My usual weekend post about books and bookish topics is being pushed aside today by the ongoing stressful aftermath of what had been an awesome experience with Howard University's PitchHU 3.0 cohort business incubator last year from April to June. More details here:
Sometimes it's so hard to make progress as a creative, indie inventor, founder or entrepreneur or someone who's working toward expanding access for themselves and other people who are routinely excluded.
My SwimMission Swim Cap prioritizes the hair health, appearance and protection needs of people who wear a swim cap to cover their hair, especially very thick coily, kinky, curly, voluminous, long or otherwise high-maintenance hair types like braids, locs, chemically straightened, color-treated or fragile, when it's dry and to keep it dry. So typical swim caps with "wet hair first" instructions automatically exclude them.
The tedious patent application process ended successfully for me, but made me understand why so many applications were listed as "abandoned" during my research for application prep. This frustrating situation with PitchHU and the ongoing delay in receiving the awarded funds also explains why so many inventors and entrepreneurs with marketable ideas quit.
On my worst days, I tell myself that what Soul Cap, Hairbrella, YouGoNatural and the few other brands offer in swim caps prioritizing hair health, appearance and protection is good enough, much better than typical swim caps, and that's true. It's also true that my U.S. utility patented combination of features and functions offers even more protection, security, volume accommodation and comfort. Plus, swimmers and pre-swimmers deserve options and variety according to need, mood, fashion or other factors just like with other kinds of head gear.
I'm feeling discouraged right now, but I've worked too hard for too long to quit. Somehow I'll find a way to produce more prototypes for additional beta testing. (I'll keep saying it and pursuing it until it's true.;-)
As a Swim Inclusion Advocate for Life my ultimate SwimMission remains: expanding access to the water safety, medical and mental health, physical fitness, training, fun, and employment benefits and opportunities knowing how to swim offers by "keeping the water out of your hair so your hair doesn't keep you out of the water. (TM)"
Thank you for reading this post! Writing it helped me feel less sad and defeated.
Always rooting for your good health and success,
C.
[DIY graphic made last night in preparation for another day of funding disappointment; supplies for creating a wearable sandwich board in case going in-person to HU to state my case became necessary]
Issue resolved!
For the past week or so part of my daily routine has been to check the availability of the awarded PitchHU funds before posting the count-up of the days of waiting for access on my socials. So imagine my surprise when the funds (already spent on prototypes;-) were available this a.m.!
Many thanks to everyone who encouraged and supported me.
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