Cherryville’s Janice Lenius heard the airline attendant announce the plane’s descent into LAX, and thought to herself, “This is the biggest market of my life.”
Only three weeks before, and this trip wasn’t even on the radar. Nnow Lenius and husband Travis were about to touchdown in Hollywood.
Lenius, owner of Lumby’s Earth Elements Farm Products and Potion Tattoo Aftercare, was invited to showcase her products at the talent lounge of the 40th annual Daytime Emmy Awards, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in June.
She was invited by Off The Wall Gifts, the company responsible for assembling the gift bags for the event.
Off The Wall researches up-and-coming brands on the Internet, and Earth Elements was spotted.
After being contacted by Val Wilson, of Off The Wall, Lenius was asked to send further information and product samples. Her company was then chosen as one of 11 contributors out of the thousands that applied.
Dragons’ Den, the popular entrepreneurial reality show on CBC, happened to be at the awards doing a follow-up story on another Canadian company. A conversation ensued and Lenius has since been invited to audition for Dragons’ Den in January.
Of the Emmy Awards, Lenius said: “We were told to expect a slow start to the day (Saturday), and then all of a sudden, in came a flood of stars with their entourages — daytime soap opera stars, Disney children actors. It was overwhelming.”
The day continued with Lenius rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars, including Canadian Alex Trebek, of Jeopardy, and staff from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios.
“I had some nerves about how I was going to speak with these people, being such a small-town girl, but everyone was so nice,” said Lenius.
Sunday was another busy day at the talent lounge before the stars proceeded down the red carpet for ceremony.
“We went down and watched the whole thing,” said Janice.
“Then Val Wilson tells us that she’s able to get us into the actual awards. It was like a dream. George Lucas, Betty White, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, and so many others, walked right by us.”
Earth Elements is located in downtown Lumby.
