ROBERT MAZUR:
Co-founder of B.A. Maze, Inc., in Detroit. The company was established in 2002 to invent, trademark, and distribute innovative products that enhance independent living. Mazur is the inventor of the DogGone Opener® PurrFect Opener®, and PurrFect Gripper™. The DogGone and PurrFect openers are handheld tools used to open prescription and over-the-counter medications and the PurrFect Gripper™ is for difficult-to-open jars and bottles. The products are featured in participating Bed Bath & Beyond stores and on the QVC Home Shopping Network. Mazur’s award-winning business plan for B.A. Maze won him four prizes totaling $80,000, including the grand prize and $25,000 in the SCORE/Ford/Diversity Inc. B-plan competition and $25,000 from the state of Michigan’s Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest. The company recently quadrupled sales of its homecare products at Bed Bath & Beyond stores, beginning with a 10-store pilot in Michigan and expanding to 45 stores nationwide. B.A. Maze is a client in SmartStart, TechTown’s business accelerator program. Mazur has seven years of automotive engineering experience. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Technological University and his MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
