Kami, surely there were some uncomfortable moments by the pool that inspired you to create the SpaCushion. What inspired you? Yes. Actually, I was on vacation with my husband at a resort in Mexico when I thought of the idea.  We had been out late the night before and all I wanted to do was fall asleep by the pool in the sun. I was lying on my stomach, which required me to turn my head dramatically to one side to be able to breath. Well , it wasn't long before I needed to turn my head again to the other side because of the awkward uncomfortable position. As I lay there  not able to fall asleep, I thought about my body and  where there was  pressure and what kind of cushion could accomodate the body to make it comfortable.

Invention is always an evolutionary process. What were the first prototypes like? I drew out the design  by hand, then started looking for manufacturers. I first started in the United States and was able to find only 2 foam manufacturers willing and able to do the foam cut-outs for me. When I received the first foam cutouts, I took it, went to Jo-Ann Fabrics, purchased some fabric and went to work sewing my own 1st prototype. It wasn't beautiful, but was a good demonstration of the product idea. After that I

Do you have a background in product design? No I do not. I actually went to a military school called the United States Merchant Marine Academy and have a BS in Marine Transportation. I received both a formal education there, as well as sailing education (I have a US Coast Guard license to sail as a merchant sailor on ships), and an officer commission in the US Navy. I sailed for about 5 years as a third and second mate on various ships going to remote ports around the world (Kuwait, Sudan, Djibouti, Karachi, Kenya, Jordan, Bangladesh etc.). It was a great experience. And I probably learned to be adventurous as well as determined.

Who or what helped you see your vision to fruition? My husband has always been extremely supportive, as well as my friends and family. It's always hard to believe that someone's new idea is actually going to come to fruition, but this one had legs and success very quickly. I think that makes it easier to support and get behind something when you see there is a lot of interest in the market place for it. The other thing that helped me see my vision to fruition is the internet. The internet is a miracle for the wanna be entreprenur.  In the past, it would have cost a fortune to have prototypes designed, paid a China manufacturing expert to find manufacturers to make the design. Have several made, and then shipped to the States. With the internet, an individual with little capital can find and contact a manufacturer in China for $0, that is experienced in the materials needed for the product,  willing to make a prototype for next to nothing and then send a digital picture of the finished product before sending the prototype via  air freight to the USA.   

How have people been responding to the product? Everyone that has tried out the product loves it. It's really a very obvious solution. When people relax in the sun, they want to be comfortable. Most traditional cushions do not have the patent pending design of mine, and are generally thin and uncomfortable. As the baby boomers head into retirement, they will be demanding more comfort when they  go to their favorite resorts. If you are paying a lot of money for a luxury resort, you will expect the best and highest level of relaxation and comfort. My product satisfies one of the pieces of that experience. 

Our readers travel quite a bit. Are there any hotels or resorts where we can expect to find the SpaCushion? This is the goal!  We just started a  year ago,  and started slowly marketing to the individual market. But the ultimate goal is to have the Spa Cushion in all the major luxury spa resorts and hotels. We are actively marketing now to that segment and hope to be able to advise your readers of those locations soon. We believe that as customers stay at resorts that have our product, they will request it at other places and may even exclusively stay at locations that have them. 

What is your ultimate vision for the brand? I see the brand having worldwide appeal.  The world in general, Asia, India, South America etc is becoming more affluent and demanding the highest levels of comfort and luxury in every aspect of their lives. I see the brand  growing to provide  a wide variety of furniture which is both stylish and extremly comfortable to the worldwide hospitality industry.

I thought this was the perfect post as we head into the the end of summer. If you're lounging in a cabana this weekend, you'll definitely see the genius in Kami's creation. Here's her link if you'd like more information on the SpaCushion. Have a great weekend, everyone!