Why I Built KaroPal
Why was KaroPal Created?
KaroPal was created after its founder experienced the pain of losing touch with a loved one during a medical crisis. It's designed to give long-distance families, couples, and friends a small, expressive way to say, 'I'm here,' even when words can't be said.
KaroPal was born from that period of powerlessness as a bridge to close the gap between loved ones. It is designed to recreate that profound, deep comfort you feel when looking up at the stars, knowing that someone worlds away is looking at that same sky in the exact same moment. It’s more than a device; it’s a way to ensure that no matter the physical distance or the circumstances, you never have to wonder if the person on the other side is still there with you.
The inspiration for KaroPal is rooted in a journey that began with the innocent connection of being pen pals, which blossomed into a committed long-distance relationship. During the first wave of COVID-19 she fell ill and was forced into a cycle of hospitalization and quarantine. The distance became a void when she slipped into a coma; in those moments of silence, I found myself desperately wishing for any small sign—a light, a sound, anything—that could tell me she was going to be okay.
Who Founded KaroPal?
Jared's entire career has unfolded in Northeast Ohio — from a database internship at OEConnection in Richfield to operations and procurement roles in Solon and Medina, and now Cleveland itself. KaroPal is built, sourced, and shipped from the same region Jared has called home and worked in for over a decade — a small, real Cleveland story behind a device meant to bring people closer, wherever they are.
Jared Harmon brings over a decade of experience in supply chain and procurement to KaroPal, currently serving as a Technology Sourcing Specialist at AmTrust Financial Services after procurement and operations roles at MRI Software, Fire-Dex, and MTD Products. He holds an MBA from Baldwin Wallace University alongside certifications in Lean Six Sigma, strategic negotiation, and supply chain resilience. That background in sourcing, contract negotiation, and taking physical products from idea to shelf is exactly what it takes to bring a patent-pending hardware device like KaroPal to life.
