Latest / The Bigger Stage w/ Matt Stone / Kate Joynt: The Founder Who Bet Everything on a Plug You Didn't Know You Needed
Transcript
- The Bigger Stage - Kate Joynt === [00:00:00] Kate Joynt: Wouldn't it be cool if you just could plug something in the original outlet and pull it up and, and be able to access power right here above the couch? That would be a really good idea. There's a ton of demand for the product, um, and it, we're really building momentum right now. This is the first time we've had something that's really like universally applicable. [00:00:16] All of my chips are on it. Matt Stone --- [00:00:25] Kate Joynt: Who hasn't dreamed of inventing a blockbuster product? You know, something tangible, useful, practical. You've seen a problem and you thought, gosh, shouldn't someone have invented a solution for that? Maybe it's me. But then you go about your life and you never get to it. [00:00:39] Well, you're about to meet someone who's done a lot more than dream about it. Kate Joint is the founder and CE. Of EZ Outlet, a company built around a simple but powerful idea, electrical solutions that actually make everyday life easier. She's a patent holder, an ETL certified entrepreneur, and she came to this [00:01:00] work through a background that includes a decade in real estate, enterprise technology sales. [00:01:04] And the kind of hard won cross industry experience that sharpens your instincts and definitely thickens your skin along the way. The road from concept to marketplace has been anything but a straight line for Kate, but persistence has its rewards. EZ Outlet was recently featured on NBC's Today Show, and Kate has inked a distribution deal with Home Depot putting her product in front of millions of everyday consumers. [00:01:30] I bet you're curious what this product is, right? Well, you're gonna hear about that too. But listen, none of this came easily and that's exactly what makes Kate and her story very much worth hearing. Kate Joynt, welcome to the bigger stage. [00:01:45] How are you doing today? [00:01:47] Matt Stone: I'm Great It's a Friday and I get to talk to an amazing human being and entrepreneur. [00:01:52] So. I, I really appreciate you, uh, spending a little bit of time. I know you've got a lot on your plate. So listen, I've [00:02:00] teased our viewers with, you know, some electrical product, and they're thinking, what the hell is this? And so why don't we just start with what is the product that we're all talking about here? [00:02:11] Kate Joynt: Great question. So we have, um, EZ Outlet is an electrical outlet extender, so it helps people access hard to reach outlets maybe behind a heavy. Piece of furniture, like a, a couch, a nightstand, or, um, or a desk. So, uh, this way you can charge your devices without having to crawl under the desk to access that power strip or, um, you know, reach behind the nightstand, pull that couch out. [00:02:36] So you just plug EZ Outlet into the original wall outlet behind the couch, say, and you extend it up 22 to 34 inches and it gives you a new electrical outlet. Head a box, um, to plug into kind of like a head, uh, on top of the, the ridge of the couch, right? So you can access power more easily. It's got a USB, A-U-S-B-C, uh, you don't have to go, um, diving [00:03:00] for, uh, power. [00:03:02] Matt Stone: I watched the commercial that you guys have with the woman who's, um, you know, her phone dies and then, and I, I, it was so relatable, uh, because I literally have the same problem with our sofa. You know, you move into a, a, like, we're in a condo. We didn't commission this condominium to be built. We didn't have a contractor and say, move the outlets here and there and everywhere. [00:03:22] And I mean, I'm watching it. I was just laughing. I was like, this is like the most relatable ad ever. 'cause who hasn't been pulling the sofa away from the wall? First of all, where is the outlet? Secondly, oh man, now I gotta like stick this plot down there. So I want to hear. Take us back. 'cause what's gonna happen is you're gonna become a household name. [00:03:43] Everyone's gonna want this device guaranteed. I already want more than one. Um, but, and then they're gonna be like, Kate, joint Overnight Success, EZ Outlet, overnight success. And has it been an overnight success, Kate? [00:03:55] Kate Joynt: at all. I would say anything, but it's definitely been, uh, it's been a, a long [00:04:00] journey, but, you know, we're really a, a very classic story of perseverance and just not giving up and, and really starting to make it. So we've had, um, it took us a number of years to get to market in a, a, a meaningful way. [00:04:13] Um, but now we're here, there's a ton of demand for the product, um, and it, we're really building momentum right now, so it's pretty cool. [00:04:20] Matt Stone: All right, well let's, let's go back in the way back machine because really, when did this idea even come to you originally? [00:04:30] Kate Joynt: I'd say maybe five years ago, and to be completely fair, it's myself and my, my co-founder that run the co uh, the company and he's more of the, the creative guy, right? So I was standing, I had the, the good fortune to be standing next to him when he kind of. Like came up with the idea and say, said, Hey, like, wouldn't it be cool if you just could plug something in the original outlet and pull it up and, and be able to access power right here above the couch? [00:04:54] And I, I turned to him and I was like, that would be a phenomenal idea. That would be a really good [00:05:00] idea. So he kind of birthed the idea. And, you know, just a, a little tidbit. I've always loved inventions, like since I was like a, a little kid and I don't know, you're. Probably somewhere around, around my generation or my age, but there used to be this show on Nickelodeon called Dr. [00:05:16] Fad, it was a kids' invention show, and all these kids would go on and, um, and showcase their inventions. And I was obsessed with it. I got to be in the audience, uh, one time and they came, they come around and I got to show my own little invention. And so I've always had a pension for inventions and an interest in, in cool products. [00:05:36] So, um, it, it [00:05:38] Matt Stone: What, what, [00:05:38] Kate Joynt: fun to to [00:05:39] Matt Stone: what was your little invention on Nickelodeon? [00:05:43] Kate Joynt: Great question. I'm not sure it was actually, you know, looking back, you know, I think my, my 10-year-old self thought it was amazing. But it was a, um, a horseshoe with a little waterproof patch because I rode horses and I took horseback riding lessons. [00:05:56] And we would have to clean horses hooves out to make sure that [00:06:00] they, um, they didn't get what's called thrush. And thrush can, um, can build in a, uh, an environment with a lot of moisture. So I built a waterproof pad attached to a horseshoe thinking that maybe that could, you know, keep them from getting thrush. [00:06:15] But, and I thought it was brilliant at the time. So that was my little invention that I got to talk about as the credits were rolling on Dr. Fad. [00:06:22] Matt Stone: Dr. Fan. Oh, my. I do vaguely remember that. I mean, the thing I remember about Nickelodeon was green slime mostly. You know that that was, it's so funny. A whole network dedicated to kids, right? And And what you remember. The one thing most people remember is green slime. I would, I would think, 'cause it was I iconic. That was the hallmark. Yeah, It became their iconic kind of symbol. But you're right, they had a bunch of other, shows. What, okay, sorry, I gotta pull on this thread a little bit more. There's two of 'em. I wanna get to your co-founder as well, because I didn't mean to give him short shrift either. I