Join us in this inspiring episode of From Lab to Launch as we sit down with Marna Pacheco, the innovative founder of CapeAble Weighted Products. Marna turned a personal challenge into a pioneering enterprise that integrates fashion with function, providing therapeutic weighted products to those in need, from individuals with autism to medical patients across various settings.
You'll learn:
- Marna shares her journey from designing a unique weighted cape for her daughter to founding CapeAble.
- Insight into the smartweight technology that sets CapeAble products apart in efficacy and style.
- Discussion on how CapeAble's products are making a significant impact in the medical field through non-pharmaceutical interventions.
- CapeAble's expansion into medical applications.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:01):
Hi there! Welcome to the FromLab to Launch podcast by Qualio,
where we share inspiring storiesfrom the people on the front
lines of life sciences.
Tune in and leave inspired tobring your life saving products
to the world.
Meg Sinclair (00:17):
Hi everyone.
And thank you for tuning in toFrom Lab to Launch podcast
brought to you by Qualio.
I'm Meg, your host, and I'mdelighted to be here with you
today.
Before we dive into today'sepisode, we'd love it if you
could take a moment to rate andshare the podcast with your
circle of science enthusiasts.
And if you're interested inbeing a guest on the show,
please check out the applicationin the show notes.
(00:39):
Today, we're excited to bejoined by Marna Pacheco, founder
of Capable Weighted Products.
Marna turned personal insightinto innovation when she
designed a weighted cape for herdaughter, Millie, who has level
3 autism, discovering a uniqueway to deliver precise, deep
touch pressure with less weight.
This led to founding of CapeAblein 2017, where smartweight
(01:01):
technology has revolutionizedhow weighted products like
blankets, vests, and wraps offertherapeutic benefits.
Capable's reach has now extendedinto the medical field,
providing hospitals and clinicswith medical grade weighted
blankets, enhancing patient carethrough a non pharmaceutical
approach.
Marna's journey from a personalquest to a broader mission to
(01:22):
alleviate anxiety and providecomfort in medical and everyday
environments is truly inspiring.
We're looking forward tolearning more from her
experience going from a home labto launching into the healthcare
industry.
Check out the show notes formore information about Marna and
to link to the CAPABLE website.
But let's bring her in.
Welcome to the show, Marna.
Marna Pacheco (01:42):
Thank you for having me.
I'm really excited to be hereand speaking with you.
Great.
Meg Sinclair (01:48):
So I watched the video about Millie and the story
behind Capable is so inspiring.
Can you share a little bit aboutthe creation of the first
Capable weighted product?
Marna Pacheco (01:57):
Right.
So Millie is really inspiringand, um, You know, she has just,
um, done so much and she doesn'treally even know, um, and
probably comprehend all thethings that she has contributed
to society.
But, Mellie, um, needed to haveweighted therapy, and so our OT
(02:19):
that we were going to fortherapy, occupational therapist,
was, Encouraging us to look atweighted items.
And so I, like any mom wentonline and started looking at
weighted products.
And at first I saw the weightedblanket and then I saw a lap pad
and I saw what I call the uglyinstitutional looking, um, vest
(02:40):
with velcro and then, you know,bean bags weighed around the
perimeter and it just felt likea straight jacket.
And our daughter does come fromadoption and from an orphanage.
And so she was unfortunatelyleft to her own Um, survival in
that orphanage before we adoptedher.
(03:01):
And then she also had medicalneeds of what we knew
apparently, which was cleft lipand cleft palate.
Um, but what trauma does to thebrain and how it affects the
nervous system and all of thatis what we really started
learning once she came homeafter the age of two years of
age.
(03:22):
And basically I went online,like I said, and started looking
at weighted products.
And I thought, well, I can makea weighted blanket and made a
weighted lap pad.
But when Millie stood up, theweighted blanket fell down at
her feet.
And I went, Hmm, I need to gether out the front door.
So.
This is a little, I'm not surethat this is going to work for
us.
And then with the lap pad, itwas smaller and it was a little
(03:44):
bit more on the go kind ofthing, but it didn't have any
way to stay around her neck.
So we put some snaps on it andit did help.
And it felt a little bulky, butthen I was like, okay, what if I
can make a dignified, stylish.
Better vest, if you will.
And I collect Vogue patterns andI am a home seamstress.
And I saw this 1950 vintage, um,capelet and I thought, Oh, what
(04:09):
about a cape?
And so I created the cape and itwas adorable.
It was pink fabric and she waslike this sweet pink cape kind
of thing and took it to the OTand.
And the OT just went gaga overit and said, we need to sell
these right now to all of myclients that are going to want
this product because she hadn'tseen anything like that from a
(04:31):
wearable aspect that wasdignified, fashionable, um, that
really did deliver, um, what wecall current to neuroscience,
um, smart way technology, whichwas part of the research that I
went into as we started doingthis, um, with the weighted
product.
