Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant Rewards Innovation and Ingenuity of Mom Entrepreneurs
September 13 2007 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Third Annual Recipient Receives $20,000 Business Grant for
Converting Standard Water/Juice Bottles into Baby Bottles BENTON
HARBOR, Mich., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Necessity may be
"The Mother of Invention" but being a productive, resourceful and
entrepreneurial mom takes a little more than that these days.
Recognizing this, Whirlpool brand announced the winners of its
third annual Mother of Invention Grant, awarding over $40,000 to
help momtrepreneurs make their inventions a reality. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040202/DETU004LOGO ) The
Whirlpool Brand developed the Mother of Invention Grant to help
moms realize their potential by providing necessary business
resources to launch their invention. Words often used to describe
these momtrepreneurs are innovative, productive, inventive and
protective. This year's grand prize winner, Beth House, from
Diamond Bar, Calif., encapsulates all of those with her Water
Bottle Nipple Top and Pacifier innovation. "I have truly learned
that anything is possible by winning this grant," said House, who
will receive a $20,000 business grant to help her execute plans for
her invention. "With the Water Bottle Nipple Top and Pacifier, I
hope to make life a little easier for moms each day, and ultimately
show them they should always believe in their ideas." The Water
Bottle Nipple Top and Pacifier converts most juice and water
bottles into nippled baby bottles, and doubles as a pacifier. The
idea came to House out of necessity during a family camping trip
with her husband and their foster children. When they ran out of
baby bottles, House came up with the concept of a nipple that would
screw on to the opening of a water bottle. Rather than waiting for
the idea to come to market, House created the product and is now
getting it off the ground. In addition to the grant, House will
receive a Whirlpool(R) Duet(R) washer and dryer pair, a
Whirlpool(R) Fabric Freshener and a $3,000 stipend for a new home
office. House and four additional winners will have the opportunity
to attend a Whirlpool business boot camp with House. The camp, held
at Whirlpool headquarters, will be hosted by Whirlpool brand
experts and 2007 judges, will include roundtable discussions on
topics critical to starting a business. In 2007, Whirlpool brand
called on established entrepreneurial moms Julie Aigner-Clark and
Stephanie Allen to serve as the guest judges for the program.
Aigner-Clark, creator of Baby Einstein and co-founder of the Safe
Side, and Allen, co-founder of the Dream Dinners meal assembly
franchise, will both participate in the October boot camp. "Each
year, I'm very impressed with the quality and scope of the entries
-- this year was no exception," said Aigner-Clark. "There are
brilliant moms with unique ideas everywhere, and I truly hope that
all the entrants will continue to develop their concepts and strive
to reach their goals." Additional awards and winners include: First
Prize - $7,000 grant, a Whirlpool Gold(R) PowerScour(TM)
dishwasher, a Whirlpool(R) Duet Sport(R) washer and dryer pair. --
Julie Savage, Simpsonville, S.C.: Created Tidy Toys, a mobile toy-
cleaning service. The business disinfects toys, books and more at
doctor's offices, daycares, churches, etc. -- Stacey Hoskins
Beeler, Liberty, Ky.: Designed a product which monitors sick
children. Second Prize - $5,000 grant and a Whirlpool(R) Duet
Sport(R) washer and dryer pair. -- Andria Sgro, Del Mar, Calif.:
Developed a bandeau wrap worn around the bustline of pregnant and
breastfeeding mothers while showering to soothe, protect and
support tender breast area. -- Kristi Pierce, Vergas, Minn.:
Invented the Under Cover Plunger, a plunger with a handle which
pivots to fold flat, and stores conveniently under the toilet tank
lid. Information about the 2007 Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention
Grant recipients will be available at http://www.whirlpool.com/moms
. Video highlights from the boot camp will be available to view
later this year. About Whirlpool Brand Whirlpool Corporation is the
world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances,
with annual sales of approximately $18 billion, more than 73,000
employees. Recognizing that consumers are dedicated to caring for
their families but lead busy, active lives, Whirlpool brand
provides forward- thinking appliances to help consumers save time,
manage space and produce results with less effort. In addition to
providing appliance solutions that are designed based on consumer
insight, Whirlpool brand is dedicated to creating ENERGY STAR(R)
qualified appliances like the Duet HT(R) washer, which uses 73%
less water and 77% less energy than conventional washers (compared
to a conventional washer manufactured before 2004, using the normal
cycle). Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest
corporate partners, donating a refrigerator and range to every new
Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. Additional
information about the company can be found at
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040202/DETU004LOGO
DATASOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation CONTACT: Audrey Reed-Granger,
Director of Public Relations, Whirlpool +1-269-923-7557, ; Karina
Stabile, Peppercom for Whirlpool, +1-212-931-6164, Web site:
http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/
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