Join our network for access to hundreds of off-market opportunities!

Facebook Instagram Linkedin
login

Paula Abdul At The StarShop Pre-Launch Party In West Hollywood

On March 25th, 2015 history was made. The entire team at Angel Investors Network had the opportunity to attend a pre-launch party in West Hollywood, California for StarShop, a phone-based app that will sell branded products (more later). It was electrifying! We were with celebrities, Hollywood execs, investors and the recently assembled management team of StarShop, including their new spokesperson Paula Abdul.

My business partner Ed Bracken and I have been involved with StarShop since the summer of 2014, the day Sprint, a fortune 100 company, signed on. We were having breakfast with Kevin Harrington – one of the original Sharks – in San Diego where we were both speaking at the same event. Kevin was eager to share his vision for StarShop. He announced the signed agreement with Sprint. Needless to say, I was super happy for Kevin and very excited about his vision for StarShop. I knew right then that StarShop was a going to be a big deal.

Kevin is a visionary with a been-there, done-that track record – something investors love. Sprint agreed to come on board with StarShop and market the new mobile App to their 55 million customers. It’s apparent that Kevin has a tiger by the tail!

At this point Kevin had already been involved with Angel Investors Network (AIN) and this newsletter, as a shareholder and investor. I asked Kevin to let our team introduce StarShop to our network of investors so that we could be a part of helping market StarShop. After some discussion, Kevin agreed to give us an exclusive opportunity to buy in for a short period of time, to help benefit Angel Investors Network. Normally, when deals like this come along, it’s big Venture Capital firms and/or investment banks that scoop them up and only people in their good ol’ boys networks get a chance to invest.

Thanks to our relationship with Kevin, he graciously gave us the opportunity to share this opportunity with our good ol’ boys network.

So what IS StarShop and why are we so excited?

StarShop is the newest app for smartphones. It is being designed as the first 100% mobile optimized ‘Mobile Shopping Network’. It’s like Home Shopping Network for mobile devices. The super cool twist about it is that it’s celebrity and entertainment video-driven – think of Entertainment Tonight meets Home Shopping Network only 100% optimized for mobile devices! A celebrity-driven social engagement mobile shopping marketplace, the first one of its kind.

StarShop’s celebrities and their app stores will be used to sell branded products targeted primarily to an under age 50 audience. Celebrities are filmed in 30-120 second “selling videos” where they pitch, demonstrate, use and describe the various products being sold. It’s a simple model, utilizing celebrities to sell merchandise from millions of phones on a daily basis.

Because of Kevin’s extensive background in the industry, the team has gone to great lengths eliminating the expensive overhead driven model of QVC and HSN. They’ve created a lean, streamlined business model that is poised to make history in the mobile e-commerce space. This business model includes NO inventory, warehousing, multimillion dollar video production studios, expensive airtime or media buys. This model seems to have eliminated all the major costs of a proven TV based market. All that, combined with the muscle of Sprint and celebrity-driven branding, Kevin has assembled a world-class management team with an amazing strategic advisory board and some incredible joint venture partners. They are already planning to launch in 5 different countries and predict a global market within the next 36 months. This is a very aggressive plan that seems obtainable when considering the worldwide reach of Sprint and its parent company, Softbank.

Truly, this is the American dream in action. One of those rare deals with more risk reducers than we can count, and the probability for a huge financial upside.

Consider this one fact, when was the last time you saw a fortune 100 company involved in a startup? Do you think for a minute they would play at the level they are in StarShop to make just a few hundred million dollars? My guess is that Sprint is betting StarShop will become a 10 figure business. Anything less won’t move their financial needle. Stay tuned for the rest of this story…

Recent Posts

Follow us on social media

Facebook Linkedin Instagram

Copyright © 2024 Angel Investors Network, Inc | All Rights Reserved

Scroll to Top

Robert L. Duncan – corporate strategy, and investor relations

Robert L. Duncan brings extensive experience in finance, corporate strategy, and investor relations to companies seeking growth and capital. He specializes in guiding businesses through the complexities of securing funding.

Duncan’s primary focus is on working with companies in the Food, Energy, Medical, and Housing sectors who are seeking growth capital. He plays a crucial role in assisting these borrowers in securing both loans and equity financing, leveraging his expertise to navigate financial markets. His responsibilities also include managing day-to-day operations and working with financial institutions on loan portfolios.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Duncan served as President and CEO of Pinnacle Investor Relations, LLC (2010-2015). In this capacity, he developed and executed impactful marketing and advertising campaigns for publicly held companies, presenting them directly to investors and investment managers. A testament to his strategic approach, he formulated campaigns that led to a 40% increase in firm revenues within a six-month period. He also has experience in client engagement and negotiation from his time as a Sales and Leasing Consultant at Mercedes Benz of Buckhead (March 2015-May 2018), where he consistently achieved recognition for his sales performance.

