Eric Emery - Cool Head, LLC
coolheadllc.com
Welders regularly face exposure to dangerous fumes in their work environment, which is often in an enclosed space. According to OSHA, depending on the type of fumes and length of exposure, a welder may be at risk of injuries that include eye, nose and throat irritation; dizziness and nausea; damage to lungs, kidneys, and nervous system; certain types of cancer; and asphyxiation. The CDC cites, 鈥淣umerous studies indicate that welders may be at increased risk of neurological and neurobehavioral health effects when exposed to metals such as lead, iron and manganese.鈥� Wearing a helmet protects the welder from other dangers, but limits ventilation and traps fumes and heat. Welding inspector Eric Emery knows all too well these hazards and was determined to create a product to protect workers. Drawing from his welding experience and educational background in electronics, Eric designed and patented Cool Head庐, an innovative device that fits in a helmet to circulate fresh, cool air to the user鈥檚 facial area.
Why did you choose to start Cool Head, LLC?
I started Cool Head庐 out of necessity. As a former welder and American Welding Society (AWS) QC-1 welding inspector, I have been witness to the harmful effects of fume inhalation and heat exhaustion. I knew there had to be a better solution to the large, cumbersome fume extraction systems currently on the market. The Cool Head庐 Air Flow Assembly easily clips to any helmet, as it is approximately the size of a credit card.
Tell us a little about your business and what makes it unique.
Cool Head庐 is a self-contained, internal 鈥渁ir-flow鈥� assembly for welding helmets and face shields. It is the first self-contained, USB-rechargeable, battery-powered, lightweight air-flow assembly providing a curtain wall of 鈥渇iltered鈥� ambient air to the welder, which fits into the helmet without disrupting its integrity. Not only does this product help protect the wearer from dangerous fumes, it also produces a cool environment to ease breathing and limit claustrophobic feelings. The built-in circulation allows the welder to continue working without starting and stopping to remove the helmet, meaning employee and employer both benefit with health, safety and productivity improvements.
What was the problem you were facing when you decided to contact the Illinois SBDC at 91制片厂?
I came to the SBDC at 91制片厂 for some direction. Having a patent, trademark, and business was just a starting point; marketing strategies, website call-to-actions, and business modeling/structure, were new languages to me.
How did the Illinois SBDC at 91制片厂 help with the problems you were having?
I鈥檝e been fortunate to work with several knowledgeable, helpful advisors from the SBDC at 91制片厂. Not only have they helped me with my original questions, they鈥檙e guiding me into different avenues of thought.
Would you recommend small business owners use the services of the Illinois SBDC at 91制片厂?
Yes, I highly recommend the services of the Illinois SBDC at 91制片厂. When I started, I couldn鈥檛 run a computer. Now, I have a fully functional website and work with several online apps and platforms to run and promote my business. My experience has helped tremendously with my understanding of business and focusing the direction to follow. It鈥檚 these giving people who help entrepreneurs like myself keep going. Without all the help I鈥檝e received, I don鈥檛 know where I would be - it really is a blessing.
What does the future look like for Cool Head庐庐?
The future outlook for Cool Head庐 is to sell manufacturing rights, and/or sell technology to established businesses. While my initial target market is the welding industry, Cool Head庐 has many applications for other industries. Further, this product is not just for working people, it鈥檚 also perfect to use while golfing and playing other sports, as it keeps you cool while keeping bugs away from your face. My patent is good for welding helmets, hard hats and soft caps.
If you had one piece of advice to give someone just starting a small business, what would it be?
My advice to anyone starting a business is to have an established financial base above all.