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FEATURED MOM INVENTORS
LISA HARRINGTON
Lisa Harrington was a pediatric nurse who was bored with the standard shoelace-style lanyard on which she wore her hospital ID. So she designed and made a stylish alternative to wear - and her coworkers noticed. She began making them and selling them from home, but as the trend in workplace security grew - especially after 9/11 -- Lisa and her partner Kimberly decided to ratchet up production and launch the business in a big way to meet the needs of a growing market. The result is their flagship product line, BooJeeBeads - stylish and attractive badge holders, eyeglass necklaces, id badge clips and more. They have doubled their sales each year since launching, and last year hit the $2 million mark!
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LAURIE GADBOIS
Laurie Gadbois was a single mom to baby, Tor, when she first began developing her invention, Baby Light & Clip, five years ago. Today her innovative product, which helps parents trim baby's nails more safely and confidently, is on the shelves of retailers nationwide. Her product was also recently featured in USA Today. In her interview with Mom Inventors, she shares details on how she approached the prototyping and manufacturing process, and she offers tips on marketing, trade shows and more. Here is her story.
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BUTTONED UP INC.
Buttoned Up Inc. makes organizational products that help people organize the important aspects of their lives -- without making organization a full time job. Since its launch just 4 years ago, the company - founded by Alicia Rockmore and her business partner, Sarah Welch, along with Alicia's sisters Susan Lerner and Nancy Meyer - has grown quickly, today offering more than 30 products. These products are specifically designed to help people organize aspects of their lives ranging from important documents to work projects to fitness programs and much more. The company's products, which have recently been picked up by Target for national distribution, include smartly designed binders; notepads with helpful reminders and information; user-friendly filing systems; and more. We interviewed Alicia Rockmore, the Queen Bee (CEO) of Buttoned Up, Inc. She is mother of Lucy, age 6.
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LISA DRUXMAN
Lisa Druxman had worked in the fitness industry for 16 years before she gave birth to her son, Jacob. She was faced with the dilemma of so many new moms today: she needed a full-time income, but didn't want to be away from her baby on a full-time basis. So she came up with the idea for Stroller Strides - fitness classes that combine a stroller-based workout and body toning exercises (moms do the whole workout with baby in tow). Moms love the program because it combines exercise, social time with other moms, and an activity with baby - it's the ultimate in multi-tasking! She had so much demand for her workout that she has since franchised the concept across the country.
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MEI XU
Mei Xu grew up in China, coming to the United States in 1992 to pursue a graduate degree. After graduating with a Masters of Arts in Communications and Journalism, she found herself stuck in a job that was unsatisfying. So she started thinking of alternatives, unleashing an entrepreneurial spirit that had been lying within. She and husband David founded Pacific Trade International and signature brand Chesapeake Bay Candle in 1994, which has since become one of the largest candle/home fragrance suppliers in the world, supplying major retailers in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
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MAUREEN KELLY
In 1999, Maureen Kelly realized she wanted a line of cosmetics that didn't exist: make-up was formulated with healthy, natural ingredients; was easy to apply, even for a novice; and that came in great-looking packaging she'd be proud to pull out in public. So she invented them herself. Her company, tarte, Inc, has grown exponentially since then by offering women all these things in one line of cosmetics. She's also taken her marketing by storm by appearing on QVC and creating a wholly unique website with blogs, forums and fun that's fostered a community of loyal and involved customers
(www.tartecosmetics.com). Her company sounds like it's great fun to work for, too!
Click to read more... |
SHARON APPLEGATE
As a nutrition consultant for a public school district, Sharon Applegate knew that developing healthy eating habits at an early age is critical to lifelong success. She also
discovered a lack of fun, affordable education products to help spread the word. So in 2005, she decided to invent something herself. The result - Food Fun Nutrition Cards
(available at
Foodfun4kids.com) - has become the flagship product for a profitable business, as well as a source of information and inspiration for children and their caregivers.
Click to read more... |
CRISTY CLARKE
Have you ever gone to a cocktail party, only to wish the conversation could have moved beyond the same old small talk? Do you crave more meaningful conversations around the family dinner table?
