Local mom turns snap frustrations into business
The origin story of the Pitt Meadows-based business Ready Set Romper is one that begins, quite simply, with snaps.
Carin Baxter had grown tired of struggling with the finicky fasteners on the rompers her young son was wearing. So, she set out to create an option that was “functional and fast.” Sewing a prototype herself at home, she designed a romper that used elastic in place of snaps or zippers. We caught up with founder Baxter to learn more:
Q For those who aren't familiar, what is Ready Set Romper?
A Ready Set Romper (RSR) is a local B.C. company with a unique patent-protected diaper changing panel located under a functioning “hoodie” pocket. The rompers are premium bamboo and have no snaps and no zippers. This elasticated access is not only convenient for superquick diaper changes but has helped the rompers to become a big hit with medical families that have children with feeding tubes or other medical devices attached at the abdomen.
Q When and why did you start the brand?
A I have always had a strong, entrepreneurial spirit and had worked in ecommerce prior to Ready Set Romper before realizing that I really wanted something that was my own. I created the Ready Set Romper in 2018 after complaining about the snaps on my own son's rompers. Any parent knows what I mean when I mention the frustration of doing up all those snaps. I wanted to create something more functional and fast, yet still very stylish. One day, while making my son's bed and putting a new pillow slip on his pillow, I noticed the envelope opening on the back of the case and thought how much easier it would be to get the pillow into it, if it was elasticated. And the idea just sort of came to me from this moment. From there I bought a sewing machine and created the roughest prototype ever of the first Ready Set Romper.
Q Who is the target customer?
A Everybody! The target customer is anybody who has a child age zero to seven years, but also women themselves, as we now have new women's premium bamboo Luxe Loungers available in size XS to XXL. And Ready Set Rompers have become a top-rated baby shower gift for parents.
Q And, lastly, where can people check them out?
A Online at readysetromper.com. aharris@postmedia.com