Proprietors:
Lori Watson and her business partner, Hilory Paster, started
KeepingPace three years ago.
Business Description:
KeepingPace has been called the "new generation of orthopedic footwear designers," Watson reports with pride. "Our company regards themselves as a catalyst for change by innovatively designing and providing specialty footwear solutions for children wearing braces/AFO's."
Parenting Connection:
Both Paster and Watson have sons with cerebral palsy. Of her son, William, Watson says "he ambulates with a wheeled walker 80 percent of the time and a sports wheelchair the balance. His self-help skills are quite good and he is able to care for himself much of the time. William's disability has opened our eyes and hearts to a place we would not have gone otherwise."
Time Investment:
Running KeepingPace is a "very full time" job, according to Watson, but "we love what we do each and every day. The entire staff at KeepingPace is very committed and passionate about what they do. We understand our product and market, I suspect better than most companies, because we live it each and every day. And we love developing new products -- it's great fun, and the learning curve never ends!"
Family Pride:
"Both my son and Hilory's son are very proud" of their moms' business, Watson says. "After all, how many kids can pick their own shoe colors and sample shoes constantly? Our boys listen very carefully to stories we share of families' challenges from all walks of life and smile because they know their moms made it happen. We have so many wonderful stories!" Watson also has "a terrific, understanding, 16-year-old daughter, Natalie, who is a tremendous advocate of my son and KeepingPace."
Professional Advice:
Would Watson recommend that other parents start a business as she has? "It depends on the energy level of the individual," she reflects. "In today's high risk and challenging business environment, one must have a full understanding of exposure, be it with manufacturing, inventory cycles, cash flow, employees. Having the idea is the easy part -- bringing the idea to market is a great challenge!"
Looking Ahead:
KeepingPace will be picking up the pace in the next six months with new products and locations. "We've added special socks for kids wearing braces/AFO's, launch date July '06," Watson explains. "We have just added a very fashionable black athletic shoe, also launching July '06, and a very special surprise product hopefully launching this fall. KeepingPace has distributors in Scandinavia and England. and is working on plans for Germany and Amsterdam."
Product Development:
Paster reveals that "the name of each shoe represents a child with CP. The boy’s style, gray with blue trim, is KPW95 (KeepingPace William 1995 -- the year William was born). The girl’s shoe, gray with pink trim, is KPR98 (KeepingPace Reich, 1998, named for Sydney Reich, one of our investor’s daughters with CP). Our newest shoe, black with red trim, will be KPS97 (KeepingPace Samuel, 1997, for my son Samuel and the year he was born)."
More Inspiration and Advice from Lori Watson:
What inspired you to start your business?
Necessity! I was very frustrated that year after year I continued to struggle with fitting shoes over my son's braces. No shoe was deep enough, wide enough nor were the materials durable enough to endure the excessive toe dragging of my son with walking challenges. When he was 7 I thought, "Must I do this for the rest of his life?" Fortunately, my son's orthotist recommended I meet with a speciality shoe designer for diabetic footwear, and the rest is history.
How did you get started?
We chose a management team, formed a business plan, designed a marketing plan, raised start-up capital, and designed the technology of the shoe. Raising the capital took nine months, developing the shoe took a year (including the product testing), and we have been actively selling product for 16 months.
How did your son's diagnosis affect your family?
The challenges are many with our family. Every family member puts forth the extra effort to cheer Will on and impact his life. Friends have always rallied for my family, be it to raise money for medical research or support me when I'm out of steam. "It takes a village" is an understatement.
What advice would you give to other parents about raising a child with special needs?
Nothing in life prepares one for the daily, lifelong challenges of raising a special-needs child. I would suggest a parent learn as much as possible about their child's disability, talk to other parents, interview doctors, put it in perspective, and execute the best possible case management plan for your child and family. The early years of learning your child has a disability are extremely challenging due to the impact and uncertainty of your child's prognosis and possible outcome. One never knows what will come next, so be realistic about expectations. Don't ever give up, and get as much rest as possible. How you handle this challenge may be your child's greatest opportunity.
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