DALLAS – Medtrade attendees at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas cast votes last month for their favorite products in the New Product Pavilion, sponsored by HomeCare Media. A close vote on the final day earned the gold for a remarkable new product called the Jover Walker Cover from Pennsylvania-based Jover.
The idea for the stylish walker covers first came to Mary A. Schuleri (founder) about 18 years ago when her mother experienced complications from a surgery. Normally positive and upbeat, Schuleri’s mom became depressed by the walker’s presence. “I really could not believe it,” Schuleri recalls. “We’re giving these dreary metal walkers and people—like my mom—want to feel better.”
Schuleri introduced Jover to the market in November 2023. Like many overnight sensations, the process began long before that. Medtrade Monday sat down with Schuleri to learn more about the product, its origins, and its potential to raise the spirits of an aging population.
Medtrade Monday: Why do you think Jover walker covers seem to improve moods?
Mary S. Schuleri: It gives people an opportunity to continue to express their identity as they age or face unexpected mobility challenges. My mother ended up passing away, but I was determined to give that opportunity to my father when he needed a walker.
Medtrade Monday: Were you able to make that a reality?
Schuleri: I gave him a prototype Jover on Fathers’ Day about four years ago. He was entering into an assisted living facility at the time, and the Jover made him the star of the facility. For four years with my father, all I gave him was different Jovers—seasonal Jovers and football team colors. I believe the product also targets gift givers. To see someone’s excitement really pushed me to want to do more.
People were texting and e-mailing me saying I should be on Shark Tank. Not only did my dad enjoy that and the attention, but it was a conversation starter. From that point on, I said, ‘I’ve changed one life, I’m going to try to change millions.’
Medtrade Monday: What did you do next?
Schuleri: I patented the product and built the right team around me. They believe in this mission, and I have enjoyed every part of this journey—from learning the patent process to manufacturing and choosing fabrics.
Medtrade Monday: What was the process for choosing a fabric?
Schuleri: You want something that is going to be easy and safe for the consumer—washable, functional with four pockets. I tested a variety of different fabrics and now we’ve got a polyester that does very well. Packaging is important, so we want the packaging to share our brand, our journey, and to show off the product.
Medtrade Monday: What other reactions have you been seeing?
Schuleri: This product is all about individuality, how it makes people feel, and even how it matches what they are wearing. I was in a diner the other day meeting with an advisor and somebody walked in with a plain metal walker. I just happened to have a Jover with me, and I walked over to the woman with the walker. I shared my story and I ended up putting on a pink Jover on her walker for her and it happened to match her pink sweater. She e-mailed me later and told me it had changed her life and that she now feels hip and jazzy. These stories continue to support my mission to change the way people feel about having to use these metal walkers.
(left to right): Kerry Tyler, associate show director, Medtrade; M. Kristen Hyatt, co-founder, Jover; Mary A. Schuleri, founder, Jover; and Hannah Wolfson, HomeCare Media.
Medtrade Monday: How difficult was it to create a design that would fit most walkers?
Schuleri: It was not easy at all, and that’s probably why it has not been done before. It was very difficult. I had to tweak things continuously to be able to support 99% of walkers.
Medtrade Monday: What was the reaction at Medtrade?
Schuleri: The reaction to our product was overwhelmingly positive at Medtrade by attendees and other exhibitors. Somebody either wanted to sell it or they wanted it for their parent, grandparent, or friend. It was absolutely amazing. It showed me that all the time, resources, and money I’ve spent over the last 18 years was worth it. It was an unbelievable experience to hear everyone come by and talk about how this is such a long time coming.
I also received a lot of feedback from distributors and independent pharmacies saying that they find that there are people using the wrong mobility device because they don’t want to use the plain metal walker. They’ve been using the rollators because of the colors, but really they need to be using the metal walkers.
Medtrade Monday: What’s your level of optimism at this point?
Schuleri: We have been selling and testing the market in the mid-Atlantic area with my distributor, Acuity Medical, so Medtrade is helping us go national. People feel the same way as I do about this mission. Whether a need for a walker is a natural consequence of aging or the result of a trauma, people deserve to have options that inspire, provide function, and lift spirits.
To learn more about exhibiting at Medtrade, CLICK HERE.
For questions about exhibiting at Medtrade, contact Kerry Tyler at [email protected]
