Friday, December 5, 2008

Brother Finbar speaks about his ‘Finnovations’

By Carrie Russell
Guest Writer

Saint Mary’s University’s Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies hosted its last presentation of the semester on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Salvi Lecture Hall was packed with students, staff and professors who came to listen to Brother Finbar McMullen speak of his entrepreneurial experience creating “Finnovations.”
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An avid outdoorsman and professor of winter camping classes, Brother Finbar has developed a wealth of knowledge when it comes to fixing and repairing odds and ends, so much so that he has taken his talents and created many advanced practical products.

Brother Finbar said to be a successful entrepreneur, “you’ve got to be hungry for it; you have to really want it.” Brother Finbar does not waste much time on marketing or advertising ploys. His attitude toward his own entrepreneur ambitions has been “to make camping nicer and easier for someone, not for financial success.”

Brother Finbar has, however, had both creative success and financial success with several of his innovations. The most commercially successful invention he created has been the “fabric tucker,” a tool designed to simplify making tucks and pleats in cloths while sewing. He was contacted by Prim Drifts, a German sewing notions distributor, who got the “fabric tucker” contracted with Joanne Fabrics and Nancy’s Notions stores. The product was sold in stores for $10. Through that partnership he sold altogether 13,000 “fabric tuckers.”

“It’s the most successful thing I’ve done,” said Brother Finbar. “I just tried to solve a little problem for myself, and out of the blue, it took off.”

Another “Finnovation” came about when Brother Finbar took a winter camping trip and discovered how uncomfortable a winter sleeping bag could be around the head when it is not properly sized, so he invented the “hood,” a separate sleeping bag-like hood that can be sized to the individual’s own head size. The amount of insulation can be adjusted. “They saved my night several times,” said Brother Finbar. He has sold approximately 400 to 500 of these “hoods” for warmer outdoor camping overnights.

Brother Finbar has invented many other practical items, such as a grape cutter and wooden back massager.

Salvi Lecture Hall was filled with interested audience members as Brother Finbar regaled them with his stories of struggle, discovery and creativity, all leading to a lifetime of “Finnovations.”

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