mean, and I knew he existed, so I [00:07:00] want to, we want to get on, honor his role in this too, uh, and then get into your story. [00:07:04] But, um. Do you like just the obsession with sort of like, that's a problem and we could fix it. I mean, I think that's a certain mindset that some people have. I, I've, I've thought of a million different things. Most of 'em are probably garbage, but just that, how do, were you always kind of like, Hey, we could fix that. [00:07:22] We could, we could make that easier. Was that just part of your personality? [00:07:25] Kate Joynt: I've had other ideas along the way, but nothing that had, like, I, I think the difference with EZ Outlet is, um, it has mass market appeal. So if you, if you [00:07:32] Matt Stone: Yeah. [00:07:33] Kate Joynt: the size of the market relative to something that really makes sense to, to manufacture and bring to market. I've had other ideas, but they were just so niche that it, it kind of like. [00:07:41] You know, it, there wasn't a huge market for, it was a really great idea for a very small segment. So this is the first time we've had something that's really like universally applicable. [00:07:52] Matt Stone: But I do think there's something about pointing your brain in the direction of finding solutions to little problems Like that, that have big potential that. [00:08:00] I, you know, a mentor of mine said, you know, your brain focuses on whatever you pointed at, and it's almost like when you were a girl pointing your brain at, Hey, we could solve this problem. [00:08:10] It probably has. I'm guessing that kind of cu, cumulatively led to that moment with your co-founder. [00:08:16] Kate Joynt: ear was pro when he said that my ear was primed for, there we go. Like, that's it. That's the one we can, we can carry this far. Yeah. [00:08:25] Matt Stone: Right. [00:08:26] Kate Joynt: with you. Mm-hmm. [00:08:27] Matt Stone: So I, I just, I think for anyone who's listening to this, like, don't downplay your seemingly silly or frivolous things, if you're pointing your mind in the direction of something that's really true to yourself and that ha can have value, even if it's silly and it it doesn't have mass market appeal, um, it can lead to that. [00:08:43] 'cause you're, you're, you're tending to your garden. So tell me about your co-founder. Uh, what, what's, who is he and what's His role in all this? [00:08:51] Kate Joynt: name is Tony Zen. Uh, he lives in, in Connecticut. So we have a polar opposite, different backgrounds, which is great. It's really what you're looking for. You know, he's much more of a, a [00:09:00] creative type. You know, I have more of like a, a business and sales type, uh, background. Um, you know, I've worked in corporations, stuff like that. [00:09:08] Uh, his family runs a, uh, you know, building and contracting, uh, a business. So he, he's, he's done a lot of, um, project management and stuff like that. So he understands, you know, he understands. Electrical mechanics a little bit more than, than I would naturally. He has more of a creative mind for, you know, the outcome of a project, project management type thing. [00:09:28] So, um, we're just complete polar opposites like that. Um, and so that's kind of how we've been able to, to work together and bring two different things to the, the table. [00:09:37] Matt Stone: What do you think has been the biggest factor in you two being able to work together through all of these difficulties? What's the dynamic that makes it work? [00:09:49] Kate Joynt: I, I think probably just that is, you know, we both have our respective lanes that we're good at and like, you know, I kind of run with the, the business side of things and you know, the numbers [00:10:00] and making sure everything works mathematically. he, you know, he really drives the creative like he's. I come out with a couple new, um, new products and I don't have to have to mess with that. [00:10:09] Like I don't have to waste bandwidth on, on that when I'm, I'm really making, driving the numbers and the sales and, and all of that kind of stuff. So it's, I think it's that segmentation that, that the dichotomy of having those two different talent talents, it's been really helpful. [00:10:23] Matt Stone: So you've got your clear lanes and you're, and you're really comfortable in those lanes and you're not trying to, you know, cross over into the other one, is what I'm hearing you say. Okay. [00:10:33] Kate Joynt: Yeah. Mm-hmm. [00:10:35] Matt Stone: Now when you've had disagreements. I used to be in leadership development a different way, and so I worked with leaders who are leadership teams that had big disagreements and sometimes It was very deadly. [00:10:45] Like not literally, but you know, toxic. But how, do you navigate disagreeing on You must have some disagreements over time to time. [00:10:54] Kate Joynt: how big it is or what the topic is. Um, we, we have some, um, consultants and advisors that [00:11:00] we work with, and so when we get to a place that's like a, you know, just a impasse and we really both think we're, we're right, we generally will just flip over and consult our advisors who have done, been and consumer products for, uh, a significantly long time. [00:11:14] And, and then. You know, kind of what they, they, they kind of us their opinion and then we consider that maybe usually helps us move, move forward from that. [00:11:23] Matt Stone: So outsiders and other consultants and people are really key to keeping you straight on your path. Yeah, [00:11:30] Kate Joynt: mean, if it's, it's something that, you know, you know, we both have our, our own solid opinions on, and you know, sometimes you get to that point where you're at an impasse. You just, you think you're right. They think they're right. You know, you just look for, um, you know, we look for a different opinion from someone who has more experience than we do. [00:11:48] Matt Stone: Okay. Now your background. In addition to being a child star on Nickelodeon, a young inventor, a Thomas Edison, uh, uh, Theresa Edison, uh, uh, Kate Edison, uh, [00:12:00] uh, from very early age, but, um. Your background wasn't in consumer products or construction products or electrical. So, how, give us, but I find there's always a thread, right? [00:12:12] There's al, you always draw from your learning and whatever you're doing now. so. [00:12:16] tell us just a little bit about your background and how that's helping you today, I guess is what I'm learning. [00:12:21] Kate Joynt: So I, I don't have a consumer products background. Um, so that's been a, a, a lot of a learning curve. Uh, but I do, you know, a lot of my work, you know, as a sales person, you know, I've done both real estate sales and um. Actually a lot of different types of corporate sales, but you're kind of functioning independently. [00:12:39] You're really responsible for your own number and for the, the money that you're bringing in as a sales person. And so I have that kind of, I've always had that in entrepreneur mindset, right? Like, so that, that was not a hard change for me. I'd say, especially when I did real estate. You're really running your own mini business and so I, you know. [00:12:58] I know that I'm [00:13:00] responsible for feeding my face and you know, you eat what you kill and you gotta bring in the business if you wanna get paid. And you have to make sure all of the numbers work and um, you know, there's many different pieces you have to wear many different hats. There's, you know, and meetings and, you know, just lots of things to do to make sure that. [00:13:17] job stays on the rails. And so that was an easy transition in terms of running, actually running my own business. Um, the, the knowledge piece of consumer products was more of a, a steeper learning curve. And that's where kind of like, you know, our, the consultants that we've leaned on have come in. Um, you know, in hindsight I'd probably bring them in a little bit sooner. [00:13:35] Uh, you know, if I, I, I probably underestimated the degree of knowledge I, I. Would've liked to have upfront. You know, we just, we learned a lot along the way. Um, but also, I think I looked back and I think if I knew, know, how much I should have known before I started, maybe I wouldn't have started. Right. [00:13:55] So, [00:13:55] Matt Stone: I, you read my mind. I was like, there's some things in life that it's [00:14:00] better not to know how hard it's gonna be. 