Huntington Mother, Daughters Promote Product On ‘Funderdome’
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“Funderdome” host Steve Harvey with, from left, Laurie Russo and her daughters Sarah and Melissa Wandursky on Episode 9 of the show, which aired last month. Photo Courtesy of ABC/Funderdome
By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
A trio of women with Huntington roots were featured on an episode of Steve Harvey’s “Funderdome;” a new reality show on ABC through which entrepreneurs pitch their products to a live studio audience in an attempt to win funding against a competing inventor.
Laurie Russo and her daughters, Melissa Wandursky, 28, and Sarah Wandursky, 24, appeared on the reality show that aired on Aug. 13 to promote their hooded infinity sports towel, the HoodiFit. The three took on Tyler Conlin, of Utah, who invented a once-a-week antiperspirant. Although the Huntington natives did not win the funding, Sarah said appearing on Funderdome was a positive experience.
“It was definitely fun,” Sarah said. “We got flown out to California where we were able to work with the producers to practice our pitch.”
Funderdome producers discovered the HoodiFit online after Laurie, Melissa and Sarah started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the product.
“The producers contacted us and told us they saw our Kickstarter and thought we should apply for the show,” Sarah said. “It’s lucky because we almost didn’t run the Kickstarter when we did.”
Sarah said filming the episode was an all-day affair, but that she, Laurie and Melissa only spent about 30 minutes on stage under the spotlight.
Both Laurie and Sarah live in Huntington while Melissa, who was born in Huntington, now lives in Jackson, Wyoming.
The three women also had the chance to meet the show’s host Steve Harvey, who Sarah said was nice.
The HoodiFit design originated when Laurie knitted infinity scarves for her daughters, but evolved into a fitness product out of necessity.
“My mom came up with the design idea about seven years ago,” Sarah said. “When she went back to the gym about a year and a half ago, she decided to turn the scarf into a towel material.”
The towel is made from 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester for stretch, according to Sarah.
In addition to being a fun experience, Sarah said being on Funderdome has helped increase interest in the HoodiFit.
“It definitely helped our sales,” Sarah said. “We got a bunch of orders the night that the episode aired.”
More info on the HoodiFit can be found at LauraAlison.com.
