Art of the Kickstart

Today we're joined by French startup founder and music focused entrepreneur Pierre Gochgarian of Prizm to discuss the world of hardware based crowdfunding and how big data and analytics are empowering Kickstarter companies to create the next wave of consumer technologies. The Prizm Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Deciding between hardware and software to solve a problem * Why big data is revolutionizing wearable technologies * What predictive analytics means for the future of consumer products * The way to go about innovating the existing music industry * How to industrialize Kickstarter products while based in Europe * When to start getting customer feedback * The struggles of product development and prototyping * What does into creating a product and getting it ready for Kickstarter * Why you must work with people you love * The effect crowdfunding on product development ideas Success Quotes * "If you fail try harder." Links * meetprizm.com Influential Business Books * Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time Connect with Pierre * @meetprizm * @pierregoch * Prizm's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Make the Podcast More Awesome     Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.    

Serial entrepreneur and social justice warrior Camille Van Gestel joins the podcast today to share their neverending story of crowdfunding creation and how platforms like Kickstarter can help create positive change in the world today. This is WakaWaka's fourth crowdfunding campaign and you'd do well to follow in the footsteps of this mission focused social startup. The WakaWaka Base Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * The challenges of running multiple crowdfunding campaigns simultaneously * Why Kickstarter can create the perfect environment for launching multiple campaigns * What to do for European inventors considering crowdfunding * The way to go about creating mission based businesses * How to shoot selfie Kickstarter video that kills it * Why crowdfunding is powerful for social justice causes * The struggles of spontaneity in Kickstarter video pitches * How to get a big crowdfunding splash on the first day * Why you must have fun building a business * The effect small products can have on changing the world Success Quotes * "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." by Marion Williamson * "I have not failed. I've just found 10000 ways that won't work." - Thomas A. Edison * "If you can, you must!" Links * waka-waka.com Influential Business Books * It's Not What You Sell, It's What You Stand For: Why Every Extraordinary Business Is Driven by Purpose * Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action [clear-line] Connect with Camille * @wakawakalight * @Camille_van_G * WakaWaka's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review    

The Art of the Kickstart inventor series continues today with Kickstarter creator Brandon Dierker and the product that's transforming the way we iron our clothes. In the show we talk challenges of entrepreneurship, why business plans are important and ways to push forward in the face of startup adversity. The Collar Perfect Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * The challenges of sharing ideas with friends and family * Why you need to get around other entrepreneurs to be successful * What it takes to really create a product and plan the finances * The way to go about intellectual property * How to figure out product pricing strategy * Why you need to talk to other small business owners to learn through their mistakes * The struggles of manufacturing and how to find great partnerships * How to make a high quality Kickstarter video on a budget * Why you need to take advantage of social media for your crowdfunding campaign Success Quotes "Never give up." Links * CollarPerfect.com [clear-line] Connect with Brandon * @CollarPerfect * Collar Perfect's Facebook Kickstarter Love * Coolest Cooler Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow. Love the Show? Leave us a Review  

Discovery Channel videographer and underwater creative Dan Burton of Eye Mirror shares the story of long term business building with challenges, setbacks and Kickstarter crowdfunding success. If you've ever wanted 360 degree amazingness in video and product creation this product is absolutely worth checking out. The Eye Mirror 360º Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * The challenges of coming to market too early * Why doing what you love is a great way to build a business * How find an amazing cofounder * The challenges of showcasing complex products * What happens when a project goes on a long break * Why Kickstarter photography products do so well * The reasons to build a product you would use yourself * How to use new technology to create a whole new class of products * Why delivering a product late to backers can be beneficial Success Quotes None. Just do what you love. Links * Eye-Mirror.com * The Eye Mirror Android App [clear-line] Connect with Dan * @EyeMirror360 * @DanDiver Kickstarter Love * AirDog * PowerUp 3.0 Paper Airplane Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow. Love the Show? Leave us a Review  

Fitness fanatic and tech entrepreneur Dustin Freckleton of BSX Athletics breaks down the business of wearable tech trackers and the future of fitness with technological tracking. This is an amazing episode for anybody interested in creating a high tech, disruptor player in the field and using Kickstarter to crowdfund their business launch. The BSX Insight Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How combine passion into your profession * Why technological innovations create the opportunity for business booms * The power of wearable tech tracking in athletics * How to combine great technology and great effort * The importance of great leadership and sharing successes * How to stand out in the fitness industry * The challenges of disruptive technologies and overcoming risk Success Quotes "If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life." Links * trainBSX.com * BSXinsight.com  Influential Books * Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't * Thinking, Fast and Slow * David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants * The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference * Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln Connect with Dustin * @BSXAthletics * @DMFreckl * BSX Athletic's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review

