These two entrepreneurs are changing the way time functions in the future. Through dedication and focus they have turned their passion into a company that is selling their beautiful watches around the globe. Check out their story on how they have grown MSTRwatches to where it is today…
What are your positions at your company?
Both Ryan Pietersz and I (Kingson Tse) are cofounders of the company, and for the past six years we’ve divided the responsibilities evenly. While I lead on production and manufacturing, Ryan oversees sales and marketing. We both participate in the design process, and are often inspired by our travels from around the globe.
How long have you known you wanted to do what you are currently working on?
The company has very meager beginnings that grew organically over time. We first started this as a project in which we sold directly to our friends, and then created a website so that we could sell watches to more friends. The business slowly grew from there. At the time we started, there weren’t any watch brands on the market that we could relate to, and the ones that we liked weren’t affordable. So our goal was to create a nice watch that we could pair with sneakers and an outfit. Basically, we created Meister in 2009 because we want to create our own niche market base, so we’ve known for quite some time now that this was the path for us.
We follow our intuition, and try to not let other people tell us what to do with our own brand.
Why are you passionate about what you do?
We’re both very passionate about creating timepieces that speak to the modern man; quality watches that are stylish, and pair well with everyday looks. We want to create something that has value, an item that we can use daily that will stand the test of time. That’s what pushes us to do what we do.
How did you overcome your own doubts and the doubts of other people?
We try to stay true to ourselves, and the spirit of the brand. Over the past six years we’ve built a solid foundation that has given us credible experience to keep growing our company. We follow our intuition, and try to not let other people tell us what to do with our own brand.
What were some bumps you hit to get where you’re at now?
There were minor growing pains, and learning curves that every company experiences when they first start out. We’ve learned from those experiences, which helped us get to where we are now. We continue to learn on a daily basis. One of the main pieces of the puzzle is the people that are working with you. To find the right talent to do a specific job is always the biggest challenge. It is hard to find someone that will be able to give the same energy and the motivation to work on the project. We made some mistakes relying on friends to help us out just because they were accessible.
What is one thing you did wrong in the past that you can share with people?
We try to keep an open-mind to learn from people in general in the world of business. The biggest mistake we made was adjusting our product line to try to cater to a different market. We listened to sales agents and created items that they thought would sell. In the process, we ended up creating some products that we were not 100% proud of. It actually hurt our sales because it didn’t fit with our brand identity.
What is a way you got your name out there?
We’ve collaborated with many great brands and personalities. For example, we have a new watch that we’re releasing that’s inspired by one of the best luxury sports car manufacturers in the world, Lexus. We’re also launching a new timepiece that’s inspired by Floyd Mayweather’s TMT (The Money Team). Aside from these kinds of strategic partnerships, we try and get the word out about our brand via word of mouth, in which social media has been very useful.
Is there anything that almost stopped you from doing this?
Since we funded our business ourselves, we sometimes faced cash flow issues. Despite some unforeseen obstacles, we’ve continued to move forward and grow the brand, which is something that we’re very proud of. We’re grateful for those kinds of experiences as they help us learn and grow.
Is there anyone in your profession that you admire and/or model yourself after?
We just collaborated with Bruce Lee Enterprises because we felt that he is the true definition of a Meister, which means Master when translated from German. He is an inspiration to us because he overcame so much adversity to show the world his mastery of kung fu and action movies.
How do you continue to perfect your craft?
We keep a keen eye on the competition, and consult with our manufacturers regularly so that we’re always on top the latest and most relevant production trends. We also continue to draw inspiration from fashion, automotive, and urban culture.
stay true to your concept and style, and don’t let other people tell you what to do with your company; trust your instincts as that will help guide you in the direction that you need to go.
How do you envision the future of your product/services?
We are working on a higher end automatic line. We are excited to do it because we now can create timepieces that have more premium components such as automatic movements, multi-piece watchcases, and sapphire crystal lenses. And because the company has been so successful, we’re also playing around with the idea of starting a women’s line of watches.
What’s some advice you can share for anyone who wants to pursuit what you are doing?
Our advice is to stay true to your concept and style, and don’t let other people tell you what to do with your company; trust your instincts as that will help guide you in the direction that you need to go.
How much of your business is driven by online buyers/clients?
Absolutely, we’re able to sell to a much wider audience now, as opposed to regional boutiques in certain markets. We also have more control of our sales via e-commerce, and are able to create our own unique content that we can share with a global following.
Where can people go to find out more about your awesome products/services?
Readers can visit us at http://mstrwatches.com, and follow us on Twitter (@), Instagram (@), and Facebook (@).
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