Jerry Campbell / Special to the GazetteInvention inspiration: Addison LaMere is shown holding an iPad with the case that bears her name. the Addycase was developed by her parents and friends, the LaMeres and the Speros. From left are Adam LaMere, Audrey LaMere, Jess Spero and Jessâ husband, Dustin Spero.KALAMAZOO — when 2-year-old Addison LaMere was learning to draw with an app on her parents’ iPad 2, her little fingers just couldn’t keep away from the “home” button.
When pressed, it would wipe the app off the screen and leave her frustrated.
Addy’s parents, Audrey and Adam LaMere, would then have to find the software application again. after repeating that process several times, her parents started to wonder how they could cover the “home” button so the toddler could continue drawing.
The LaMeres, of Texas Township, approached a tech-savvy friend in Oshtemo Township, Dustin Spero, to help them develop an idea. they came up with a case that covers the “home” button but is flexible enough for adults to press.
The Addycase wraps around the edges of the iPad 2 and is made of a silicone-based material. the case protects the tablet if it is dropped and has a big carrying handle, making it useful for adults with and without children.
Combining the names LaMere and Spero, the LaMeres, Spero and his wife, Jessica Spero, started Lamero inc. in August.
Dustin Spero is president, Audrey LaMere is treasurer, Jessica Spero is secretary, and Adam LaMere is a co-owner.
Lamero inc. had its first batch of 500 Addycases made and about 100 have been sold so far, Dustin Spero said. those included sales to buyers in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Locally, the Addycase is available at little Sprout Children’s Boutique in Oakwood Plaza, which carries the pink and black cases for $49 each. they are also available at addycase.com or at amazon.com.
“we feel good about the sales so far, considering that we haven’t done any formal advertising yet,” said Spero, an information technology director for a Brighton-area company.
Mandy Johnson, a mother of two in St. Clair Shores, bought two cases — a black one for her 4-year-old son, Andrew, and a pink one for her 21/2-year-old daughter, Morgan.
“Both of our kids use the iPads a lot,” said Johnson. “we haven’t had any problems with (the cases), and the kids completely love them.”
“Andrew knows how to use the iPad pretty well — for him, it was more for the durability and the handle,” said Johnson.
For Sara, covering up the home key has done much to reduce the toddler’s frustration.
“It’s kept her temper tantrums to a minimum — big-time — which is really nice,” said Johnson.
Audrey LaMere said Addy started learning to use an iPad 2 in January and to use it on her own in May. She liked using the “draw 4 free” app to draw with her hands. but LaMere said her daughter was frequently attracted to the “Home” button and after pressing it, would have difficulty finding the app she had been using
“It’s the only button on the iPad, and children like to press buttons. any curious toddler is going to press that button to see how it works,” LaMere said.
After learning about the problem from the LaMeres, Spero created a prototype that included a cloth and two paint sticks. He contacted Elance inc., of Mountain View, Calif., which directed him to a company in Chicago, 424 Design Product Development & Prototyping.
The Chicago company designed the case and helped Spero find a company in Shenzhen, China, to make the first 500 Addycases. Spero said the cost of having the cases designed was about $5,000. Lamero inc. received the cases in late November. the partners hope to sell the first 500 cases by March and find a U.S. company to make the next batch of cases.
Lamero inc. plans to expand its product line before August by offering cases that will fit the iPhone 4 and the original iPad.
“We’re excited,” Spero said. “we hope it takes off.”
Johnson said the cases have already attracted attention when she’s out running errands.
“I’ve already had two people ask me about them and where I got them,” said Johnson.
Necessity begets creativity and invention. In Kalamazoo, that creativity includes an entrepreneurial eye. Click here for another story about an idea that has potential.
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