As a parent of three young children, an engineer by education, and an entrepreneur at heart, I’ve always had a passion for problem-solving. After spending over two decades in corporate America, working with some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, I wanted to build a better, more secure future for my family. I wanted to create something of my own—something meaningful that could improve the lives of families around the USA and even the world.
But my journey as an inventor didn’t start in the boardroom. It started, as many great ideas do, at home. One evening, after my wife Lisa and I once again caught our four-year-old son precariously balancing a step stool on top of a chair to reach the cookies on the top shelf of our pantry, we knew something had to change. Our kids needed to be independent—brushing their teeth, washing their hands, and learning to help out around the house without our help —but not at the expense of their safety.
That night, as we sat on the couch discussing the problem, Lisa said, “If only there was a way to make sure the stool stayed in the bathroom, we wouldn’t have this issue.” And that was the moment the idea for Step Buddy was born. I immediately started sketching out concepts for a step stool that wouldn’t take up valuable space or be dragged from room to room by our kids.
Within days, I had built the first prototype—a step stool that could be folded neatly against the cabinet when not in use, but was always there when needed. It was simple, safe, and exactly what our family needed.
When our children started using the prototype and the problem of stools being moved all over the house disappeared, I realized that we weren’t the only parents dealing with this issue. There had to be other families who needed a solution that would keep their children safe while promoting independence. That’s when I began to develop Step Buddy into a product that could help families everywhere.
Creating a product that would work for all homes required multiple rounds of testing and redesign. I was committed to ensuring that Step Buddy met the highest standards of safety and durability, while still being simple and fun for children to use.
Once we had a refined version of Step Buddy, I started sharing it with friends, family, and neighbors who had young children. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Parents loved how Step Buddy helped their children feel independent while giving them peace of mind that their little ones were safe. The folding design, which eliminated clutter and prevented accidents, was a hit. They also loved how even when their kids forgot to close the stool when they were done using it, they didn't have to bend over and put the stool away. They could simply use their foot to fold the stool back up in less than one second.
Encouraged by this response, we decided to take the plunge and bring Step Buddy to a wider audience. I set out on a journey to share our creation with other parents facing the same challenges. Along the way, I’ve continued to improve and reshape the Step Buddy design, incorporating feedback from countless families to make it the best it can be.
As a parent and entrepreneur, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see Step Buddy evolve from an idea in our living room to a product that’s making a real difference in the lives of families. My hope is that Step Buddy not only helps parents navigate the chaos of daily routines but also empowers children to grow with confidence and independence.
From our house to yours, we hope Step Buddy becomes an essential part of your home and daily life. We can’t wait for you to experience the difference it can make.
