Does the world really need another wallet?
Kiril Alexandrov certainly hopes so. He plans to build an entire company, The Big Skinny, around his “better mousetrap.?
It started as a side project. He didn’t like the bulk and heft of traditional wallets. He had resorted to carrying his stack of plastic cards and bills wrapped in a rubber band.
Alexandrov tested dozens of materials and designs to find one that worked. His wallet would have a personality. It would be sleek and sexy. It would have a name. It would have a hidden pocket for a stack of credit cards, or a condom. Now that should grab attention. He would use photographs of a beautiful woman in alluring poses with a handsome man to promote the product.
The strategy is working. The Big Skinny broke even within weeks of its launch and has since started turning a profit.
Maybe the Big Skinny will become a major name in wallets. But it doesn’t necessarily have to in order to be successful.
“The more research I did, the more I realized there is quite a sizable market out there,? Alexandrov said. “If the Big Skinny can capture even a small portion of that market, that’s quite enough for me.?
Photo by The Big Skinny.
Chip Miniard on January 21st, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I love the Big Skinny wallet. It is really thin and holds all my stuff. Try it, you will like it, too. It sure beats thick leather wallets