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WPBF 25 News Anchor Mark Kelly speaks with a local couple launched a new business helping housekeepers make beds
WPBF 25 News anchors, Erin Guy & Mark Kelly with Inventors, Dolores & Philip Dioguardi and Tucker CFO, Jennifer Jackson-Strage
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Featured in Florida Weekly,
2016-12-29 / Business News |
The people behind The Tucker:
Jennifer Jackson-Strage, VP, and inventors, Dolores and Philip Dioguardi. SAMII STOLOFF PHOTOGRAPHY
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The Tucker helps push sheets in deeper
An invention called The Tucker, a boon to bed-makers everywhere, hinged on the broken fingernail of its designer.“I broke a nail, and hurt my hand making the bed one day, so I told my husband there has to be a better way,” said Dolores Dioguardi.
The perky 89-year-old says that at any age, “It’s hard to lift a ridiculously heavy mattress while trying to tuck a sheet under it at the same time.” She’s an admitted neat-freak and takes time from busy days at her new company and from playing golf to make her beds every day. “I’ve read all these comments from people who laugh about making beds. “‘Who takes the time and who cares?’” she quoted.
She laughs. “I do. I am very fussy about a tidy house. We always make our bed. I believe in the old saying, ‘Messy house: messy head.’ And it’s true. It’s so much more pleasant to work in a neat and tidy space.”
She and her husband, Philip, set out to invent a sheet-tucking implement.
“We were drawing pictures together. So he made a prototype out of cardboard and then out of plastic,” she said. Finally, “We were able to secure a design patent.” After a few weeks of tweaks, they came up with The Tucker. It’s a paddle-like implement with a handle that glides under the mattress like a spatula with one push, neatly tucking in the sheet. The bed maker need not risk a broken nail, or worse, a sprained wrist. It’s ultra-easy to use, she said. “We have a video online showing how to use it. One is showing a child doing it, putting a neat corner on the sheet.”
The perky 89-year-old says that at any age, “It’s hard to lift a ridiculously heavy mattress while trying to tuck a sheet under it at the same time.” She’s an admitted neat-freak and takes time from busy days at her new company and from playing golf to make her beds every day. “I’ve read all these comments from people who laugh about making beds. “‘Who takes the time and who cares?’” she quoted.
She laughs. “I do. I am very fussy about a tidy house. We always make our bed. I believe in the old saying, ‘Messy house: messy head.’ And it’s true. It’s so much more pleasant to work in a neat and tidy space.”
She and her husband, Philip, set out to invent a sheet-tucking implement.
“We were drawing pictures together. So he made a prototype out of cardboard and then out of plastic,” she said. Finally, “We were able to secure a design patent.” After a few weeks of tweaks, they came up with The Tucker. It’s a paddle-like implement with a handle that glides under the mattress like a spatula with one push, neatly tucking in the sheet. The bed maker need not risk a broken nail, or worse, a sprained wrist. It’s ultra-easy to use, she said. “We have a video online showing how to use it. One is showing a child doing it, putting a neat corner on the sheet.”
Even though it’s ultra-easy to use, there is a how-to video that shows how The Tucker works.
Then it was on to production and distribution. Enter Jennifer Jackson, the couple’s bookkeeper and assistant. “We were able to proceed to where we are today because of Jennifer’s brilliance on the computer,” she said.
The inventor insisted on The Tucker being made in the United States. “I investigated molding people, and found Prime Molding Technologies in Riviera Beach.” The company uses a plastic injection process to create unique products. “It’s not a huge company — it’s middle sized. We met with Richard Volpe; he had what I needed,” said Mrs. Dioguardi, a retired New York talent agent.
The inventor insisted on The Tucker being made in the United States. “I investigated molding people, and found Prime Molding Technologies in Riviera Beach.” The company uses a plastic injection process to create unique products. “It’s not a huge company — it’s middle sized. We met with Richard Volpe; he had what I needed,” said Mrs. Dioguardi, a retired New York talent agent.
Then it was on to sales, packaging and shipping. That’s one of the best parts of the story, she said.
