How A Sleepless Night Inspired Me To Invent A Product & Sell It To The World

Corinne O’Leary

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Published: September 17th, 2022

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Corinne O’Leary

Founder, The CozyFeet

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The CozyFeet

cozyfeetusa.com

from Rockville, MD, USA

started April 2021

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My name is Corinne O’Leary. I invented a foot warmer called the CozyFeet.

It exists because, on a cold February night, I had chills, pretty high fever, and flu-like symptoms. I could not warm myself no matter how many layers I had on because my feet were frozen. I wrapped my body up in a blanket but my feet remained cold. I realized then that the products on the market to warm feet were simply inadequate. Socks, for example, are great for warming your feet but they are a pain to sleep in because you still have to take them off. This usually occurs mid-sleep because your feet are overheating. I do not like waking up in the middle of rare and welcomed slumber. Socks are not an option for me. The CozyFeet was exactly what I would have needed that night to counter my flu-like symptoms and provide warmth and coziness from my feet to the rest of my body. It is perfect for keeping your feet warm and cozy in a cold bed. It is incredibly practical and easy to use.

Simply slide your bare feet in it as you climb into bed. You can fall asleep with it on and wake up with it off your feet. It is made to come off effortlessly. The soft fabric is soothing and swaddles your feet. It is relaxing. In my family, we don’t just use it to sleep. It’s great for lounging around, or when sitting at your desk. We even use it while traveling by plane or boat…. Just don’t walk in it. It is not intended to be used for walking.

The CozyFeet is like a little warming pouch dedicated to your feet. It’s divided in the middle so your feet can stay separated and open at the bottom so they touch if you prefer. The combination helps warm your feet and make them comfy. This product is the first of its kind on the market.

To date, we have sold 311 units and now own the registered trademark “the CozyFeet”. It is made in the United States and has a patent pending. The feedback from our customers has been very positive and encouraging so far. It is very rewarding to go to someone’s house and see our product on the side of their couch and to know that it has become a necessity in their life.

What's your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

After 20 years working in the staffing industry, I started my own recruiting company, Allegiant Solutions LLC in 2012. While recruiting is my primary occupation, I decided to start the COR4 in 2021, after coming up with the CozyFeet concept. The COR4 is a woman-owned small family business established in Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its main product, the patented CozyFeet, was invented as a solution to warm cold feet in bed or when lounging around.

My “aha moment” when creating the CozyFeet was the night of my second COVID vaccine shot. I was suffering from a fever, and chills, and felt miserable. I was able to warm my entire body except for my feet, which remained frozen and prevented me from falling asleep. I imagined the best way to warm my feet. It was at that moment that I was able to draw the design of the CozyFeet.

Validating my product was a completely self-made process. I used the money from my savings to begin my new venture. I bought the fabric and materials. With those materials, I created my rough draft of the CozyFeet. After that, my college friend, Cindy, and I used a 20-year-old sewing machine and Cindy’s strong sewing skills to create 30 different models.

Take us through the process of designing, prototyping, and manufacturing your first product.

The idea came to me when I was sick in bed and the only issue I couldn’t solve was my cold feet (an extreme discomfort in my opinion). I began the whole process with just a drawing, which I showed to my college friend. We used a prototype of the CozyFeet that I hand-sewed as a model to create 30 different examples of the product. I then sent my sample product to many friends and family and waited for their feedback.

Once I gathered the input from friends and family, I was able to design the final version of the CozyFeet. From there I located a manufacturer and sent my design to be produced! I ultimately decided on two versions of the CozyFeet. A thinner option provides a layer of warmth while a thicker Sherpa option is much warmer and cozier.

The initial setup and production cost roughly $5000. With absolutely no experience in this field, I took a real chance on my product and the entire process. I started the company by acquiring a domain name and email. Then I registered my business with the state of Maryland and applied for a provisional patent with the United States Patent Trade Office. Finally, I registered the trademark name the CozyFeet, which I now own, and began selling online and at markets.

Describe the process of launching the business.

My launch relied solely on the support and enthusiasm of my family and friends.

