Made in the USA – Happy Birthday, America!

Happy 4th of July, America

One of the ways I want to use this blog is as a way of sharing what it’s like to run my business.  This under-the-hood perspective will cover a wide range of topics and may sometimes surprise you.  I’m calling it, understandably, “Under the Hood.”

Under the Hood: Made in America

When I made the jump from Mom to manufacturer I never imagined that it would be such a long and challenging journey.  I began in 2004 manufacturing in the USA and it didn’t take long for me to realize that no matter how creative my marketing initiatives I wouldn’t be able to compete in the world of retail and reach a wider audience unless I drastically controlled my costs.

While my manufacturer was able to deliver great quality, I still felt something was missing.  Inspired by my visit to a trade show that focused on life styles of health and sustainability, I was determined to find a way to both control costs and incorporate environmentally friendly materials into my product.

I wanted desperately to manufacture in the USA, but couldn’t find what I needed.  I began searching the globe for new manufacturing and even went as far as hiring brokers to search in China, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

The manufacturers they referred didn’t have the ability to consistently control the quality of the raw materials and the result was cheap looking.  I was offered many alternatives on how to cut costs but I didn’t want to sacrifice  the quality or the integrity of my product.  This was a real eye opening experience for me.

Proud to be Made in the USA!

If you ever embark on this type of journey remember to pack your moral compass. 

I wasn’t following typical, cost-cutting corporate rules for manufacturing, I was following what I call “Mommy rules.”  That means if the quality is good enough to go into my own home than I feel comfortable with it going into yours too.  In 2010, I met with an Indian manufacturer who promised all of the eco-friendly materials I dreamed of and at the right cost.  After a year of back and forth and very specific instructions on the materials and the design I required, they failed to deliver what they promised.  Ever hear the saying, it was “too good to be true?”

I learned a big lesson and lost a lot of time and money in the process but I stayed true to my plan and refused to deliver a product I don’t believe in.  I continued my search and in January of 2011 was fortunate enough to find a factory that could finally meet my needs just a short distance from Atlanta, GA.

I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.  I had to travel around the world and through the big bad forest to learn that there really is no place like home.  I’m so proud to say that Dr. Doormat is made in the USA.  We are happy to support our country and help put America back to work.  Happy 4^th of July, America!

Have a safe and healthy celebration.

Warm Regards,

Debbie Estis Greenspan
Founder/CEO/Mom
Dr. Doormat, Inc.

10 Health and Safety Tips For Summer Camp

Catch a Fish, Not a Cold!

 School is out and kids across the country are heading to sleep away and day camps.   This brings me back to my childhood where I couldn’t wait for camp to start.  I grew up with an unusual set of circumstances.  My grandparents ran a camp and my parents, who were both gym teachers, have owned and operated a sleep away and day camp in upstate New York for the past 51 years.

Having grown up at a camp, been a camp counselor for more than 10 years and been a camp director, I can say that “Everything I need to know about life, I learned at camp.”

While some of us are responsible for as many as three or four children, imagine trying to keep 150 children and a staff of 40 healthy and safe for eight weeks.  I would like to share that knowledge with you so you can help your child stay safe and healthy at camp.  After all, there’s no fun in spending the summer in the infirmary.

10 Tips to Make Summer Camp Healthier, Safer, and More Enjoyable

1. Inspection prior to attending camp.  Clip nails and keep hair short if possible.  Check for lice and other conditions.

2.  It’s not always nice to share!  Teach your child to not share straws or drink from the same glass as their friends.    Don’t fall for the line, “I don’t have anything.” Or “I’m so thirty, I just want one sip.” This lesson alone will spare you the unnecessary strep throat, summer cold or even herpes virus.

Also don’t share personal items including bathing suit bottoms and hair brushes.

3. Wash hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom and before eating.  This may be obvious, but remind your kids anyway.

4. The camp mattress: Camp facilities are often rented out in the off-season to other groups.  The mattresses can be tired and not so desirable.  Pack a dust mite cover for the mattress to create a barrier between the mattress and your child’s bedding.  Bed bug covers are not adequate since bed bugs are much larger than dust mites.

I recommend a cover for the pillow too.  Even though you are bringing the pillow from home, the pillows end up on the floor and even on the ground outside.

5. Bathroom hygiene: Pack an extra pair of flip-flops to be used for the bunk shower only.   This will help keep the bathroom clean.   Always instruct your child to wear some kind of shoes on their feet walking around the camp property.   Sharp articles can pop up in the grass.  Any construction on the grounds could turn up nails or broken glass not to mention buzzing bees.

