Crowd Rules #101

Crowd Rules on CNBC

Episode #101 - Specialty Foods 

Johnny McLaughlin is one of the first contestant's
of the Crowd Rules Show on CNBC

 The very first episode of the Reality Show "Crowd Rule's" got off to a very successful start on the first season premiere that aired on May 14, 2013.  During each episode the three Entrepreneur's are competing for $50,000.00 in cash to help their businesses expand. Each episode has a different theme with the first episode covering the Specialty Foods Market. The Host's for the new reality show making their Debut are Kenda Scott and Pat Kiernan. The first Guest Host and noted authority in the specialty foods business is Elizabeth Chamber's. The very first businesses representing this field are Pickle Licous, Mr. Green Tea and Heart Breaking Dawns Hot Sauce.


Meet the first contestants of CNBC "Crowd Rules".

Pickle Licous owner Robyn Samra, aka The Pickle Lady, has been in the pickle business for over 20 years serving up a very large variety of her treats. The Pickle Licous Store is located in Teaneck, N.J. which is most famous for for their Pickle-on-a-stick which all new customer's can try for free.

Mr. Green Tea is a business owned by the Emanuele Family. Tea is not their specialty but gourmet ice cream made from tea leaves is. Mr. Green Tea Ice Cream was first started in the 1960's and is now co-run by the founder's Son and Grandson in Keyport, N.J.

Heartbreaking Dawns is a line of BBQ Sauces started by Johnny McLaughlin in Wycoff, N.J. Chef Johnny has been perfecting an entire line of specialty BBQ Sauces that has something for everyone which was proven to be a winner when he was featured on the Food Network Channel.

Special Guest Host for Epidose #101

Tonight's theme is "Specialty Foods" which Elizabeth Chambers is a clear expert at in this field. Chambers is the founder of the very successful Bird Bakery Business in San Antonio, TX. which she has won numerous awards for. She has also hosted several Shows on FOX, NBC, CBS and FOX Business Network to name a few.

Crowd Rules Recap from Episode #101

Mr. Green Tea and the Emanuele Family got off to a great start which had them leading the competition with the judges after a brief overview of all the businesses. Each contestant is given a chance to tell the judges what they would use the $50,000.00 if they win the Crowd Rules contest. Johnny McLaughlin and his heartbreaking Dawn BBQ Sauce was a close second as the judges REALLY seemed to like his secret sauces. The Pickle Lady and her Daughter had a solid plan to expand the business but the competition was fierce as only one can win.

Elizabeth Chamber's was sent to all three businesses prior to the taping of Crowd Rules which She video taped what she had learned during her visit. Robyn the Pickle Lady was doing an exceptional an amount of sales but was unsure which products out of dozens to choose from was selling the best. Not keeping track of your inventory did not sit good with either Chamber's or the other judges but they all really liked the product and the sales thus far.

Mr. Green Tea is a popular gourmet ice cream business with their main customers from high end restaurants with very little marketing going directly to the consumer. The stores that did carry the Mr. Green Tea products seemed to be having trouble keeping it in stock. This could actually be a good thing, that is if you can keep up with demand and be united in your business decisions. It appears that the younger Emanuele wants to grow with the times and envisions a much larger company then his business partner/ Dad has in mind. A Family that is not united, especially when it comes to money and business decisions, can have a dramatic effect on the bottom line.

When Elizabeth visited Johnny McLaughlin and the HeartBreaking Dawns Headquarters there was one thing that really stood out besides how many variety of sauces he carries, and that was pure passion for developing the Best BBQ Sauces in the world. It was very evident that Johnny eats, sleeps and breathes Heartbreak Dawns sauces on his continued effort to perfect his recipes.

Heartbreaking Dawns Wins the First Crowd Rules Show

In the end the majority of the 100 voters loved the collection of hot sauces and determined that Johnny McLaughlin had the best plan to grow his specialty foods business.and was awarded the very first $50,000.00 Cash Prize Money in episode #101.

So whats it like to be the very winner of a soon to be famous new reality show? You can hear McLaughlin explain what it's was like to win the very first Crowd Rules Show in his own words in the video below.