The Stair Barrier

The Stair Barrier

Over seven years in the making, AB&L was able to help Janelle Fitzpatrick of The Stair Barrier realize her dream and bring her design to market:

“In 2008, I needed a way to keep our dogs and baby off our volute/curved bannisters and extra-wide stairs. The options on the market were neither attractive nor 100% safe given the jerry-rigging that was required to attach the gate between banisters. As is the case with many products on the market today, necessity was the mother of invention. When I couldn’t find a solution, I invented my own.

“After years of friends and family telling me I should start a business selling the fabric gate I designed for my own home, I took the leap of faith and left my executive recruiting practice to launch The Stair Barrier. I was told repeatedly that the only way my business would succeed would be to produce my fabric safety gate overseas. This was not the type of business I was interested in building. After many months of hard work and persistence, I found a manufacturer, an American fabric mill, and American suppliers for the multiple components of The Stair Barrier.”