6. Walking around in a wet suit for hours is not recommended for girls.  To avoid infections, remind your daughter get out of the wet suit and change into cotton underwear.

7. Attracting insects: When packing shampoo and other hair products, it is recommended to select products that are fragrance free.  Perfumes attract all kinds of bugs including, mosquitoes and deer flies.  Care packages with food attract pests and bugs in the bunk, not to mention bellyaches.  Ask the camp director if and where things may be stored.

8. Hair Advice: Suggest to your daughter’s counselors that hairbrushes be cleaned and washed once a week–remove the hair and soak the brush in a diluted mix of water with bleach for about 15 minutes.  For young girls with long hair, counselors should braid the hair and allow the young lady to sleep in the braid.  Before going to bed, divide the hair into three sections and brush each section free of tangles.   In the morning, take the braid out so brushing will be made easy. I know firsthand as a camp counselor and a mom that this works and saves a lot of time in the morning.  No more screaming over tangled hair.

9. Laundry bag etiquette: Never put anything wet in the laundry bag.  Always dry articles thoroughly before placing in bag.  Day campers need to pack a plastic bag for wet swim gear.

10.  Pack hats, protective clothing and sunscreen.  Hats will not only protect against sunburn but also deer ticks while taking hikes in the woods.  Remind your child to reapply sunscreen every couple hours and be sure to pack enough.  However, if you suspect your child may not be so thorough, pack long sleeve rash guard shirts (swimming shirts) to reduce the amount of sunscreen needed.   Long pants are a good idea when hiking in the woods and at sunset when the mosquitoes are the worst.

If you have any questions, please email me at debbie@drdoormat.com I couldn’t possibly include all of the things I learned in one post.

I hope your children have a wonderful camp experience this summer and you get to enjoy the break.  One more thing, don’t forget to have them pack a happy disposition.

Warm Regards,

Debbie Estis Greenspan
Founder/CEO/Mom
Dr. Doormat, Inc.

5 Summer Travel Tips from Dr. Doormat

Dig a Well Before You’re Thirsty!

Summer is a time for travel–from weekend get-aways to long road trips.  And whether you’re staying in 5-star hotels, roughing it in a national park, or off to sleep away camp, there are some easy things you can do while on the go to help keep your car, belongings and surroundings cleaner and healthier for you and your family.

As a kid I remember too well those long rides where all six of us piled into the family station wagon and drove from upstate New York to Miami.  My parents still joke that I would rather hold it in for two days then use a public bathroom (here are some tips!).  I never made it into the book of Guinness World Records but I have learned a few tricks along the way.

Follow these 5 tips, and your vacation is sure to be safer, cleaner, and more fun!

1. Prepare the car:  Filling up with gas, having a good GPS or map and a clean car are essential.  To clean your car, you’ll need a garbage can, vacuum cleaner, paper towels and non-toxic, odor free, cleaning spray.   Pull all the car mats out of the car and shake them out really well, vacuum and then believe it or not you should be able to wash those mats in your washing machine and hang to dry.  I do!  One major helpful tip: Before and After you vacuum, clean the head of the vacuum cleaner with a sanitizing spray or solution.  This prevents the transfer of viruses and other nasty germs from being spread around
2. Traveling and potty training:  I recommend taking a small portable potty in the car.  Bring extra baggies.  Double bag check for holes and line the potty with the bags.  It’s as simple as that. Takes the stress right out of the drive.  Just use a wipe for your child’s bottom, Tie a knot in the bag when they’re done and dispose in the nearest trash. Replace the bag for the next round.
3. Packing:  Put your shoes in disposable plastic shopping bags before putting them in your suitcase
4. Packing for sleep away camp: Remember an extra pair of flip flops used just for the bunk shower.  Mark them SHOWER ONLY.  Also, pack dust mite covers for both the pillow and the mattress.  My kids will also go with a Dr. Doormat for the entrance of the bunk.
5. Sunscreen, sunscreen and more sunscreen:  My BFF of sunscreens is the Walgreen’s brand for sensitive skin, SPF 70.  My daughter’s skin is like milk and this one works. Don’t forget hats, sunglasses and rash guard shirts for swimming.

May Every Step You take Be Healthy!
Warm Regards,

Debbie Estis Greenspan
Founder/CEO/Mom
Dr. Doormat, Inc.