experience and expertise, I think, is also, you know, a great way to put you at ease. But I will tell you that when it comes to being on General Hospital, you know, I can't risk. I can't, you know, make it up because there are right there are Emmy winning writers who want you to say every word correctly. You know, I was just there on Wednesday, and I had to do, like, an extra take because I kept forgetting the word new. And I was supposed to say, the new deception color and not just deception color, and I flubbed it twice, which is a big no no. So, yeah, that is very different on that set because I'm having to hearken back to that one acting class that I had in college. You've got to deliver those lines in a very different way.

Andy Paige [00:17:14]:
So when I'm on set with miss Fairchild, it is, you know, acting in a way because I've got to say the words that those Emmy winning writers have created for me to say. But when I'm on QVC or I'm doing something like this, I'm very much going off my own expertise and, you know, what I have found that I love and how I feel like this product is gonna make your life better and solve something in some way, which is really what business is about. Every business is about some sort of solution.

Jim Fuhs [00:17:40]:
Well and, Andy, I I think it's so important what you said because Chris and I have talked about this before. Like, when we work with brands, we work with things that we that we like. Right? We're not gonna just take anything, and I think so many people that are maybe getting into the live selling space or if you wanna even talk about other people that are influencers, you know, it's like don't pedal stuff because you think you're gonna make a buck because it's that trust thing, like you said. You're right? You're building trust, but I also love how you talk about by, you know, sharing as opposed to not selling. It makes me feel a little bit more comfortable. Like, you know, hey. I just gotta talk to my friend about how they would understand it and not get too technical, if that makes sense.

Andy Paige [00:18:24]:
Yes. That's that's exactly right. And that will that will come across, I can assure you. It is extremely important to just recognize, the people that you're talking to, they they want to hear what you have to say. Like, they it's not that they want to be sold, but they are obviously tuning in. They are watching because they're eager for knowledge. And so it is your job to describe that in a way that is meaningful to them. And I know that when I'm on QVC or I'm on General Hospital, I recognize the audience.

Andy Paige [00:18:55]:
Right? So I am coming at it from, the point of view of knowing that, you know, this is probably someone that's over 40. They're probably a female. They probably have kids. So also understanding my demographic helps me really, manage, the information that I want to say in the order that I want to say it because that helps me shape, the all of the information that I'm giving. So demographic is also an important part of that.

Chris Stone [00:19:23]:
100%. I you know, like, anytime it doesn't matter what business you're in. Right? You're you're you need to have that that avatar, people call it, like, your your ideal client, your ideal customer. What problems do they have? Right? And you just you just you know exactly who you're talking to. Right? You know exactly and so if you know who you're talking to, you know what problems they have. And if you have the medicine for their solution, whether it's looking 10 years younger or whether it's, you know, whatever it is, you can say, hey, I really believe in this. This actually works. This will help you.

Chris Stone [00:19:58]:
And then you could feel good about it. You don't feel like some slimy salesperson. Right?

Andy Paige [00:20:03]:
Yeah. Yeah. I'm fortunate. I I kinda never feel like a slimy salesperson.

Jim Fuhs [00:20:07]:
So yeah. No. I I

Andy Paige [00:20:08]:
I think that that's a road to nowhere. So you definitely wanna feel good about what you're doing for sure. I mean, you know, when it comes to, the Girlie Go Gartner, which is a product that I actually developed, out of a need, for television. So the Girl and Go Gardner was actually developed on set. So I come from, a a a reality television background where, you know, I would wear a microphone, you know, put on my bra for 16 to 18 hours a day. And I kept asking for something that would work on my leg for my transmitter because that transmitter was so hot, I was starting to get water blisters on my back. And everything that they gave me to work on my leg didn't work. And so I'm set out to create something that would hold my transmitter, and that I could move easily.