If so, then TableTopics™ is just for you. Created by mom entrepreneur Cristy Clarke, the cards are printed with interesting and thought-provoking questions, and housed in a beautifully designed cube you can keep on any counter, cocktail or dinner table.
Click to read more... |
MARY DROLET
In 2000, Mary Drolet founded Club Libby Lu, an experiential specialty retailer that caters to tween girls ages 6 through 12. Together with two partners, she created an interactive, unique shopping and play experience that has grown to 93 stores nationwide. Saks, Incorporated, acquired Club Libby Lu in 2003, leaving Drolet at the helm.
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AGELESS REMEDIES
Jennifer Curtin and Maureen Herrmann met in college - and now, years later, are co-presidents of a fast-growing franchise-based company, Ageless Remedies. Ageless Remedies retail stores provide skincare products and services to promote smooth, healthy skin from head-to-toe in a one-stop shop. The store environment is clinical but relaxing; with an extensive apothecary of skincare products designed to give clients individualized results. With 11 stores, the company has plans to expand by 20 more retail outlets this year. Here is their story:
Click to read more... |
SERENA & LILY
Lily Kanter was the owner of a baby boutique when a chance meeting brought her together with Serena Dugan, a textile designer and artist,
in 2003. Eight months later, they released their first nursery collections - beautiful designs that combine simplicity and sophistication for
today's households. Since then, their offerings have grown significantly, and they've become the bedding provider of choice among the celebrity
set, including Jennifer Garner, Britney Spears and Elizabeth Vargas. Fueling their passion in the for-profit world is the desire to give back
to those less fortunate, which is why 5% of company profits go to organizations that serve underprivileged and at-risk women and children. They
also recently aligned with Baby Buggy, a charitable venture founded by Jessica Seinfeld, wife of Jerry Seinfeld (find out more about their
philanthropic efforts at
www.serenaandlily.com).
Click to read more... |
SILPADA DESIGNS
Bonnie Kelly & Teresa Walsh officially launched Silpada Designs in 1997 - a jewelry home show company that offers handcrafted sterling silver pieces. The company's unique and beautiful designs, sold by 19,000 women across the country, doubled its sales year after year through word of mouth. Today, the company is poised to top $250 million in sales for 2007. Here is their story.
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KAREN NEUBURGER
In the early 1990s Karen Neuburger left her job as VP of Merchandising for a large women's sportswear firm to become a full-time stay-at-home mom. Leaving the corporate dress code behind, she sought out comfortable clothing she could wear at home. Karen soon began designing her own clothes - the first being the original KN super-soft "boyfriend" pajamas - and began selling them to friends and eventually to large retailers. Her big break came when Oprah announced them to be among her "favorite things" - and women across the country took notice. Today KN Ltd. and the KN Karen Neuburger lifestyle brand produces an array of comfort-inspired apparel and home fashions with more than $100 million in sales per year.
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DEBORAH STEPHENS STAUFFER AND KATHLEEN WHITEHURST
Two years ago, friends Deborah Stephens Stauffer and Kathleen Whitehurst got together at Deborah's house to brainstorm new business ideas. Both wanted to start and run a business for different reasons - Deborah was new mom, and Kathleen was retiring from a career in retail. They were inspired when they least expected it: at lunchtime, Deborah asked Kathleen to feed her baby son. But Kathleen wasn't sure which of the half-eaten baby food jars in the fridge was fresh...and as it turned out, neither did Deborah. The DaysAgo™ Digital Day Counter was born, a gadget that attaches to food jars and counts up the days since they were first opened. It takes away the guesswork about whether the baby food, salsa or pasta sauce is spoiled!
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AMY NICHOLS
Virginia resident Amy Nichols had a successful - but unsatisfying - five-year career in telecommunications sales when she got the itch to start her own business. She considered many options - including staying in her current field - until she finally decided to go with her heart: dogs. Six years later, she's built a highly successful dog daycare and spa franchise business called Dogtopia. She is definitely barking up the right tree - her original location alone grossed almost $1.5 million in 2006! Here is her story.
