Embarking on a quest for the perfect pillow became an unforeseen challenge as my nomadic work life in the Fly In Fly Out setting unfolded. The perpetual shuffle between mine sites translated to varied accommodations, each hosting its unique pillow puzzle. They were either too colossal, leaving me with a sore neck, or too petite, exerting undue pressure on my robust shoulders. The struggle for quality sleep during 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, became palpable. In a desperate attempt to tailor my sleep haven, I resorted to toting two smaller pillows—a makeshift solution that not only fell short in size but also monopolised precious suitcase space.

This predicament wasn't mine alone; my comrades shared the same nocturnal ordeal. A quest through diverse stores and online haunts proved fruitless in the search for an adjustable pillow. It was during a candid conversation with my mother that the seeds of innovation were sown. Her encouraging words—“You don't have to seek external solutions; you can forge your own path”—stirred a latent resolve within me.

In an unexpected twist of fate at a petrol station with a near-flat tyre, inspiration struck. As I pumped air into the tyre, witnessing its expansion, the idea of employing air technology to create an adaptable pillow was born. Initially sceptical, my intuition persisted, guided by the mantra, “When something is important enough, you do it, even if the odds are not in your favour.”

Recognising the importance of quality sleep, I shared my vision with Form Designs, who translated it into reality. In homage to the driving force behind this venture—my mother—the SARU pillow was christened. It stands as a testament to determination, turning adversity into a revolutionary solution in the realm of sleep comfort. In honour of my mum, SARU, the game-changer, was born.

- Taurai Mutuma, Inventor