In this episode of Art of the Kickstart, we interviewed Ilan Srulovicz, founder of Égard Watches, men’s and women’s luxury timepieces. Through a direct-to-consumer sales model, Égard is able to provide high-quality watches at affordable prices by avoiding wholesalers and retailers. Listen in and learn the inspiration behind the brand, their journey over the past eight years since its launch and where Égard is headed toward in the future.Topics Discussed and Key Crowdfunding Takeaways

Where the vision for Égard Watch Company came from when it was founded in 2012The key points and message that were focused on when building out the brandWhat’s changed in the watch industry over the last eight yearsHow Ilan positioned himself and the brand for successful crowdfundingThe experience creating a marketing video in response to Gillette’s “The Best Men Can Be” video

Links

ÉgardÉgard on KickstarterStart with Why by Simon Sinek

SponsorsArt of the Kickstart is honored to be sponsored by The Gadget Flow, a product discovery platform that helps you discover, save, and buy awesome products. The Gadget Flow is the ultimate buyer's guide for cool luxury gadgets and creative gifts. Click here to learn more and list your product - use coupon code ATOKK16 for 20% off!TranscriptView this episode's transcriptRoy Morejon:Welcome to Art of the Kickstart, your source for crowdfunding campaign success. I’m your host, Roy Morejon, President of Enventys Partners, the top full service turnkey product development and crowdfunding marketing agency in the world. We have helped startups raise over $100 million for our clients, since 2010. Each week, I’ll interview a crowdfunding success story, an inspirational entrepreneur, or a business expert in order to help you take your startup to the next level with crowdfunding.Roy Morejon:Art of the Kickstart is honored to be sponsored by Gadget Flow. Gadget Flow is a product discovery platform that helps you discover, save, and buy awesome products. It is the ultimate buyers guide for luxury gadgets and creative gifts. Now, let’s get on with the show.Roy Morejon:Welcome to another edition of Art of the Kickstart. Today, I am talking with Ilan, founder of Ègard Watches. Ilan, thank you so much for joining us today.Ilan Srulovicz:My pleasure, thanks for having me.Roy Morejon:I’m really excited to talk to you, I love interviewing OGs of the crowdfunding world. You have an upcoming campaign, which will be your fourth, for a new watch piece. So, I’m really excited to hear about the journey you’ve been on, since founding the company back in 2012. Where does it start, and what inspired you to create Ègard Watches?Ilan Srulovicz:The entire foundation of the company is an interesting story. I was a wild kid growing up, and got in some trouble and stuff like that. My dad was very committed to never giving up on me. so, I got through all that stuff, and then I got older, I got some health issues. Again, my dad was there, taking care of me, on a dime. I was living in New York, he just flew to New York, stayed with me and was like, “We’re going to get through this.”Ilan Srulovicz:So, it got to a point where my dad was getting older, he was 65 at the time. I wanted to find a way to pay him back, for everything he had done for me. I was working in a company at the time, doing previs. You know, we make movies, we do all that kind of stuff, so I knew how to do design, and I started prevising a watch. Or, designing a watch in 3D, and using the 3D printers. I ended up making him a watch, giving it to him, and that’s the inception of Ègard Watches.Roy Morejon:That’s impressive. To one, be in business, and continue being in business, and then creating your first watch. What was the process like, there? From tinkering, to building, to manufacturing, and sourcing, how did you go about deciding the initial features to include in the first design?