Kickstarter Alert: Voltower is Deceptively Genius
12th February 2016
This is Voltower.
It’s secretly one of the most clever Kickstarter campaigns we’ve seen in a while, and we get a lot of Kickstarter campaigns passed across our desks here at Innovators Peak Worldwide Headquarters (name pending).
We’ve all got a phone, tablet and laptop charger, and various other cords for smartwatches and VR widgets and interfacing mainframe receptors (or something). All of these devices need power, baby, and that need requires a lot of organization.
![Talking Crowdfunding With The Apparel Company Your Inner-Coloradan NeedsA few weeks ago we told you about Ink Lounge Studio in Denver – one of the city’s coolest creative places where inspired and artistic people meet up for workshops and use of the public space. Its places like this where innovators and creators flock, and there was no shortage of them present during our visit to the studio.One of those people that we were able to speak with and tell you about briefly was Marissa Mason, who recent started designing and screen printing her own t-shirts then selling them under the moniker Wandering Ink. Since we last spoke with her, things have really been shaping up nicely for Mason and Wandering Ink. She recently started a Kickstarter campaign where she began hitting her initial goals soon after.[[MORE]]Mason’s campaign is still underway – so we caught up with her to find out all you need to know about helping make this awesome project come to life. This is what she had to say:Innovators Peak: What’s new since you’ve last spoken with Innovators Peak?Marissa Mason: I launched my Kickstarter! I’m 7 days in right now. I met my first base goal and my first stretch goal. I’m kind of half way to my second stretch goal right now. Then I’ve been working on trying to reach out to other businesses in Colorado to cross promote.IP: Can you tell us more about that Kickstarter and how Wandering Ink started up?MM: Definitely. I took a class at Ink Lounge back in November. From there I started printing my own shirts and made my first sale in December and then I got my LLC in January. I just launched this Kickstarter to help fund my next 5 designs and to come up with supplies to start doing craft fairs in Colorado. I’m trying to get into that vendor market scene here. I also started selling on the I Heart Denver store in February.Marissa Mason.IP: Why and who should be the people interested in funding your project?MM: For me, I think it really appeals to the outdoors adventurous type. I made designs that I like and all of my friends seem to like. They’re great shirts for hiking and being outdoors and to kind of show off your adventurous side – which in Colorado, everyone really has some type of outdoor adventure that they enjoy.IP: I know I do. So you’ve already reached your initial goal, what will the extra funding be going towards?MM: That’ll go towards keeping inventory on hand so I can send out orders a lot quicker. As of now, everything is made to order because I just don’t have the finances to keep a lot of blank shirts on hand. Part of that will also go towards inventory for craft fairs and markets. Other things I would need like tables, booth fees and all those fees associated with doing markets here in Colorado.IP: Why are you so passionate about this idea of outdoors themed apparel?MM: I’m really passionate about the outdoors and climbing, specifically. I’ve been climbing since I was in college. I love hiking, canoeing, and just photographing the landscapes here. Just finding and seeing all of the beauty that Colorado has to offer.My background is as a studio artist and photographer – so I’m always trying to use my creativity in one way or another. With screen printing I’m able to use my own design. The screen printing process itself is more physical than a desk job, which I like. It allows me to get a lot of exercise while I’m working. I’m on my feet and I’m making something that I enjoy and that other people enjoy which is really fulfilling to me.IP: What is it that you think makes everyone enjoy your product so much?MM: One thing is that the shirts are really soft. They have that vintage feel. That water based ink is softer to the touch than, say like, plastisol ink which is thicker and a little bit more prone to cracking. They’re just light, good, soft shirts you can really wear anywhere.IP: Sounds like a shirt we could all use. So what happens after you get your funding?MM: The next step would be fulfilling all of the orders and sending out the rewards for funding. *Laughs.* My plan is to order the shirts, start with basically the first backers and go down the line. I’m going to get the orders out and start building inventory for craft shows and things like that, using the most popular designs and color combinations as a basis for what I should keep on hand.IP: Any ultimate goals for the future?MM: My ultimate goal would just be to be constantly creating whether that’s t-shirt design or whatever. I want to branch out into art prints, and just kind of spend my time balancing between creating new designs and being able to get outside. With a 9-5 job, it’s kind of harder to find the time to go hike or climb in the morning. My main goal is to just create and be able to get out there and experience all that we have here to do.We recommend that you check out Mason’s Kickstarter here and check out all she has to offer on her website here. But first, check out a few of these awesome design mockups:](../../511bc9ebf868a008e952363fa7805f7c/tumblr_nngwexCD5m1tk0d1vo1_1280.jpg)
