January 5, 2004
Mind games | A chat with Pat Thompson, owner of PuzzledMinds in Yarmouth.
By Rebecca Norling
Founded: October 2002
Revenues, 2002: $5,000-$10,000
Projected revenues, 2003: $100,000
Address: PO Box 1166, Yarmouth 04096
Phone: 800-876-5950
Web: www.puzzledminds.com
Describe what your company does.
We design and sell puzzles specifically for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. They are six-piece and 12-piece wooden puzzles with pictures that are designed to stimulate the cognitive functioning of people who are impaired. For example, we've tried to incorporate some travel, so we have the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben available, and we've tried to incorporate floral arrangements for gardeners.
How many employees do you have?
Right now it's me, Cathy Stolberg, who serves as my vice president of business development, and my sister, Maureen Cahill, who is a registered nurse and serves as our medical consultant. Both my sister and Cathy work out of Philadelphia.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
My father suffered from Alzheimer's, and he passed away in January [2003]. I had been looking around for products to help stimulate his mind, and I realized that there really was nothing available that was age-appropriate, if you will. The things that he was capable of doing, like simple puzzles, were designed with cartoon characters and children on them.
I had plenty of those puzzles because my kids were that age, but I couldn't bring myself to bring them home to my father, because it seemed so insulting to a man who had experienced a full life. So I didn't, but as a result of that, I came up with this idea. Two-and-a-half years later, the prototypes were developed.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Finding a manufacturer who can give me the quality that I'm looking for at a reasonable price. I was unable to find a manufacturer here in the United States, so they're being made in Mexico right now.
How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
It's personal financing from myself and my family, and it was in the neighborhood of $25,000.
What was your first day in business like?
I would count that as the opening day of the [annual Alzheimer's Association Educational Conference] in Chicago this past July. The attendees represent nursing homes, assisted living facilities; they are doctors and nurses, all of whom work with individuals with Alzheimer's. It was rewarding; the attendees wanted to buy the puzzles right there and then, and we were there only to survey the participants and get feedback.
What could this company become?
My dream would be that the company would be the number one resource for caregivers and families that have loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
What could stop you?
A cure for the disease. And what a wonderful way to be stopped!
Is there competition?
There are things out there, but there's no one making activities only designed for Alzheimer's sufferers. There are no puzzles, and there are no real activities that can be worked on either individually or in group therapy.
What resources have proven most useful?
The Alzheimer's Association has been very helpful in discussing the limitations of sufferers with Alzheimer's. I worked with Women, Work and Community out of South Portland, whose role is to help women-owned businesses. All of them have been very instrumental, and interestingly, the people I've dealt with in those companies have all had a relative who has suffered from Alzheimer's.
If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I would take over one of the failing businesses in Maine, in communities that are so desperate for business, and I would manufacture my own products, because there is such a need.
What's the hardest puzzle you've ever done?
My children are up to the 500-piece puzzles, and when I look at the size of those pieces ˆ it's amazing that they can be put together at all!
New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
Revenues, 2002: $5,000-$10,000
Projected revenues, 2003: $100,000
Address: PO Box 1166, Yarmouth 04096
Phone: 800-876-5950
Web: www.puzzledminds.com
Describe what your company does.
We design and sell puzzles specifically for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. They are six-piece and 12-piece wooden puzzles with pictures that are designed to stimulate the cognitive functioning of people who are impaired. For example, we've tried to incorporate some travel, so we have the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben available, and we've tried to incorporate floral arrangements for gardeners.
How many employees do you have?
Right now it's me, Cathy Stolberg, who serves as my vice president of business development, and my sister, Maureen Cahill, who is a registered nurse and serves as our medical consultant. Both my sister and Cathy work out of Philadelphia.
When did you first get the idea for the company?
My father suffered from Alzheimer's, and he passed away in January [2003]. I had been looking around for products to help stimulate his mind, and I realized that there really was nothing available that was age-appropriate, if you will. The things that he was capable of doing, like simple puzzles, were designed with cartoon characters and children on them.
I had plenty of those puzzles because my kids were that age, but I couldn't bring myself to bring them home to my father, because it seemed so insulting to a man who had experienced a full life. So I didn't, but as a result of that, I came up with this idea. Two-and-a-half years later, the prototypes were developed.
What was the biggest challenge going from idea to reality?
Finding a manufacturer who can give me the quality that I'm looking for at a reasonable price. I was unable to find a manufacturer here in the United States, so they're being made in Mexico right now.
How did you finance the launch of your business, and what did it cost?
It's personal financing from myself and my family, and it was in the neighborhood of $25,000.
What was your first day in business like?
I would count that as the opening day of the [annual Alzheimer's Association Educational Conference] in Chicago this past July. The attendees represent nursing homes, assisted living facilities; they are doctors and nurses, all of whom work with individuals with Alzheimer's. It was rewarding; the attendees wanted to buy the puzzles right there and then, and we were there only to survey the participants and get feedback.
What could this company become?
My dream would be that the company would be the number one resource for caregivers and families that have loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
What could stop you?
A cure for the disease. And what a wonderful way to be stopped!
Is there competition?
There are things out there, but there's no one making activities only designed for Alzheimer's sufferers. There are no puzzles, and there are no real activities that can be worked on either individually or in group therapy.
What resources have proven most useful?
The Alzheimer's Association has been very helpful in discussing the limitations of sufferers with Alzheimer's. I worked with Women, Work and Community out of South Portland, whose role is to help women-owned businesses. All of them have been very instrumental, and interestingly, the people I've dealt with in those companies have all had a relative who has suffered from Alzheimer's.
If you were given $500,000 toward your business, what would you do with it?
I would take over one of the failing businesses in Maine, in communities that are so desperate for business, and I would manufacture my own products, because there is such a need.
What's the hardest puzzle you've ever done?
My children are up to the 500-piece puzzles, and when I look at the size of those pieces ˆ it's amazing that they can be put together at all!
New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
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