Founder Portraits: Richard Smith

November 29th, 2019

Following the death of a family friend after she had a seizure in the shower, Richard Smith set out to fill the void in the assisstive home devices market by founding Shower Belt. Shower Belt is a drowning and injury prevention device designed to provide better personal protection for people susceptible to falls while showering. In particular, Shower Belt is designed to protect individuals with epilepsy and other neurological and muscular afflictions, and the elderly, from suffering secondary injury due to water exposure. 

Tell us about how you started. What is the problem you are trying to solve and what inspired you to take action through starting Shower Belt?

Richard: I started this company after the sudden loss of our family friend Natalie Fryzak (pictured above). Natalie drowned in the bathroom due to an epileptic seizure. She was 21, in her third year of University and her whole life ahead of her. With Natalie's passing, I researched the United States and Canadian patent offices looking for a device to solve this problem and sadly found nothing. Being a certified welder and metal designer I decided to do something and in September 2018 I had my proof of concept confirmed by Doctor Susan Nurse, the former director of Epilepsy Ontario, who then introduced me to the Ontario Brain Insitute. 

The bathroom is the most dangerous room in the home for the 350,000 Canadians living with Epilepsy and 4.5 million seniors with limited balance and mobility. A fall is bad – but a fall with water beading on you if you are unconscious, or as you try to regain control and mobility, is really bad. Shower Belt stops the flow of water after a fall, removing secondary injury from water exposure. Drowning, scalding, partial drowning leading to paralysis are now controlled with the use of Shower Belt. 

What were the initial challenges you encountered while and how did you overcome them to end up with your final product?

Richard: The creation process started with making a photo reflective light beam that worked great in the lab, but as soon as it was put in the shower, everything steamed up and failed. Going electric proved to be problematic. I then realized: gravity is free, so design with that! The product we have now is simple to use, easy to install, and benefits the whole family. The journey to creating an end product is the willingness to test and repeat with inexhaustible enthusiasm. I think about Natalie's funeral and I don't want anyone to experience that. To offer people a new way to protect themselves is the biggest thrill of my life. The people I have met on this journey are the reason why I stay motivated! I get back so much love from the families and consider myself blessed to be in a position to help people, it's a win-win relationship!

Why did you apply to the Social Ventures Zone?

Richard: I realized that to bring Shower Belt to market I would need a team. The Social Ventures Zone at Toronto Metropolitan University agreed with me that the high risk communities are undeserved and Shower Belt fills a large void in home protection products. The SVZ connects me to talented alumni and industry leaders so that I may ask the right questions and receive the right answers. Shower Belt will be on the market in 2020 and the SVZ played a large role in making that dream a reality!

What is your favourite part about being a social entrepreneur?

Richard: I love being a social entrepreneur because it allows me to recognize a problem and with the right energy and time, attempt to solve it. I will be able to leave this planet better than I found it and that feels amazing! Helping others is the best gift you can give yourself.

What has been some of the highlights for you while working on Shower Belt? 

Richard: Christine Jamieson, Miss Canada 2019, has come on board to be our spokesperson. Christine is a person living with Epilepsy. She also has a degree in Communications and is building our website! One of the highlights of working on Shower Belt is feeling the gratitude from the people I help. To have someone say "you're an angel" or "thank you for thinking of us", It helps you connect with the greater good of mankind.

What’s next for you and Shower Belt?

Richard: We are only a few months away from launching. The production product has been tested thoroughly and the in-home testing with our volunteers has been a great success. Once everything is ready then it'll be time to start garnering media support. Its time for a pleasant change!