If anyone was going to be the most aware of what food allergies exist, it would be the parent of a child that has them.
When Robyn O’Brien’s fourth child was diagnosed with food allergies that sent her on a track that she wasn’t about to be shaken off of. Launching AllergyKids on Mothers Day of 2006, Robyn created one of the most recognizable symbols for Allergy Awareness that’s available. That green stop sign with the black exclamation point inside it lets us know when a person has specific food allergies we should be aware of, and we can thank Robyn for setting it in motion.
What was your inspiration for AllergyKids?
When my fourth child was diagnosed with food allergies two years ago, I was thrown into the world of food allergies and autoimmune disorders given that we had no family history of the condition. As I began researching, I learned that food allergies affect approximately 20% of children today and grew alarmed that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and carton of milk was suddenly seen as a loaded weapon on a lunchroom table (given that we all grew up on it!). I felt that there needed to bea universal symbol, a pink ribbon, for food allergies, so I designed our bright green octagon – and placed it on simple little kid products (stickers, lunch boxes, etc.) to make it easier to identify these children at school, in the nursery or a birthday party.
What are some of the goals you have for your business?
Our goal is to find a cure for food allergies and prevent the continuing epidemic by providing parents with important information about ways to protect the health and well being of their families – from pre-pregnancy nutrition tips and beyond!
Have you learned anything since you launched that you wish you’d known before you started?
Things are not always what they seem! And you ARE going to encounter resistance, so be brave, tough and strong (our kids need you!). And…….A non-profit that is funded by Big Pharma and Big Food may not have the interests of children first!
What products do you offer through your website?
We offer our universal symbol for food allergies on lunchboxes, Crocs accessories, medical identification bracelets, stickers, decals, lunch box and backpack tags and medical carrying cases – making it easy to identify these children when they are away from home
What experience were you able to bring into AllergyKids that you already had before you started?
I have an MBA in finance and was an equity analyst on a multi-billion dollar fund and hedge fund. It was my financial analysis that led me to unearth previously undisclosed research about the role that chemical additives in the food supply have had on the health of the American children in the last ten years, earning me the title “food’s Erin Brockovich” by the New York Times! Prior to business school, I was in marketing – and learned about the importance of messaging.
Have you learned any special tricks to help you manage your website and being a mom at the same time?
Having had four kids in five years, I am used to running on sleep deprivation which definitely helps! But as a working mom, we all know, you have to work smarter! Efficiency matters A LOT. So find the time that you are most productive (for me, it is early morning, before my family is awake) and maximize those minutes! Remind yourself that it is not always going to be fun and easy, so give yourself a break (easier said then done!). And if you are able to have a wireless laptop computer, go for it, as your office, most likely, will end up being the kitchen counter!!
Do you have any advice for other moms who might be interested in starting their own allergy-aware business?
Go for it! Our children need us – and we are brilliantly educated, well connected, savvy women with so much to offer! Just because you are at home raising babies doesn’t mean that you checked your brain at the door for a diaper bag, so find what you are passionate about – is it better school lunches? A salad bar that is allergen free in the school cafeteria? Is it legislation? Is it allergen free cookies? – and find a like minded friend and start brain storming about all of the amazing things that you can do to protect the health of children! You will be amazed at how responsive people will be….!
Dana Keith on May 8th, 2008 at 2:11 am
Food awareness must be the first concerned of parents especially when they still have a baby, cause baby’s have low immune system that’s why they usually got infected with diseases..