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What is Heroclip and how would it be useful to climbers (alpine and rock)?
Heroclip is the world’s first gear carabiner clip with a double-patented rotating hook so that you can hang just about anything, just about anywhere. It’s perfect for outdoor adventures, travel and daily activities when you’re on the go. When not in use, the hook folds compactly nesting with the biner in ways other carabiners and s-hooks can’t. This feature also makes it easy to take with you and use almost anywhere, such as hanging a backpack or trad gear on a rock, hanging shoes from a pack, or wet clothes off the ground to dry.
While Heroclip isn’t designed for climbing (it's not rated as technical protection), it’s designed to be the ultimate hybrid gear clip, securing up to 60 lbs for the largest size (which we call "medium." There are three sizes - mini, small, and medium). Heroclip helps you keep your gear organized and exactly where you want it, no matter the activity.
Heroclip is the world’s first gear carabiner clip with a double-patented rotating hook so that you can hang just about anything, just about anywhere. It’s perfect for outdoor adventures, travel and daily activities when you’re on the go. When not in use, the hook folds compactly nesting with the biner in ways other carabiners and s-hooks can’t. This feature also makes it easy to take with you and use almost anywhere, such as hanging a backpack or trad gear on a rock, hanging shoes from a pack, or wet clothes off the ground to dry.
While Heroclip isn’t designed for climbing (it's not rated as technical protection), it’s designed to be the ultimate hybrid gear clip, securing up to 60 lbs for the largest size (which we call "medium." There are three sizes - mini, small, and medium). Heroclip helps you keep your gear organized and exactly where you want it, no matter the activity.
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Tell us about how Heroclip was started and who you are as a small business?
The Heroclip story begins when I had my first baby and started training to summit Mt. Rainier to get in shape. I quickly realized that with both things, I was constantly lugging a ton of stuff with no good places to upload it (muddy trails of Washington in April! Public restroom floors!). Holding my things securely and within easy reach became a constant struggle and I searched high and low for a product that could hold anything, everywhere, but I couldn’t find one, so I decided to invent one! Heroclip is the extra hand everyone needs, in the simplest form possible! We launched by crowdfunding and we have now done 3 crowdfunding campaigns to launch different models and sizes of the product line, raising a total of nearly $400,000 to 8,000 backers. Today, Heroclip is a consumer product designer, manufacturer, and distributor. |
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You started via crowdfunding, how was that experience? What advice would you share with anyone who wants to launch an idea via crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding has always been a positive and successful experience (and fun, too -- that’s important to us as well). Over 3 campaigns, we have raised nearly $400,000 from 8000 backers. Beyond the capital, though, has been the relationships we have built with our backers and others running campaigns. My biggest piece of advice for anyone considering a crowdfunding campaign would be to treat their backers like the VIPS they are. These people had enough faith in you to hand over their money when you don’t even have a product yet! So, treat them with respect and gratitude. Be accountable to them and update them with the good and the bad. Without them, your product would not exist, and they deserve every bit of humility and gratitude you have. |
Kickstarter campaign in 2014 - the early evolution of the Qlipter to Heroclip.
2018 Indigogo campaign to expand the Heroclip line.
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What are some challenges you have faced or are facing as a small business?
Like all startups, we have had our fair share of challenges and setbacks. With each hurdle, we have learned from it and grown to become even more effective in the process.
A good example was our first full-scale production failing to meet quality standards. After a dispute and subsequent lawsuit with the Chinese middleman trading company, we accepted a reasonable settlement and have since established a direct manufacturing relationship with a new production partner we have been working with effectively for over 3 years.
Another example is dealing with abrupt external changes that are beyond our control, such as economic policies and tariffs. We obviously do not have the resources to lobby for policies that are favorable to us, so when a situation arises that cut into our ability to generate profit, we are forced to get even leaner and work doubly hard to keep producing the goods that we know help people’s lives and to keep them at a reasonable price.
Like all startups, we have had our fair share of challenges and setbacks. With each hurdle, we have learned from it and grown to become even more effective in the process.
A good example was our first full-scale production failing to meet quality standards. After a dispute and subsequent lawsuit with the Chinese middleman trading company, we accepted a reasonable settlement and have since established a direct manufacturing relationship with a new production partner we have been working with effectively for over 3 years.
Another example is dealing with abrupt external changes that are beyond our control, such as economic policies and tariffs. We obviously do not have the resources to lobby for policies that are favorable to us, so when a situation arises that cut into our ability to generate profit, we are forced to get even leaner and work doubly hard to keep producing the goods that we know help people’s lives and to keep them at a reasonable price.
What are your thoughts on the role of small businesses in the U.S. and our communities?
Before starting Heroclip, I was actually an entrepreneurship professor and researcher (University of Washington Foster School of Business). I also did quite a bit of consulting for the state’s economic development department. At the individual level, I really believe that entrepreneurship is the key to wealth creation. I don’t mean wealth in terms of boats and cars, but in terms of the freedom and opportunities and choices it can give you. At a more macro level, it has been well documented that innovation tends to occur in small companies first. This is because small companies are nimble and can respond quickly to whatever arises, without having to go through the many layers of bureaucracy to make a single decision. Personally, I think small businesses need to be supported more, but thankfully, I see a lot of this void being filled more informally, through peer networks.
You have been able to get your product out into major stores, what is that kind of growth like?
As all growth, it is fulfilling and motivating, and it definitely gives you a sense of accomplishment. I remember when I first started, REI was my north star, and I thought that if we got in there, we would have “made it,” and that it would be smooth sailing from there. The truth, though, is that REI was just the beginning, and we are continuing to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes.
Don’t get me wrong, we whoop and celebrate every time we get into a new store. The best thing about scaling, though, is that it brought the business to the point where I could bring on additional talent to propel us into our next growth stage.
