This week’s 1 Million Cups presentation at the Kauffman Foundation featured pitches by two entrepreneurs in their early 20s: Katie Mulich, who talked about the Paw Wash, her invention for cleaning dirty canine paws; and Zachery Manos, founder of raw-vegan Manos Chocolates products.
Mulich said that she was 12 years old when she came up with the idea of the Paw Wash for a school science project that would keep her own outdoor-loving dog’s paws clean. She showed the 1 Million Cups audience her original handheld device made out of a converted PVC pipe, and then displayed the current patented version made of a blue-colored, break-resistant polycarbonate that has sold more than 25,000 units.
“It works like a golf ball cleaner,” Mulich said, but instead of inserting a golf ball into the hourglass-shaped object containing soap and water, you insert your favorite dog’s paw. When the paw is withdrawn, a built-in squeegee at the top of the device helps to dry off the cleaned appendage.
An audience member asked if the Paw Wash also could be used to clean the paws of cats.
“Sure, if they will let you do it,” Mulich said, getting a big laugh. “If your animal trusts you, and you want to try it, go ahead.”
A major hurdle that Mulich had to overcome in successfully getting the Paw Wash to market was an infringement on her product’s patent, which involved a now-resolved but expensive legal battle.
The Paw Wash has a suggested retail price of $28.95, although if production costs are sufficiently reduced, it might eventually sell for the “fly off the shelf” price of $19.95. The product is currently available at 150 stores and at thepawwash.com.
Manos Chocolates
Zachary Manos, a former health food store employee, told the 1 Million Cups crowd that his raw-vegan Manos Chocolate bars and confections are made by hand, which works out nicely with his name.
“We are a handmade product, and ‘manos’ means ‘hand’ in Spanish,” Manos said.
Manos Chocolate products are not only for folks who follow a vegan diet, but for anyone who wants a health-conscious chocolate treat that’s free of dairy, gluten and soy.
“Most of the people that have had my products say they’re good,” Manos said. “You don’t have to eat vegan food.”
The cocoa beans used in Manos Chocolates are imported from Ecuador, Manos said, and the products are manufactured in Lee’s Summit. Priced between $2 and $5, they are available at Nature’s Own and Nature’s Pantry health food stores, select Hy-Vee grocery stores and through ilovemanoschocolates.com.
