We Love This Daddy Made Invention....
We interviewed fellow Wallet Buddy Kickstarter creator and brand new daddy Brian Meyers on his awesome pocket wiz-tool invention! Hope all you moms and dads find this as fascinating as we do! He brought his great idea to life!
Funding on Kickstarter is an EPIC win. An enormous amount of work and planning goes into a successful campaign and delivery. We applaud Brian on a job well done and his new babe!
What was the # 1 driver that made you turn your "idea" into something real?
I always like designing new products, and noticed that I can improved on something that is currently available. All I did was draw it up, had a local manufacturer make it up for me, then I just took the chance to share it with the world on Kickstarter and was lucky enough to be funded.
Did you have prior experience with product manufacturing and what was the first thing you remember doing to start planning?
I am a Mechanical Engineer by trade, so I do have prior experience with product manufacturing, and I have lots of manufacturing contacts in my area that can help me out. So the first thing I did after designing the Wallet Buddy was reaching out to a bunch of manufacturers to get quotes. Then the one I am going with, I have done business with in the past, gave me the best price and lead times and then I have prototypes made.
I always like designing new products, and noticed that I can improved on something that is currently available. All I did was draw it up, had a local manufacturer make it up for me, then I just took the chance to share it with the world on Kickstarter and was lucky enough to be funded.
Did you have prior experience with product manufacturing and what was the first thing you remember doing to start planning?
I am a Mechanical Engineer by trade, so I do have prior experience with product manufacturing, and I have lots of manufacturing contacts in my area that can help me out. So the first thing I did after designing the Wallet Buddy was reaching out to a bunch of manufacturers to get quotes. Then the one I am going with, I have done business with in the past, gave me the best price and lead times and then I have prototypes made.
What's something you wish you had known when you started?
This whole process is a little stressful, between advertising and just hoping that my project would get funded.
What's the #1 thing you did to make sure your Kickstarter was successful?
The one thing I was doing was trying to advertise as much as possible. I posted the project on various websites, even had a few people promoting it for me. Without advertising, I do not think it would be possible to have had as much success from the start.
How have you balanced taking care of a pregnant wife and the project?
Overall, making the most of my time. I would get home from my regular job, then make us both dinner. She is a school teacher and was working every day until my son, Wyatt, was born. As most people know, school teachers tend to bring work home with them. So she would be trying to finish that up as well as getting things ready for the substitute teacher who would fill in for her while she is on maternity leave. So essentially after that and helping around the house, I would try to devote some time to promoting the project. So if anyone who has a pregnant wife and running a crowdfunding campaign, just remember to make your wife the top priority over your campaign!
Anything our parent audience can do to help you?
The only thing I can say is that if you would like to check out my product. It is in production, but you can pre-order it on our website! https://goo.gl/Sd2YVL
XO, see you soon!