Entrepreneur:  

“Former book editor Bilik was a chronic procrastinator. The idea for her business actually came while putting off the creation of her illustrated memoir. After designing and sending belated holiday cards in January, her friends encouraged her to sell the cards. “Humor is a great way to acknowledge and excuse your own shortcomings,” Bilik says. “January” is now her bestselling holiday card.

With the profits from a real estate sale, Bilik launched Knock Knock in 2002 with 13 products. Buyers were hesitant until they saw prototypes, so a sales company came onboard to help her gain entry into specialty gift stores. Despite difficulties keeping up with orders, sales shot to $650,000 the first year. “The key is resiliency,” says Bilik, who learned quickly from her mistakes.”