In the first year, I handled nearly all aspects of the business, from product design to production to marketing. It was challenging and invigorating, but I quickly learned that there are some things I am better at, and enjoy doing, than others! As our revenues have grown I have been able to bring on a small team of experts in product design, operations, finance, and marketing, freeing up my time to focus more deeply on defining our long term strategy, as well as fundraising and business development. And results show, with sales doubling year over year on bigger and bigger baselines!
Before starting Heroclip, I was actually an entrepreneurship professor and researcher (University of Washington Foster School of Business). I also did quite a bit of consulting for the state’s economic development department. At the individual level, I really believe that entrepreneurship is the key to wealth creation. I don’t mean wealth in terms of boats and cars, but in terms of the freedom and opportunities and choices it can give you. At a more macro level, it has been well documented that innovation tends to occur in small companies first. This is because small companies are nimble and can respond quickly to whatever arises, without having to go through the many layers of bureaucracy to make a single decision. Personally, I think small businesses need to be supported more, but thankfully, I see a lot of this void being filled more informally, through peer networks.
You have been able to get your product out into major stores, what is that kind of growth like?
As all growth, it is fulfilling and motivating, and it definitely gives you a sense of accomplishment. I remember when I first started, REI was my north star, and I thought that if we got in there, we would have “made it,” and that it would be smooth sailing from there. The truth, though, is that REI was just the beginning, and we are continuing to make mistakes and to learn from those mistakes.
Don’t get me wrong, we whoop and celebrate every time we get into a new store. The best thing about scaling, though, is that it brought the business to the point where I could bring on additional talent to propel us into our next growth stage.
In the first year, I handled nearly all aspects of the business, from product design to production to marketing. It was challenging and invigorating, but I quickly learned that there are some things I am better at, and enjoy doing, than others! As our revenues have grown I have been able to bring on a small team of experts in product design, operations, finance, and marketing, freeing up my time to focus more deeply on defining our long term strategy, as well as fundraising and business development. And results show, with sales doubling year over year on bigger and bigger baselines!
Press release Pitchfest on SGB Media: https://sgbonline.com/pressrelease/title-nine-movers-and-makers-pitchfest-announces-winners/
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You were one of the winners of the Title 9 Pitchfest. What is Pitchfest and what opportunities did that give you?
Mentorship and guidance are two of the cornerstones of Heroclip’s success, so of course, I jumped at the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s best. And the T9 team is a riot! Starting with Missy, the founder and Johnny, the CEO (and one of two or three men among a company made of women), I can’t express how grateful I am for all their support and encouragement, mixed with a good dose of “tough love.” It was also amazing to witness a company that lives its values -- they are all about active life, so they bring in trainers for group workouts everyday; they are all about supporting women in all they do, so they do things like hold pitchfests. Through Pitchfest, I was also able to grow a network of other “badass” founders that are dedicated to getting people outside and active. Growing our brands in the outdoor consumer market can be a challenge for anyone, so banding together and learning from each other really lifted us all forward. |
You have a new book coming out. Tell us about it.
My new book is called “Be an InventHer: An Everywoman’s Guide to Creating the Next Big Thing.” and it offers practical advice to any woman looking to take an invention from idea to market.
Its purpose is to walk them through the entire process, offer encouragement, success stories of other female inventors, and concrete guidance to help readers realize their dreams of invention. My co-author Hilary Meyerson and I wanted to demystify “inventing” so it is written in a very friendly informal tone, as if you are talking to your best friends over wine (in fact, we encourage our readers to have a glass of wine while reading the book!). We also feature 14 inventHers who have taken very different paths to bringing their products to market -- there is no one way to do “inventing”!
Only 4 percent of patents granted in the last decade in the U.S. were to women or groups made of just women. We want to do our part in changing that.
What are your thoughts on small business becoming bigger businesses?
I am all for it, but I think it is a very personal decision. For some business owners, a successful business is one that allows them to not work elsewhere. For others, a successful business is one that will go public one day. For me, as sappy as this sounds, my business becoming bigger means that I people are finding my product useful and helpful. That makes me want to grow like crazy.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know that we haven’t covered?
I hope you love Heroclip, and if you do, please send us a note or leave us a review! And don’t forget, Heroclip is not rated for climbing but can be used in creative ways to help support your climbing!
My new book is called “Be an InventHer: An Everywoman’s Guide to Creating the Next Big Thing.” and it offers practical advice to any woman looking to take an invention from idea to market.
Its purpose is to walk them through the entire process, offer encouragement, success stories of other female inventors, and concrete guidance to help readers realize their dreams of invention. My co-author Hilary Meyerson and I wanted to demystify “inventing” so it is written in a very friendly informal tone, as if you are talking to your best friends over wine (in fact, we encourage our readers to have a glass of wine while reading the book!). We also feature 14 inventHers who have taken very different paths to bringing their products to market -- there is no one way to do “inventing”!
Only 4 percent of patents granted in the last decade in the U.S. were to women or groups made of just women. We want to do our part in changing that.
What are your thoughts on small business becoming bigger businesses?
I am all for it, but I think it is a very personal decision. For some business owners, a successful business is one that allows them to not work elsewhere. For others, a successful business is one that will go public one day. For me, as sappy as this sounds, my business becoming bigger means that I people are finding my product useful and helpful. That makes me want to grow like crazy.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know that we haven’t covered?
I hope you love Heroclip, and if you do, please send us a note or leave us a review! And don’t forget, Heroclip is not rated for climbing but can be used in creative ways to help support your climbing!
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Website: https://myheroclip.com/
Instagram: @heroclip
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myheroclip/
Twitter: @heroclip
Instagram: @heroclip
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myheroclip/
Twitter: @heroclip