ZIPPLICITY

FEARLESS FLIGHT

INNOVATIONS

OF THE WORLD

As Featured In:

INNOVATE® Kansas City

As Featured In:

INNOVATE® Kansas City

Zipplicity is a New Breed

It’s a suitcase in disguise, “un-luggage” if you will. It’s an ingenious innovation for the world of travel.

As commercial airlines continue to raise baggage fees and restrict carryon size, Zipplicity Un-luggage plans to change the way travelers pack for travel.

Beginning with Trial and Perseverance

Three years of sickness and pain had diminished Amber Waldeier’s existence to very little. Eating and movement caused pain—but responsibilities continued—she struggled to take in 500 calories a day. Using every bite and every step to make the most impact from the least amount of effort, she aimed to do only these things: Take kids to school cheerfully, Make dinner daily, and Read bedtime stories at night.

Zipplicity can hold up to five pounds of your belongings and double as a pillow. “Think how well you could sleep on a trip knowing no one will mess with your valuables!” says Waldeier, “The substance of the pillow feels like a weighted blanket on your shoulders
and has a calming, grounding effect, customers report.”

Celebrate Living Life

When Waldeier’s health was restored by a fourth surgery, she and her husband were taking their kids to the ocean for the first time, Waldeier brought the same focus and efficiency to the celebration. “How much for baggage fees? … No! We will use the cash—that is not going to pay medical bills!—EVERY dollar will go toward memory making and fun. I am ready to live!”

The Waldeier family (left to right) Graeme, Amber, Heath and Scarlett. Waldeier’s three year illness knit their family together in the way only adversity can. They now love planning their next family adventure together.

An Idea Takes Flight

Waldeier discovered unutilized real estate around her very neck. Her family was able to overpack for eight days at the beach with Zipplicity Neck Bags and backpacks (not checking a bag) and use the ‘baggage fee cash’ to take an additional excursion: Swimming with dolphins.

“Fear Won’t Hold Me Back”

With a new lease on life, Waldeier pursued a patent for her product, and established a business. “Learning to ask for help in sickness, crowdfunding was the natural way to begin production,” Waldeier recounts, “Fear is the only thing holding me back. I’m going for it, I am not going to let fear keep me from what could’ve been.”

Zipplicity Un-Luggage advertises that it is simplifies travel for families. A child can fit a week’s worth of clothing inside her
patented Zipplicity Neck Pillow.

“WHAT DO I HAVE TO LOSE? I’M NOT GOING TO LET FEAR KEEP ME FROM WHAT COULD’VE BEEN.”

Longest Layover Ever

Awarded its patent in 2022, Zipplicity Un-Luggage re-launched the brand after the ‘Longest Layover Ever’ a.k.a. global pandemic. Travel hacks are rising in popularity due to multiple baggage fee increases by airlines. Waldeier touts that “Zipplicity’s time is now. This bag is a must for every traveler.” With second year sales increasing by 450%, customers agree.

Made in America

Manufactured in the Kansas City Area via a network of micro-factories, Zipplicity Un-Luggage produces a quality product with efficiency. Sewing bundles pass between Waldeier and her Stitching Team in a seamless system. Zipplicity contracts with all-local: marketing, fulfillment, sewn product engineers & stitchers. Kansas City’s wealth of entrepreneurial resources is what Waldeier credits to her success. “I’ve had multiple mentors at every step,” Waldeier says, “Kansas City is a gold mine for entrepreneurs.” Zipplicity Un-Luggage’s production is truly a homegrown enterprise.

Giving Back in the Heartland

“We have looked for free avenues of advertising like publications and travel bloggers.” TikTok appears to love Zipplicity’s playful videos with multiple clips with millions of views, one even reaching 14 million views worldwide. All the attention fuels Waldeier to give more. She speaks at schools inspiring young inventors and donates bags to foster kids. The founder’s adversity set her on a path to help her community.

The Future is Packed with Goodness

A second product launched May 2024. The Lil’Zipper: A Packing Cube for Your Purse. Zipplicity Un-Luggage reports they will deliver a full line of travel innovations to bring brilliance and ease to travelers.

Soaring Across the Nation

The day before Thanksgiving 2023, Reagan Porter at Fox4 Kansas City reported on Waldeier and her business. Porter had wanted to do this story for a year and a half and finally her managers allowed it. The story went national over the holiday weekend (while all America traveled, watched TV and shopped online!) with over 45 syndicate stations airing the two minute story. See the article with the QR code below.

Zipplicity received $90K in sales in one week and delivered all orders by Christmas. “We tested out high gear!” Waldeier’s eyes light up, “Now we know we’re ready to enter the Airport Retail market.” Zipplicity will be in airports across the country in late 2024.

Waldeier is a woman to watch, growing a business built by taking the next step fearlessly.