Karen Bitz McIntyre06.16.11
This week at the World of Wipes conference in Atlanta, GA, Terry Zebouni, CEO of BandZorb, LLC, shared her story of how she came to invent the world's first disposable, eco-friendly, antimicrobial and self- adhesive liners for headwear. The Jacksonville, FL-based entrepreneur and avid outdoorswomen first used pieces of pantylinersto shield her hats and visors from dirt and sweat in the hot Florida sun but soon realized a better solution was out there.
Although BandZorb has already received a number of accolades including the recognition as Best Overall New Product at January's PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL, Ms. Zebouni has had to temporarily halt supply of the product due to supply and manufacturing issues. In fact, the inventor attended WOW in the hopes of securing a new converter and manufacturer of the product.
Ms. Zebouni was just one of several entrepreneurs at WOW, there to share their stories of how they took an idea for a new wipe concept and ran with it. Donald Hatter, owner of Inner-Wipes discussed a new dispensing system that houses wet wipes in a toilet paper roll, allowing wipes to coexist with standard toilet paper; and CEO James Bahcall presented the Paper Shower, an innovative two wipe system—one wet and one dry—that can be used to clean up and dry off on the go.
This led to the creation of BandZorb, disposable headliners made from 100% cotton airlaid nonwovens. The liners can be used not only in hats and visors on golf course or in the garden but also have potential across a wide number of markets including police, military and cycling, Ms. Zebouni told WOW attendees this week.
Although BandZorb has already received a number of accolades including the recognition as Best Overall New Product at January's PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL, Ms. Zebouni has had to temporarily halt supply of the product due to supply and manufacturing issues. In fact, the inventor attended WOW in the hopes of securing a new converter and manufacturer of the product.
"I have a lot of requirements," she told the audience. "I need a product that is 100% cotton, that is made in the U.S.A. and that is ecofriendly. I hope someone here can help me continue the success I have already seen with this product."
Ms. Zebouni was just one of several entrepreneurs at WOW, there to share their stories of how they took an idea for a new wipe concept and ran with it. Donald Hatter, owner of Inner-Wipes discussed a new dispensing system that houses wet wipes in a toilet paper roll, allowing wipes to coexist with standard toilet paper; and CEO James Bahcall presented the Paper Shower, an innovative two wipe system—one wet and one dry—that can be used to clean up and dry off on the go.