This is a great story...thanks for posting this. I love hearing how driven people bring great products to market. The real behind the scenes stories are always complicated — design, materials, manufacturability, tooling, getting shelf space, branding, positioning, legal challenges and patents, new technologies, distribution channels, financing, partnerships, etc.
There are so many interesting nuggets in this article — finding a Japanese manufacturer after having been told “not possible” by others, stumbling onto the Monsanto material, positioning the peeler as an aid to arthritis sufferers and then learning that stigmatizes them, packaging it so potential customers could feel the innovative handle, putting the new peelers in a bowl of carrots so people could try them out, bringing out 20 kitchen gadgets with the same breakthrough handle so they could get retail shelf space. Even the simple name of the company with the instant visual recognition of the simple shapes that trigger “hugs & kisses” reflex.
Great stuff! We are big fans of OXO products.
It makes me even think about getting out of retirement!
How the pieces of the puzzle came together.
The manufacturing guy being cocksure! (see #25)
That guy I know.
Occasionally at a meeting and my principal asks can we do it? I’m not here to give a song and dance, just yes or no.
I have to believe in the ability of the team to perform.
Only no, if there are serious doubts, with a short explanation.
This makes competitive capitalism work.
And still, the most basic potato peeler sells by the millions...