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Updated March 2010

About Maine Warmers

Maine Warmers' Story

When my husband had a muscle spasm in his back and could not stand up straight, I drove to the pharmacy to buy an electric heating pad. On the way, I started thinking about electric extension cords and outlets where he might plug one in. The I recalled a friend handing me a microwave heating pad one cold winter night as we relaxed after dinner. I turned the car around and called our friend (pre-cell phone era) to find out what was inside the flannel bag.

Hers was filled with cattle beans, but I was told by a gentleman at Agway that corn was what people used to make these heat packs. So, off I drove to the fabric and feed stores. When I returned I pulled out the sewing machine and made a heating pad.

My husband was amazed at the relief the home-made heating pad provided and was especially pleased with the convenience – no wires or hot water bottles. He could watch TV, take it to bed, to work, and even use it in the car.

When another friend saw me using this "corn-bag" on my knee, she asked me to make three for Christmas presents. I started making them for friends and relatives as get well gifts, birthdays, and holidays. I was surprised at how popular they had become. Friends encouraged me to start a business and sell them at craft fairs, but Maine summers are short and spending them at craft shows was not appealing to me. I dismissed the thought for a number of years.

When I took a web site development class with the intention of designing sites for other businesses, I thought the Internet might be a good place to market these warmers. I wrote a business plan and made an appointment with SCORE, SBDC, and a number of organizations offering free or low cost help for people wanting to start a business. With the help and support of family and friends, I took the first steps toward starting Maine Warmers -- an online store. Within six months I expanded to include wholesale.

I love the fact that our warmers help people. Now, with the assistance of Jennifer and Kimberly, I am proud of the fact that we continue the Maine tradition of providing top quality products and customer service.

Betsy Hanscom, Owner of Maine Warmers


Jennifer Sullivan	Betsy Hanscom	Kimberly Jutras

Photo by Claudia Murray

Associates

Jennifer Sullivan, Marketing

Kimberly Jutras, Office

Memberships

Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce 179 Lisbon St., Lewiston, Maine 207-783-2249 www.androscoggincounty.com	Maine Products Marketing Program, State of Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, 59 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0059, 297-287-8490, www.mainemade.com
CEI Maine Women's Business Center Maine Warmers is a woman owned business and is listed in this directory. This directory was established by Coastal Enterprises, Inc. in Maine.	Get Real Maine, www.getrealmaine.com hosted by the Maine Department of Agriculture.

Awards

Constant Contact Award Recognition for best e-mail marketing practices and for consistency in keeping in touch with subscribers. Thank you to our subscribers for sticking with us!