H.A.P.P.Y. Simple Solutions is the product of countless offers of kindness and goodwill. Although it is owned and operated by J. Kelly Mayes, it exists and thrives as a result of the efforts of many!

The idea started at home by giving my allergy-riddled son an old sweatband to rub his itchy nose while he was outside playing. One day I put a tube sock on his arm while he played at home, just to see if he'd target it. Then, I tried a sweatband on his arm when we went to the public playground as it was critically important to me that he keep his germy hands off his face! He had recently recovered from 5 days in Pediatric ICU for croup related breathing problems and the idea of him taking on more playground germs as he rubbed his itchy nose was terrifying.

Surprisingly, he was happy to target the sweatband in exchange for being allowed to play freely. We both needed a better answer for playtime! I'd been chasing him like a mother hen with a tissue for months. When he'd see me coming with a tissue, he'd target his sweatband and keep playing. After playtime, the band came off and tissues were our friend again.

I investigated fabric options, played with sewing styles and came up with a prototype. After making around 40 of them at home, I participated in a craft fair at my son's preschool. One of the Mom's saw them and kindly said "My husband's a patent lawyer. You could give him a call if you'd like some advice." I did, and he generously spent over an hour on the phone offering insight and advice. The fee for such services?...none ...simply wishes to "remember us when you've made it big". Well, I haven't "made it big", but I certainly remember and am tremendously grateful for the support and advice. Thank you Tina & Brian Yates!

While in the office of a kind local printer, a fellow customer overheard the story of Sniffle Buddies and said "if you'd like some advice on marketing, I'd be happy to help." This man, Mr. Don Mills, spent years working in the world of marketing and has multiple advanced degrees to support it. He now volunteers his time running the Sierra Madre Rose Bowl Float program and gives back to the community as well as fledgling business owners it seems ...lucky me :). Thank you Don Mills, for all your advice and for your generous spirit of giving back!

And the "kind local printer" I spoke of, John Johnson from Marketing Tools 626.355.4751. This lovely soul has spent hours upon hours helping me learn how to navigate the graphics programs I use to generate packaging cards, brochures, banners, flyers, and media kits. He has gone above and beyond the scope of a "printer" and has served as a mentor and friend on my journey. When I get good news, I'm sure to share it with my family...and the "kind local printer". He has helped me out of the goodness of his soul. Thank you John Johnson!

This website you're visiting is also the product of a kind heart. Although I was able to generate the first site with a "site-builder" program, it was clunky and basic. The current site was built by Mike Morales who is gifted, kind, patient, and always quick to respond when I send the occasional email entitled "Help, I goofed!". I have learned much from Mike, who is also generous with his mentoring...even though his days are filled with a full-time job outside the site-building world. Thank you Mike Morales!

My manufacturing is guided by a giving man, Mark Hernandez, who has even offered to assist me for nothing just so I can "make it happen". Where can you find that in today's world? I am truly blessed. Thank you Mark Hernandez!

There have been numerous connections with fellow Mompreneurs that inspire me! Thanks to all who have sent moral support, advice, connections, files, forms, and offered a safe place to brainstorm! Wendy Piret of "Move With Me Action Adventures" (also Sniffle Sleeve) has been amazing ...proof that supporting each other is far more effective and rewarding than competing! Thanks Wendy, Joy & Helen!

And last, but certainly not least...my AMAZING family! I would absolutely not be able to take this journey without the inspiration of my son, the patience and loving support from my husband Mark, the tireless work, generous funding, endless moral support, and bountiful love of my Mom, Terry, Teri, Tracy, Jesse, Gram & the Keetons. You guys ROCK! I dream that my journey can live up to even half what you've hoped for me. Thank you ...thank you...

So the journey develops daily as does my gratitude. If you've made it through all those word to get to here, I thank you for taking the time to hear my story and check out Sniffle Buddies!

Here's to keeping little germy hands...and big ones too...off our faces!

 

With gratitude & joy,

Kelly :)

.

 

For wholesale inquiries, please contact:

orders@snifflebuddies.com

 

Submit press request to:

press@snifflebuddies.com