'The Lanyard Ladies' Win $20K for Business on TV Show

Story by Stephen Bronner

Two local moms who teach kids how to make lanyard and friendship bracelets at parties and other events recently won $20,000 from a TV show to expand their business.

The Lanyard Ladies, Heidi Cohen and Colleen Demas of Oceanside and Valley Stream, were awarded the prize on Bethenny Frankel's show on Fox. The Ladies entered the contest through a Skype video submission, and were one of three finalists to appear on the show to discuss their ventures.

“We plan to use the $20,000 toward franchising our business to give other moms an opportunity to own their own business and start a new career,” Cohen told Patch. “We love being an inspiration to other people.”

Cohen and Demas met while working at a summer camp, where they found that kids enjoyed making lanyard and friendship bracelets. The stay-at-home moms, who had no experience running a business, sent out 1,000 flyers to residents of their communities. It worked, and after only two years, the Lanyard Ladies are “so popular,” according to Cohen.

The Lanyard Ladies have a studio in East Rockaway.

Bethenny airs on weekdays at 11 a.m.