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Biodegradable Innovation: Erin Martin’s Quest to Empower Nursing Moms at Work

Pump for Joy’s Biodegradable Innovation Offers a Game-Changing Solution for Working Mothers and the Environment

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Devin: What is your superpower?

Erin: Creativity and tinkering.

Working mothers often face immense challenges balancing professional ambitions with the demands of nursing. Erin Martin, the Co-Founder and CEO of Pump for Joy, turned her personal struggles into a groundbreaking innovation designed to empower mothers in the workplace. In this interview, Erin shared her journey of transforming what she calls an “exclusive pumping” experience into a solution to make life easier for countless moms.

Erin described her experience as a working mother pumping breast milk in 2021: “The cleaning between each pumping session would take a long time. Every time I was done, it felt like the next second I was doing another pumping session.” Realizing the lack of support for pumping moms, she envisioned a product that eliminates the hassle of cleaning pump parts while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.

Pump for Joy’s flagship product is a single-use, 100% biodegradable breast milk collection kit. Designed to simplify the lives of working mothers, the product eliminates the need for extensive cleaning while remaining environmentally friendly. “I cannot bring myself to make a single-use plastic product,” Erin explained. “If I’m creating a convenience product, the very last thing I want to do is hurt the environment.”

Developing this innovation has required Erin and her team to navigate the complexities of creating a biodegradable design that meets strict medical device regulations. However, their efforts don’t stop there. Erin is actively exploring cellulose-based materials and cutting-edge bioplastics, such as PHA, to push sustainability even further.

To fund this mission, Pump for Joy is raising capital through a regulated investment crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder. This approach allows moms and supporters alike to invest in the company’s success and become part of the effort to create a better future for working mothers and the planet.

As a proud women-owned, minority-owned business, Pump for Joy exemplifies innovation, environmental stewardship, and social impact. Erin’s commitment goes beyond solving a problem; it reflects a deep integrity. She put it best: “It’s an unwavering commitment to create a better solution for moms and for the environment at the same time.”

Those interested in supporting the company can explore its WeFunder campaign at s4g.biz/joy. Pump for Joy is making a real difference in the lives of mothers and contributing to a more sustainable world.


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tl;dr:

  1. Erin Martin created Pump for Joy to empower working moms with a biodegradable breast milk collection kit.

  2. The product eliminates cleaning for nursing mothers and prioritizes environmental sustainability with innovative materials.

  3. Erin and her co-founder Vanessa leverage their complementary skills to drive Pump for Joy’s success.

  4. The company is raising capital on WeFunder, inviting the community to invest in its mission.

  5. Erin’s superpower, creativity and tinkering, has been key to solving challenges and innovating sustainably.


How to Develop Creativity and Tinkering As a Superpower

Erin’s superpower lies in her ability to creatively tinker and iterate, transforming failure into opportunity. She explained, “I have not ever let go of this idea of constant learning and creativity. If there’s a problem to be solved, my brain immediately starts thinking through how we might solve it.” Her passion for experimentation and improvement allows her to approach challenges with curiosity and determination, making her a natural innovator.

When developing Pump for Joy’s biodegradable breast milk collection kit, Erin faced a design challenge: creating a product that was both user-friendly and environmentally sustainable. Initially, the design was a single piece, but through relentless iteration, it evolved into a multi-part solution. Erin described how she explored everything from magnetic seals to twist mechanisms, testing each idea with prototypes from her 3D printer. Her persistence paid off, resulting in a design that balances functionality and sustainability, a testament to her creative problem-solving.

Tips for Developing Creativity and Tinkering:

  1. Embrace Failure as a Learning Tool: Erin reminds us, “Failure is not final.” Use setbacks as opportunities to refine your approach.

  2. Stay Curious: Approach problems with a mindset of exploration and a willingness to try unconventional solutions.

  3. Iterate Relentlessly: Test, tweak, and repeat until you find the best solution.

  4. Learn New Skills: Erin’s hobbies, like programming in Arduino and 3D printing, directly enhance her creative problem-solving.

  5. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Expect your first attempt to fall short and see improvement as part of the process.

By following Erin’s example and advice, you can make creativity and tinkering a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!


Guest Profile

Erin Martin (she/her):

Co-Founder & CEO, Pump For Joy

About Pump For Joy: Pump for Joy makes single use breast milk collection kits for busy moms. Our kits are biodegradable, safe, and easy to use: no washing or sterilizing away from home. This way, busy moms can spend less time cleaning and more time making waves in the world.

Website: pumpforjoy.com

LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/company/pump-for-joy/

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557243352181#

Instagram Handle: @pump.for.joy

Other URL: wefunder.com/pumpforjoy

Biographical Information: Seasoned product leader with 10+ years of experience launching 0→1 products to market. She’s led cross-functional teams, driven go-to-market strategy, and built scalable solutions across various fintech and consumer sectors.

LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/erindevinemartin

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