Creating businesses and products rooted in wild harvested milkweed materials at Monarch Flyway helps me navigate the connection between biodiversity and market based conservation crucial to a generative economy for people and planet. Most recently, I invented a PFAS Free nonwoven insulation material: MINSOLITE - 80% milkweed fiber that is water resistant, warm, and will reduce synthetic waste by 88-94% when it replaces commonly used synthetic insulating materials. When my son was young, he had horrible eczema. Going to the milkweed body care lab, I created "JoJo's Burning Butt Balm" when all the other products on the market failed to give relief. My father started using "Milkweed Balm" on his arthritic hip, and, to his surprise it helped relieve pain and restore his mobility. We filed 4 patents for milkweed seed oil use on pain with more possibilities being evaluated while we work toward FDA approval. Using the natural, renewable resources of milkweed through regenerative practices in products help people and the environment. I look to partner with innovative world changers who care about the sustainability of their companies and the planet.As second generation Milkweed Entrepreneur, I was mentored by my Patent Attorney Father, Herb Knudsen, Vice President of New Ventures at Standard Oil of OHIO. There, he led the "Milkweed Project" where they:1. Created a Biofuel from Milkweed2. Discovered Medicinal Properties of Milkweed3. Collaborated with Kimberly Clark to make: a. nonwoven insulation for apparel b. Kleenex tissues with small percentage of milkweed fiber c. evaluated oil spill and water absorption qualities and moreHerb purchased the "Milkweed Business" when British Petroleum took over the company and eliminated anything that was not directly related to petroleum.The entrepreneurial journey began for BOTH of us as I was the first employee, pouring through technical papers and confidential documents he had purchased from SOHIO while I was in High School. We learned a LOT about what not to do with milkweed and owning a business. Begrudgingly, I went to college. I was emotionally and intellectually invested, I had been "bitten" by the Milkweed Bug and the separation was difficult. I rejoined the team in the early 1990's when Ogallala Comfort, our first value added business, was just starting out in the luxury down comforter and pillow market. I have run every aspect of our businesses from procurement to production, sales and marketing, product design, finance, and now lead the company as CEO.
Listed skills include Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Awareness, Social Media, and 10 others.
