BizSugar.com › Startups › Secrets of Success: Karen Hill Krolow and Helen Tyler - Forum.web.com

Meet: Karen Hill Krolow (above, right) and Helen Tyler (left), the cofounders of H&K The Poppet Company. The women brought varied backgrounds to their company—Karen was a high school art teacher and a corporate VP, while Helen has a background in the film/TV/online distribution, music, retail and hospitality industries. Karen, from Wisconsin, and Helen, from England, had their Aha! moment after eating in a chilly air-conditioned restaurant. They realized women needed a “portable garment that was practical, protected & packable, but stylish and flattering.” So after making their prototype out of a shower curtain and safety pins, the Pocket Poppet was born. The Pocket Poppet is an open-front travel cardigan that folds into its own attached water-repellent pocket for portability.