To be honest, I wish I would have marketed more in the beginning. I didn’t value the options I had on social media, but now I have more than exercised all of my options online.

I used GoDaddy to create my original website. I am in the process of what I would call, the reboot of my online presence. I have taken new product photos and have begun updating.

My business is completely self-funded. No loans! No credit cards! The costs mostly revolved around materials, USPTO-related expenses, setup, and production of the CozyFeet. Along with all of this, the biggest lesson I have learned is that it's all a risk. This has caused a tremendous financial burden to me, but if you truly believe in your product you should take that risk. I am a single mom and sole provider for my children, but taking this risk and producing this idea was important to me.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Since launch, I have truly relied on social media and word of mouth from friends and family to attract customers. In terms of retaining customers, I have valued my customer service so that buyers are inclined to return and shop with me again.

In this day and age, social media is the best way to get the word out about anything, but as a new business, it has been a little bit difficult to gain a large following or attention online. That being said, we have recently received a bit more attention from followers on Instagram and Facebook.

We still have a smaller following, but I have found that captions and aesthetically pleasing photos have had the most positive feedback on our socials. Another online feature that has been seemingly positive on Etsy is the “review product” feature.

Past customers come back and review our product so future buyers can see fellow customers’ opinions. Great reviews promote sales.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

It is not a quick process. I have sold 311 CozyFeet so far. I want to continue my growth and hope this will take off as a necessary household product in the same category as a throw or blanket. Though social media has been helpful, I have paid for and used free ads on both Etsy and Facebook, with an ad ROI of $0. We do not currently have an email list link to our product and still only have a small Instagram and Facebook following.

Like everything else in my company, I distribute the product myself. The CozyFeet is sent to me from the manufacturer and I hand pack and distribute the product to buyers. All of our sales have been straight through my Etsy shop or in-person following markets and craft shows. My short-term and long-term goals are ultimately the same, sell the product! I would love more than anything to continue to sell my product to produce a great profit as well as reach a new audience.

Don’t give up, it isn’t always easy, you must persevere, gather information, and continue to use the resources available to you.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

The best decision I have made in this whole process is believing in my product! I truly believe the CozyFeet is a good idea and has its place in every household. People suffer from the discomfort of cold feet. My product is here to solve that problem. The issues I have encountered have stemmed mainly from my costs. I want to keep my products made in the USA but that is expensive. I manufacture in Illinois and buy my textile from a company in California and my elastic from a small business in Florida. Now all I need is to sell my products and introduce the CozyFeet to a wider audience.

I have over 1000 units produced and made. They are ready to sell! Whether it is slowly, or all at once, I would love to see the CozyFeet grow right before my eyes. I am using social media to attract a new crowd of customers. Online I currently only sell on Etsy, but I am looking to explore Amazon Marketplace and Shopify.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

The platforms I use for my business are Etsy, Instagram, Facebook, NextDoor, and TikTok. I currently sell through Etsy and use my other platforms to attract new customers. Etsy has been the most simple and easy-to-use platform to sell my products and have customers leave positive reviews!

Word of mouth has been an extremely beneficial tool for me, but other than that, promoting and posting the product online has been most useful on Facebook and/or Instagram.

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

This may seem silly as it is sometimes perceived as a children’s book, but an influential book in my life and through my small business process has been “The Little Prince” by Saint-Exupery. He describes a novela about a quest and within that quest, he reveals seven life lessons, three of which resonate with me daily, in both my personal life with my children and my business life.

Don’t be fond of numbers
It’s the time that you give to something that makes it precious
Take the time to look at the stars

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

For anyone just starting out, my top tips would include: Don’t give up, it isn’t always easy, you must persevere, gather information, and continue to use the resources available to you. Starting from nothing isn’t a simple process, but I have continued to believe in my product and the work I am doing surrounding it. I completed all the research necessary to produce the CozyFeet and have since worked with the people and resources around me to better my product and begin the growth of my company. The COR4 is still in the process of growing and reaching new audiences, therefore, I don’t plan on stopping or giving up anytime soon and I would encourage my fellow entrepreneurs to do the same.

Where can we go to learn more?

If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!

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