download the xfinity my account app and set a password you can easily remember. one more way comcast is working to fit into your life, not the other way around. coming up, how can four partners with completely different backgrounds run a company? we have tips from the duo that brought us not one, but two billion dollar skin care brands. katie rodan and cathy fields. and the last of our hsn elevator pitch candidates tries to convince our judges to let her go on the network to sell her shoe and boot cosvers. let's grow fast and work smart. that's all coming up next on "your business."

hi there, everyone. i'm j.j. ramburg. welcome to "your business," the show dedicated to helping your growing business. this may sound like a tongue twister, but you are about to meal tall, gal, raj and gill, four friends who started selling m macaroons and because they were selling so well, they quit their jobs and started whoops. it started in 2012 with four

friends from four totally different backgrounds, all with one giant sweet together. >> the business really started by accident. we never really planned for it to be what it is today. >> it was an opportunity to sell french macaroons at the holiday mark at brian park. >> we went for it, we opened the location and made $250,000 in nine weeks. >> with that quick success, it began to sink in for them that they might be on to something. >> it was pretty amazing. we were sitting at home and literally -- >> we should start a bit. >> the business is woops and today it's the largest macaroon business in the country. the success is in large part because of the partnership between the four founders, a partnership that has had to evolve over the years. >> that's good. >> oh, yeah. >> i see some potential there. >> all too often, i see a lot of partnerships and a lot of businesses grow because a couple of friends came together and they become equal partners.

>> in the beginning, that could have described them. they divvied up the jobs without thinking much about it. >> it really happened organically. we just really knew what everyone's strength and weaknesses were. i mean, raj with a bit more of a broader understanding of the u.s. market, it was very natural for him to take on the finance. gal managing people at his previous job, it was very clear to us that this is what he needs to focus on. >> gil has had great experience leading different types of people. we made him ceo. and tal, she is a design genius. she has a fantastic eye for look and feel. >> but as much as they recognized each other's strengths, it wasn't entirely clear who could weigh in on what. with equal amounts of ownership, everyone felt entitled to say what they thought whenever they thought it. >> we're all very opinionated. >> it's very easy to get involved with everything because you care so much about the business and about growing it and you're posturing about it,

you're putting everything you have into it. >> there were too many cooks in the kitchen and that had to stop. >> we need to let each other do our jobs and give the space to actually achieve something. >> to be clear, this doesn't mean that the founders simply run their departments as silos. they still get together to talk about the big issues and they're still as opinionated. >> it's what we get to decide. >> never, never. no, we never fight, never. we have our disagreements. we have to decide on strategy, we just close the door in the office. we can curse each other and -- but at the end of the day, someone calms down and calms everyone else down with, as well. we're all fully invested in the business and for us it's a very emotional thing. >> they have a clear chain of command. if they come to a stand still, gil decides the outcome. and they've documented what to do if things really go off the rails. >> if things don't work out, how do you exit the partnership? no different than a pre-nump or

going into a marriage. that's important to think about beforehand. so we created a very detailed operating agreement. >> but the founders say that while the documents provide protection, the one thing that really makes their partnership work is something no lawyer could dictate. >> it's really all about trust, compromise, and leaving your ego on the side. >> that trust is what turned these four friends with a stand at a holiday market into the powerhouse team they are today. >> once you get into this relationship in the business, it comes with you home, it comes with you to bed, it comes to you when you wake up in the morning. and you have to make sure that even if you don't agree, you know when to compromise, you know when to give up and that's the only way to succeed. >> rodan & fields may be the most popular skin care line that you have never seen. the products, which you cannot buy in stores, are sold socially by a community of more than 200,000 consultants and it is a sales strategy that is working.