Meg Sinclair (04:49):
Yeah.
I love that play on words too,with CapeAble and having them.
having these neurodivergentchildren who need this product
still be able to feelfashionable with a cape and like
a superhero with a cape.
Also, I think that's great andempowering too.
Marna Pacheco (05:05):
Absolutely.
We actually, um, called itCapeAble and we spell it wrong,
but we pronounce it right, butwe spell it with an E.
Mainly because it did start witha cape because that's what the
difference we were able to goout and about in society, and we
were able to, um, function andbe regulated and not get the
condescending or judgmentalstares while we were out, um,
(05:30):
in, you know, the stores orwherever we were at, and she was
noticed for who she was and nother behaviors.
And then what we discovered isthat just for the neurodivergent
community, but really all of ushave a central nervous system.
All of us have a nervous system.
(05:50):
And so the reality is I wasgoing out and about as well,
being in that fight or flightmode, trying to focus on keeping
my daughter safe, and, you know,helping control, if you will,
the environment, and thenhelping the behaviors.
Thank you.
And also give dignity to her asa human.
And so my, um, nervous systemwas completely out of whack as
(06:11):
well as I'm trying to, you know,do all the mom things, if you
will.
So it ended up being that thisproduct was designed for my
daughter with special needs.
However, it ended up realizingthat this could be for all
nervous systems in the world.
And as we all have gone through2020, we know now.
Um, our mental health and ourwellness is really, really
(06:31):
important, and we have nervoussystems that are completely, um,
vulnerable and really out ofwhack and overwhelmed, right?
Meg Sinclair (06:39):
Exactly.
So on that note, how does thesmart technology work, and what
makes it different fromtraditional weighted blankets?
Marna Pacheco (06:46):
Right, such a great question.
So I, I guess I love details andthe details was the research and
the research went into severaldifferent things.
Um, number one, what is deeptouch pressure?
And the person who reallystarted talking about deep touch
pressure was Dr.
Temple Grandin.
And so Dr.
Temple Grandin talked about hersqueeze machine.
(07:09):
And in that research and thosewhite papers of the squeeze
machine, Uh, what you could callI guess a hug.
Some people call it the hugmachine, but that squeeze
machine was where you laid downin it and underneath there was
like a cushion or like a blow upcushion and above and the person
who was in the squeeze machinecould actually control the
(07:29):
amount of pressure they weregetting.
And the three most importantpoints about the squeeze machine
was nerve activation for deeptouch pressure, getting to that
third layer of the skin of thenerve receptor.
So nerve, when you get deeptouch pressure, you can override
that fight and flight response.
or those that do not want ahuman hug can mimic the human
(07:53):
hug and it needs to be a safe,um, human hug, if you will, or a
safe hug in general, if it isusing deep touch pressure.
And so we call that the threeC's of deep touch pressure.
It has to conform to any shape,Size or age of body, a body, and
then it needs to compress evenlyand gently.
(08:15):
We don't need to pound or sockthat nerve, you know, and beat
it.
We can gently compress it andhave it even across the entire
body or whatever nerves arebeing.
activated at the time.
And then it needs to be inconstant contact with more
nerves.
And so with those three C's ofdeep touch pressure, what we
call precise or excellent deeptouch pressure, we found with
(08:39):
more nerve activation withweighted products, we could use
less weight more effectivelyplus create a freedom of
movement.
Now, the way that that happenedis We inserted the weight and
the pressure within our magic,if you will, two inch grid.
So that two inch grid iseverything.
It's the two inch grid allowsdeep touch pressure to work more
(09:03):
efficiently and effectively witha safety component of freedom of
movement and actually using lessweight versus more weight.
And that is kind of the secretsauce of smart way technology.
Meg Sinclair (09:20):
Well, thanks for sharing the secret sauce with
us.
And now you've managed to bringCapeAble into the medical
sector.
What challenges did you face,um, entering this market?
Marna Pacheco (09:30):
So what's interesting about smart way
technology is it is an infusedinto two different fabric
applications.
We've got the what we call thesoft plush machine wash tumble
dry one piece construction andit's in that two inch grid and
it can be anywhere from blanketsfor sleep at night and
(09:52):
activating your nerves orwearables on the move or sensory
focus products that we have.
But we also infused it into themedical grade fabric.
So smart weight is infused intothe medical grade fabric, and
that is not machine washable ordry.
It is literally wipe clean withall of the respective hospital
(10:13):
cleaners that they would use forthis medical grade fabric.
So then it's reusable.
It can go from patient topatient, and it just wipe clean.
And yet we're delivering thesmart way technology and with a
patient who is in the hospital.
Um, whether they potentiallyare, um, receiving chemo
treatments with high anxiety orthey are coming out of the O.
(10:37):
R.
Going into the O.
R.
