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Lounge N' Lax
Invention, business lead to role as advocate
Karen Hannon’s invention and business have fueled her passion for helping children and paved the way for her role as an advocate for the National Children’s Cancer Society.
Hannon created Lounge N Lax, functional children’s wear, which includes pants and matching caps. The products were born from her son’s problem with winter perspiration and her daughter’s aversion to having her hair combed. The caps feature either bamboo lining, which absorbs moisture and regulates body temperature, or a rayon fabric, which helps keep hair in place. The sets include a carrying bag and/or a teddy bear with a matching cap and they come in a matching gable box. The styles range from stripes and plaids to dots and paisleys, in sizes from newborn to children’s 14.
Her Porter County company, Xaydon LLC, is derived from her children’s names, Xandra and Aaydon. She started her endeavor, based at 6051 Canden Avenue in Portage, in April 2008 and she is currently the sole employee.
"I chose to launch the venture because there was no other product like it on the market. My passion for it was driven to getting the product into hospitals," Hannon said. "My first thoughts were geared toward newborns and infants, but becoming an advocate of childhood cancer made me more driven to provide a sense of higher mental health to boost their self-esteem about their appearance."
Watching her father struggle in the past crystallized how her product could fill a need for children facing cancer.
"My dad was paralyzed from the neck down and he never liked to be seen. I can remember before he got hurt he used to be such a dresser, but after he got hurt he just gave up. He would go to the hospitals for his six-month checkup and put on the same old clothes from the ‘70s, and we’re in the ‘80s and ‘90s now," she said. "(After getting him new clothes,) I raised him. I saw his self-esteem raise and I saw how much better he felt about himself.
"If I can take a child and make them look better on the outside it’s going to raise their self-esteem to where they feel a little better on the inside and not be so shy to go out in the public. I can provide them with something trendy and functional."
Hannon’s advocacy and company have converged with the launching of Fly 4 Life, a September charity event at Marquette Park, Miller Beach, in Gary that benefits the National Children’s Cancer Society.
Hannon chose September because it is childhood cancer awareness month and she received a proclamation by Gov. Daniels declaring Sept. 19 National Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.
"The event is a day for everyone and their families, even the community, because we all have bad days. We need a day where we can just breathe. The kites symbolize life. I wanted a day where everyone could put aside the thoughts of childhood illness, where parents and siblings could just breathe fresh air," she said. "It is a moment of peace. This is beneficial for all of the community because life has a lot of trial and tribulations. We all need a moment of peace."
In October 2009, Hannon sought marketing/PR assistance from Business Advisor Cindy Bertram who also has been a guide for business basics.
"She has led me to great networking opportunities, given me knowledge on obtaining business loans, provided me with resource materials and gone above and beyond on providing me with business referrals and connections. She is a very knowledgeable woman and I am honored to have her as my business advisor," Hannon said.
"(Resources like the SBDC) are important because if you are just starting out, in most cases, you don’t have the funds to hire someone to lead you in the right directions. With the SBDC, you can have a personal advisor free of charge to guide you and lead you down the right paths."
For more information, visit www.loungenlax.com.
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