Mom Invented

Struggling with hearing loss since she was a baby, Karen Wildman (left) knew a lot about drying out hearing aids from sweat, rain and other moisture. But when she realized she could apply her drying technique to other small electronics and started saving her children's and friends' gadgets, she knew she was on to a big idea. Partnering with her sister, Lisa Holmes, the two created Bheestie and Co. to sell their electronics-drying Bheestie Bags.

Starting small and funding the project themselves, Karen and Lisa took five years to develop their product, which is now being sold online and in retail stores -- including at major outdoor supplier REI. The two mom inventors are currently reveling in hearing about the countless iPods, cell phones, digital cameras and other gadgets their product has saved, and project their sales will double this year. Here's how they did it...

Why did you start this company and when?

About five years ago one of our sons dropped a newly purchased Game Boy in a pond and was brokenhearted when it would not turn on. Because of struggling with a hearing loss since she was a baby, Karen knew how to dry out hearing aids and applied her knowledge to other small electronics. After much research we came up with Bheestie Bag.

What were your initial goals?

BHEESTIE / 'bē-stē n: a servant who draws and carries water

Starting out we just wanted to be able to save all of our many electronics that had short lives due to moisture from sweat, humidity, saliva, and rain. Soon we were being called almost weekly to dry out all our friends' electronics. People were so happy to not have to replace cell phones and ipods. Our initial goals were to start selling locally, then on the internet, and then through a retail store.

What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

Trial and error was the route to developing a prototype. It's funny -- when the product is done it usually looks so simple, and only the inventors know how much work goes into a design. We initially wanted to have a product we could manufacture ourselves to save money.

How did you determine your product’s marketability?

We knew there was a need from personal experience, internet research and friends. We then pitched our product to many people across a broad spectrum of backgrounds to see if they'd be interested in buying it.

Were there any setbacks in product development that had to be overcome?

Lisa Holmes and her family

Many times we had to change the design, wording and packaging. It was a slow process and it was easy to get stuck in one place without any forward movement.

What secrets have you learned in terms of publicity and marketing your product?

We believe in our product, and we use our product daily which helps in discussing it with other people. Our customers are coming back for repeat buys. We have confidence that at some point almost everyone will wish they had our product.

What kind of support system do you have in place personally and professionally?

We both have great husbands who are very excited about our product. We have great kids that love us even though they forget mom can't do everything all the time. Our brother has also walked this path of product inventing and is a great resource along with many talented friends.

Who has been your biggest source of inspiration? What keeps you going?

Karen Wildman and her family

We are really inspired by the Spanx success story and we love reading stories about other successful inventors. If they can do it, so can we! Dreaming is allowed for both of us.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their products/ideas?

Go for it! There will be many highs and some lows but enjoy the ride. It feels so good to invent something and to achieve goals.

Thank you Karen and Lisa for sharing your story! If you have an interesting story to share about your product or business, we'd love to hear it!

Tagged as: Bheestie Bags, family business, feature, feature mom, featured mom, kid-inspired, mom inventor, product business, woman entrepreneur, woman inventor