When you face a problem and can’t find a solution, what do you do? For Iris Shamus, the answer was simple: create it herself. Eight years ago, after witnessing her middle child, who has severe food allergies, struggle when a classmate had a serious allergic reaction to dairy, Iris realized that while many people claim to understand allergies, no one truly gets it like a parent does.
Traditional medical-alert bracelets often had crucial information printed in tiny text on the back, which isn’t ideal for young kids. “I wanted something more visual for these little ones,” Iris reflects, considering the nearly 4 million kids in the U.S. with food allergies. With a mix of creativity and research, Iris came up with a fun solution: a series of whimsical characters, each representing a specific allergy.
These characters became the heart of AllerMates, featuring playful names like the hip-hop-loving Soy Cool for soy allergies and the cheeky Nutso for tree-nut allergies. They were transformed into colorful bracelets designed for preschoolers. As word spread, demand surged, leading retailers like Walgreens and CVS to stock her products. Today, the AllerMates brand has expanded to include activity books, lunch bags, and medicine cases for various health concerns, from diabetes to asthma.
“I wanted to create something beneficial for families like mine,” says Iris.
Wide Appeal
“It felt like every third child had an allergy or food intolerance, so I knew AllerMates could be a huge help,” she explains. While she didn’t meticulously plan her business, developing characters and stories became a fulfilling creative outlet during her years of raising young children. When she decided to turn her passion into a business, she took the leap and made it happen.
Mind Your (Own) Business
As AllerMates grew, Iris faced advice from seasoned businesspeople suggesting different directions. Although she tried to follow their guidance, she learned that when it comes to your own passion project, trusting your gut is essential. “Nobody knows your business like you do,” she advises.
Famous Fan
In a surprising twist, Iris discovered that one of Britney Spears’s children had food allergies. After sending some samples, they were thrilled to see a photo of Britney’s son wearing an AllerMates bracelet at a movie premiere. “It was amazing to see even the most stylish kids loving it! That was my goal—to make awareness fun,” she beams.
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In summary, Iris Shamus turned a personal challenge into a thriving business with AllerMates, creating fun and accessible allergy awareness tools for kids and families. Her journey emphasizes the importance of following your instincts in business and the power of creativity in addressing real-world needs.
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