Winter 2024 - 96

MEET THE MAKER
CATERING TO THE SENSES
Pinch Me's flagship product is its pliable, squishy
dough. The compound comes in a variety of scents and
colors designed to evoke pleasant, calming emotions.
Because people are drawn to different smells based on
their life experiences and personal preferences, the
company offers dozens of scents.
" In a nutshell, when we're stressed, what happens is
things in our system tend to run a little tight. We can
feel tense within our muscles, and then our breath also
becomes a bit tight, " Rothner said. " But we all have
a reflex that when we're around a scent we like, the
body wants to take it in. So there's suddenly just an
opening or an expansive breath that happens as a reflex
in response to the scent. "
According to Rothner, the dough's effectiveness
lies in its ability to subconsciously hit several sensory
aspects at once. In addition to opening the breath, it
draws attention to the hand. When the brain places
focus on the hands and fingers, it can act as a catalyst to
become more centered, Rothner explained.
" Going further, with the kneading or squeezing
action, it's giving tension a way to be released through
the fingers, " she said. " So even if it's in another part
of the body - maybe you're holding tightness in your
shoulder - by kneading and squeezing and releasing
out through the fingers, that gives the body a way to let
go of some of that stress. "
Rothner observes that as long as the customer finds
the scent and texture to be pleasant, tension begins to
release in as soon as one to two minutes.
BEHIND THE SCENES
While Pinch Me keeps its ingredients list proprietary,
Rothner said all ingredients have been tested and are
safe and non-toxic. Her one warning: There is a wheat
component, so it isn't the ideal product for
those with celiac disease. That said, she
has heard testimonials from nonceliacs
who are gluten intolerant
that the dough doesn't cause a
reaction for them.
" Everything is skin-safe, lab
tested and non-toxic, " she said.
" We use top-of-the-line oils
and essences to help make that
texture nice, velvety smooth. "
All products are made in-house
at Pinch Me's Delaware-based facility.
According to Rothner, the process of
making each dough is " labor intensive. "
" There's going to be a very thorough, complete
mixing component of ingredients, " she said. " Then, we
have a very delicate, precise heating process where the
96 WINTER 2024 GIFT SHOP® PLUS
temperature needs to be exact for a certain time. Once
we feel the mixture has become the texture we'd like,
there's a cooling process. Then, there's a process of
putting it into containers, the process of stamping it and
so on from there. "
Pinch Me also offers its dough in a locket form that
can clip onto purses or backpacks. In addition to dough,
the fragrances are available in face and body mists,
pillow sprays and stress-relief books.
Pinch Me's suite of scents includes Bumbleberry,
Refresh, Zen Beach and seasonal fragrances. Bestsellers
depend on region and demographic such as age, but the
two classic top-performers are Spa and Ocean.
" I really like Surf and Retro; lately, those have been
probably two of my favorites, " Rothner said of her
personal top picks. " But ask me on another day, and I
will have a different answer. "
MAINTAINING A MISSION
Using her clinical experience to propel her through
her own business venture, Rothner has never lost
sight of her original purpose: to present a drug-free,
as-needed product to reduce stress and help center
someone during anxiety.
" I live, sleep, breathe the field of stress relief and just
feel compelled to share what I know, " Rothner said.
" And what I know is that Pinch Me can be - and very
often is - very effective. So I feel compelled to share
that. The testimonials we've received from people
just mean the world and
show that it is doing
what it's designed
to do. "
Winter 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2024
