Mum Builds Multi-Million Dollar Business by Solving a Parenting Problem

Mum Builds Multi-Million Dollar Business by Solving a Parenting Problem

Karen Barski - a mum of five from Trumbull, CT and 19-year nurse - built a multi-million dollar business from one idea to solve a parenting problem and her grandmother's sewing machine. Working from her dining room, then basement, then garage, to now having an entire warehouse, her invention is now sold in over 2,000 stores world-wide.

How it all started...

Her then newborn Bella was born 5 weeks early and due to her super startle reflex paired with mighty-mouse strength, she unraveled her swaddle within 15 minutes... all night long. Karen found Bella time and time again with the swaddle blanket unwrapped and up over her face making her hot and red - very scary to say the least.

Karen and her husband tried every swaddle they could find; even the ones with Velcro - nothing worked. They searched every store and website for a swaddle that would stay put, but found nothing. What frustration....this effected everyone in their home and was both emotionally and physically draining.

Innovative thinking to solve a problem...

After many sleepless nights, out of frustration and desperation, Karen had an idea. With her RN background and okay sewing skills, she took out her grandmother's sewing machine in the middle of the night and created the first Woombie.

She needed something that would stay intact and snug, but at the same time, allow Bella to stretch if needed, where the fabric would then automatically re-conform to a snug cocoon-like peanut shape afterwards. She sewed and sewed until Bella was gently "contained." Her idea required no wrapping and was a no "arms pinned to the side swaddle"but instead was a stretchy, effective peanut shaped sack that imitated the womb. Low and behold it worked! Bella loved it and started sleeping better right away.

Karen made the swaddles for her mommy groups, then for friends, and as word spread, for friends of friends. "I started thinking, hey, this would be a great business," Karen Barski recently said to The National Enquirer who featured the woombie here on page 8.

The Woombie Today...

Since 2007 Karen went from producing Woombies in her dining room with her husband then migrating to the basement and then the garage as sales soared. Now the Woombie is sold in over 2,000 stores world-wide and has been picked up by many online giants like Amazon, Babies R Us, and is currently being set up with Target.

Today the Woombie brand has over 43 innovative products with multiple swaddle designs along with accesories, eco-friendly options, blankets, hats, dolls and more.

The newest innovation is the new Woombie Air which is the first breathable swaddle to regulate baby's body temperature and allow excess heat to escape to prevent overheating. Also, Woombie offers the Air Wrap for those who wish to swaddle baby in the more traditional way; this also using the new Tru Air Technology making it the first breathable swaddle blanket. Other swaddles include the Wrap and Snap for babies who need more upper body support, Leggies which is Woombie with legs, the Convertible Woombie where the arms come out to help transition baby to arms-free sleep when they begin to role, the Mod'Swad swaddle line using eco-friendly fabrics with a high-end signature design, and many more.

More About The Woombie Family...

Karen wears many hats:  mother of five, wife, nurse, Certified Newborn Infant Care Specialist & Instructor, Infant Sleep Consultant, Parenting Consultant, Entrepreneur - but first and foremost she is a mom. A mother to five beautiful children:  Morgan - 18, Kaia - 11, Bella - 6 and Bryce and Brody - 5.

"The Woombie brand is truly a family-owned and built business. It was built around our family, for our family and by our family. This journey has brought us even closer together and knowing that we help other families with their problems and needs makes it all very rewarding." - Karen Barski

Karen Barski, mum of five, 19-year nurse, Certified Infant Care Specialist, invented the Woombie baby swaddle in the middle of the night when her new baby was not sleeping more than 15 minutes due to a super startle reflex and mighty-mouse strength; Karen would find her baby all hot and red-faced with the swaddle unraveling and covering her face - scary to say the least. They tried EVERY swaddle on the market and after many sleepless nights, with determination and okay sewing skills, Karen had an idea to create a swaddle that did not require wrapping. She took out her grandmother's sewing machine and  sewed and sewed until Bella was gently contained but still able to move naturally. It worked! Bella started sleeping better right away! Karen knew she would be able to sell the Woombie to the world now the popular swaddle is sold in over 2,000 stores world-wide.

Since 2007, KB Designs has invented a line of signature baby swaddle products that have helped parents easily transition their new babies from womb to home. There are multiple designs and sizes so that babies can enjoy the comfort and security of the Woombie up until the time they begin to roll and even beyond with a special arms-free swaddle called the Woombie Convertible. Each product has been created and designed by Karen Barski because of a need she identified in her life with her five children. With convenience, safety, and fashion in mind, KB Designs has helped over a half million babies…and counting!