Wearable tech and tracking technologies are all the rage these days. Today I'm excited to bring you guys Boris Tverskoy, the Russian scientist and startup founder revolutionizing open source fitness and health trackers with BodyEcho. We chat about the state of Kickstarter, crowdfunding and where technology is taking us in the quantified self movement. If you've ever wanted better quality sleep or access to all your vitals your in for an awesome interview. The BodyEcho Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * The challenges of wearable tracking technology * Why open source technology is the business model of the future * How sleep tracking can transform peoples' lives * The future of the quantified self movement * What to expect developing and manufacturing wearable tech products * Why marketing is a challenge for engineers and tech guys * The reason incredible inventions struggle to find crowdfunding support * How to use backer feedback to improve products * Why building an API can create a community around your company and product Success Quotes "The most certain way to succeed is just to try one more time." Links * OxiRate.com  Influential Books * The Four Steps to the Epiphany [clear-line] Connect with Boris * @OxiRate * OxiRate's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow. Make the Podcast More Awesome For You  

Adam Ullman, founder of SteriShoe joins Art of the Kickstart to share the story of fighting foot fungus and fueling a crowdfunded startup sensation. Feet people beware our inventor and entrepreneur digs deep into the dirty details of crazy Kickstarter success focused around sweaty shoe salvation. The SteriShoe 2.0 Kickstarter Campaign [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How to start a medical startup and find healthcare advisors * Ways to create new businesses around old technology * Why entrepreneurial parents are the best kind to have * How to pivot business models * The importance of patents * What to look for in manufacturing partners * How to create an amazing team Success Quotes "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." Links * SteriShoe.com  Influential Books * Steve Jobs [clear-line] Connect with Adam * @SteriShoe * SteriShoe's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow. Make the Podcast More Awesome For You  

Social entrepreneurship that solves major business battles is always popular. Today Kickstarter creator and sustainable businesswoman Becky Ingham of HookPod joins our inventor community to share the story of environmental entrepreneurship and how protecting wildlife on the high seas can power profits for the commercial fishing industries. The HookPod Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why social entrepreneurship startups need to have a business basis * The importance of finding complementary co-founders * How to take advantage of startup opportunities * Why it is challenging to change public perception * How to position benefits for business success * Why large scale business opportunities are incredibly hard * The challenge of prototyping and building long term safety regulations Success Quotes "Solve two things at once." Links * HookPod.com * FishTekMarine.com  My Influential Book Recommendation * Outliers: The Story of Success   [clear-line] Connect with Becky * @HookPod * HookPod's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Make the Podcast More Awesome For You  

Not all inventions are radically new ideas. Today Bostjan Zagar, the Slovenian startup founder behind Olaf Scooters talks product innovation and solving pain points in his Kickstarter campaign on urban mobility. Specifically we share strategies for to improve existing technologies and products to please customers and create a crowdfunded business. The Olaf Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * How to turn current products into better businesses * Overcoming the challenges of new manufacturing methods * Why it pays to be close to your manufacturer * When trust customer feedback in pivoting a product * How to overcome crowdfunding challenges when working in Europe * When it makes sense to consider follow up Kickstarter campaigns * The importance of aesthetics in creating killer products Success Quotes "The more you try the closer you are to success." Links * Olaf-Scooter.com  Influential Books * Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way [clear-line] Connect with Bostjan * @OlafScooter * Olaf's Facebook Kickstarter Love * FlyKly Smart Wheel - Interviewed and soon to be on the podcast as well! Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow. Make the Podcast More Awesome For You  

We're talking wearables, fitness trackers and high-tech health products today when Jimmy Leu of Qbit joins the Art of the Kickstart to share his Kickstarter success story. Flyfit is the Silicon Valley based company creating the only fitness band you'll ever need which helps monitor swimmers, cyclists and runners alike in workout tracking and performance improvement. From the struggles of hardware to the successes of six figure crowdfunding campaigns, Jimmy shares a pretty intriguing and extremely valuable story for crowdfunding creators looking to do the same. The Flyfit Fitness Tracker Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * The challenges of wearable tech based startups * Why building a business in Silicon Valley is a smart thing tech entrepreneurs * How to deal with the roller coaster of entrepreneurship * Why athletes need better tracking products to improve fitness * When to start testing products with consumers * What happens following a successful Kickstarter campaign * The challenges of software and hardware based devices Success Quotes "Life is like a rollercoaster, it is up and down but it is your choice to scream or to enjoy the ride." Links * MyFlyFit.com  Influential Books * Elon Musk: Biography of a Self-Made Visionary, Entrepreneur and Billionaire [clear-line] Connect with Jimmy * @MyFlyFit * MyFlyFit's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow. Make the Podcast More Awesome For You  

