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Updated July 2010

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About Maine Warmers

Maine Warmers' Story, Personnel, Memberships, and Awards

Maine Warmers' Story
When my husband had a muscle spasm in his back and could not stand up straight, I started to drive to the pharmacy to buy an electric heating pad. On the way, I thought about electric extension cords and outlets where he might plug one in. Then I recalled a friend handing me a microwave heating pad one cold winter night. I turned the car around and called our friend (pre-cell phone era) to find out what was inside the flannel bag.

Hers was filled with cattle beans, but I was told by a gentleman at Agway that corn was often used to make these heat packs.

My husband was amazed at the relief the home-made heating pad provided and was especially pleased with the convenience – no wires or hot water bottles. He could watch TV, take it to bed, to work, and even use it in the car.

When another friend saw me using this "corn-bag" on my knee, she asked me to make three for Christmas presents. I started making them for friends and relatives as get well gifts, over-the-hill birthdays, and Christmas presents. I was surprised at how popular they had become.

Friends encouraged me to start a business and sell them at craft fairs, but Maine summers are short and spending them at craft shows was not appealing to me.

When I took a web site development class with the intention of designing sites for other businesses, I thought the Internet might be a good place to market them. I wrote a business plan and made an appointment with SCORE, SBDC, and a few other organizations offering free or low cost help for people wanting to start a business in Maine.

With the help and support of family and friends, I took the first steps toward starting Maine Warmers -- an online store. Today, we sell our products through our Web site and to wholesale gift stores across the country and beyond.

At Maine Warmers, we love the fact that our products help people. We proudly continue the Maine tradition of providing top quality products and customer service.

Betsy Hanscom, Owner of Maine Warmers

Associates


Jennifer Sullivan Marketing	Betsy Hanscom Owner	Kimberly Jutras Office

Photos by Claudia Murray

Memberships

Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce 179 Lisbon St., Lewiston, Maine 207-783-2249 Maine Warmers Profile	Maine Products Marketing Program, State of Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, 59 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0059, 297-287-8490, Maine Warmers' Profile
TechMaine Technology Association of Maine Maine Warmers' Profile
Maine Women's Business Directory CEI Maine Women's Business Center Maine Warmers is a woman owned business and is listed in this directory. This directory was established by Coastal Enterprises, Inc. in Maine. Maine Warmers' Profile	Get Real Maine, www.getrealmaine.com hosted by the Maine Department of Agriculture.

Awards

Constant Contact Award Recognition for best e-mail marketing practices and for consistency in keeping in touch with subscribers. Thank you to our subscribers for sticking with us!