"Ask questions - there is no such thing as a dumb question - don’t make assumptions" with Jan Rogers
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In 1989, Jan Rogers was a busy mom with a curious kindergartner. Her daughter routinely asked questions about time: “How much longer? When will we go?” Jan, like many mothers, found explaining time to a 5-year-old difficult, so she developed her own solution to visualize time for her child. After many years of dedicated work, her visual timer, the Time Timer, grew to travel around the globe and can be found today in classrooms, homes, therapy centers, restaurants, conference rooms, and factories around the world.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 1967. After a few part-time jobs and marriage, I was a stay-at-home mom for about the next 25 years before ever starting Time Timer.
What inspired you to start your business?
My youngest daughter at the age of 4-5 became very interested in time, i.e., how much longer until an activity, when do we leave/start/stop/etc., how much time do I have to practice/play/work. She wanted to be aware of the passage of time for herself and not have me be her timekeeper, so I needed to find a way to convey that concept in a clear and simple way.
Where is your business based?
Cincinnati, Ohio.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
My first steps involved shopping the market to see if there was a workable solution already being sold. All I found were the standard timers available at that time, kitchen mechanical timers, digital timers and children’s’ watches. None of which made time easily understood. At that point, I realized I may have to figure out the solution myself and set to work making some primitive drawings and prototypes to present to a potential manufacturer. After having my idea dismissed in every interview I had, I began the process of designing and naming the first Time Timer. It took a lot of research and knocking on doors to find a fabricator who would make the first parts and then I became the first assembly line.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
In the early years of the Time Timer, the most effective way was to attend as many trade shows and conferences in the fields of education and special needs as possible. Being able to do a face-to-face demonstration as opposed to just printed media was the best way to engage customers in the use of the Time Timer. What followed was extensive word of mouth marketing which came from satisfied customers. Now the company has a creative marketing team which covers all areas of our targeted markets but is still largely dependent on qualified word of mouth testimonials.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Because I was the designer/fabricator/engineer, my biggest challenge was figuring out how to solve mechanical problems as they came up in the development of the first versions of the Time Timer. Since I had no background in engineering or design, all I had to rely on was the “seat of my pants,” passion and commitment to my idea, and a lot of trial and error. I also had no idea of how to run a successful business. When I started Time Timer there was not much attention paid to a female business owner or an industry segment called “entrepreneurs,” so my degree in sociology didn’t help there either. As the company grew to support someone with the appropriate skill set, that void was filled before I created too much chaos.
How do you stay focused?
I found that once the company got rolling, I was like a dog with a bone and became immersed in it. I found I had to work at stepping out of my business mode and go back to my family mode. I stayed focused then because I had to be, there was no one else to do the job. Now, I find the Time Timer product useful for myself to segment my projects or intentions for the day. It helps me complete tasks without jumping from one thing to another.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
It is our company’s mission and culture to create the best product we can to do the most good it can. As a small family-owned business our reputation must be strong, and we must be accessible. In addition to feeing strongly about those characteristics, due to the size of our staff and operations, we are able to be very nimble in responding to our customers needs, both retail and commercial.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Once our staff grew to include experienced and creative people, I was able to hand off the marketing challenge. I knew how to sell the Time Timer products one-on-one to a customer, but our marketing staff has taken it to the national and global level which I never would have been able to do. Our most effective marketing strategy through the years has always been through credible word-of-mouth and referrals. Nothing can compete with the tried-and-true life experiences of consumers using the Time Timer to improve and empower their own lives, the lives of their children, their students, their clients or the people for which they care. Today, this in not only done in person but through social media and referral programs.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
If you are wanting to launch a completely new innovative product, do extensive research to see if it already exists before investing in the idea. If it does already exist, make sure yours is a truly competitive version of that product. Have the funds to invest or have access to investors. Ask questions - there is no such thing as a dumb question - don’t make assumptions, and be ready to work really hard! No one is going to care as much about the success of your product or idea as you.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
Because I didn’t grow up the era of techism, my only apps are Solitaire, the Time Timer app, access to my streaming service, and Zoom. I have not learned to go to any blogs, though I know they can be informative. My favorite reads are historical fiction because I like being entertained while being informed.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
Again, because I created my company before the age of internet, my favorite business tools were literally tools – screw drivers, wrenches, clamps, tin snips, etc. My most consistent creative resource was me since the product grew from my mind and it was difficult for others to see it as I did. Friends who were teachers, parents or therapists were helpful in honing in on the most important features of the Time Timer.
Who is your business role model? Why?
My role models are the people on our staff. I am constantly amazed at how they can pick up a ball and go with it, solve complicated issues, create new ideas out of old ones and competently do their jobs as well as being parents and supportive members of their communities. I was a lone ranger and didn’t know anyone who was doing what I was doing. Now, there is easy access to mentors that I could have taken advantage of and could have shortened the time spent in the early days of development.
How do you balance work and life?
When my children were young, I always put being a mom first. I would schedule my work hours based on when they were asleep or engaged in activities with friends. As they grew up, it was easier to spend more time in the life of the Time Timer and to increase travels to trade shows and conferences. I also continued to be involved in activities outside of the business which helped push it aside.
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
I have had several musical outlets over the years which take me to a restorative place in my mind and spirit. I also love a good football game!
What do you have planned for the next six months?
This is an interesting time to explore that question. Right now, I have no plans, only hopes. I want to travel again for business and personal and I want to be able to hug friends and family – simple pleasures.
How can our readers connect with you?
They can contact me through the company website – timetimer.com or email support@timetimer.com.