About Us
Greetings!
We are Matthew and Jaclyn Miller, co-founders of MY HERO under UMBO Books, a veteran-owned enterprise based in sunny San Diego, CA. Matt currently serves in the US Navy, while Jaclyn works as an audiologist, caring for active-duty service members in the San Diego area. Our adventure into MY HERO emerged from our deep passion for storytelling and fostering connections, inspired by our personal journey as a military family.
Matthew and Jaclyn's story begins with the birth of their oldest
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After the deployment, Matt transitioned to shore duty, and in September 2022, they welcomed their second son, Hayden, who was later diagnosed with an eye muscle condition requiring frequent prescription glasses not covered by TRICARE. At the same time, they were undergoing home renovations and living in their garage. Amid these challenges, they taught their older son, Mason, to dress himself, nicknaming him "The Backwards Man" for putting his clothes on backward. This playful moment inspired
This led to the founding of UMBO, named after Jaclyn’s expertise as an audiologist. The umbo is the small part of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) where the eardrum connects to the handle of the malleus, a tiny bone in the middle ear and helps in transmitting sound vibrations to the middle ear. The name symbolizes their commitment to fostering communication and connection. The red glasses in UMBO’s logo represent Hayden’s own journey with prescription glasses, symbolizing their dedication to helping military families like theirs. The My Hero doll became more than a product-it became a mission to support families and keep them connected, regardless of where duty called.
Answers to your most common questions.
How does it work?
You can easily record audio using your phone, tablet, or any other device and send it home through text, email, or your preferred method. Once received, simply upload the audio onto the recorder, and your child can enjoy hearing your voice right inside the doll. Just press the belly, and the recording will play, creating a personal and comforting experience for your little one.
Is the clothing removable? Do you offer more clothing for the doll?
The short and simple answer is yes! We've already produced flight suits, along with blue and red coveralls, and flight deck jerseys—with even more designs on the way. Our goal is to offer a wide range of clothing options for your Hero dolls as we continue to grow. While we're just getting started, we appreciate your patience. The good news is that flight suits are already on the way and will be available for purchase very soon!
What about the patches...are they removable?
The patches on the doll easily detach thanks to their Velcro backing, and you can even create your own custom patches on our website to match your hero’s. We’ve partnered with CustomSticker.com to produce Velcro-backed PVC patches, allowing you to design and print high-quality stickers that fit perfectly on the patch. Pretty amazing, right? It wasn’t easy finding a company willing to make custom 1-inch stickers, but we did! Huge thanks to Ryan and Maren for making this possible!
Is the doll and clothing machine washable?
Yes, the doll is machine washable! Simply remove any electronic components and accessories, and your doll can be safely washed to keep it clean and fresh. Always follow the care instructions on our "about and instructions page" for the best results.
16 MB... How long is that?
With the current 16 MB of storage, you can record over an hour of audio directly into the doll. In fact, we tested it up to 1 hour and 23 minutes before stopping! Simply hold the recorder up to your phone and record directly into it. Trust us, the audio quality is incredible—it’s even louder and clearer than when you speak into it.
What is the warranty?
We stand behind the quality of all our products. If you encounter any issues with your doll, simply send us an email, and we’ll do everything we can to make it right. Your satisfaction is our priority!