YETCH Photoshoot BTS
Added 2021-12-17 21:53:03 +0000 UTCLaunching a product company is a like snail marathon: slow, exhausting, and you might get run over by a car at any point. But we're making incremental progress, and this week was a big one! We finally had a photoshoot where we took pictures of our first five products for the website.
Every step of the way, I've always looked for someone professional to do the job. Logo? We need a designer. Website layout? We need a UX expert. Puzzle box? We need an illustrator. Photos? We need an art director, prop stylist and a photographer.
So we ended up talking to dozens of people, looking at portfolios, design drafts, budgets, and it just didn't feel... right. This company is so personal, and even though I been wrestling with the limitations of my own skillset we kept trying to do as much as we could ourselves. For the photoshoot, my friends Yvette and Scott ended up directing and photographing. We used my workshop as a studio, our friends as hand models, and Scraps as HR.
It all comes down to what my goal is with this business. If it's to become a huge global brand, then I'd definitely need to give up some creative gut-guided control. But my goal is just to make something that I'm really proud of, and then it's ok if I go slow.
In other news: I added (fake) hair to my phone case to see if it would make me use my phone less.
I just want to make it slightly more cumbersome so I don't get stuck in scroll holes as much. And it has indeed reduced my screen time, but still can't recommend it. Going to make a V2 and see if I can make it look less like a muppet murder scene.
In other news 2: I was on a podcast about dogs barking, in case you're looking for 38 minutes of me dogsplaining/complaining about Scraps.
In other news 3: I'M FLYING TO SWEDEN ON WEDNESDAY! I can't believe I'm going home after over two years away. And I'm bringing Scraps with me on the flight. I'm so damn nervous about having her in the cabin with me. Any advice greatly appreciated.
XOXO
Simone
Comments
OMG! I bet Simone is a dream to work with!!!
Kaiden Antilla
2022-01-05 16:46:09 +0000 UTCI'm just a weekend maker. Not a full service job shop :/ Instagram: @forever.endeavour.mfg Personal: @xykobas3rd My day job is "engineering lab tech" ...so I meddle a little in a lot of fields. (Electronics/CAD/Coding/machining/QC/process control, etc) So if you need an extra set of hands or need some leads , I can help.
Carlos Forever.Endeavour
2021-12-20 20:59:08 +0000 UTCI got a sherpa bag for her! It's definitely on the smaller side, but she can lay in it fairly comfortably. Fortunately she's an emotional support animal, so as soon as we're in the air she can come out and lay on my lap.
Simone Giertz
2021-12-20 19:37:15 +0000 UTCI thought of bringing CDC but then my friend reminded me that it's illegal in Sweden π
Simone Giertz
2021-12-20 19:35:56 +0000 UTCYeah there's really no reprieve in sight. And as someone who's terrified of disappointing people, selling physical products can be a real anxiety whirlwind. But it's getting easier with experience!
Simone Giertz
2021-12-20 19:35:03 +0000 UTCJust two weeks! So will be back January 4th, and then January 9th Laura Kampf comes to stay with me for a week in LA π
Simone Giertz
2021-12-20 19:32:21 +0000 UTCThanks for the update and the insight in your work. I am looking forward to the launch of your store and how it comes out. Have a great vacation and happy, relaxing holidays.
Edgar Ernst
2021-12-20 19:31:41 +0000 UTCHi! Do you have a website/portfolio for your work? Would love to see it!
Simone Giertz
2021-12-20 19:31:04 +0000 UTCSay hi to Sweden from all of us other makers! Itβs been 40 years since I worked there. Have a great trip, hope it brings out even more creativity.
