Anna Reger

Anika Jackson recently set down with innovator and entrepreneur Anna Reiger to discuss her new product FlipLok. Thank you Anna for sharing your story and allowing us to get to know you better and learn about your mission to make schools safer!

What inspired you to create FlipLok?

As a mother of six children, I understand the challenges and joys of parenting. We all want our children to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, where they can learn and thrive. However, life isn’t like the portrayals of the “family ideal” shown in old sitcoms such as The Brady Bunch or Leave It to Beaver. While love prevails in our household, we still need to embark on uncomfortable conversations, such as discussing stranger danger or the birds and bees, which are necessary for our children's safety and well-being. In today's world, there is a new topic that is scarier than anything my parents ever had to discuss with me - school safety.

I vividly remember the day my youngest daughter came home from school and told me about the lockdown procedure they practiced in response to an active threat situation near her elementary school. It broke my heart to hear her say that she didn't know what to do if her teacher wasn't with her or how to know if the door was locked. My child was scared, and as a parent, I felt helpless too.

Unfortunately, this fear and uncertainty are not unique to my family. Countless school administrators, teachers, and first responders also feel helpless in the face of this growing epidemic. Our children are expected to learn while under duress, and research from Stockholm University shows that stress can hinder their ability to retain information and learn effectively

This led to us designing and creating Fliplok.

With Fliplok, we spent a lot of time developing the product and getting it patented before bringing it to market. There is a great deal of education we have had to do with our marketplace segments (schools/hospitals, businesses, individual consumers) to help them understand how we are different, stronger, and more reliable than other products on the market.

Can you highlight a key turning point in your entrepreneurial journey?

With our latest venture, there have been a few turning points. One is the first school sale we made. It's easier to get into other doors when one has opened. Another one is the TEDx talk I recently did on my mission of empowering children and creating school safety. A third one has to be appearing on QVC and having great sales with our home lock system!

Describe a setback or failure you've faced in your business journey. How did it shape you?

When I was first launching FlipLok, I had a major setback. Naysayers told me that we could not put our safety devices in schools, and that it would not work. As with everything else in my life, I didn't give up, which helped me continue pushing myself.

What resources, books, or mentors significantly influenced your business perspective during challenging times?

Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart, by James R. Doty. The book shares the story of Mr. Doty and reinforces the idea that you can truly do anything you put your heart and mind to. My husband really connected with this book, so we turned it into a family book club - all our kids read it and we discussed the book together.

What has been your most proud achievement in your business journey so far?

There have been many proud moments with FlipLok, from receiving our patent to the first school install we had. I was able to give a TEDx talk, and our product was showcased on QVC. I've been able to stand in my purpose and passion to create solutions that empower children and families.

How do you measure success in your business? Is it through financial gains, impact, growth, or something else?

Having my safety devices installed in schools and seeing the "aha" moment of superintendents and other school officials when we show them how this will help their entire school community. That's the best feeling.

How do you prioritize tasks and manage time effectively?

If it's going to take me 5-15 mins I do it right away. If it takes 30 mins-1 hour I time block. If it will be a longer task I set the time aside. Planning your time accordingly helps me stay on track. I typically do things that are the most important, if it has a deadline I work to get it done before then. I make a list the day before of what is necessary to be done the next day and if something small comes up I will do that and then return to my list. I always keep a notebook to help me stay organized.

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when you were first starting, what would it be?

I would have started standing in my power sooner. It was very powerful for me to realize that if I move forward and get over my fears or my insecurities, then I can reach back and help somebody else. That motivates me to continue to do the work that I’m doing.

What advice would you offer to young women aspiring to venture into the business world?

If you walk into the room you hold your own and you stand in your power, then everybody must give you equal respect in the room. And I think that that’s one of the things that as women, we need to work more on for ourselves.