katie rodan and fields are behind the company. they sat down with me to talk about partnership, disrupt distribution and buying back their company. remember this.? >> an easy, quick, three-step system which combines powerful acne fighting medicines with elegant skin care formulations. >> the two dermatologies behind those info mushls revolutionized the skin care lines and it all began with this. >> so i typed this up on a type writer. it still hangs in my house and i love it and it reminds me every day of where we started. and it says katie rodan and cathy fields are 50/50 partners in a company for the development of an acne product and line. both parties have 50% of the

rights to buy and own formulas. both parties execute all documents. both parties share equally in the profits and expenses. here is the real kicker. all expenses over $50 must be approved by both parties prior to incurring expense. so that tells you where we started. i had two little kids and i remember thinking, we can't spend $60. i need to buy diapers. >> correct. >> i need diapers this month. so, really, that's where it all began. >> and that has lasted 30 years, the spirit of that document has lasted 30 years. >> 30 years, for sure. we shared a lot of war together, which would be residency at stanford and our training and a shared vision. we love dermatology. we still practice, by the way. and with that, we want to take the best of what we're doing in our office and make that available to everyone. >> after the success of proactive, the duo started a new

skin care line called rodan & fiel fields. soon after launching, estee lauder came knocking and they sold the company. >> you guys took a risk. you sold the company and then you bought it back. >> we did. we were trapped behind the glass counter, completely. we just weren't their highest priority and we were never going to get anywhere. so the courage to buy it back wasn't difficult. the courage to start again with all the risks, completely on our shoulders, everything we had earned from proactive, we poured into the new venture. >> and not even really understanding fully how we're going to sell this product. >> right. >> and it's timing, too. that was really critical. because right at that moment in time, we saw the decline of department stores. i mean, you could literally roll a boling ball through the

counter area of a department store and not hit anyone, knowing they were going in there to shop. we just knew that there had to be another method. with proactive, we were selling through infomercials. so we had to figure out another way where we could speak directly to the xcustomers. >> after buying back their brand, the relaunch of the company started with an enormous thud. >> when you launched rodan & fields, you rented out a big ballroom and you expected lots of press and lots of people to come. and six people showed up. >> yes. >> how do you deal with disappointments like that? >> that's when it's good to have a partner because you can cry on each other's shoulders. here we were, we were launching rodan & shields. we had created proactive. we thought, we're going to get the word out there. we're starting a business. so let's think big.

let's rent out a ballroom. so i remember looking out behind the curtain and seeing six people in the audience. one of chwhom was like my aunt. oh, my god. so devastating. and i remember turning to both cathy and my husband and saying, do you think we're going to make it? and i remember my husband saying, you know, i don't know, but we have to keep trying. >> that effort paid off. from seven employees in 2008 to more than 700 employees now. plus more than 200,000 consultants that sell the product. rodan and fields is now the number one skin care brand in north america. >> a lot of people would say lightning can't strike twice. yet for you guys, it has. why? >> products are king. it really works. what we do transforms skin. and do the right thing. if we are working with a product and it's just -- we don't launch. >> yes.

>> our bar, our personal bar is so high that we will succeed. and everything around us, our culture that we built here runs on that same engine. >> i think we have a real advantage compared to lots of other skin care companies. because we are dermatologists and we're product developers. we've been doing this for a lot of years. and we know how to make products that really work. and i think when you start from that vantage point and put your products and your customers at the forefront of your business, you will be able to figure out how to get those products in the hands of those customers. >> we have launched this second season of our pod cast, been there, built that. this week, we're talking to the duo we just showed you. they tell me about their big launch event pore their company and how it was an enormous flop. they explain why they made the

decision to sell their business to estee lauder and how they bought it back. we go a lot more in-depth. i hope you get a chance to listen to it. it's really interesting. the pod cast is still pretty new and we love hearing what you think. we've gotten some really interesting feedback from people so far. so thank you to those of you who have tuned in. for several weeks now, we've been doing our elevator pitch from here at hsn, the original tv network. we've made some dreams come true and we've had a few disappointments. but today, we're going to find out, again, if our elevator pitcher makes the cut. they're going to be pitching to two executives from hsn to see if they're going to get the chance to sell their product live here in the studio just like this one to 91 million households. we wish them, i wish them, the best of luck. hi, danielle.