If there's any wounds, the giventhe fact that this grid is
evenly dispensed across theentire surface.
then you don't get theunevenness of weight using like
a micro sandglass.
We actually use a bigger bead, amedical grade bead that, um, we
don't have to stuff it full somuch and, and it doesn't slop
(11:00):
around or become uneven,especially because of that grid.
And so it just becomes safer forthe patient as well.
And, um, what happened is we hada local hospital in our state
that was looking to do a studyin oncology with weighted
blankets to see if it couldlower that anxiety.
And, um, so that firstcontrolled IRB study, uh, when
(11:23):
they reached out, I said, well,we don't just do typical
weighted, heavy blankets withthat.
4 to 6 inch square.
Um, it's really precise.
And I said we would love for youto use our blanket and would
love to see what the resultswould be.
And so they did.
And it was astronomicallysignificant that it lowered the
anxiety.
(11:44):
Well, since then, that gotpublished in the C.
John nursing journals ofoncology.
And it has slowly just startedto creep out where people are
looking for weighted blankets tohelp lower anxiety.
What we're trying to share tothe, the population of people
who could benefit from weightedblankets or weighted therapy
(12:06):
across the board is that itneeds to have that smart weight
technology, that two inch gridwith the right amount of
pressure and weight dispensingto really activate true deep
touch pressure, um, moreeffectively and safer.
To the patient,
Meg Sinclair (12:21):
that's great.
Those three C's are reallycritical to get it to get that
right fit for it
Marna Pacheco (12:26):
is
Meg Sinclair (12:26):
So
Marna Pacheco (12:27):
since that first study, the first study was
weighted blankets, anxietyreduction in adult patients
receiving chemotherapy.
And then of course it's caughton and other hospitals have also
been using, um, our blankets intheir controlled studies or
clinical trials.
Um, another one was justrecently.
Was weighted blankets, reduceanxiety in adult surgical
(12:49):
patients with moderate to highlevels of perioperative anxiety.
This provides a simple yeteffective nurse driven
intervention for anxietyreduction.
And then another one evaluatingthe use of weighted blankets and
anxiety reduction tool duringcancer treatments.
Uh, wait, don't sedate.
This was an ICU.
And what was really cool aboutthis clinical trial was that,
(13:13):
um, 100 percent raw scores wentdown.
And then 62 percent lessrestraints on the risk being
used with agitation.
64 percent less PRN, medicationfor agitation, given to the
patient.
So that's what's really excitingabout this non pharmaceutical,
(13:33):
no drug intervention, if youwill, that it is easy on, easy
off.
And then they don't have to waitfor even, you know, Um, multiple
drugs are that are being givenfor it to, you know, leave the
body or, you know, and then beable to, um, add more.
So this has just really been asimple, simple tool for the
(13:54):
nurses to be able to use on thepatients with anxiety and other
things.
And it's just comforting.
It's just, it's really helpingthe patient.
So the medical side of thingsis.
It's really been one of thosebeautiful surprise, uh,
blessings, if you will, that itcan really get into patient care
and help the patient and whichultimately helps the nurses as
(14:14):
well.
Meg Sinclair (14:15):
Yeah, that sounds like great outcomes for patients
and nurses and a great tool thathas no side effects and no
potential allergies either,right?
Right.
That
Marna Pacheco (14:24):
too.
Yeah.
And then the dentistry, becausemy daughter is cleft lip and
cleft palate.
So we have a lot of dental, um,fear and, and, um, Anxiety.
And so, um, the dental blanketdesigned a dental blanket also
for patient comfort so they canchoose from that comfort menu so
that patient can have a reallygreat experience in the dental
(14:45):
chair as well.
Meg Sinclair (14:47):
It sounds like you've had an incredible journey
so far with CAPABLE.
What has been the most rewardingpart for you so far?
Marna Pacheco (14:55):
Um, you know, just giving value to my
daughter.
Even though she is notneurotypical, if you will, her
life has value and worth.
And she contributes to societyand she is contributing to
society.
I just happen to be her mom thathas a voice.
Um, that is very passionate, um,to bring, um, awareness and
(15:21):
actually not just awareness, butsolving problems for those that
are struggling with regulationin an overwhelmed world right
now.
And, and that's been overwhelmedfor a long time.
It's just, it's really rewardingthat, um, we get to together as
a mom and daughter, do somethingthat connects us and we're
really making a difference inpeople's lives.
(15:42):
Thanks.
Meg Sinclair (15:43):
Yeah, I would say you and Millie are making a huge
impact in the world.
So from your sewing machine outinto the world, it's really
inspiring.
Um, at Qualio, we provide aquality management system and I
do quality here.
So we always love to askexecutives how they approach
quality.
So as your company is continuingto grow and then growing into
(16:04):
the medical industry, how do youthink about quality and ensuring
your products maintain qualityand safety as you scale your
production?
