Today we’d like to introduce you to Alana Fields Greene.
Alana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In 2008, while living in San Francisco, I learned of reports of toxic chemicals in children’s products, specifically plastics of drinking bottles and other tableware. I had just left another position as a Merchandiser for a textile company, and I was very interested in this space. I was determined to find a new path for myself and wanted to develop products that were meaningful and would have a demand. As I researched further, I learned that almost every product in tableware for children was made of plastic. I found some that were made of stainless steel, but they were costly, and you could not microwave them. This moment was the birth of Brinware—tableware made of glass and silicone, designed specifically for kids. I moved back to my hometown in Calabasas, CA (in Los Angeles), and began working on the project that would consume me for years.
I spent three years researching, testing, and developing different ideas, and began working to raise funds so I can begin to finance my new product line. Once it became apparent that I could not secure cost-effective manufacturing in the United States, I began traveling to different factories in China. I eventually produced my first collection of tempered glass and silicone plates along with coordinated silicone placemats. These products continue to be the primary items of my catalog. In Sept. 2011, I launched Brinware with only four products at the ABC Kids Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. Today Brinware produces more than 30 products in five categories, including items such as Plates, Bowls, Bibs, Utensils, and Placemats. Brinware is sold in hundreds of boutique stores and is sold in six countries. We now focus most of our business with Boutiques and online with Target, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby and Brinware.com.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No entrepreneur path is easy! “Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness”—Malcolm Gladwell said. I think this is the minimum time you have to put in and my line continues to be a work in progress. From early production issues to quality and design adjustments, Brinware has had challenges. To make matters more difficult, I didn’t take a salary for the first six years and had to work another full-time job to make ends meet! Mix in the birth of my two sons, three years apart, and I was spread so thin! Things became so challenging, so I had to make a change. By 2018 Brinware was profitable enough to take the leap and dedicated myself completely to Brinware.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Brinware – what should we know?
Brinware is the only tableware for children made of glass and silicone, and this glass and silicone design is what I’m most proud of. Tempered glass, which is five times stronger than regular glass, is paired with a silicone cover for extra protection. Our materials and designs set us apart from our competition, and our products are competitively priced.
We also specialize in developing products for other brands and companies. To date, we have developed more than 150 products in the Home Category. This aspect of our business is growing every year and something I am really proud of.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Discipline and dedication has been essential to my success. It’s took nearly seven years to get to a profitable point and many “no’s” along the process.
Pricing:
- Set of 2 Glass and Silicone Plates – $19.99
- Set of 2 Glass and Silicone Bowls – $14.99
- Set of 2 Silicone Bibs – $19.99
- Set of 2 Silicone Placemats – $16.99
- Silicone Divider Plates $12.99
- Set of 2 Stainless Steel Utensils (Fork, Spoon, Knife) $14.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brinware.com
- Phone: 866-812-0649
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
David Salpeter
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