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128 Birch Street
Boston, MA, 02131
United States

(617) 390-4076

Invent Boston designs and develops original products to add science + whimsy to  every day tasks at home.   Our first product is a Two Minute timer, Two Minute Turtle, a visual timer. The Two Minute Turtle helps children and adults focus on two minute tasks such as brushing teeth, physical therapy, taking a shower and speaking (practicing a presentation or learning a language).

The Art of Persistence is All Around Us: Part ii

Invent Boston™, Home of the Two Minute Turtle Timer™

Invent Boston™ blog offers tips and stories by parents, for parents of children ages 4-12 to make toothbrushing and other healthy habits at home, more fun. We write about simple tactics to help kids do what they like to do-touch, seeing, play games and strive for independence. We recommend products to help stay healthy while being kids. We share stories to transform daily healthy habits from something kids resist (for example, toothbrushing, handwashing, toilet training, organizing, taking time-out or pausing, yoga, and taking turns) into something children are motivated to do independently, without parents’ reminders. The original physical product Invent Boston has designed for families is the new light-up Two Minute Turtle Timer, an analog, interval toothbrush timer to make brushing teeth fun for kids. Kids like to press the button, follow the flippers and brush until all the lights blink—the Victory Lap signals to brush the tongue.

The Art of Persistence is All Around Us: Part ii

Virginia Berman

Boston’s oldest Hardware Store, Owner

Boston’s oldest Hardware Store, Owner

A Mini-Series on Persistence
Persistence! Part ii
The Ace Hardware in Roslindale has been around since 1888. Joe, the long-time owner, knows something about persistence. He sells essential things every home needs such as variety of washers, nails, keys, special soaps, and garden tools. He’s there when I need a tool or a boost.

Joe enjoys his work. He’s in the store every day, still today even with the pandemic. His family has told him now he must stay in the part of the store where customers don't go.  He's helped Invent Boston develop and test this Two Minute Turtle Timer by selling it.  He answers my questions on hardware and business.

A short Q&A with Ace Hardware Owner Joe, and Invent Boston

Q: What was the hardest year for your business?

A: The year Home Depot opened in Boston. 

Q:  How did you get through that tough time? 

A: I had to reduce my store size by half. I had to let go of most of my staff. I got rid of my delivery trucks and eliminated the entire paint section of the store. It was tough.  I went into business because I like people. In my mind, no one should go into business if they don’t love to help people. That’s why I like what I do, because I like people.

He's still here decades later, still serving.  Roslindale residents are grateful for the persistence of him, a family business owner. When we’re talking Joe pulls out a box of home made baclava from behind the counter. “One customer gave me these because I designed a hook to meet his particular needs. This is what I like.” Joe loves to see people, help solve their problems. Luckily for our neighborhood, he has a tangible way to do just that.

Joe, his local family-run business, are local, living legends of persistence. I know he’s got much more to share, his story, and perhaps we’ll learn more another day. In the mean time, he’ll give us a boost or a tools we need. His son now works with him every day continuing the tradition of helping the community make our home and garden homier.

Note: When our new Two Minute Turtle Timer needed to test out being sold in stores, who was the first one to offer shelf space to the newcomer? The veteran shop owner, Joe and Ace. Forever grateful! The Turtle Timer is now available the Birch Street House and Garden and on our webstore

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