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One night in 2018, Tami Mamedova found herself facing a familiar annoyance. After washing her face, water trickled down her arms, soaking her sleeves and leaving puddles on the bathroom counter. With her hands wet and a towel draped over her shoulder, she thought, Why is something as simple as washing my face so messy?
As she wiped up yet another puddle, a solution popped into her mind: wristbands. Not just any wristbands, though—soft, absorbent ones that could stop water in its tracks.
That spark of an idea would become WristBrella, a practical product now making its way into bathrooms, kitchens, and homes across the country. “I never thought a problem like this could launch a business,” Mamedova says. “But I also knew I couldn’t be the only one dealing with it.”
The Journey From Homemaker to Inventor
Before WristBrella, Mamedova’s life was devoted to raising her kids and creating a loving home. “I’d spent years focused on family, but once my youngest started school, I began asking myself, What’s next for me?” she says. With a background in humanitarian work and a master’s degree, she toyed with the idea of starting her own venture. But the idea remained just that—until inspiration struck in her bathroom.
Her first move was small but significant: she grabbed an old towel, a needle, and leftover elastic, and began sewing. “I used up nearly every towel in the house,” she laughs. “It wasn’t perfect, but it felt like progress.” As the prototypes improved, she realized the product’s potential went far beyond skincare. “It’s not just for washing your face,” she says. “It’s for shaving, bathing kids, cleaning dishes—any messy task where water goes everywhere.”
Bringing a Product to Market, One Stitch at a Time
Mamedova’s initial designs were rough but functional. To refine the product, she visited fabric stores, tested materials, and learned to sew more efficiently—dusting off skills from her high school sewing club days. Eventually, she landed on 100% cotton terry cloth for its absorbency, durability, and comfort. “I wanted it to feel like your favorite bathroom towel,” she explains. “Soft, natural, and reliable.”
When she finalized her prototype, she faced the next challenge: manufacturing. With no background in production, she turned to Alibaba and spent months sourcing suppliers, testing fabric samples, and negotiating with manufacturers. “It was a learning curve,” she admits. “But every step brought me closer to something I believed in.”
The Sale That Changed Everything
The first sale came on a website she built herself, learning step by step from YouTube tutorials. “I didn’t even have the sound of a cash register yet—just an email notification,” she says. That first order validated years of hard work and cemented her belief that WristBrella was solving a real problem.
“It wasn’t just about the sale,” Mamedova recalls. “It was about knowing someone else shared my frustration and saw the value in my solution.”
A Partnership With Grommet Brings Visibility
One of the pivotal moments in WristBrella’s journey was partnering with Grommet, a platform dedicated to spotlighting innovative products.
“They’ve been amazing,” she says. “The exposure helped us reach an audience that values practical, everyday solutions.” The partnership not only boosted sales but also validated her mission to create a product that makes life easier.
The Challenges of Building a Business From Scratch
Mamedova’s path to success hasn’t been without obstacles. “Scaling was harder than I imagined,” she admits. “I thought the product would speak for itself, but marketing on a budget is its own skill set.”
Through trial and error, she’s learned to balance creativity with resourcefulness, exploring cost-effective ways to grow her brand while staying true to her vision.
Advice for the Next Wave of Entrepreneurs
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Mamedova emphasizes persistence and passion. “You need to believe in your product and keep going, even when it’s tough,” she says. “But don’t forget to lay a strong foundation. Test your idea, explore different sales channels, and be ready to adapt.”
With WristBrella gaining traction and glowing reviews from customers, Mamedova is already thinking about what’s next. “This started as a small idea to solve a personal problem,” she says. “Now it’s about helping others make their lives just a little easier.”
Right now, readers of Valiant CEO can get 20% off WristBrella through our partnership with Grommet. Click here to learn more about WristBrella and get your discount now.