Andy Paige [00:20:53]:
I didn't have to lift up my skirt to put it on, you know, my bra. And what happened is is through the process of trying to create something for television, you know, I'm fortunate enough to have really great attorneys who are like, have you ever thought about the medical implications or who what other, you know, demographic could use this? So now we are a number one product for people who are insulin dependent, who, you know, need a place to wear their insulin pump. We are used for concealed carry, of course. We're also used for girls heading to prom, brides heading down the aisle, if you're heading to a concert. Anytime you don't want to lug a purse and you have on a dress, the Girl e Go Garter offers an opportunity for you to have packet pockets that wrap around your leg and for you to carry something with ease and convenience. So, I believe in my product because I worked on it for so long, but I also understand, how hard it is to bring a product to market. I mean, that is you know, you start with that idea, and then what do you do with it? So I I understand the process completely as well.

Chris Stone [00:21:55]:
See, now this now now you've got my wheels turning. So, like, you are I could tell you believe in this. Like like, this is this is why I love live video, Andy, is that, like, when you started talking about that product, like, you already were ready for but, like, you you you you turned it up a few notches. I could tell that passion it came through and it was awesome. So talk to us about that process in in like you had the idea, right? You were like, this is happening. Like how what were the steps that you had to take? And maybe how did you power through some of the difficulties in creating the product?

Andy Paige [00:22:30]:
Okay. Well, I'm I'm I'm going to give you a warning. We're about to go deep. So so, I was 5 days away from, leaving to go start filming the next season of a television show that I was working on. And, my then boyfriend and I, went to a a beach club and I engaged in jumping off a cliff and I missed the water and I cut off my right foot.

Chris Stone [00:22:56]:
What?

Andy Paige [00:22:57]:
Yeah. So, I grabbed it and, I was pretty mad at the universe. I was mad at God because I have always been a good girl. I've walked in faith. I am a God girl. And I I couldn't believe that I had done this. And so I literally had a fight with God in the hospital. You know, I was on morphine or whatever, but I, everyone said I was screaming.

Andy Paige [00:23:23]:
I was screaming so much that, like, they called the police. Okay? I was screaming at God. And I got really quiet and exhausted, and I felt like God basically telling me that he had given me this great idea, and I had this idea. I knew that this product was, something I needed to do. And, I hadn't really done anything with it because I was busy. I was busy. But within my hospital bed, I knew that I didn't know if I was ever gonna walk again. I didn't know if I was ever gonna do television again.

Andy Paige [00:23:54]:
And I immediately recognized that I needed to pivot and that this is the next phase of my life. So from my hospital bed, I started rejecting all meds because I wanted a clear mind and I feverishly while there's, like, this mechanism literally holding my foot onto my body, I started feverishly researching how I could bring the Girlie Go Gardner to life. The first thing that I did was, I realized I needed to apply for a provisional patent. So from the hospital bed, I applied for a provisional patent, which was like $120, and that gave me a placeholder. So I knew I had a year to bring this to life and bring it to market. And I started researching, you know, gripper grippers and silicone and all kinds of ways that I could get this to adhere, Sewers, I literally was just feverishly trying to figure out how I could bring this to market. And I ended up literally going to Asia on crutches and, you know, spending 2 weeks there and working every lead I possibly had. I raised some money by, you know, writing my own, business plan.

Andy Paige [00:25:06]:
And, within 2 years of my accident, I had it patented, and I brought it to life. And, before COVID, we were in about a little over 6,000 stores worldwide. After COVID, it's it's definitely been, a difficult ride. But the product that I created, I know, has helped, you know, women walk down the aisle with more ease, has helped protect those people, has helped, you know, women on set, both in movies. We do huge studio services. But I was determined that, I felt that this idea was given to me, and I was going to give it life. It was not easy. It never it's still hard.

Andy Paige [00:25:49]:
Mhmm. But I was determined to give it life, and I am so rewarded by, the ways that I have been able to have this product be of service of people.

Chris Stone [00:25:58]:
Wow. Thank you for going deep. Thank you for going deep. That that is that I I will say we we do a fair bit of research, for our guests here, Andy, and you probably have seen that from us, you know, talking about things and but that we did not know. That's an incredible story for someone who lost their foot in an accident. And obviously, you went through a period of time where, you know, angry at God and, you know, so it wasn't just like, forget it. You know, I'm gonna I'm gonna snap into it and do it. It it took it took some transition time.

