In an entrepreneurial journey that began with solving her children’s winter discomforts, Raquel Graham has emerged as a trailblazer in product innovation. Now, her company ROQ Innovation celebrates a significant milestone: the inclusion of its new Headlightz Pom Pom Rechargeable LED Beanie on Oprah’s Favorite Things list for 2024. This marks the fourth consecutive year that ROQ Innovation has earned a coveted spot on this influential holiday gift guide—a testament to Graham’s knack for creating practical, stylish, and functional solutions.
A Bright Idea Born from Necessity
The story of the Headlightz Beanie began with Graham herself, a dedicated runner who found winter evenings both too dark and too cold. The existing options on the market—such as bulky headlamps—didn’t meet her needs, so she set out to create a product that combined warmth, visibility, and convenience.
“I came up with the concept for Headlightz because I’m a runner, and during the winter, it gets dark really early, and it’s cold,” Graham explains. “There was nothing where I could find a product that could keep me warm and where I could see where I was going. The only thing on the market at the time were headlamps, so I created a solution that would keep my head warm, allow me to see where I was running, and also make it so that cars could see me. That’s literally how Headlightz was born.”
Graham’s innovative designs don’t just address outdoor needs. The Headlightz Beanie is a solution for a wide range of situations, from evening dog walks to power outages, making it as much about safety as it is about style. The light’s extended battery life—up to 10 hours—adds to its appeal, and its machine-washable acrylic construction ensures durability and ease of use.
Oprah’s Seal of Approval
Oprah’s endorsement is a significant achievement for any product, and the Headlightz Pom Pom Beanie earned its place on the 2024 list for its clever combination of fashion and functionality. As Oprah herself noted, “This good-looking pom-pom beanie has a rechargeable light, which makes it ideal for walks with the dog or a jog when the sun sets just a little too early.”
The selection coincides with the 10th anniversary of Oprah’s Favorite Things partnership with Amazon, making Graham’s success even more meaningful. The beanies are available on both ROQ Innovation’s website and Amazon’s dedicated Oprah’s Favorite Things store, offering shoppers convenient access to one of the season’s must-have gifts.
The ROQ Innovation Philosophy
Founded in 2014, ROQ Innovation operates with a mission to design products that seamlessly integrate practicality and problem-solving into everyday life. Graham’s first creation, the NEKZ®, was born out of her children’s resistance to scarves, showcasing her ability to identify and resolve common frustrations.
“When my kids were younger, they hated wearing scarves, and this became an issue, particularly during the polar vortex. They did not like the fact that scarves were bulky and itchy,” Graham recalls. “So one day, I just looked online to see if there was an alternative, and there were none. I went to fabric stores and cut and glued together some prototypes, had them sewn, and gave them to my kids. For my son, I created them with football designs; for my daughter, I did initials and blinged it out. They both agreed on one iteration they loved so much they never took it off. That is how NEKZ was born.”
This year, ROQ Innovation also introduced PFAS-free materials into its beanies, signaling a commitment to sustainability and the elimination of harmful “forever chemicals” from its wearable goods.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Graham’s entrepreneurial journey hasn’t been without challenges. Access to capital has been one of the biggest hurdles, but she has navigated these obstacles with resourceful solutions, from grants to innovative financing platforms.
“The biggest challenge—and I think this is for most small businesses—has been access to capital,” Graham shares. “I was lucky to have some savings and to lean on very creative financing, from grants to special little-known programs and friends and family until I could get some cash flow. Now, my situation is that I can get some products from the bank—not really as much as I’d like—but really significant financing is truly the biggest challenge.”
Despite these obstacles, her determination has propelled her forward. “I should have been out of business, oh my gosh, so many times. But out of nowhere, miracles happen, and financing appears, and opportunities arise. It’s about putting yourself out there and knowing there’s always a solution.”
Graham also emphasizes her unconventional approach to product design, which has been central to her success. “I literally couldn’t glue the prototype together for NEKZ or Headlightz. I’ll take pieces of something I like or show something as an example to the factory and say, ‘I like this stitch, I want it to look like this, but part of this and part of that.’ I may cut and glue something together. That’s usually my approach, and then I work with the factory until we come up with an iteration.”
Lighting the Way
Raquel Graham’s Headlightz Pom Pom Beanie is more than a stylish winter accessory—it’s a symbol of her ability to blend innovation, utility, and a personal touch into products that resonate with consumers. As her company continues to shine in the spotlight, Graham’s vision remains clear: solving everyday problems with creative, meaningful solutions.This holiday season, the Headlightz Beanie isn’t just illuminating the path ahead—it’s lighting the way for other small businesses and entrepreneurs inspired by Graham’s story.
Written in partnership with Tom White
