Tom Eilon
I've Escaped! And have created a design agency focused on redesigning everyday objects with magnets. The Manuka Belt is our first product and we've just launching it on Kickstarter.
Very happy to have escaped from BCG!
Escaping consulting to launch on Kickstarter
I escaped the world of consulting to work with startups and create my own. I've launched my business on Kickstarter - we've reinvented the belt with magnets. Kickstarter is an awesome way to get a business going.How I can help Esc members
Sure I can help. If you want some advice on how to find your position in a London startup then I'm happy to chat. I could use a little help myself. Check out our Kickstarter campaign and back our project.
Currently...
I love startups. I've created a little design house, called Manuka Magnetics with a great friend Adam. We've been playing with magnetic materials for ages and found a great way to get our product out to the world... on Kickstarter.
I also work as the Head of Product at a very cool startup called http://metail.com/">Metail. We make virtual fitting room technology for online fashion retailers. Its going great and I love working there.
Before I escaped...
- Joined BCG straight from Cambridge
- Wanted to work with startups so joined Atomico (a venture capital fund run by the founders of Skype)
- Did an MBA at INSEAD
- Joined Metail and launched the Manuka Belt on Kickstarter
My moment of truth...
Recently I came across Kickstarter and I couldn't believe how powerful their community was. They have thousands of loyal customers willing to back projects.When someone backs a campaign it essentially works as a pre-sale allowing the entrepreneur to build up some volume before investing heavily in manufacturing (or whatever their major cost is). Its a godsend for entrepreneurs. As soon as I saw it, I knew that I needed to have a go.
Planning for it...
I looked for tonnes of jobs, and talked to a lot of people. Coffee chats with entrepreneurs, investors and everyone else. When you start digging, everyone you speak to knows more about your passion than you do. I kept digging and talking and soon other people were asking me questions.
The worst and best bits...
Hard work is hard! Building a Kickstarter campaign requires thought and planning. We worked for months to put the campaign together and all while working in a full-time job. Something's got to give. For me I ditched a lot of sleep time.Working on something your own is extremely rewarding.
Best advice...
Stop moping... go and do something... from my mum!Useful resources and information...
I've looked through the best Kickstarter projects to find tips and tricks. These projects have raised $$$ millions. I tried to work out what works well, so that I could appeal the same customers that they inspired.For tech startups, crunchbase is always the best place to start.