Two Women Found a NOVEL way to Share the Joys of Midlife Changes
Meet Barbara Kimmel & Joanne Fsadni, Co-Creators of Perrie Meno-Pudge® in Harmony, FL
PERRIE MENO-PUDGE®, a grown up cartoon for women at midlife, was created 4 years ago by Barbara Kimmel and Joanne Fsadni, two long-time (now baby-boomer) friends and corporate graphic designers in New York City. The character was created one evening while out to dinner with their families. Their husbands were talking about fixing something, their kids were nudging each other and the designer duo were lamenting about the ‘joys’ of life at midlife. They took pen to napkin, and by dessert, they had imagined a family with PERRIE MENO-PUDGE® as its lead character.
Using frustration at memory loss and body change, to name a few, they changed midlife into an experience they could laugh at by using life’s lemons to make lemonade, adding an extra dose of lighthearted creativity. They had stumbled into a midlife career change that would take them from the boardroom to the world of the entrepreneur. Their quick sketches soon transitioned into a growing business that includes gifts and novelties for the midlife woman. Retailing online and in card stores, book stores and gift shops on both coasts and in the southeast, the line of gifts often show up at milestone birthday parties! Perrie Meno-Pudge® cartoons appear in local women’s newspapers, glossy magazines, and across the Internet on websites, social networks and blogs.
One of the ‘ingredients’ for Perrie Meno-Pudge’s success is her Survival Kit. It contains Hot Flash Wipes®, Forget-Me-Note Pads®, and a “Hormone Replacement Replacement®” dark chocolate bar with directions to “Apply directly to hips & thighs” and recommends that it “Must be taken with a sense of humor.” Another best seller is the “Hyper-Hormone Zone®” mug & mouse pad set which serves as an early warning system to co-workers or family members that a “Hormone Swing is in Progress” and “To Approach with Caution.” A line of tee shirts in pink for women with upbeat slogans like “MIDLIFE ROCKS!®” and “Midlife is the New Beautiful®.” A men’s line of tees in gray have phrases like “Yes, Dear.” Cartoons appear on assorted Note cards; Tote bags proclaiming, “If we are the weaker sex, they must be bench pressing SUVs”; and Aprons asking, “Is it hot in here or is it me?” as some of the offerings paying homage to a woman’s life at midlife.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are an estimated 32 million women in the United States between the ages of 40-60, one of the fastest growing and wealthiest market shares that gets only about 10% of marketer’s attention. Perrie Meno-Pudge® helps fill the gap that exists in the marketplace for this demographic.
Barbara hired Joanne as an Art Director in a New York City Design Studio she ran more than 20 years ago. It was then that a long time friendship and true creative collaboration began. Together they have more than 88 years of Graphic design experience which they have now morphed into their new business.
For more information, visit:
http://www.perriemenopudge.com/index.html
http://twitter.com/PerrieMenoPudge
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56002291700&ref=ts
Popularity: 7% [?]
Perrie Meno-Pudge is sometimes ironic, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes poignant, sometimes ascerbic, sometimes silly but always funny. I enjoy this immensely, it is one of my “sunshine” moments during the week.
I have been following the Peri site for some time now and find it hysterical and a very good idea – I am surprised I don’t see more about them in other places-I watch Family Guy and could see a mini-cartoon depicting Peri during the commericals on this station or something of that sort….I am happy to see something about them in your magazine – good luck to them and hopefully they will be a household name to women like myself who are getting older and can relate to some of the oddities we have to deal with ….only those of us there can understand…haha
Great article WE Magazine!!!
Thank you WE Magazine!
We are proud to be associated with your organization. Keep up the WONDERFUL work you do on behalf of women of all ages.
~Joanne & Barbara (Perrie Meno-Pudge® too)
Kalon Women, an online magazine geared to women 40 plus is proud to have Perrie MenoPudge as one of our contributing partners!
Our subscribers love the weekly and monthly cartoons we post to our newsletter and in our monthly e-zine.
We love to laugh until we cry with Perrie and her friends.
Keep up the good work ladies!
Sandra Levitin
Founder – Kalon Women
Subscribe today to Kalon Women at http://www.kalon-women.com
I only recently discovered Perrie and I find myself laughing at my own befuddled capers & incidents; now embracing the change rather than cursing it. I love their humour, so refreshing!
Descriptions of the Perrie gifts sounded SO perfect for my women friends, that I checked out their site right away… discovered a surprise! Not only were they as cute and funny as I hoped but the site is also much more than just gifts… well, just check it out for yourself. [they have a blog too] I liked it so much that I joined their mailing list and am now waiting for the his and the hers tees I ordered [giving to friends for their anniversary] to arrive! Thanks WE mag!
After I read the article, I went to the Perrie website to see the cartoons. These are great! Why aren’t they in more publications? Why aren’t they in my local newspaper? These 2 women have tapped into an unlimited market in a funny yet sensitive style. Good for them!
great article and gift ideas. love Perrie and echo the other comments. Keep it coming.
Wonderful article!
While a relative newcomer to Perrie – I have totally enjoyed “seeing her”. Glad to see some recognition for us “middle aged” ladies that provides a good laugh.
Perri is every woman over 40. Everyone can relate to Perrie and Leena and their families. Just love the interaction between the couples. Keep up the great work Barbara and Joanne.
Whenever I am about to cry or scream as I ride this crazy Menopausal roller coaster, I remember I can always count on “Perrie” to keep me laughing through all the curves,all the ups and all the downs. Love you Perrie Menopause!
Great article! The best way to go through life is with a sence of humor. Great job Perri and Leena!
Finally, a heroine for the middle-aged woman. Perrie is just terrific!
Perri is for the forgotten women over 50 who adore the cartoons and the wonderful articles.
88 years of graphic design…wow! and you don’t look old in your picture. I love the weekly cartoons and during the week I find myself in situations and think, “it’s a perrie moment.” Your cartoon makes me feel normal and I can laugh at myself. Congratulations on a wonderful article.
CONGRATS to the best women duo in the world!! Yall deserve this plus much more…Watch for their cartoon in our weekly newsletter and monthly magazine as we partner with this dynamic duo! Visit our site today see us at http://www.powerwomenmagazine.com
Deb
The characters Perrie and Leena are engaging and hysterical. Love the weekly comics