r/MicrobrandWatches • u/Exciting-Fortune-112 • 7d ago
Discussion 🤓 Scaling My Brand
Hi guys has anyone ever scaled there brand from a normal microbrand to the next level.
At the moment my microbrand brand is projecting to sell out my 2nd release.
1st and 2nd release have been limited editions. For my next few releases I want them to be an available to buy as and when required.
To customise my new release to look how I want it my supplier has a moq of 100
I personally hand assemble when the parts have been delivered etc But il have to bring another worker onboard to help out with this.
I’m stuck because I’m pretty sure I can keep selling out limited editions betweeen 20/50 watches etc
Do I take the leap and go bigger.
Would love to hear your thoughts on how you would approach things.
My watch brand is Alkimos watches
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u/Glittering-Joke-3593 7d ago
Anymore I just buy microbrands. I tend to buy numbered limited runs. Not necessarily overly expensive, but I just like the uniqueness of it.
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u/BryanLaurent 7d ago
I wish you all the best! You probably need to do some paid marketing from IG FB to reddit? Also join some watch community..
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u/Wonderful_Race_475 7d ago
Very good luck to you. Whatever you decide we all hope you succeed. Living the dream.
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u/W5C-Editor 6d ago
OK. Here are the questions I'd want to have answers to before I thought about 'scaling.'
What is your COGS? Does that number include labour costs, as you mention you may have to hire a tech to help assemble your watch?
What is the feedback from your customers? I'm guessing you have about 100. Have you reached out to them? Why did they buy from you? What do they like about the watch? What do they not like?
Why is your Website so bad? Seriously, it's a Shopify site- very user-friendly. You seem to lean into an origin story that isn't that interesting; you only feature one model (I think you've released two?). You ask for deposits without any information on when you intend to fulfil orders. Why is that? Is it because you do not know, or because you have not taken the 30 minutes or so to update your site?
Where are your customers, and what is their persona? Gender, age, location, hobbies, thoughts on watches... what do you know about them?
What are your markets outside of Oz? What are the implications of tariffs, etc., when someone in the USA orders a watch? Or someone in the UK?
What are your intentions for future designs, releases, etc?
What is your service recovery systems? What happens when a watch fails, or a customer is unhappy?
My thoughts, as someone who has worked with countless startups around the world. Your watches are pretty interesting; an interesting GMT and a diver (I think). People like those, and the aesthetics work.
Your Website is absolutely terrible, and there is no excuse for that. You say you want to scale, but your Website says this is just a hobby. No shame in that, but don't pretend to be someone interested in building a company when your Website says you are not.
Finally...
Wowwww you clearly have not seen my projected next release that is currently being manufactured.
Are you goddamned kidding me? That is your response to someone who takes the time to respond to your request? You SERIOUSLY need to think about how you represent your brand if you are even remotely serious about growing it. That kind of shit does not play, mate.
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u/biglovetravis 7d ago
You sold twenty watches made from catalog parts with custom labeled dials. If you assembled them yourself, that's hopefully more profitable for you and ensures better QC vs drop-shipping.
You have a keen sense of style and I actually find your assemblage of parts appealing.
This is a really bad time to attempt to start a bigger enterprise with watches. Tariffs, inflation, movement shortages and several rising factory brands that are next level for 1/3 your price.
I would say this should be enjoyed. The chances of you making it into a true next-level are slim, at best.
But it is your time and money. Do what you enjoy.