As a mom who has experienced the sadness of having to leave a premature baby in their NICU isolette day after day, always wondering if he would get enough snuggles and love while I was away, I truly appreciate the Zaky Hand Pillow.

Zakeez are not meant to be used when you do have the option of being in physical contact with your baby–they are a helpful way to provide extra contact, security, and bonding for your baby when you are unable to be there. Whether it be because of prematurity or other hospitalization issues, separation of some sort, or maybe because you have twins and simply can’t be in all places at all times, the Zaky has the potential to be the helping hand you always wished for!

In 2001 Yamile Jackson had a medically fragile baby boy named Zachary. He only weighed 1lb 15 oz at birth. Zachary spent 5 long months in the hospital while he battled medical problems and survived against incredible odds.

While Yamile spent so much time in the NICU she noticed the many innovative ways the nurses used rolled up blankets to try to create soft barriers for these tiny babies, as a way to help the feel more secure and rest better. She started thinking of a product that would meet this need while also carrying the scent of the parent, be fully washable, be easily portable, and so on. The Zaky pillow was born.

Yamile was kind enough to answer some questions when I interviewed her:

Tell me how you got to the point where you were selling your product.

As I had developed a positioning and bonding pillow for my son Zachary,
when he was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a few months later
the nurses requested me to create the same pillow for the other babies in
the NICU. So that´s how we started to sell the Zakys.

How is your business going?

Our business is doing great! And we are entering in new markets
worldwide, last week a new store started to carry the Zaky in Middle East!
We are not only helping preemies but also kids with special needs, sick
kids, withdrawn babies, healthy kids who miss dad or mom while they work or
travel, newborn, etc.!

How do you juggle your business with the rest of your life?

It is just a matter of equilibrium and also having the right people at
the right time in the right place. Fortunately I have a great staff at
Zakeez Inc. who are all committed with the company and its vision, so we
work together as a team and that allows me to enjoy my life at work as well
as my personal life. Also for me has been very important the support of my
husband.

What future plans do you have for your business?

Continue to research and develop products to improve the quality of life
of children especially those born prematurely and sick kids.

What advice would you have for someone that is interested in starting
their own business?

To remember that if it was easy everybody would do it. So be prepared for
hard times.