There is a specific kind of worry that comes when someone you love does not answer the phone.
Maybe the phone was in another room. Maybe it was on silent. Or maybe they simply could not hear it ring.
For Paul McCloskey III, that worry became personal. His father lived in another city and had hearing loss, and when calls went unanswered, Paul often found himself wondering if everything was okay. Sometimes, the only way to know for sure was to ask someone nearby to physically check on him.
That experience became the inspiration for Renny®, a loud wireless cell phone ringer and flasher created by Olens Technology®.
Olens Technology® was built around a simple idea: everyday problems deserve practical solutions. Rather than chasing trends or making technology more complicated, the company focuses on products that help people live more connected, independent, and comfortable lives.
The Problem That Sparked an Idea
Renny® — one of the company’s most recognized products — started with a real-life family challenge.
Paul McCloskey III, co-owner of Olens Technology, was trying to stay in touch with his father, who had hearing loss and lived in another city. When calls went unanswered, it created real concern. Was his father away from the phone? Had he not heard it ring? Or was something wrong?
After searching for a simple product that could help and not finding the right solution, Paul decided to create one himself.
The goal was not to reinvent communication. It was to solve one very specific problem: helping people know when their cell phone is ringing.
“Renny® was created so people do not have to miss an important call just because they could not hear their phone,” said Paul McCloskey III.
What Renny® Actually Does — And Why That Matters
At a glance, Renny® is a loud wireless cell phone ringer and flasher that connects to a cell phone using Bluetooth®.
When a call comes in, Renny® rings very loud and flashes a bright light to alert the user. That means incoming calls are easier to hear and see, even if the phone is in another room, the volume is turned down, or the phone’s ringer is off.
That may sound simple — and it is. But that simplicity is intentional.
Many modern technology products rely on apps, Wi-Fi, subscriptions, or complicated setup steps. Renny® takes a different approach. There is no app to download. No Wi-Fi to set up. No internet connection required. It is designed to do one job clearly and reliably: help people stop missing important cell phone calls.
This makes Renny® especially useful for older adults, people who are hard of hearing, caregivers, and families who want an easier way to stay connected.
At the same time, the product has found relevance beyond its original audience. Home office workers, busy households, shop owners, mechanic shops, small businesses, loud restaurants, bars, and other busy workplaces can all understand the frustration of missing an important call — especially when that call could be from a customer, appointment, or to-go order.
Renny® fills that gap with a practical solution that fits into everyday life.
A Broader Philosophy of Practical Innovation
Renny® is just one example of how Olens Technology approaches product development.
The company describes itself as invention-driven, meaning each product begins with a real-world problem rather than a passing trend. Its broader product portfolio includes Laptop Tent®, LumiSign®, and Fuser®, a patented sound-mixing product. While these products serve different purposes, they share a common goal: solving specific challenges in a simple, useful way.
This mindset is rooted in the company’s origins. Olens Technology was co-founded by Paul McCloskey III and veteran inventor Ron Meritt, who brought decades of consumer product development experience to the company.
In 2020, Paul bought out Ron’s ownership interest. Today, Olens Technology is owned and operated by Paul and his wife, Paula Pendley. Together, Paul and Paula run the company as a family business, continuing its focus on practical invention, product reliability, and responsive customer support.
“At Olens Technology, we invent practical products that solve real-world problems and help people live more connected, independent lives,” McCloskey said.
Why Simplicity Still Matters
It is easy to assume that newer technology is always better when it offers more features. But for many people, especially those dealing with hearing challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or the desire to remain independent, simplicity can be far more valuable than complexity.
Renny® reflects that idea.
It does not try to replace a smartphone. It does not require a landline. It does not add another monthly service. It simply helps make sure people know when their cell phone is ringing.
That can make a meaningful difference.
For a senior living independently, it can help family members reach them more easily. For a caregiver, it can reduce the stress of unanswered calls. For someone who is hard of hearing, it can provide an added layer of confidence. And for anyone who depends on important phone calls, it can help prevent missed connections.
“We believe technology should make life easier, more independent, and more inclusive — especially for people whose needs are often overlooked,” McCloskey said.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Olens Technology’s approach is a reminder that innovation does not always need to be complex to be meaningful.
Sometimes, it starts with noticing a small but persistent problem that affects real people every day. Sometimes, it begins with a son trying to reach his father. And sometimes, the best solution is not another app or subscription, but a simple product that does exactly what people need it to do.
With Renny®, Olens Technology has created a product that fits quietly into people’s lives while addressing a very real need: helping people stay connected.
As the company continues to develop new ideas, that same principle remains at the center — practical solutions, built for real situations, designed to make everyday life easier.
Written in partnership with Tom White
