Fancy listening to your music on a piece of luggage? Because that's exactly what customers at Bass Trunkies do.
Spurning the standard speakers that most of us are familiar with, they opt instead for what is a functional piece of art made out of vintage suitcases. With stylish personalised designs, each Bass Trunkies speaker is unique and handcrafted. And despite its quirky looks, it still packs a sound punch, with digital amplifiers capable of delivering at least 200 watts of power.
Bass Trunkies is the brainchild of Andy Rodgers, an electric engineer who set up the business only at the end of last year, but is now seeing it grow very quickly through tradeshows and his website.
So what's to be learned from this young entrepreneur?
Business Lesson 1: Being different does pay
Of course, as long as you are creating a product that captures your market's imagination, which is what Andy has done by putting his own spin on the humble speaker. His customers seem to love the idea, sending in their own collection of old shoeboxes, military cases and family heirlooms to be converted. Some do it for sentimental reasons, as a homage to family and friends, others for the sheer fun of owning something so unique and personal.
Business Lesson 2: Just get started
Andy is also a great believer that if you want to make something happen, just go for it. At some point you have to stop thinking about it and actually take the leap of faith that's needed to get going and make it a reality.
Business Lesson 3: Start small
Bass Trunkies is also another example of someone self funding their business rather than turning to banks for money. Though funding your start up on your credit card, as Andy did, isn't generally recommended, it's worked for him, as Bass Trunkies continues to grow from a part-time side-line into a full-time business.
Business Lesson 4: Bring skills together to create success.
An electric engineer by trade, Andy is more than capable of taking care of the practical side of things, but he leaves the business side of things to his real-life partner, Kelly. That's because they've realised that you can make far better progress when you play to your strengths, and don't try and do everything himself. Of course, as a couple in business, balancing opposing views can sometimes be difficult, but as Andy and Kelly have found, a bit of give and take goes a long way.
So if you've had an idea for a business floating around in your head for a while but not done anything with it yet, stop hoping and waiting for the 'right moment' - today is as good a time as any to take that first step.
