There’s always time to learn something new.
That was especially true in March, April and May.
Mahomet’s Haken Anderson learned how to sew, and how to make masks during the first months of the Illinois stay-at-home order.
His classmate KJ Jackson spent part the better part of July learning how to put ribbon, hooks and beads together so that mask wearers would have a safe, on-person way to keep their PPE when it wasn’t tucked behind their ears.
Both boys utilized the expertise of their moms, Bonnie Anderson and Susan Jackson, to get the task done.
“She kept me going,” KJ said.
When the project became monotonous, Susan nudged her son to stick with it.
“I started to like it more and more,” KJ said. “It’s just nice to have her there to like know that she’s got my back.”
Bonnie has stepped in to help Haken more than once, too. Once Haken learned how to sew from his mother in their basement where she teaches sewing lessons, Haken’s business took off in a time when there wasn’t enough PPE yet masks were being encouraged.
“There have been times when we got like a lot of masks on a short deadline, and I had to get a little bit of help so that we didn’t fall behind too bad,” Haken said. “And so that’s been really helpful.”
But, for the most part, Haken works on his own. His mom said he’s kind of an expert now.
Haken has made 1,100 masks and is currently taking orders for the 2020-21 school year.
The Jacksons were some of Haken’s customers.
“I gotta say he does, he does a great job on them,” KJ said. “I really do like mine.”
Haken uses a cotton, patterned fabric for the front of the mask, then adds a high thread-count Egyptian cotton lining for maximum comfort and light-weight for breathability. The masks have double reinforced stitching for durability, and elastic loops plus a triple-pleat design to prevent side gaping.
They are machine washable and guaranteed through the duration of the pandemic.
The Jacksons took their masks on a day trip to Turkey Run. Susan mentioned that it might be nice to have something to attach the mask around their neck instead of sticking it in a pocket or laying it somewhere that it might get stolen or dirty.
As soon as a shipment from Amazon came with the supplies, the duo started putting what they now call “mask savers” together.
Even though Haken had already started a website and had orders coming in, he welcomed KJ’s accessory to the mask. The Andersons took photos of KJ’s mask saver and they have included his product on their website.
“That’s really helped me grow my business,” KJ said.
“I think he understands this business a lot more than me, because he’s been on it for a few months,” KJ said. “It’s really nice knowing that I could talk to him about what I should do, for how much, how many I should make each day.”
Haken has also inspired KJ to save the money he earns through sales.
The mask saver runs at $1 per piece, although bulk orders can be made at a discounted price. Haken is running a back to school special on his masks. They can be purchased for $5 or 5 for $20.
Masks come in youth and adults sizes. The customer chooses from a variety of fabrics that are displayed online. Once a size and delivery method are chosen, payment is accepted through Venmo or PayPal.
KJ believes his mask saver will be helpful for students and staff at school. The Illinois Department of Public Health requires masks to be worn in the building or when students cannot be six-feet apart outside.
“You’re not going to be able to eat with your mask on,” KJ said. “You’re not going to want to take it and leave it somewhere that it’s going to get lost or like messed with. So, instead of putting it on the table or putting it on your seat, you can just hang it around your neck and then you won’t have to worry about it as much.”
Masks and mask savers can be ordered at hakenbacon.com.
