It is a situation that many beachgoers find themselves in: maximizing the shade coverage of a beach umbrella with a rectangle towel. Placing and then replacing their towels, hopeful sunbathers attempt to find the elusive perfect spot where they are completely covered by the umbrella.
This was the conundrum that faced Laura Ogan, and she knew there had to be a logical answer. Inspired to make a better towel, Ogan founded the O Towel. With its round shape and a hole in the middle for umbrella placement, the O Towel has become popular.
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Ogan about her revolutionary towel and the business behind it.
CBJ: How did your company start?
Ogan: I contacted SCORE through the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and they gave me some initial business ideas and through SCORE, I was able to obtain a small business loan. Since then, we have made catalog sheets, chose our patterns and colors and received 240 samples, obtained a business licence and communicated with a number of reps.
CBJ: What is the company's mission?
Ogan: The O Towel is a company that believes in making life fun and easy for the consumer. The O Towel will provide the sun protection by having a choice of two holes depending on where the sun is.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Ogan: The most challenging aspect of the O Towel is the journey. I have learned so much about having an idea in my head and actually holding that idea in my hand. We have made mistakes along the way, but that is how we have learned. Another recent challenge is believing in something so much and being limited on the capital/funding to continue the pursuit of the dream.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Ogan: I love not working for someone else. I can take my ideas, try them out and if I don't like it or if I do like them, I get to make the final decisions.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of this company?
Ogan: What I see for the future of this company, The O Towel, is that every beach umbrella in the world will have the 0 Towel underneath it.
CBJ: What do you enjoy about being located in Carlsbad?
Ogan: I love the beach and the people here. I have lived here since 1984, and grew up in Orange County. Nothing compares to Carlsbad.
For more information about the O Towel, visit www.theotowel.com, or call (760) 420-1703.
This was the conundrum that faced Laura Ogan, and she knew there had to be a logical answer. Inspired to make a better towel, Ogan founded the O Towel. With its round shape and a hole in the middle for umbrella placement, the O Towel has become popular.
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Ogan about her revolutionary towel and the business behind it.
CBJ: How did your company start?
Ogan: I contacted SCORE through the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and they gave me some initial business ideas and through SCORE, I was able to obtain a small business loan. Since then, we have made catalog sheets, chose our patterns and colors and received 240 samples, obtained a business licence and communicated with a number of reps.
CBJ: What is the company's mission?
Ogan: The O Towel is a company that believes in making life fun and easy for the consumer. The O Towel will provide the sun protection by having a choice of two holes depending on where the sun is.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
Ogan: The most challenging aspect of the O Towel is the journey. I have learned so much about having an idea in my head and actually holding that idea in my hand. We have made mistakes along the way, but that is how we have learned. Another recent challenge is believing in something so much and being limited on the capital/funding to continue the pursuit of the dream.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Ogan: I love not working for someone else. I can take my ideas, try them out and if I don't like it or if I do like them, I get to make the final decisions.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of this company?
Ogan: What I see for the future of this company, The O Towel, is that every beach umbrella in the world will have the 0 Towel underneath it.
CBJ: What do you enjoy about being located in Carlsbad?
Ogan: I love the beach and the people here. I have lived here since 1984, and grew up in Orange County. Nothing compares to Carlsbad.
For more information about the O Towel, visit www.theotowel.com, or call (760) 420-1703.