Dale Sherman
2021-12-19 04:00:16 +0000 UTCIdea: could you build small TENS electro stim bracelets tied into the accelerometer on your phone? They could track if the accelerometers are still moving from usual hand holding (as humans can't hold anything still) and start electro stimulating your wrists at your set "stop scrolling" time and build in intensity till you literally drop your phone to stop the self-induced electric shocks. π Nice work on your brand, btw. Keep at it, champ! πͺπΌ
xPir8x
2021-12-18 19:31:27 +0000 UTCGlad to hear your keeping up with past buddies! Hey Scott!....... lol
J-Mo
2021-12-18 13:46:02 +0000 UTCSimone - congratulations on your product company journey! As a Product Manager I can empathize with the need to pull in many different experts while not losing the product vision you understand better than anyone. I've been asked by aspiring PMs over the years for advice and have built up a list of resources that I've found really helpful. "INSPIRED" by Marty Cagan is the most valuable of all. Good luck with your adventure and thank for for sharing a BTS view! - INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Marty Cagan) - Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology (by Gayle Laakmann McDowell) - Cracking the PM Career (by Gayle Laakmann McDowell) - The Design of Everyday Things (Don Norman) - A More Beautiful Question (Warren Berger) - Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Robert B. Cialdini) - The Credibility Code: How to Project Confidence and Competence When It Matters Most (Cara Hale Alter) - Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction (Derek Thompson) - Article: https://medium.com/galvanize/pixars-rules-of-storytelling-applied-to-product-managers-ux-designers-420cec0a18a6 - Article: https://firstround.com/review/how-superhuman-built-an-engine-to-find-product-market-fit/ - Article: How Pixar Fosters Creativity: https://hbr.org/2008/09/how-pixar-fosters-collective-creativity - Article: https://medium.com/@travers/what-indiana-jones-taught-me-about-product-management-bedc6baf50a9 - Article: https://viewlesswingspress.com/2021/04/11/publishing-a-book-is-a-product-management-challenge/ - Podcast: How I Built Podcast: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this - Patreon CEO on epic fails: https://youtu.be/Zf5rKTCMNnU
James Morehead
2021-12-18 01:59:43 +0000 UTCSomething suggested to me recently which I love the idea of is Light Phone. I'm thinking that I could have this current phone somewhere if I really needed a video or specific online task but that my primary communication device wouldn't constantly try to be in my hand scrolling somewhere. Thank you so much for sharing this snail checkpoint!! This is really incredible, brilliant team, congratulations all πππ
MoxtheWolf
2021-12-18 00:16:42 +0000 UTCHome and family, and with your dog! So happy for you!
Paul Kinzer
2021-12-17 23:38:59 +0000 UTCVery nice report-- I'm expecting big things from you! Well, I mean I won't be surprised if it's a big thing... so no pressure!!! Of course, you must please yourself. One's own business is like one's own child. As for doggie stuff on airplanes... uhh, find a doggie sleep aid pill. Well that's what I heard... Congrats on going back home-- my warmest wishes for the seasonal stuff! I think also a Happy New Year!
Eliot R. Brown
2021-12-17 23:34:07 +0000 UTCAs a fellow dog flyer my best advice is to get her a tsa friendly bag she is comfortable in. My pooch loves his sleepypod air. Also if she doesn't pee in the weird indoor dog airport don't worry. Those places are overwhelming with smells and disinfectants. Good luck!
Megan
2021-12-17 22:38:56 +0000 UTCCongratulations on all the success. I'm looking forward to when YETCH releases but as a patron, watching it all come together gives me a lot of joy too. Have a great time at home. I've heard doggy cbd is good to keep animals calm on flights.
Angela
2021-12-17 22:34:21 +0000 UTC100% agree on being okay to go slow. A step at a time, a day at a time
Taylor Pridgen
2021-12-17 22:24:16 +0000 UTCVery happy for you! So much good news all at once. Give Scraps an extra pat! She deserves it - HR is often a thankless job.
Tree Carcass Mangler
2021-12-17 22:13:00 +0000 UTCAt this stage of the game sticking with your team of friends is the way to go. Iβm kinda surprised we havenβt seen the SSA - Simone Screen Avoidance device yet! Probably includes shocks and the optional slapping hand.
Jeff
2021-12-17 22:09:29 +0000 UTCCongratulations! As a startup founder myself, that term "snail marathon" is so accurate - it's a long journey that feels like it's always uphill. And the moment you get over one obstacle, you are facing the next one. And the stress over the entire process is unbelievable. You can do it; you've done many of the hardest parts already. And you have many fans, no matter how it turns out.
Chris
2021-12-17 22:05:56 +0000 UTCThe hairy phone idea has merit. Could you get a similar level of functional annoyance with a distorting lens as a screen protector?
Joe Langley
2021-12-17 22:05:50 +0000 UTCSo hyped for your company! Really curious for the things you'll be making and selling. Your last few videos were absolute perfection btw. How long will you be staying in Sweden?
Geerten
2021-12-17 22:05:29 +0000 UTCCongratulations. Let me know if you need any fabrication stuff here in LA.
Carlos Forever.Endeavour
2021-12-17 22:02:37 +0000 UTCSome advice for general phone usage. TURN OFF ALL SOCIAL NOTIFICATIONS! It should be your choice to socially engage. Don't let your phone decide that for you. I have for the past 5 years only gotten notifications for texts and calls. Even email is all turned off besides the icon at the top.
RobBob (Robert Stolorz)
2021-12-17 21:59:17 +0000 UTC