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BRENDA DRONKERS
Pump It Up was founded in 2000 by California mom Brenda Dronkers, who was joined by fellow mom Terry Dillenburg in 2002. Since then the company has grown to 250 Pump It Up franchises across the country, which offer families and kids an indoor private party facility with huge interactive inflatables to climb and play on. The company prides itself on providing a safe, clean and fun atmosphere for people of all ages. Customers must be happy - in just 7 years the company has grown to $53 million in annual revenues. Mom Inventors interviewed Brenda Dronkers to learn more about the Pump It Up story.
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SANDY STEIN
In 2004, 52-year old Sandy Stein faced the prospect of unemployment after 32 years in the airline industry. At the same time, her husband's job was at risk, as well. Sandy knew she had to re-invent her life to guarantee a future income for her family, including their 10-year old son, Alex. Her invention, Finders Key Purse, started as a dream - literally. One morning she awoke with the product idea, and two and half years later she's managed to turn that dream into a multi-million dollar business. Here is her story.
Click to read more... |
DREAM DINNERS
Dream Dinners evolved from the homegrown practice of co-founder Stephanie Allen, a working mother who began making fix-and-freeze meals for her family in 1986. By preparing and freezing entrees using fresh raw ingredients, Allen created delicious, easy-to-prepare affordable meals perfect for her family's busy schedule.
Allen was showered with requests to share her secret method for timesaving meal preparation. When the demand became overwhelming, Allen enlisted the help of long-time friend and experienced business manager Tina Kuna. The partners hosted the first series of large-scale meal assembly sessions in March 2002, which became the catalyst for opening the first Dream Dinners store three months later. Within one year, the company established a national franchise and opened 35 new stores across the country.
At the stores, customers assemble their own dinners with pre-chopped, diced raw ingredients and take them home to freeze. On busy nights, they can simply pull them out, thaw and cook them for healthy, delicious dinners.
Click to read more... |
TRACY PORTER
Tracy Porter began her company in 1991 in an unheated chicken coop in her Wisconsin town. Newly married with no money, she and her husband John decided to follow their dream. Now, 15 years and 4 babies later, Tracy has built a multi-million business with beautiful wares in a large range of categories - tableware, rugs, lighting, furniture and much more, all bearing the signature Tracy Porter design. She has created a loyal following of customers across the country who collect her unique pieces.
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MARY FRANCES SHAFFER
In the late 1980s, Mary Frances Shaffer began designing costume jewelry and handbags as a hobby. Her creative spirit quickly led to a full-time business - she founded Mary Frances Accessories in 1989 with a relatively small investment of around $10,000. Since then her sales of uniquely embellished handbags and gift items have grown to $13 million per year. It's no wonder - her handbags have been spotted being worn by today's most high-profile fashion icons, including Paris Hilton, Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Simpson and Queen Noor of Jordan.
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COURTNEY ROVIRA
Last year we featured Mom Inventor Courtney Rovira and her business partner, Shannon Larkin, when they launched Gal-Pal Deodorant Remover (see Mom Inventors archives for full story). Today, Courtney's back to tell us about her second venture - Blue No. 7 - a solo effort that features high quality home and lifestyle products, including her signature retro ice bags in fun colors and designs. Here's her story:
Click to read more... |
STEPHANIE TAYLOR
A few years ago Stephanie Taylor noticed a gap in the marketplace for totes that could help busy women get organized - and look fabulous at the same time. She set out to design a functional yet fashionable handbag that women would love. And love it they did. Since then, her line has expanded into multiple handbags and accessories that are beautiful yet highly functional. Her business has allowed her to realize her passion, and at the same time create a schedule that allows her to spend most days with her 23-month old daughter Cameron (with another baby on the way!)
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STEPHANIE CARTWRIGHT
Stephanie Cartwright's inspiration for her highly successful business, Bread and Budder Buckets, was a happy accident. An oil painter, Stephanie looked at her paint-splattered bucket one day a couple years ago in a whole new way - and noticed a work of art. This inspired her to create her beautiful and utilitarian collectable line of buckets wrapped in the latest fabric pattern - buckets households are now collecting and enjoying. She is the mother of two teenage daughters and resides in Watkinsville, Georgia.
