By Greg Rollett, Grommet
This article is presented by Grommet, the leading product discovery platform for new and emerging makers, inventors and entrepreneurs. Check out 1,000’s of products you never knew existed, but soon won’t be able to live without here.
Meet Kressa Peterson: a Spartan racing grandma, an inventor, and a successful entrepreneur, her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and creativity. Her brainchild, the Shower Toga, is a game-changer for anyone needing a quick, discreet way to clean up and change clothes in public.
Kressa’s entrepreneurial journey took off with various ventures, including brokering sport horses. But life threw a curveball in 2012 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After emerging with a renewed zest for life, Kressa sought a new challenge: Spartan Racing —gruelling obstacle courses that rekindled her competitive spirit.
During one of these muddy races, the idea for Shower Toga was born.
Faced with the lack of a practical solution for changing clothes in public, Kressa took matters into her own hands. Armed with diaper cover material from Walmart, she created the first prototype. It might have looked quirky, but it worked, and soon fellow racers were lining up to borrow it.
With determination and months of refining, Kressa set her sights on Shark Tank. After 16 months of preparation, she pitched her product and secured a deal with Mark Cuban.
Shower Toga is not just a clever cover-up; it’s a testament to Kressa’s ingenuity. This waterproof garment allows users to disrobe, wash off, and re-dress in public while maintaining modesty. It even doubles as a duffle bag for dirty clothes.
In this exclusive interview, Kressa shares her journey from her early entrepreneurial days to the challenges of scaling a business. She offers valuable insights for fellow CEOs and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of resilience, innovation, and passion for your product.
Learn more about Shower Toga and get 20% off your purchase by giving it an upvote on Grommet here.
What was your life like before creating Shower Toga?
I have always been an entrepreneur. I haven’t worked for anybody since I was 16. I started a direct mail advertising business in Clear Lake, Texas. After selling that business, I helped my husband with his custom home building business. During the 2008 crash, I transitioned to brokering horses from Europe to the U.S., and this was when I discovered Spartan Racing, which eventually led to the creation of Shower Toga.
How did you come up with the idea for Shower Toga?
I came up with the idea for Shower Toga to solve my problem of getting clean after muddy Spartan Races. I needed a product that didn’t exist, so I created it out of necessity. I never intended to manufacture a product, but I needed it so badly, and I realized others did too.
How did you go about creating the first prototype?
My first prototype was made from diaper cover material from Walmart, with forest animals printed on it. I didn’t know how to sew, so I took a sewing class in Woodstock, Georgia. The class was full of women making traditional garments, while I was sewing diaper cover material. Despite the comical situation, I learned a lot and eventually created the first Shower Toga.
What did you learn from that first prototype that eventually led you to creating the finished products that so many are getting the benefit from today?
I learned the importance of the right material, which needed to be lightweight, machine washable, and compact. We went through 16-18 fabric tests to get it right. We also added practical features like the ability to turn it into a bag for dirty gear, which made the product more versatile and user-friendly.
How did you make your first 1,000 sales?
The first 1,000 sales came from Kickstarter. I treated it as a full-time job, marketing it myself and leveraging my network. I didn’t rely on external companies promising success but instead focused on personal outreach and promotion.
What do you believe is the biggest opportunity for a female CEO right now?
The biggest opportunity is the increasing visibility and support for female CEOs. We have many role models and mentors like Sarah Blakely, which is incredibly motivating. The network of female entrepreneurs is strong and supportive, offering plenty of opportunities for growth and collaboration.
What is the most inspiring story from a customer that you have heard that reminds you of why you created this business and why you work so hard to get the Shower Toga message out to the world?
During COVID-19, healthcare workers used Shower Toga for decontamination after their shifts. Their heartfelt messages and social media tags, showing how Shower Toga helped them feel safe returning home, were incredibly moving. We ended up donating around $150,000 worth of Shower Togas to these heroes, which reinforced the purpose and impact of my product.
If you could share some advice with an entrepreneur just getting started in their journey that would help them get to 1,000 sales – what would you tell them?
You must love your product and believe in it wholeheartedly. Marketing and scaling a small business are challenging, but if you are passionate about your product, you will persevere. Treat every sale as an opportunity to build relationships and promote your brand enthusiastically.
