River City Six – Lisa Gill
Meet Lisa Gill, founder of TOSSIBLES.
Tell us a little about your business.
TOSSIBLES is a new innovation that ends commercial plumbing issues caused by flushing feminine products and cleansing wipes. TOSSIBLES are stylish, water-resistant, tear-resistant, earth-friendly envelopes that help women safely and securely dispose of tampons, pads, and wipes. They improve the hygiene protocol of commercial restrooms and plumbing systems while reducing debris entering water treatment facilities. The pilot program is ongoing right now, which provides local business owners a free dispenser of TOSSIBLES to experience the positive impacts firsthand. Feedback during the pilot program will help shape the final version.
How did you get started in the business?
It started because of a restroom sign! Commercial and workplace restrooms tend to hang “anti-flushing” signage for feminine products without providing a disposal tool. I was a frustrated consumer. The female bin or trash can did not address the gap of how to secure soiled hygienic items before discarding them. Open disposal was embarrassing, visually awkward, unsanitary, and personally messy. As a woman, it was easier to flush items regardless of the consequences. Therefore, I decided to create a solution. TOSSIBLES rewrites this experience by empowering businesses to protect their plumbing while providing a stylish, easy-to-use tool that women enjoy using.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
It is happening right now. Bringing a product to market for the first time feels like the Air Force analogy of “building the airplane while you’re flying it.” I am constantly learning new business skills and building relationships in an unfamiliar industry. It is both exciting and humbling.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
Taking the leap into entrepreneurship while maintaining my full-time job. Having ideas is easy but turning them into reality requires intense work. Leaning into my dream is the achievement.
Tell us a little about your family.
Growing up, Omaha was considered “the big city” because my entire family was from rural Nebraska. My father delivered livestock feed to farmers and my mother retired from a roofing company. My sister loved education and is now an Associate Professor at Nebraska Methodist College. My husband James and I have been married for five years and are both career civilians with the U.S. Air Force. I have one son, Kyle, who is 25 years old. He is my kayaking buddy and lives in Bellevue.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Asking James for a first date! He lived in Georgia at the time, and I had relocated back to Nebraska from California. It sounds weird, but we knew after the second date that it was meant to be. We long-distance dated for three years until he was able to transfer from Robins Air Force Base to Offutt Air Force Base. He often jokes that he moved here to upgrade from fiancé to husband.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
Getting into a kayak and floating down the West Nishnabotna River. Spending time with friends and family while out on the river is incredibly healing.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
lisagill@tossibles.com; tossibles.com