When Lauren Moore was 9 years old, she came home from school after a bad day, she asked her mom to take her to the fabric store.
After a few hours of sewing in her room, Moore had created a pillowcase that said “I’m Awesome” on it.
When her mother asked her why she made the pillowcase, she said “because it’s comfortable and helps me feel good about myself.”
Five years later, that day inspired Ursula Robertson-Moore, 2007 IUS graduate, to start a business and create inspirational pillowcases that are comforting, as well as comfortable.
“We are a new company building up slowly but surely, just trying to get the word out there about our product,” Robertson-Moore said.
Robertson-Moore started UPPERCASES with her partner and friend, Kris Faller, in May 2009. The two moms from Crestwood, Ky., met when their children attended elementary, middle and high schools together.
“Kris is very detailed oriented and she is very valuable to our company,” Robertson-Moore said.
Robertson-Moore and Faller bought a state-of-the-art direct digital garment printer that prints sharp, long-lasting images where the ink is in the fabric.
“We are a home-based business,” Robertson-Moore said. “We design, print and package out of my partner’s house.”
UPPERCASES offers more than 50 designs organized into different categories including “Up with Love,” “Raising Children,” “Up Words,” “Faithfully Yours” and “Lighten Up.”
The pillowcases can be found in gift shops in Norton’s Hospital, Baptist East Hospital and Floyd Memorial Hospital among other places.
Robertson-Moore’s interest in creating a business was peaked when she took the entrepreneurial courses offered at IU Southeast.
Robertson-Moore said the classes teach students how to write a business plan and students get to hear from guest speakers who speak about marketing and business.
“I am a major fan of IU Southeast,” Robertson-Moore said. “IU Southeast always makes me feel like the door is open to come back and ask questions when I need it.”
Robertson-Moore graduated from IU Southeast in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a minor in psychology.
“For an adult returning to school, IU Southeast was welcoming, encouraging and so supportive,” Robertson-Moore said.
Robertson-Moore’s decision to return to school came from having three daughters. The oldest of the three daughters at the time was getting ready to graduate high school and attend college.
“I have always pushed them academically to succeed,” Robertson-Moore said.
Jim St. Clair, professor of journalism, said Robertson-Moore was a delightful and solid student in class, and the kind of student professors love to have.
“I am not surprised she has used her skills in a very creative endeavor,” St. Clair said. “I am always excited when someone starts something new.”
Family is very influential in Robertson-Moore’s life, as well as in her business. Marla Moore, the oldest of Robertson-Moore’s three children, is a graphic design major at Murray State University.
“Marla does every design we have on our pillowcases,” Robertson Moore said.
Kathryn Moore, Robertson-Moore’s middle daughter, is a pre-med major at Murray State University.
“Kathryn came up with our biggest seller by far, which is ‘Good Morning, Beautiful,’” Robertson-Moore said.
Robertson-Moore said they come up with new ideas for new designs constantly from people who use their inspirational pillowcases.
“We get great ideas from people that we normally wouldn’t have thought of,” Robertson-Moore said.
With more than 50 designs, Robertson-Moore said UPPERCASES is now personalizing pillowcases.
“We are primarily an internet-based company,” Robertson said. “Anyone can go to www.uppercases.net and place an order online for any of our pillowcases.”
Robertson-Moore is excited about the future for UPPERCASES and for new possibilities. “I want to see our company expand and grow,” Robertson-Moore said.
She said UPPERCASES merchandise is currently in about 16 states.
“We hope to expand our internet base, and we know that Facebook and social networking is such a big part of marketing and we are working on that,” Robertson-Moore said.
“Success does happen,” St. Clair said. “I think Ursula has a terrific idea that will be very successful.”
Bad days happen, and because of one bad day, Robertson-Moore was motivated to create a business to inspire others.
“Considering the company was influenced by a young girl hurting,” Robertson-Moore said.
“Our dream has always been to comfort and inspire those who are hurting,” she said.
By NIKOLETTE LANGDON
Staff Writer
nlangdon@umail.iu.edu