Health and fitness guru and wearable techie lover Crystal Butler joins Art of the Kickstart to share the story of her failed Kickstarter campaign PosturePulse and the lessons she learned from running her crowdfunding campaign. Good news is she'll be back to Kickstarter with a higher tech posture wearable device in the future to help us all improve. The Posture Pulse Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * The challenges of creating low tech tech products * What happens when a Kickstarter campaign fails * How to take customer feedback and pivot business strategies * The challenges of creating electronics for non-tech founders * Why building businesses around a passion is paramount to success * The importance of aesthetics in wearable product design * How to compete with competing products on Kickstarter Success Quotes "The best is the enemy of good." -Voltaire  Influential Books * Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values Connect with Crystal * @body_Lab_NYC * @superluckycat * body-Lab's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review  

The perfect solution to a painful problem. To kick off your Kickstarter inspired week of creativity we have Michael Reznik on the like, an inventor and entrepreneur whose crowdfunding campaign is geared towards solving the struggle of carry heavy stuff up stairs. They've taken existing technology and are looking to empower individuals everywhere. The UpCart Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * The importance of minimalism in product design * How to find complementary cofounders for business success * Why improving existing technologies can create gamechanging products * The challenges of simplicity in design * When and why to get feedback from early adopters * How to know if an idea is worth pursuing * Why product design never truly ends Success Quotes "Occam's Razor - the simplest answer is the best one" Links * UpCart.com  Influential Books * Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't * The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change * How to Win Friends & Influence People [clear-line] Connect with Michael * @UpCart * UpCart's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review  

Today Ilan Mor the bicycle enthusiast and inventive entrepreneur behind both FoldyLock and SeatyLock joins the Art of the Kickstart to share the share business of bike based protection. With two successful Kickstarter campaigns and two terrific products Ilan and company are creating the next big bicycle brand. The SeatyLock Campaign The FoldyLock Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why multiple Kickstarter campaigns often makes sense for startup founders * The power of working on the go as an entrepreneur * How to build a business around true necessity * The importance of crowdfunding for building a community of backers * How to balance fund startup businesses while working on the side * Why you should visit conventions to display products and get advice * How Kickstarter has changed and how to take advantage of it Success Quote "Do what you do best because the worst will come by itself" -Vladimir Links * SeatyLock.com * FoldyLock.com Influential Books * Losing My Virginity: How I Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way Connect with Ilan * @FoldyLock and @SeatyLock * FoldyLock's and SeatyLock's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review

Today we talk with Joe and Lily born, the father daughter tandem behind Kangaroo Cup, the awesome successful Kickstarter campaigns to create more arthritis friendly, spill proof cups. This inspirational elementary school entrepreneur is awesome and the story this family startup shares is motivation for any interested in crowdfunding. The Kangaroo Cup Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Age is only number * How to encourage invention and entrepreneurship among children * The benefits of family run businesses * How to get product sourced in China * Why secondary Kickstarter campaigns are almost always more successful * When is an invention idea worth pursuing * Why kids create the most innovative ideas for products Success Quote "Try your hardest. Never be afraid to ask for help" Links * Imagiroo.com Influential Books * His Excellency: George Washington [clear-line] Connect with Lily and Joe * @Lilyborn * @Joeborn * @MakeImagiroo * Kangaroo Cup's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review

Coming straight out of Harvard, Luke Leafgreen is the passion woodworker and academically inclined entrepreneur behind StandStand, the world's simplest and most cost effective way of riding the standing desk wave. Tune in to discover how little lessons and small pushes propel big change in the world and what the future holds for education and entrepreneurship. The StandStand Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why a traditional education is still relevant in today's society * How to build a business on the side while still keeping your job * Why scratching your own itch is an awesome way to build a business * The importance of simplicity in design * How to create a high quality, low price product * Why it is important to understand the manufacturing process as an entrepreneur Success Quote "Do what works - that's something I am always trying to figure out, keeping my eyes open for what's working in my life, what's not working in my life and then trying to fix it if it's not gone right." Links * StandStand.us Influential Books * Raintree County [clear-line] Connect with Luke * @StandStand * StandStand's Facebook * Luke's Harvard Page Love the Show? Leave us a Review