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KAREN CAPP
Karen Capp of San Diego, California, found inspiration for her business the way many mom inventors do - from her children. When her oldest child, Mitchell (now 8) was born, she discovered a lack of quality art for kids' rooms...and she set out to change that. Now with a second child, Cammie (4), Oopsy daisy, Fine Art for Kids, is thriving. Here is her story.
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NOEL GOLDMAN
Meet Noel Goldman of Celebration, Florida. She saw a common problem - the slipping, sliding and general overexposure of bra straps everywhere - and set out to solve it.
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LAURA UDALL
Laura Udall of San Jose, CA, is the inventor of the ZÜCA - a funky and functional way to carry gear, designed for school children, business travelers and more. Mother of Rachel, age 19, and Steven and John, age 17, her idea was born of necessity eight years ago- her kids needed bags big enough (and cool enough) to carry all their stuff- but without the backaches that often went along with traditional backpacks. Over the next few years she developed the ZÜCA and has since launched it into a successful business.
Click to read more... |
BETH CLAMPITT
Meet Beth Clampitt, inventor of My NapPak and mother of four (Cullum, age 7, Preston, age 15, Meredith, age 18, and Bryan, age 21).
Click to read more... |
ERICA AQUART
Meet Erica Aquart, mom to Stefan - 12, Zachary - 5, and Marlo - 1. Out of necessity she invented the "Cuddle 'n Cover Towel Apron and Bath Essentials." The Cuddle 'n Cover Towel Apron and bath Essentials consists of 3 unique pieces- the Towel Apron, the Wash Gloves and the Towel Cap. As we all know, babies are slippery during bath time which can be stressful for even the most experienced parents. Erica designed a unique alternative to the baby bath towel. It is a baby towel that moms or dads wear! It is a towel, an organizer and safety support all in one! And it protects you from getting wet while you bathe your little one!
Click to read more... |
NINA RESTIERI
Meet Nina Restieri, President of momAgenda and mom to Andrew (9), Jenna (7), Matthew (5) and Jamie (2). Whew! This is one
busy mom who needed the product she created! MomAgenda is an original day planner created for mothers. This stylish and
functional planner helps eliminate chaos and restore order to the scheduling challenges that go with parenting. Its unique,
week-at-a-view layout features separate spaces for mom and each child, allowing moms to manage multiple schedules with ease!
Designed out of necessity, it is a perfect example of how a personal challenge was turned into a marketable product for the
benefit of other moms. MomAgenda was featured on the Today Show on December 6th! I interviewed Nina so that we could hear her
inspirational story.
Click to read more... |
GAL-PAL
Meet friends and partners Courtney Rovira (CEO and mom to Antonia -- age 8) and Shannon Larkin (President - with baby on the way!). Early one evening, while getting ready for an important dinner, Shannon found herself only several hours away from the dinner and in a sea of beautiful dresses at a local boutique. When she finally found the perfect dress she realized it had deodorant marks along the sides of it and there was not another one in her size. She needed a solution that was permanent and quick. This inspired her to create the Gal Pal Garment Deodorant Remover.
Read more...
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MISSY COHEN-FYFFE
Meet Missy Cohen-Fyffe, the founder and president of Babe Ease, LLC and mom to Joshua (10) and Andrew (8).
Read more... |
SUSAN DUNK
Susan Dunk, Founder of The Dunk Group, LLC (dba ToddlerCoddler) not only turned her product idea into a booming success but also grew her business 900% in the past year. See how she went from gluing together her first prototype to launching her product nationwide and is now branching out into international markets including England, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Read more... |
AMY BERGIN
Meet Amy Bergin, mother of Mary (6), Molly (4), and Michael, Jr. (2). She is the inventor of the Couponizer. The Couponizer® is a time and money saving organizing system for the shopper in the family. The kit includes all the tools necessary to make saving money easy.
Read how Amy successfully sold her product on QVC and fully enjoyed the experience! |
PIPPEN HILL DESIGNS
Together, Elizabeth Gradie Chinn and Deborah Rivera Wienhold created Pippen Hill Designs, a small design and manufacturing company devoted to developing products that offer children comfort.
