Exploring Life & Business with Shiva Walker of Binet Industries: Umbrella Buddy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiva Walker.

Hi Shiva, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My invention journey started around two thousand and six while teaching in a small elementary school. Every time it rained, my students would come in with wet umbrellas and either places them on the floor, hang them on their hook along with their coat and backpack or stuff it inside their backpack. No matter where they placed their umbrellas, water would accumulate. As the rainwater collected in the carpet, the room would begin to smell like mildew. I have a very sensitive nose, so it was hard to ignore the odor. Not to mention all the wet and soggy contents in their backpacks. I decided to come up with a solution to the problem. I started envisioning a bag that could fit inside of their backpacks to place their wet umbrellas in. The bag would need to have an outside material that would repel water and an inside material that absorbs water. It would also need to be compact so that it can fit within a backpack.

Unfortunately, my invention idea was placed on the back burner because I was unaware of how to turn this thought into a reality. Fast forward five years and I noticed an invent help commercial on television. I called, made an appointment, and excitedly started planning on how to make this dream come true. I was so ecstatic to meet with representative and hear his enthusiasm about my idea. Everything was going great until we began to discuss pricing. He quoted me an exuberant price that I was not able to pay. I left deflated and sad because I thought I had finally found the way to make my dream come true. I ended up putting my idea back on the shelf for another five years. It wasn’t until one day I was scrolling through Facebook and spotted a post that would change my life. I was scrolling in a group called Brand, Build + Launch with Arsha Jones and read a post that stated are you looking for someone to help you take your invention idea to the next level. I’m a very optimistic person so I figured why not try.

Before replying to her post, I decided to research and learn more about her first. I was so elated to see a woman that looked like me not only create a product, patent the product, sold the product on the market but also licensed it for six figures. She was exactly what I was searching for and was reaching back to help others. She led a cohort of students through a program that included how to protect our idea, engineer the product, design the product, and build a prototype. She also was able to connect me with a company to help with manufacturing my product. The entire process was a dream come true and led to the creation of the Umbrella Buddy.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
This process has not been smooth, but I’ve learned a great deal along the way. Some of the struggles that I have encountered include product manufacturing, raising capital and marketing. Product manufacturing has been a struggle because I used a company to help me find my manufacturer. Unfortunately, the company has gone out of business which leaves me having to start over with finding and vetting a new manufacturer. The process to get the Umbrella Buddy exactly the way I wanted it was tedious so I’m not excited about having to use a new manufacturer. On the bright side, I get to modify and add in some of the upgrades for the new version. Raising capital has also been a struggle. I initially raised fifteen thousand dollars using a Kickstarter campaign. The process was scary and grueling because I had never begged for money in this capacity. Kickstarter requires you to meet your goal or loss all your money. I was determined to meet my goal which required asking and asking and asking some more. I was able to reach my goal with the help of family, friends and my social media following. The entire amount was used to fund my first production order.

There was nothing left to pay for business expenses and anything else needed to make the business flourish. Of course, money is needed to make my business grow so I have participated in applying for numerous grants and used most of my own funds. I will continue to pour into my business and apply for grants and participate in many fundraising efforts. No, it will not be easy, but I am dedicated to my company, and I believe I will get everything I need to make it grow. Lastly, one of my biggest struggles is with marketing. I have attended enough masterclasses and workshops to know that marketing is one of the largest parts of a business. The marketing process has been a struggle because I have really had to dig deep to determine my ideal client and what I wanted to say to them. I am in the process of building a community around those that love the Umbrella Buddy and those that love me. I have always been a private person and have had to work through being open and allowing others behind the curtain of my life. Working with a coach has helped me find the voice of the Umbrella Buddy and get really clear on how to relay my love for the product.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
It may be because I’m a Sagittarius but risk taking is something I am very comfortable doing. Yes, there is frequent fear that comes along with risk-taking but I normally just do it scared. I’ve taken multiple risks and many of them are because I really believe that the Umbrella Buddy will be a household name. One of the many risks I have taken is quitting my full-time job to work on the Umbrella Buddy. At the time, I did not have a clear plan. I knew that my full-time job took up all my time whether physical time or mental time and I knew I couldn’t continue if I wanted to build my brand. The time off gave me the opportunity to learn more about how to make a business grow. I am a risk taker by nature, but I understand that taking risk is not easy for all. My husband is not a big risktaker, but he has learned, after over twenty-five years of friendship, to trust me and the process. I look forward to more opportunities to take risk. When I take risk, I always feel it’s a step in the right direction because it takes me out of my comfort zone. I will continue to take risks because I know that one day my risk will lead me to a new opportunity to grow.

Pricing:

• Range between $19.97- $34.97

Contact Info:

• Email: shiva.walker@gmail.com
• Website: www.umbrellabuddybag.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/umbrellabuddybag
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/umbrellabuddybag

Image Credits
Dual Capture Creation