Startups, micro-businesses fill gaps in the economy
Like many ideas, The Hanger Valet was born of necessity.
Founder and CEO Erin Toohey Naso was a busy mom of young children trying to get her mornings in order. She would put outfits and accessories out for her kids so they could get ready on their own, using shoe organizers or plastic grocery bags, but she wasn t satisfied with the options available. She thought she could create a better-looking solution. So she created The Hanger Valet, which is designed to hang up an outfit, offering pockets for socks or accessories.
The idea came years before the product was ready to launch last April. Naso, whose background is in public relations, had never done anything like it before. She had to stumble through the process of making patterns and sourcing materials and finding manufacturers.