Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mara Perlmutter, Founder of Trelawear, Inc., located in Southampton, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Trelawear designs manufacture and distribute the first Bluetooth jewelry-inspired personal emergency alert devices offering a Safety with Style solution for women of all ages, focused on women over 50.
Tell us about yourself
Trelawear (Trela is Alert spelled backward) began as a passion project aimed at solving an issue that hit close to home when my mom refused to wear any of the unattractive generic PERS devices and said, "Mara, you've been in the jewelry business over 25 years, can't you make me something beautiful to wear in case of an emergency?" As a senior fashion and jewelry executive, I knew I had the expertise, resources, and drive to fulfill my mom's request.
The Trelawear team has spent the past 4+ years developing a product and solution we're proud to share with family, friends, and peers who were equally frustrated that there were no attractive options to protect their loved ones. To honor my family members that inspired Trelawear, the cushion-shaped pendant is named Sally, after my mom, and the round-shaped pendant Bella, after my favorite aunt.
Through our partnerships with leading Bluetooth tech developers and our App partner FallCall® Solutions, we now have a mobile personal emergency response system that caters to the active lifestyle of women of all ages, enabling them to be independent, look beautiful and stay safe! Providing a unique solution enabling women to age at home, maintain their independence & dignity & live life to its fullest motivates me to continue to build our business.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Partnering with leaders in Bluetooth and emergency response industries to develop the first "metal" based personal emergency response device that is both fashionable and reliable. To launch a tech product with no previous tech experience was quite an accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
- Working solo
- Funding
- Getting out of your comfort zone and reaching out to resources for assistance.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Connect, connect, connect- you cannot do it alone!
- Build a meaningful experienced advisory board that complements your own skill set and lean on them.
- Don't cut corners and do the work- research solutions, spend $ thoughtfully and wisely- be sure you monitor all your finances from the onset.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://trelawear.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trelawearinc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trelawear/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trelawear
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maraperlmutter/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.