'cause you'll never do it. You know? I mean, how many adventurers have done things and you know. It's like it, they just wouldn't have happened. So, okay, so here you are. You're Tony, Right. It's Tony. [00:14:15] Tony, you and Tony. Now, where are you? I I, let's paint this picture. Where are you When Tony says, Hey, wouldn't it be great if we had this, you know, outlet, extender? [00:14:24] Kate Joynt: We were in, uh, in Connecticut at, at someone's house. He was a friend. He was a friend in, in my friend group. And, um, he just kinda looked over and just like made that comment. And I was like that. He's also had, so to be fair, he's had a couple of other ideas that he's worked on. He, he's, uh, maybe you could call him a serial inventor. [00:14:40] He's had some other things he is tried to, um, bring to market. And he, and he had the same experience where, you know, his previous ideas maybe didn't have a huge mass market appeal or didn't work for whatever reason, but that was a common thread of, you know, between us and our friendship was just that, you know, that ideas and inventions and stuff like that. [00:14:58] And so, [00:14:59] Matt Stone: [00:15:00] yeah, So you instantly were like, oh my God. Yes. Which I think anyone who's lived in this world would've at least had a positive reaction, but you had a little bit more than positive. What happened after that? How did you know? How did it. [00:15:13] get started as a going concern from that point? [00:15:15] Kate Joynt: I wouldn't it, you know, I'm, I'm not gonna lie and say that we immediately jumped on it and get, you know, then we kind of were like, you know, how about that idea, that idea, you know, you should work on that. Or you may, maybe let's get a little, let's, let's call, let's call someone and see if we can get some, you know, a little prototype made or some, let's start with drawing. [00:15:30] So we start, he, he had someone that he knew and we started off with just getting like a simple sketch of it. And then we had a, um. Like a 3D printed version without the technical, um, pieces in it, print it off so we could kind of mess with it. And then, you know, and we also, at the same time, we're just kind of, you know, casually talking to people we know, like, Hey, what about, and people are like, oh yeah, that's, that's a good idea. [00:15:51] That's pretty cool. I like it. So we got kind of a lot of positive encouragement there. Um, it, the, when we really set things in motion were probably when we [00:16:00] hired the, uh, an engineering team too. Uh, to build it out and to make sure that it's, uh, you know, built correctly all the internal components and stuff like that. [00:16:09] So. [00:16:10] Matt Stone: So a prototype, is that what you would call that or a proof of concept? [00:16:14] Kate Joynt: of prototype. One was just the plastic 3D printed here. This is what it looks like with no guts in it, no mechanicals, nothing like that. And then we went to a more sophisticated electrical engineering team who put together like the actual layout of the, the schematic of, um, the PCB board and with the, the USBs and stuff like that. [00:16:35] So. [00:16:37] Matt Stone: Uh, how did you find, how did, you find those people and decide they were the right ones? Because it seems like those types of people are, could be critical in you kind of going off the rails earlier or succeeding. Uh, like I [00:16:51] Kate Joynt: a lot of research. So I tend, when I, when I have no idea what I'm doing, I tend to interview a lot of people until, until you learn so much [00:17:00] through those interviews that you can start to identify, oh, this person has this quality, this person doesn't have this quality. This is a good fit, this is not good fit. [00:17:07] So, for example, when I was, um, choosing a 3PL warehouse, which I, I knew nothing about before I did it, I think I interviewed 15 different warehouses [00:17:16] Matt Stone: Sorry, 3PL [00:17:16] Kate Joynt: warehouse. [00:17:18] Matt Stone: So, [00:17:19] Kate Joynt: sorry. Uh, 3PL is, is, you know, the, um, the warehouse partner that, that sends out my shipments for, for like dropshipping and, um, they process all my orders. [00:17:29] So my, my inventory stays in their warehouse, and then it's just a portion I don't, you know, I don't own the warehouse, I just pay them to use a, a portion, a portion of the space. And [00:17:38] Matt Stone: yeah, it's a co. [00:17:39] Kate Joynt: orders. Yeah. Mm-hmm. [00:17:40] Matt Stone: Co co-sharing or, um, Yeah. absolutely. I just wanna make sure all the terms are, everyone knows what they mean, so. Okay, great. So, um, So you hire this engineering firm and they develop, essentially they, they plan it out to be made to, to actually make a working prototype, not just a schematic. [00:17:59] And [00:18:00] so you get this made [00:18:01] Yeah. like where, where and Yeah. Tell us about that. [00:18:06] Kate Joynt: It was, it took us a while to get, oh my God. They were, uh, it definitely took, it was a lengthy process to get this designed, but I think, you know, part of the thing. Was that we came into this as just like two individuals. We weren't engaging with these people as like, you know, a lot of these engineering teams, you know, engage with corporations and they have multiple products on, you know, uh, that they're, they already have in the marketplace and stuff like that. [00:18:31] So we're just coming in as this like one little one-off person with an I idea. So it, it, it took them a while to kind of. Get our project done a little longer than I would've liked. we had, then we took that. So then when we had all of the plans, um, we, we took that and we had to find a factory. And so, um, I was lucky that I was referred to our partners in Philadelphia. [00:18:56] They're a, a buying agent, and so they kind of sit as an intermediary [00:19:00] between people like me, um, in factories, a abroad, you know, whether it's in China or Vietnam or, or wherever it may be. and then they'll go and do the legwork of finding the factory, getting the quotes, making sure the factory has the capabilities of to produce your product. [00:19:17] Um. That they've made similar products before, that their manufacturing processes are good. You know, they're quality controls in check. So they kind of handle all of that stuff for me because that's, know, that's beyond. My, my knowledge base and, and that's a piece that like I really have to, to get right. [00:19:34] So they kind of work as an agent for me. um, I, you know, interface with them. They came back, they went, went, probably got six different quotes, um, for my product. Um, and we, we chose a, a, a factory to move forward with. And, um, the factory, we had to build, build tooling and molding. Um, so you have to do an investment upfront of, uh, the equipment for them to, to build your product. [00:19:59] you know, [00:20:00] sometimes when you're. When you're a little bigger and you're not just a a one-off with person with your first invention, they'll amortize that over the entire life of, of