Chris Stone [00:26:32]:
But in the midst of being in that hospital bed and actually going, I'm going to do when you were when you were there, were you thinking I'm I might never act again. I might never do some of these things that I'm not gonna do, so this is what I'm going to to to jump off onto? Was that the was that the plan?

Andy Paige [00:26:50]:
Yes. I was being told

Jim Fuhs [00:26:52]:
that they didn't think that I would, you know, walk, properly, and and

Andy Paige [00:26:54]:
I I didn't. I walked with a limp for a long time. I now have had another round of surgeries, and I walk people had no idea, you know, what I went through 15 years ago. But, yes, I didn't know what my life was going to look like, and I thought, okay. I can do this from a seated position. I can do this from my bed, I thought. And so I thought, you know, if I can develop a product and be surrounded with a fabulous team, then I do think that I can do this, you know, seated. And so that was my goal, and I felt like this was given to me.

Andy Paige [00:27:27]:
I took ownership of it. I felt like it was blessed, and I wanted nothing more than to, like I said, bring it to lives.

Chris Stone [00:27:34]:
Jim, they have hot pink, just so you know. So, you know, it it goes with your

Jim Fuhs [00:27:40]:
batch. You know, it's it's not so much that, but so a true story as as Chris knows, my wife and I are are Braves fans, and we go to a lot of Braves games and other sporting events, and this is always an issue. It's that whole thing of you gotta have the purse. It's gotta be clear. It can only be so big. So you may have just solved a problem for my wife, and we may end up buying or or she'll get a let me make sure I got it straight. She may get a girly goat garter as a as a gift. And so that that's a great idea.

Jim Fuhs [00:28:17]:
Now are you doing anything for men? Because I could see where that could be an opportunity as well.

Andy Paige [00:28:24]:
Yeah. So, men have lots of pockets. It has I I definitely see your point, but this is all about easy, you know, access. So Right. This is hands free purse that you wear, you know, particularly when you're wearing skirts usually. And so men have the benefit of lots of pockets, which is, you know, terrific. So I have talked about, you know, developing one for men, but, you say you have to think, okay. How would you access it? And, is it, you know, is is the demand high enough? So women have a tendency not to wear things with big pockets because if we load our pockets, it tends to make us look a a little larger.

Andy Paige [00:29:04]:
It looks it it will ruin the lines of our outfit, you know? Yep. So a tendency not to want to pack our pockets. And that that's not everyone, but it it it is a tendency. So, this is a solution that, you know, maintains the line of your garment. It offers some concealment. It's definitely secure. The gripper works with the heat of your body. So, it will hold up to £3.

Andy Paige [00:29:28]:
And it's not that I want to leave the men out. I'm just saying that, you know, when it comes to wardrobe, you have the benefit of a few more stuff holders than we do.

Chris Stone [00:29:39]:
That's true. That's fair fair point. Fair point.

Jim Fuhs [00:29:42]:
But I definitely could see the the advantage for well, not even just, you know, women going out and about, but I could even see in some cases where, you know, moms with their kids that might make their life a little easier too to have that.

Andy Paige [00:29:55]:
Definitely. And to be fair, you know, my dad, before he passed, would always send me photos. He would carry, he would wear a girly go garter, especially when he was traveling, and he would keep extra money in his passport in his girly go.

Chris Stone [00:30:09]:
So There you go.

Andy Paige [00:30:10]:
And Anne Anne, I also have, great media shots of a lot of, bag pipers wearing them under kilts too. But they yeah. But they, were wearing, you know, our traditional, you know, either nude or black or something like that or red depending. But, so there have been scenarios where men have enjoyed wearing the Girlie Go Garter for one reason or the other.

Chris Stone [00:30:32]:
Jim wants one in Alabama Crimson or, or or Washington Commander Burgundy and Gold. So,

Jim Fuhs [00:30:40]:
you know, maybe

Chris Stone [00:30:41]:
do a deal with NFL or NC double a, and then you've got Jim will be a customer for life. I mean, what better, you know You are

Andy Paige [00:30:47]:
up my alley. You know as an Alabama girl, I can say roll tight, and I made an Alabama rich. It's not quite Crimson. You know, when you are when you're trying to develop and, you know, create something that will satisfy the needs of a large market, You lay out the Alabama Crimson. You you lay out, you know, so many reds, the Ohio red, like, everything that you could possibly imagine, and you find a color that you think can satisfy so many markets. I definitely did that with orange too. You know, when I was creating the orange, when I was like, okay. Is this, like, an auburn orange? Is this a clamshell orange?

