Tanja Neubauer
Inventor Entrepreneur

Tanja Neubauer is both a give BIG and a start BIG story!  Tanja is a soccer mom, SAP whiz and now an inventor too!  Tanja has a patent pending and a trademark logo for the Fring-ez.

Just what is a Fring-ez? The Fring-ez is a tool that provides an easier way to cut fringe on the popular No-Sew fleece blankets. It is an adjustable clear acrylic cutting template.

The tool allows a person to place the fabric’s edge in it, then run a pair of scissors down a row of slots to cut fringe all the same length and width in a straight line. It can accommodate four-ply fleece and can adjust to cut fringe that’s two, three or four inches long and an inch wide. It can be used on any kind of material to make fringe on items such as blankets, scarves, pillows, and sleeping bags.

Have you always been inventive?  Not really, I'm not crafty at all. However, I always looked for ways to make a job easier and more efficient.

How did you come up with the Fring-ez idea? I was having a hard time making a fringed fleece blanket for my great niece. I don’t sew, and I’m not a crafty person at all. I had a terrible time cutting because I can’t cut straight.  I could not find a suitable cutting tool, so I invented one.

How do you market Fring-ez?  The Fring-ez, which sells for $19.95, plus shipping, can be ordered on Amazon.com, Etsy.com and at my website: Fring-ez.com.  I also now have a mini Fring-ez for half-inch-wide tab for small fringe.

So you are not just an inventor but also an entrepreneur?  I guess so! My first marketing venture was at the November Holiday Gift show at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio.  I'm not only inventing, but I had to learn how to source fabricators, understand packaging and all the other aspects of starting a business.

Where else are you selling your product?  I currently have 200 Fring-ezs in stock, which I sell on Amazon and at area shows, including at the recent Bargain Mania at Veteran’s Memorial in Columbus, OH.

What are you most excited about?  I'm hopeful my template will be featured on a national craft show!  What I'm most excited about is helping others. I hope the success of  Fring-ez will allow me greater resources to help the homeless and other community outreach programs in which I've become very involved with in the last year.

What has been your greatest surprise? My entire family looks at things differently. At first my kids (Neubauer and her husband, Scott, both IT consultants, have six children between them.) didn't understand why I was pursuing making this product. They are now seeing ideas for new products in many things they do every day!