I just put it on the line once again. I did a Kickstarter Project.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1921317116/dr-solstice-solar-cookers-a-size-to-fit-every-need
And at the same time did an Indiegogo campaign.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/solar-cookers-innovation-coming-to-light-camping/x/8272667#/
I have spent the last year refining and improving a solar cooker until it was kick ass and amazing. Now I am ready to share with the world. I am hoping and aiming for $500,000 in funding from the two campaigns. I am not going to do it via a bunch of paid ads. I am hoping to do it organically. Win lose or fail I am still a success no matter how you look at it because I completed something I started. I have done about 15 campaigns before but never had the gumption to pull the trigger and launch it. I did not want to put myself out there or did not think my product was up to par. Whatever excuse I could come up I had it. Now my excuses are over. I pushed launch on both campaigns. So far no success on Indiegogo. Not a single backer even at the $9.00 level. Just launched Kickstarter so I don't know if I got a sale in the first 30 seconds I doubt it. (correction I just got my first backer) So stoked.
But why am I so happy?
Because I did it and now I have 60 days on each campaign to spread the word and hopefully get backers. If I get one backer it is a success. That is one more person who believes in me and my product. I know this Solar cooker is a life changer and fits all the right specs to become a dominant product on the worldwide stage.
Is my product and my video perfect: Not by a long mile. The product is 99% and the video is of my own creation. I did it myself and learned alot. But I did it about 2 months ago assuming I would take two months to refine it and life got in the way. I almost did not hit launch, but then I thought launch it anyways. Win lose or draw my butt is on the line.
Here is I feel my product is amazing.
IT'S JUST RIGHT:
Many sizes to fit the need. If you want to cook a smor'e we have a cooker for you. If you cook for larger groups or want to make an amazing solar cooked turkey we have the product for you.
IT WORKS:
Simple to set up and use. Set it up, adjust it to the sun and come back every hour to adjust it. Cooks from first sun up to when the sun goes down.
PACKS UP EASILY:
Easy on the mail. Packs up to a small footprint and deploys to a wide solar cooker. Make it easier to ship and to pack keeping costs down and you don't need closet to store it.
Made to last: We guarantee the Duo and the Quattro til the end of the earth. 2 mil coroplast material and high grade silver poly laminated to the surface will provide one excellent cooker for years and decades to come. Buy it once and cook on it forever.
WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION: These cookers can be shipped flat on pallets ready for easy deployment in areas in the world that need these cookers. NGO's and entreprenuers will find this product and know it can be made and shipped to them so they donate or sell at a profit in their country. We are willing to help anyone who needs it and we will meet them where they are at in their current level of Solar Cooking Understanding.
I have put myself on the line a few other times in my life and those were the most scary and most exciting:
Our son was born at 1lb 11 oz 10 years ago. It was 4 months in the NICU and 2 years on oxygen. It was a scary time and his mom and I were by his side 24/7 for a long time. Today he went to camp and is having the time of his life.
I got fired, from a job and started my company on January 8th 2001. All Source. Getting fired was not fun, but putting my ass on the line and starting the company was the most exciting thing I have ever done. It was the bridges are burned and you can't look back. Head down work on!
So hopefully this lil blog post about me and my risks and rewards will help you get off your butt and put it all on the line.
What's next for me? Future ass on the line goals:
Hike the Pacific Crest Trail - All 2650 miles of it. I will do it with a solar cooker on my back. No this one, but you get the idea.
Build a Solar Cooker Company called Dr. Solstice and sell the product in retail like an REI - It is about time a solar cooker sits right next to a Coleman Stove on their shelves. I am the guy to take up that cause. Here are a few of my logos and Marks. I have always liked the Burts Bee's logo and I met and amazing artist named Tess Lackey online in Onward Creatives Facebook Group and she made me these great logos. Here contact info is: tess@tesslackeystudios.com. I am a creative at heart and the Onward Creatives Podcast has helped me get off being stuck and start just going for it. Thanks Jack Fussell for your help in getting me off the dime. You have no idea how many you have helped.