Chris Stone [00:31:19]:
Is this a Yeah.

Andy Paige [00:31:20]:
Right? Like, I tried to find the orange that would work with so many markets. So, it's not a perfect Alabama red, but it is definitely a red. And, it works great on every leg that heads to Alabama. I mean

Jim Fuhs [00:31:34]:
There you go.

Chris Stone [00:31:34]:
Amazing. That's amazing. So we also see that you have a book. So I I told you, ladies and gentlemen, this is not just a a one trick pony that we have here on the show. This is a multifaceted entrepreneur, influencer, advocate, whatever you wanna call this. And so you're also an author, Andy. And so Style on a Shoestring is the book. And if you're over on Amazon, it's in the carousel.

Chris Stone [00:31:58]:
Check it out. And it's, you know, I talk to us about this book. I know it was a a few years ago that it it came out. Can you give us a summary on on, on the book and why people might wanna check this out?

Andy Paige [00:32:11]:
Of course. It was an absolute labor of love, you know. So I am a little unique in that. I was raised by my grandparents for the most part, and my grandmother had a real skill of, you know, I could pull something out of a Vogue magazine and say, mama, I would like to, you know, have this dress and she could make it happen for me. And she really instilled in me that, you know, how you present yourself, ultimately dictates how people are going to treat you. So no matter your means, how you show up is is really what matters. So, I am a high school dropout. I dropped out of high school in Alabama and went to New York at 17 and, you know, started, my career in modeling.

Andy Paige [00:32:51]:
I'm fortunate I got my GED. I now have a double master's in media studies and broadcast journalism, but I am a high school dropout. And I entered the world of of modeling with the knowledge that I really needed to show up in this big glamorous world in a way that didn't reflect, you know, kind of my barefoot background. So I honed the skills that my grandmother taught me and I learned to, you know, mix high and low and thrift things and hold on to things and recognize the value and and the perceived value of some things. And so when I started when I became a beauty and style expert in, in television, I really started to, kind of teach those skills. And, style on a shoestring is my experience of 20 years in the television industry doing 100 of makeovers on television, whether it was starting over or how do I look or 10 years younger or my show sense of style. So, it's all it's the it's the combination of all of those skills, how to start from the beginning, clean out your closet, start with foundation garments, and build a wardrobe that is going to fortify you, that makes you feel encouraged, makes you feel beautiful and confident that can help you ultimately actualize your dreams by really being proud and feeling strong about your image, which is no small thing. Your wardrobe should really be, you know, fortifying you.

Andy Paige [00:34:17]:
And if you are opening your closet every day and looking at all your failures, those clothes that you can't fit into anymore, money that you've wasted in the person that you used to be, then that is an emotional hurdle you have got to eliminate so that you can start every day feeling your best and with the confidence to help you really start to achieve your goals and live a bigger life.

Chris Stone [00:34:38]:
I love that. I love you know, in in the whole time you're talking, obviously, you're talking about fashion, which I'm like I'm a I'm black t shirt all the way. Right? But the whole time you're talking, I can't help but look at the analogy of, you know, we Andy, we work every day with people who think they have to buy a really expensive microphone or a really expensive gear to do a show. And the the fact of the matter is they just need to work on what they're gonna say and how they're gonna say it and who they're gonna serve. Right? And Gotcha. These things that you're talking about when you open up your closet, right, and and you look at certain things and you think I don't fit into this anymore. This doesn't make me feel this way, this doesn't make you people do the same thing when they go and they wanna they wanna turn on the camera and all this mind junk and the stuff gets in the way of them doing their best. Right? And and so I I can't help but feel that that's that's somewhat of an analogy.

Chris Stone [00:35:34]:
And I think we get in our own way sometime, you know, feeling our best. And if we don't feel our best, we don't do our best. Right? I mean, is there is that isn't that analogy work? Or am I am I off base?

