Carla Falcone and Romy Taormina, Psi Bands

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Carla Falcone and Romy Taormina met at an award-winning advertising agency on California’s Central Coast and became fast friends many years ago. Carla has an extensive background in public relations and advertizing and earned degrees in journalism and industrial arts. Romy has an in-depth knowledge of marketing and earned a business degree. 

These women have extensive experience strategizing, creating, and executing multimedia campaigns for a myriad of clients in a variety of industries. But, their entrepreneurial spirit blossomed after both women experienced ongoing morning sickness during their respective pregnancies. In fact, at Carla’s baby shower the two were commiserating about the drab gray acupressure wrist bands that were helping Carla keep her morning sickness at bay. She was no longer nauseous but the dull wristbands did nothing to enhance her adorable maternity outfit!

With 20+ years of collective marketing experience, Romy and Carla hit the mother-load of ideas and conceived the plan for a more fashionable and functional acupressure wrist band. Two years later Psi Bands (pronounced “sigh”) were born.  

Ancient Wisdom Meets FDA Standards

Psi Bands use acupressure, an ancient healing art, supported by scientific studies to relieve nausea when placed at the Nei-kuan acupressure points on the wrists. These drug free wrist bands help relieve nausea in a natural way. In addition to pregnant mothers, Psi Bands have been used successfully to help those suffering from motion sickness, post surgical anesthesia nausea, and Chemotherapy induced nausea. Wrist acupressure is widely used for the relief of nausea because it is noninvasive, easy to self-administer and affordable. These FDA-cleared bands are now available in major retail stores nationwide and internationally.

Romy and Carla are on a mission to provide high quality, fashionable, comfortable, and affordable products that make a positive difference in the lives of people suffering from nausea. If that weren’t impressive enough, Psi Bands donates a percentage of its profits to Fertile Hope, a LIVESTRONG initiative dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.

Back of a Napkin Idea to Sustainable Business

These women have a wealth of marketing and advertising experience between them but how did they actually get this product off the ground? Romy told me that the initial product sketches were drafted on the back of a napkin! Friend and colleague, Peter Schouten joined the women in the business and his expertise in product design and development was the perfect complement to the PR and marketing expertise of Carla and Romy. 

Romy and Carla knew from the get-go that they were onto something when they conceived the idea for Psi Bands. After extensive research, the two women decided that they had a solid business model and quit their day jobs. They admit it was a scary leap of faith but a necessity to make it a sustainable business. Since they love what they do and love that they are helping people in the process, Romy and Carla know they made the right choice.

Work/family balance is their largest challenge, but they love what they do and would not have it any other way. Romy reported: “We try to stay “in” the moment – whether it is with our children or working on the business.” With 20/20 hindsight, the women know now that some of their hiring choices would have been different if they had to do it over again They would start with a focus on ensuring that their team members share the company’s goals and vision.

Future goals for Psi Bands include continuing to build brand awareness, landing some additional large retailers nationally, and growing the international expansion. At the end of the day, Romy and Carla both believe you must love what you do. These mothers of invention are thriving!

 Romy and Carla’s Advice and Action Steps:

• Be sure your partners and employees/consultants have the same goal and vision for the company.
• Seek out the advice and expertise of others when you don’t have the experience to make an informed decision.
• Join women entrepreneur groups to network, find inspiration, and share ideas.
• Follow your dreams, do what you love, and believe in yourself!
• Listen to your gut, do your research, and believe in your product/service 100%. Your passion will need to carry you through the inevitable business challenges that you will face.

Quote:  “There will be bumps. Savor the journey.”

Resources:

Psi Bands www.psibands.com

Make Mine a Million $ Business http://www.makemineamillion.org/

National Association of Women’s Business Owners (NAWBO) www.nawbo.org

Savor the Success  www.savorthesuccess.com

The Mom Entrepreneur Support Group  http://www.themomentrepreneur.com