Bottle feeding parents and breast feeding moms all know the feeling they get in their arm after holding their child in the same position to feed for a long period of time. Lisa Alfieri knew that feeling real well, and she took steps to help other parents solve that problem.
Taking two years to create the right prototype pillow and manufacturing it, BeeLu was officially born in November of 2007.
During a recent interview Lisa told me a little bit about her company and her invention.
What is BeeLu?
BeeLu is a lightweight, compact feeding pillow that fits like a sleeve. This pillow is designed to relieve pressure to you forearm while providing comfort to the babys head and shoulders. This pillow is small enough to fit in a diaper bag thus making it great for moms on the go!
What was your inspiration?
What inspired me was the many times I fed my son and found my forearm would go numb. I would reach for a blanket to provide some padding. When I shopped to find such a pillow one did not exist, so I had one made for myself.
Do you have any previous education or experience that you were able to apply to your business?
I have a bachelors degree in Nursing so understanding the anatomy and mechanics of feeding a baby was easy, however the business has been a challenge.
What steps did you need to take to get started?
So many steps. First I had a pillow made for myself. When I decided to pursue this as an invention, I had to find a manufacturer that could engineer a prototype. This is a trial and error process. Once the pillow was created we had to find a patent attorney, an accountant, someone to help create a logo and my package insert etc…
Have you learned anything since you started that you wish you’d known before?
I have learned a lot as I go along. I wish I would have known more about what tradeshows or baby expos entailed so I could have chosen a tradeshow that would benefit my product the best. Marketing a product can be challenging. There are so many options to advertise. This is where a marketing degree would come in handy.
What are some of the benefits you’ve found in running your own business?
The biggest benefit of having your own business is your own schedule. Also I love to share in my excitement with this product I have created!
Has parenthood taught you anything that you’re able to apply as a business owner?
Parenthood has taught me patience, time management, and some organization.
How do you manage your time between your business and your family?
I can’t say that I have a balance between family and business, I just do the best I can.
Do you have any advice for other moms who are interested in marketing their own inventions or creations?
My advice for other moms is to know a business is a longterm commitment. Be open to people being in your life for a reason. Maintain a good support system, and ask questions from people who have business experience. You can take what applies to you and your business and leave the rest.
Nugroho Adi Pratama on April 25th, 2008 at 5:17 am
nice product; i hope this product available on Indonesia soon; want to try it with my daughter.
Kelly Ricks on April 27th, 2008 at 2:26 am
The fact that the inventor is a nurse, who knows the mechanics of human anatomy, makes the product’s claim in relieving away pressure to be somehow credible.
curt on April 28th, 2008 at 12:16 am
I wonder, if the pillow could replace the real ‘human touch’ - the real feeling of being close for the baby. Maybe, I am a bit too old fashioned, but I could recall those hours of holding my kids certainly as some of the best moments in my entire life (and I am of medical profession as well, but I don’t think, that the profession itself plays any role here).
susan on May 4th, 2008 at 6:04 am
It looks so soft and comfy, wish it was around when I breastfed, my kids had huge (and heavy) heads. Would make nice shower gift…something the mom-to-be probably doesn’t have.