Read how they created their new start-up 'ad'venture together and advice they share for other moms launching small businesses. |
LEIANNE MESSINA-BROWN
Meet Leianne Messina-Brown, Founder and CEO of Gourmet Tote. The Gourmet Tote is the thermally insulated food, wine and casserole carrier with a convertible and removable shelving unit for carrying multiple casseroles, prepared dishes, appetizers and beverages in separate compartments. The award winning Gourmet Tote can be used for dinner parties, potlucks, tailgate parties, supper clubs, picnics and outdoor concerts.
Click here to learn what inspired Leianne to create the Gourmet Tote! |
WENDY TUEY, PROUDBODY, INC.
Meet Wendy Tuey, mother of Cian John (3), and Cuinn Ceana, (11 months) and step mom to David (17), Michael (16) and Kaitlyn (11).
In 2001, Wendy founded ProudBody, Inc. ProudBody is a fun and easy pregnancy belly cast kit that allows expecting moms to create a unique keepsake of their pregnancy in the privacy of their homes. No mixing of messy materials is required and the end result is a perfect 3 dimensional memento of a mom's beautiful pregnant form.
Wendy is a licensed corporate attorney and certified public accountant, however, after looking into her new-born son's little eyes she said that she couldn't go back to her corporate job. She shares, "I had never dreamed in a million years that I would want to leave my high-powered corporate profession to raise my son."
Click here to read how she brought ProudBody to the market. |
JENNIFER HUGHES
Meet Jennifer Hughes, mom to daughters Phoebe (5-1/2 years old) and Lilli (3 years old). She is the Founder of The Liloebe Company which designs and manufactures a unique line of infant apparel under the brand name Stylease. Stylease is one-piece infant wear that looks like separates so the baby can have a more stylish wardrobe but the parent can still have the ease of a romper. She wanted the clothing to be affordable and to be readily available in every department store so that parents could benefit from the product.
What is an ex-private investigator doing designing clothing?!?! As it turns out, she had the perfect skills and background to successfully create a home-based business while taking care of her girls.
Click here to read more about Jennifer's intriguing story. |
J.L. CHILDRESS CO., INC.
Meet Jan Childress, mom to daughters Sarah (now 19 yrs. old) and Kate (now 21 yrs. old) ---the girls were 5-weeks-old and two-years-old when Jan began this journey. She is the Founder of J.L. Childress Co., Inc. Her company has evolved over the past twenty years to include many products. However, her company was launched with a single product that she developed out of necessity.
Prior to creating her business, she worked for Disney as an Art Director in Advertising when she became pregnant. As a working mother intent on breastfeeding her infant for as long as possible, Jan Childress designed a tote bag to carry her breast pump and a separate insulated bag with a reusable ice pack to care for the expressed milk until she arrived home. She marketed the Express Bag to other working moms. Since launching the original product, she has invented other products as well.
Jan worked tirelessly around her babies' schedules to design and market additional products to meet the needs of today's active parents.
Click here to learn more about her story. |
LINDA TURNER, T & J DESIGNS
Meet Linda Turner, mom to Courtney (now 22 yrs. old ---12 years old when Linda began this journey) and inventor of the Bellybra® which is a product made by her company T & J Designs, LLC. The Bellybra is a bra that supports a woman's belly throughout her pregnancy. It equally distributes weight between the shoulders, is non-constrictive, lifts weight off the pelvis and has no snaps, hooks, or Velcro.
Linda considered herself an artist not a business woman when she began developing her product. "Developing the Bellybra definitely changed the direction of my life. I could not have imagined at that time in my life that I would become a businesswoman, manufacturing a product overseas and selling it all over the world. Sometimes it's still hard to believe," says Linda.
Click here to learn how Linda turned her idea into a thriving business, how she licensed her product to another company and then asked for it back, a critical business mistake that could have thrown her off course and advice for moms who have a great product idea. |
SIMPLY TIFFANY TAITE, INC.
