KitKeepers Helps Soccer Parents Keep It Together
Super Cool New Product Makes Soccer Life Easier — for players and parents. It was the shouting that finally did it. Jeanne Salas’ son and daughter were getting ready for another soccer weekend. One was playing an early-morning home game, the other was headed out of town for a weekend tournament. Both were shouting requests to Salas to help them locate one thing or another. The daughter couldn’t find the pre-wrap or uniform socks for away games. Her son could only find his practice shorts… Does this sound like your home on Saturday mornings? Salas may have a solution for you.
Salas is a veteran soccer mom with 10 years of practice, games and tournaments under her belt. She loves soccer. She loves that her kids play soccer. But the shouting and endless last-minute panic over finding and keeping track of countless soccer accessories was working her last nerve. Other parents might have shrugged, cursed their fate, and doggedly resumed the hunt for soccer gear. But Salas did something else. Unable to find a solution, she designed her own.
Necessity, The Soccer Mom of Invention
In 2013, Salas a graphic designer by training, began the process of developing an idea into a patent-pending reality. She created KitKeepers, a uniform organizer that holds all home and away soccer uniforms and gear. Salas designed the bag to be practical and lifestyle-realistic, so its doorknob height allows it to easily hang on a door or laundry room hook. Once out of the dryer, shirts, shorts and socks are placed directly in the labeled mesh pockets and hung in the kids’ room or mud room. On game day, the whole thing can be rolled up and ready to hit the road. A handy visual checklist bag tag ensures all the gear is accounted for and gets them thinking about their goal for the day.
“I’ve never invented anything in my life. But I just couldn’t stand the feverish, panicky, game-day scavenger hunts anymore. KitKeepers is a simple solution that works. It keeps everything together from wash day to game day,” Salas said.
Simple Solution Gaining Momentum with Families
KitKeepers was an instant local hit. As it grew in popularity Salas was bombarded with orders and information requests from across the country. The bag is now available online. Several retail soccer shops in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia now carry KitKeepers and more retailers have expressed interest.
Salas plans to continue to grow the product in 2015 by offering discounts and custom branding to teams and clubs. These discounts can result in lowered prices for the athletes or can be used as a fundraiser for clubs and teams.
“I see the bag as more than another piece of gear. KitKeepers is a great way to introduce kids to organization and responsibility. It also makes things much easier on parents. I immediately saw its value,” explained fellow soccer parent Dean Duran.
As for Salas, she is trying to keep up with demand and planning an extension to the line in 2016. “I can’t believe how much it’s grown. I think I connected with a common frustration out there,” she said. “But more than anything, I’m just proud and happy to have created something useful that lets parents and kids focus on playing and enjoying the beautiful game of soccer.”
So what do SoccerToday readers think of KitKeepers? Is this just what you have been looking for? Share your feedback. We have tested this product and think it is a great idea. Simple, useful, affordable and clearly able to reduce the stress of getting ready for a youth soccer game. Anyone else ever forget the right color shorts or jersey?