your, the product. But we weren't, we were just kind of this little tiny team. So we had to put up a, a chunk of money to get that tooling and molding built. [00:20:16] Uh, and then when that happened, they, they run off the first real product and um, and then they go for like licensing and certification because. to sell in the United States in, um, retail locations. We have to be certified by, um, to UL standards, which is Underwriter's Laboratory. [00:20:35] Matt Stone: It's, it's just an electrical product. Like what could go wrong? [00:20:39] Kate Joynt: Nothing. Yeah. [00:20:40] Matt Stone: I mean, how, how long, how many times along the way have you been going? Oh my God, I never would've thought of this issue. [00:20:47] Kate Joynt: A lot. [00:20:48] Matt Stone: What are some, what are some, some of the biggest shocks that you've had along the way where you're just like, I wouldn't have ever dreamed that that would be an issue, and now I'm dealing with it. [00:20:57] Kate Joynt: Um, God, all of them. [00:21:00] Um, [00:21:03] just learning different things about the components and like how many different types of like. USB compatibility with the, the phones that are out there and, you know, you just think you plug into something and it works, right? Like you have to not, not everything is compatible with everything else and I have to specifically give the factory They kind of, um. You know, they make whatever you tell them. So I have to be very specific in which components I want. You know, 'cause they just produce whatever I, I tell them to. So, um, learning exactly which, which components we need and, um, and makes sense, you know, that's been an ongoing process for us. [00:21:43] What other pro problems I would never have. Think of thought, think of, uh, any of them, [00:21:49] Matt Stone: Just all of it. Yeah. [00:21:50] Kate Joynt: if I thought about it upfront, it wouldn't have been a problem. I would've, you know, trouble shot in advance, so, [00:21:55] Matt Stone: Right. right. So part of this, you know, journey is really [00:22:00] accepting the reality that you're going to be stepping into. Vast areas of darkness, of unknown, And you, you have to have enough trust that you're gonna figure it out. That, and that there's, if you can't figure it out, there are people who, already know or who can help you figure it out and, and, and you can find them. [00:22:18] Kate Joynt: ex. Exactly. So that's, I guess the, um, the confidence that you have to kind of go through the project with is that you have no idea what, what challenges are going to arise, but you have to be confident in your enough in yourself that you can find that person who can help you answer those questions and, um, you know, conquer the. [00:22:36] Matt Stone: Yeah, [00:22:37] You know, I just love that theme because I think, you know, the show's called The Bigger Stage, my company's called the Bigger Stage, and whatever that bigger stage looks like for somebody, whether they're creating a great product or not, or they wanna be a great speaker or they, whatever it is, you know, um, I. [00:22:52] I think there's some version of this arc that you, that you, you're just like, to reach that next level, you have to go into the [00:23:00] unknown and have enough faith in yourself and enough humility to, and desire to go say, I'm an, I don't know anything about this, but that's okay. You do. Like, I don't, you weren't an electrician. [00:23:14] You weren't like, and, and yet you've helped to co-create a really fantastic electrical product. So who knew? [00:23:21] Kate Joynt: I my wildest imagination thought I would know so much about, um, an electrical I didn't foresee that in my future when I was younger. But now tell you all the ins and outs of it about all the regulations, different types of components and, and stuff like that. So. [00:23:36] Matt Stone: So. [00:23:36] what other products do you marvel at with all of that knowledge now that you wouldn't have even given second thought to before? [00:23:42] Kate Joynt: I, I mean, I am impressed with just how complicated El Electrical and, and electronics in general, how complicated those goods are, and I have respect for, for understanding that. You, you really want to be with a, a, a factory who is, is very experienced in those exact [00:24:00] types of, of goods, because it's not casual and you really want a, a factory that really understands how to build something to the, um, specified certifications and has really has done it before with other goods. [00:24:12] You've seen them, they bring other goods to market that are certified and maybe also selling, um, in a retail location like Home Depot or something like that. So. You can see that they're, they build a, a quality product that's gonna be safe. They understand how to follow regulations and things like that. [00:24:28] Matt Stone: How, how much do the factories, practically speaking, actually advise? It sounds like they're really set up to sort of, what do you want? Be a specific, follow these guidelines. Make sure that if you don't have credit, because if you don't have a past history, you know, come up with the money. But do they really do much consulting the other direction? [00:24:47] Kate Joynt: wouldn't, I, I don't have the experience of, uh, using them as, as consultants. I mean, sometimes they'll tell me, uh, you can't do that. That's not that. No, you don't wanna do that. Like, sometimes they'll, they'll, they'll send it a message [00:25:00] back my way. Like, mm, not so much. Um, but, you know, you can kind of. [00:25:05] Interface with them, I wanna almost say as, as much or as little as you want. So there's different types of factories that work with you in different types of ways. Some of them, you come in and you say, I have the entire plan. You know, here are our, uh, CAD files in electrical schematics and, you know, our, um, all of our. [00:25:22] Regulations that we have to follow and these are the components we need to use. And you, you give them very explicit instructions and then in, in other types of ways that you can work together, um, you can really lean on them for that, that design work. Um, I'd say in, in our case, we've kind of done a little bit of a blend. [00:25:39] We came in initially with, um, the engineering drawings that I was talking about earlier that we worked with the engineering team for, and in order to actually get it passed. Uh, the certification process, our, uh, factory had to do a little bit of re-engineering in practicality when it was really getting built. [00:25:55] So, um, it's been a little bit of a blend. Um, but I do [00:26:00] have, uh, consultants that, that we work with now to kind of help us look forward and build like a product roadmap and make sure that, you know, they kind of help, help me to, to work with the factory to make sure everything, we're all doing it together and everything stays on track. [00:26:15] Matt Stone: Oh wow. Okay. Alright, so let me ask you a few more questions about the journey. So. When you're looking back up to this point and you know, there's a lot more story to be written, but you have crossed a Rubicon, uh, you've stepped onto a bigger stage now, the Home Depot deal, you know, I mean, these are not insig. [00:26:33] Home Depot doesn't, doesn't say, Hey, yeah, [00:26:35] we'll put you on all of our stores unless you've reached a certain level of, of reliability and viability. Both, yeah. Uh, what's been your the most. Productive mistake you've made. So, in other words, a mistake that has led to the biggest aha, the biggest growth, even as hard as it was. [00:26:56] Can you, what are, are there any that, I'm sure there have been many, and [00:27:00] you know, 'cause we all make mistakes along the way, but what's been the most useful mistake that has helped you get where you are now in this journey? [00:27:10] Kate Joynt: Mm gosh. uh. I mean, we've made, made plenty. Um, a useful mistake. mean, we lucky in the sense that, you know, we started our journey on Amazon. So we, um, we listed on Amazon the last week of December in 2024, and we started doing per click advertising, and we were doing Facebook meta advertising and it was just incredibly expensive. [00:27:36] And so what we're doing, we didn't just create. didn't have like a new pair of sneakers and so that there's already search traffic for sneakers. Right. There was no search traffic for electrical outlet extender. So I'm trying to do pay per click. using keywords that aren't really what my product is, like extension cord. [00:27:53] Okay. Okay. so we're doing this, like we're spending like all of this money on, on pay-per-click. [00:28:00] Um, the, the meta ads were, were pretty expensive too. then. You know, so we'd kind of like teetered along like that, being like, look, we got 25 sales on Amazon today. Like, oh my goodness, okay, great. 