Meet Tiffany Whitchurch, mom to Hunter (5 yrs old), Parker (4 yrs old), Chandler (4 yrs.old), Spencer & Sayler (3 yr old twins), and founder of Simply Tiffany Taite a jewelry, gift and clothing manufacturing company. She designs hard to find items for babies and children. One of her most popular lines is the real pearl jewelry for little girls. Not only is her jewelry currently found at Nordstrom, but this Christmas 2004, she will be launching her product line in the Neiman Marcus catalog.
Click here to learn how Tiffany turned her idea into a thriving business while managing five children under the age of two (no this is not a typo)! |
JENNIFER FLEECE, FLEECE BABY
Meet Jennifer Fleece, mom to daughters Killan (3-years-old) and Eloise (14-months-old), and founder of Fleece Baby, Inc. She is the inventor of the trademarked Fleece BabyTM infant sheets. Infant bedding has typically been designed for how it "looks" not how it feels to the baby. Jen designed the sheets with baby in mind. Knowing how sensory oriented babies are, she knew that her daughter would be interested in a more tactile fabric than cotton or jersey. By marrying her patented safety pockets (to prevent SIDS) with soft fleece material she created a proven model for success.
Click here for Jennifer's story and to learn creative marketing methods she used to launch her product. |
CHERYL WELLS, AUTO MOBILES
Meet Cheryl Wells, mom to Ashlee (20 yrs. old) and Tatum (5 yrs. old), and inventor of Auto Mobiles®. Auto Mobiles is the first travel mobile to adhere to a car's headliner and was designed for the visual entertainment of infants and toddlers in car seats. It appeals to today's ever-mobile family and receives positive reviews by parents/caregivers who appreciate the simple joy and pleasure it brings to their precious passengers.
Click here to read Cheryl's story and learn about her Ah Ha moment! |
GAIL FRANKEL, KEL-GAR, INC.
Meet Gail Frankel, owner of Kel-Gar, Inc., a juvenile products company that specializes in accessory products for the stroller, car, travel, bath, and bath safety. Gail likes to say that her products make life easier-and we truly believe that they do. We are particularly proud to feature Gail because if you have had a child in the past few years, then you more than likely have some of her products in your own homes. Gail has been regularly featured in magazines and newspapers across the country and we are pleased to share her story with you today.
Read the full article. |
THE ORIGINAL MIRACLE MATT
Meet Diane Harding, Mother of five and the Inventor of The Original Miracle Matt; an air mattress for pregnant women, obese people, post operatives, long term bed rests, and people who suffer from chronic low back pain. This innovative inflatable mattress is protected by three patents and includes the mat, pillows, wedges, covers, an air pump and a carrying case. The Original Miracle Matt is an inflatable twin size mattress designed to dynamically support your body with a variety of pillows and wedges.
Read more about this inspiring story. |
MOTHER'S MILKMATE
Meet Cary Weinstein and his wife, Judi, Inventors of Mother's Milk Mate breastmilk storage system. Before delivering their first child, the Weinsteins planned to use breastmilk as a primary source of nutrition for their baby. But when their son was born, he had difficulty latching on and Judi ended up pumping milk for nearly a month. Soon the bags of breastmilk filled the freezer, leaked, were difficult to use, and ended up in disarray. The baby eventually latched on, but the learning experience proved to be their inspiration for a breastmilk storage system that provides an economical, convenient, and ecologically responsible alternative to plastic bags.
Five years later, Mother's Milk Mate is sold in nearly 40 internet, mail order, and hospital breastfeeding supply stores.
Read more about this inspiring story. |
JULIE DEFRUSCIO
Meet Julie DeFruscio, Mom Inventor of Pump Wear Products and mom to 14-year-old Adam, 11-year-old Patrick, and 5-year old Nikki. Julie is a remarkable woman with three children who all have juvenile diabetes. Through the experience of her own children's diabetes, Julie developed a business committed to helping other children living with the disease. Wearing an insulin pump can be an embarrassing experience for a child. Julie and her partner Dawn Juneau, design and manufacture designer Pump Paks and fashionable children's clothing that provides a discrete place for the insulin pump. This allows "kids to be kids" which is what any mom wants for her child.
Click here to read Julie's inspiring interview |
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