This is the first in a series of posts from a first-time crowdfunder – an insider’s perspective of the before, during and after of creating and running a crowdfunding campaign … from the surprises to the challenges to the milestones throughout the life of the campaign from beginning (April 5) to end (May 3). The Boys at Grillin’ and Chillin’ launched their first crowdfunding campaign today on Kickstarter for The Ultimate BBQ Grill Cleaning Brush – the Grillinator, the world’s first BBQ grill brush that doesn’t completely suck.
Find the Grillinator on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/1RMuzDT
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How did we get here? Well, it’s been a long strange trip (to quote the Grateful Dead) and the story is still in progress.
We became the Boys at Grillin’ and Chillin’ almost 2 years ago and have built a robust BBQ Tools and Gadgets eCommerce business with all of the blood, sweat and tears we could muster up. We’ve had great success launching the 6 products currently in our offerings. We knew all along that we would find/design/create a full line of BBQ grill products because we love barbecue and want the best tools. So, we are well on our way.
One of the most important tools for us to get right was the cleaning brush. We tried many of the existing products out there and nothing quite measured up. So, we just custom-designed a brush that we LOVE and even got a couple of patents on it. We now have one final prototype that we like. But there are 3 of us and we can’t share the same brush, so we needed to get at least 2 more made at the very minimum. If you’ve ever taken on a project like this, you know the first inventory order is no cheap date and we just didn’t want to cash flow one more product.
We decided to jump in with both feet (as always) and tackle the wide world of crowdfunding this time around. So, what did we know about it? The short answer … NOT MUCH. We attended a couple of live events that included crowdfunding presentations and took copious notes. We then took everything we heard and learned and then did a whole bunch of nothing :) for awhile, until now.
Well, here’s what we have learned so far and think will work:
So, on launch day, we are going to cross our fingers and toes and ask for help from a higher power, set all of our plans in motion, stay engaged by responding to every piece of feedback we receive from everywhere and most importantly … HAVE FUN!!!!
Now go grill something!!
Drink in Hand, Toes in Sand,
–Brad and The Rest of the Boys at Grillin’ and Chillin’