MINNEAPOLIS -- Less than 80 days after graduation, Martha Pietruszewski and Jake Portra are full swing into the venture that they and a few other students started.
“I volunteered helping kids on the autism spectrum when I was younger,” Portra says. “I really enjoyed that experience. I saw kind of the unique talents of people on the autism spectrum and at the same time things they struggled with. I thought hopefully we can make a product that allows them to forget about those difficulties when they're at school."
Portra says that is the reason he got on board with the idea of Nesel Backpacks.
“The original conversation was around backpacks and autism and we kind of came up with this,” says confounder Martha Pietruszewski.
The idea is a backpack similar to a weighted vest. Some studies have shown that weighted vests are calming to those who may be in the autism spectrum.
“Our backpack has a hugging strap. The straps are wider at the bottom and its really meant to hug you,” Pietruszewski says.
The company is also a finalist in the student division if the MN Cup which is one of the premier competitions for local entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses and win prize money to grow.
To learn more about Nesel Packs you can visit neselpacks.com.