Marna Pacheco (16:11):
Well, that's a little pet peeve for me because
I love details and I alwaysthink of the end user.
I am the end user.
And if that product isn'tquality and isn't actually doing
what it needs to do, then I justfeel like it's a waste of time
and a waste of money.
And, um, you know, you can get apoor, uh, shoe, or you can spend
(16:37):
a little bit more on a reallygood, design shoe that just
makes your feet feel wonderfuland allows you to make it
through the day.
And I constantly think of thatwhen it comes to the end user.
What do they need?
They need easy to wear, easy tocare, easy to use product that,
um, doesn't need to becomplicated.
(16:58):
And so that environment at workin that quality control is
always about How are we solvinga problem for the customer in
the easiest and the mosteffective and comfortable way
that we possibly can.
And a lot of it is just becauseI am that end user.
I sleep with my blanket everysingle night.
(17:19):
I actually have my lap pad rightnow on my lap while we're in
this interview.
And um, you know, we wear theproduct and then the medical
product I've used it of course,even on myself.
Going into the dental chair withdental work.
And, um, I'm just so thrilledthat customers, if you will, um,
come back and they say, you saidthis product wasn't a miracle,
(17:41):
but it sure does feel like atest in our family.
And that makes all thedifference in the world keeps me
on, on par for creating aquality product.
Meg Sinclair (17:50):
Right.
I think, uh, drinking thatchampagne yourself, your own
champagne, is always a good testof quality, too.
So, you're using the productsday in, day out, and they've
made a big impact on yourfamily.
I feel like that makes a hugeimpact for quality for you.
Great.
Um, looking ahead, what newinnovations or expansions might
(18:11):
we expect to see from Capable inthe company years?
Marna Pacheco (18:14):
Right.
Well, definitely within themedical arena.
I want it to be that if youthink weighted products and you
think it should be heavy, heavy,heavy, um, I want them to go,
Oh, we need weighted productswithin the care of our patient
(18:34):
and it needs and must have smartway technology in it so that it
is better for the patient.
It's safer for the patient.
It has freedom of movement.
It's easy to use nonpharmaceutical, no effects.
Uh, it's just.
something that can deliversomething immediately.
So I want nurses and hospitalsystems to understand that
(18:55):
weighted products donecorrectly, current to
neuroscience of today, um,understanding that if you don't
want just heavy, you really wantsmart way technology infused in
that medical grade fabric sothat it can be used for patient
care.
Meg Sinclair (19:13):
Great.
I hope it gets more adoption in,in the medical industry,
especially thinking, yeah, nonpharmaceutical.
I think that's, that's just agreat option for patients and,
and nurses alike.
So to close this out, Marna, ourlast question is more of a fun
one.
We like to ask each of ourguests, if we ran into you at
the bookstore or your locallibrary, in which section would
(19:34):
we find you?
Marna Pacheco (19:35):
Oh boy.
I would say, um, mental health,but I will say entrepreneur.
You know, the necessity of amother's invention.
Um, and also in the, um, thespecial needs community as well,
just bringing value and, um,worth to every human being
(20:00):
that's just, everyone deserves,deserves.
to be capable and to reach theirown capabilities, whatever that
is.
Meg Sinclair (20:09):
Absolutely.
Great.
Well, thank you so much forjoining us.
Where can folks go if they wantto learn more about yourself or
Capable?
Great.
Marna Pacheco (20:18):
Well, um, Capable.
com, which is our website.
And again, it's spelled Capable,C A P E A B L E, but we do
pronounce it Capable.
And then we've got Facebook andInstagram, which is Capable
Weighted Products.
For both of those social mediasites and then our linked in,
which is really wonderful.
(20:39):
Um, it's CapeAble weightedproducts as well.
And of course, you can call ortext the number.
I answer the phone and I respondto the text.
I respond to the emails.
We definitely have a lot ofpeople.
you know, inquiring more aboutthe medical and how they can get
it into their hospitals.
If they want to do any kind ofresearch or trials with the
(21:01):
blankets, we can do that.
Um, we do have weightedblankets, but we also have
weighted wearables and likevest, capes, shot, wraps and
scarves.
And then we also have a sensoryenrichment tool, which is called
their magnetic focus fidget,which is super popular within
the medical community.
Hospital use or within personaluse as well.
(21:22):
So all of those areas you canfind us.
And don't hesitate to reach outif you have any questions about
SmartWeight technology or howthis product could be used, um,
within their family or withintheir hospital system or dental.
Meg Sinclair (21:36):
Great.
All the options.
All the
Marna Pacheco (21:38):
options.
Yeah.
Meg Sinclair (21:40):
Well, we'll post those links in the show notes.
Thanks so much for joining us,Marna.
This was really inspiring.
Um, I was so happy to speak withyou.
I think you wear your own capeevery day, um, and all the work
that you do.
It's really inspiring.
My goodness.
