Since its conception in 2014, the brand ezpz has grown immensely, with a range of innovative products that continue to stay true to the company’s early commitment to safety and ease for parents and kids alike. From using naturally non-toxic eco-materials like silicone, to their unique placemat design that doubles as both a plate and an educational tool to help children develop fine motor skills, ezpz is here to change the way we look at mealtime. Read on as we interview brand founder, Lindsey Laurain, and learn more about how they’re making mealtime ‘ezpz’!
What inspired you to start ezpz?
“We have three boys and our life can be pretty chaotic, especially at mealtime, and my husband and I were fed up with the messiness and cleanup time dedicated to each meal. One night (in the midst of his frustration) my husband said, ‘Someone needs to create something kids can’t toss or throw at meals!’ The next day I hopped online and, low and behold, nothing existed. I taped a bowl to a piece of paper and, from that day on, I was committed to creating products that made family mealtime ezpz!”
What’s your favorite item in the ezpz collection?
“The Happy Mat will always be very special to me, as it was our first (flagship) product. I created the Happy Mat specifically for our messy toddlers, and we still use those “first generation” mats to this day! With that said; I am obsessed with our new Tiny Collection (the Tiny Spoon, Tiny Cup and Tiny Bowl). Not only are the products adorable, they are designed by a Pediatric Feeding Specialist to help baby learn how to self-feed and drink from an open cup.”
What are some of the main goals of ezpz?
“Our original mission was pretty simple. We wanted to make mealtime with infants / toddlers less messy, less stressful and more fun. The ezpz mats immediately made a difference in our lives, but we had no idea the impact our products would have within the special needs community. Thanks to the suction feature of our mats, there are many kiddos and adults with disabilities that are eating independently for the first time! We now have a Speech Language Pathologist on our team and work with medical professionals throughout the world to make a difference.
As our brand and product line continues to evolve, so do our goals. Our revised mission is to be the one-stop-shop for all your feeding needs…from baby’s first foods to your child feeding independently.”
Why do you use silicone in ezpz products? What are some of your favorite things about silicone as an eco-material?
“I fell in love with silicone when my search for materials began! There are so many things to love about silicone, but my favorite features + benefits are that silicone:
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Is built to last! It is bendable and flexible and doesn’t fade, corrode or deteriorate like other materials
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Has a non-slip + grip sensory aspect
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Is microwave, dishwasher and oven safe
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Is free of all the bad stuff (BPA, BPS, PVC, lead, phthalates, etc.)”
If you could have everyone on the planet do one thing to positively impact our changing climate, what would it be?
“Be more mindful. Think about what you are buying, why it exists, who it is from and where it goes when you are done with it.”
What do you do in your daily lives to live more sustainably?
“We do our best to teach our kids about sustainability, waste, recycling and littering. I will be the first to admit that we aren’t perfect, but we continually look for ways to be better. ezpz mats are a great example of one way to be more sustainable. Five years after our first batch of products were made, my boys are still using “first batch” mats! If we started with plastic or another less sustainable material we would have replaced their plates numerous times by now!”
How do ezpz products make being a parent just a lil’ easier?
“Ha! I am a mom of three boys (two of which are identical twins) so I am ALL ABOUT making the day-to-day easier! We’ve developed one of the leading developmentally-focused feeding lines on the market to do just that (make being a parent a little easier!). Below are a few of my favorite features:
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All of the mat-based products feature a patented self-sealing design with an integrated mat that makes transporting, eating, cleaning and storing ezpz
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You can stack and serve numerous kiddos at the same time
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The outer mat catches most spillage which means less cleanup
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Silicone is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe (score!)”
— Interview with Lindsey Laurain, Founder of ezpz
