Why We Use Kickstarter

With the release of the Aluminum Collection on Kickstarter, many have raised a very valid question.

“Why would a developed company like Proof, chose to use Kickstarter?”

Many have questioned our motives for using Kickstarter as a means to release The Aluminum Collection. Kickstarter is primarily used for start-up initiatives — Projects that would not see the light of day without venture capital. In most situations, this capital cannot be obtained because the project is unknown or has limited pull such venture capitalists. Hence, a Kickstarter Campaign. This process allows the people who would benefit from the project to actually fund the project.

Proof jumped in on the action at Kickstarter with the release of wooden accessories. We were a small start-up with big ideas on how to benefit the world with our product ideas. The Slab Wallet hit the market because of a Kickstarter a few years back and is still available to people because of it’s observed success there. Proof (at the time) was still very much a start-up; ran by 3 brothers a few support people. No one took a salary, no one knew what might come of the campaign. The Kickstarter gave the small project traction and illuminated Proof Eyewear to people who had not heard of it before, generating additional sales to products on the home site.

Since then, Proof has definitely made a name for itself. We’ve been able to generate interest with consumers and advocates all over the globe with a feature on Shark Tank, a few other Kickstarters, and collaboration projects with other brands. With any growth, more people have joined the team and we’ve been able to accomplish goals the founders had only dreamed of at the beginning. However, with every new venture there is always a degree of ambiguity regarding success.

“Will this project follow our branding?”

“How will people respond to an idea like this?”

Although Kickstarter has been widely used for campaigns with little-to-no starting capital, the process automatically does two remarkable things any company should be actively pursuing.

1. Marketing + Story

The marketing value launching a Kickstarter brings to a company is near invaluable. The site brings an idea to light, sure. But, it also gives a stage to that idea, allowing it to be seen by new eyes and hopefully backed by the humans housing those eyes. Not only that, but if the campaign makes sense, it generates a lot of media coverage and buzz. This is essentially FREE marketing. Who would dare say no to that?

Even if the project doesn’t create the splash that creators has hoped, it allows an idea to play out and gives criticism for more development. In cases where an idea does not resonate with consumers, Kickstarter forces the project creators to rethink how they might retell a story about the campaign so that it might be perceived well on the next go-around.

2. Capital + (Hopefully) Profits

Kickstarter has been a wildly ideal avenue for Proof to collect capital for new ideas without having to dip in to the money we’ve generated for Do Good projects or the obligation of overhead. This is extremely important to us. We’re a company founded on principles of heritage, sustainability, and do good actions — and we carry those principles with us 100% of the time. Obviously, we don’t shy away from the possibility of being profitable. However, we choose to focus on the things we can control and Kickstarter allows us flexibility in pioneering these revolutionary ideas.

Basically, it boils down to why not? After a lot of thought we did end up using a Kickstarter to launch this new idea. The benefits clearly outweigh the potential hesitation or reservations any team member might have had. If you find yourself with more questions or comments regarding Kickstarter, our experience, or the brand in general — Let us know! Hit us up on one of our many social channels.