"I was inspired by my pediatrician to think the patent through and do more work on it a couple years ago," said Beeler.
She decided to enter the contest in July.
"I had wanted to enter the contest before but was hesitant because so many people from all over the United States enter. I thought, 'I'm from Liberty and could never be a winner."
She has learned that it doesn't matter where you live, anyone can win.
"I would encourage all moms to constantly think of what they could create to make their lives easier," said Beeler, who was selected out of nearly 1,700 submissions.
"There are thousands of ideas out there that have yet to be thought up, and the Mother of Invention Grant Program is inspiration to keep trying. My dream is for this invention to make a positive impact in homes and hospitals everywhere."
$7,000 grant
Beeler's first-place prize includes a $7,000 grant from Whirlpool Brand to help moms realize their potential by providing necessary business resources to launch their invention. Beeler also will receive a Whirlpool Gold PowerScour dishwasher and a Whirlpool Duet Sport washer and dryer.
She said her son has been fascinated with front-loader washing machines since he was 2 years old. He's always wanted a washing machine with a front window.
"He knows how to sort clothes by color and how much wash powder to put in a load of clothes," she said. He can do a load of laundry under her supervision. "Every time we go to Food World, he wants to buy Tide (wash powder) instead of candy," Beeler said.
Beeler also is ecstatic about her prize. "I'm really excited to win," she said.
She's even more excited about attending a boot camp in October at Whirlpool headquarters in Benton Harbor, Mich., where she and the other winners will have the opportunity to meet Julie Aigner-Clark, one of the judges for the competition. It will include roundtable discussions on topics critical to starting a business.
Aigner-Clark and others will help Beeler and others expand their inventions.
Beeler, a Sunday school teacher and former entrepreneurship educator, finds passion in caring for children.
She is also founder of "Kidtrepreneur Kits," a program that encourages children to make, save and invest money.
