(39) Desert Conditions

We're off to the beach! Vacation time, finally. It's also a good opportunity to test the invention in "desert conditions", as well as "beach conditions". Lots of sand, salt, bad terrain, greasy suntan lotion, wet kids, packing/unpacking, loads of beach accessories; in short, all kinds of variables to throw into the stroller and strolling equation. I don't think our stroller fleet will be happy with us, getting put through the grueling "boot camp" for this invention; thankfully, though, we've still got 1 kid small enough to warrant a stroller, and therefore serve as spokesmodel (she's on the front of slingwheels.com).

In support of the eventual ecommerce element of this journey, I've now applied for a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), plus registered as an LLC retail business for tax and tradename purposes in the state of VA. Very easy, all forms online, and nice telephone support. Have also collected the wholesale information on select accessories we think we could resell, that are related to the invention, and started to adjust the site (in our development environment) to accommodate a shopping cart/catalogue feature. I'm investigating two different kinds - one offered by my ISP (aplus.net), and one that seems pretty good another mom-operated stroller site uses. Letsgostrolling.com is a nice shopping experience, easy and clean - I did a "view source" on the web pages, found references to "aitsafe", and tracked it down to Mal's ecommerce server/shopping cart service. Looks pretty good.