it's j.j. >> hi there. nice to meet pup. >> it's so good to see you. and you're wearing your product. >> yes. >> you are ready to go and it matches your shoe. what's the name of the company? >> seal shoe covers. >> can you walk in those? >> yes, of course. >> you're going to pitch to two people. how do you feel? >> i'm nervous, but i'm happy and excited and thank you for this opportunity. >> oh, my gosh. thank you for making something and coming on the show. it's so great. >> i did 2015, late 2015. >> so you don't have to be nervous because you already know that people love this. so let's go get in there. you do a great job pitching. >> thank you so much, j.j. thank you. >> come on in here. you go first. >> okay. >> hi. >> hi. >> how are you? >> how are you? >> thank you for having me. my name is dean yell. i'm from miami, florida.

have you ever been surprised by a sudden rain storm and couldn't get to your car because of a flooded parking lot and you don't want to ruin your favorite shoes or even worse, having to change your entire outfit to accommodate those ugly bulky clumsy rain boots? i have the solution to the rainy shoe problems. seal shoe covers. seal shoe covers is a fashionable light wait durable water resistant shoe protector. it protect egg any style of shoe. stand ya, wedges, tennis shoes, even high heels. they're not only practical, they're convenient. they fold into their own pouch making it easy to carry in your purse, briefcase or clip to a child's pack. they're easy to clean, wipe off with a wash clothe or throw into the washing machine for a quick refresh. it's a new go-to for a rainy or

snowy day. >> danielle, that was a -- it was like a commercial. i feel like you have practiced that. >> yes, ich. >> seal shoe covers. it was awesome. and i think they are awesome. i want to show you the shoes that i'm wearing, high heels. >> yeah. what are you hiding underneath here? >> i am hiding high heels. >> oh, you guys have to see this. >> and that's exactly how my invention -- >> is supposed to work. >> yeah. because once you wet this type of product, it's ruined. >> okay. >> the shoes i have on right now would be a concern for me. >> i want to hear your feedback. what did you think? how did danielle do? >> i have some in my size. >> foifrt of airst of all, i lot that you attacked a problem with a solution. you told me the problem, made it relatable to me.

as my mind is going, what am i going to do about it, you came in with a solution. >> matt. >> great visuals, to see you come in with your seal shoe covers on and the reveal, right? the reveal is a deal. so you think about that, i would say from a -- i did my pitch down. when you think about these, also think about help educate your customer. how should she select her size, right? i like that you covered the wide range of footwear that she can put this over. it really is limitless. if you have a foot, you can use it. >> and it's not just she. she and he. >> these guys are going to decide if you get the chance to pitch this to their audience. millions of people. >> it's for kids, too, right? >> yes. >> i think this is golden instead of them having to carry their big shoes to school, they

can just put these on. >> exactly. any type of shoes, the tennis shoes that they take to school, yeah. >> j.j., we have one question that we sort of need to ask, clarifying question. okay. >> what do they retail for? >> $29.99. >> okay. >> so we're going to come right over here. i want you to look at the sign that says on air. we're going to see if that blinks or not. so will danielle have a chance to sell the seal shoe covers on hsn? take a look. yay! >> congratulations. >> congratulations. oh, that's so exciting. >> you're coming on hsn. >> can i hug you? >> you can hug me, girl. your dream is going to come true. >> thank you so much. >> so exciting. >> thank you. >> congratulations. >> thank you so much. thank you. >> danielle, you did it. we can walk off here. you did it. congratulations. >> thank you. thank you. >> how do you feel? >> i'm so excited.

