FitUwrap
A great idea can succeed with determination, time, and a learning mindset. Despite many initial setbacks in the development and manufacturing process, FitUwrap has achieved the ultimate recipe: filling a gap in the market with a product that customers both need and want.
The Designer: Aprille Moyster
Aprille Moyster developed her product, Fit You Wrap, to solve the problem of carrying a phone while running, without risking it dropping or getting sweaty. Nine years ago, she created her first concept of the FitUwrap. Her initial prototype was a twisted neck gator that would wick away sweat and help secure her phone to her hand. Her refined product, the FitUwrap, is professionally designed with high-performance moisture-wicking materials, comfortable stretch, silicon back elastic bands, and secure Velcro.
The Problem & Opportunity
As a new runner in her fifties, Aprille searched for a product to help her hold her smartphone while on a run. She was surprised to discover nothing on the market that fit her needs. So, she decided to create her own. Having never designed a product before, Aprille had the opportunity to fill a gap in the market. Still, she needed a lot of expert guidance to get her from concept to manufacture. When she discovered Heather and Made Apparel Services, she was relieved to work with a professional product development consultant who could help perfect her design, sew prototypes, and prepare her for manufacture.
The Goal: Create a high-quality wrap for beginner and intermediate runners who want to carry their phones while running without dropping them.
The Obstacles
Aprille was a complete beginner when it came to product design and development. She encountered a large learning curve, but kept a growth-mindset that allowed her patience, flexibility, and a determination to succeed.
Some of the roadblocks she encountered throughout her journey to manufacture included:
How to source material
How to find the right manufacturer
How to choose and order the right number of labels
Understanding how timelines work for shipping
Choosing packaging based on her needs and product
Understanding costs for different orders of different quantities
The Project
Aprille’s work with Heather included reviewing the prototype design, refining the pattern for optimal performance and scalability, and creating a professional tech pack so she was ready for manufacture.
The Timeline
Aprille’s product development journey highlights the importance of iteration in creating a successful design. Over the course of five sample versions, each prototype revealed small imperfections that required refinement. Rather than expecting immediate perfection, she maintained the right mindset—understanding that samples are rarely flawless on the first try.
For novel or innovative products, adhering to a rigid timeline can be counterproductive. Instead, new designers should approach development as a series of milestones, allowing room for necessary adjustments and improvements. Aprille’s experience demonstrates how patience and adaptability lead to a stronger final product.
The Process
Design Stage - Concepting & Prototyping
Before finding Heather, Aprille had a concept and a rough prototype. The prototype made it easier for Heather to understand the idea and how to improve the design.
Development Stage - Refine the Concept
Heather helped Aprille refine her design by offering suggestions and tips to improve the product’s usability and comfort.
Development Stage - Sewn Samples
Based on the refinements, Heather created a few sewn sample options for Aprille to test and gather feedback. The best feedback came from other runners who told her what they did and didn’t like about the product, which helped Aprille create her final design for FitUwrap.
Development Stage - Market Testing
Aprille tested her product at a key event: a running expo. The event was full of her ideal customers who could try on the product and provide real-time feedback on fit, comfort, and ways to use the product. It was through product testing that Aprille learned her wrap could be positioned in the palm of the hand as well as on the back of the hand. She also discovered other usages from her testers, such as for rollerblading and other outdoor activities, in addition to running.
Out of approximately 200 runners that visited her stall, 25 purchased the wrap, which is a highly successful ratio for a new product designer.
Production Stage - Tech Pack
Aprille knew that a professional tech pack was essential before investing in manufacturing. Once her product design was finalized, Heather created a detailed pattern and tech pack with all the necessary specifications, giving manufacturers the information they needed to produce the FitUwrap in larger quantities.
Through no fault of her own, Aprille quickly learned that even small changes to her product right before manufacture require a sewn sample and testing before ordering large quantities of the product. Due to a delay from her fabric supplier, she tried a new fabric, which resulted in wraps that were an inch too short. An alternative elastic also caused unexpected twisting issues. In the end, she realized it was better to delay her order to wait for the original fabric than try to make last-minute changes.
Outcomes
After working with Heather, Aprille had everything she needed to proceed to manufacturing. She refined her product design, had a professional pattern, and had a complete tech pack any manufacturer could use to produce the FitUwrap at scale.
Conclusion
Aprille’s product development journey was filled with challenges—from navigating the complexities of manufacturing requirements to mastering material sourcing, shipment logistics, and cost management. Yet, she remained committed to her vision. With real user validation and a clear market gap for her product, Aprille’s determination and strategic approach turned obstacles into milestones, keeping her product dream alive.
Aprille’s main lessons for new product developers are as follows:
Understand the importance of timelines in both product development and manufacture—give yourself extra time for every step.
Create a business plan or product roadmap so you can stay focused on your progress and maintain motivation.
Keep a realistic budget for supplies, materials, and services.
Always test your product and seek feedback from your ideal customers, not your close friends and family.
More than a brand, FitUwrap is a movement empowering people to push their limits and achieve their fitness goals.
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