Andy Paige [00:35:46]:
No. I don't think you're off base at all. It's it's really about I mean, don't get me wrong. Great tools can make a difference. I mean, I firmly believe that, and good foundation garments, and there's there's lots of things that is applicable to this analogy, but it is really true. If you've got, you know, the core, then that's what's most important. You do not have to spend a fortune on anything if you've got the right message. So, I I do believe that, you know, sometimes perceived value when it comes to, you know, your wardrobe, perceived value is just as important as, you know, spending a lot of money.

Andy Paige [00:36:23]:
And you can have perceived value through color and fit, and color costs nothing. You know, a richer color can make something look richer. You know, the way something fits can make it look like it's bespoke when, you know, it was just something that you spent $20 on tailoring. So, the details do not have to be expensive. It's odd it's obviously and honestly the perception.

Chris Stone [00:36:49]:
Wow. Yeah. That's, you know, those are So so are we gonna do a fashion makeover right now, Andy? Let's look here at Jim. I mean, come on. No.

Andy Paige [00:36:59]:
I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

Chris Stone [00:37:03]:
You didn't think we were gonna do that. No. So let me ask you this because let's let's shift a little bit back into your your what you're doing now for General Hospital. Right? Because I know this is a this is a big focus of what you're doing. We definitely, you know, we could we could talk about, you know, podcasting and entrepreneurship all day long, but we wanna we wanna, be respectful to to the folks at General Hospital. And this is this is a this is a big deal and a really innovative idea. So for those of you who are joining now, and I see Richard's in the chat, there's a bunch of people here, You want to go back and replay this because this is a really innovative idea that's happening right now on General Hospital and launching something that's integrated within the show and it's it's very cool. And so what I I guess what I wanted to maybe find out from you is like is there anything that happened for you on television that didn't go as planned? You mentioned something about a line.

Chris Stone [00:38:00]:
But was it was there any kind of like funny thing that happened on I I'm always curious about what goes on on TV sets that we don't we don't get to see and and how that might apply to to someone in business and just kind of like, you know, you never see the final cut, but you've gotta have some stories that happened on the set.

Andy Paige [00:38:18]:
Of course. Absolutely. Let me just tell you that soap operas are baptism by fire, because they create 250 hours of television a year. They film in 2 blocks from 5 AM to noon and then from 1 a or 1 PM to 8 PM, 4 days a week. My very first day on set, I was in scene 4749 of 56 for the day.

Chris Stone [00:38:51]:
Oh.

Andy Paige [00:38:51]:
And for people who do not understand television, that is absurd. That is banana cakes. I mean, it is so crazy to think about it. So it is what they what they actually accomplished and how many people are working behind the scenes is unbelievable. The amount of, you know, words and pages that they go through. But as a result, you know, I talked about having to be, you know, the dreaded three takes. That's a big deal because what they give you, honestly, what they try and do is you get one recorded practice and one take. And you want to nail it both of those times.

Andy Paige [00:39:30]:
And if you don't, you I mean, it is not good to have to go to that 3rd take. So as a result, what you don't see behind those scenes are there are there's literally scripts everywhere. There are scripts under, pillows, and there are scripts, you know, words, taped on the floor, and there are words everywhere that even just a little off camera, there are cues to help you remember those lines. They are literally everywhere because there is so much dialogue that has to to to to be, you know, gotten through every day. It's it's kinda crazy. So that was very interesting to me. And, also, the way that the the the set is is done, it is it is seamless for everyone to basically move the cameras to the next scene in seconds. They can go from scene to scene to scene.

Andy Paige [00:40:19]:
So, you know, you might be filming something, but the next scene in in just the set like, a a couple of feet away is already being set up and everybody is there and everybody is practicing, ready to go to that next set. So it is nonstop. I mean, nonstop. So that's been a huge lesson and things that I don't think people realize how many, you know, really artistic minds go into creating a show that obviously is an hour a day on network television. It is it's a huge undertaking. So, that was a a a really big insight for me. To think that there are 60 stains a day that shot. That's crazy.

