We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cyndi Prince. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cyndi below.

Cyndi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

As a parent, I truly value health and wellness and know that when my family is healthy, they are happier. Like many moms, I’m careful not to expose my family to household cleaners that may contain toxic chemicals that can cause serious illness. All cleaning products have natural alternatives that are better for our home environment. I am dedicated to educating myself in order to seek products that protect my family. This pursuit is behind the creation of LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls. I am proud to say we have helped thousands of homes in the last 10-plus years replace toxic dryer sheets with a natural alternative that works!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Before becoming an entrepreneur, I worked as part of a research team from Texas A&M University, traveling around the world on a vessel that studied sediments and rock via ocean drilling. I also hiked all over the globe, worked for an art gallery and dabbled in photography. Although I put all of this aside to raise a family, I’ve maintained a love of nature and the environment.

I am also a troubleshooter at heart. So when I learned that dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals (and wool does not!), I got to work. I started experimenting with durable balls, wrapping them with wool fibers until they stuck. Then I tossed those balls into the dryer and the first LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls were born. These all-natural, reusable dryer balls reduce static cling and cut down drying time (and energy costs!) significantly.

LooHoo also supports the U.S. Farming Industry and local economy by sourcing Maine wool and manufacturing in the USA. We weren’t the first to create wool balls, but today, LooHoo leads the industry in quality and effectiveness. Through outreach and our robust online community, we educate others on mindful laundry practices that make their homes happy and healthier.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

Yes! We manufacture wool dryer balls and wooly tug toys right here in Maine. I have a creative background and love making things. The idea of wool dryer balls seemed like it would be a simple enough product to figure out how to make. The first time I attempted to master wool dryer balls, I visited a local farm, purchased some wool and got to work. Needless to say, they turned out disastrous! So, I got more wool and tried again, and again, and again…until I came up with a method that worked. Making one ball was difficult but it was a real challenge to produce them in bulk. In the end we figured out an innovative process that allows us to mass produce a durable product that lasts.

Manufacturing has taught me to treat equipment like gold. Service it regularly and learn whatever maintenance is necessary to care for it. Have back-up equipment and consider ways to make production faster, easier and more efficient. Be open to change and trying new tools and equipment to help you create your products.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The response to LooHoos has been overwhelmingly—consumers are more interested in environmentally friendly products these days and that’s a good thing. Once they understood the benefits of wool dryer balls, we started to form a loyal customer base. Sales have steadily increased since our inception in 2010. I feel our product—and mission— have been validated with regular press (O, The Oprah Magazine and InStyle, among them), accolades from SPANX and the Small Business Administration) and business grants from Eileen Fisher and the Boston Celtics. The exposure has been incredibly humbling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.loo-hoo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loohoowooldryerballs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loohoowooldryerballs

Image Credits
Jenny McNulty – Wylde Photography