25. all of a sudden, um, you know, my, my partner, had an influencer that, um, he, he was friend friendly with or whatever. [00:28:25] And, uh, she made this amazing post, and she's an Amazon influencer, so she, um, she, you know, works with Amazon. They, they pay her to drive traffic to Amazon. And so she did this amazing little, um, video on EZ Outlet. It was very, very well produced and, um, I can't thank her enough. Uh, her name's Danielle Donahue. [00:28:47] She did an amazing job and that kind of, that. Just, uh, small introduction to her when we immediately hit the big stage, like [00:29:00] sales went from, um, you know, 25, 30 a day to all of a sudden they started clocking in as soon as she put the video up on Amazon to 100. 200, 300, you know, like, and, and we just saw it like over like an hour. [00:29:14] It ended up going viral. So we didn't know what we were doing, you know, we just were, we were trying to do things the classic way through pay per click, and then, you know, to, you know, Tony just had this relationship. She made a video. We didn't even know that. You know how good it was. It could be, but it went, it went completely viral. [00:29:34] So, um, we went from selling just a 25, 30 a day to, you know, 800 a day, and then we, we filled out our whole stock. And that was kind of like super exciting in terms of just making, you know, falling backwards into a little bit of luck there after kind of doing things the wrong way with pay per click and, and the, um, the meta advertising was very expensive. [00:29:55] Matt Stone: God, I, Yeah. boy, isn't it? Um, it's, you're really [00:30:00] reminding me of something though. So when you, when a person goes out and tries to do something that's just not, it doesn't have its own lane, it doesn't have its own No. Like you said, no one's, it hasn't been invented yet, so no one's searching for it because, and so how do you know where to go? [00:30:17] And so there's this aspect of like. We're also, you know, there's a, I don't know about you, but I beat myself up pretty hard. You know, it's kind of like I should, I should have this strategy to know where it is. And part of it is literally is shooting into the darkness until you hit a target, you know? And, but then listening. [00:30:35] And when you hit the target, you gotta go, okay, what did that, what did we learn from that? So, I guess, what was your biggest learning from that, other than, you know, these traditional methods aren't necessarily where we're gonna get the biggest bang for our buck. Like [00:30:47] Kate Joynt: to a lot of in influencer [00:30:49] Matt Stone: influencer. [00:30:50] Kate Joynt: Yeah. We got, so the flip side of having a category that nobody knows keywords for is clearly that's. Issue because it's [00:31:00] very innovative, right? So [00:31:02] Matt Stone: Mm-hmm. [00:31:02] Kate Joynt: where that innovation was not helpful to drive traffic in like a Google Ads or pay per click way. [00:31:08] When the public saw what we have, they it had, and they were able to, to, to literally visually see on a, a TikTok or Instagram ad when we could visually demonstrate it. It went absolutely viral. So we, we did very, very well on TikTok. Um, we kind of, we listed, uh, I went on TikTok maybe five months after we debuted on Amazon and it lit like wildfire. [00:31:32] So the, um, the influencers it up and it, it just went absolutely, absolutely viral. So that was kind of, it is, yeah. Super exciting. Yeah, we got lucky. [00:31:42] Matt Stone: Now, I mean, I saw, I think you've got it on your LinkedIn feed and I, I thought it was you on there 'cause it was a small picture. Um, the person who was presenting on the Today Show, NBC's Today Show with your product. I was like, oh my God. I thought Kate's on the Today Show. But tell us about how the, the [00:32:00] product, it actually wasn't you in person there, but the. [00:32:04] You've reached a, a certain stage when the product itself now has such an identity and a value that they wanna put it on the show. How did that happen? [00:32:13] Kate Joynt: most recently, I just, this was just a couple weeks ago, I, I got, I start getting like texts like, Hey, great clip on the Today Show. And I'm just like, what are about? and I watched, I was like, oh my goodness, there's EZ Outlet. There's our product on, on the Today Show. And they had picked it up as part of an Amazon promotion. [00:32:31] I didn't even know about it, but they, you know, they clearly saw some of the virality behind it. Um, this is, this was actually our second time on the Today Show. first time was last year when we were more on more of a tech segment where they, they did kind of, um, you know, interface with us and, and get some information about the product. [00:32:47] And they were debuting brand new, um, tech products to the market, which was really cool. I mean, that visual medium, our, the, the ability to visually teach audiences that our product exists is worth [00:33:00] its weight in gold. So we were on the Today Show last year when they, they actually reached out to us in, in. [00:33:05] Had us be part of a tech segment this time in March. They just, um, they, they picked it up as part of a, um, they were re reviewing different Amazon products for, uh, Amazon Spring sale, and we didn't even even know. So, uh, but it was a, a great, great awareness generator that anything, anything on TV is just fantastic for us, so. [00:33:24] Matt Stone: Right. Yeah, Because if it's on tv, it's also on the internet, you know? And that right? It, it crosses over. Um, what was it like when NBC, the first time you were on the Today Show, what were you ready to be on the Today Show? Or how much work went into being able to actually pull that off? 