Today we’d like to introduce you to Lillian Swan.
Hi Lillian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In the summer of 2024, we were watching our kids play on our old foam water mat. It had a giant hole in the middle from when someone had jumped on it from a dock causing a rip entirely through the foam. Other than falling apart, we had other frustrations with the product. It was a struggle to roll up, and cumbersome to transport and store.
That summer pushed us to start looking more seriously for a replacement, but everything we found fell short of what we expected for our own family. So, we decided to build it ourselves.
Over the next several months, we focused on researching high-quality marine-grade materials and designing a product that could actually keep up with active families on the water and solve our frustrations with the foam mat. That process led to the creation of our premium drop-stitch inflatable, The Cannonballer.
We’ve since added some more accessories such as high-performance quick-dry towels, sandbag anchors, and fast air pumps. We built our brand for full-send families and people who want products that are functional, portable, easy to use, and genuinely fun, without sacrificing quality or durability.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
First the challenge, then the change. We’ve always believed everything is figureoutable. Locating the best manufacturer and materials, building a website, learning coding, securing retailers, and figuring out SEO and social media. it has all been a learning curve.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We design premium inflatable docks and portable beach and boat accessories that combine vibrant, design-forward aesthetics with top-tier durability.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how far we’ve pushed the durability of our inflatable docks. We tested them in extreme, real-world conditions. including: dropping a dock from 90 feet, driving and parking an FJ Cruiser on it, and running a tractor with a large tree log over it.
After all of that, the dock wasn’t damaged, still inflates perfectly, and holds air as intended.
I’m also really proud of the fairness in our pricing. Not only is our price competitive, but we actually include more than the typical offering on the market with some of the bigger brands. We include a pump, rope ladder, repair kit, and a shoulder carry bag with the mat.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Some people are surprised to learn we’re a husband-and-wife team building this from the ground up. We operate out of our home while managing warehousing locally here in Traverse City.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radpadzusa.com
- Instagram: @RadPadzUSA
- Facebook: @RadPadzUSA
- Youtube: @RadPadzUSA
- Other: Tik Tok: RadPadzUSA
