Today we’d like to introduce you to Felisha Crier Hosein.
Hi Felisha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
While pregnant with my daughter Jezenya, I had sciatica and excessive water retention, which made bending down painful and difficult – was bedridden, on bed rest by the 6th month. Switched to slip-on shoes and dresses, but putting on my underwear was a daily struggle. If my husband was not home to help me get dressed, I would sit at the edge of my bed with my underwear in hand, toss it like a lasso, hope for it to land on my foot, then use my other foot to wiggle it up. After doing that for some time I thought there’s got to be an easier way. This was back in 2010. Searched online and in maternity stores and found that all underwear had to be put on the “standard way” which was a problem since bending down or lifting my legs was a challenge. One day I got out of bed, cut up a t-shirt and bra and made underwear with hooks on the sides, one that can be put on while standing, sitting or lying down.
Our slogan is “no more bending down to get your underwear up!”® Spent years working on the patent, looking for manufacturing companies to work, making prototypes, doing revisions, and finally building a business around my invention. Along the way I heard about Sara Blakely from Spanx. Started watching her interviews, podcasts, etc. for inspiration especially during trying times. For example, while looking for a name, I found that all the obvious or descriptive names I thought of with were already taken. Watched an interview with Sara where she mentioned that made-up names (like Spanx) tend to do well because they stand out and are not obvious. Went with the name PregZen as it is a reference to being PREGnant with my daughter JeZENya and that’s when I came up with the idea. Had a lot of waiting time in the process, major life events, and 2 other babies along the way. My last delivery was an emergency c-section. And while changing out of my huge pad I thought of the idea for making a line of moisture-absorbing underwear to replace the need for pads. In fact I never liked pads since they always gave me a rash.
Fast forward to today, we have maternity underwear with adjustable hook and eye closures. This allows the underwear to “grow” with the tummy. Also has a built-in belly band for a gentle lift and back support. We have snap on snap off moisture absorbing underwear that is great for periods, or working out- to avoid a sweaty workout crotch. These are great for a quick change as they do not require taking your pants or shoes off to freshen up. Does not have to be pulled down the legs to change either, as that can be messy. Made another line of moisture-absorbing underwear with Velcro on the sides. These are even easier to change out of, especially if you have dexterity issues, and are great for bedtime use.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. Once I realized my underwear had the potential to help other women – those who are pregnant, postpartum, post-surgery, have back problems, reduced mobility, wheel chair users etc., I decided to pursue it as a business.
Securing funding was my next step. I decided to apply for a small business grant. While working on my grant, nursing and taking care of my newborn. I must have forgotten to press save and somehow my entire grant was lost just as it was almost completed. The application took over a month to complete, and this for me was like a test to see just how much I wanted it. I eventually rewrote and applied and that’s how I got started, with a $5,000 grant.
Another major obstacle was that of making my idea public before it was fully protected. I went public on a popular crowdfunding platform and shortly thereafter, to my surprise and dismay someone else came out with a product similar to mine. They even had the same development story. As difficult as this experience was, the plus side of it is that they tested the market and made me see the potential for my underwear even more. If ever there was a doubt that my underwear idea would make it, seeing it in Cosmopolitan and Huffington post, although bittersweet, gave me hope. Had to choose between being discouraged or being determined.
Finding manufacturing companies to work with was more trying than expected. Went through 10 different companies in order to find the right fit. And with each new company, I had to start all over again from scratch. From design to prototypes, to revisions, all of it. Lots of trial and errors along the way.
