When you were a kid, was there anything more satisfying than your onesies? Hint: nope. Pajamas own that soft spot in your heart by combining comfort, self expression, and positive association. Smart PJs, winner of last night’s Hottest Showcasing Startup – Boise, wants to add technological innovation to this list.
Smart PJ’s transforms kid’s evening wear into an interactive, night-time tale. By scanning the pajama patterns, families can enjoy watching a story unfold on their mobile device.
Tech Cocktail caught up with Juan Murdoch, founder at Smart PJs to learn more about his innovative product.
Juan Murdoch, founder at Smart PJs
Tech Cocktail: What’s the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn so far?
Juan Murdoch: Success doesn’t come when you think-or the way you think it will…It takes time and hard work.
Tech Cocktail: What’s the best entrepreneurship book you’ve read and why?
Murdoch: Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller. It taught me a few key elements to success like- success eventually has to come if you are persistent and consistent. Attitude is everything. Always treat others how you would like to be treated. Set realistic goals and track your progress. Learn from other people’s mistakes. Fail Forward.
Tech Cocktail: What’s the most encouraging sign of success you’ve seen so far?
Murdoch: Grandmas calling me from all over the country after ordering Smart PJ’s for their Grand kids and personally thanking me for creating such a great gift item. They say it makes them feel like the “”Coolest Grandparents in the world to give these Smart PJ’s to the kids”.
Tech Cocktail: Why should I buy Smart PJs?
Murdoch: Pajamas have been around for thousands of years…Now there’s finally something new! Smart PJ’s allow parents and children to interact at bedtime by combining technology that kids love with great bedtime stories and a quality pair of pajamas that parents love. We purposely created Smart PJ’s with the scannable dot patterns all over them so that parents can help the child scan the stories on their backs where they can’t reach. We also put words to all the stories and animal information on the screen so that parents can turn off the volume and help the child learn to read the stories and words themselves. Smart PJ’s-Let’s share a story TOGETHER!
Tech Cocktail: What is the biggest advantage and disadvantage of starting up in Boise?
Murdoch: The biggest advantage is that there is an abundance of talented technologically minded individuals in the area to assist start ups with development.
The biggest disadvantage is that in a small city like ours, the manufacturing possibilities are somewhat limited.