“Jennifer told me about Palm Beach Habilitation Center. They have a thrift shop, and the center, where they employ the handicapped, veterans and the disabled.”
“We met with Gary Strother. He took us through the entire place — the packing and shipping areas. These lovely people with beautiful smiles greeted us as they worked. I left with tears in my eyes.
“I said, ‘We’ve got to do this! They must be our factory.’”
It was a win-win on all counts, she said. “All these things fall into place. When things work out that I can help somebody else, I’m happy.”
David Lin, the vice president of Palm Beach Habilitation Center, explains they are a training program for people with disabilities. “We train them how to package different products for shipping.” Workers earn competitive wages based on the industry. “It’s based on speed and productivity, but the piece rate is based on $10.40 an hour,” he said. The center has five or six workers packing up The Tucker; it could change based on orders, however.
Mrs. Dioguardi’s company doesn’t need to maintain a warehouse full of inventory because of the two local companies. Once made in the Riviera Beach facility, it’s delivered to the Habilitation Center for packing and bulk distribution. For small individual sales, they’re still mailed out by hand from her home.
Sales right now are through Amazon and on the website. “We investigated Amazon, and fished out the information about how to get started. We’re now in almost every state including Hawaii, Canada, and we just started with the UK.”
Everything is taking off “like greased lightning,” she said, laughing.
With Ms. Jackson-Strage'’s help, they’ve begun to promote The Tucker to the major hotel groups. Loew’s Hotels is interested for its housekeeping staff. They’ve responded positively, she said. “The St. Regis in New York, and MGM Grand in Vegas are looking at us, and Reno. We’re looking at hospitals and assisted living places.”
They’re hoping to soon get into retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond. Response everywhere has been positive. “We’ve got a lot of thumbs ups (likes) on Facebook. I’m amazed at how it’s spread.”
“Jennifer told me about Palm Beach Habilitation Center. They have a thrift shop, and the center, where they employ the handicapped, veterans and the disabled.”
“We met with Gary Strother. He took us through the entire place — the packing and shipping areas. These lovely people with beautiful smiles greeted us as they worked. I left with tears in my eyes.
“I said, ‘We’ve got to do this! They must be our factory.’”
It was a win-win on all counts, she said. “All these things fall into place. When things work out that I can help somebody else, I’m happy.”
David Lin, the vice president of Palm Beach Habilitation Center, explains they are a training program for people with disabilities. “We train them how to package different products for shipping.” Workers earn competitive wages based on the industry. “It’s based on speed and productivity, but the piece rate is based on $10.40 an hour,” he said. The center has five or six workers packing up The Tucker; it could change based on orders, however.
Mrs. Dioguardi’s company doesn’t need to maintain a warehouse full of inventory because of the two local companies. Once made in the Riviera Beach facility, it’s delivered to the Habilitation Center for packing and bulk distribution. For small individual sales, they’re still mailed out by hand from her home.
Sales right now are through Amazon and on the website. “We investigated Amazon, and fished out the information about how to get started. We’re now in almost every state including Hawaii, Canada, and we just started with the UK.”
Everything is taking off “like greased lightning,” she said, laughing.
With Ms. Jackson-Strage'’s help, they’ve begun to promote The Tucker to the major hotel groups. Loew’s Hotels is interested for its housekeeping staff. They’ve responded positively, she said. “The St. Regis in New York, and MGM Grand in Vegas are looking at us, and Reno. We’re looking at hospitals and assisted living places.”
They’re hoping to soon get into retailers like Bed, Bath & Beyond. Response everywhere has been positive. “We’ve got a lot of thumbs ups (likes) on Facebook. I’m amazed at how it’s spread.”
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Dolores Dioguardi, President, CEO Jennifer Jackson-Strage, VP DB Tucker, LLC Office: (561) 301-4974 Cellular: (561) 308-1159 [email protected] www.TheBedTucker.com |
Copyright © 2018 DB Tucker LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: DB Tucker LLC 126 South Village Way Jupiter, FL 33458 |