Meet Renee Preston | Inventor & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee Preston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business was born out of necessity. I had a problem that I needed to solve and I believed that I could solve it. So, I must say, that the product “Air Banditz” evolved from my belief in an idea.

In my career as an orthotic and prosthetic technician I spent much of my time working independently. I really enjoyed my job because it required a lot of creative analytical thinking. I had the privilege of creating, fabricating, modifying, and adjusting orthotic and prosthetic devices for the orthopedic department at a children’s hospital. On a daily basis, I saw how comfortable, well-fitting braces and artificial limbs allowed children to live more productive lives. These devices provided the assistance they needed to do what they do best, be kids!

Working in this environment convinced me that I could also create and fabricate a device that would assist me holding my earphones securely and comfortably in place. Like so many others, background music, audio books, and podcasts took me to a mentally peaceful or energized place where I could do my best work.

My employer only permitted me to wear only one of my wired earbuds. Since it didn’t fit very well in the first place, it kept falling out of my ear! This was extremely frustrating and I wasn’t willing to give up the privilege of listening to my music or audio books. I became so determined to create something that would hold my “one” earphone comfortably in my ear all day. It took me months to finally figured it out and I had an incredible sense of accomplishment!

I was so excited that I began talking about my invention and sharing it with others. Surprisingly, I found that other people were having the same frustration of ill-fitting earphones that kept falling out. Hence, Air Banditz were created for us all!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. While I’ve enjoyed working for others, working for myself just feels right. Owning my own business is a liberating avenue of service to others. I’ve been self-employed before, but I’m most proud of inventing Air Banditz and owning Air Banditz, LLC. Why? Because Air Banditz is an innovative solution to a problem that many people have.

I’ve enjoyed the creative process, but when it came to launching the business I was completely lost! I unsuccessfully tried to learn how to launch my business through countless hours searching and viewing you-tube videos and other online resources. I nearly gave up from making so many mistakes! Not only were my mistakes disheartening, I was also quickly running out of money trying to take care of myself, my home, and starting a business.

It was not easy. The challenges of running and financing a successful business became very overwhelming. This heightened my anxiety causing stress in every area of my life. I found myself in “fight or flight” mode and had to make “ride or die” decisions. I had to stand on principle and make life altering choices such as resigning from my job and selling my home in order to create a sustainable life that I could enjoy.

I’ve learned to stick and commit to myself. I’ve learned that accepting help is absolutely necessary. I’ve learned to trust the process. Along the way, I’ve also learned the difference between fear and courage, faith and reality, success and failure!

I want the world to know that my motives are pure and I am humbled by the journey. My life has been full of challenges that I’m grateful to have experienced. I believe these challenges have galvanized my desire to push through.

My brand is built upon the mind-set that “every decision matters”. I believe that every decision has a monumental impact on future outcomes. It is my goal to make people feel like they matter, their dreams matter, their focus matters. When our focus is clear and our process is uninterrupted, the prospects of achievement are immense!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Places near and dear to me:

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo located in NW, Washington, DC: (connecting with creation)

I love this place because it’s the home of western lowland gorillas. Gorillas are my favorite animal. I love to sit and watch them. They appear to always be in deep thought. I like to imagine what they’re thinking. They have a deep persona, connection, and playful spirit at times.

Spiced Kitchen: (connection with heritage)

This is a restaurant I recently discovered. I researched my ancestry and learned that I’m 45% Nigerian. I was so happy to learn that. I then embarked on a journey to experience my Nigerian culture through food first. I saw this restaurant highlighted on the television news one morning and decided I must give it a try. Besides, they were an up and coming business like myself, so I felt compelled to visit them. I was delightfully surprised and experienced authentic Nigerian cuisine that I immediately fell in love with.

Red Rooster Restaurant in Harlem, NY (fun, iconic atmosphere with good friends):

I was listening to an audio book entitled “Our Harlem” by Marcus Samuelsson. The author is an Ethiopian and Swedish chef that prepares dishes exploring the African American culture in the hub of iconic Harlem, NY. It is my desire to visit this specific restaurant for awesome food and good music with great friends.

Old Town Alexandria: (picturesque old town feel with good food, bars, and small shops)

My family lives in Alexandria, VA. Some of them work in nearby Old Town Alexandria. It’s postcard perfect. To walk along the narrow sidewalks cluttered with bistro tables and dog-walking residents. Bars are just situated on the water. The close-knit hustle and bustle of residents and visitors mingling throughout the day. To be weaved among the locals and explore Old Town is a day well spent.

National Harbor Ferris wheel: (child-like fun):
“The Capital Wheel” ride. Who doesn’t like sipping on a tasty cocktail while enjoying an amusing ride in a climate-controlled gondola overlooking the nation’s capital with a view of the Washington Monument, National Harbor and the Potomac River. Going on this little excursion at night is most inviting because the wheel lights up amidst the lights of the city.

Anywhere near water: (reflection and meditation)
The sound of water is soothing and relaxing. It sets the tone for mindfulness with reflection and meditation. It doesn’t matter if you’re near a brook, a stream, a river, or the ocean. Just the presence of water embraces connection and deep thought.

Mountain Views: (perspective)

Being in the presence of mountains. Visiting the Blue Ridge Mountain range is so humbling. Mountains are so huge and majestic that they have of way of making you come to terms with how small we are relative you the world and universe.

Gifts given at end of visit: (good reading)

The Bible
The Lost Art of Listening
The Warmth of Other Suns
Who Moved My Cheese?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes. I’d like to absolutely give shoutouts to the following:

My children – They are my responsibility to love, support, and guide. Leaving them a legacy and promoting generational wealth is an achievement that I hold near and dear.

My ENTIRE family – Their support, love and encouragement (especially my Mother Vera Norman and my two sisters Lora Kelso and Vanessa McNair) kept me afloat mentally, financially, and emotionally.

Audio books – My passion. Whether self-help or a good novel, listening to books provided a portal where I could go for personal growth and well being.

My brand manager, mentor and coach – India Sage Williams! She is God-sent! She gave me the knowledge, support, direction, and encouragement that reinvigorated me! She guided me with insight into a place that I had no idea existed. She believed in my dream, picked me up, dusted me off and said “You can do this!”

Website: Myairbanditz@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airbanditz/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@airbanditz