no words. this is a dream come true. thank you for this opportunity. >> did you think it was -- don't thank me. you're the one who created this awesome thing. did you think it was going to happen? >> no. >> you didn't? >> no. it's a surprise. >> and you've been waiting a long time. >> i know. >> who are you going to call? >> my husband. he's the biggest supporter. my kids, they're home waiting for the news. >> you're shaking. >> i know. i am, i am. >> i'm so happy for you. >> we're here at the collision conference in new orleans which has brought more than 25,000 people who are interested in what's new in technology. and i have sitting here with my now fallon, the founder of node, which is all about using artificial intelligence to get you the best opportunities in your business. good to see you. >> thanks for having me. >> explain to me what node is. >> so imagine whatever application you're using, whatever device you're using, you're getting highly relevant

recommendations for your next job opportunity, your next potential customer or perhaps even your next date. we leverage ai to help accelerate serendipity. >> it's like google and -- had a baby. >> pretty much, yes. >> let's talk about using connections and using all of your resources. so node helps you with this. but also, if you have employees, you have a whole base of people who you may not be tapping into in the way that you should be. >> yeah. >> how do you do that? how do you tap into all the connections and knowledge of your employees to get what node can get you through ai? >> sure. so i think step one is insuring that the priorities for your business of what those key opportunities are that are going to take your business to the next level are clearly communicated across the organization. with this, we will allow your employees to start doing is thinking about who do i know in

my network to help my business achieve these goals? and so the first step is clear communication around what the objectives are. the second piece is to then provide incentives and encourage for forums for discussion or tools that can actually help your employees be much more efficient at even understanding who do they know that could be relevant, because -- >> that's interesting, right? because i think a lot of companies use this for recruiting, right? they say, we have a $1,000 bonus or something if somebody brings in -- or a finder's fee, if you find somebody to work for us. but i don't know if they think about it as much for business opportunities when it is not directly related to that person's function in the company. >> right. so it's important to kind of break down those silos that might exist within an organization just naturally. so one thing we do at node, we actually encourage everyone in the company, and we're small enough at this stage, about 30 people, to have lunch with each other, at least once a quarter. and they can go out, they can

expense the lunch. and not only are they getting to know each other, you know, across different functions, but they actually spend time helping each other achieve each of their functional objectives or priorities. >> you know, i've invested in a few companies. and one of them sends an investor letter every so often. and at the end it says, thaese are the very specific things i need. i need an introduction to someone at "the wall street journal" for this, i need this, i need this. what do you think about a ceo or management team sending something like that out to the entire team? >> you know, i do that, as well. i'll communicate what my priorities are. i think it's definitely a great idea to say, okay, you know, send an e-mail to the whole company. i'm specifically looking for an introduction to this potential prospect. do you know anybody? >> so is there anything else you can do to get your employees thinking about how they can use their networks to help your company? >> so what hubspot does is they actually encourage their employees to bring someone from their network to the company and

have a free lunch. and at google, we did this a lot too. you know, i'd always bring friends, family, you know, potential people interested in working at google, bring them, host them for lunch. and that was a great way for them to not only get a look and feel of what the company is like, but actually be able to have a conversation centered around, you know, how can i -- how can we tap into ooeeach oths network, how can i help you, how can you help me. >> so the more people you get in your door, the better? >> well, part of my story how i started the node, i did an analysis of all the introductions i had made to people that i had spoken to within my network and uncovered that i had a knack more match making. the introductions i had made had led to millions of dollars of investments and acquisitions, et cetera. so all i was doing was just understanding, okay, what are the priorities for this person's business? what are their biggest needs right now? and then in my head, who do i know that might be not only interested in that sort of opportunity, where opportunity meets interest, but also that

they would get along. that they would actually be a great partnership. >> and i think when you get to your employees, sometimes people use that on the management level, but forget that they can use it in the lower levels, as well. because who knows who's in these people's networks. well, congratulations on your company and its growth so far and thank you very much for stopping by. >> thank you so much. when we come back, the pros and cons of offering a one-time discount. and how you can turn your employees into ambassadors for your brand. ♪ ♪ (baby crying) ♪ ♪ don't juggle your home life and work life without it. ♪ ♪ and don't forget who you're really working for without it.

