This summer, with the help of our awesome Membership Intern Molly Miller, we’ll be maintaining a “Member Spotlight” blog series. It’ll chronicle the experiences of enterprises that are new to the reSET community. In this first edition, we interviewed Ryan Hannigan, co-founder of RBH Designs.

RBH Designs offers a proprietary insulating fabric called VaprThrm®, which is a comfortable vapor barrier insulation with high thermal efficiency. The company specializes in custom sewing and keeping customers warm from head to toe with mittens, socks, hats, jackets, capes, and blankets.

RBH Designs’ mission is to always provide an outstanding quality product and to continue to offer great customer service. The company also wants VaprThrm® to be known as an energy-conserving fabric. Beyond those goals, RBH Designs’ mission is to encourage craft production of local/domestic product versus mass-produced imports that rely on cheap labor.

What inspired you to start RBH Designs?

“As a teenager, I began hiking and backpacking and became a bit of a gear nerd. I found technical limitations/flaws with the common so-called waterproof/”breathable” gear. I learned of the vapor barrier concept, invented VaprThrm® and set the course.”

Why did you choose to become a member of reSET?

“We read about Connecticut benefit corporations, and found the concept of social enterprise and community networking appealing. Every business exists to make money, but that is not the motivating force behind RBH Designs. There are creative and social aspects that struck a chord and led us down this path.”

How do you see RBH Designs positively impacting the community?

“We envision a renaissance of small apparel and textile companies. This can range from highly technical markets, like research and design, to fashion and everywhere in between. We view a local core infrastructure that embraces collaboration as being beneficial. The growth and success of the business will provide jobs and enable us to fulfill programs that benefit people and the environment.”

What do you want your company to look like five years from now?

“We intend to transition from an LLC to a benefit corporation, helping us better implement and communicate our social and environmental initiatives. We began as a lean start-up and intend to continue to grow in a sustainable fashion. We aim to scale up, and with a concerted marketing effort, to have the VaprThrm® brand become widely known. As we grow, we will be able to acquire key technology and equipment that will help our efficiency, improve quality, and reduce waste. Growth will permit more freedom for research and sourcing materials, helping us to be a positive influence.”

Why did you start RBH Design in Connecticut? What do you hope to give to and to gain from the community here?

“Being born and raised here is the key reason. New England can have harsh winters, so it seems like a good home for VaprThrm®. Additionally Connecticut has a long history of innovative manufacturing companies. RBH Designs adds to the innovation. We hope to grow in order to offer programs that can benefit people by providing warmth, such as making blankets for the homeless, and by offering jobs with a special care for hiring folks with disabilities.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about being an entrepreneur?

“We have learned much through the years, some from books and some from our own mistakes. We believe tenacity is the most important thing for success. Just don’t give up!”

For more information on his work, contact Ryan Hannigan.