My greatest challenge of all was starting a business on my own while being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of three. Had little help as we lived away from family, my husband was in medical school, then research, and then residency in The Bronx. He was either studying or at the hospital most of our marriage. Finding balance between being a homemaker, pursuing an idea, and pursuing a business around it was not easy. Had to step away from working on my idea many times in order to be there for my 3 kids, as that was and is my main priority. I am still homeschooling and working from home as the sole owner, manager, and social media person – I literally wear all the hats, but I’ve come to enjoy the process, as it is a journey.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
PregZen is a start-up business. Although I’ve been working on it for 12 years, it was the creative and development side of things that took the most time. From prototypes, to finding models, doing revisions, kickstarter campaign, went on a shark tank audition, recently auditioned for the Dragons Den, worked with many manufacturing companies, got the idea patented, built a website, social media etc., he list goes on. However, it was only in May of 2022 that I got my first official shipment of underwear. Unfortunately, my mom passed away in May as well, and that was a major setback (guess I should have listed this on the previous page as a major challenge).
PregZen is also a minority-owned business. My late mom is/was Indigenous to Canada, which makes me an “Indigenous inventor” (not sure if there are many indigenous inventors today) so that is unique. It is said that necessity is the mother of invention and that is my experience. If it was not for my difficult pregnancy and emergency c-section, I would not have tapped into that creative potential. Perhaps it was always there, embedded in me. Since our ancestors were the original inventors of North America – they made their own homes, fur coats, moccasins, tools, sunglasses, etc. I continue to pursue my business as an honor to them, knowing that they would be so proud.
As far as my underwear goes, I have three variations: a maternity line that has adjustable hook and eye closures. This allows the underwear to grow with the tummy during pregnancy. Has a built-in belly support band that gives a gentle lift and lower back support. We have a snap on snap off moisture absorbing underwear as well as a Velcro side fastening line. Both moisture-absorbing underwear can be used for postpartum bleeding, for periods, laugh and leak, sneeze and leak, sweaty workout crotch, or if you don’t quite make it to the bathroom. They replace the need for pads, tampons, and liners.
What sets us apart from other maternity or period underwear is that you don’t have to take your shoes or pants off to change. You don’t have to pull them down your legs to change, which is great when used for periods – no more pulling your dirty period panty down your legs. You can unfasten on the sides and then “snap on” a new pair.
All our underwear are designed to be put on while standing, sitting, or lying down. No bending down or lifting the legs required.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I would say that Sara Blakely from Spanx has been my biggest role model, from coming up with the name to stepping out of my comfort zone and pursuing something that would make a difference in the lives of others.
Found her story of coming up with an invention was similar to mine. Her idea was created on the spot out of a need and that was how it happened for me as well. Always wanted to do something that would help others, it was something I prayed for before the idea came to me. Sara said she had put it out into the universe, and that’s when she got her inspiration.
I’ve followed in her steps in regard to my logo and images as well. During the pandemic, while working on my website, could not get a model for my underwear so I did what Sara did in her early packaging – she used an illustration of herself as her model. Thought it was a wonderful and fun idea so I did the same.
I do not consider myself a social media person or influencer. Actually find it hard to put myself “out there” to make video posts. However, this is the reality of the world we live in – online and visual. Would watch interviews, and podcasts of Sara for inspiration, especially when in need of encouragement and had no one – no inventor – I could ask for advice.
Took a video masterclass of Sara’s where she dared her students to do stand-up comedy at a local open mic. So I went ahead and did that. It stretched me in many ways. And ended up having a lot of fun. After that, I found making videos to be a little less intimidating.
I’ve written six letters to Sara to thank her for being my inspiration. And to hopefully collaborate with her, especially on her belly art project. I’m sure she gets a lot of letters. But I’m still hoping to hear back. Writing the letters, and mailing them off, as silly as it may seem, was satisfying. Did it in faith and found the act of writing them was almost like an accountability to myself. To make it to the next level and accomplish my next task or goal.
And finally I am thankful for all my family and friends who have supported and cheered me on along the way. My go to mentor worth mentioning is nana Deb, she is someone I can call on for wisdom and encouragement at any time. Could not have done this without you all.
Pricing:
- Our moisture absorbing underwear are priced at $30, and our maternity underwear are priced at $35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pregzen.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/pregzen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pregzen
- Other: We are also available on Etsy
Image Credits
Illustrations were done by the amazingly talented Anna Wijnands.