'cause I, I wonder. I mean, it's a new stage. [00:33:48] Did you have all the assets you needed? What did they want from you to be able to show up? [00:33:54] Kate Joynt: a ton. They just wanted to understand about the product. I'm not, you know, I wasn't the, the host, right? So they just want to the, [00:34:00] to host to have talking points and to understand the, you know, really the usefulness of the product. And, um, so it wasn't too taxing, you know, I think we made them a, um, like a, a little fake mini wall that they could use, where they could plug, plug in and display the product. [00:34:18] I wouldn't say it wasn't too taxing at all. It was just [00:34:20] Matt Stone: But you had to make the wall. [00:34:21] Kate Joynt: yeah, my partner did. That's why it [00:34:23] Matt Stone: Your partner, thankfully, I was gonna say not taxing. for you, but that he's in the construction industry, Right, So he was able to do it without too much trouble. But, um, no, I was just curious because, uh, you know, you get these opportunities and then suddenly you realize I've got an opportunity to be on this, huge stage, and then, oh my God, what did I, you're kind of grateful for the things that you've plowed into it, that you've prepared for, you know, whether it's. [00:34:51] Copy or rehearsed lines that are so internalized that you're, you know, you're, you can be what they call off book on it, right [00:34:59] Kate Joynt: you know, I [00:35:00] had been doing it by the time the Today [00:35:01] Matt Stone: Like, [00:35:02] Kate Joynt: I'd been working on this project for a, a couple years and I could [00:35:05] Matt Stone: yeah. [00:35:05] say things in my sleep. Right. [00:35:07] Yeah. so there was just no, no issue there. I think that's a really critical point though, preparing for the bigger stage. You cannot control when it happens, but you can be ready when it happens, so you're not scrambling and going, gosh, I don't even know how to talk about my own service product brand. [00:35:23] ins and outs of it. There's no, [00:35:25] Yeah, [00:35:25] there was no issue there, so, [00:35:27] Yeah. Yeah. And that always comes off way more authentic. Okay, so you've gotten that, and then Amazon now, then you get people talking about you and you don't even know it. Then that's the next level. Right, the buzz, if you will. [00:35:39] Kate Joynt: I've been, I've recently, I've been some Home Depots because our, our product has started getting, um, delivered. I've been speaking with customers and some of the store associates and I've been um, pleased to, to see that there's some awareness of the product out there. Right. So, you know, 'cause it's, interesting see how many people know that the product exists already. [00:35:59] [00:36:00] So that was pretty cool and that I, I attribute that a lot to TikTok. We were, um, so viral on TikTok that we made tiktoks top 20 home improvement products. Um, at one point and, um, the New York Times picked us up, I think as a, as a result of, of TikTok. And I think it was a, a lot of our TikTok success, what started to drive interest by QVC and HSN and the Home Depot like that, that success in those marketplaces. [00:36:26] 'cause they're watching everything that happens in those channels. Right. And they, a lot of times retailers like to see how you do an e-commerce first. Right? So they had been kind of watching and that viral success that we had on TikTok I think really drove. Um, the, our ability to enter retail. [00:36:42] Matt Stone: Yeah. [00:36:43] Okay. So on a personal level, this has been. More than five years, you must have had some moments where you know, you were just like, this might be dead. I mean, I have to think. Yeah. [00:36:57] Kate Joynt: so a considerable timeframe, I was [00:37:00] pretty sad about it. Um, we had. So when we approached the certification bodies, uh, with EZ Outlet, they were kind of like, oh, well we don't have standards written. Like they, they do everything. They, um, judge the, the, the products that they're reviewing by a set of very, uh, lengthy written standards. [00:37:22] And they were kind of like, well, we've never seen power that comes directly out of the wall and up the wall before. And we are not really sure. How we want to evaluate this. And so they tossed it back and forth. They, they made us go through an entire. set of testing requirements, which is pretty grueling. [00:37:42] I mean, they're, you know, they're not messing around when you pass that kind of testing. You really have a, a safe product, so they really put you through the ringer in terms of what they expect of the product. And so we went through all of these testing protocols and it took like, know, they wanted a couple changes at first. [00:37:58] It's a brand new product that's, that's fine. We'd [00:38:00] make a little little bit of changes and then send it back through. And it took maybe six months or so to do that. And we got to the very end and we were like. You know, we passed now, God, we really wanna get to market. And they come back and they said, we're so sorry. [00:38:13] We've decided that you need to do all of the testing again because we want, we actually want you to be judged by a different standard that we have written. So they kind of like it back and forth, not really sure how to deal with a product because they've never seen wall power before. So was a really, you know, I think that process of kind of going through that te um, that, that testing and then them. [00:38:37] kind of changing the, the goalpost on us a little bit led to some really lengthy de delays. Um, were a little worried that, you know, maybe it, it wouldn't work out were they going to, you know, find a testing standard that was acceptable for us. So, um, luckily we, did, we made it, but there was definitely a, a stretch there where I was concerned that maybe they, they just weren't going to [00:39:00] find a, a testing standard for us. [00:39:01] So, they did. Thank you. [00:39:03] Matt Stone: Would've been the equivalent of a death nail to the product, essentially. [00:39:07] Kate Joynt: the, the way it works is if you wanna be in retail, if you wanna be with a company like Lowe's or Home Depot or QVC or Target, gonna require that you have these certifications. Um, if you wanna be on a marketplace like Amazon or, uh, I think walmart.com is the same way. [00:39:25] a little bit more loose in their, their regulations. They don't police. Whether you have the proper certifications or not. So it's really for us about number one, we're we're not gonna make a product. We, we want the confidence in understanding that this has been a certified product that we're bringing to market. [00:39:40] We see ourselves as we will be the leaders and the um, the. You know, the premium product in, in the market as we go forward and we wanna make sure that we're bringing something safe to market. Um, so that's paramount for us, uh, to have that safety certification. Um, but also we see retail as kind of our, [00:40:00] um, you know, where we're gonna be really valuable and the retailers require it. [00:40:03] So, um, for us it was, um, a must. [00:40:07] Matt Stone: You got copycats already. [00:40:09] Kate Joynt: Yeah. Oh, for sure. Right? It ha it happened right away. Um, luckily we have, you know, some, some patents that, that protect us, but there's, you know, some, some copycats that have been, um, you know, on like Amazon and stuff like that. Um, they. From what I've seen so far, those products, they could not be sold in retail because of the construction of them, because they don't pass these same testing standards that we have. [00:40:35] So Amazon allows them on there. They don't have to, um, prove to Amazon that they have these tests. So they can, you know, the, I feel bad for the consumer 'cause the consumer doesn't know this. The consumer doesn't know that they've got a shot of going on Amazon and buying a product that is maybe not certified for elec electrical safety in your home. [00:40:55] Right? So, um, but you can be guaranteed if you go to a, a retailer like the Home [00:41:00] Depot or one of these brick and mortar stores that they have, they're not just a marketplace like a marketplace. Brings buyers and sellers together. That's what Amazon consider themself, is just a facilitator of buyers and sellers. [00:41:11] Whereas the Home Depot, you know, reviews your, um, your certifications and wants to make sure that the products that they're selling in Home Depot are, um, all safety CER certified. You. [00:41:24] Matt Stone: Uh, to torture the metaphor, I guess the stage matters. you know, like, and Amazon truly is a jungle. [00:41:33] Kate Joynt: