Every year, millions of people invest hundreds—sometimes thousands—of dollars into high-quality wigs and hair extensions. But for anyone who has ever packed for a trip, a recurring nightmare remains: how do you safely pack and store a wig without ruining its style?

Traditional solutions are far from ideal. Bulk mannequin heads take up half a suitcase, while fragile styrofoam heads easily crack and flake.

To solve this exact frustration, inventors O’Shea (Kyra) Stevens and Lorraine Harrison, founders of YEP (Young Entrepreneurs Platform), created WIGGO—a lightweight, collapsible travel device designed to protect wigs on the go.

Below is the breakdown of how these innovative founders went from a raw concept to an industry-disrupting product, navigating product development, intellectual property protection, and building a movement for women inventors globally.

The Birth of WIGGO: From Frustration to Innovation

The idea for WIGGO was sparked when O’Shea returned to the U.S. after living in the UAE for eight years. After purchasing a $300 wig, she immediately hit a wall when trying to store it properly while traveling. Local beauty supply shops recommended bulky mannequin heads or fragile styrofoam options.

Recognizing a massive gap in the market, she envisioned a portable, collapsible, and protective storage solution tailored for travel.

After joining forces with her partner and sister, Lorraine, the duo conducted market research and realized the potential reach extended far beyond casual wig wearers:

• Travelers & Trendsetters: Individuals seeking versatile hair options on the move.
• Medical Patients: Women experiencing hair loss due to alopecia, cancer treatments, or other health conditions.
• Entertainers & Performers: Dancers and club performers who rely on frequent hair changes.

With the global hair extension and wig market projected to hit $13.6 billion by 2026, protecting these investments became an undeniable business opportunity.

Product Features: Engineered for Convenience

Unlike rigid mannequin heads, WIGGO was built with specific travel-friendly specs in mind:

• Lightweight & Collapsible: Weighs roughly two pounds and collapses flat to fit seamlessly inside a carry-on or travel bag.
• Universal Accommodation: Designed to hold short bobs, synthetic units, human hair units, and long styles up to 40 inches.
• Heat-Resistant Materials: Built with durable, heat-safe casing to allow for styling and safe storage.

Blueprint for Success: Navigating Hardware Development

Bringing a physical hardware product to market as first-time inventors required a steep learning curve in engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing.

1. Protecting Intellectual Property (IP) Before sharing ideas with developers or manufacturers, the team prioritized confidentiality:
   1. NDAs (Non-Disclosure Agreements): Always secure a signed NDA before releasing 2D sketches or concept details to CAD developers.
   2. Patents: The founders secured domestic patent protection and initiated international patent applications to prevent design theft.
2. Prototyping & CAD Design Moving from a rough sketch to a functional product required learning CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, 3D printing, and testing multiple proof-of-concepts (POCs):
   1. They worked with product design firms (such as Mako and Invent India) to iterate through mockups.
   2. They navigated international language barriers, time zone differences, and male-dominated engineering teams who had never used or styled a wig before.
3. Smart Manufacturing Strategy To safeguard their design during early sampling, the team split assembly across locations—sourcing component parts separately before doing full product assembly elsewhere, with long-term plans to bring mass production to the United States to create local jobs.
4. Business Lessons on Building a Successful Partnership Beyond hardware innovation, O’Shea and Lorraine share a strong 50/50 business partnership built on clear boundaries and transparency.
   1. Put Everything on Paper: "A handshake is not a contract". Formalize equity splits, responsibilities, and financial commitments in legally binding agreements.
   2. Accept Strengths and Weaknesses: Complementary skill sets matter. Respecting each other's pace and style prevents burnout and resentment.
   3. Financial Transparency: Equity and funding contributions must be clear. If one partner covers an expense today, clear communication ensures the relationship remains balanced over time.
   4. Eat "Humble Pie": Healthy conflict drives innovation. Disagreeing on design or strategy is productive as long as mutual respect remains at the center.

Paying It Forward: Supporting Women Inventors

Noticing the distinct lack of seed funding and resources for female hardware inventors, O’Shea and Lorraine launched WING (Women Inventors Now Globally).

Through WING, they aim to:

• Provide Micro-Grants: Offering $500 to $1,200 grants to help aspiring female inventors cover initial patent applications, prototyping costs, or legal resources.
• Provide Mentorship: Guiding women through the process of patent filing, manufacturing negotiation, and product pitch development.
• Build a Global Network: Connecting female inventors across the US, Caribbean, Africa, and worldwide to share knowledge and change the narrative around women in STEM and device design.