Core77

A company called Zibra started out as a bunch of friends discussing the "Hassle Factor"--annoyances that come from using poorly-designed everyday products. Ever have a wrestling match with a spent, sticky paint roller? Why are paint trays so messy? How about the half-hour you have to spend taping off the molding in a room before you can paint it?

The group of women that make up the company decided to do something about it:

...instead of accepting the flaws inherent in many traditional products, Zibra seeks out fresh solutions to old problems. We talk to friends and neighbors. Listen to professional users. Organize fun, innovative brainstorming sessions with women across the country. We question everything.

The result? Breakthrough products that really do work better... Improvements that make so much sense, you'll wonder why you didn't think of them first.

Above, three of their ingenious products (left to right):

1. The Roll-N-Release paint roller, which pops off, and into the trash, at the touch of a button.

2. The Even Load paint tray, which tidily and uniformly loads paint onto your roller.

3. The Edge-N-Roll, which cuts down on prep time by allowing you to paint next to molding and trim without having to tape those areas off.

Have an idea yourself? Zibra wants to hear it: Click here, then click on "Why We Listen."