Yeah. Yeah. It, it is, it's been, uh, it's been really interesting. Um, so be because they let these copycat players on who aren't certified. It's more challenging for us to sell there because we're a, we're a premium product, and so our pricing is, is premium comparatively. But again, the con it's, it's hard to convey that to the consumer. [00:41:53] You know, we drive traffic to Amazon and, um, you know, sometimes that consumer can see this lower [00:42:00] priced competitor and they say, don't I just buy this lower priced item right here? Why spend the money to buy EZ Outlet? The reason is because we passed all these safety certifications, um, which we try to message that, um, a little bit, but the average consumer, I don't think, understands that they could be buying something that's, that hasn't passed. [00:42:18] Safety certification. [00:42:20] Matt Stone: I think you're gonna need to [00:42:21] trademark the real EZ Outlet. [00:42:23] Kate Joynt: Yeah. Yeah, exactly. [00:42:25] Matt Stone: The original EZ Outlet, the like, not the [00:42:28] fake easy, The real one. Yeah. because I think once people think about, you know, the danger of electrical, I, mean, if you've got this thing in your bedroom, in your living room up against furniture and things, you, you want to know that it's the, the right one and not one that's gonna light, light your sofa on fire. yeah. By the way, I'm getting one from our bedroom, just so you know. And I'm not gonna buy one of those imposters. [00:42:50] so I just, I guess, you know, as our time kind of winds closer to the end of our this conversation, I, I'd be remiss not to kind [00:43:00] of talk about your emotional journey and sort of self-reflect on, on how this has changed you or what you've learned about yourself in the process. [00:43:10] Yeah. Take us on that. journey a little bit. Yeah, [00:43:14] Kate Joynt: mean, I've always been a hard worker. Um, I grew up as a, as a kid, I rode horses, right? So it's, if you're, uh, if you're into the equestrian world, it's, it's very, uh, labor intensive. Like I've literally, I've worked hard physically, right? Take taking care of horses is a, um, is a big job. [00:43:30] And so, um, I've, since a very young age, I did that, you know, starting when I was like 13 or 14 years old. And so from a very young age, I've been a very hard worker and I've also had. You know, pretty big goals. Like I always wanted to accomplish stuff and, um, you know, be successful enough to actually have my own horses and horse farm and, and stuff like that. [00:43:50] So I've always been super motivated. And so one of the things that I've, I've learned in this, this journey is I, you know, I. I, I've got the work ethic, I've got a [00:44:00] 9.5 work ethic, which is like, you know, totally, um, you need it, right? You've, you've gotta dig in. As a founder, I, it was a long time that I was the only, um, employee in the, in the company for, for quite some time. [00:44:11] And so I had to handle everything. So I've got this amazing work ethic, right? I definitely give myself credit for that. you know, sometimes I, I, I don't have all the stress tolerance in the world. Like, I, I definitely feel all the problems, right? I don't know that I'm. The, um, CEO that's, uh, you know, know, just, you know, it's water off your, um, your shoulders. [00:44:37] But, uh, I definitely feel the stress and so, I don't know. Um, think, I think doing it a second time, if I go back and do it again, I think it'll be a much easier journey. You just, I really understand the, um, the perspective of like. A second being a second time time founder and how valuable that is, because I think it's gonna be, [00:45:00] you're just so much more knowledgeable. [00:45:01] You know, I'm always right as a first time founder going through this E. Each step is new to me. Each thing I do is new and the, your business changes so much. So you know, you're. always seeing things that I haven't done before, like my entry into e-commerce. I hadn't done anything in e-commerce before. [00:45:19] Now I'm entering retail. I hadn't, I haven't done anything in retail before. So each challenge is brand new. It comes with a whole set. Like there's tons of things that I didn't expect. It comes with a whole bunch of stressors just trying to learn and figure out and to learn quickly enough to, to, to stay ahead of any of the problems, uh, that you might have. [00:45:37] Um. And to mitigate the, the ones that you do. Right. So that's, it's stressful and I feel it, like I'm definitely, um, you know, I'm, I'm not human in, in that regard. Um, but I definitely would look forward to a, a second project because I think, you know, I would go back through each one of these channels and I just, have so much more knowledge and [00:46:00] so much more understanding. [00:46:01] I think that it would be, um. It wouldn't be merely as much, uh, stress on me to make sure just everything, you know, because you're v vulnerable, you're so vulnerable, it's your, your business is so fragile for so long, right? I'm always just protecting this little glass bubble of a, a, a business until it gets strong enough to withstand, um, know, challenges, right? [00:46:23] So, um, but [00:46:25] Matt Stone: And you've put, you know, most founders have put all their chips on it. [00:46:28] Kate Joynt: yes, all of my chips are on it, so [00:46:30] Matt Stone: You're just, you've just, you've, you've, that moment when you're like, I'm all in this better work. [00:46:36] Kate Joynt: yeah. I, I think people don't realize how easy it is to lose all your money. it, it's one wrong move and it can wipe you out. And so you have to be hypervigilant, you know, it's not great on the nervous system, but, uh, you know, we've [00:46:53] Matt Stone: I don't know about you, Kate. I mean, I'm building a business Right, now, a new one, and I'm like, you know, and my doctor's [00:47:00] like, you know, you really just need to reduce your stress. Some of the issues you're having are, and I'm like, Hmm. Cortisol and I'm like, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. I'll say that on the other end. [00:47:09] It's just not realistic. I mean, and by the way, I don't know about this. [00:47:14] CEO that is water off the duck's back. Like, you know, like nothing bothers them. I don't, is that. I'm not criticizing, I'm just saying I've had that perception too, like why can't I be stoic and, you know, and nothing, and I, I don't know that it works that way for most people. [00:47:30] I have a feeling, you know, what you show on the outside is one thing, but the internal journey and I, and now I'm talking to people on this show a lot and everybody goes through there some version of like waking up in the middle of the night going, [00:47:44] Kate Joynt: Yeah, I've been there. Yeah. Yeah. [00:47:47] Matt Stone: Yeah. [00:47:48] That is, you put it so beautifully, like I've never heard it before. The glass bubble, that was some beautiful, I could really visualize it and I really relate to it. So. [00:48:00] Alright, so now Kate, you're standing on a stage. You've got a room full of very, you know, young, young, like 20 something people who know that they have an entrepreneurial mindset. [00:48:14] Maybe they're working in a, their first job after college, but they are wanting to do what you're doing now, whether it's a product or not, they, they have a big idea. Um, what are your top three pieces of advice for them at this stage? What would you recommend they do to set them up for success? [00:48:34] Kate Joynt: I mean, it's like I, I on parallel tracks, I wanna say, on the one hand I wanna say do it because I, I so understand the value of, I'm really in a place where I understand the value of failure and just going