Chris Stone [00:40:59]:
Wow. Well, and it's got it, you know, Jim, you know, this has got to get your marine mind going. Right? This is about process. And, like, the the like, how how can you develop a process where you're you're filming one scene and, you know, but setting up the next scene and rehearsing the next scene. And then the scene, you know, like, the the overlap and and what goes into the planning. And then, yeah. Oh, by the by the way, the next day is happening all over again. Right? Yeah.

Chris Stone [00:41:26]:
Yeah. The the the amount that goes into that and and we worry about, you know, like, LinkedIn going down for one stream, you know, like, that's nothing compared to to what to what you're talking about. So people are, you know, people that are live streaming, and they're putting post it notes up here, they're looking over here, and we're worried about their eye contact and things like that. It's it's a lot of times just don't worry about it, right? Sometimes you just have to let yourself go and not let the pressure get to you. Right? Because that's gonna that's gonna make things worse if

Jim Fuhs [00:41:57]:
you if you let the

Chris Stone [00:41:58]:
pressure get to you on the on on the set like that. Right?

Andy Paige [00:42:02]:
Well, it's very true. Again, I had the dreaded third take, which is, you know, moment for me to apologize to everybody, because sometimes, you do so there there's a big difference in knowing your lines and being able to, communicate effectively with everybody on camera. I mean, you know, did I know my lines? Absolutely. But, you know, in knowing my lines, I've also got to understand the right camera to hit and really be able to communicate effectively and realistically to Haven and, you know so there there is a difference. That's the other reason why I said one of the most important things is just being prepared. So you're right. You you wanna be as prepared as possible and then give yourself a little grace and a little license, no matter what you're doing, to make a mistake and to come back from it and know that, you know, it's it's gonna be gonna it's it it will eventually be okay. But, there have been lots of lessons throughout this entire process of being on General Hospital.

Chris Stone [00:42:58]:
Amazing. And so we wanna make sure that we, we highlight the site here, and, it is shophomeandheart.com. Deception is the brand, and the products are here. And if you missed it earlier, like I said, go back and replay this because this is this is a incredibly interesting concept that, you know, it's fully integrated into the show. And so when you see these products, it's not it's it's like product placement on steroids, where you're it it's fully integrated into the show and shop home and heart dotcom is, the spot for you to, to check out these products. Jim, I think it's time to go Christmas shopping. What do you say?

Jim Fuhs [00:43:45]:
I think so. I definitely got some, some gift ideas from, from this and, and and I guess, Andy, where is the I guess, you know, because just people don't maybe watch regular TV anymore. Where's the best place to watch General Hospital these days?

Andy Paige [00:44:00]:
Well, it is still on network television, so you can find it on ABC in your market, but Hulu also hosts the streaming. They're all can find it Hulu as well, and you can stream or binge. I think it's 16 days, so you can, catch up 16 days' worth.

Chris Stone [00:44:17]:
Oh, they limit to 16 days.

Andy Paige [00:44:19]:
I think so. Yeah. I think so. Interesting.

Chris Stone [00:44:22]:
But, I

Andy Paige [00:44:23]:
mean, that's 6 that's, that's 16 hours of of television, so that's a lot of stuff.

Chris Stone [00:44:28]:
Not enough, Andy. I need I need more General Hospital than 16. If I'm gonna catch up, it's I need more. No. Barry needs

Andy Paige [00:44:33]:
to music

Jim Fuhs [00:44:33]:
a couple of years.

Andy Paige [00:44:35]:
I was gonna say, if you haven't watched since Luke and Laura, you definitely need more than 16 hours. There's no doubt about it.

Chris Stone [00:44:40]:
Yeah. You're right. This has been absolutely awesome. And, Andy, is there anything else that we're forgetting? I wanna make sure everybody knows, that it's shophomeandheart.com, but there's a ton you're you're connected on Instagram. We've pulled up the Instagram and Facebook, LinkedIn, where you where you can connect with Annie. We've got a a pin a fantastic Pinterest page. Of course, you have a Pinterest page. Yeah.

