HSN Celebrity Opens TV Studio in Pinellas

By Linda Hersey

If pitching products on TV were a sport, Forbes Riley would be a serial gold medalist.

The home shopping celebrity has 115 half-hour infomercial credits to her name – more than just about any other celebrity seller – for the Jack Lalanne Juicer, Healthmaster Blender and other hit products.

But at 53, Riley is not about to slip into the technicolor sunset.

She has opened a state-of-the-art production studio at Forbes Riley International in Pinellas County, headquarters for her new business venture.

That venture includes Forbes Riley-branded products and the Forbes Riley virtual VIP club. Online members gain personal access to the TV celebrity and her philosophies on staying fit and living well.

To home shopping TV viewers, Forbes Riley is a household name. In 2013, she sold 61,000 SpinGyms, at $29.95 each, on the Home Shopping Network in a 24-hour marketing marathon. It brought in $1.5 million in sales.

"I don't know the meaning of the word, 'No,' '' Riley said, as she displayed a set of the metal SlimGyms, each compact enough to slip into a ladies' purse.

The SpinGym's popularity is especially sweet, because it is the first product Riley designed and developed, after years of pitching other people's items on QVC and HSN, based in St. Petersburg.

Riley sees herself as an Oprah for healthy lifestyles, a modern version of Jane Fonda, after she became a fitness guru.

"There has to be a balance of health, wealth and happiness," said Riley, who shows off her new TV test kitchen where she mixes veggie smoothies with Forbes Riley-branded protein powder. She is prepping to go before the camera in her twice-weekly fitness/weight loss class via the Internet and a local studio class of women.

Who doesn't want to be fit, rich and good-looking like Forbes Riley?

"You can write your own future," Riley urges. "I did."

Want to Learn More About Forbes Riley?

To try out the Forbes Riley VIP club and classes, Riley is offering a free, 30-day membership to Patch readers. Just go to FitwithForbes.com/Patch

Here are links to her websites:

• www.FitwithForbes.com/ for membership to her VIP club.

• www.ForbesRiley.com for news, discounts and free giveaways.

• www.FunwithForbes.com to connect with Forbes Riley.