The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.
Name: JackBacks
Quick Pitch: JackBacks makes customizable wood and glass back replacements for the iPhone 4.
Genius Idea: Protect your iPhone 4 in style.
The ubiquity of the iPhone 4, means everyone else’s phone looks just like yours. Plus, the iPhone’s durability is really put to the test should you drop it on its back.
Sure, you can bedazzle and bling out your iPhone with many a quirky or colorful case. Those looking to give their devices a radical makeover, and better product the back of their devices in the process, can turn to JackBacks.
JackBacks creates customizable handcrafted bamboo, mahogany, cherry, maple and walnut wood backs you can use to replace the stock glass back your iPhone 4 shipped with. Less adventurous types can also turn to JackBacks to purchase replacement glass backs and restore a shattered iPhone 4 to new.
The backs start at $89 for a basic bamboo replacement. Custom etching and different wood types will set you back a bit more.
The one-man shop was started by trained woodworker Adam Baumgartner in late 2010 after he scoured the web for a high quality bezel and back replacement. A few failed purchases later, Baumgartner was inspired to create his own better, more durable back replacement from wood. One business and entrepreneurism class later — combined with positive feedback from friends, of course — and the JackBacks brand was born.
Baumgartner processes, handmakes and ships each and every order, all while still maintaining his developer day job — no easy feat considering that he saw 46 orders amounting to $8,000 in sales in August. “I’m working my butt off,” he says. “It’s challenging, but fun.”
The hard work is paying off. Baumgartner’s backs have attracted clientele of the Hollywood and Silicon Valley celebrity breeds. Former Facebooker and Path creator Dave Morin happened upon JackBacks. Morin first ordered a few backs, but returned to purchase custom etched Path backs for his entire startup. Arrested Development star Tony Hale (a.k.a. Buster Bluth) also totes around his iPhone 4 in a JackBack.
Baumgartner hopes to turn his self-funded endeavor into a more scalable and sustainable business. His next challenge will be figuring out how to build backs for the pending iPhone 5.
“What’s it going to take to get me there?,” Baumgartner questions aloud. “I don’t quite know yet … I’m waiting in anticipation of the iPhone 5.”
Image courtesy of Flickr, Robert Scoble
Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark
The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.
More About: bizspark, iphone 4, iphone accessories, JackBacks, spark-of-geniusFor more Startups coverage:Follow Mashable Startups on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Startups channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:10:49 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/x7bRI9qzvio/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/09/02/jackbacks/#comments
Name: JackBacks
Quick Pitch: JackBacks makes customizable wood and glass back replacements for the iPhone 4.
Genius Idea: Protect your iPhone 4 in style.
The ubiquity of the iPhone 4, means everyone else’s phone looks just like yours. Plus, the iPhone’s durability is really put to the test should you drop it on its back.
Sure, you can bedazzle and bling out your iPhone with many a quirky or colorful case. Those looking to give their devices a radical makeover, and better product the back of their devices in the process, can turn to JackBacks.
JackBacks creates customizable handcrafted bamboo, mahogany, cherry, maple and walnut wood backs you can use to replace the stock glass back your iPhone 4 shipped with. Less adventurous types can also turn to JackBacks to purchase replacement glass backs and restore a shattered iPhone 4 to new.
The backs start at $89 for a basic bamboo replacement. Custom etching and different wood types will set you back a bit more.
The one-man shop was started by trained woodworker Adam Baumgartner in late 2010 after he scoured the web for a high quality bezel and back replacement. A few failed purchases later, Baumgartner was inspired to create his own better, more durable back replacement from wood. One business and entrepreneurism class later — combined with positive feedback from friends, of course — and the JackBacks brand was born.
Baumgartner processes, handmakes and ships each and every order, all while still maintaining his developer day job — no easy feat considering that he saw 46 orders amounting to $8,000 in sales in August. “I’m working my butt off,” he says. “It’s challenging, but fun.”
The hard work is paying off. Baumgartner’s backs have attracted clientele of the Hollywood and Silicon Valley celebrity breeds. Former Facebooker and Path creator Dave Morin happened upon JackBacks. Morin first ordered a few backs, but returned to purchase custom etched Path backs for his entire startup. Arrested Development star Tony Hale (a.k.a. Buster Bluth) also totes around his iPhone 4 in a JackBack.
Baumgartner hopes to turn his self-funded endeavor into a more scalable and sustainable business. His next challenge will be figuring out how to build backs for the pending iPhone 5.
“What’s it going to take to get me there?,” Baumgartner questions aloud. “I don’t quite know yet … I’m waiting in anticipation of the iPhone 5.”
Image courtesy of Flickr, Robert Scoble
Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark
The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.
More About: bizspark, iphone 4, iphone accessories, JackBacks, spark-of-geniusFor more Startups coverage:Follow Mashable Startups on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Startups channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:10:49 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/x7bRI9qzvio/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/09/02/jackbacks/#comments