Customer service was bad Kingsdown Mattress Mattress Review Art Van Furniture Manager Review Art Van Furniture Customer Care Review Lack of customer service for warranty claims All Art Van Furniture locationsJoin us this year as we explore unique products and incredible sights that make Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and Michigan an incredible place to live. Meet Amber Kroeker, a working mama of three and the creator of Pip and Grow, the company that makes Smitten, an infant bassinet sleep box developed in Ann Arbor. While Kroeker worked as a pediatric injury prevention health educator at the University of Michigan, she was perplexed by the number of infant deaths related to unsafe sleeping quarters. To understand why this was happening, Kroeker started conducting research with other safe sleep experts, and they found that parents were choosing convenient places for their infants to sleep versus cribs or other safe sleep spaces. Inspired by the Finnish sleep box tradition, Kroeker developed the Smitten Sleep System an easily transportable infant sleep space out of a cardboard box with a fitted mattress.
Ann Arbor Family talked with Amber Kroeker about her passion for this product that all started right here in Washtenaw County. What role did the University of Michigan play in the development of Smitten? I was awarded a grant from the University of Michigan that was called the “Fostering Innovation Grant” that helped fund the project and develop the prototype, and I partnered with the Michigan State University (rivals partnered in doing good) School of Packaging to help design the prototype. While in Ann Arbor, I built a network of amazing women, many of whom were affiliated with the University of Michigan. We call ourselves the Lovely Ladies Club or Sparkles. Every year, the Sparkles reunite somewhere in the country. Last September, I was telling the women about my rough prototype and the struggles I was having getting the project off the ground. They immediately wanted to help. Fast forward one year and two of the ladies are my business partners and the others are on our advisory committee.
It is amazing what can be accomplished when you have a village around you! What aspects of Michigan are unique to the culture that may have helped support the creation of your product? Living in Ann Arbor, I experienced a small town feel with many opportunities. I watched so many people in the community and other Michigan cities, like Detroit, working to do great things that were impactful throughout the world. Being a part of the Michigan culture gave me the confidence to believe in my product. Pip and Grow is committed to manufacturing Smitten in theWhere is the product made and why was this location chosen as the production site? The Smitten boxes are made at Landaal Packaging in Flint. It was important to me to find a manufacturer that treated their employees really well and the employees at Landall are being paid a living wage with benefits. We also chose to hire the Detroit Garment Group that was founded by Karen Bushemi. It is a great company that is an exciting example of the reintegration of Detroit.
What gave you the drive to keep going? I could not have done it without the support of my village and by being brave. I am so grateful for everyone that has been incredibly supportive, for Ann Arbor, and for the University of Michigan for helping my idea become a reality. or Facebook to learn more about Smitten.Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Ann Arbor Univ. Michigan Area 3155 Boardwalk Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan48108 United States BOOK ONLINE OR CALL RESERVATIONS 24 MI/ 38.62 KMGet Directions Book With Us Advantage We promise you access to the guaranteed best available prices, or your first night is free. Your room is guaranteed. We do not charge any booking fees for making reservations directly with us. Data Privacy and Site Security IHG takes your privacy seriously and works to protect you. All personal information you provide is encrypted and secure. Welcome to Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Ann Arbor Univ. Michigan Area
Holiday Inn and Suites University of Michigan AreaPreferred Hotel of the University of Michigan Athletic DepartmentEastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College and Concordia University Kids ages 12 and under stay for free when sharing their parents’ room.Up to four kids ages 12 and under eat free any time of the day in any Holiday Inn® on-site restaurant. *View Term & Conditions for Details. Jump City: Inflatable playscape, most suitable for children ages 2-10 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Zap Zone: Laser Tag, most suitable for children ages 10-16 Buhr Park: local outdoor park with hiking trails, playground, baseball & soccer fields United States, Canada, Central America, South America, Mexico, Caribbean Wired Internet Available in Rooms, Suites, Business Center, Public Areas and Meeting Spaces.Standard wired Internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club membersWireless Internet Available in Rooms, Suites, Business Center, Public Areas and Meeting Spaces.Standard Wireless Internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
Multiple pick up and drop off locations that service Ann Arbor and neighboring Ypsilanti. .Complimentary Local Area ShuttleComplimentary Daily Self-Parking is available No pets allowedService Animals AllowedNo pets permitted. Guide or Service animals permitted, please contact hotel prior to arrival to notify if you have a service animal. American ExpressVisaMasterCardDiners ClubCarte BlancheJCBDiscover Smoke-Free FacilityNumber of Floors: 5Total Number of Rooms: 107Number of Suites: 18Number of Non-Smoking Rooms: 107Number of Accessible Rooms: 7Connecting Rooms Available Accessible Hotel AreasPublic EntranceGuest RoomsElevatorsPublic RestroomsRegistration DeskExercise FacilityBusiness CenterPoolNumber of Accessible Meeting Rooms: 2Hotel Areas with Accessible Routes from Accessible Public EntranceRegistration AreaAccessible Guest RoomsBusiness CenterMeeting RoomExercise FacilityPoolProvided by HotelAccessible Self-ParkingVan Accessible Self ParkingRamp AccessPortable Bathtub SeatsClosed Caption TVsTelephone with TDDVisual Alarm/Alert in Guest RoomsVisual Alarm/Alert in Public SpacesCommunication Kits with Visual Alarms