Editor’s Note: Welcome to another “Meet the Team” post — an ongoing series where you have the opportunity to get to know the Squatty Potty family on a more personal level. After all, Squatty Potty is about more than just enhancing the bathroom experience. We’re all about people and about our work family’s commitment to helping you and your family live healthier and happier lives. It is our hope that by getting to know us better through posts like these you will join us in our mission to change the way we poop, one “stool” at a time.
Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to the matriarch of the Squatty Potty Family, Founder and Co-Creator, Judy Edwards…
The face of a company known worldwide for helping people poop isn’t exactly what most kids dream of becoming when they grow up, but that’s where fate and family led Judy Edwards or “Mama Squatty,” as she’s called by friends, family, and colleagues. We can only surmise that after raising seven children, Judy eventually became too pooped to poop, which led to the birth of her family’s brain child — Squatty Potty. Judy, her husband Bill, and their son Bobby built their first Squatty Potty in their garage in 2010. Since then, she has become a squat-on-the-pot evangelist, promoting the health benefits of squatting to poop while helping to market our company’s products through TV, radio, and other media. To find out more about Judy, we recently sat down with her (yes, she sat; she didn’t squat) and asked her a few probing questions. Our questions followed by Judy’s answers and our snarky replies follow.
Squatty Potty: What did you do before coming to work for Squatty Potty?
Judy: I was what I like to refer to as a “work-at-home mom.” I raised seven children, which was quite a challenge by itself, but I also managed the books for my husband’s businesses and found ways to earn extra income out of our home — via online auctions, websites, and so on. I didn’t really think about it at the time, but I now realize that by engaging in those activities, I was nurturing my entrepreneurial spirit and developing valuable skills. I also began to appreciate the power of the internet and what a powerful tool it could be for driving business awareness, service, and sales.
Maybe having seven children and two adults sharing bathrooms drove the innovation of Squatty Potty — a device that helps people eliminate
Squatty Potty: Where did you go to college?
Judy: After graduating high school, I enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks, where I’ve been studying and offering tutoring sessions of my own for 50 years now. One of these days I hope to graduate, but then I’d probably just continue on to grad school.
Wow! You just took the concept of the “ten-year plan” to a whole new level. Are you sure you’re not a millennial?
Squatty Potty: Where did you grow up and what did you want to be when you grew up?
Judy: I grew up in Orem, Utah, on a fruit and dairy farm, where I learned early on the value of hard work. At one time, when I was sweet 16, I aspired to be a fashion designer, but I always just wanted to be a wife and MOM. And I am happy to say that my dreams have come true. I have been married now for 50 years (to the same man!), and I’m the mom, grandma, and great grandma to a gaggle of Edwards’ offspring. I love every minute of it and would not trade any of them (well, maybe one or two at some point in time, but we always manage to work it out). I can honestly say that they are all keepers, even my longtime boyfriend and hubby. All kidding aside I have done exactly what I wanted to do and am now surrounded by an amazing family and a successful business. Doesn’t get any better than that!
Wife, mom, innovator, and entrepreneur. You’re right, doesn’t get much better than that!
Squatty Potty: Unicorn Gold — which nonconventional scent should the company consider adding to the line?
Judy: Maybe something that smelled like pizza.
Thanks, Mama Squatty, you just ruined our favorite food for us . . .
Squatty Potty: What’s something most people would be surprised to know about you?
Judy:I have seven children, 22 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, I have been married to the same man (my high school sweetheart) for 50 years, and I started a successful business at the age of 60.
Let’s see, 60 minus 50 equals 10. For your husband’s sake, we hope you’re over 60, though you certainly don’t look it.
Squatty Potty: A penguin walks into a bar… what does she say to the bartender?
Judy: Well, if the bar was in Utah, she’d probably ask “Where’s the bathroom?” After traveling all that way from the Southern Hemisphere to Southeast Utah, she’d probably need a bathroom. That’s the first thing I’d scope out.
The perfect segue to our next question . . .
Squatty Potty: Toilet paper — over or under? And what do you think of people who choose the other option?
Judy:Definitely over. Under isn’t cool. It’s like someone’s playing a practical joke on you.
A horrible, awful joke indeed
Squatty Potty: What superpower do you have or would you like to have?
Judy: I would love to be invisible (there’s so much good I could see and do and no one would ever know).
Nope, we can’t allow that. You’re the face of Squatty Potty!
Squatty Potty: Please tell us about your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Judy: I am very interested in ancestry and family history and am an avid researcher. Whenever I meet someone for the first time, I ask where their family is from — their country of origin. I think it’s important to know where you come from and know something about your ancestors. It gives you a greater sense of purpose.
We’d love to hear about your family history. Perhaps another time.
