Until recently, Cheong-Choon Ng was a crash-test engineer for Nissan Motor Company. Now, life is a bit different for the 45-year-old Michigan dad, thanks to his invention that’s become a big hit with the preteen crowd.
Ng’s brainchild is the Rainbow Loom, a kit that allows kids to create colorful rubber-band bracelets using a loom and a crochet hook. As reported by this CNNMoney article, he began working on his idea three years ago after watching his two daughters making bracelets from rubber bands.
Once neighborhood kids began obsessively playing with an early rendition of the loom, Ng decided to take it to the next level. Among his toughest decisions: Investing $10,000 he managed to save for his daughters’ college fund.
Apparently the risk paid off. Ng told CNNMoney that a million or so of the looms have sold through various outlets. Michaels Stores (the arts-and-crafts retailer) began stocking the $17 kit in early August. It’s already selling ten times better than the chain’s next kids bestseller.
Here’s a video that shows one artist’s creations using the Rainbow Loom.
Late Blooming Entrepreneurs 
Interesting Lynne, we sell the looms and bands in our gift shop at the gym!! It has been crazy all summer!!
Kelly
Crazy in a good way, I hope. Sounds like it’s been a smart move to stock the looms in your gift shop!
Cute colors. I just might look for this for my grandson.
From what I’ve read, both girls and boys are into the Rainbow Loom. I bet your grandson would enjoy it.
Beautiful！
And creative! Who knew you could do so much with rubber bands?!
Reblogged this on Facing 50 and commented:
Great blog. A must read!
Appreciate the reblog — and the nice words!
These would be fantastic for the kids to put their own style on the bracelet. Neat idea.
There’s lots of room for originality, that’s for sure.