An Interview With MugStir’s Judi Sigler

As MugStir gets ready to fly out of our warehouse and snuggle up to your mugs, we catch up with ideator Judi Sigler (also the brains behind Ember and our new “Super Bowl”). She totally can’t believe this is happening!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a mom of one beautiful 13-year-old daughter, Lydia, as well as a school counselor. I live in a tiny little town in Nebraska and get to work with 4 to 18-year-olds every day. I’ve had more education than I care to recite and I’m also an entrepreneur. I started and ran my own printing business in the past (still going strong almost 15 years later), then decided to challenge myself with a career in education. I love kids, museums, art, and traveling.

2. When did you join Quirky?

Joined Quirky in January of 2010.

3. How did you find out about us?

Through an article in Engadget, I think it was about the PowerCurl. I was totally hooked from day one.

4. When and how did you think up the idea for this product?

The MugStir idea has been percolating in my head for quite some time. I think preparing coffee in the teacher’s lounge and using communal spoons was a part of my motivation to come up with the idea. I don’t have an exact date of the idea concept, but I do know discovering the Quirky site is what motivated me to actually put something on paper and share it.

5. Had you tried to make this thing on your own already?

Quirky is the first and only place I shared the idea.

6. What do you think of the final product?

I am very happy with the final product. I was nervous in the beginning of creating the product because I had no idea what it would actually look like in the end. However, I think Jordan Diatlo did a fantastic job with the final industrial design.

7. In your opinion, what is the most innovative product ever invented?

I think the printing press is an incredibly innovative product. Mass printing and the spread of new ideas through printed media had an unprecedented effect on our world. The tedious amount of labor that went into setting type, the perfection of full-color printing, automating a sheet fed press, and many other innovations that stem from the invention of the press still fascinate me. It’s like magic to watch a blank paper become something.

8. What inspires you?

Travel inspires me, through trying new foods and interacting with vastly different cultures. Kids inspire me as well, they are so enthusiastic and I love the way they think.

9. What are some of your quirks?

Good question. Of course, I don’t think I have any, but if you asked my family and friends… I suppose they would say that I only drink milk from plastic cups, I can pack a suitcase like it was done at a factory, and I can operate an inordinate amount of heavy equipment, like Mack trucks and Caterpillar loaders.

10. What’s your favorite cereal? Deli meat?

Oatmeal that’s flavored and drizzled with honey and nuts is my favorite cereal. As far as deli meat, well, I’m from Nebraska and live way too close to the source not to mention that I likely eat prime rib and steak as often as some people eat deli sandwiches. In fact, I’m practically a vegetarian here because I don’t stock a separate freezer with half a cow or pig!  :)

11. Any parting words?

Thank you Quirky for bringing the MugStir to life! Nikki & Jordan for their extra work, and fellow Quirks Matthew Lanius, Kiwi, Jeff Jarosch, and Jerry Tirado. Thanks also to Matt Fleming for making a crazy video about my crazy idea too. I am so glad I found the site. I am so glad you have created a place to make invention accessible.