![Talking Crowdfunding With The Apparel Company Your Inner-Coloradan NeedsA few weeks ago we told you about Ink Lounge Studio in Denver – one of the city’s coolest creative places where inspired and artistic people meet up for workshops and use of the public space. Its places like this where innovators and creators flock, and there was no shortage of them present during our visit to the studio.One of those people that we were able to speak with and tell you about briefly was Marissa Mason, who recent started designing and screen printing her own t-shirts then selling them under the moniker Wandering Ink. Since we last spoke with her, things have really been shaping up nicely for Mason and Wandering Ink. She recently started a Kickstarter campaign where she began hitting her initial goals soon after.[[MORE]]Mason’s campaign is still underway – so we caught up with her to find out all you need to know about helping make this awesome project come to life. This is what she had to say:Innovators Peak: What’s new since you’ve last spoken with Innovators Peak?Marissa Mason: I launched my Kickstarter! I’m 7 days in right now. I met my first base goal and my first stretch goal. I’m kind of half way to my second stretch goal right now. Then I’ve been working on trying to reach out to other businesses in Colorado to cross promote.IP: Can you tell us more about that Kickstarter and how Wandering Ink started up?MM: Definitely. I took a class at Ink Lounge back in November. From there I started printing my own shirts and made my first sale in December and then I got my LLC in January. I just launched this Kickstarter to help fund my next 5 designs and to come up with supplies to start doing craft fairs in Colorado. I’m trying to get into that vendor market scene here. I also started selling on the I Heart Denver store in February.Marissa Mason.IP: Why and who should be the people interested in funding your project?MM: For me, I think it really appeals to the outdoors adventurous type. I made designs that I like and all of my friends seem to like. They’re great shirts for hiking and being outdoors and to kind of show off your adventurous side – which in Colorado, everyone really has some type of outdoor adventure that they enjoy.IP: I know I do. So you’ve already reached your initial goal, what will the extra funding be going towards?MM: That’ll go towards keeping inventory on hand so I can send out orders a lot quicker. As of now, everything is made to order because I just don’t have the finances to keep a lot of blank shirts on hand. Part of that will also go towards inventory for craft fairs and markets. Other things I would need like tables, booth fees and all those fees associated with doing markets here in Colorado.IP: Why are you so passionate about this idea of outdoors themed apparel?MM: I’m really passionate about the outdoors and climbing, specifically. I’ve been climbing since I was in college. I love hiking, canoeing, and just photographing the landscapes here. Just finding and seeing all of the beauty that Colorado has to offer.My background is as a studio artist and photographer – so I’m always trying to use my creativity in one way or another. With screen printing I’m able to use my own design. The screen printing process itself is more physical than a desk job, which I like. It allows me to get a lot of exercise while I’m working. I’m on my feet and I’m making something that I enjoy and that other people enjoy which is really fulfilling to me.IP: What is it that you think makes everyone enjoy your product so much?MM: One thing is that the shirts are really soft. They have that vintage feel. That water based ink is softer to the touch than, say like, plastisol ink which is thicker and a little bit more prone to cracking. They’re just light, good, soft shirts you can really wear anywhere.IP: Sounds like a shirt we could all use. So what happens after you get your funding?MM: The next step would be fulfilling all of the orders and sending out the rewards for funding. *Laughs.* My plan is to order the shirts, start with basically the first backers and go down the line. I’m going to get the orders out and start building inventory for craft shows and things like that, using the most popular designs and color combinations as a basis for what I should keep on hand.IP: Any ultimate goals for the future?MM: My ultimate goal would just be to be constantly creating whether that’s t-shirt design or whatever. I want to branch out into art prints, and just kind of spend my time balancing between creating new designs and being able to get outside. With a 9-5 job, it’s kind of harder to find the time to go hike or climb in the morning. My main goal is to just create and be able to get out there and experience all that we have here to do.We recommend that you check out Mason’s Kickstarter here and check out all she has to offer on her website here. But first, check out a few of these awesome design mockups:](../../511bc9ebf868a008e952363fa7805f7c/tumblr_nngwexCD5m1tk0d1vo1_500.jpg)
