Here is my story on how my project/invention came about:
It was in the spring of 2014 when I went in to my medicine cabinet for a tube of Neosporin when a vitamin bottle fell onto the sink and broke. Scattering vitamins and pieces of plastic all over the sink and floor. That reminded me of the time when a similar incident happened many years earlier. I reached for a thermometer and a bottle of cough medicine fell onto the sink, breaking, spilling all over and knocking off the rinse cup as well. That was a mess and I “should’ve” learned from that mishap. But it wasn’t till my second mishap in 2014 that I took action. That is when the light bulb went on and I said to myself, “there has got to be a better way to contain and organize these products”. I began doing some research and all I could really find remotely close was a basket. To me that wasn’t quite suffice to what I envisioned.
That is when I became determined to come up with a solution to what I thought was an issue. The wheels started turning to come up my own version of a self-contained organization system initially and originally for a medicine cabinet. After several trials and tribulations I finally came up with “The Strap”. I found this to be a very simple, affordable DIY system. I manufactured all the components (except the elastic strap) by hand and installed it in my medicine cabinet. I then thought why shouldn’t every home have one in their medicine cabinet?
I approached a friend with my concept and was very discouraged at first as he replied saying it was a pretty cool idea but he doesn’t have a medicine cabinet. I asked what he did with all the items that would be in a typical medicine cabinet? He said he has a drawer for all that stuff. That’s when another light bulb went on that “The Strap” can be used to line 1-4 sides of a drawer or even the shelf part. That light bulb kept getting brighter and brighter as the ideas for usage continued to expand.
I was determined to make this work. I sought out a patent attorney, had the search done and filed a provisional patent application. I was slowed down a bit by back to back shoulder operations. While sitting in a sling watching TV, an advertisement for an RV show at our local fairgrounds came on. That’s when yet another light bulb went on as I remember my experiences traveling in a motor home. Everything was packed in boxes when in route. The boxes were unpacked when we got from point “A” to point ”B”. Then everything got packed back up to go to point “C”. And all the while traveling if someone wanted something they had to sift through the marked/labeled boxes.
This would no longer be the case with “The Strap”. All you have to do is put everything in the cabinets at the start of your journey and hit the road. Making your travel experience more pleasurable allowing you and your loved ones more quality time without the hassle of repeatedly packing and unpacking throughout your travels. Keeping all your items and personal belongings secure and organized.
The next day I took my sling off and drove myself to the RV show. I showed a few of the RV dealers some pictures of my invention. They ALL loved it!!! I was told one of the biggest complaints from customers were dishes moving all around, opening up the cupboard doors and sometimes even breaking. I was invited to come to the RV dealership when the show was over to take some pictures, measurements and videos of the inside of their RV’S and come up with 3-4 SKU’S and pricing specific to the camping and travel world. I did just that. I even made a mock up cabinet from actual dimensions of a common size cabinet in an RV. One of the SKU’S I had come up with solved the biggest complaint from customers regarding the dish issue.
I drove around with the mock up cabinet in the back of my truck for approximately 4 months and NOTHING even moved. I also presented my product to the parts and accessories manager of another local RV dealership. He loved it as well! He gave me the contact info to their accessories rep. . Although EVERYONE loves the idea, I am asked questions like: Where can it be bought? How soon can it be delivered? What does the packaging look like? Where else is it being sold? Do I have a website? (I do but only 3 of 8 pages are completed)… Which brings me to why I am reaching out to Kick-Starter. Although EVERYONE loves the idea. I am struggling with no working capital. Being permanently disabled, I am on a fixed income.
I plan on sending out new vendor applications and formal request letters, pictures and videos to over 33,000 targeted Retailers, cabinet manufacturers, hardware stores, sporting good stores, RV/camper/motor home dealers, camping world, camp grounds, and the boating world. Etc… I also plan on reaching out to craft and hobby stores, nail salons, tattoo studios, home owners. I fully intend on doing trade shows, home shows, Rv shows, boat shows, flea markets. Etc… I also plan on selling on Amazon, E bay, my website. Social networking such as: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, And so much more…
I firmly and strongly believe my product solves a problem and has MANY different applications. I also believe in my head and my heart that my product will be a great success!!!
Risks and challenges
I think the biggest challenge for this project is getting funded. If the funding is met, I have all my ducks in a row just waiting to push the go button.
I think the biggest risk is the product not selling. BUT, based on the many positive responses and support I have gotten I do not think the risk is that big.
I hope the next biggest challenge is meeting supply and demand. To me that would be the best risk and challenge of all. And it WILL be met!!!
Once funded I have waiting in the wings the likes of a graphic design artist, the packaging, labeling, web designer, accounts with raw materials vendors, and a pay pal account.
I have a manufacturing facility and office space just waiting.
I have a staff lined up.
Although all the above can be construed as a risk or challenge when the project is completed with funding, I am ready and very anxious to overcome all the challenges and risks that come my way.
Let me say with confidence that I feel I have the credentials and experience in the fields that would be necessary to overcome those challenges and risks and the ability to move forward and begin launching my product to the world successfully.
I have over 25yrs of management experience. 20yrs of manufacturing. Several years of sales experience. I even have a couple years of dealing with distributors in getting new products into stores. I have done shows, product presentations, and demos before.
I am a very resourceful, aggressive professional person. I have been successful at everything I set out to do. And expect this project to be no different as it will be my baby and something I would like to pass down to my daughter some day.
I have the determination and drive to make this a success. I will do what it takes to meet and exceed deadlines, fill orders and PO’S while providing top notch professionalism.