This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
One Orem mom turned an everyday annoyance into a business and will soon be getting some help from CNBC.
Rebecca Davidson and her invention, Cap Trappers, will be featured on "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" on CNBC in early June. She wrote an e-mail to the show, which features inventors and entrepreneurs, a few weeks ago, and this week a film crew was to document her life as a mother and business owner.
A stay-at-home mother of three, Davidson had an idea six months ago for a device that would keep felt-tipped markers organized and ensure that the lids stay out of kids' mouths, eliminating a choking hazard.
So she started a company, Savvy May Creations, and designed Cap Trappers, a plastic device that holds four markers at a time. Davidson came up with a design, then had her invention manufactured in China.
To fund the business, Davidson used prize money that she and her husband won from a business plan competition at Westminster College, and some insurance money.
"I taught school for a few years, and the messy marker caps drove me crazy. My father-in-law also complained to me about about losing caps, so I realized that it's an annoyance to everybody," said Davidson.
Davidson said the product will be marketed to three groups: parents and children, teachers, and professionals.
On CNBC, Davidson also will also pitch her invention to retailers. Cap Trappers are currently sold on Amazon.com for $5.99 for a package of two, but she wants to reach a larger market.
"The feedback has been incredible. People tell me that they can relate to it. Some professors at Utah State University and Westminster College are using them for their dry-erase markers," she said.
While Davidson said her children remain her No. 1 priority, she has enjoyed running her business and giving out advice to other moms-turned-inventors on her blog.
"My main piece of advice is to look at everyday problems or annoyances, and find a way to solve them. It's the simple things. Think about what's important to you, and what you know about,” she said.
How to find ideas
"My main piece of advice is to look at everyday problems or annoyances, and find a way to solve them. It's the simple things. Think about what's important to you, and what you know about."
REBECCA DAVIDSON
Mother and inventor