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Hello. Here is a short story of how I was dealt some lemons and quickly learned to make lemonade!
In fact, the inspiration for Natural Packs came about naturally enough when I was injured in a car accident and suffered a second whiplash injury. (In the original accident I was rear-ended by a
repeat offender drunk driver. In the second I was rear-ended by a gentleman answering his 'new' car phone. Please take extreme care if you drive and talk on a cell phone or you too may cause
someone else like me years of pain, expense and inconvenience!). My neck and back became chronically troubled which was very distressing and distracting. In the years that followed, I underwent
various therapies through which I determined that I had to be very active in making sure I mended well. I had my whole life ahead of me and I needed a strong neck and back.
During my recovery, I was unhappy with the inconvenient preparation required by the various hot and cold aids I used daily. Plus their medicinal look and feel did nothing to lift my spirits. One
day I had some inspiration and I said, 'I can make something better than these' and the idea for Natural Packs was germinated. Necessity is truly the mother of invention!
I started with a wish list, asking myself what do I really want? It's got to be a flexible 'bag' that is visually attractive, durable, effective, long lasting and washable. It would have to mold
comfortably to various body contours and it would have to be easily heated or chilled. Something that you did not have to change your clothes to use or change your routine if possible. Something
that you could use in public or at work and something that was so easy you would actually look forward to using the darn thing. I wanted it all! I thought, 'yeah right, like there's one product
that could do all that......’
Naturally I turned to the inspiration and materials closest to me. Being a quilter and an avid 'fabric-aholic', beautiful cottons were an easy starting point. For technical inspiration, I turned to
an avid recreational pursuit - kayaking and an associated pool of knowledge gathered re: preserving and drying food and grain products. After much testing and many 'interesting' failures, the
perfect materials were devised. A further process was developed so that our Natural Grain product (special variety of Canadian corn) could withstand the rigors of the microwave oven, conventional
oven and the washing machine, three diversely different environments. The initial bag design followed easily and in testing, I found it functioned very well and I really enjoyed it.
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Next I introduced the new creation to my now close circle of therapists in Victoria all of whom were very
enthusiastic about the product. They helped set up clinical tests and assisted to perfect the 5 sizes now available. Further interest in the product was immediate and positive. Very early on it
became evident that the new product was cross marketable. Not only did Natural Packs satisfy a definite niche in the therapeutic market, but they also made great presents for the 'hard to buy for
person', for 'the person who has everything' or for those looking for a useful and caring gift.
After several packaging changes and a lot of hard work, Natural Packs are selling very well in our 7th year of business. The reason? From the very beginning design process, I wanted Natural Packs
to become the premier hot/cold therapy and comfort bags in the industry and I am happy with the result. Our goal is to continue to prove that Natural Packs are a superior product to possess.
That's my story which I'm happy to repeat at any time. Now, how about that glass of lemonade?
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