Thank you so much.
Thank you for listening to thisweek's episode of From Lab to
(22:10):
Launch, brought to you byQualio.
If you like what you've heard,please subscribe and give the
show a positive review.
It really helps us out.
For more information aboutQualio, our guest today, or to
be a guest on a future episode,please refer to the show notes.
Until next time.
Hi there! Welcome to the FromLab to Launch podcast by Qualio,
where we share inspiring storiesfrom the people on the front
lines of life sciences.
Tune in and leave inspired tobring your life saving products
to the world.
Meg Sinclair (00:17):
Hi everyone.
And thank you for tuning in toFrom Lab to Launch podcast
brought to you by Qualio.
I'm Meg, your host, and I'mdelighted to be here with you
today.
Before we dive into today'sepisode, we'd love it if you
could take a moment to rate andshare the podcast with your
circle of science enthusiasts.
And if you're interested inbeing a guest on the show,
please check out the applicationin the show notes.
(00:39):
Today, we're excited to bejoined by Marna Pacheco, founder
of Capable Weighted Products.
Marna turned personal insightinto innovation when she
designed a weighted cape for herdaughter, Millie, who has level
3 autism, discovering a uniqueway to deliver precise, deep
touch pressure with less weight.
This led to founding of CapeAblein 2017, where smartweight
(01:01):
technology has revolutionizedhow weighted products like
blankets, vests, and wraps offertherapeutic benefits.
Capable's reach has now extendedinto the medical field,
providing hospitals and clinicswith medical grade weighted
blankets, enhancing patient carethrough a non pharmaceutical
approach.
Marna's journey from a personalquest to a broader mission to
(01:22):
alleviate anxiety and providecomfort in medical and everyday
environments is truly inspiring.
We're looking forward tolearning more from her
experience going from a home labto launching into the healthcare
industry.
Check out the show notes formore information about Marna and
to link to the CAPABLE website.
But let's bring her in.
Welcome to the show, Marna.
Marna Pacheco (01:42):
Thank you for having me.
I'm really excited to be hereand speaking with you.
Great.
Meg Sinclair (01:48):
So I watched the video about Millie and the story
behind Capable is so inspiring.
Can you share a little bit aboutthe creation of the first
Capable weighted product?
Marna Pacheco (01:57):
Right.
So Millie is really inspiringand, um, You know, she has just,
um, done so much and she doesn'treally even know, um, and
probably comprehend all thethings that she has contributed
to society.
But, Mellie, um, needed to haveweighted therapy, and so our OT
(02:19):
that we were going to fortherapy, occupational therapist,
was, Encouraging us to look atweighted items.
And so I, like any mom wentonline and started looking at
weighted products.
And at first I saw the weightedblanket and then I saw a lap pad
and I saw what I call the uglyinstitutional looking, um, vest
(02:40):
with velcro and then, you know,bean bags weighed around the
perimeter and it just felt likea straight jacket.
And our daughter does come fromadoption and from an orphanage.
And so she was unfortunatelyleft to her own Um, survival in
that orphanage before we adoptedher.
(03:01):
And then she also had medicalneeds of what we knew
apparently, which was cleft lipand cleft palate.
Um, but what trauma does to thebrain and how it affects the
nervous system and all of thatis what we really started
learning once she came homeafter the age of two years of
age.
(03:22):
And basically I went online,like I said, and started looking
at weighted products.
And I thought, well, I can makea weighted blanket and made a
weighted lap pad.
But when Millie stood up, theweighted blanket fell down at
her feet.
And I went, Hmm, I need to gether out the front door.
So.
This is a little, I'm not surethat this is going to work for
us.
And then with the lap pad, itwas smaller and it was a little
(03:44):
bit more on the go kind ofthing, but it didn't have any
way to stay around her neck.
So we put some snaps on it andit did help.
And it felt a little bulky, butthen I was like, okay, what if I
can make a dignified, stylish.
Better vest, if you will.
And I collect Vogue patterns andI am a home seamstress.
And I saw this 1950 vintage, um,capelet and I thought, Oh, what
(04:09):
about a cape?
And so I created the cape and itwas adorable.
It was pink fabric and she waslike this sweet pink cape kind
of thing and took it to the OTand.
And the OT just went gaga overit and said, we need to sell
these right now to all of myclients that are going to want
this product because she hadn'tseen anything like that from a
(04:31):
wearable aspect that wasdignified, fashionable, um, that
really did deliver, um, what wecall current to neuroscience,
um, smart way technology, whichwas part of the research that I
went into as we started doingthis, um, with the weighted
product.
Meg Sinclair (04:49):
Yeah.
I love that play on words too,with CapeAble and having them.
having these neurodivergentchildren who need this product
still be able to feelfashionable with a cape and like
a superhero with a cape.
Also, I think that's great andempowering too.
Marna Pacheco (05:05):
Absolutely.
