“My passion is to make our product in the U.S. and help secure local, Michigan jobs.”
– Karen Smoots
One winter day several years ago, when Karen Smoots’ son took off his wet winter gloves after school, she smelled a horrible stench. After some quick investigating she realized that the odor was coming from his gloves, which were wet from playing outside in the snow. It was in that moment that she knew she needed to come up with a lasting solution to this problem.
When gloves do not thoroughly dry, the bacteria thrive inside, often resulting in that awful smell. Her invention, the TheEcoDryer® by greenglovedryer®, allows users to easily dry wet gloves, boots, and other gear. The EcoDryer attaches to an existing floor or wall vent, and allows users to easily place items on the dryer. The hot air from the vent dries and warms gloves, mittens, hats, slippers, and more.
With the idea for a solution firmly in mind, in 2014, Smoots began working with the Southwest Michigan Small Business Development Center, hosted at Western Michigan University in the Haworth College of Business, to receive guidance on the future of her company. The SBDC assisted her in writing a business plan, which is a foundational component of her business’s success. She also received an International Search Engine Optimization analysis to examine the effectiveness of her website and identify areas where she could improve her online marketing, website strategy and sales.
“The assistance and guidance I received from the SBDC has been unbelievable. I have used and implemented so much of what they have helped me with,” commented Smoots.
TheEcoDryer® has been drawing attention throughout the country and especially from school districts and can now be found on shelves throughout the Midwest, and online. Smoots debuted her product on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) in November 2016 and continues to gain momentum. She was named a 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year by SCORE Kalamazoo/Southwest Michigan in May 2021.
“Every household who deals with snow should have this product in their home. It’s a no brainer,” says Smoots who is a graduate of the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. She is a lifelong resident of Michigan and actively involved in her community both personally and professionally. She created/invented her product, The EcoDryer in Michigan and manufactures all components local as well. Fabrication, manufacturing and packaging are all completed in Michigan.
A personal mission to provide every K-5 Elementary school with TheEcoDryers® blossomed into an partnership with Consumer’s Energy which has spread throughout Michigan and allows a zero increase in energy costs to schools all over the state.
TheEcoDryer® has received positive publicity nationwide with awards and recognitions from Family Choice Awards, Mothering magazine (Top 10 Must-Haves to Get Your Family Through Winter), Today with Kathie Lee & Hoda (2018 Winter Must Haves), ABC World News Tonight’s Made in America Christmas 2017.
