It was love at first sight. The very first time I turned on Shark Tank, I met the most adorable tech accessory company, pursecase. With a stylish design for both the iPhone and Android equipped with a mini mirror, chain handle that doubles as a bracelet (in ‘case’ of a fashion emergency) and back packet with just enough room for the essentials – your credit cards, cash, and ID – I was in fashion PR girl heaven.
As you may know, I have a soft spot for businesses who innovatively merge together fashion and function. Having followed the brand and watching them grow since I first spotted pursecase on Shark Tank, I was thrilled with the opportunity to catch up with Kelley Weaver, Pursecase’s Managing Partner, to ask a few questions about this thriving business!
Save 10% on your very own pursecase with code ALLYN at checkout!
AL: What sparked the idea of pursecase?
KW: I decided to go in to business with my co-founder because we felt there was a need that wasn’t being filled in the market. As a publicist (I own and operate lifestyle Public Relations company called Melrose PR), I am constantly out at client meetings and events and really needed something convenient to carry only the essentials – this is where our idea for pursecase came from. When we found out that nobody made what we needed, we decided to make it ourselves!
AL: When did you start pursecase?
KW: The idea started around October 2012 but we didn’t have our first prototypes until early 2013. We launched our kickstarted campaign at the end of February, 2013.
AL: How has having experience and a background in PR helped the development of the pursecase business?
KW: It’s definitely been helpful to have the PR background. Marketing this product has been really fun- and it’s easy to promote something that you truly love! Pros are that I get to design and be a part of a company and product that I truly love. From picking out colors to developing our prototypes, I love the fact that I can be hands-on with all aspects of pursecase.
AL: What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to face in starting your business and how did you overcome it?
KW: It’s been tough that we are not yet able to produce a case for every phone on the market, and that the phones change so frequently. We have incredibly high demand and a small team to get it all done. We have chosen to focus on the phones that have the highest demand- iPhone models 4, 5, and 6 (coming soon!), and the Samsung Galaxy S4. We wish we could make them for all phones but our minimum orders are high. We may eventually make something that fits all phones, a “one-size-fits-all” solution.
AL: What’s been your favorite moment on the pursecase journey so far?
KW: The day we aired on Shark Tank (November 22nd, 2013) was the most rewarding and exciting day of the pursecase journey so far. All of our hard work and our idea being brought into the homes of over 7 million people worldwide was truly astounding. We got so many emails and orders and the publicity that we got from being on the show really put us on the map.
AL: Do you have any advice you’d like to share for new entrepreneurs with unique business ideas?
KW: An entrepreneur needs to have a degree of fearlessness in them – with high risk comes high reward, however not at first and not all at once. Patience is incredibly important, as well as persistence. Entrepreneurs are likely to get told ‘no’ hundreds of times, but all it takes is one ‘yes’ to move forward. Another thing that any budding entrepreneur should keep in mind: a good idea is not enough. Execution is everything. Find something you’re passionate about and figure out how to make money doing it. Also don’t be afraid to ask for advice and feedback. Sometimes just because you may feel something is a good business idea, it isn’t necessarily something people need or would pay money for. In order to find out if there was demand for pursecase we asked many people, and then we ran a Kickstarter campaign to decide if it was something people would like and want.
AL: What was your experience on Shark Tank like?!
KW: Although walking into a room full of “Shark” investors on Shark Tank was somewhat terrifying, it was better going into it fully prepared. We had rehearsed and practiced answers to any possible question they threw at us, so we were ready to manage their tough line of questions. Ultimately, the Shark Tank experience has been overwhelmingly rewarding. Especially the aftermath of airing on the show.
AL: Were there any major changes in your business that resulted from being on the show?
KW: Yes- the exposure helped ensure brand awareness and also told our story to over 7 million people, probably even more now that the episode has re-run twice since its initial air date.
AL: Anything super fun and exciting pursecase has in the works?
KW: You’ll have to wait and see! But I can say… hold tight for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and you may be seeing some new designs and colors in the very near future…. in the meantime stay #stylinanddialin!
Photos taken at Elliven Spa