When I had my second child, I was awestruck by how many baby products had come out in the two brief years between the births of my two kids. I remember thinking how much nicer the strollers were, how much more fashionable the diaper bags were, and how many more choices there were for baby carriers. And of course, I wanted to buy them all – particularly tools that made life as a mom easier.
I first came across My Plate-Mate when I joined one of my favourite online communities for mom entrepreneurs Mompreneurs Online. Michele Wong, who created My Plate-Mate with co-founder Paige Akabane, is a very active member and frequently asks and answers questions on the Mompreneurs Online Community.
When I looked at the simple design of the My Plate-Mate attachment, I thought, “How cool!”
My Plate-Mate Inventors Michele Wong and Paige Akabane
Early Beginnings
My Plate-Mate is a self-feeding tool that attaches to any size plate that allows its user to scoop food onto a utensil without the food spilling over onto the table. Michele is a mom of three kids, while Paige is the mom of two. Like many mom entrepreneurs, the ingenious idea for My Plate-Mate came from their experiences as moms. “We both had kids around the same age and we were constantly picking stuff up off the table and floor after every meal,” says Michele. “We thought it would be great if there were a product that kept food on the plate while helping toddlers learn how to eat with utensils without the frustration and mess.”
You can see how their diverse careers on biotech and eldercare, along with their experience as moms, led to the creation of this product. My Plate-Mate addresses two customer sets: toddlers who are learning how to eat unassisted, and elderly or special needs individuals like those recovering from stroke, or who may have arthritis in the hands, or anyone who many extra assistance during mealtime. My Plate-Mate’s mission is to offer its users independence and self confidence no matter their age or limitation.
They have been actively selling their product since April 2008.
On The Job Learning in Uneasy Times
It took Paige and Michele 15 months to bring My Plate-Mate from concept to market place.
When I ask the team about what obstacles they had when starting their business, Paige replies, “Too many obstacles to count!”
Along the way, they had to overcome several start-up hurdles, including how to source a business loan in one of the toughest economic climates. They faced one obstacle that many new entrepreneurs face: a steep curve on learning everything about running a business as well as how to develop a product.
“This was a project we both had no experience in and had to become experts on every facet of the business,” recalls Paige. Their list of daunting new tasks seems endless. The duo had to figure out how to create a prototype, patent and manufacture a product, and decide how to package, market and distribute that product – just to name a few.
Still, Paige finds that the learning experience has been incredible. “We continue to learn new aspects of the business every single day!”
Positive Responses
Michele and Paige didn’t have to wait long before they knew that were on the right track. They tested the product on friends and family. “The parents loved My Plate-Mate because there was less toddler mess to clean up after mealtime,” says Michele. “The little ones were happy because they could eat independently like their older brothers and sisters.”
But one response that resonated with the team came from a friend’s blind Grandmother who had to use her hands rather than utensils to eat. She was delighted with My Plate-Mate, which allowed her to feel where her food was while using a utensil. “It was the first time she was able to eat with a utensil and a plate in many years,” says Michele. “She shared with us that she had regained her independence and dignity during mealtime.” That’s when the team knew that they were doing the right thing.
Combining Work and Family
Like all mom entrepreneurs, Paige and Michele cope with their day-to-day lives of running a start-up business and dealing with the day-to-day mommy life of laundry, carpools and after school activities. Rather than work to draw the line between work and family, Paige and Michele’s answer to balancing the two is to combine them. “We have monthly dessert meetings together with our spouses and kids,” says Paige. “While our kids are enjoying some popsicles outside, we’ll brainstorm or discuss business updates with our spouses.”
The two founders love sharing the experience with their children, who have watched the entire creative process of coming up with an idea, putting it to paper, and seeing the final product sold in stores though out the US and beyond. Including them has led to an interesting positive result: “They all want to be inventors too!” Paige beams.
In addition, the team says that organization is the key. “Divide and conquer,” advises Paige, who splits a lot of the business tasks with Michele. The two take on responsibilities according to their individual strengths.
Advice for Mom Entrepreneurs Starting Out
“Network for help,” recommends Michele, who has met great entrepreneurs through trade shows, on Twitter and online communities for mom entrepreneurs. In addition, she says that perseverance is a must-have in this business. “Be prepared to give it a solid two years for your product to take hold. Be patient and keep plugging away.”
The team’s best advice? Stay sane by taking time for you. For Michele, it’s Bikram yoga. For Paige, it’s hopping on the treadmill for a run.
Say the inventors: “Make sure to get some ‘individual time’ for yourself.”
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