Rick Reichmuth wasn’t planning to launch a company. He was looking for an umbrella that could handle bad weather.
After 19 years working as a meteorologist, he knew how quickly conditions could change. But finding an umbrella he trusted was another matter. In New York City, he saw a crowded market with no obvious, dependable brand. Buying one often felt like a gamble.
So he began wondering whether he could make a better one. Reichmuth took apart hundreds of umbrellas in his apartment, studying how they were built and where they tended to fail. Then he worked with a friend who was an industrial designer to develop a sturdier model.
The first prototype seemed like the big hurdle. Reichmuth soon learned that making the product was only the beginning. He had no background in product development or business, and the early setbacks could leave him stuck second-guessing his choices for weeks.
Over time, he learned to treat mistakes as part of the process rather than a reason to stop. These days, he says, he tries to limit his frustration to a few hours before returning to the problem. Being honest about what he doesn’t know has helped, too.
Weatherman launched in 2017 with two umbrellas: a compact model and a traditional stick design. Both have since been discontinued as the company has continued to revise its products. Reichmuth says the business has been profitable in recent years.
One of the most rewarding signs of progress, he says, is spotting a stranger carrying one of the umbrellas on a New York sidewalk. It means even more when customers choose the product because a friend recommended it or because they found it themselves, rather than because they recognize him from television.
The umbrellas are built with fiberglass frames and water-repellent fabric made from recycled materials. The canopies are tested in wind tunnels to withstand gusts of up to 55 mph, and offer UPF 50+ sun protection. They also have automatic opening mechanisms.
Weatherman organizes its products around how people use them, with lines for walking, hiking, travel, golf and children. Features vary by design, from reflective details to more compact sizes.
The company has also added sun shirts and ponchos for adults, children and pets. Reichmuth and his team are now working on a more affordable sister brand, expected to launch in 2027, aimed at customers who want practical rain gear without paying as much.
Weather forecasts can only go so far. Reichmuth’s aim, he says, is to help people be ready when conditions change unexpectedly.