We actually, um, called itCapeAble and we spell it wrong,
but we pronounce it right, butwe spell it with an E.
Mainly because it did start witha cape because that's what the
difference we were able to goout and about in society, and we
were able to, um, function andbe regulated and not get the
condescending or judgmentalstares while we were out, um,
(05:30):
in, you know, the stores orwherever we were at, and she was
noticed for who she was and nother behaviors.
And then what we discovered isthat just for the neurodivergent
community, but really all of ushave a central nervous system.
All of us have a nervous system.
(05:50):
And so the reality is I wasgoing out and about as well,
being in that fight or flightmode, trying to focus on keeping
my daughter safe, and, you know,helping control, if you will,
the environment, and thenhelping the behaviors.
Thank you.
And also give dignity to her asa human.
And so my, um, nervous systemwas completely out of whack as
(06:11):
well as I'm trying to, you know,do all the mom things, if you
will.
So it ended up being that thisproduct was designed for my
daughter with special needs.
However, it ended up realizingthat this could be for all
nervous systems in the world.
And as we all have gone through2020, we know now.
Um, our mental health and ourwellness is really, really
(06:31):
important, and we have nervoussystems that are completely, um,
vulnerable and really out ofwhack and overwhelmed, right?
Meg Sinclair (06:39):
Exactly.
So on that note, how does thesmart technology work, and what
makes it different fromtraditional weighted blankets?
Marna Pacheco (06:46):
Right, such a great question.
So I, I guess I love details andthe details was the research and
the research went into severaldifferent things.
Um, number one, what is deeptouch pressure?
And the person who reallystarted talking about deep touch
pressure was Dr.
Temple Grandin.
And so Dr.
Temple Grandin talked about hersqueeze machine.
(07:09):
And in that research and thosewhite papers of the squeeze
machine, Uh, what you could callI guess a hug.
Some people call it the hugmachine, but that squeeze
machine was where you laid downin it and underneath there was
like a cushion or like a blow upcushion and above and the person
who was in the squeeze machinecould actually control the
(07:29):
amount of pressure they weregetting.
And the three most importantpoints about the squeeze machine
was nerve activation for deeptouch pressure, getting to that
third layer of the skin of thenerve receptor.
So nerve, when you get deeptouch pressure, you can override
that fight and flight response.
or those that do not want ahuman hug can mimic the human
(07:53):
hug and it needs to be a safe,um, human hug, if you will, or a
safe hug in general, if it isusing deep touch pressure.
And so we call that the threeC's of deep touch pressure.
It has to conform to any shape,Size or age of body, a body, and
then it needs to compress evenlyand gently.
(08:15):
We don't need to pound or sockthat nerve, you know, and beat
it.
We can gently compress it andhave it even across the entire
body or whatever nerves arebeing.
activated at the time.
And then it needs to be inconstant contact with more
nerves.
And so with those three C's ofdeep touch pressure, what we
call precise or excellent deeptouch pressure, we found with
(08:39):
more nerve activation withweighted products, we could use
less weight more effectivelyplus create a freedom of
movement.
Now, the way that that happenedis We inserted the weight and
the pressure within our magic,if you will, two inch grid.
So that two inch grid iseverything.
It's the two inch grid allowsdeep touch pressure to work more
(09:03):
efficiently and effectively witha safety component of freedom of
movement and actually using lessweight versus more weight.
And that is kind of the secretsauce of smart way technology.
Meg Sinclair (09:20):
Well, thanks for sharing the secret sauce with
us.
And now you've managed to bringCapeAble into the medical
sector.
What challenges did you face,um, entering this market?
Marna Pacheco (09:30):
So what's interesting about smart way
technology is it is an infusedinto two different fabric
applications.
We've got the what we call thesoft plush machine wash tumble
dry one piece construction andit's in that two inch grid and
it can be anywhere from blanketsfor sleep at night and
(09:52):
activating your nerves orwearables on the move or sensory
focus products that we have.
But we also infused it into themedical grade fabric.
So smart weight is infused intothe medical grade fabric, and
that is not machine washable ordry.
It is literally wipe clean withall of the respective hospital
(10:13):
cleaners that they would use forthis medical grade fabric.
So then it's reusable.
It can go from patient topatient, and it just wipe clean.
And yet we're delivering thesmart way technology and with a
patient who is in the hospital.
Um, whether they potentiallyare, um, receiving chemo
treatments with high anxiety orthey are coming out of the O.
(10:37):
R.
Going into the O.
R.
If there's any wounds, the giventhe fact that this grid is
evenly dispensed across theentire surface.
then you don't get theunevenness of weight using like
a micro sandglass.
We actually use a bigger bead, amedical grade bead that, um, we
don't have to stuff it full somuch and, and it doesn't slop
(11:00):
around or become uneven,especially because of that grid.
And so it just becomes safer forthe patient as well.
