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Laura Scotford ’86 Named Westminster College Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year

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Posted on Monday, May 1, 2017

Laura Scotford ’86 was named Westminster Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year during the School of Business annual entrepreneurial banquet on April 10, 2017. Scotford won the award for her outstanding success as an entrepreneur. Nominees were reviewed by School of Business faculty. Based on input from the faculty, Mr. Jesse R. Ligo, professor of accounting and chair, selects the award winner. Scotford, founder of Simply Sensible Ltd, graduated from Westminster in 1986 with a B.A. in Management Science (School of Business).

“It was a pleasant surprise and a wonderful honor to be selected for this award,” said Scotford. “My time at Westminster built a foundation and gave me the confidence to pursue a career that I truly love.”

Founded in 2005, Simply Sensible Ltd is an organization located in Poland, Ohio with a warehouse in Boardman, Ohio that is primarily a manufacturer and eCommerce retailer of Magic Bumpers Foam Child Bed Rails. Magic Bumpers, invented by Scotford, were the first alternative bed rail on the market to eliminate the risk of entrapment caused by traditional metal bed rails.

Magic Bumpers are foam wedges designed to keep children from rolling out of bed and small enough to fit under a standard sheet. Its non-slip surface stays in place when set directly on a fabric mattress and can fit any size bed. Described as “cozy” and “comfortable” by consumers, Magic Bumpers have been praise for their convenience and reasonable costs when compared to bulkier bed rails for children.

Before inventing Magic Bumpers, Scotford worked for Mobil Oil Corporation in Buffalo, New York and later returned to Youngstown, Ohio to work as a retail advertising sales representative for the Vindicator in 1989. After a brief stint with The Prodigal Media Company Advertising Agency, Scotford became a homeschool educator for grades K-4 in Poland, Ohio.

She currently resides in Poland, OH with her husband John, twins Sam and Sydney, and youngest son Jim.

Professor Jesse R. Ligo says all those who attended the banquet were encouraged and inspired by Scotford's presentation about how she grew an idea into a web-based company that meets and exceeds customers' expectations.

“It is the intention of Westminster's School of Business that all our students, not just those who are in traditional entrepreneurial roles, strive to think entrepreneurially within their own sets of responsibilities and unique work situations,” added Ligo.

The School of Business established the Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2014 with Robert Jazwinski '75, JFS Wealth Advisors, as the first recipient. In 2015, Dave and Robin Gooch '75 '75, VAM Associates, Inc., were honored. David Robbins '82, a serial entrepreneur from Silicon Valley, received the award.

To learn more about or to purchase Magic Bumpers, visit www.magicbumpers.com.

For more information, contact Tom Fields at fieldste@westminster.edu or 724-946-7190