Frugal shoppers have a class project to thank for the Coupon Wallet. Nancy Kremin’s idea to create a wallet-type organizer for coupons grew out of a challenge a marketing instructor at the University of La Verne handed down to her years ago. The class instructor liked the product so much he thought Kremin should try to get the product made and then sell it. It’s been eight years since Kremin began producing the Coupon Wallet, and now she ships 50 to 100 units a day from sales through her website. “You cannot walk into any retailer and find my product, and that is my goal — to be in the retail market,” said Kremin, who operates her business Sophisticated Shoppers Inc. from Granada Hills. Until then, Kremin says she keeps busy by making the Coupon Wallet available through the website, eBay and other means. The product is getting some significant exposure. Dow Jones Local Media Group gave away the Coupon Wallet to new subscribers of its newspapers. Entertainment.com is packaging the organizer with their coupon books. Kremin even supplied a dozen green Coupon Wallets for the upcoming comedy “My Mother’s Curse” with Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen. Before her career as an entrepreneur took off, Kremin worked in marketing at Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries and established the park’s advanced funeral planning program. She left in 2005 to establish her own consulting and insurance business. A career defining moment came in 2008, when Kremin said she found herself spending more time with the Coupon Wallet than consulting. She transitioned away from the consulting business to focus on getting the organizer out to the public. “It was taking a step away from a secure income,” Kremin said. “It was hard work and there was a financial loss. It was not happening overnight.” Financial assistance to get the company going came from Kremin’s father, a dentist in Orange County. Two of Kremin’s sons help out with the packaging and fulfillment. Husband William, an electrical contractor, is her “cheerleader,” Kremin said. “Between his business and my business and our kids working for us on payroll we are very, very busy,” Kremin said. Kremin initially had the Coupon Wallet made by foreign manufacturers, but now has the product made in Sun Valley by R&G Manufacturing, itself a family business. Albert Sanchez and his parents operate R&G Manufacturing. The sewing company took on Kremin’s business about three years ago and her account is the one that brings in the most money, said Sanchez, who handles the business development end of the firm. “We do go hand in hand,” Sanchez said. “(Without her) I would definitely have to be looking for more work.” The Coupon Wallet is available in two designs and 140 color patterns. Some patterns will follow the seasons, while others are tied into national events such as the 2012 presidential election, Kremin said. While women are the primary shoppers in a household, Kremin does make patterns that would appeal to men. “We have one made with the look and feel of a basketball,” she said.
Coupon Clutter? Not In This Handy Wallet
