Local pharmacist designs carrying case for iPads

By Gary Alan Ruse….

Vincent Smith is pictured with the special iPad carrying case he designed.

Vincent Smith, a local pharmacist who has lived in Miami for 20 years, recently tapped into a long-time interest in creating things and has designed a carrying case for iPads, which he is now beginning to market.

“I was inspired by the need for a different type of case from what was on the market,” Smith said. “I was going to be using the iPad out in public spaces here and on vacation and needed a simple case to carry it around. I have been designing products my whole life. I have a knack for coming up with ideas and bringing them to fruition.”

Smith saw more people using iPads and, based on his own experiences, set about designing a safe and secure case for carrying the popular devices. He put the features he wanted into his own design and started the line on his own.

“The Tip Tote bag was designed for people who use the iPad on the go whether for business, travel or everyday,” Smith said. “It allows you to carry the iPad with you while keeping your hands free. Its slim design adds protection by allowing you to conceal it under a jacket. It’s great for college students, and the pockets on the back allow you to carry cell phones and other things.”

Smith, whose offices are near Coral Way and SW 57th Avenue, has been working hard to make retailers and consumers aware of his product, and created a company, Peak Naturals Inc., to market it and other products. He also created a website where people can buy them directly.

But getting the product just the way he wanted it also took extra work.

“The biggest obstacle was finalizing the design with the manufacturer which is in China,” Smith said. “There were several weeks of back and forth with samples and tweaking the design to get it just right.”

The Tip Tote case comes in basic black with an adjustable shoulder strap, two strong Velcro closures to secure the flap and is padded and lined with soft fabric to protect an iPad from scratches and nicks. It measures 10 1/4 inches by 81/2 inches by 1 inch and sells for $39.99.

Additional colors and styles are in the works for next year, and Smith already has brought out a second iPad-related product to further protect the vulnerable gadgets. The Gripper is a flexible silicone skin that goes around the iPad to provide a non-skid surface for safe handling while still allowing access to audio jacks, buttons, ports, and power outlets. It comes in four colors and iPads covered with the Gripper easily fit within the Tip Tote case.

Smith said he learned something about himself in the process of working on the case and all the details along the way.

“I discovered how much I love designing products and bringing them to market,” Smith said. “The whole process is quite rewarding. It’s a passion of mine.”

For more information visit Smith’s website at www.TipTote.com.


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