None incomparable in our diabetes community has to be told that we have a lot of issues with schlepping supplies just about. And information technology's always nice to throw slipway to personalize our dribble options and make them "ours," right?

Well, that was whimsey that hit a fellow type 1 in France touchy in respective years ago, when he desperately wanted some personalized carrying case options that fair-minded didn't exist at the sentence. So, this French gentleman, Michael Mina, decided to make out something about it. Helium socialist a career in the auto industry to act on his own small business that would sell diabetes cases you could personalise happening both sides with a design of your choice — or even your own photo — and by swapping extinct the inside parcel to best fit the meter and supplies you use up.

His little home-grown boutique biz founded in Fléville Devant Nancy in north French Republic is named Septenar, in honor of a extraordinary A1C end that he set knocked out to achieve many years ago. It's a perfect fit for our Small But Mighty serial publication, highlighting small businesses launched by and for passionate PWDs (people with diabetes).

Hither's a little intro to SEVEN:

We were happy to connect with Michael recently, to chat more about his new enterprise offering these cases worldwide, and to listen the backstory about what led to his musical theme and where the future May deal him.

DM) Michael, tooshie you start by sharing your diabetes diagnosing story?

MM) I was diagnosed in May 2007 when I was 32. Like most diabetics, I was very threadbare and I drank a lot. My furbish up prescribed me a blood test and titled ME at my office to herald the consequence: HbA1c 11%.

At once, I was hospitalized for one week and I learned quickly to speak "diabetes."

Unfortunately, I knew about diabetes already at that clock. My older sister was diagnosed two years before ME, and she was 28. My sister took time to accept the disease, but the fact that I became polygenic disease too helped her. Forthwith, we were able to discuss our daily difficulties. Just at that time, I was not truly self-aware of the routine life with diabetes. For example, I didn't think information technology was necessary to cipher the dose of insulin according to what we eat. Thus, I developed in mental calculation after my diagnosing!

How did you decide to start marketing provide cases?

At the beginning, I didn't give care about the case… many things were more all important to learn. But I was having 1 of those days, and I knew what hoped-for me was my blood sugar meter in a gloomy, black case. How morbid! Why shall have I to see a black case each day?

Thus, 7 was born — let's bring to a greater extent color into our daily lives.

What did you do professionally at that time, and prima up to this new diabetes business venture?

I worked in the car industry in the logistics section for Renault. But I ever wanted to produce something by myself. I decided to leave that accompany to produce cases for medical equipment. Lots of people said to me, "You are crazy! You had a good chore!!" My feeling thereon was, OK… merely it's more gratifying to think that my case brings, peradventur, just a little happiness.

Thusly the cases are meant to be cheerful?

I would like, even if just a little, that these cases will brighten ours days especially for children. OK, we are sick, but wherefore should we have atomic number 102 case that we are happy to see? For example, I customized my case with a picture of my children so when I control my blood glucose (and need to draw ou my supply shell), I'm happy to construe with them.

What's behind the name, 7?

Just a nod to my HbA1C goal when I was in the hospital.

Have you hit that A1C end?

I suffer hit unitary goal the first year, acquiring an A1c of 6.4. But my levels were irregular and I had very much of hypoglycemia. Straight off, I balance my glycemia much better through a lot of sports — mainly mountain biking. Every twelvemonth, I give myself a sports gainsay. In 2014, it was the Rock candy XC Challenge in mountain biking, which is 51 miles in eight hours.

When did you actually start selling your cases?

I started my business in Anatole France in June 2014, and about one month agone started merchandising them all over the world.

What are they made of, and how many styles and sticker choices doh you offer?

They are made from thermoformed fizz. You can choose a incase with whatsoever exemplary of stickers. On that point are 14 different models, 7 especially for children. Or you can choose to print your own picture on the poser. In that respect's retributory a single determine: your imagination!

What makes your cases different from other personalized ones out there?

Theses cases will last you for a very age. They have stickers to apply along each root of the case. When you want to switch the color of your case, just go back to the site and order a new sticker! There is also an elastic privileged if you want to change your medical equipment. Soh when you change your blood glucose meter, for example, you can keep the same incase, and scarcely orderliness the new housing insert to make it fit right.

What do they cost, and are you offering whatever vacation deals?

No unscheduled deals, because the prices are already calculated at the lowest likely point, so that a maximum number of PWDs can capitalize of theses cases. So, they are 2150 Euros ($26.64 dollars) for a case with one of the pre-made stickers or 31.50€ ($39.03) for a case with your own envision.

Any specific plans or goals for the future?

I would the like to break cases for insulin pumps using the identical concept.

Nifty creative idea, Michael! Thanks for taking the initiative to offer a new customizable option in the diabetes supply cases universe.