Luling native’s invention could be game changer

Nita Friloux Gassen displaying her invention - the ultimate sheet fastener with a pocket.

Nita Friloux Gassen says she’s “changing the bedding industry” with her Better Bedder invention.

“It’s really taking off,” said the Luling native.

But what is it?

Described as the ultimate sheet fastener with a pocket to store glasses, the TV remote or books, the idea is catching on with Gassen’s instructional video on her website and Facebook. It fits around the bottom of the mattress, allowing tucking in flat sheets rather than needing fitted ones, eliminates having to hold up a mattress to put on the sheet and keeps sheets in place.

Gassen calls it a game changer and says nothing compares to it. The fastener starts at $99.

“People are really realizing what it is and it’s going viral,” she said.

She lives in Mandeville, but her family and friends in Luling have helped spread the word about the Hahnville High School graduate’s invention.

The concept came together quickly in April of last year when a friend asked her if she had any ideas about making it easier to change sheets on beds in their condominium in Destin, Fla.

“One night, it came to me,” Gassen said. “I bought a sewing machine and taught myself how to sew on YouTube, and started making these prototypes. I finally got it to exactly where I wanted it and tried it on my son’s loft bed. He loved it.”

They went shopping for a manufacturer and found one Tam’s Sew Shop in Terrytown. It’s local and fit their desire to have their creation made in the U.S. Family and friends provided the test market and they officially announced it good. They set up a website and inquiries started coming from throughout the U.S. and as far as Guatemala. Those interested included hotels, bed and breakfasts, a mattress company.

An instructional video had nearly 9,000 views in 2-1/2 days.

[pullquote]“It’s coming together. This is a product that can reach every age group. It’s unbelievable.” – Nita Friloux Gassen[/pullquote]

“It’s coming together,” Gassen said. “This is a product that can reach every age group. It’s unbelievable.”

She’s even offering a 40 percent discount to those who buy online this month with the code Jan40.

Aspirations of ending up on Shark Tank or QVC are coming in sight, she said.

Despite the potentially growing market, though, Gassen said once the concept makes a profit they are donating to two charities – Covenant House and a Down’s Syndrome group called UP21.

“This is a solution to a problem and it’s a problem everybody gets frustrated about,” she said. “We’re really excited about the solution and the problem, and we’re going to be able to give back.”

 

1 Comment

Leave a Reply