Laurie Gadbois was a single mom to baby Tor when she first began developing her invention, Baby Light & Clip, five years ago. Today her innovative product, which helps parents trim baby’s nails more safely and confidently, is on the shelves of retailers nationwide. Her product was also recently featured in USA Today. In her interview with Mom Inventors, she shares details on how she approached the prototyping and manufacturing process, and she offers tips on marketing, trade shows and more. Here is her story.
Q. Describe your company and your product (or product line).
A. Baby Light & Clip® is a patented Lighted Nail Clipper that illuminates from under a child’s fingernail so parents can see exactly where to safely trim in a dark or dimly lit room. Baby Light & Clip® also has other important features such as: built in Safety Guards that help prevent a baby’s tiny fingertip from going in between blades, a Nail Clipping Tray that helps prevent nail clippings from falling into baby’s bedding, a Comfort Control Handle for easy holding and maneuvering, and a Travel Case for moms on the go! Baby Light & Clip® comes ready to use with an AA Battery.
Q. Why did you start this company and when?
A. Like most new moms, I faced challenges. One of those was trimming my son, Tor’s, fingernails. It was difficult to see where to cut and he wouldn’t stay still. So, when I went on the Internet to see what other moms were doing to accomplish this task, I discovered that just about every article I read advised to trim baby’s nails while they sleep. So I’d wait until my son, Tor, was asleep but even during his afternoon nap I found it difficult to see just where to safely trim. I thought, “Why doesn’t someone make a nail clipper with a light on it?” and thus after five years, Baby Light & Clip® was born! Now trimming Tor’s nails is easy, and more importantly, safe.
Q. What were your initial goals?
A. To find a nail clipper that would allow me to see where to safely trim my son’s nails. After searching, I found that this product didn’t exist!
Q. Describe yourself and your family.
A. When I began working on Baby Light & Clip® I was a single mom to one son who is now seven. I recently married a man whom my son and I adore. My husband is my biggest fan. My parents and my sister have also been a tremendous support. My friends think it’s cool that they know someone who’s actually invented a product.
Q. What is your background and how does it relate to your company?
A. I have no experience in any of this. Learning about inventing, manufacturing, and marketing was all done by trial and error and lots of hard work.