Chris Stone [00:45:05]:
And, of course, all the stuff on Amazon, including the book, style on a shoestring, and, of course, the girly Go Garter, products, which are amazing. Jim's already got them in his shopping cart here on Amazon. Is there anything else that, that we didn't mention that that, we need to cover off today?

Andy Paige [00:45:24]:
Well, you're very sweet to ask. You know, you know, shophomeandheart.com, andypage.com, you know, girlygogarter.com is, of course, how you could meet me. But, I do want your listeners to know that I'm actively working on a new podcast called The Dating Lab with the Hillbilly Yenta, which is me. And, my husband called me I'm sorry. The

Chris Stone [00:45:44]:
did you say the hillbilly enta? Is that what it is?

Andy Paige [00:45:48]:
Yenta. Hillbilly Yenta?

Chris Stone [00:45:51]:
Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry to interrupt, but that was okay. I'm now I'm your your antennas are intrigued. Intrigued for sure.

Andy Paige [00:45:59]:
So the I my husband calls me the hillbilly yenta because I am from Alabama, and I am crazy curious about modern dating and love, because I just think that modern dating has gone, boo boo banana like, poo poo banana cakes, and we have got to figure out what's going on. So I've been doing this deep dive and following my curiosities. I have I definitely filmed and recorded a couple of podcasts, but I'm not quite ready. I don't feel like I've got my top 3 to launch yet, but it's coming. And, so I will just encourage people to be on the lookout for that too because I think that modern dating is definitely something that a lot of people are struggling with, and I truly believe that, you know, love is meant for all of us, that every mop has got a handle. And, I'm gonna figure out what solutions I can offer to help people kind of actualize their life, through the love spectrum.

Chris Stone [00:46:50]:
Every mop has a handle. This is like I've gotten so many isms out of it. The the cuckoo banana cakes. Every mop has a handle. What's the name of the podcast again, Andy?

Andy Paige [00:47:01]:
It's called the dating lab with the hillbillyenta.

Chris Stone [00:47:04]:
The dating lab with the hillbillyenta. I mean, like, well, I gotta go back. I gotta I gotta bookmark all of these isms because I'm gonna start using this stuff. Of course, I will I will copyright, you know, Andy Page on all this other stuff. I can't claim I can't claim this stuff. Cuckoo banana is it cuckoo banana cakes?

Andy Paige [00:47:22]:
I do. I say cuckoo banana cakes and I also say poo poo banana cakes. It really depends. Jesus.

Chris Stone [00:47:30]:
So if something's crazy, it's cuckoo banana cakes. If something's not good but crazy, it's poo poo banana cakes.

Andy Paige [00:47:36]:
Got it. Exactly. You got it.

Jim Fuhs [00:47:37]:
Poo poo.

Chris Stone [00:47:38]:
Let's keep those straight. Awesome.

Jim Fuhs [00:47:41]:
Awesome.

Chris Stone [00:47:42]:
You are cuckoo banana banana cakes. And, thank you Hillbill Yenta, Andy Page. This has been, this has been amazing. And, those of you just who are just now joining us, make sure you go back and and listen to this. It is, shop home and heart.com. Connect with Andy on all of the places. Make sure you're following what she's doing, not just as Pearl and General Hospital, but as her at the hillbill yenta in all things dating and her new podcast as well. Andy, thank you so much for being on the show.

Andy Paige [00:48:16]:
It's been so fun. You guys are awesome. I'm so very grateful for your time and everything that you've done to make my day great. So thank you very much.

Chris Stone [00:48:24]:
Oh, thank you as well. Alright, everyone. As always, don't fear the gear.

Jim Fuhs [00:48:30]:
Thanks for listening to Dealcasters. Congratulations. You've taken another step forward in your content creation journey. Please don't forget to hit the subscribe or follow button here in your favorite podcast player so you can be reminded every time we drop an episode. We love hearing from our listeners and viewers.

Chris Stone [00:48:49]:
And if you're wanting to watch our shows live on Amazon, feel free to follow Dealcasters Live as well at deal casters.live. Follow us on Twitter or

Jim Fuhs [00:49:13]:
email us at dealcasters@dealcasters.live. Thanks again for listening, and you know the deal. Don't fear the deal.