♪ ♪ funding to help grow your business... ♪ ♪ another way we have your back. ♪ ♪ the powerful backing of american express. don't do business without it. eleanor writes, does it make sense to do a really big one-time new customer discount for my store just to get people in the door? >> in short, i would not recommend that. what's going to happen is that your people -- or your customers will get used to that price point and to be very difficult to get out of that price point and sell them more profitable products. so if you're trying to get people in, try to figure out, what is the real purpose? if you have a special product, do sampling. it's better than lowering the price on the product and have them enjoy it. if you want them to come in for other reasons, create something

experiential that will actually bring them in, but price is the last thing you want to touch, because it will publish you at a certain price that will be difficult to come out of. we now have the top two tips you need to help you grow your business. eileen huntington is the cofounder and ceo of huntington learning center, a business she started with her husband after working as a schoolteacher. and chelseacro croft is the chi engagement officer at beyond 360. good toe see you both. do you have, what is it, 300 franchises around the country? >> yes. >> congratulations. >> thank you so much. >> so what's your tip? >> my tip is stay true to your core belief. and in business, we've been in business for over 40 years. and when you stay true to our core belief. and our core belief is to give every student the best education possible. and when you do that, the results follow. >> have there been times when it's been doing that is away from that belief and you have to get yourself back? >> i think so many things change

in education, but everything's the same, okay? if you look at reading, reading is reading. and you have to stay true to that and make sure that when you're working through it, kids are really getting what they need. franchisees are getting what they need. >> got it. so it's just having a north star, whatever it is, having a north star and everything comes back to that. >> totally. >> chelsea, millennial expert, and you've seen great results for companies that you work with. what's your tip? >> my tip is for small businesses, big businesses to start thinking about their employees in a different light. to start thinking about their employees as brand influencers that can market and enhance roi in multiple ways on behalf of the company they're working for. >> how do you get to make them ambassadors, without worrying that they might put something out there that is counter to your core values. >> absolutely. so, people might say, oh, well, is this really necessary? you know, what's the benefit to

this? disengaged employees, those that are apathetic in the workplace, really just kind of mulling over at their desk and bringing the company culture down, are costing organizations up to $550 billion annually, because the retention and the turnover and training. an employee advocacy program, something that's enhancing the workplace, so you're challenging your employees to channel their inner entrepreneur. do you want to write that blog post? do you want to go create that video? would you be happy sharing it on your social channels? do you know that employees that share marketing messages on their social channels get up to 24 times the engagement and interest through their personal channels versus the brand channels. why -- >> well, of course, because you're talking to your friends. >> peer-to-peer approval. >> and not only then are you

going to potentially get customers, but employees. because then everyone wants to work at your company. thank you so much, chelsea. good to see both of you. >> thank you. >> thank you. this week's "your business" selfie comes from justine avila who owns a jolie design in ft. lauderdale, florida. she specializes in children's spaces and yachts. that shows some range. take a selfie of your business and send it to us at yourbusiness@msnbc.com or tweet it to @msnbcyourbiz. you have to include your name, the name of your business and its location. we look forward to seeing them. thank you so much for joining us. we love hearing from you, if you have any questions or comments about today's show, just e-mail us yo"your businessyourbusiness. and check out our website, msnbc.com/yo

msnbc.com/yourbusiness. we posted all of the segments from today plus a whole lot more for you. and of course, we are on digital and social media as well. we always put new content up there and we love talking to you on digital, too. and remember, check out our podcast. it's called "been there, built that." you can download it from free from apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast. see you next time. i'm jj ramberg. remember, we make your business our business. don't juggle your home life and work life without it. ♪ ♪ don't skip that office meeting for a board meeting without it. don't keep it real... keep it going... or simply keep it in the family without it. and don't turn that business trip, into an overdue family trip without it.

♪ ♪ the more you live between life and business, the more you need someone at your back. the powerful backing of american express. don't live life without it. morning glory, america. i'm hugh hewitt. i hope you enjoyed the royal wedding as much as my wife did. you should know, though they won't tell you, the weekend crew here at msnbc worked around the clock to make that happen. it isn't easy to pull off coverage of an institution used to making its own rules since merlin and arthur were running things. now, though, it's back to the big stories of the week. after the break, the number two republican in the united states senate john cornyn will join me to talk about the long, hot summer ahead inside the beltway. but first, to discuss the reasons for that weather and political predictions, our trio of the capital's best analysts,