Alan Kaufman says that the idea for the Nubrella -- a radical reimagining of the staid old umbrella -- occurred to him as his prior business was imploding.
In his twenties, Kaufman started The Wireless Company in Newton, selling cell phones and service plans, and advertising heavily on local radio. Later, he ran Cingular Wireless authorized re-seller stores in the Boston area and Manhattan. But his expansion to New York ended in a lawsuit and arbitration with Cingular. About the time he was acknowledging that he'd have to shut his five New York outlets, he was walking around on "a miserable, rainy, windy day, watching people struggle with their umbrellas." He drew a stick figure wearing a new type of aerodynamic umbrella that would better block the wind -- and wouldn't be blown inside out by a serious gust.
Original Article: Massachusetts-bred umbrella entrepreneur prepares to jump into "Shark Tank" - Innovation Economy - Boston.com
Author:Scott Kirsner
