Making Use of Space in a Weird Place: Comedian Marla Schultz Invents the RackTrap

Marla Schultz gets paid to make people laugh. She’s a stand up comic who just returned from entertaining troops overseas, is a regular contributor on E!, and co-starred in the off Broadway show JAPS. More recently, though, she’s getting paid to make women’s lives easier, with the invention of a new product. The RackTrap is a revelation for the modern woman: an undetectable bra pocket that can hold those tiny, flimsy essentials like your license, cash and credit cards. The trap – which fits nicely in your bra and comes in a variety of colors- gives women the freedom to go out, hands free. I was concerned about using the Racktrap since I’m not so bosom-heavy, but Marla pointed to my chest and reassured me, "You’ve got plenty." Unlike men, the Racktrap does not discriminate. Finally, strangling a clutch in my armpit is no longer necessary. The busy comic took a moment to answer some questions for me about being a comedian and an inventor, plus the skinny on her hot, new accessory. 

When did you decide you wanted to become a comedian?  I knew I wanted to be a comic at age 5. My dad was funny (not as funny as me) and the ‘love’ I would receive just by making my parents, babysitters and my Kindergarten teacher laugh was the real driving force. In fact, when I told my teacher I couldn’t play with the other kids in class because I was cooking chicken in the play kitchen (I actually took baby chick out of cage and put in it the fake oven) I was hooked!

What was your first invention? The RackTrap was the first that I brought to fruition.  It was a joint effort between me and my two partners, Jackie Saril and Karen Hertz.  I think up lots of stuff all the time, like a back spatula,"a bactula," that can apply all types of lotion if you are traveling alone! I’m super proud of The RackTrap b/c so many women are into it– of all ages!

Do you think being an inventor and a comedian are related? Yes, if I wasn’t drinking at Carolines Comedy Club after a set and my period boobs weren’t heaving out of my shirt and if I didn’t attempt to put paper down on the toilet seat and all my stuff flew out of the bra into the toilet, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. So yes, it’s definitely related!

What is your favorite place to perform in NYC? Carolines Comedy Club in NY and Comedy Works in Denver and The LaJolla Comedy Store in California.

Who are your favorite comedians? All of them except really misogynist comics!  Ray Ramano, Jim Breuer  Kevin James, Kathy Griffin, Ellen Degeneres, Joan Rivers, Totie Fields, Chris Rock, Mo’Nique, Bernie Mac. 

What is your biggest inspiration for jokes?  Stupid people, bad dates and my disfunctional family.

What’s so funny about your life? I’m just a magnet for odd experiences. For example, getting approached by a clown on the Times Square subway platform asking for money with his dingaling hanging out. After he deftly hid his "mini-him" we shared a lovely dinner on me. I was sad he never called. Maybe it was because he didn’t have a phone. 

You used to co-author an advice column, "Ask the matchmaker for the UCJ." What is the best advice you can give hopeful singles in NYC? It’s a numbers game. Men tell you who they are in the first five minutes. If they say ‘let’s split the check" on the first date, he’s cheap with money cheap with emotions! Don’t take  anyone’s bad behavior on as a reflection on you! 

The Rack Trap. Where did you get this idea?  I always stuffed phones, credit cards and money into my bra but when running around NY it would get sweaty. After my debacle where everything fell into the toilet, I called my two girlfriends Jackie and Karen. Jackie said, "Marl, you need a bra pocket!" From that day on we were off and running! 

Do you personally use the RackTrap? Everyday! I"m always double breasted!. Money, cash, ID, metrocards (when in NY and valet parking tickets when in LA) and business cards in the other! My back pain has subsided because I’m no longer lugging my 10 lb wallet in my purse. Why schlep around all that stuff? Bye bye neck pain!