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Photo credit: Kenya Adams
Kenya Adams is here to change the way women use public restrooms. She is the CEO and inventor of the PantyBuddy. She started her business in March of 2020 and used the COVID-19 quarantine period to focus on perfecting her invention and getting it manufactured. Kenya is a woman who is always on the go but was forced to stop and be still during that time. Finding herself in quarantine, she discovered that it was time to manifest her innovative idea and started her dream of entrepreneurship.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I am a wife and a busy mom of three boys. I am always on the go whether traveling across the country or across town, but I really despise nasty public restrooms. I don't typically consider myself to be a germaphobe, but whenever I use a public restroom, I become completely obsessed with avoiding germs. I do not want to make any contact with the toilet or anything else in there. I want to get in and get out as safely as possible, but I often find that I am struggling to do so. Over the years, I have often wished I had an extra hand to help me in the restroom.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired to invent the PantyBuddy out of personal necessity. I was traveling for work a lot which required me to be in and out of airport and airplane restrooms. I was having a hard time keeping it all together in those small spaces and started looking for something to help me out. I created the PantyBuddy to be that solution.
Where is your business based?
My business is based in Tennessee, and we are an eCommerce business that is available online.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
I used the COVID-19 quarantine time to get my business started. My invention is an idea that went undeveloped for several years because I was always too busy to figure out how to make my invention a reality. When the country shut down, I was suddenly gifted with time. Time to gather my thoughts, time to find a mentor, time to design my logo, time to write my business plan, time to conduct market research, time to find a manufacturer, and time to launch my product to the world.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
Social media has been very effective in raising awareness about the PantyBuddy. It has helped educate my target audience about the PantyBuddy and teach them about the usefulness of the product.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge has been launching a product that is dependent on the use of public restrooms during a time when people are still very cautious about being out in public places.
That challenge is slowly being overcome as people return to normal activities. Plus, ladies are purchasing their PantyBuddy in anticipation of being able to be very social soon.
How do you stay focused?
I stay focused by keeping my goals in front of me, literally. I have a large dry erase board where I list my monthly tasks out in 3-month intervals. This helps me to have a clear vision of my goals and the steps I need to take to accomplish them.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
PantyBuddy is an invention that is new to the market. There is no direct competition because there is nothing out there like it. The PantyBuddy is a public restroom kit for women that functions as a fashionable wristlet. PantyBuddy is the ideal travel companion for using public restrooms, whether you are traveling across town, across the country, or across the world. It improves personal hygiene in public restrooms and ensures that you are never without the essentials to quickly get in and out of small, cramped, and germ-filled public facilities. It comes with an emergency supply of toilet paper, toilet seat covers, and our patent-pending panty protecting strap.
The panty protecting strap wraps around the crotch of underwear and garments and enables the user to easily pull everything away from gross surfaces when using public toilets. The PantyBuddy is perfect for those women who use public restrooms whether in corporate offices, airports, airplanes, concert venues, or even gas stations. It makes sure that women always have the essentials regardless of the conditions found in the restroom.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Networking with women’s groups has been my most effective marketing strategy. I am a member of several professional women’s organizations and use those connections to get the word out about PantyBuddy.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Define your target audience from the beginning and everything you do needs to cater to your target audience.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
My favorite app right now is Clubhouse. It is a great way to network with people from all industries. I have used the app to learn from mom-and-pop shops to millionaires. My favorite book right now is Uncloned Marketing by Audria Richmond. It is a no-nonsense, non-traditional guide to marketing.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Canva Pro is my favorite business tool. It allows me to quickly develop visual content and gives everything a professional look.
Who is your business role model? Why?
Lori Greiner is my business role model because she is the product queen! She is my ideal Shark Tank partner.
How do you balance work and life?
As an entrepreneur, there are often many long nights and I work hard every day to make my business a success. I spend time with my family to take a break from work. Whether it is playing a board game or just sitting to talk over dinner for an hour, it is important to me to take the time to strike a balance.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
My favorite way to decompress is to take a walk. Nothing beats a good walk around the neighborhood to clear my mind.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
Over the next 6 months, I am focused on increasing my marketing efforts around the PantyBuddy.
I will be intentional about seeking out publicity and media attention for the product.
How can our readers connect with you?
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @pantybuddy
Twitter: @pantybuddy
Facebook: @pantybuddy
TikTok: @pantybuddy
Website: pantybuddy.com
Email: info@pantybuddy.com
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