The Idea, Inception, Production, Patent, Product

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Mari Mitchelson is the inventor and founder of the Leafhopper Hauler.

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After many years of working in her yard—planting, trimming, raking, and hauling—Mari began to feel the toll of the constant up-and-down motion required to transfer leaves, branches, and grass clippings into yard debris bins and bags. With severe scoliosis and blood pressure issues causing lightheadedness when moving from low to high positions, she feared her passion for gardening was coming to an end.

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Determined not to give up, Mari spent several years experimenting with different prototypes to reduce the strain. After many failed attempts, inspiration struck in the middle of the night: straps on the diagonal with Velcro closures. The next morning, she cut down an old blue tarp to 4'x4', sewed on two straps with Velcro, and—voilà—the perfect design was born. The combination of simplicity and functionality made the Leafhopper a hit with friends and family.

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Encouraged by multiple requests from her circle, Mari began manufacturing the original Leafhoppers in her basement while her kids were in school. Sales grew quickly, and she even landed an exclusive spot on the TV shopping platform QVC. Faced with a massive order, she secured a manufacturer in China and successfully scaled production.

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After years of persistence, Mari was awarded a U.S. patent for the Leafhopper in 2012. Today, the company is exploring opportunities to move manufacturing to the United States, continuing Mari’s mission to make yard work easier for everyone.