Aimee Roberson, the Founder and CEO of Meister Solutions LLC, epitomizes the spirit of entrepreneurship rooted in a legacy of action and determination. Drawing inspiration from generations of “doers” before her, Aimee’s journey into entrepreneurship feels like a natural progression shaped by a lifetime of leadership and engagement.
Starting her career in advertising and media relations within the motorcycle industry, Aimee Roberson thrived in the fast-paced and dynamic environment. However, her sense of purpose underwent a profound shift when she chose to embrace the role of a stay-at-home mom. Far from a departure from her professional life, this new chapter became a testament to the versatility and depth of her skill set.
Raising three children became a fulfilling career in itself, where Aimee Roberson leadership skills and adaptability were put to the test daily. Yet, it was amidst the diversity of experiences and interactions during this time that the seeds of entrepreneurship were sown. Observing the need for innovation and improvement in various aspects of daily life, Aimee found herself drawn to the idea of creating something new and impactful.
This vision culminated in the birth of Meister Solutions, with Aimee Roberson at the helm driving forward with her patented invention, DryMeister®. Rooted in her belief in finding better ways of doing things, Aimee’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of observation, adaptation, and relentless pursuit of innovation. Through Meister Solutions, she continues to embody the legacy of her predecessors while carving out a unique path of her own in the world of business and invention.
Below are highlights of the interview:
What inspired you to establish this company? How does this initiative reflect your life purpose and vision for making a positive difference?
The inspiration to establish Meister Solutions originates from a lifelong dream to invent something. The reality of that happening is slim, but when I couldn’t find a solution to a problem that was driving me nuts, my idea became an invention worth pursuing. Aimee Roberson starting a company is something that gives me purpose in my day-to-day, but it isn’t my purpose in life. I believe my life purpose is to love others and be a positive influence and an encourager along the way.
How do you measure the impact of your work, both personally and through your company, in supporting individuals to actualize their potential and become their best selves?
‘I’ll just do it myself because then I know it’ll get done the right way’ is probably a common mindset of entrepreneurs, mine included. There can be a lot of truth in that, but a leader has to let go sometimes and delegate. Letting go while still supervising allows for teaching moments, but it’s hard to measure the impact I’ve had on others in these situations. Personally, my kids are probably the best testament to the ways I’ve poured into them and guided them over many years. They are independent, capable adults now who have the skill set to make good decisions for themselves.
Professionally, I try to bring the best out of the people I work with. Aimee Roberson a lot of times I tell them my hope and goal are to have a result that we can all be proud of. I have a team mentality which makes working together really fun. We need each other for direction and execution, and being on a winning team is the best reward. I just hope that anyone who has worked with me so far has felt valued, appreciated, and motivated to do their best.
How do you integrate character development with the acquisition of soft and technical skills in your framework?
Character development is a lifelong process, and I can say without a doubt that starting and running a company builds character. The road to inventing a tangible product has many speed bumps and potholes. On top of that, the steep learning curve I was on was exhausting. Although my soft skills got me through a lot of tense moments, my lack of technical knowledge was extremely frustrating. No one is going to hold my hand and walk me through the endless facets of this project, so I had to get resourceful and learn as much as I could in the shortest amount of time possible. Thank you, YouTube and Google. I’ve been in business for almost 4 years now and I’ve matured in new ways and gained technical knowledge that I can tap into on the fly.
What are your long-term goals, and how do you envision its evolution in the coming years?
My long-term goals are three-fold: increase sales through brand awareness and marketing, expand into retail, and either license or sell DryMeister to the right strategic partner. Inventing a product and taking it to market doesn’t come with a manual. It took me 2 years and 2 months, to be exact, from company formation to my product being sold in the marketplace. My first big lesson was that “brand awareness” is a real thing. How do you make people aware of your company and product when no one knows you exist? How do you convince people that your invention is something they should want and need?
As a self-funded startup, my budget is extremely limited, so I have to be resourceful and strategic about where my dollars go. Brand awareness takes a long time, and it’s all a bit of an experiment to be honest. You have to take risks and try a lot of different things to get exposure, whether it’s through social media, advertising, sponsorships, press releases, or in creative ways. When I travel, I keep stickers with me that have my logo and URL, and I give them to people who are filling their reusable water bottles at airports. It’s an inexpensive, personal way to gain customers. I’m pretty sure Mark Cuban would be proud.
As brand awareness grows, I still plan to stay under the Amazon umbrella for the long haul and expand into retail at the right time. I am educating myself about all the moving parts required to sell wholesale. It’s extremely complicated and involves a lot of different processes that are both fragmented and streamlined. Ultimately, my end goal is to license and / or sell DryMeister to a company that’s the right fit. It would be a great accessory to a product line, or an addition to one. I stand by my product 100% and believe it’s a game changer when it comes to drying the inside of containers. It’s a solution to a common, relatable problem that’s very aggravating.
Looking back on your career journey, what advice would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders who are navigating their own paths?
As I’ve learned over the years, an entrepreneur’s path is never a straight line, but we all have to start somewhere. Overall, I encourage people to seek wisdom from others who have gone before them. We all need to do our own due diligence before establishing a business. Once the framework is set up, keep your eyes on the end goal and prepare yourself emotionally for the highs and lows that come with this journey. It will make the successes that much sweeter, and the tough times that much easier to work through. You are the only one who intimately knows your business. Don’t compromise. Don’t get lazy and settle. Believe in yourself and have the confidence and courage to make the decisions you know are right.
On a personal level, what brings you the greatest fulfilment and satisfaction in your work and mentoring others?
The older I get, the more I appreciate that life has many seasons. I would guess that most of the people I’ve worked with on my entrepreneur journey are younger than I am. I have learned so much from them, mostly about current business practices, processes, and trends. My kids still have an edge on me, but I’m catching up which has been an unexpected perk. It just enrichens our conversations because I understand this part of their lives. I never expected to invent, patent, manufacture, and bring a product to market. But now that I have, the sense of accomplishment is overwhelming. I’m not done yet, but I really hope I have inspired and encouraged others, not just in the work that they do, but in the way they do it, and the way they treat others. As I go further into this new season, I feel fulfilled having another dimension to my identity. After being a hands-on mom for so long, it’s easy to stay in that role, even when the kids are on their own. Life is an iterative process, and we all have to be open to change, because you just never know what opportunities lie ahead.
Website: drymeister.com