And, um, what happened is we hada local hospital in our state
that was looking to do a studyin oncology with weighted
blankets to see if it couldlower that anxiety.
And, um, so that firstcontrolled IRB study, uh, when
(11:23):
they reached out, I said, well,we don't just do typical
weighted, heavy blankets withthat.
4 to 6 inch square.
Um, it's really precise.
And I said we would love for youto use our blanket and would
love to see what the resultswould be.
And so they did.
And it was astronomicallysignificant that it lowered the
anxiety.
(11:44):
Well, since then, that gotpublished in the C.
John nursing journals ofoncology.
And it has slowly just startedto creep out where people are
looking for weighted blankets tohelp lower anxiety.
What we're trying to share tothe, the population of people
who could benefit from weightedblankets or weighted therapy
(12:06):
across the board is that itneeds to have that smart weight
technology, that two inch gridwith the right amount of
pressure and weight dispensingto really activate true deep
touch pressure, um, moreeffectively and safer.
To the patient,
Meg Sinclair (12:21):
that's great.
Those three C's are reallycritical to get it to get that
right fit for it
Marna Pacheco (12:26):
is
Meg Sinclair (12:26):
So
Marna Pacheco (12:27):
since that first study, the first study was
weighted blankets, anxietyreduction in adult patients
receiving chemotherapy.
And then of course it's caughton and other hospitals have also
been using, um, our blankets intheir controlled studies or
clinical trials.
Um, another one was justrecently.
Was weighted blankets, reduceanxiety in adult surgical
(12:49):
patients with moderate to highlevels of perioperative anxiety.
This provides a simple yeteffective nurse driven
intervention for anxietyreduction.
And then another one evaluatingthe use of weighted blankets and
anxiety reduction tool duringcancer treatments.
Uh, wait, don't sedate.
This was an ICU.
And what was really cool aboutthis clinical trial was that,
(13:13):
um, 100 percent raw scores wentdown.
And then 62 percent lessrestraints on the risk being
used with agitation.
64 percent less PRN, medicationfor agitation, given to the
patient.
So that's what's really excitingabout this non pharmaceutical,
(13:33):
no drug intervention, if youwill, that it is easy on, easy
off.
And then they don't have to waitfor even, you know, Um, multiple
drugs are that are being givenfor it to, you know, leave the
body or, you know, and then beable to, um, add more.
So this has just really been asimple, simple tool for the
(13:54):
nurses to be able to use on thepatients with anxiety and other
things.
And it's just comforting.
It's just, it's really helpingthe patient.
So the medical side of thingsis.
It's really been one of thosebeautiful surprise, uh,
blessings, if you will, that itcan really get into patient care
and help the patient and whichultimately helps the nurses as
(14:14):
well.
Meg Sinclair (14:15):
Yeah, that sounds like great outcomes for patients
and nurses and a great tool thathas no side effects and no
potential allergies either,right?
Right.
That
Marna Pacheco (14:24):
too.
Yeah.
And then the dentistry, becausemy daughter is cleft lip and
cleft palate.
So we have a lot of dental, um,fear and, and, um, Anxiety.
And so, um, the dental blanketdesigned a dental blanket also
for patient comfort so they canchoose from that comfort menu so
that patient can have a reallygreat experience in the dental
(14:45):
chair as well.
Meg Sinclair (14:47):
It sounds like you've had an incredible journey
so far with CAPABLE.
What has been the most rewardingpart for you so far?
Marna Pacheco (14:55):
Um, you know, just giving value to my
daughter.
Even though she is notneurotypical, if you will, her
life has value and worth.
And she contributes to societyand she is contributing to
society.
I just happen to be her mom thathas a voice.
Um, that is very passionate, um,to bring, um, awareness and
(15:21):
actually not just awareness, butsolving problems for those that
are struggling with regulationin an overwhelmed world right
now.
And, and that's been overwhelmedfor a long time.
It's just, it's really rewardingthat, um, we get to together as
a mom and daughter, do somethingthat connects us and we're
really making a difference inpeople's lives.
(15:42):
Thanks.
Meg Sinclair (15:43):
Yeah, I would say you and Millie are making a huge
impact in the world.
So from your sewing machine outinto the world, it's really
inspiring.
Um, at Qualio, we provide aquality management system and I
do quality here.
So we always love to askexecutives how they approach
quality.
So as your company is continuingto grow and then growing into
(16:04):
the medical industry, how do youthink about quality and ensuring
your products maintain qualityand safety as you scale your
production?
Marna Pacheco (16:11):
Well, that's a little pet peeve for me because
I love details and I alwaysthink of the end user.
I am the end user.
And if that product isn'tquality and isn't actually doing
what it needs to do, then I justfeel like it's a waste of time
and a waste of money.
