Jakob Mattson - Vik Sports
Instagram: vik_sports
Facebook: Vik Sports
Blog post #1
Describe the idea!
We want to make it easier and safer to repair your broken watersport equipment when it gets broken. Today epoxy and other toxic plastics are used to repair surfboards, kayaks etc. We have developed a very simple and functioning repair-kit based on renewables that does not contain any harmful plastics. You can easily fix your broken gear in 5 minutes and get back in the ocean. It is a healthy alternative for both you and the planet!
Who are you?
My name is Jakob Mattsson and I just finished my master in engineering nanoscience. No matter work experience I have come to the conclusion that I want to form my everyday life by working on my own ideas to find stimulation and flexibility. Together with Eric Holmström I now have the opportunity to combine my interest in surfing with my educational knowledge.
What will you do during these three months? How will you spend the time?
Since we have our product rather established and complete, we will focus on packaging, marketing and simultaneously registering the company Vik Sports AB. We will also focus on the feedback from close customers to optimise our product.
What do you expect to achieve during Leapfrogs?
I expect us to achieve an attractive product that we proudly can offer to retailers and private customers. I hope to reach out to more watersport users with marketing through Facebook and Instagram to get pre-orders of our product. I also want to have Vik Sports AB registered and running in the end of the summer.
Blog post #2
Tell us what you have done on your project so far during the Leapfrogs time.
So far, the Leapfrog time has been all about listening to customers and trying to adapt to what they are after. We have been back in forth in the lab trying to achieve a product that the regular surfer wants to use to fix the surfboard. We have also taken the time to evaluate different business plans where our material could potentially be used. We have for instance simultaneously started to build a demo-surfboard with our own coating material.
Has everything gone according to the plan? Has anything unexpected occurred? Has something been easier/harder than expected?
It never goes as planned. We have had difficulties trying to understand the customers and their priorities. Factors such as the right colour for your surfboard might be more important than the fact that our repair-kit is an environmentally friendly alternative. We thought the laboratory work was relatively finished going into the leapfrog time, but that was not the case. Also, you always get surprised when the country closes down during July and no companies are possible to reach.
What will you focus on during the remaining time? Will you follow your original plan or has anything changed along the way?
We have listened to our customers and we want the aesthetics of our product to match their needs. That means we are going back to optimise our product in the lab. As soon as we get new recipes, we ask local surfers what they think and sometimes we even try to sell our product to receive feedback. Simultaneously, we will try to finish our demo-surfboard to be further used at surf exhibitions.
Blog post #3
How did you experience the three months?
It has been absolutely fantastic to work 100% on my own business idea. It is amazing how much you can achieve when you put all your energy on one thing.
What has been most difficult and what has been most enjoyable?
It has been hard to be your own boss sometimes. It has been very clear that nothing happens unless I personally take initiative. I have enjoyed pushing my personal limit, going out meeting customers.
Will you continue working on your project in the future? If so, what is your next step?
Yes, we will at least continue for 6 months. We will start with evaluating a new business idea that grew during the last time of leapfrogs.
What would you say is the most important lesson learnt while working on your project?
To focus on sales and to seek feedback from customers as soon as it is relevant. It has been truly helpful to guide the project in the right direction.
Do you have any tips to other new entrepreneurs?
Just start if you have an idea. I have realised that I personally can’t predict which ideas that will be good or bad! One idea leads to another!