‘Hug Patrol’ of Newmarket is SBA’s 2022 New Hampshire Home-Based Business of the Year
Meeting Lynne, a self-proclaimed “Hugger,” it is not hard to see why she is finding success in her business. Lynne Beernaert is a woman who is incredibly passionate about her sewing, her mission and motto “Live Free and Hug” and so much more. Lynne started her company LB Comfort LLC dba Hug Patrol in 2015. Sewing has always a passion for Lynne. She grew up watching both grandmothers sew. She learned to sew in economic class in her Jr. high school and has not stopped since. Over the years, she has made everything from a custom wedding dress for her best friend, a three-piece suit for her uncle, and matching outfits for her three daughters and their dolls. Over time, her sewing life followed a path towards making weighted wraps and other sensory items.
In 2020, Lynne decided to focus her full-time attention to the business. Hug Patrol produces weighted wraps and weighted “Dream” blankets that are made in New Hampshire from 100% cotton fabrics sourced from the USA. The weighted wraps, available in a variety of sizes, can be heated or cooled, and either scented or unscented. They blankets are offered in three sizes and are 100% washable and weight adjustable.
Due to Lynne’s great customer service, the business has expanded its wholesale accounts with Whole Foods where Hug Patrol wraps are now featured in 6 of their locations. Lynn has earned a reputation for being dependable and responsive to her customers’ needs and even revised her packaging to suit Whole Foods’ shelfing requirements. Hug Patrol also sells direct to individuals of all ages and walks of life around the country who are looking for a therapeutic wrap or blanket to help deal with stress, anxiety, poor sleep, or other needs requiring a natural support as a source of comfort. Hug Patrol is also an approved vendor for the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) and a vender for the State of NH.
Lynne is from a skiing family and was deeply inspired by her father who was a member of the National Ski Patrol. Lynne was particularly aware of his commitment, and this was the inspiration for ‘Hug Patrol’. Lynne’s father proudly wore a pin on his sweater with a cross logo and who proudly adhered to the creed “service and safety.” This mission, spreading care and concern for others, was instilled in Lynne by her dad - it was the same mission he had on the ski slopes. Lynne proudly shares that story as the basis of her business and even uses the word “Patrol” to honor her father.
Lynne has actively volunteered for the NE Healing Sports Association (NEHSA) as an adaptive ski instructor since 2004 and has also volunteered at the Colorado National Disabled Veterans Winter Clinic four years in a row.
Lynne began working with SBA resource partner, Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC), business advisor Andrea O’Brien, for her expertise and business management assistance. Andrea commented, “In the last few years, since I have started working with Lynne, I have seen a businesswoman who is willing to invest her time and money to tackling the challenges in front of her. Lynne Beernaert is an entrepreneur with tenacity. Lynne has said of herself, “I am not a quitter!” and I must agree, she is a marvel. Lynne has overcome personal challenges, leveraged her skills as a seamstress, and has learned good business management skills to build a homebased manufacturing business that supports her. She keeps broadening her skill set and growing her business.”
Lynne is a community-minded business owner and used her sewing skills to donate over 500 masks during the pandemic. Two of Lynne's daughters are part of the medical field and during the initial stages of the pandemic Lynne was acutely aware for the need of facemasks and so she dedicated her manufacturing activities to making facemasks for frontline workers and anyone helping patients. She also has donated masks at elder care facilities.
Another example of Lynne’s commitment to the community prior to the pandemic, Lynne had completed negotiations and was approved by the State of NH Department of Corrections as a contracted work duty company and was able to hire the residents as a workforce. This is an opportunity for the correctional institution and residents who had expressed an interested in learning the upholstery trade and sewing for Hug Patrol. She is soon to reengage with the NH Dept. of Corrections to employ their residents who what to learn the trade.
While visiting ‘Hug Patrol’ at the Made in NH Expo, the SBA witnessed Lynne interact with several people. One couple came by, and according to the woman that whispered to Lynne she shared that her husband had not spoken hardly after his second stroke. The wife sat down beside her husband and Lynne “spoiled them” by offering her weighted wraps to them both. The husband was adding more words the longer we sat! Following a few tears and hugs, they spoke to Lynne and to each other, and she learned that the man and her dad worked in the same factory many years ago. They had more in common than you could imagine and after the 15 minutes or so of experiencing the wrap and the weighted lap blanket the man started speaking French. That was something to see and hear. Lynne’s passion and compassion are proof that she is changing lives in what she is doing. What a delight! If you haven’t seen or heard about Lynne’s weighted wraps and blankets you should because Lynne is a compassionate entrepreneur who truly cares about the impact of her products on her customers.