Susan Clayton, founder of RunMitts, LLC, served as a running coach for Back on My Feet, an organization dedicated to assisting those living in homeless shelters. Their early morning runs at 5:30am took place in all weather conditions, even during the bitter cold winter. The icy air would often leave her hands in pain, burning as they thawed. One day, observing a teammate wearing old socks on his hands for warmth, she was inspired to develop a solution. She crafted a prototype for convertible thumbless mittens and through three years of effort, she secured a patent for her invention in 2015 and founded RunMitts, LLC in 2016.
Despite her lack of manufacturing expertise, her prior experience co-owning a successful hair salon for 27 years gave her the confidence to venture into this new endeavor. Unfamiliar with manufacturing and retail, she chose to produce the mittens locally in Maryland, contributing to the growing effort to maintain domestic needle trade jobs. This approach not only benefits her company but also supports local job creation. Over time, she transformed RunMitts, LLC from a direct-to-consumer business into a brand whose mittens are now available in run-specialty and outdoor retailers nationwide, highlighting the strong demand for the product.