We’ve all been there. Lugging umbrellas, coolers, supplies, etc just to enjoy our day at the beach or go camping. But shouldn’t being out in nature be relaxing instead of a hassle?
These two female entrepreneurs are on a mission to end the frustrations by designing a 4-in-1 product that will not only serve as a cart, but also provide convenient seating.
Julie Weldon and Stacey Pierce have joined together as not only business partners, but will also be getting married later this year. They’re telling 2018 to bring it on as they take on launching the O.M.E. Gear Kickstarter campaign in September, continue to co-host their podcast GSD Entrepreneur, run their coaching and consulting company A Salty Rim, and plan their wedding!
Julie Weldon’s parents created the original idea for this game changing product. As they were sitting on the boardwalk of Bethany Beach, DE people watching at the end of the beach day, a single mom caught their attention as she was trying to pack up her three small children, and all their “stuff” – blankets, towels, shovels, pails, chairs. The little ones were hot and cranky, so she struggled in her attempts to give each sandy, crying child an item to carry to help her make it back to the car in one trip.
It was then that Julie’s parents, Paul and Jerie, had an “aha” moment: Going to the beach should never be a challenging experience – if only families had something to carry all this “stuff.” They decided that day if a solution did not exist, they would invent one. Paul and Jerie were not engineers. They had no background in product development. However, that same night, they began thinking about how to make going to the beach an easier experience.
As they dreamed together, the concept of a beach chair that converted into a beach cart began to take shape. Late into the night, they brainstormed about a contraption that could easily be transported to and from the car; one that could hold many different beach items and still be comfortable enough to enjoy sitting in all day. In the months that followed, sketches were drawn, ideas circulated, a lawyer obtained and a patent prepared and granted. The dream of a beach cart was taking on a life of its own. A patent was granted. And then … nothing.
After investing much thought, time and money in their idea, the Weldons hit a roadblock. Paul and Jerie could not find the right person to take their idea to completion. Nor did they have the extra money to continue on. The patent and blueprints for beachTuff lay dormant as the Weldons raised their children and focused their energies on their bakery business.
Finally, in 2010, almost 15 years after that day in Bethany Beach, Paul and Jerie’s oldest daughter, Julie, was at a place in her life where she needed a change. Having worked in business management consulting for a number of years, she was ready to build a company herself. She called up her Dad one morning and said, “I keep thinking about your beach product. Could I take it to market for you?” Through tears he said, “That would be a dream come true.”
In August 2017, Julie Weldon and Stacey Pierce redesigned the product a final time based on consumer feedback and industry knowledge and formed the company O.M.E. Gear.
The purpose of O.M.E. Gear is to motivate people of all ages to be more active outdoors by providing an easy, innovative 4:1 solution that will transport outdoor gear, then transform into 3 comfortable seating modes when they arrive at their destination.
Both Julie and Stacey grew up going to the beach every summer – Julie to Bethany Beach, DE and Stacey to the coast of SC.
“For both of us, we love adventure. Being in nature inspires us, calms us, gives us the ability to breathe deeply, and connects us to what’s important,” Julie Weldon said.
This product isn’t just for the beach. It’s great for pool parties, fishing, tailgating, festivals, picnics, outdoor sporting events, camping, and any other outdoor recreational activities where you need to haul stuff and then have comfortable seating once there.
As a cart, this product will have large removable wheels for easy rolling through sand and/or rough terrain. With seating functionality, it will convert into three different chair modes: low beach chair, high field/camping chair, and lounger.
This Kickstarter campaign will launch in September, but those interested can sign up now for sneak peeks and early bird discounts. Please visit OMEGear.com for more details.
