Thumball Featured in The Official Alibaba.com Success Guide

Mary and Gregg Pembleton, founders of Answers In Motion LLC and creators of the educational game, Thumball are honored to have been included in a new book. Written by Brad and Debra Schepp, The Official Alibaba.com Success Guide explains the way to successfully source and sell products through the comprehensive and easy to use web site Alibaba.com.

http://tinyurl.com/y87ddvy

The story of Thumball's beginnings and the road The Pembletons followed to success are described in detail. Quotes through out the book help guide new entrepreneurs, inventors and business owners in safe practices and effective strategies. A great new publication for current information and inspiring stories.

Looking For A Thrill?

The nature of business is a roller coaster ride of terror and joy. I swear I had no idea what I was getting into. I finally understand the drive and determination and obsession of entrepreneurs and business people. It's an excitement I have never felt before and sometimes I break into a sweat and lose my voice.

The way our company Answers In Motion and our product Thumball integrates running business with products for education and learning is a motivating mix for me.

Giving up being a full time speech pathologist for 22 years to become a business partner with my husband Gregg was no easy task. The educational system while gravely flawed(and often frustrating) is full of our country's most precious commodity, our children. Their honesty, curiosity and humor made every work day a great surprise. I miss seeing them each day very much.

The fact that designing, marketing and selling Thumball allows me to still see joy on the faces of children and adults as they share in a game of catch is priceless. That I get to do it with the man and children I love nearby is stunning.

I give thanks many times a day. I thank my friends and family for their support, then I give the booth attendant my ticket and get back on this rollicking ride I have chosen. They call this ride a scream machine for good reason!
Hands up, this is gonna be fun.

An Entrepreneur? Give Thanks for the Terror

Blogs are wonderful but like most wonderful things it takes focus and discipline. I posted less in August than expected but I am on a quest of self forgiveness so this gave me a chance to express it.

As we wait for our first shipment of Thumballs made under the stricter European standards (CE), for half the shipment to go to the UK establishing us as a worldwide company and for the new designs our customers asked for I take a moment to reflect. The past 4 years since the pivotal dream, literally a dream that urged me on to manufacture our product I am amazed. Defining ourselves as entrepreneurs has been exhilarating, enlightening and terrorizing. Gregg and I have taken a bigger risk than we ever thought possible.

With my husband's tenacity and business sense we have created something that was not there before and that is stunning. There are more reasons not to do this than to do this unless you want some real excitement. Now my goal to make Thumball™ a household word like Frisbee™ or Magic 8 ball™ or Duncan Yo-Yo™.

I believe Thumball™ is truly beneficial and powerful in a surprising way. One toss of an Icebreaker or Who Are you Thumball and you can be communicating with someone you may never have spoken to in your life. One toss and the playing field is evened whether for students having autism, learning disabilities, ADHD or for diverse employees brought together for trainings. They may have all seen each other and even nodded politely but actually engaging in verbal interaction probably not.

So it is time to give thanks for those that believed in our dream. Family members and friends willing to work on our project and attend the trade shows with us and watch our dogs when we went on the road, thank you.

We have businesses to thank for their orders and support including;
Trainer's Warehouse, S & S Worldwide, Nasco, Self-esteem shop, Marco Products, Courage To Change, Self Help Warehouse and recently added to The Speech Bin catalog.

Of course our independent toy store retailers gave us an early start as well and we are grateful for them. There are so many others and we appreciate all of you. Thanks to our customers who ordered through the website or sent a PO from a school or business.

I don't always know where a blog post will take me as I write it. This foray led to thankfulness and that is a great place to go on any day for any reason. Giving thanks gives back every time. I am thankful for this journey the good, the bad and the terrorizing.