In 1994, I opened a coffee shop in the quaint town of Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. After Opening, I realized there was a flaw in the to-go cup lids. Whether it was one to-go cup or a tray, the coffee always splashed out. Although I knew there must be a better solution, I made due with putting tape over the holes. In 2001, I decided to put my shop up for sale but still had that sip hole issue in my mind. After a bidding war, I selected a loyal customer to carry on the business.

Moving to Los Angeles in 2001, I still had that lid problem in my mind. That’s when I came up with Sip Klip. I made a mockup out of paper, and looked for financial investors to help me get the patent, samples, everything else involved with a new product.

I found a manufacturer and sent them my drawings. After several rounds of redesigns, the final design was finally in hand and the manufacturer started production. Once I received the first batch of samples, I sent them off to large companies that I thought would be interested with one being Starbucks. I recall sending it to the head of a department. Within a month or two, I heard back from her. She loved my product but said Starbucks only uses products made in-house. Within a year, they were offering the green plugs that are inserted into their to-go lids.