![New Bill in the Works to Facilitate Crowdfunding in ColoradoIt’s no surprise that Colorado is now facing a potential bill that would accelerate funding abilities for new startups. According to the bill, the Colorado Crowdfunding Act would “facilitate crowdfunding by authorizing on-line intermediaries to match a Colorado investor with a Colorado business that wishes to sell securities…” and it goes on to state the conditions in which the issuers will be under. Legal jargon aside, this bill is an important step in the expansion of Colorado’s startup community. It’s clear that Denver, Boulder, and beyond are leading the way for successful startups and it’s also clear that in order for a startup to be successful, beyond a well-executed vision and product, funding is of the utmost necessity. And funding isn’t exactly the easiest thing to come by, especially in a market that’s already fairly saturated.[[MORE]]This is why crowdfunding is targeted by so many entrepreneurs. Think Kickstarter, GoFundMe, etc. You’ve probably seen one of your friend’s reposting a link to a crowdfunding campaign to help out their friend, significant other, coworker, whomever … it’s an interesting concept, as anybody can start a crowdfunding campaign and there isn’t much regulation. That means someone can set his or her goal at $20,000 for some crazy, innovative, awesome product (in theory, anyway) and if the campaign reaches that $20K, they get that money. Of course, the idea is they use it for business and only business…but you never know. And that’s where the waters of crowdfunding get a little murky.According to a sponsor of the bill, Representative Dan Pabon, “The challenge right now with a Colorado company trying to raise money is if they want to get outside investors, wealthy investors or venture capitalists, they have to go through such a labyrinth of securities laws and lawyers.” For young startups, this so-called labyrinth isn’t always a feasible choice, nor is it worth it, when the costs and burdens are considered.Photo.J.B. Holston whom Innovators Peak featured for receiving the Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2014 Apex Awards was part of the launch announcement on the legislation last week. Holston has alluded to some positive aspects of Crowdfunding and as the Executive Director of Blackstone Entrepreneur’s Network that features over 200 CEO’s and 30 companies, he recognizes the need to find money from other sources.If the bill passes, it will take effect in the first quarter of 2016. Until then, the Colorado Crowdfunding meet-up group is still hard at work (and they’re always looking for members if you want to join the thriving entrepreneurial scene of Colorado!)](../../30b06cb87513c4f5312f122c8c5e358a/tumblr_nlu5nuDAzp1tk0d1vo1_1280.jpg)
![New Bill in the Works to Facilitate Crowdfunding in ColoradoIt’s no surprise that Colorado is now facing a potential bill that would accelerate funding abilities for new startups. According to the bill, the Colorado Crowdfunding Act would “facilitate crowdfunding by authorizing on-line intermediaries to match a Colorado investor with a Colorado business that wishes to sell securities…” and it goes on to state the conditions in which the issuers will be under. Legal jargon aside, this bill is an important step in the expansion of Colorado’s startup community. It’s clear that Denver, Boulder, and beyond are leading the way for successful startups and it’s also clear that in order for a startup to be successful, beyond a well-executed vision and product, funding is of the utmost necessity. And funding isn’t exactly the easiest thing to come by, especially in a market that’s already fairly saturated.[[MORE]]This is why crowdfunding is targeted by so many entrepreneurs. Think Kickstarter, GoFundMe, etc. You’ve probably seen one of your friend’s reposting a link to a crowdfunding campaign to help out their friend, significant other, coworker, whomever … it’s an interesting concept, as anybody can start a crowdfunding campaign and there isn’t much regulation. That means someone can set his or her goal at $20,000 for some crazy, innovative, awesome product (in theory, anyway) and if the campaign reaches that $20K, they get that money. Of course, the idea is they use it for business and only business…but you never know. And that’s where the waters of crowdfunding get a little murky.According to a sponsor of the bill, Representative Dan Pabon, “The challenge right now with a Colorado company trying to raise money is if they want to get outside investors, wealthy investors or venture capitalists, they have to go through such a labyrinth of securities laws and lawyers.” For young startups, this so-called labyrinth isn’t always a feasible choice, nor is it worth it, when the costs and burdens are considered.Photo.J.B. Holston whom Innovators Peak featured for receiving the Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2014 Apex Awards was part of the launch announcement on the legislation last week. Holston has alluded to some positive aspects of Crowdfunding and as the Executive Director of Blackstone Entrepreneur’s Network that features over 200 CEO’s and 30 companies, he recognizes the need to find money from other sources.If the bill passes, it will take effect in the first quarter of 2016. Until then, the Colorado Crowdfunding meet-up group is still hard at work (and they’re always looking for members if you want to join the thriving entrepreneurial scene of Colorado!)](../../30b06cb87513c4f5312f122c8c5e358a/tumblr_nlu5nuDAzp1tk0d1vo1_500.jpg)