through the process, and I really see how investors love. A found they don't, a founder who's failed, no problem. [00:48:53] 'cause you're not gonna make those mistakes again. So like, you really want to encourage young people to get out [00:49:00] there and to, to really try and really, really is on, on one hand, it's okay to fail because the, if you're young, the knowledge that you, you learn is that's, that's your win. You can carry that, that forward. [00:49:15] So I would really say go and do it well at the same time. You wanna be as thoughtful as possible about what you are doing and, you know, research you wanna have done, done your research and make, make sure that you're, you're careful with your money. Um, you know, I, I've had different people come to me and ask me about ideas now that I, I'm at a point where I've gotten my idea, you know, into a major retailer. [00:49:41] I have some other people that are a approaching me and I've seen some of them and I, I see where. I, they can get totally ripped off, but they don't, they don't understand it. Like maybe their idea isn't too unique enough. So I am fearful for people who, you know, have ideas that might be really [00:50:00] cool, but they're easy to copy and they can't get enough protection. [00:50:04] be because I understand how, you know, if you have a really good idea and it's not unique enough to get a, a patent on it, you, you really are vulnerable to people. Copying, copying you. Now we are lucky enough that we have something that's, that's. and we have our patents where we do, and it gives us some protection. [00:50:24] But, um, you know, I'm thinking of one person in in particular that came to me with this idea, and I, I, I, I really like her idea. I think it's, it's clever. I just think it can be copied by other bigger players in the industry. And so you might be super passionate and understand that, that the product that you wanna make isn't being made out there. [00:50:45] But you have to un, you have to understand who else can just come in and, and take that away from, away from you. Like if you re, if you start to have success with it, you have to understand. you know, can you build it big enough, uh, and significant enough, [00:51:00] fast enough to compete with the other major players who are already out there. [00:51:04] Right? And so you wanna be careful from putting your mon too much money into something before you understand what the landscape really looks like. that's kind of my protective, you know, protect your money a little bit. [00:51:16] Matt Stone: Do it, but also be doing the research before you take the leap on a, that next profound sort of vulnerable level of investing everything in it. [00:51:27] Kate Joynt: And I'll, I'll also say one thing I learned the hard way was, um, I didn't quite realize how far along to be before people would, would invest or give me, give me money, right? They like when I needed money. They people, I wasn't [00:51:49] Matt Stone: they're like, no. [00:51:51] Kate Joynt: keep going. I'm like, no, I, I need money now. [00:51:53] Like I, I need some help now. They, nobody wants to give you money until you're already successful. And I did not grasp [00:52:00] that at the beginning of my journey again. Maybe, maybe gratefully so because I made it happen. If I had understood those things, maybe I wouldn't have taken the same risks, because now here we are, we're getting to a place where, um, you know, we're a little more. [00:52:14] and concrete and safe, you know, safer with our But, um, the, I learned that one the hard way, so, [00:52:21] Matt Stone: That's really good. Okay. There's our third one. That's really good advice. Uh, so, whether you're a, a future entrepreneur, a young entrepreneur, or even a seasoned one, it's good advice for everybody. And, um. Kate, what an absolute joy to connect with you. As we wrap up, just give us a little bit of headlines. [00:52:40] What are we gonna be looking forward to seeing [00:52:43] from Kate and from EZ Outlet? [00:52:45] Kate Joynt: Well, great. Um, a great question, Matt. So we've got a new skew coming out that we're so excited about. Um, you'll be able to look for that at the Home Depot. Um, so we've got kind of a next step to EZ Outlet. I'm not gonna give away what it is. I'm gonna let [00:53:00] people, um, find out when it, when it comes out. [00:53:02] But we are expanding our, our line. And I, I'm, I'm really excited about. Some of the roadmap items that we have in that, in really making this, um, just a one product, you know, one hit wonder, but making it a, a company. And so we do have, um, some new SKUs coming out, which are, are pretty exciting. [00:53:18] Matt Stone: Oh, you're such a tease. Okay. I guess we'll have to wait. We'll have to wait. We'll be scouring, [00:53:23] Kate Joynt: you to, [00:53:24] Matt Stone: you know. Right. [00:53:25] Kate Joynt: hearing this. [00:53:26] Matt Stone: There are copycats, maybe you should name [00:53:28] your next product. The EZ Outlet copy the the Easy Copycat, [00:53:31] you know? Okay. So you've got that. And what about you personally? Like, are you still doing horses? [00:53:37] Like what are, what are you excited about with this next chapter? [00:53:40] Kate Joynt: that's like the love that's the driving force of my life. I mean, I love my riding and my horses and, and stuff like that. So I do, um, the only time I carve out for myself is I do get to the barn, uh, a couple times a week and I, I ride a horse, like first thing in the morning, I go, right, right. [00:53:54] When I get up, I go ride. Then I come back and I'm, I'm in my office working from the second I get back [00:54:00] till 10 30 at night. So, um, [00:54:02] Matt Stone: And, and how many great ideas have you had riding the horses? [00:54:06] Kate Joynt: you know, maybe not as many because I'm, I I, the thing about riding is that I am, it takes my attention away from everything else I'm doing and I focus only on that. [00:54:17] Matt Stone: So it's meditative. [00:54:18] Kate Joynt: Yeah. Yeah. It's, it's te it it, like, you know, I get a reprieve from anything else that's going on in my life and because it's so, on what I'm doing during my ride and the horse and, and all that stuff. [00:54:31] Matt Stone: And that, so what it does is it makes space for you to have those thoughts later. Yeah, It's really Sounds like a meditative, there's a meditative quality to it. yeah, Well, that's focusing, I mean, just how I translate it I'm, I'm, I'm not trying to project that. on anyone else, but, well, I am projecting, I, That's how my, uh, I think I don't ride horses. [00:54:49] My cousin does. Cousins. I have two cousins that love horse riding. They've had horses since they were little girls. And, and they love it. They, I could, I feel a similar energy with you. There's [00:55:00] something about horse people. Yeah. horse girl in particular. It is like, it's a thing. It's powerful. Yeah, [00:55:07] That's cool. [00:55:08] Thank you so much. Um, as we close out, uh, [00:55:10] where do people find EZ Outlet? [00:55:12] Kate Joynt: Sure, sure. I mean, we're, we're online, we're on, on Amazon, we're on walmart.com. We're in, uh, the Home Depot. Uh, if you watch, uh, home Shopping Network, we're on home shopping network occasionally. But, um, you know, it depends what your, your path is. If you, um, if you like to go out and shop, you know, find us in the Home Depot and if you like to, uh, to shop online. [00:55:33] We're on Amazon, so. [00:55:35] Matt Stone: Yeah, just make sure it's actually EZ Outlet and not an imposter. [00:55:40] Kate Joynt: Exactly. [00:55:41] Matt Stone: Don't burn down your house. Okay. That's awesome, Kate. What a joy. Thank you. so much. You're very generous. [00:55:49]