Robert Duncan’s academic background includes a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina (1985). He shares his practical knowledge and insights as a frequent Guest Speaker at esteemed institutions, including the Clemson University Master of Accountancy Program (since 2023) and the University of Georgia Law School (since 2024), engaging with the next generation of financial and legal professionals.

Fadi Malouf – Strategic Buyer & Business Growth Architect

With over two decades of experience in scaling businesses and leading high-impact M&A strategies, Fadi brings deep expertise in acquiring and growing ventures across tech, real estate, and service industries. As President of FM Enterprises, he partners with private equity firms and investors to drive enterprise value, scale operations, and position companies for high-value exits. Fadi has access to over $2B in funding, a network of 800+ investors, and a proven track record of building companies from $200K to $5M+ in under a year. His structured, ROI-driven approach has led to successful outcomes across 62 U.S. healthcare locations, multiple private ventures, and large-scale advisory roles. At the heart of his work lies one mission: to engineer legacy-driven businesses that win.

Irina R. – Operations Manager | Digital Business Strategist

Irina R. is a seasoned Operations Manager with over 4 years of experience in project, team, and operations management for digital businesses, complemented by nearly a decade of leadership and management expertise as a B2B Account Manager at a French multinational universal bank and financial services company – Société Générale.

 

At Angel Investors Network, Irina plays a pivotal role in streamlining operations, optimizing workflows, and ensuring seamless execution of both internal and external projects.

Luisa B. - Web Designer and Marketing Design Strategist

Luisa B. is an accomplished Web Designer and Marketing Design Strategist with over 5 years of experience in web design, creative design, and digital marketing. As the creative lead, she collaborates on planning, developing, and launching high-converting campaigns that drive business success.

At Angel Investors Network, Luisa guides the design team, developing high-impact design and marketing solutions that ensure brand consistency and contribute to the successful launch of projects fueling company growth. Her creative expertise and collaborative approach strengthen Angel Investors’ digital presence.

John Reighard, Partner & EVP

John Reighard is a Partner at Angel Investors Network, where he leverages his expertise in business development, networking, and investor relations to help entrepreneurs secure funding and scale their businesses. With a passion for connecting people and ideas, John plays a pivotal role in fostering strategic partnerships and guiding business owners toward sustainable success. In addition to his work with Angel Investors Network, he also owns and operates two other small businesses.

 

A Connector and Networking Extraordinaire, Business Coach/Consultant, and Inspirational Speaker, John is deeply committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve meaningful results. His mission is to empower entrepreneurs and leaders to create lasting impact through strategic growth, financial acumen, and powerful relationship-building.

 

John has trained with, been mentored by, and provided consulting services to some of the world’s top thought leaders in personal development and business transformation, including Jack Canfield (America’s #1 Success Coach and Founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul), Stephen Covey, T. Harv Eker, Bob Proctor, Blair Singer, Robert Kiyosaki, Neil Rackham, Marcia Wieder, and Roger (Bud) Seith. These experiences have shaped his ability to guide clients through personal and professional growth, helping them unlock their full potential.

 

Before joining Angel Investors Network, John took a sabbatical in 2002, living with his family in Norway, Portugal, and France—an enriching experience that followed 15 award-winning years in Silicon Valley. During his time in the tech industry, he worked for leading companies such as Lucent Technologies, Exodus Communications, Octel Communications, and Brady Corporation.

Meet Jeff Barnes

Jeff Barnes is a former US Navy Nuclear power plant operator on a Submarine, Navy diver, risk management director, technology enthusiast, business growth expert, advisor and management consultant. Mr. Barnes sits on the boards of startup companies, runs a venture fund, supports non-profits supporting military vets, and spends most of his time helping CEOs and founders of growing companies automate, systemize, and scale to 8 and 9-figure valuations.

With over 20 years of technology, systems, operations, and marketing experience, Mr. Barnes has advised over 1,000 companies, invested tens of millions in advertising campaigns, and helped companies generate over $1 billion in investment capital.

As the chairman of Angel Investors Network and founder of Digital Evolution Marketing Group, Mr. Barnes has worked with founders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs around the world to accelerate the growth of their businesses and achieve substantial exits. He’s a father, husband, veteran, business owner, advisor, and mentor, and his true passion in life his helping others achieve success, freedom, and autonomy in theirs.