Cookware Innovation

There's an old expression that names necessity as the mother of invention. For entrepreneur Ilene Marcus, however, it was frustration. "I was cooking on a crooked stove, constantly adjusting food to keep it from burning or cooking unevenly. I realized the problem wasn’t just my stove; it was the assumption that pans had to be flat." Her iLean-Pan was the solution she came up with, and when it worked for her, she decided to reproduce the idea so that others could find the same ease in the kitchen. Editor’s Note: iLean-Pan has been named to The Story Exchange’s 2026 list of 15 Brilliant Business Ideas. Here's our lightly edited Q&A, with Marcus. How is your business different from others in your industry? Most cookware innovation focuses on new coatings, added features or complex technology, changing everything except the basic structure of the pan itself. The iLean-Pan is different because it challenges that core assumption. By introducing a purposeful angle, it changes how heat, timing and fat management work during cooking without requiring new skills or complicated systems. Instead of adding more to the cooking process, it simplifies it by letting the design do the work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vfBMALaoXCog&t28s Tell us about your biggest success so far. In business, placing second out of 100 contestants — selected from over 40,000 applicants, on The Blox (a Prime Video competition show featuring entrepreneurs that has not yet publicly released) validated the strength of the iLean-Pan concept. I’ve built a working minimum viable product through continuous problem-solving and received strong support from my community through my Kickstarter, as the product moves toward launch. In life, my greatest success has been being of service to others, supporting people in achieving financial independence, showing up for my family and community, and raising a daughter who contributes positively to society. What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Navigating the supply chain — finding the right manufacturing partners, balancing cost and quality, and moving from concept to a production-ready product without an established pathway. I addressed this by educating myself on manufacturing processes, building relationships with potential partners, testing prototypes, and staying flexible as conditions changed. Rather than rushing decisions, I focused on learning the system, asking the right questions, and solving problems step by step to ensure the product can be produced at a price point that allows the business to move into profitability after the first year. Have you experienced any significant personal situations that have affected your business decisions? My ex-husband drained all our bank accounts and hid the situation from me. Now, I am very very careful with my money — and with those to whom I give trust. What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? No matter how hard you think it is, it is harder. Build a support network and trust the process; you will need every ounce of faith and ingenuity that you have. How do you find inspiration on your darkest days? I stop, take time and help someone in need. What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days? "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor! Who is your most important role model? Sara Blakely. She started with a simple, personal problem and turned her solution into a business whose mission resonated with millions of people. She didn’t wait for permission or follow a traditional path - she learned every aspect of the business herself, from sewing early prototypes to testing ideas on friends and her own experience. That mirrors my own journey. The iLean-Pan began with a crooked stove and a personal frustration that revealed a bigger, shared problem, and I built it by learning each step along the way. Instagram: @ileanmarcusTikTok: @ileanmarcus Share your story! Check out our Advice + Tips for entrepreneurs starting-upWatch our latest videosSubscribe to our podcast

Cookware Innovation

She Designed a Tilted Frying Pan That Cooks at Different Temps

The Story Exchange

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