Millburn Family’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Lands Them On TV

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn entrepreneur Carly Drum-O'Neill can sum up her family’s appearance on Steve Harvey’s Funderdome in five words: “once in a lifetime experience.”

Drum-O'Neill, along with her two daughters, Taylor and Keira O’Neill (both students at South Mountain School), will be appearing on the Sunday, Aug. 20 airing of Funderdome, a “seed-funding competition reality series” on ABC where budding entrepreneurs go head-to-head to win over a live studio audience to fund their ideas, products or companies.

The process of taping – and then finally making it to television – isn’t a short one; the O’Neills filmed their episode on the show last October in Los Angeles, California.

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According to a release from the Millburn Public School District, the episode featuring the O'Neills will air on Sunday, Aug. 20. Find out more about the show and how to watch here.

BUDDYBAGZ

Here’s the idea that landed the Millburn family on national television.

The O’Neills are the creators of BuddyBagz – an all-in-one bag/blanket/pillow and stuffed animal that helps traveling kids and families to carry their gear in one place.

Check out the website here.

There are eight designs available, as well as the special “Brave Buddy” for all kids who need a friend to remind them that they are brave enough to overcome any struggle or fear. Millburn school officials said that 15% of the profits of the Brave Buddy will go to local nonprofit, The Valerie Fund.

• See related article: Thousands Walk to Support Valerie Fund

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE ON TV?

Drum-O'Neill told Patch that filming their episode was “such a neat experience.”

“We got to go behind the scenes of a major, national TV show,” she said. “It was a once in a lifetime experience.”

“The live audience was really surreal,” Drum-O’Neill added. “They are such a huge part of the show and we definitely didn't realize their influence and impact. There is a member of the show who is in charge of the audience that is pretty cool, so he - in our case - kept the audience energized and focused and ready to participate.”

But in case you think Taylor and Keira got a vacation from their studies, think again.

“The kids had a teacher for the four days we were there through the studio,” Drum-O’Neill said.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos: Carly Drum-O'Neill