And, um, you know, you can get apoor, uh, shoe, or you can spend
(16:37):
a little bit more on a reallygood, design shoe that just
makes your feet feel wonderfuland allows you to make it
through the day.
And I constantly think of thatwhen it comes to the end user.
What do they need?
They need easy to wear, easy tocare, easy to use product that,
um, doesn't need to becomplicated.
(16:58):
And so that environment at workin that quality control is
always about How are we solvinga problem for the customer in
the easiest and the mosteffective and comfortable way
that we possibly can.
And a lot of it is just becauseI am that end user.
I sleep with my blanket everysingle night.
(17:19):
I actually have my lap pad rightnow on my lap while we're in
this interview.
And um, you know, we wear theproduct and then the medical
product I've used it of course,even on myself.
Going into the dental chair withdental work.
And, um, I'm just so thrilledthat customers, if you will, um,
come back and they say, you saidthis product wasn't a miracle,
(17:41):
but it sure does feel like atest in our family.
And that makes all thedifference in the world keeps me
on, on par for creating aquality product.
Meg Sinclair (17:50):
Right.
I think, uh, drinking thatchampagne yourself, your own
champagne, is always a good testof quality, too.
So, you're using the productsday in, day out, and they've
made a big impact on yourfamily.
I feel like that makes a hugeimpact for quality for you.
Great.
Um, looking ahead, what newinnovations or expansions might
(18:11):
we expect to see from Capable inthe company years?
Marna Pacheco (18:14):
Right.
Well, definitely within themedical arena.
I want it to be that if youthink weighted products and you
think it should be heavy, heavy,heavy, um, I want them to go,
Oh, we need weighted productswithin the care of our patient
(18:34):
and it needs and must have smartway technology in it so that it
is better for the patient.
It's safer for the patient.
It has freedom of movement.
It's easy to use nonpharmaceutical, no effects.
Uh, it's just.
something that can deliversomething immediately.
So I want nurses and hospitalsystems to understand that
(18:55):
weighted products donecorrectly, current to
neuroscience of today, um,understanding that if you don't
want just heavy, you really wantsmart way technology infused in
that medical grade fabric sothat it can be used for patient
care.
Meg Sinclair (19:13):
Great.
I hope it gets more adoption in,in the medical industry,
especially thinking, yeah, nonpharmaceutical.
I think that's, that's just agreat option for patients and,
and nurses alike.
So to close this out, Marna, ourlast question is more of a fun
one.
We like to ask each of ourguests, if we ran into you at
the bookstore or your locallibrary, in which section would
(19:34):
we find you?
Marna Pacheco (19:35):
Oh boy.
I would say, um, mental health,but I will say entrepreneur.
You know, the necessity of amother's invention.
Um, and also in the, um, thespecial needs community as well,
just bringing value and, um,worth to every human being
(20:00):
that's just, everyone deserves,deserves.
to be capable and to reach theirown capabilities, whatever that
is.
Meg Sinclair (20:09):
Absolutely.
Great.
Well, thank you so much forjoining us.
Where can folks go if they wantto learn more about yourself or
Capable?
Great.
Marna Pacheco (20:18):
Well, um, Capable.
com, which is our website.
And again, it's spelled Capable,C A P E A B L E, but we do
pronounce it Capable.
And then we've got Facebook andInstagram, which is Capable
Weighted Products.
For both of those social mediasites and then our linked in,
which is really wonderful.
(20:39):
Um, it's CapeAble weightedproducts as well.
And of course, you can call ortext the number.
I answer the phone and I respondto the text.
I respond to the emails.
We definitely have a lot ofpeople.
you know, inquiring more aboutthe medical and how they can get
it into their hospitals.
If they want to do any kind ofresearch or trials with the
(21:01):
blankets, we can do that.
Um, we do have weightedblankets, but we also have
weighted wearables and likevest, capes, shot, wraps and
scarves.
And then we also have a sensoryenrichment tool, which is called
their magnetic focus fidget,which is super popular within
the medical community.
Hospital use or within personaluse as well.
(21:22):
So all of those areas you canfind us.
And don't hesitate to reach outif you have any questions about
SmartWeight technology or howthis product could be used, um,
within their family or withintheir hospital system or dental.
Meg Sinclair (21:36):
Great.
All the options.
All the
Marna Pacheco (21:38):
options.
Yeah.
Meg Sinclair (21:40):
Well, we'll post those links in the show notes.
Thanks so much for joining us,Marna.
This was really inspiring.
Um, I was so happy to speak withyou.
I think you wear your own capeevery day, um, and all the work
that you do.
It's really inspiring.
My goodness.
Thank you so much.
Thank you for listening to thisweek's episode of From Lab to
(22:10):
Launch, brought to you byQualio.
If you like what you've heard,please subscribe and give the
show a positive review.
It really helps us out.
For more information aboutQualio, our guest today, or to
be a guest on a future episode,please refer to the show notes.
Until next time.
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