Bessie Lee-Cappell is a Philadelphia Native, Mother of 3 children… ages 12, 8 and 2yrs old, and a Fulltime Social Worker for the City of Philadelphia Department of Human Services. Bessie’s life has and continues to be far from “normal.” One of seven siblings! First to graduate high school, first to attend and graduate college, first to attend and graduate from graduate school and the only one to receive a license in her profession obtained from Temple University.
Bessie Lee-Cappell is the Founder Inventor and Owner of the Baby Bottle Brush Bib Co. She is and will continue to be a GAME CHANGER for the baby product industry! Feel free to reach out to her. She’s here to help others as well as see what others are willing to do for her business. Having Bessie and her products on your team, is having a winner!
Bessie reached out to us on the InventionStories.com and shared her answers to the following questions:
What kind a child where are you did you enjoy figuring out how things work?
I was an easy going child. And I was always very inquisitive! I was a honor roll student, class president for my junior and senior year of high school. I’ve always been the go to person to help others figure out their life issues. Which is why I thought that I would make a great social worker.
Did you have a family member or know someone growing up who was an inventor?
I do not know any relative or friend
Have you invented before?
No I have not invented before.
How did you come up with the name?
The brush bib name was actually given to me by a close friend of mine. I started out Tying my baby’s bib around the bottle as a barrier. Then I started using a better material that would dry easily. Because the barrier protects the user from the icky water like a bib protects a baby’s clothes, “baby bottle brush bib” seemed perfect and Unique Like me product.
What gave you the idea and why did you act?
Being frustrated with the water Splashback on my work clothes is what prompted the idea to invent a barrier. I acted on the invention because I was purchasing more brushes that had the description “reduced Splashback” which was not true. It seemed like the more the brush cost, the bigger the Splashback! I searched for a barrier for the brushes, but they did not exist. That’s when I realized that I needed to create something for myself.
What kind of market research did you do?
I searched all over the internet using different words to describe what I was looking for, but nothing was found. I also checked reviews on the brushes and found the same complaints! That’s when I realized that I was not the only person frustrated with the Splashback.
How was the prototype process?
The prototype process is not hard as one would think. You can make a prototype out of paper! My prototype was originally made out of a purple yoga mat that I purchased from 5 below!
How did you decide on what size color etc. to make it?
I came across the dimensions through trial and error. I estimated a size based off of the size of my hand and pretending that my hand was my shield from the Splashback. Then I began to make the size a bit bigger because some of the water was still splashing on me. I eventually came across a size that was perfect.
How was the patent process?
The process was not hard. I searched for a nearby patent attorney, seeker advice, and we went from there.
Did you consider entering into a license agreement?
I may entertain a licensing deal for my Brush bibs only at this time.
For those who read your story and want to find you: website: email:
babybottlebrushbib.combessiesloveandcare.com info@babybottlebrushbib.com
Did you build your website?
I built babybottlebrushbib.com
What social media do you use and why?
I use IG, FB, LinkedIn because they help generate the traffic I need to market my brands and products.
How do you educate the public about your product?
I educate the public about my products by creating videos on my social media platforms discussing my products in detail.
What is your marketing strategy (coupon codes)?
I use discounts, especially around the holidays, I also provide free items and create giveaways as my marketing strategies.
How do you manage work/life balance?
Managing work and my personal life is difficult, but I balance the two by learning when to put the phone down and turn off the computer. Family time and personal time is relevant for your mental wellbeing as well as for a positive relationship with your spouse and love ones. I dedicate hours at least 2-3 each day to focusing solely on my family and on myself.
How did you know when the time was right to quit your full-time job and go full time selling your product?
I still work Fulltime at my current employment because my Fulltime job is financing my businesses at the time. I will know when the time is right when my net profit from my businesses supersede my Fulltime job.
Where of you been the most successful spending your money?
I have been most successful spending my money on my products.
What should inventors avoid…what is not a good use of time or money?
Inventors should avoid many things like scammers- individuals who will contact you saying they love your product and would like to help you but all you have to do is pay a certain amount of money upfront and they’ll do the rest. I did this one time, and they company never reached back out. I lost money and time! If someone or a company truly believe in your product, they will provide services for you under a contract with a percentage and no upfront cost.
What has been your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome it?
My biggest obstacle has been getting my products into a brick in mortar store. I was determined to have my products seen in a storefront. I overcame this by walking the Philadelphia streets many days, going inside baby stores, pitching my products to the owners and leaving my contact information. Eventually My product stood out to a major Philadelphia baby store called The Nestinghouse! (Precovid)
What advice would you give to those interested in inventing?
Go for it! It starts with your vision, then put your vision on paper! If you can, draw it to the best of your ability (This is called a prototype). Do a search to make sure it doesn’t already exist. Then take the legal steps to secure it!
The Invention Stories Podcast
on YouTube and More…
Click here to learn more about Invention Stories
and here for Women Inventors and the 7 Percent.
To watch more Invention Stories on YouTube, please click here.
If you are new to inventing, we invite you to visit Episode 1 with Forbes Riley.
Click here to visit (and Like) the Invention Stories Facebook Page.
Finally, we invite you to sign our Guest Book.
Thank you for reading this and please…tell a friend.
