- Tell us something about yourself, your background
I was born and raised in Italy. Family is everything to me. I live in Ventura, California with my husband and 13 year old twins. I have a Bachelors in International Business and Marketing, and a Master’s in Education. I have always had a passion for creating and inventing things. My number one passion is being a mom and because of this I wanted to create something that allowed me to be creative while staying home with my children. In 2004, I started my own language company TeachMeItalian. I love teaching and sharing my Italian culture with others. Being so busy, I cherish the few times I get to pamper myself, and that is how I came up with the idea for SoothingEyes™. I wanted a product that helped me relax, relieved my migraines, and protected my eyes. When I’m not working, you can find me at the beach reading a good book.
- How/Why did you start inventing. What set you off?
I came to this country from Italy when I was 10 years old with my family. I watched my parents dive into owning a restaurant just two months after we arrived! Seeing their dedication and passion for what they did, instilled a fire in me to also be my own boss. When I was 24, I started my own Italian Language business and I have been teaching privately, for different businesses and universities ever since. Then, in 2016, I had this idea for SoothingEyes™ because I was tired of the light bothering me when I went and got facials. After researching, I went home and brainstormed with my husband and children and SoothingEyes™ was born. I want my kids to see the same passion in me that I saw in my parents, and continue to always think outside the box and create and invent.
- Can tell us about the product you invented with a brief explanation
SoothingEyes™: These are patent pending individual eye covers that protect your eyes from direct, visible and UV light. They can be put in the fridge or freezer for a cooling feeling. They are made from medical grade silicone. They are reusable and can be washed and disinfected. They are 100% HAND MADE. The packaging is recyclable.
- What is innovative about SoothingEyes™?
SoothingEyes™ have a very thin laminated metallic inner core that blocks out direct visible and UV light. They can be put in the fridge or freezer for a cooling feeling. They are flexible and soft and contour to the human eye. Their weight makes them stay on the eyes. They are small, compact, and easy to take them on the go. They are reusable and come in 5 different fun colors: pink, blue, black, purple, and green. SoothingEyes™ can be customized to have different fun logos or emoticons.
- How did you get from idea to finished product?
I created SoothingEyes™ because my eyes are extremely sensitive to bright lights. Every time I would get a facial, I was always uncomfortable when it came time for extractions and the big, bright light would have to go over my face. The flimsy cotton would not protect my eyes and it fell off during the facial. Needless to say, I was not relaxed!
I went home and decided to create a product that could be used during facials, medical treatments, for headaches, relaxing in the sun or just at home after a long day at work. This is how SoothingEyes™ was born!
My husband and I researched a lot online and talking with different experts in the beauty field about what materials would work that would protect your eyes. I wanted something that was super easy and reusable. I didn’t want my customers to have to pay for a new pair each time. SoothingEyes™ can be washed with soap and water or an appropriate disinfectant solution. We created 3D molds on our 3D printer that my husband had built himself – like I said, we love to tinker and create in this house. At first, our eye covers were only one color and they didn’t have a logo on it. I liked them, but I still felt something was missing. So we went back to the drawing board and came up with fun different colors and put our logo on it. When we tested these out, I liked them, but still I could see a bit of light. So, once again we went to the drawing board and that is when we came up with putting a very thin core inside. Once we tried them with the core, I was extremely satisfied because they blocked out the light and I finally felt 100% satisfied with my product. My favorite feature is that they can be put in the fridge or freezer for a nice cooling feeling – for me, a migraine sufferer, that is ultimate relaxation.
- Let us know of useful resources that helped you i.e. Books, websites, software etc
I did a lot of research online because at first I just wanted to find something that would allow me to enjoy my facial. Once I realized that what I wanted was not out there, I started my research with local and international aestheticians. I talked to them on what they wanted as eye covers and mostly, what their clients would want. I researched online materials that would be natural and safe since these eye pads are placed on our sensitive eyes. Lots of research and testing.
— End of Interview —
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