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Podcast: Maria Messier, Creator of Extendher
by Ramon Ray
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October 13, 2023
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In this podcast, Ramon Ray talks with SCORE client Maria Messier, the creator of the Extendher, a clip-on jacket extender and babywearing cover all in one.

As a mother of four, Messier thought there had to be a product that could extend a pregnant women’s jacket so she wouldn’t have to buy a costly maternity coat. When she couldn’t find such a product, she worked with her aunt, a New York designer, to create the Extendher. This product not only extends a regular jacket to allow for a growing baby bump, but when the baby is born, the product can be inverted and used as a babywearing cover.

Messier urges other entrepreneurs to do their homework and make sure that there is actually a need for their product. She also recommends to be willing to take advice from more experienced people, like SCORE mentors. Her SCORE mentors were a great sounding board, cared about her and her product, and offered her an outsider’s perspective that was essential to her business’ growth and success.

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About the author
Ramon Ray
Ramon Ray
Ramon Ray is unapologetically positive and passionate about making the world a better place. He's a serial entrepreneur who has sold 3 companies and authored 5 books.
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Extendher

“We surpassed 2015’s sales numbers and are about to enter our strongest quarter,” Messier said in October 2016. She says all the mentors’ suggestions the team has followed through with have all been successful. Extendher was a national finalist in the 2016 American Small Business Champion competition. 

In 2015, they reported $7,000 in sales, and after winning the Championship in 2016, their sales skyrocketed to $23,300—a 330% increase!

Messier says, “I look to SCORE as not only a sounding board to present ideas to, but also a safe place to brainstorm and troubleshoot with.” 

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