Felicia Jackson's two-year-old son was choking in the back seat of her car.
She knew exactly what to do: She worked in the medical field and she had CPR training.
But she froze.
Her husband sprang into action and saved their child. In the aftermath, Jackson started a business. She wanted to create a product that would be a guidebook for giving CPR — a tool people could use to focus and break through their understandable paralysis in that kind of panicky situation.
Now, Jackson is moving her company from her hometown of Chattanooga to Madison, to a building at 640 Myatt Drive. She spoke with Nashville Inno about why she's coming to town and what's up next for something she believes should be in every family's first-aid kit.
Company name: CPRWrap
The product: A translucent guide to giving CPR that lies on a person's chest — including step-by-step instructions, diagrams for hand placement and a mouthpiece for breathing air into their lungs. CPRWrap comes in three sizes, from infant to ages 8+. It retails for $9.99 on the company website and in Walmart's online store.
Biggest challenge: "As the inventor of a new medical product, one of my biggest challenges is product awareness. If people don't know you exist, it doesn't matter how great a product or service you have. I believe strategic marketing is key when your voice is small. But, I can honestly say, when we present CPRWrap to most people, they instantly understand the massive potential this product has for saving lives."
Biggest success so far: Securing a patent in 2019. "As a startup with very little to no funding, I was able to maneuver through the provisional patent application process. My name is now among other amazing African American inventors who have been essential in our society."
Why move your headquarters to Nashville? "When I needed to scale efficiently, Nashville — specifically the health care community — was the best choice for me. I participated in 36/86, Project Healthcare (twice) through the Nashville EC [Entrepreneur Center], and was even provided a year-long membership with the Nashville Health Care Council. While in Nashville I was able to meet the owners of GP Sourcing, who eventually became our manufacturer. Nashville is where CPRWrap belongs."
Fill in the blank: 2022 will be a success if/when _______: "I get that email or call informing me that CPRWrap was the reason someone's life was saved!"
CPRWrap
Founded: October 2016
Revenue: Jackson forecasts $2 million of revenue by year's end, "due to our increased e-commerce sales and our distribution partnerships, domestic and international. My company showed profitability in 2020."
Capital raised: About $600,000 to-date. Jackson has a seed round open and is 40% of the way to her $500,000 target.
Employees: Two, including Jackson
Web: cprwrap.com
