It was during the first month of my freshman year in college that the idea for the SlouchBack was conceived. Everyday we would have lots of friends over to our dorm room and everyone would sit shoulder to shoulder on our twin beds as we played games, watched movies and studied. I began to notice that I wasn''t the only one who was constantly shifting my body into weird positions trying to get comfortable as we sat awkwardly leaning against the concrete wall. It was there that the idea sparked to create a huge backrest so everyone on the bed could be comfortable, not just the first one to snag every pillow in the room. I knew I had the base of a great couch as majority of students spend lots of money on making their bed comfortable to sleep on. After months measuring couches I came up with the ideal shape. The decision to go inflatable was a no brainer. With lack of space being the major dorm issue, being inflatable means you don''t have to alter your room by bunking of lofting beds to add comfort. It also allows you to transport it easily from room to room, but more importantly allowed for easy transport back and forth from school during the off months. Upon graduating college I had product samples and an award winning business plan ready for a summer launch.
May 31, 2010
The SlouchBack is designed to bring comfort to cramped living spaces like college dorms and small apartments. Its design allows it to sit on top of an existing bed providing an ergonomic back rest and arm rests creating a comfortable couch. Using high end inflatable technology the SlouchBack is able expand from the compact size of a backpack to a three person couch in just 30 seconds. To increase comfort and add style the SlouchBack is fitted with micro suede covers in your choice of six colors.
Inventor: Andrew Goetting
Andrew is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Slouch, LLC. The inventor of the SlouchBack, Andrew is an alumn of Roger Williams University (’08), where he graduated with a B.A in Business Management. He was an All-American Collegiate Sailor and captained the nationally-ranked sailing team.
The SlouchBack was named a semi-finalist in the 2008 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition.
Andrew has experience in retail, marketing, and promotions along with product design and development. Outside of sailing, Andrew has a passion for a wide range of board sports including wake boarding, snowboarding, and kite boarding
I strive on building relationships and helping people have a good time enjoying life. These characteristics are the core values of my business which is why we are constantly touted for having the best customer service. The best part about is its 100% natural and its because we really do care!
First Toddle® is a 5-in-1 play and development system that gives a baby a safer environment in which to learn to stand and walk. Emphasizing Gross Motor Skills, First Toddle stimulates a baby’s creativity and improves Cognitive Development. As a baby grows, First Toddle’s advanced play features and accessories expand and change to entertain for months and years to come – infant play, stable support for new toddlers, advanced toddler play, sports. First Toddle® also helps children with Special Needs. Play-based growth and fun – all in one easy package.
3 months to 3+ years of age
First Toddle® includes:
Toddle Walk Structure
Play Mat
Activity Table
Toddle Tent/Crawl-Thru
Mini Basketball Backboard, Hoop, Net
Mini Soccer/Hockey Goal
Mini Hockey Stick
Sports Ball Set
Large Soccer/Hockey Net
Soft Play Toys
Velcro Straps
Reusable Carry-All Box
First Toddle Child Development Guide
Assembly Instructions
a) Infant Play – A comfortable and safe play area for your baby to crawl, explore, discover.
b) First Steps – A safer environment for your baby to stand and take their first steps.
c) Toddler Play – A comfortable and fun area for your toddler to play and safely practice new skills.
d) Sports Center – Introduces your child to football, basketball, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, and more.
e) Advanced Activities – A safe and stable structure that will continue to entertain your child for years.
Crawl -> Reach -> Explore -> Pull -> Stand -> Step -> Cruise -> Toddle -> Walk -> Turn -> Kick -> Play -> Discover -> Create
I was a work-at-home dad with twins (8 months old at the time I developed the original First Toddle® prototype). I was participating in conference calls, responding to e-mail, doing feedings, changing diapers and trying to keep two 8-month olds from hurting themselves as they began to explore the living room. I’d rotate them for 20 minutes at a time between several items set-up in the living room: a jumper gym, infant activity play mat, battery-operated swing, etc., and, of course, the original First Toddle® prototype which (back then) was made out of PVC.
I used shoelaces to tie on their favorite lightweight play items from crib and elsewhere. They had more fun with that basic set of parallel bars than they had with any of the store-bought items we had for them.
Then I just sat back, watched and took notes. The kids found so many creative ways to enjoy that original prototype – ways that I hadn’t anticipated. And, that’s how most of the accessories were created – based on the children’s own experiences and fun.
Of course, First Toddle® is no longer made from PVC. It’s custom extruded and molded from baby-safe plastics and has been fully tested. There are no leads, no paints, no BPAs and it’s very well engineered. It’s strong, stable and safe.
Inventor: Mike Monaghan
20 years experience as a systems and management consultant, specializing in manufacturing productivity improvement for electronics and plastics manufacturing.
Now I’m a full-time stay-at-home dad and president of our company, First Toddle, Inc., which, of course, requires quite a bit of travel, too.
How wide should the base be to provide adequate support to the upper parallel bars?
I didn’t know how wide the base should be to support the upper parallel bars. The initial prototype had a base that was more than 4 times as wide as the upper width. But, the base doesn’t even need to be twice as wide as the upper bars – it’s that strong and stable of a structure. We finally settled on 3 times as wide due to manufacturing simplicity and the design of accessories (for example, the toddle tent/crawl-thru and the large soccer/hockey net).
What other interesting product variations are on the horizon?
First Toddle® is made from baby-safe plastics – there’s no leads, no paints, no BPAs. But, we’re experimenting with using a corn polymer instead of traditional plastic. The polymer costs a little more and lengthens the manufacturing process slightly, but it may be worth it to produce a Green children’s toy that is, in fact, “Grown in the U.S.A.”
Julie says:
Jun 7, 2010 at 7:48 am
I purchased a First Toddle unit and set it up at the grandparents house. They love seeing my baby play, smile and walk. It is a great enhancing product for those just starting to toddle.
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T.Z. says:
Jun 6, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I bought a first toddle floor model for my son at the It's a Baby expo in the Chicago area. He was just starting to walk at the time, and had some physical therapy issues we were currently working on with a therapist. He really loved his First Toddle … more and it helped him with walking as well as getting up and down from sitting to standing and back again. I wish mine had a quilted floor mat like the one the product shows here. Mike told me he was going to send one to me when they came in, but he never did. I am planning on having a new baby and would love to be able to use it from birth on up. A mat would prevent it from sliding, and the exercise mat mine came with got all gross and couldnt be washed. Without a mat it is hard to use on hardwood floors. Anyway, my very active 21 month old loves playing basketball and hitting things (all over the house! LOL) with the hocey stick. We are going to use it as a soccer net now that he is working on kicking (to learn to balance on one leg) with his therapist.
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mike turner says:
Jun 6, 2010 at 11:36 am
Purchase this at the NYC Toy show at the Javits for our two grandchildren when we babysit and when they visit. This is a great entertainment center and teaching toy for toddlers. I recommend this for parents, grandparents aunts & uncles. Greatest play toy … more around.
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jeanne says:
Jun 4, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Wonderful fun invention....I recommend this to anyone who has a toddler who just wants to have fun....Go and purchase this for someone you really care about. It Wonderful
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Theo Garcia says:
Jun 4, 2010 at 2:16 pm
First Toddle #1!
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Tren says:
May 17, 2011 at 10:11 am
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Susan Booth says:
Jun 1, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Mind Over Matter Toys for 18yrs now. I think this item is exceptional. I love how versatile it is. This item should sell well. Susan
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matt says:
Jun 1, 2010 at 9:05 am
what a cool idea! wish i could do college over again. looks more comfy than the cushions we have on our couch.
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