PART III: Journal Entry MAY 3, 2002
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Things will get really crazy for us in a matter of days. If all goes well, by next week you should be able to order online and get your brand new, shiny PenAgain. Then it will be in your hands before Father's Day. We're so close, we can taste it...
So, read on if you want to know more about what we've been working on and how we've been progressing. And feel free to pass this along to others who might be interested.
A LATE STAGE DETOUR
Unfortunately, our hopes of an April 1st launch were dashed by a
manufacturing failure. The first run of pens were deformed, rounded
and bumpy, not unlike the version Colin's dog created on the first
prototype with his teeth.
But that was a small hurdle for us in the scheme of things. With a few last minute adjustments, the molds were rebuilt and the process began again.
Our main reason for delay, though, was actually through no fault of our own. Hewlett Packard had a project in the cooker ahead of ours. There was one item that didn't want to be produced with all the rest, and it mucked up the whole process and cost everyone a lot of money. Not really, but they did stall us.
Funny when you think about it: both companies were founded in a garage in Palo Alto; both companies were started by two ambitious young guys out to change the world; both companies used the same manufacturer to produce their wares. We're almost mirrors of each other, other than HP's $35 billion market cap.
When their production run was completed, we then proceeded with our development. There seemed little reason to fight over a short delay. And as Mom always said, "Good things come to those who wait."
THE FUTURE IS IN PLASTICS
Shifting gears from the fundraising process to manufacturing proved
challenging but also truly fascinating. We've even gained a whole new
vocabulary: Cavitation, Sinking, Energy Directors, Ultrasonic
Welding, ig-lee-a-gah (made that one up for parts that don't look
familiar).
The process works like this: You have a mold made by a highly skilled craftsman. You then take that mold and put it in an injection- molding machine. The machine then squirts high-grade plastic (ABS) into the mold at high temperatures. It cools. And then it pops out and lands in a basket. You examine the piece closely for flaws. And when everything looks good you go for broke and order a boatload of them.
The first part that came out from our first run looked like a melted candle with a small arm protruding from it. Apparently, there had been some residue in the machine from something produced before. The shape had a certain artsy feel to it, but we're not making this to be kept behind glass.
Fortunately, we were able to crank out a small handful of functional prototypes and glue them together. They were perfect for showing people and getting some more feedback.
It's pretty cool to watch your dream, literally, slowly come to life through all these steps. As one friend of mine put it when referring to startups, "It's as close as men ever get to having a baby."
OOOOHH. AAAAAHHH.
Bobby's friend took one of these first-run pens to work and spent
most of the day showing it off and letting people take it for test
drives. Amazed, many of them were demanding early access to the web
site for ordering.
Colin's mother took one to her evening class last week. He got calls all day on his cell phone asking how to get one.
We were contacted by the Arthritis Foundation asking for some samples to hand out for National Arthritis Month in May.
We even took a call from a high level exec at one of the major pen companies asking to set a meeting at the National Stationary Show next month. He wanted to see if we could work with each other.
The kicker, though, was an e-mail from a Russian distribution company that is going to be at the show. They asked for our "Cooperation for a meeting" at the show. No problem, we can hang with the Russians.
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL
We've obviously been heavily focused on manufacturing issues, but
there's plenty of other stuff on our plates. Here's a snapshot of
the business as it stands today:
- Manufacturing date for our first run of pens is set for early May.
- Packaging is almost complete. Whole new process we had to figure out but picked it up pretty quickly.
- Secured primary financing for the business.
- Made some in-roads with the press. Keep an eye out for us in the local papers.
- Assembled a very strong advisory board of tried and true veterans.
- Got blown away at how much the upcoming convention in New York is going to cost.
- Set up a fulfillment and distribution center, scaled it for massive growth.
- Built our portfolio structure in anticipation of raising "big money".
- Realized that the web is alive and kicking. Been contacted by people all around the world signing up for our updates and reserving a pen for the first production run.
We were very fortunate on the first round of funding. We first thought it would be tough, but some brave people stepped forward and helped us out. All very solid people that want to see us succeed.
The Web site has proven to be an incredible resource. Our friend Matt McAlister does most of the work across the Pond in London. Colin sends him ideas late at night around 1 am when Matt is just getting up. He takes a look, replies to them and then Colin gives him a call. This proves to work well for the site but bad for normal sleeping habits. Though it's nice to tell people we are an international company with employees in the US and the UK.
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
So, here we are, May 3, 2002. Everything is about to come together.
Hopefully with the next update you receive, we will have launched the
product and you will have a nice, shiny PenAgain in your possession.
We have a host of different series of pens lined up after this first
one. We just hope the masses take to our first effort and help us
continue on to the next level.
By the way, we are open to any suggestions you may have about the PenAgain. For example someone suggested we put a magnet on it so you can keep one on the fridge. Not a bad idea! Look for it someday. We will update you soon on the other side. Thank you for your continued support.
-- The PenAgain Team
P.S. Yesterday evening around 8:00 pm Colin and his wife were driving
North up the California Coast from Mavericks in Half Moon Bay. Along
the Western Horizon above the fog-line the Planets shined very
brightly and were in perfect alignment (5 of them). He was so jazzed
he went home and look it up. It was true! Hopefully this is a good
sign.
"The five planets visible to the naked eye have lined up in the sky. Astronomers say the rare grouping of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn may not be seen again for a century."- Helen Briggs, BBC News online http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1908000/1908855.stm
P.P.S. Be sure to grab one of the first-run pens which will hopefully
become a collector's item after we've produced millions more! It
would make a great Father's Day gift, don't you think...?
